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Verbal Reasoning · Guide 4 of 8

Closest and opposite meanings

Synonyms are words with nearly the same meaning (big, large). Antonyms are words with opposite meanings (big, small). Verbal reasoning tests both.

  • Ages 9 to 11
  • 11+ Verbal Reasoning
  • Worked examples

What is it?

In a closest meaning question you pick the word that means most nearly the same as another word. In an opposite meaning question you pick the word that means the opposite.

Sometimes you choose from a list of options. Sometimes there are two groups of words in brackets, and you pick one word from each group that go together.

A typical question

Which word is closest in meaning to brave? fearful, bold, angry, kind

Find two words, one from each group, that are most opposite: (generous, wealthy, cheerful) (mean, glad, rich)

How to spot it

  • The question says 'closest in meaning', 'most similar', 'means the same' (synonym).
  • Or 'opposite in meaning', 'most opposite' (antonym). Read carefully: both types can be in the same paper.
  • The words are usually adjectives, verbs or nouns, and often a bit harder than everyday words.

Step-by-step method

  1. Step 1: Read the instruction twice: same or opposite?
  2. Step 2: Put the key word into a short sentence of your own: 'The brave knight fought the dragon.'
  3. Step 3: Swap each option into your sentence. Which one keeps the meaning (or flips it, for opposites)?
  4. Step 4: Check the word class matches: a describing word goes with a describing word, an action with an action.
  5. Step 5: Think about other meanings: 'fine' can mean 'good', 'thin' or 'a penalty'.
  6. Step 6: Cross out options that are only linked (cold and snow), not the same or opposite.

Worked examples

Example 1: closest meaning from a list

Question: Which word is closest in meaning to 'brave'? fearful, bold, angry, kind
  1. Step 1: Sentence: 'The brave knight fought the dragon.'
  2. Step 2: Swap in each word: 'the fearful knight' changes the meaning (it's nearly the opposite). 'The bold knight' keeps it.

Answer: bold

Example 2: opposites from two groups

Question: Find two words, one from each group, most opposite in meaning: (generous, wealthy, cheerful) (mean, glad, rich)
  1. Step 1: Watch for the trap: 'wealthy' and 'rich' mean the same, and 'cheerful' and 'glad' mean the same. Those are synonyms, not opposites.
  2. Step 2: A generous person gives a lot; a mean person doesn't like to give. They are opposites.

Answer: generous and mean

Example 3: a word with two meanings

Question: Which word is closest in meaning to 'fine'? thick, penalty, rough, loud
  1. Step 1: 'Fine' as in 'fine sand' is the opposite of thick and rough, so those don't match.
  2. Step 2: 'Fine' can also be a noun: 'He paid a fine for parking.' A fine is a penalty.

Answer: penalty

Common traps

  • Mixing up same and opposite

    Underline 'closest' or 'opposite' in the question before you start.

  • Choosing a linked word

    Rain and umbrella go together, but they don't mean the same thing. Look for meaning, not connection.

  • Forgetting other meanings

    If no option seems right, the word probably has a second meaning. 'Bark' can be a dog's noise or the outside of a tree.

  • Word class mismatch

    'Quick' (describing word) is closest to 'swift', not 'speed' (a noun).

Top tips

  • Keep a vocabulary notebook: write new words with a synonym and an antonym.
  • Prefixes can make opposites: happy/unhappy, possible/impossible, appear/disappear.
  • Reading fiction and non-fiction every day is the best way to grow your vocabulary.

Practice questions

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6 practice questions on this topic, from easy to 11+ level. Reading the guide is free for everyone; practice is for members, and signing up is free.

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