Multiple choice

Directions: Pick out the synonym.

METEORIC

  1. explosive

  2. temporarily brilliant

  3. disastrous

  4. overwhelming

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'Meteoric' literally means 'of or relating to meteors.' Meteors streak briefly across the sky before burning out - they are brilliant but only for a moment. This gives 'meteoric' its figurative meaning of 'rapidly rising and fading' or 'temporarily brilliant.' It describes something spectacular but short-lived, like a meteor's flash. Neither 'explosive', 'disastrous', nor 'overwhelming' captures this specific quality of brilliant brevity.

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