Syvum Home Page

Home > GRE Test Prep > Print Preview

GRE Test : Analogies & Analogy Types

Preparation Just what you need to know !

Analogies & Basic Analogy Types

Analogies can be broadly classified into some common fundamental types. At times, an analogy may not strictly fall into a particular type. It is not advisable to commit to memory the analogy and its corresponding type. Rather, what's meaningful is to be able to recognize the relationship or link for each pair of words and roughly identify the analogy type. The great benefit of this practice exercise is that it helps build one's vocabulary.

 

The basic analogy types are listed below with examples.

Analogy Type : Defining Characteristic

WANDERLUST : TRAVEL
Wanderlust, by definition, is the strong desire to travel.
APIARY : BEE
An apiary is defined as a place where bees are kept.

Analogy Type : Synonyms

Synonyms are words having the same or almost the same meaning, and belonging to the same part of speech.
EULOGY : PRAISE
Eulogy is praise in speech or writing for a person or thing. Here, both words are nouns.
INTEREST : INVEIGLE
Interest (attract) and inveigle (entice) mean the same. Here, both words are verbs.

Analogy Type : Synonym Variants

Synonym variants are words having similar meaning, but belonging to different parts of speech.
DUPE : CREDULOUS
A dupe (person who can be deceived) is credulous (too ready to believe). Here, 'dupe' is a noun and 'credulous' is an adjective.
JEER : DERISION
When you jeer someone, you scoff or laugh at him/her showing derision (scorn or ridicule). Here, 'jeer' is a verb and 'derision' is a noun.

Analogy Type : Antonyms

Antonyms are words having opposite or almost opposite meaning, but belonging to the same part of speech.
LOATHE : ADORE
Loathe (hate) and adore (love) are opposites. Here, both words are verbs.
MAGNANIMITY : PARSIMONY
Magnanimity (generosity) is the opposite of parsimony (stinginess). Here, both words are nouns.

Analogy Type : Antonym Variants

Antonym variants are words that are nearly opposite in meaning, and belonging to different parts of speech.
IMPECUNIOUS : MONEY
Impecunious (poor or impoverished) means lacking money. Here, 'impecunious' is an adjective and 'money' is a noun.
VERIFY : DOUBTFUL
When you verify (check something is true or correct), then it is not doubtful. Here, 'verify' is a verb and 'doubtful' is an adjective.

 

GRE Analogy Practice Exercises : I , II , III , IV , V , VI , VII , VIII , IX ,
GRE Test Preparation Index

 

-
-
 
50 more pages in GRE Verbal Ability

Contact Info © 1999-2024 Syvum Technologies Inc. Privacy Policy Disclaimer and Copyright