GREVerbal ReasoningText Completion

Synonym of EPHEMERAL.

ALasting
BBriefCORRECT
CPermanent
DEternal
AI
Toasta AI Explanation
Why the answer is B, and why the others tempt you.
**The reasoning** **EPHEMERAL** means "lasting for a very short time" or "temporary." Think of morning dew that disappears when the sun rises, or a viral trend that's forgotten in weeks. The word comes from Greek, meaning "lasting only a day." A synonym must have a **similar meaning**, so we need another word for "short-lived." **Brief** perfectly captures this — it means short in duration. When something is ephemeral, it's brief. They're interchangeable in context: "an ephemeral moment" = "a brief moment." **Why the wrong options tempt you** Options A, C, and D (Lasting, Permanent, Eternal) are actually **antonyms** — they mean the opposite! They all describe things that endure for a long time. The examiner knows students often confuse synonyms with antonyms under pressure, especially with unfamiliar words. If you didn't know "ephemeral," you might guess wrongly among the "big" words. **Quick takeaway** **Ephemeral = brief and fleeting, like a butterfly's life.** When you see it in JAMB/WAEC, think: "here today, gone tomorrow."
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