ASVAB · Synonym Recognition

'Diminish' most nearly means:

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Correct answer

Decrease

A Decrease
B Increase
C Maintain
D Repair

Why this is the answer

DIMINISH means to make or become smaller, fewer, or less; DECREASE/reduce. 'Increase' is the antonym. The prefix 'di-' here and the root relate to lessening. ASVAB strategy: recognize common roots and prefixes — they often signal meaning. 'The medicine diminished the pain' (reduced it). Eliminate the opposite ('increase') and choose the synonym.

Source: ASVAB Word Knowledge — Synonyms

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About this topic: Synonym Recognition

Word Knowledge is mostly synonym questions: a word, sometimes in a short sentence, and four choices. Eliminate the words you know are wrong, use roots and prefixes on the rest, and never leave a blank — there is no penalty for guessing. This is one of 39 Word Knowledge questions on synonym recognition, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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'Diminish' most nearly means:

Why this is the answer

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About this topic: Synonym Recognition

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