Free One Word Substitution MCQs with Answers

173 One Word Substitution MCQs from English, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

One-word substitution replaces a descriptive phrase with a single precise word, such as a person who cannot read or a place where aircraft are kept. Questions test vocabulary for people, actions, qualities, places and systems, along with distinctions between near-synonyms and correct spelling.

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173 questions · page 8 of 9

Easy
  • A. Academic
  • B. Epidemic
  • C. Incorrigible
  • D. Invincible

Explanation: An epidemic is a disease outbreak affecting many people within a community or large region.

Correct answer: Epidemic
Fairly easy
  • A. Irrevocable
  • B. Inevitable
  • C. Incredible
  • D. Irritable

Explanation: Incredible literally means not believable or unbelievable in this context.

Correct answer: Incredible
Fairly easy
  • A. Sinister
  • B. Ambidextrous
  • C. Ambivalent
  • D. Amateur

Explanation: Ambidextrous describes a person who can use both the right and left hands equally well.

Correct answer: Ambidextrous
Very hard
  • A. Oligarchy
  • B. Aristocracy
  • C. Pantisocracy
  • D. Plutocracy

Explanation: Plutocracy means government or control by wealthy people, from Greek roots meaning wealth and rule.

Correct answer: Plutocracy
Moderate
  • A. Gourmet
  • B. Curator
  • C. Parasite
  • D. Stoic

Explanation: A gourmet is a person with refined taste in and knowledge of good food.

Correct answer: Gourmet
Fairly easy
  • A. Spinster
  • B. Artist
  • C. Bachelor
  • D. Misanthrope

Explanation: Spinster is the traditional term for an unmarried woman, especially one regarded as older than the customary marrying age.

Correct answer: Spinster
Moderate
  • A. Crook
  • B. Apotheosis
  • C. Renegade
  • D. Charlatan

Explanation: A charlatan falsely claims special knowledge or skill in order to deceive others.

Correct answer: Charlatan
Very hard
  • A. Apostle
  • B. Apothecary
  • C. Apotheosis
  • D. Renegade

Explanation: An apostle can be a leading advocate or early promoter of a cause or reform.

Correct answer: Apostle
Easy
  • A. Misogamy
  • B. Bigamy
  • C. Polygamy
  • D. Monogamy

Explanation: Polygamy is the practice of having more than one spouse, and it includes the customary sense of having multiple wives.

Correct answer: Polygamy
Fairly easy
  • A. Matricide
  • B. Regicide
  • C. Genocide
  • D. Homicide

Explanation: Genocide is the intentional destruction of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.

Correct answer: Genocide
Moderate
  • A. Narcotics
  • B. Antiseptic
  • C. Panacea
  • D. Lyric

Explanation: A panacea is a supposed remedy for all diseases or difficulties. An antiseptic prevents infection, while narcotics are drugs that relieve…

Correct answer: Panacea
Moderate
  • A. Incurable
  • B. Infectious
  • C. Contagious
  • D. Fatal

Explanation: Contagious describes a disease that spreads through direct or indirect contact from one person to another.

Correct answer: Contagious
Moderate
  • A. Homicide
  • B. Regicide
  • C. Fratricide
  • D. Suicide

Explanation: Fratricide means the killing of one's brother. Homicide is the general term for killing another person, while regicide means killing a…

Correct answer: Fratricide
Hard
  • A. Cosmopolitan
  • B. Frightening
  • C. Fastidious
  • D. Feminist

Explanation: Fastidious describes someone very difficult to please because of exacting standards.

Correct answer: Fastidious
Fairly easy
  • A. Fatalist
  • B. Optimist
  • C. Pessimist
  • D. Parsimonious

Explanation: A fatalist believes that events are determined by fate and cannot be substantially changed by human effort.

Correct answer: Fatalist

156. A sad song:

Hard
  • A. Ditty
  • B. Knell
  • C. Dirge
  • D. Lay

Explanation: A dirge is a slow, mournful song, especially one sung at a funeral. A ditty is simply a short, light song, while a knell is the sound of a…

Correct answer: Dirge
Hard
  • A. Parasol
  • B. Granary
  • C. Epitaph
  • D. Aviary

Explanation: A parasol is a light umbrella used mainly for protection from the sun. A granary stores grain, an epitaph is an inscription for the dead…

Correct answer: Parasol
Easy
  • A. Theist
  • B. Heretic
  • C. Atheist
  • D. Fanatic

Explanation: An atheist does not believe in the existence of God or gods. A theist believes in God, while a heretic merely holds beliefs contrary to…

Correct answer: Atheist
Very hard
  • A. Bibliophile
  • B. Philologist
  • C. Misogynist
  • D. Misologist

Explanation: A misologist is a person who hates reasoning, knowledge, or learning. A bibliophile loves books, a philologist studies language, and a…

Correct answer: Misologist
Hard
  • A. Apostate
  • B. Prostate
  • C. Profane
  • D. Agnostic

Explanation: An apostate abandons or deserts a religious faith. An agnostic is uncertain about the existence of God, so the two terms are not…

Correct answer: Apostate