Venal : mercenary ::
A)replete : empty
B)tortuous : direct
C)bumptious : self-effacing
D)prodigal : wasteful

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the first half of the analogy, the words venal and mercenary mean the same thing - they describe someone who is bribable, or can be bought. So, look for the answer choice with synonyms. In choice (A), replete means full, not empty, so eliminate that choice. In choice (B), tortuous means winding, not direct, so eliminate that. In choice (C), someone who is bumptious is assertive in an offensive way, not self-effacing or modest, so eliminate that choice. The only choice that contains synonyms is choice (D). The word prodigal means wasteful and reckless with money, so that is the correct choice.

Venal : Mercenary