ASVAB Word Knowledge: Vocabulary in Context — Questions and Answers

Question 1: The word FORTIFY most nearly means:

Weaken
Surrender
Strengthen (Correct answer)
Retreat

Correct answer: Strengthen

Fortify means to make stronger or more secure, especially for defense.

Fortify comes from Latin 'fortis' (strong) and means to make stronger or more defensible. It is used literally (fortify a base) and figuratively (fortify your resolve). Weaken and surrender are antonyms.

Question 2: The word MENACE most nearly means:

Helper
Threat (Correct answer)
Symbol
Companion

Correct answer: Threat

Menace means a person or thing that is likely to cause harm; a threat.

Menace refers to a source of danger or a threatening gesture. It can be used as a noun ('a menace to society') or a verb ('to menace an enemy'). Helper and companion are antonyms.

Question 3: The word RESILIENT most nearly means:

Fragile
Stubborn
Able to recover quickly (Correct answer)
Aggressive

Correct answer: Able to recover quickly

Resilient means able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.

Resilient describes the ability to recover from adversity, injury, or change. In both a physical sense (resilient material) and psychological sense (resilient mindset), it means bouncing back. Fragile is its antonym.

Question 4: The word CENSURE most nearly means:

Praise
Official criticism or disapproval (Correct answer)
Ignore
Reward

Correct answer: Official criticism or disapproval

Censure means to formally express strong disapproval.

Censure is a formal expression of strong disapproval, often in official or military contexts (a commanding officer may censure a subordinate). Praise and reward are antonyms.

Question 5: The word FUTILE most nearly means:

Effective
Hopeless or pointless (Correct answer)
Dangerous
Efficient

Correct answer: Hopeless or pointless

Futile means producing no result; pointless.

Futile describes an action or effort that is incapable of producing any useful result. It implies hopelessness or ineffectiveness. Effective and efficient are antonyms.

Question 6: The word EXERT most nearly means:

Relax
Apply effort or force (Correct answer)
Withdraw
Observe

Correct answer: Apply effort or force

Exert means to apply or bring to bear (effort, force, or influence).

Exert means to put forth or apply forcefully. 'Exert influence,' 'exert effort,' or 'exert pressure' are common uses. Relax and withdraw are near antonyms.

Question 7: The word AMIABLE most nearly means:

Hostile
Friendly and pleasant (Correct answer)
Skilled
Nervous

Correct answer: Friendly and pleasant

Amiable means having a friendly, pleasant manner.

Amiable describes someone who is good-natured, friendly, and pleasant. It comes from Latin 'amicabilis.' Hostile is its antonym, and skilled and nervous are unrelated.

Question 8: The word CLANDESTINE most nearly means:

Official
Secret (Correct answer)
Celebrated
Chaotic

Correct answer: Secret

Clandestine means done secretly, especially in a covert or unauthorized way.

Clandestine refers to things done in secret, often to avoid detection or official sanction. It is commonly used in military and intelligence contexts. Official is an antonym.

Question 9: The word ARBITRARY most nearly means:

Based on careful reasoning
Based on random choice rather than reason (Correct answer)
Mandatory
Well-organized

Correct answer: Based on random choice rather than reason

Arbitrary means based on random choice or personal whim rather than any reason.

Arbitrary means not based on a rational system or standard; random or capricious. In military or legal contexts, arbitrary decisions are those made without clear justification. 'Based on careful reasoning' is its antonym.

Question 10: The word INSUBORDINATE most nearly means:

Obedient
Defiant of authority (Correct answer)
Inexperienced
Trustworthy

Correct answer: Defiant of authority

Insubordinate means refusing to obey orders; defying authority.

Insubordinate comes from 'sub' (under) + 'ordinate' (ordered). An insubordinate person refuses to submit to authority. It is the opposite of obedient or compliant.

Question 11: The word DETERIORATE most nearly means:

Improve
Become progressively worse (Correct answer)
Stay the same
Accelerate

Correct answer: Become progressively worse

Deteriorate means to become progressively worse in quality or condition.

Deteriorate describes a gradual decline in quality, condition, or value. It is used for physical objects, health, relationships, and situations. Improve is its antonym.

Question 12: The word ACUTE most nearly means:

Mild
Sharp or intense (Correct answer)
Slow
Invisible

Correct answer: Sharp or intense

Acute means sharp, intense, or requiring immediate attention.

Acute has several meanings: in geometry, a sharp angle (less than 90°); in medicine, a sudden severe condition (acute pain); in general use, keenly perceptive (acute observation). Mild is its antonym in the medical sense.

Question 13: The word VOLATILE most nearly means:

Stable
Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably (Correct answer)
Slow-moving
Predictable

Correct answer: Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably

Volatile means likely to change suddenly; can also describe a substance that vaporizes easily.

Volatile describes something unstable and likely to change or escalate rapidly. In chemistry, it describes substances that evaporate quickly at normal temperatures. Stable and predictable are antonyms.

Question 14: The word MANDATORY most nearly means:

Optional
Suggested
Required (Correct answer)
Prohibited

Correct answer: Required

Mandatory means required by law or rules; obligatory.

Mandatory means compulsory, required, or obligatory — not left to personal choice. Optional is its antonym, and prohibited means the opposite of allowed.

Question 15: The word TENUOUS most nearly means:

Strong
Thin and weak; not firmly established (Correct answer)
Obvious
Urgent

Correct answer: Thin and weak; not firmly established

Tenuous means very thin, weak, or having little substance.

Tenuous describes something that is weak, slight, or of uncertain validity. A tenuous argument lacks solid support. Strong and obvious are near antonyms.

Question 16: The word DISCORD most nearly means:

Agreement
Harmony
Conflict or disagreement (Correct answer)
Peace

Correct answer: Conflict or disagreement

Discord means lack of agreement or harmony; conflict.

Discord means disagreement, conflict, or lack of harmony between people or groups. In music, it refers to sounds that clash. Agreement and harmony are antonyms.

Question 17: The word AUSTERE most nearly means:

Lavish
Sternly simple; having no luxuries (Correct answer)
Cheerful
Colorful

Correct answer: Sternly simple; having no luxuries

Austere means severe or strict; plain and without comfort.

Austere describes something plain, simple, and lacking luxury, or a person who is strict and serious. Military life is often considered austere. Lavish and colorful are antonyms.

Question 18: The word EXPEDITIOUS most nearly means:

Slow and careful
Done with speed and efficiency (Correct answer)
Complicated
Secretive

Correct answer: Done with speed and efficiency

Expeditious means done with speed and efficiency.

Expeditious means quick and efficient. It is commonly used in military and official contexts: 'an expeditious withdrawal,' 'an expeditious review.' Slow is its antonym.

Question 19: The word ACRIMONY most nearly means:

Kindness
Bitterness or ill feeling (Correct answer)
Enthusiasm
Agreement

Correct answer: Bitterness or ill feeling

Acrimony means bitterness or ill feeling, especially in speech.

Acrimony refers to sharp, bitter feelings or language. It often describes hostile or resentful interactions. Kindness and agreement are antonyms.

Question 20: The word VIABLE most nearly means:

Impossible
Capable of working or succeeding (Correct answer)
Dangerous
Theoretical

Correct answer: Capable of working or succeeding

Viable means capable of working successfully; feasible.

Viable means workable, practical, and capable of success. In biology, it also describes organisms capable of surviving. Impossible is its antonym.

Question 21: The word PROCURE most nearly means:

Discard
Obtain or acquire (Correct answer)
Return
Examine

Correct answer: Obtain or acquire

Procure means to obtain something, especially with effort or care.

Procure means to obtain, especially through deliberate effort or by special means. Procurement is a formal term for acquiring supplies. Discard and return are antonyms.

Question 22: The word BELLIGERENT most nearly means:

Peaceful
Engaged in conflict; hostile and aggressive (Correct answer)
Diplomatic
Cooperative

Correct answer: Engaged in conflict; hostile and aggressive

Belligerent means hostile and aggressive, or engaged in war.

Belligerent can describe a nation or person that is engaged in war or conflict, or more broadly someone who is aggressive and combative. Peaceful and cooperative are antonyms.

Question 23: The word SPARSE most nearly means:

Dense
Thin; not thick or crowded (Correct answer)
Sharp
Hidden

Correct answer: Thin; not thick or crowded

Sparse means thinly distributed or dispersed; not crowded.

Sparse describes something present in small amounts or spread out over a large area. Sparse vegetation, sparse population, sparse data. Dense is its antonym.

Question 24: The word CORROBORATE most nearly means:

Contradict
Confirm or support with evidence (Correct answer)
Question
Destroy

Correct answer: Confirm or support with evidence

Corroborate means to confirm or give support to a statement or theory.

Corroborate means to provide evidence that confirms or supports a claim. Intelligence analysts corroborate intelligence from multiple sources. Contradict is its antonym.

Question 25: The word AVERSION most nearly means:

Attraction
Strong dislike or opposition (Correct answer)
Confusion
Approval

Correct answer: Strong dislike or opposition

Aversion means a strong feeling of dislike or opposition toward something.

Aversion describes a deep-seated feeling of dislike or reluctance. It often manifests as a desire to avoid the thing in question. Attraction is its antonym.

Question 26: The word LUCID most nearly means:

Confused
Expressed clearly; easy to understand (Correct answer)
Elaborate
Secretive

Correct answer: Expressed clearly; easy to understand

Lucid means clear and easy to understand; also means mentally clear.

Lucid means expressed or presented in a clear, logical, and easily understood way. It can also describe clear thinking, as in 'a lucid mind.' Confused is its antonym.

Question 27: The word FERVENT most nearly means:

Indifferent
Having or showing great intensity of feeling (Correct answer)
Cool
Reluctant

Correct answer: Having or showing great intensity of feeling

Fervent means having or displaying a great deal of passion or intensity.

Fervent describes intense, passionate, or earnest feelings. It is used for belief, desire, prayer, or dedication. Indifferent and cool are antonyms.

Question 28: The word JEOPARDIZE most nearly means:

Protect
Put at risk or in danger (Correct answer)
Strengthen
Improve

Correct answer: Put at risk or in danger

Jeopardize means to put at risk or in danger of loss or harm.

Jeopardize means to endanger or put at risk. In military contexts, a soldier who violates operational security can jeopardize the mission or lives of others. Protect and strengthen are antonyms.

Question 29: The word MANIFEST most nearly means:

Hidden
Clear and obvious; or to display clearly (Correct answer)
Complicated
Temporary

Correct answer: Clear and obvious; or to display clearly

Manifest means clear and obvious, or to show or demonstrate clearly.

As an adjective, manifest means plain or obvious. As a verb, it means to show or make evident. 'The enemy's intent manifested in their troop movements.' Hidden is an antonym.

Question 30: The word PERIL most nearly means:

Safety
Serious and immediate danger (Correct answer)
Comfort
Achievement

Correct answer: Serious and immediate danger

Peril means serious and immediate danger.

Peril refers to significant risk of harm or loss. It implies an immediate or pressing danger. Safety and security are antonyms.

Question 31: The word EXEMPLIFY most nearly means:

Criticize
Serve as a typical example of (Correct answer)
Exclude
Modify

Correct answer: Serve as a typical example of

Exemplify means to be a perfect example of something.

Exemplify means to be or give a typical example of something, or to illustrate by example. 'The sergeant's actions exemplified courage under fire.' Criticize and exclude are antonyms.

Question 32: The word ANTAGONIZE most nearly means:

Support
Cooperate
Provoke hostility in; irritate (Correct answer)
Assist

Correct answer: Provoke hostility in; irritate

Antagonize means to cause someone to become hostile or annoyed.

Antagonize means to act in a way that causes someone to become hostile or aggressive. It is the opposite of appeasing or cooperating. Support and assist are antonyms.

Question 33: The word REDUNDANT most nearly means:

Essential
No longer needed; superfluous (Correct answer)
Unique
Outdated

Correct answer: No longer needed; superfluous

Redundant means no longer needed or useful; unnecessarily repeated.

Redundant means superfluous, excessive, or no longer necessary. In communication, redundant words repeat meaning without adding value. In systems engineering, redundancy means backup components for reliability. Essential is its antonym.

Question 34: The word CONCISE most nearly means:

Wordy
Giving much information clearly in few words (Correct answer)
Vague
Complex

Correct answer: Giving much information clearly in few words

Concise means expressing much in few words; brief but comprehensive.

Concise describes communication that is brief, clear, and to the point without unnecessary words. Good military communication values conciseness. Wordy and verbose are antonyms.

Question 35: The word VIGILANT most nearly means:

Careless
Keeping careful watch for danger or difficulties (Correct answer)
Sleepy
Reckless

Correct answer: Keeping careful watch for danger or difficulties

Vigilant means keeping careful watch; alert to danger.

Vigilant means being watchful and alert, especially to detect threats. Soldiers on guard duty must remain vigilant. Careless, sleepy, and reckless are antonyms.

Question 36: The word AUSTERE most nearly means:

Extravagant
Severe or strict; lacking luxuries (Correct answer)
Generous
Casual

Correct answer: Severe or strict; lacking luxuries

Austere means severe in manner and lacking comfort or luxury.

Austere describes a way of living or an appearance that is stern, simple, and without unnecessary comforts. It can also describe a person who is serious and self-disciplined. Extravagant and generous are antonyms.

ASVAB Word Knowledge: Vocabulary in Context

The word FORTIFY most nearly means:

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