Question

Find the synonym of the underlined word.
Under the guise of asking the way to the station, the detective approached the suspicious-looking young man.
a. Assistance
b. Clad
c. Secrecy
d. Outfit
e. Pretence

Answer 1

Hint: A synonym is a word that shares the most exact meaning to another word. We use ‘guise’ to denote something that looks similar to another thing.

Complete answer:
‘Guise’ is a noun that describes the likeness in an external form or manner of something or someone. It also describes how someone creates a false impression of something else by appearing like it.
> That being the case, we understand that ‘pretence’ in option e shares a similar meaning to ‘guise.’ Pretence defines an attempt that intends to make-believe something that is not really true. Thus, option e becomes the right answer.
- Option a is wrong because ‘assistance’ is a noun that refers to the help or support one gives while doing a task.
- Clad in option b is also incorrect. Though similar to ‘guise’ in context, ‘clad’ means to be dressed or clothed.
- Similarly, ‘outfit’ in option d is also another term used to describe dress or clothes. Hence, this option is also incorrect.
- In option c, we have ‘secrecy’ that indicates an action done secretly and therefore wrong.

Note: Disguise is a verb that indicates the different appearance one takes to conceal his own identity. ‘Guise’ is often used to describe the outer appearance of someone in ‘disguise.’