The ASVAB Word Knowledge section is challenging for many test-takers. A strong vocabulary is essential for scoring well, and building one takes time and practice.
This blog shares practical tips that can help improve word knowledge skills more quickly.
These aren’t complicated strategies or endless word lists; rather, these methods are simple and proven to work.
So, this blog will also show you how to study smarter, remember more words, and feel confident on test day.
The techniques fit into daily routines and make a real difference in scores. You will learn how to prepare effectively without feeling overwhelmed by the task ahead.
What is the Word Knowledge Section in ASVAB?
The Word Knowledge section is one of the four core parts of the ASVAB test. It measures vocabulary skills and the ability to understand word meanings.
Test-takers see 16 questions in the computer version and 35 questions in the paper version. Each question asks about the meaning of a specific word. Some questions show the word by itself. Others put it in a sentence.
Test-takers must pick the correct synonym from four choices.
This section matters because it contributes to the Armed Forces Qualification Test score. That score determines eligibility for military service.
A strong vocabulary is essential for many military jobs, especially those that require clear communication.
The section tests everyday words and some technical terms. It doesn’t require specialized knowledge.
What You’ll Be Tested On – Key Vocabulary Skills
The Word Knowledge section tests specific vocabulary skills relevant to military service. Understanding what gets tested helps candidates prepare more effectively.
Here are the key areas the test covers:
- Synonyms: The main focus is on identifying words with similar meanings. Test-takers must choose the closest match from four options.
- Context Clues: Some questions present words within sentences. Candidates use surrounding words to figure out meanings.
- Common Vocabulary: The test includes everyday words used in regular conversation and reading. These aren’t obscure or rarely used terms.
- Word Roots: Understanding prefixes, suffixes, and root words helps decode unfamiliar terms. This skill proves valuable when facing new words.
- Multiple Meanings: Some words have different meanings in different contexts. The test checks if candidates can identify the correct usage.
100+ Must-Know ASVAB Word Knowledge Words
This list includes 111 critical words that frequently appear on the test. Study these terms to build a strong foundation for the Word Knowledge section.
Basic Level Words
1. Abundant
Answer: Plentiful or existing in large quantities. When something is abundant, there’s more than enough of it available.
2. Brief
Answer: Short in duration or length. A brief meeting lasts only a few minutes.
3. Calm
Answer: Peaceful and quiet, without disturbance. A calm person stays relaxed in stressful situations.
4. Dense
Answer: Thick or closely packed together. Dense fog makes it hard to see ahead.
5. Eager
Answer: Excited and enthusiastic about something. An eager student raises their hand first.
6. Faint
Answer: Weak or barely noticeable. A faint sound is hard to hear.
7. Genuine
Answer: Real and authentic, not fake. A genuine smile shows true happiness.
8. Harsh
Answer: Severe, rough, or unpleasant. Harsh weather can damage crops quickly.
9. Idle
Answer: Not active or in use. An idle machine sits without running.
10. Keen
Answer: Sharp or highly developed. A keen sense of smell detects subtle scents.
11. Loyal
Answer: Faithful and devoted to someone or something. A loyal friend stands by you always.
12. Modest
Answer: Humble and not boastful. A modest person doesn’t brag about achievements.
13. Narrow
Answer: Small in width, not wide. A narrow path fits only one person.
14. Obvious
Answer: Easy to see or understand. The right answer is clear and visible.
15. Prompt
Answer: Done without delay, on time. A prompt response arrives quickly.
16. Quiet
Answer: Making little or no noise. A quiet room has minimal sound.
17. Rare
Answer: Uncommon or not often found. Rare coins have high value.
18. Rigid
Answer: Stiff and not flexible. A rigid board doesn’t bend easily.
19. Swift
Answer: Fast or quick in movement. A swift runner finishes first.
20. Timid
Answer: Shy and lacking confidence. A timid speaker avoids eye contact.
21. Vacant
Answer: Empty or not occupied. A vacant seat has nobody sitting there.
22. Weary
Answer: Tired or exhausted. Weary travelers need rest after long trips.
23. Yield
Answer: To give way or produce. Farmers yield crops from their fields.
24. Zeal
Answer: Great energy or enthusiasm. Workers show zeal for their projects.
25. Adequate
Answer: Sufficient or enough for a purpose. Adequate supplies meet basic needs.
26. Blunt
Answer: Direct and straightforward, or not sharp. Blunt statements lack subtlety.
27. Concise
Answer: Brief and to the point. A concise answer uses few words.
28. Durable
Answer: Long-lasting and sturdy. Durable boots survive tough conditions.
29. Frugal
Answer: Careful with money and resources. Frugal shoppers look for deals.
30. Hostile
Answer: Unfriendly or showing opposition. A hostile attitude creates conflict.
Intermediate Level Words
31. Abolish
Answer: To officially end or eliminate something. Laws can abolish outdated practices.
32. Benevolent
Answer: Kind and generous toward others. A benevolent leader helps those in need.
33. Candid
Answer: Honest and straightforward in expression. Candid feedback points out flaws directly.
34. Deficit
Answer: A shortage or lack of something. A budget deficit means spending exceeds income.
35. Eloquent
Answer: Fluent and persuasive in speaking or writing. An eloquent speaker captivates audiences.
36. Feasible
Answer: Possible and practical to do. A feasible plan can actually work.
37. Gratitude
Answer: Thankfulness and appreciation. Showing gratitude means recognizing help received.
38. Hamper
Answer: To hinder or obstruct progress. Bad weather can hamper construction work.
39. Impartial
Answer: Fair and unbiased. An impartial judge treats everyone equally.
40. Jeopardize
Answer: To put something at risk. Reckless actions jeopardize safety.
41. Kindle
Answer: To start or ignite something. A spark can kindle a fire.
42. Lenient
Answer: Tolerant and not strict. A lenient teacher accepts late assignments.
43. Meticulous
Answer: Very careful and precise. Surgeons must be meticulous in their work.
44. Negligent
Answer: Failing to take proper care. Negligent drivers cause accidents.
45. Obstinate
Answer: Stubborn and refusing to change. An obstinate person won’t listen to reason.
46. Prudent
Answer: Wise and careful in decisions. Prudent investors research before buying.
47. Quell
Answer: To suppress or calm down. Police work to quell riots.
48. Reluctant
Answer: Unwilling or hesitant to do something. Reluctant participants need encouragement.
49. Scrutinize
Answer: To examine closely and carefully. Editors scrutinize manuscripts for errors.
50. Tedious
Answer: Boring and repetitive. Tedious tasks feel like they never end.
51. Undermine
Answer: To weaken or damage gradually. Rumors can undermine trust.
52. Validate
Answer: To confirm or prove something is true. Tests validate student knowledge.
53. Wary
Answer: Cautious and alert to danger. Wary travelers watch their belongings.
54. Zealous
Answer: Passionate and enthusiastic. Zealous supporters cheer loudly.
55. Ambiguous
Answer: Unclear or having multiple meanings. Ambiguous instructions confuse people.
56. Brevity
Answer: Shortness in duration or expression. Brevity makes messages clearer.
57. Cohesive
Answer: United and forming a whole. A cohesive team works well together.
58. Diligent
Answer: Hardworking and careful. Diligent students complete all assignments.
59. Elicit
Answer: To draw out or bring forth. Questions elicit responses from audiences.
60. Fortify
Answer: To strengthen or reinforce. Walls fortify buildings against attacks.
Advanced Level Words
61. Abate
Answer: To decrease or become less intense. Strong winds eventually abate.
62. Belligerent
Answer: Hostile and ready to fight. Belligerent behavior starts arguments.
63. Convoluted
Answer: Extremely complicated and difficult to follow. Convoluted explanations confuse listeners.
64. Dubious
Answer: Doubtful or questionable. Dubious claims lack solid evidence.
65. Erratic
Answer: Unpredictable and inconsistent. Erratic driving patterns worry other motorists.
66. Flagrant
Answer: Obvious and offensive. Flagrant violations demand immediate action.
67. Germane
Answer: Relevant and appropriate to the subject. Germane comments stay on topic.
68. Hinder
Answer: To create difficulties or obstacles. Heavy traffic can hinder progress.
69. Inept
Answer: Lacking skill or competence. Inept handling causes mistakes.
70. Juxtapose
Answer: To place side by side for comparison. Writers juxtapose contrasting ideas.
71. Lackluster
Answer: Lacking enthusiasm or brightness. A lackluster performance disappoints audiences.
72. Mitigate
Answer: To make less severe or serious. Actions can mitigate damage from disasters.
73. Nonchalant
Answer: Casually calm and relaxed. A nonchalant attitude shows no worry.
74. Opaque
Answer: Not transparent or difficult to understand. Opaque glass blocks the view.
75. Penchant
Answer: A strong liking or tendency. She has a penchant for mystery novels.
76. Quandary
Answer: A state of uncertainty or confusion. The choice puts him in a quandary.
77. Reclusive
Answer: Avoiding contact with others. Reclusive writers prefer solitude.
78. Superficial
Answer: Shallow or only on the surface. Superficial knowledge lacks depth.
79. Tenacious
Answer: Persistent and determined. Tenacious athletes never give up.
80. Ubiquitous
Answer: Present everywhere at once. Smartphones are ubiquitous in modern society.
81. Volatile
Answer: Unstable and likely to change quickly. Volatile markets fluctuate rapidly.
82. Waive
Answer: To give up or refrain from enforcing. Courts can waive certain fees.
83. Zealot
Answer: A person with extreme enthusiasm. Political zealots refuse to compromise.
84. Astute
Answer: Sharp and perceptive in judgment. Astute observers notice small details.
85. Berate
Answer: To scold or criticize harshly. Angry coaches berate players for mistakes.
86. Comply
Answer: To act according to rules or requests. Citizens must comply with laws.
87. Defunct
Answer: No longer existing or functioning. Defunct companies close their doors.
88. Exemplary
Answer: Serving as an excellent example. Exemplary conduct earns respect.
89. Flout
Answer: To openly disregard rules. Reckless drivers flout traffic laws.
90. Gregarious
Answer: Sociable and enjoying company. Gregarious people attend many parties.
Military and Technical Words
91. Adversary
Answer: An opponent or enemy. Military forces face adversaries in conflict.
92. Allocate
Answer: To distribute or assign resources. Commanders allocate supplies to units.
93. Breach
Answer: A gap or violation. A security breach exposes sensitive information.
94. Cipher
Answer: A code or method of secret writing. Cipher systems protect classified messages.
95. Deploy
Answer: To position troops or resources strategically. Units deploy to assigned locations.
96. Evacuate
Answer: To remove people from danger. Officials evacuate residents before hurricanes.
97. Fortitude
Answer: Courage and strength in facing difficulties. Soldiers show fortitude under fire.
98. Garrison
Answer: A military post or the troops stationed there. The garrison protects the border.
99. Hostile
Answer: Unfriendly or belonging to an enemy. Hostile forces threaten security.
100. Infantry
Answer: Soldiers who fight on foot. Infantry units advance across terrain.
101. Jurisdiction
Answer: The official power to make decisions. Courts have jurisdiction over legal cases.
102. Liaison
Answer: A person who communicates between groups. The liaison coordinates joint operations.
103. Mandate
Answer: An official order or command. The mandate requires compliance from all personnel.
104. Neutralize
Answer: To make ineffective or harmless. Bomb squads neutralize explosive devices.
105. Obsolete
Answer: No longer in use or outdated. Obsolete equipment gets replaced.
106. Perimeter
Answer: The outer boundary of an area. Guards patrol the perimeter at night.
107. Reconnaissance
Answer: Military observation of an area. Scouts conduct reconnaissance before attacks.
108. Strategic
Answer: Relating to long-term planning and goals. Strategic decisions affect entire operations.
109. Tactical
Answer: Relating to immediate actions and maneuvers. Tactical moves win individual battles.
110. Unauthorized
Answer: Not permitted or approved. Unauthorized access triggers alarms.
111. Vicinity
Answer: The surrounding area or neighborhood. Enemy forces operate in the vicinity.
Click here to download the free PDF list.
Create the Perfect Study Plan for the WK Section
A structured study plan makes vocabulary preparation more manageable and effective. This schedule breaks down the learning process into daily tasks that fit into any routine.
Follow this plan to build skills steadily over four weeks.
| Week | Focus Area | Daily Time | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Basic words and roots | 20-30 minutes | Learn 10 new words daily, study prefixes and suffixes, and practice with flashcards |
| Week 2 | Intermediate vocabulary | 30-40 minutes | Add 15 new words daily, review Week 1 words, and take practice quizzes |
| Week 3 | Advanced terms and context | 40-50 minutes | Study 10 complex words, practice context clues, and complete sample questions |
| Week 4 | Review and testing | 30-45 minutes | Review all learned words, take full practice tests, and identify weak areas. |
Wrapping It Up
Building a strong vocabulary doesn’t happen overnight. It takes consistent effort and smart study habits.
The tips shared in this blog give test-takers practical ways to improve their ASVAB word knowledge scores.
Start with the basic words and work up to more complex terms. Use the study plan to stay on track. Practice regularly with flashcards and sample questions.
Remember, every new word learned brings you closer to your target score. Take action today by reviewing the word list and setting aside time each day for vocabulary practice.
Your future military career starts with preparation now.
