English Synonyms for Guile and Manipulation Vocabulary Words – Online Quiz!
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Identify the synonyms of Guile and Manipulation words in this online English synonyms quiz. Find the closest synonym for 33 vocabulary words. For each word, choose the option with the same or closest meaning. Review your scorecard with red/green highlights to spot mistakes and track improvement.
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To take something for one's own use without the owner's permission.
It implies the act of taking possession of something that belongs to someone else without their consent. The term often carries a negative connotation and implies theft, embezzlement or misappropriation.
The verb "appropriate" can have multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used. In one sense, it means to set aside or allocate funds or resources for a specific purpose or use. For example, a government might appropriate money to build a new highway. Another sense, it means to take something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission, this implies the act of taking possession of something that belongs to someone else without their consent, it carries a negative connotation and implies theft, embezzlement or misappropriation. It can refer to the act of taking something tangible, such as money, property or goods, or intangible things, such as information, ideas or intellectual property. In the context of business, it refers to the act of taking company's resources or assets for personal use without permission. In the context of government, it refers to the act of taking public property or funds for personal use without permission. In the context of personal relationships, it refers to the act of taking something that belongs to a partner, family member or friend without their consent. In general, the verb "appropriate" refers to the act of setting aside or allocating funds or resources for a specific purpose, or taking possession of something that belongs to someone else without their consent.
Appropriate is an adjective that means suitable or fitting for a particular purpose, person, or situation. It implies the suitability of something or someone in relation to a particular context or situation. The term is used to describe things that are suitable or right for a particular situation, or to describe actions or behaviors that are considered appropriate for a particular situation. In the context of behavior, it refers to actions or behaviors that are considered appropriate for a certain situation, such as a formal or professional setting. In the context of language, it refers to words or expressions that are considered appropriate for a certain situation, such as a formal or informal setting. In the context of dress, it refers to clothing that is considered appropriate for a certain occasion, such as a formal or informal event. In general, when something is described as appropriate, it implies the suitability of something or someone in relation to a particular context or situation and means suitable or fitting for a particular purpose, person, or situation.
Complete Vocabulary List for Guile and Manipulation with Meanings, Synonyms, Examples, and Quiz Questions
appropriate (verb) /əˈprəʊprɪeɪt/
Meaning: It implies the act of taking possession of something that belongs to someone else without their consent.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to appropriate?
Options: take; return; give; restore
Answer: take
Synonyms: acquire; annex; arrogate; assume; claim; commandeer; confiscate; expropriate; seize; usurp
Example: "The government may appropriate private properties for public use under certain circumstances."
crafty (adjective) /ˈkræf ti/
Meaning: A crafty individual is adept at thinking quickly and creatively, often employing strategies or methods that may be considered shrewd or sly.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to crafty?
Options: cunning; naive; straightforward; honest
Answer: cunning
Synonyms: artful; astute; calculating; clever; cunning; devious; resourceful; scheming; shrewd; sly; tricky; wily
Example: "She devised a crafty plan to outwit her opponents in the chess tournament."
cunning (adjective) /ˈkʌn ɪŋ/
Meaning: It implies a high level of intelligence combined with a keen ability to strategize and manipulate situations to one's advantage.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to cunning?
Options: shrewd; naive; straightforward; honest
Answer: shrewd
Synonyms: artful; astute; calculating; clever; crafty; devious; foxy; scheming; shrewd; sly; wily
Example: "The detective admired the cunning tactics used by the mastermind criminal to execute the perfect heist."
duplicity (noun) /djʊˈplɪsɪti/
Meaning: In simpler terms, it is when someone is being insincere, false, or hypocritical; or when someone is hiding the true facts or their real motives.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to duplicity?
Options: deceit; honesty; sincerity; openness
Answer: deceit
Synonyms: cheating; chicanery; cunning; deceit; deception; deviousness; dishonesty; falsehood; falsity; fraud; guile; hypocrisy
Example: "The politician's duplicity was exposed in the leaked emails."
embellish (verb) /ɪmˈbɛlɪʃ/
Meaning: Embellish can also mean to add decorative or ornamental details to something in order to make it more attractive or interesting.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to embellish?
Options: decorate; simplify; strip; undervalue
Answer: decorate
Synonyms: adorn; deck; decorate; dress; enhance; enrich; garnish; grace; ornament; gild; beautify
Example: "She loved to embellish her stories with vivid descriptions and imaginative details."
evade (verb) /ɪˈveɪd/
Meaning: It implies a deliberate attempt to elude or dodge a particular situation, responsibility, or person.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to evade?
Options: dodge; confront; face; encounter
Answer: dodge
Synonyms: avoid; bypass; circumvent; dodge; duck; elude; escape; flee; outwit; shun; sidestep; skirt
Example: "Don't evade the question; give me a straight answer."
exploit (verb) /ˈɛkˌsplɔɪt/
Meaning: For example, in the business world, a company might exploit a market opportunity by creating a new product or service that meets a previously unmet need.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to exploit?
Options: utilize; protect; support; conserve
Answer: utilize
Synonyms: abuse; capitalize; cheat; leverage; manipulate; milk; misuse; profit; utilize
Example: "The company sought to exploit new market opportunities."
fallacy (noun) /ˈfaləsi/
Meaning: Fallacies can take many forms and are typically characterized by errors in logic, reasoning, or argumentation.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to fallacy?
Options: misconception; truth; reality; fact
Answer: misconception
Synonyms: deceit; deception; delusion; distortion; error; falsehood; illusion; inaccuracy; misbelief; misconception; misinterpretation; mistake
Example: "He was able to identify the fallacy in the argument."
fawning (adjective) /ˈfɔːnɪŋ/
Meaning: Fawning is the act of behaving in an excessively subservient, flattering or sycophantic way towards someone, usually someone in a position of authority or power.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to fawning?
Options: sycophantic; aloof; indifferent; detached
Answer: sycophantic
Synonyms: adulatory; bootlicking; crawling; cringing; deferential; flattering; groveling; ingratiating; obsequious; servile; slavish; subservient
Example: "The celebrity was used to the fawning attention of her adoring fans."
manipulate (verb) /məˈnɪpjʊleɪt/
Meaning: Manipulate refers to It can involve using various tactics, such as deception, persuasion, or coercion, to influence the behavior or decision-making of others.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to manipulate?
Options: control; leave alone; ignore; neglect
Answer: control
Synonyms: devise; dupe; engineer; exploit; fool; hoodwink; maneuver; negotiate; plot; scheme; steer; trick
Example: "They manipulate the data to support their argument."
mimic (verb) /ˈmɪmɪk/
Meaning: To mimic someone means to replicate their mannerisms, gestures, tone of voice, or other distinctive characteristics.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to mimic?
Options: imitate; originate; differ; diverge
Answer: imitate
Synonyms: ape; caricature; echo; emulate; impersonate; mirror; mock; parody; parrot; simulate
Example: "The actor could perfectly mimic the mannerisms of famous personalities."
outwit (verb) /ˌaʊtˈwɪt/
Meaning: It is a verb that involves outsmarting or outmaneuvering an opponent or adversary through strategic thinking or deception.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to outwit?
Options: outsmart; be outsmarted; be fooled; be tricked
Answer: outsmart
Synonyms: best; deceive; outfox; outmaneuver; outperform; outplay; outshine; outsmart; outthink; overcome; surpass; trick
Example: "The detective managed to outwit the cunning criminal and solve the case."
peculate (verb) /ˈpɛkjʊleɪt/
Meaning: This can include taking money from a company, organization, or government agency, or misappropriating funds that belong to an individual or group.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to peculate?
Options: embezzle; return; safeguard; protect
Answer: embezzle
Synonyms: appropriate; arrogate; defraud; expropriate; loot; pilfer; purloin; rob; snatch; usurp
Example: "The corrupt official attempted to peculate public funds for personal gain."
pervert (verb) /pəˈvəːt/
Meaning: It implies a change or deviation that is intended to cause harm or to change the original purpose or meaning of something.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to pervert?
Options: distort; preserve; maintain; uphold
Answer: distort
Synonyms: abuse; degrade; falsify; misinterpret; misrepresent; misuse; subvert; twist; warp
Example: "It is wrong to pervert the course of justice."
phony (adjective) /ˈfəʊni/
Meaning: When we characterize something as phoney, we emphasize its lack of authenticity and the pretense or falseness associated with it.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to phony?
Options: fraudulent; genuine; authentic; real
Answer: fraudulent
Synonyms: affected; bogus; counterfeit; ersatz; fake; false; feigned; forged; imitation; sham; spurious
Example: "His accent was phoney and it was clear he was not from the country he claimed to be."
posturing (noun) /ˈpɒstʃərɪŋ/
Meaning: It is often used to describe behavior that is insincere or intended to mislead others.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to posturing?
Options: pretending; genuineness; sincerity; honesty
Answer: pretending
Synonyms: affectation; charade; deceit; display; dissembling; feigning; front; grandstanding; insincerity; masquerade; posing; pretense
Example: "His posturing and bravado were just a front to hide his insecurities."
pretext (noun) /ˈpriːtɛkst/
Meaning: It is often used in the context of deception or manipulation.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to pretext?
Options: excuse; reason; truth; reality
Answer: excuse
Synonyms: appearance; cloak; cover; device; excuse; guise; mask; ploy; pretense; show; simulation; veil
Example: "He concocted a false family emergency as a pretext to leave the meeting early."
quisling (noun) /ˈkwɪzlɪŋ/
Meaning: A quisling is a person who collaborates with an enemy occupation force, particularly one who collaborates with an invading force that has taken control of their country.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to quisling?
Options: traitor; loyalist; patriot; faithful
Answer: traitor
Synonyms: backstabber; betrayer; collaborator; conspirator; defector; deserter; infiltrator; informer; Judas; renegade; traitor; turncoat
Example: "He was accused of being a quisling, a traitor to his country."
renege (verb) /rɪˈniːɡ
Meaning: When someone reneges on an obligation, they fail to fulfill their end of the bargain or go back on their word, which can have negative consequences for the parties involved.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to renege?
Options: backtrack; honor; keep; uphold
Answer: backtrack
Synonyms: backpedal; backtrack; default; recall; recant; repudiate; retract; reverse; withdraw
Example: "He's known for his tendency to renege on promises, causing frustration."
rogue (noun) /rəʊɡ/
Meaning: A rogue individual may act recklessly or without regard for the consequences of their actions, and may have a history of deceit, dishonesty, or criminal behavior.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to rogue?
Options: scoundrel; conformist; upstanding; principled
Answer: scoundrel
Synonyms: charlatan; miscreant; rapscallion; rascal; reprobate; scamp; scoundrel; swindler; trickster
Example: "The spy was a dangerous rogue who operated outside the law."
skew (verb) /skjuː/
Meaning: This use of the term is often applied to data or information, where a skewed representation can be used to manipulate or misrepresent the facts for personal or political gain.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to skew?
Options: distort; align; straighten; correct
Answer: distort
Synonyms: alter; bend; change; contort; doctor; fake; falsify; misrepresent; slant; twist; warp
Example: "The artist used bold strokes to skew the perspective in the painting."
skulk (verb) /skʌlk/
Meaning: It implies a sense of suspicious or nefarious behavior, as if the person or animal skulking is up to no good.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to skulk?
Options: lurk; confront; appear; approach
Answer: lurk
Synonyms: creep; hide; hover; lurk; prowl; pussyfoot; sidle; slink; slope; sneak; stalk; tiptoe
Example: "If you watch closely, you can see the cat skulk towards the bird."
skullduggery (noun) /skʌlˈdʌɡ(ə)ri/
Meaning: It describes actions that are considered underhanded or sneaky, and is often used to describe behavior that is illegal or unethical.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to skullduggery?
Options: trickery; honesty; integrity; straightforwardness
Answer: trickery
Synonyms: deceit; trickery; fraud; chicanery; deception; duplicity; cheating; slyness; guile
Example: "The company was accused of skullduggery in their business practices."
sly (adjective) /slaɪ/
Meaning: It suggests a cleverness or shrewdness used to achieve personal gain or manipulate situations without drawing attention or arousing suspicion.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to sly?
Options: cunning; honest; straightforward; sincere
Answer: cunning
Synonyms: cagey; canny; crafty; cunning; devious; scheming; shrewd; sneaky; tricky; wily
Example: "He gave me a sly grin, hinting at his mischievous plan."
sophistry (noun) /ˈsɒfɪstri/
Meaning: It is a form of reasoning that appears to be logical and rational, but is actually flawed or invalid.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to sophistry?
Options: fallacy; truth; honesty; logic
Answer: fallacy
Synonyms: ambiguity; casuistry; chicanery; cunning; deceit; deception; delusion; dishonesty; equivocation; fallacy; manipulation; misconception
Example: "He was accused of using sophistry to make his argument sound more convincing."
specious (adjective) /ˈspiːʃəs/
Meaning: It refers to an argument, claim, or appearance that seems to be reasonable or convincing, but upon closer examination, is revealed to be flawed or misleading.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to specious?
Options: deceptive; genuine; authentic; real
Answer: deceptive
Synonyms: beguiling; deceitful; deceiving; deceptive; delusive; fallacious; false; illusory; incorrect; insincere; misleading; plausible
Example: "She made a specious claim that there was no scientific evidence to support."
spurious (adjective) /ˈspjʊərɪəs/
Meaning: The adjective 'Spurious' is used to describe something that is A spurious claim or argument may be presented as if it is true, but lacks evidence or validity, and may be intended to mislead or manipulate others.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to spurious?
Options: false; genuine; authentic; real
Answer: false
Synonyms: artificial; bogus; contrived; feigned; forged; fraudulent; imitation; phony; pretended; sham
Example: "The study was later found to be spurious and its results were discredited."
stealth (noun) /stɛlθ/
Meaning: It often involves the ability to remain hidden or undetected while accomplishing a particular objective.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to stealth?
Options: secrecy; openness; visibility; transparency
Answer: secrecy
Synonyms: camouflage; clandestineness; concealment; covert; covertness; furtiveness; hiddenness; obscurity; secrecy; sneakiness; subterfuge; surreptitiousness
Example: "The military aircraft was designed with advanced stealth technology to avoid radar detection."
token (adjective) /ˈtəʊk(ə)n/
Meaning: For example, a token gesture of apology might be given when someone doesn't truly feel remorseful, or a token payment might be made when the full amount owed is not paid.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to token?
Options: symbolic; substantial; significant; serious
Answer: symbolic
Synonyms: cosmetic; cursory; demonstration; expression; insincere; minimal; nominal; perfunctory; pro-forma; representation; shallow; superficial
Example: "He made a token effort to clean his room, but it was still a mess."
traduce (verb) /trəˈdjuːs/
Meaning: It is commonly used to describe the act of speaking or writing about someone or something in a way that is intended to harm, defame or malign them.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to traduce?
Options: defame; praise; compliment; honor
Answer: defame
Synonyms: decry; defame; denigrate; deprecate; detract; disparage; malign; revile; slander; smear; vilify
Example: "He sought to traduce the reputation of his political opponent with false accusations."
treacherous (adjective) /ˈtrɛtʃ(ə)rəs/
Meaning: In this sense, it signifies a lack of loyalty or a willingness to harm or deceive others, often for personal gain or hidden motives.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to treacherous?
Options: deceitful; trustworthy; loyal; reliable
Answer: deceitful
Synonyms: deceitful; disloyal; faithless; perfidious; traitorous; unfaithful; unreliable; untrustworthy
Example: "His treacherous betrayal shattered trust beyond repair."
wangle (verb) /ˈwaŋɡl/
Meaning: When someone "wangles" something, they use their skills, knowledge, or influence to achieve a desired outcome without following the usual rules or procedures.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to wangle?
Options: finagle; play straight; be honest; straightforward
Answer: finagle
Synonyms: arrange; contrive; engineer; fiddle; finagle; machinate; manage; negotiate; plot; scheme
Example: "To secure the contract, we need to wangle a meeting with the CEO."
wily (adjective) /ˈwʌɪli/
Meaning: When we characterize someone as wily, we emphasize their ability to think and act shrewdly, often with a keen awareness of how to outsmart others.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to wily?
Options: cunning; naive; straightforward; honest
Answer: cunning
Synonyms: calculating; canny; crafty; devious; disingenuous; guileful; scheming; sharp; shrewd; sly
Example: "The wily fox was always able to elude the farmer's traps."