Identifying Synecdoche in Sentences

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Quizzes Created: 8157 | Total Attempts: 9,566,648
| Questions: 15 | Updated: Jan 5, 2026
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1. Which is a clear example of synecdoche?

Explanation

“Strings” represents the string section of the orchestra, using a part to stand for a larger group.

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About This Quiz
Identifying Synecdoche In Sentences - Quiz

Some figures of speech hide in plain sight within simple sentences. In this identifying synecdoche quiz, you’ll closely examine sentence-level examples to uncover when a part is used to represent something larger. You’ll practice separating literal meaning from figurative intent, analyze word choice, and confirm whether true synecdoche is present.... see moreEach question sharpens your precision and helps you confidently identify this device in written contexts.
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2. “The captain counted fifty sails on the horizon.” What does “sails” mean?

Explanation

“Sails” refers to entire ships, not just the sails themselves.

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3. Synecdoche and metaphor are the same.

Explanation

Synecdoche uses a part–whole relationship, while a metaphor compares two unlike things.

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4. “The crown passed a new law.” “Crown” represents:

Explanation

“The crown” stands for the ruling authority or monarchy, not the physical object.

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5. When we say “the bench ruled,” “bench” refers to ________.

Explanation

“The bench” represents the judges who sit there, using an object to stand for people.

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6. Which line contains synecdoche?

Explanation

“Eye” represents perception or artistic judgment, not just the physical eye.

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7. Match the phrase with its meaning:

Explanation

Each phrase uses a visible part (faces, suits, boots) to represent a group of people.

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8. Synecdoche can be reversed (whole for part).

Explanation

Sometimes the whole (like a country or institution) is used to represent individual members.

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9. “America won gold at the Olympics” shows synecdoche because:

Explanation

“America” stands for the athletes who competed, not the entire nation.

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10. Using a nation’s name to stand for its citizens is called ________.

Explanation

This is an example of whole-for-part synecdoche.

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11. Which phrase does NOT contain synecdoche?

Explanation

“The waves were tall” is literal and does not use a part or whole to represent something else.

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12. Synecdoche and personification both describe human traits.

Explanation

Personification gives human traits to nonhuman things, while synecdoche uses part–whole relationships.

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13. “The pen was mightier than the sword” is NOT synecdoche because:

Explanation

“Pen” and “sword” represent ideas (writing and force), not parts of a whole.

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14. Which sentence shows whole-for-part synecdoche?

Explanation

“The police” refers to individual officers, using the whole group name for its members.

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15. Authors use synecdoche to:

Explanation

Synecdoche allows writers to express complex ideas clearly and efficiently.

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Which is a clear example of synecdoche?
“The captain counted fifty sails on the horizon.” What does...
Synecdoche and metaphor are the same.
“The crown passed a new law.” “Crown” represents:
When we say “the bench ruled,” “bench” refers to ________.
Which line contains synecdoche?
Match the phrase with its meaning:
Synecdoche can be reversed (whole for part).
“America won gold at the Olympics” shows synecdoche because:
Using a nation’s name to stand for its citizens is called ________.
Which phrase does NOT contain synecdoche?
Synecdoche and personification both describe human traits.
“The pen was mightier than the sword” is NOT synecdoche because:
Which sentence shows whole-for-part synecdoche?
Authors use synecdoche to:
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