English Synonyms for Suffix -en Vocabulary Words – Online Quiz!
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Identify the synonyms of Suffix -en words in this online English synonyms quiz. Find the closest synonym for 38 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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The ability to make good judgments and decisions quickly and effectively, especially in practical or business matters.
It is often used to refer to a person's keenness of mind, or their ability to understand and analyze complex situations or problems in a clear and insightful way. Acumen can also refer to a person's ability to think and act strategically, and to make sound judgments based on their experience and knowledge.
Complete Vocabulary List for Suffix -en with Meanings, Synonyms, Examples, and Quiz Questions
acumen (noun) /ˈakjʊmən/
Meaning: It is often used to refer to a person's keenness of mind, or their ability to understand and analyze complex situations or problems in a clear and insightful way.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to acumen?
Options: insight; ineptitude; ignorance; incompetence
Answer: insight
Synonyms: acuity; astuteness; cleverness; discernment; expertise; initiative; insight; intelligence; intuition; keenness; perception; perceptiveness
Example: "His business acumen helped him succeed in a highly competitive industry."
barren (adjective) /ˈbarən/
Meaning: It is often associated with desolate and lifeless landscapes, such as arid deserts or rocky, infertile terrain where little or no vegetation can thrive.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to barren?
Options: infertile; fertile; lush; productive
Answer: infertile
Synonyms: arid; bare; bleak; desert; empty; impoverished; infertile; parched; poor; stark; sterile
Example: "The barren landscape stretched for miles, with no signs of vegetation or life."
betoken (verb) /bɪˈtoʊ kən/
Meaning: It suggests that an action, event, object, or circumstance is a clear representation or predictor of a particular quality, outcome, or state of affairs.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to betoken?
Options: indicate; disguise; mask; conceal
Answer: indicate
Synonyms: augur; denote; foreshadow; imply; indicate; manifest; represent; reveal; show; signify; suggest; symbolize
Example: "The dark clouds betokened an impending storm on the horizon."
brazen (adjective) /ˈbreɪz(ə)n/
Meaning: Brazen refers to an attitude or behavior that is bold, daring, or impertinent, often in a way that is considered impudent or disrespectful.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to brazen?
Options: bold; shy; timid; modest
Answer: bold
Synonyms: audacious; barefaced; brash; defiant; forward; impudent; shameless; unabashed; unashamed
Example: "Her brazen attitude made her a formidable leader."
burden (noun) /ˈbəːdn/
Meaning: It can be both physical and metaphorical in nature.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to burden?
Options: load; relief; ease; lightness
Answer: load
Synonyms: commitment; constraint; difficulty; duty; encumbrance; obligation; promise; vow; weight
Example: "The burden of student loans can be overwhelming for recent graduates."
careen (verb) /kəˈriːn/
Meaning: It can also refer to the act of moving rapidly or recklessly, often with little regard for safety or caution.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to careen?
Options: sway; stabilize; steady; balance
Answer: sway
Synonyms: bend; incline; keel; lean; list; lurch; pitch; plunge; reel; rock; roll; shake
Example: "The leaves careen through the air on a windy autumn day."
cheapen (verb) /ˈtʃi pən/
Meaning: When something is cheapened, its worth or reputation is reduced, typically by lowering its cost, compromising its quality, or presenting it in a manner that undermines its value.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to cheapen?
Options: devalue; elevate; enhance; appreciate
Answer: devalue
Synonyms: deflate; degrade; depreciate; deteriorate; devalue; diminish; lessen; lower; reduce; tarnish; undermine; weaken
Example: "Using poor quality materials will cheapen the overall product."
craven (adjective) /ˈkreɪvən/
Meaning: When applied to a person, behavior, or attitude, it signifies a profound unwillingness to confront difficult situations or stand up for oneself or others when it is morally or ethically necessary to do so.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to craven?
Options: cowardly; brave; courageous; valiant
Answer: cowardly
Synonyms: afraid; chicken; fearful; frightened; gutless; poltroon; pusillanimous; scared; spineless; yellow
Example: "He was a craven coward who always shied away from confrontation."
crestfallen (adjective) /ˈkrɛstˌfɔːlən/
Meaning: When someone is described as crestfallen, it implies that they have experienced a significant setback or defeat that has left them feeling deflated and demoralized.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to crestfallen?
Options: disappointed; elated; joyful; pleased
Answer: disappointed
Synonyms: crushed; defeated; deflated; dejected; demoralized; despondent; disappointed; discouraged; disheartened; dismayed; dispirited; downcast
Example: "After the defeat, the team was crestfallen, heads hung low."
dampen (verb) /ˈdæm pən/
Meaning: It conveys the idea of reducing or moderating the dryness or heat of a substance, surface, or atmosphere.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to dampen?
Options: moisten; dry; desiccate; parch
Answer: moisten
Synonyms: bedew; douse; drench; humidify; moist; moisten; saturate; soak; souse; sprinkle; waterlog; wet
Example: "The heavy fabric will dampen the sound in the room."
dishearten (verb) /dɪsˈhɑːtn/
Meaning: The verb "dishearten" means to cause someone Disheartening actions or words can make someone feel demoralized, dispirited, or defeated, and may lead to a loss of motivation or a sense of resignation.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to dishearten?
Options: discourage; encourage; hearten; uplift
Answer: discourage
Synonyms: crush; dampen; dash; deflate; deject; demoralize; dispirit; undermine; weaken
Example: "The constant criticism began to dishearten the young writer."
embolden (verb) /ɪmˈbəʊld(ə)n/
Meaning: It is the act of making someone feel more courageous, confident, or determined.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to embolden?
Options: encourage; discourage; dishearten; deter
Answer: encourage
Synonyms: encourage; hearten; inspire; invigorate; reassure; reinforce; rouse; stimulate; vitalize
Example: "The successful fundraiser will embolden the community to plan more events."
forsaken (verb) /fɔrˈseɪ kən/
Meaning: When someone is forsaken, they are left behind or cast aside, often resulting in feelings of loneliness, despair, and abandonment.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to forsaken?
Options: abandoned; cherished; embraced; kept
Answer: abandoned
Synonyms: abandoned; betrayed; deserted; discarded; forgotten; neglected; rejected; relinquished; renounced
Example: "The abandoned house stood in the heart of the forsaken village, forgotten by time."
hasten (verb) /ˈheɪ sən/
Meaning: It implies a sense of urgency or the desire to make something happen quickly.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to hasten?
Options: accelerate; delay; retard; slow
Answer: accelerate
Synonyms: accelerate; advance; expedite; facilitate; galvanize; precipitate; propel; quicken; rush; speed; spur; urge
Example: "We must hasten to finish the project before the deadline."
haven (noun) /ˈheɪvn/
Meaning: It can be a physical place, such as a harbor or port that provides shelter to ships during a storm, or a figurative place, such as a peaceful retreat that offers respite from the demands of daily life.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to haven?
Options: sanctuary; danger; peril; exposure
Answer: sanctuary
Synonyms: asylum; dwelling; harborage; hideaway; hideout; lodging; oasis; retreat; sanctum; shelter
Example: "The small coastal town served as a tranquil haven for weary travelers."
heighten (verb) /ˈhaɪt n/
Meaning: It involves raising or amplifying a particular quality, sensation, emotion, or aspect of a situation.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to heighten?
Options: intensify; diminish; lessen; reduce
Answer: intensify
Synonyms: accentuate; amplify; augment; boost; enhance; escalate; increase; intensify; magnify; raise; strengthen; uplift
Example: "Experiencing the beauty of the mountains can heighten one's appreciation for nature."
kaizen (noun) /kaɪˈzɛn/
Meaning: It originated in the business world but has since found applications in various fields, including manufacturing, management, and personal development.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to kaizen?
Options: improvement; stagnation; regression; deterioration
Answer: improvement
Synonyms: advancement; betterment; continuous; development; enhancement; evolution; improvement; incremental; optimization; progress; refinement; streamlining
Example: "Kaizen is a Japanese business philosophy that focuses on continuous improvement."
keen (adjective) /kin/
Meaning: When someone is keen, they display a deep passion, genuine curiosity, or sharp focus in pursuing their interests or objectives.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to keen?
Options: eager; indifferent; apathetic; uninterested
Answer: eager
Synonyms: ardent; avid; dedicated; eager; enthusiastic; excited; fervent; interested; passionate; perceptive; sharp; zealous
Example: "She was a keen observer, noticing even the smallest details in her surroundings."
kraken (noun) /ˈkrɑ kən/
Meaning: In mythology and folklore, the kraken is believed to dwell in the depths of the ocean, emerging occasionally to wreak havoc on ships and sailors.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to kraken?
Options: myth; reality; commonplace; ordinary
Answer: myth
Synonyms: behemoth; cephalopod; colossus; creature; giant; juggernaut; leviathan; megafauna; monster; titan
Example: "Sailors of old spoke of fearsome encounters with the legendary kraken."
laden (adjective) /ˈleɪdn/
Meaning: It can be used to describe a physical object, such as a heavily laden truck or a tree laden with fruit.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to laden?
Options: burdened; unburdened; light; free
Answer: burdened
Synonyms: brimming; charged; encumbered; full; heavy; overloaded; packed; replete; stuffed
Example: "The bakery displayed a table laden with fresh pastries and muffins."
lessen (verb) /ˈlɛs ən/
Meaning: When something is lessened, it undergoes a decrease in its magnitude, impact, or significance.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to lessen?
Options: reduce; increase; intensify; amplify
Answer: reduce
Synonyms: abate; alleviate; curtail; decrease; diminish; ease; lower; minimize; mitigate; moderate; reduce; shrink
Example: "We need to lessen our environmental impact by reducing waste."
maiden (adjective) /ˈmeɪdn/
Meaning: It implies a sense of novelty and inaugural significance.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to maiden?
Options: first; final; last; ending
Answer: first
Synonyms: earliest; foremost; inaugural; initiatory; introductory; original; pioneer; untried; virgin
Example: "The company's maiden product launch was a huge success."
mistaken (adjective) /mɪˈsteɪ kən/
Meaning: It describes a state of being misled, misunderstood, or confused, resulting in an erroneous perception or judgment.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to mistaken?
Options: erroneous; correct; right; accurate
Answer: erroneous
Synonyms: erroneous; fallacious; false; faulty; flawed; illogical; inaccurate; incorrect; misguided; untrue; wrong
Example: "He was mistaken about the time of the meeting and arrived an hour early."
olden (adjective) /ˈoʊl dən/
Meaning: It suggests a connection to a bygone age, often invoking a sense of charm or historical significance.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to olden?
Options: ancient; modern; new; contemporary
Answer: ancient
Synonyms: aged; ancient; antiquated; antique; archaic; bygone; classical; historic; retro; traditional; vintage
Example: "The village was adorned with olden buildings made of weathered brick and timber."
omen (noun) /ˈəʊmən/
Meaning: Omen can be positive or negative, depending on the context and the culture in which it is interpreted.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to omen?
Options: portent; good luck; blessing; assurance
Answer: portent
Synonyms: foreshadowing; foretelling; harbinger; portent; presage; prophecy; suggestion; warning
Example: "The villagers saw the eclipse as an omen of impending doom."
pathogen (noun) /ˈpaθədʒ(ə)n/
Meaning: Pathogens can be bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic, and can infect plants, animals, and humans.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to pathogen?
Options: microbe; cure; remedy; antidote
Answer: microbe
Synonyms: antibody; bacterium; bug; contagion; disease; germ; infectious; microbe; microorganism; organism; parasite; pathogenic
Example: "Scientists study various types of pathogens to understand disease."
smidgen (noun) /ˈsmɪʤən/
Meaning: It represents a minuscule quantity, often so tiny that it can be challenging to measure or quantify precisely.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to smidgen?
Options: trace; abundance; plethora; excess
Answer: trace
Synonyms: crumb; dab; dash; drop; fleck; hint; iota; modicum; particle; scintilla; shred; speck
Example: "Add just a smidgen of sugar to sweeten the tea."
smitten (adjective) /ˈsmɪtən/
Meaning: When someone is "smitten," they are deeply captivated or enchanted by a person, an idea, or an object to the point where their emotions and thoughts are consumed by it.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to smitten?
Options: infatuated; indifferent; uninterested; detached
Answer: infatuated
Synonyms: beguiled; besotted; captivated; charmed; enamored; enchanted; entranced; infatuated; lovesick; lovestruck; obsessed; spellbound
Example: "The smitten couple walked hand in hand through the park."
soften (verb) /ˈsɔ fən/
Meaning: When you soften something, you modify or alter its state to become more gentle, malleable, or tender.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to soften?
Options: mellow; harden; toughen; solidify
Answer: mellow
Synonyms: alleviate; assuage; diminish; mellow; mitigate; moderate; pacify; palliate; relax; subdue; tenderize; weaken
Example: "She used a warm towel to soften the crusty bread."
specimen (noun) /ˈspɛsɪmɪn/
Meaning: A specimen can be anything from a plant, animal, rock, or other object that is collected and analyzed for research or study.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to specimen?
Options: example; anomaly; irregularity; deviation
Answer: example
Synonyms: embodiment; example; exemplification; exhibit; instance; model; representative; type
Example: "The scientist collected a specimen of the rare flower for research."
strengthen (verb) /ˈstrɛŋk θən/
Meaning: It denotes the process of enhancing or fortifying the physical, emotional, or intellectual qualities of a person, object, system, or relationship.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to strengthen?
Options: fortify; weaken; debilitate; enervate
Answer: fortify
Synonyms: boost; deepen; empower; enhance; fortify; improve; intensify; invigorate; reinforce; solidify; toughen; uplift
Example: "Regular exercise can help strengthen your muscles and improve your overall fitness."
sudden (adjective) /ˈsʌd n/
Meaning: It refers to a change, event, or action that takes place abruptly, catching people off guard or surprising them.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to sudden?
Options: abrupt; gradual; expected; anticipated
Answer: abrupt
Synonyms: abrupt; hasty; immediate; impulsive; instant; instantaneous; quick; rapid; surprising; swift; unexpected; unforeseen
Example: "The sudden downpour caught everyone off guard, soaking them within seconds."
sullen (adjective) /ˈsʌlən/
Meaning: Someone who is sullen may exhibit a brooding or resentful attitude, often characterized by a lack of enthusiasm, communication, or responsiveness to their surroundings or those around them.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to sullen?
Options: morose; cheerful; bright; happy
Answer: morose
Synonyms: brooding; churlish; dour; glum; grumpy; hostile; morose; petulant; somber; sulky; surly
Example: "His sullen gaze didn't match the joyous occasion."
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."
uneven (adjective) /ʌnˈi vən/
Meaning: It signifies a lack of regularity or uniformity, often characterized by variations, irregularities, or disparities.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to uneven?
Options: irregular; even; smooth; uniform
Answer: irregular
Synonyms: asymmetrical; bumpy; erratic; inconsistent; irregular; jagged; lopsided; patchy; rough; rugged; unbalanced; varied
Example: "The road was bumpy and uneven, making it difficult to drive smoothly."
verboten (adjective) /vəːˈbəʊt(ə)n/
Meaning: The adjective 'verboten' is a term borrowed from the German language that has found its way into English.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to verboten?
Options: forbidden; allowed; permitted; sanctioned
Answer: forbidden
Synonyms: banned; barred; disallowed; forbidden; illegal; illicit; impermissible; outlawed; prohibited; proscribed; restricted; taboo
Example: "Entering the restricted area is strictly verboten for unauthorized personnel."
weaken (verb) /ˈwi kən/
Meaning: It implies a process of gradual or intentional loss or decline in force, intensity, or ability.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to weaken?
Options: debilitate; strengthen; fortify; enhance
Answer: debilitate
Synonyms: debilitate; deteriorate; dilute; diminish; enfeeble; erode; impair; lessen; sap; subdue; subvert; undermine
Example: "The storm's force did not weaken as it approached the coastline."
worsen (verb) /ˈwɜr sən/
Meaning: When something worsens, it deteriorates in quality, condition, or state.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to worsen?
Options: deteriorate; improve; enhance; better
Answer: deteriorate
Synonyms: aggravate; decay; decline; degenerate; deteriorate; exacerbate; regress; sink
Example: "The storm is expected to worsen throughout the night."


