Metonymy vs. Synecdoche

  • 11th Grade,
  • 12th Grade
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| Questions: 15 | Updated: Jan 5, 2026
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1. What is the key difference between metonymy and synecdoche?

Explanation

Metonymy replaces something with a closely related idea, while synecdoche replaces something with a part of the whole (or the whole for a part).

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About This Quiz
Metonymy Vs. Synecdoche - Quiz

Although metonymy and synecdoche are related, their logic differs. In this metonymy vs synecdoche quiz, you’ll focus on how association contrasts with part-to-whole relationships. You’ll compare examples, analyze the type of substitution being made, and practice labeling each device correctly. Each question helps clarify the subtle distinctions that often cause... see moreconfusion between these two figures of speech.
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2. Which example is metonymy, not synecdoche?

Explanation

“The law” represents police or legal authorities through association, not by using a physical part.

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3. “All hands on deck” is best labeled as:

Explanation

“Hands” is a physical part used to represent entire sailors, which makes it synecdoche.

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4. Which one is metonymy?

Explanation

“The crown” represents the ruler or government by association, not by a literal part.

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5. Metonymy shows a connection between two things through:

Explanation

Metonymy works by replacing something with a closely related concept, such as an institution or object.

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6. “The pulpit cried out for justice.” “Pulpit” stands for:

Explanation

“The pulpit” represents religious leaders or sermons through association.

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7. Match the figure of speech with the example

Explanation

“All hands” uses a part for the whole (synecdoche), “White House” represents government (metonymy), and “Life is a journey” is a direct comparison (metaphor).

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8. Which sentence shows both personification and metonymy?

Explanation

“Wall Street” represents financial markets (metonymy), and “trembled” gives it human emotion (personification).

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9. “The bottle has him in chains.” What deeper idea is suggested by this metonymy?

Explanation

“The bottle” represents alcohol, suggesting addiction and loss of control.

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10. When a tool or object stands for its function (e.g., “the pen” for writing), we call this:

Explanation

The object is linked to its purpose through association, which is metonymy.

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11. Which line is NOT an example of metonymy?

Explanation

“The student read the book” is literal and does not use figurative substitution.

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12. In literature, metonymy often helps writers:

Explanation

Metonymy allows complex institutions or ideas to be represented by a single, recognizable symbol.

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13. “Washington decided to act.” Here, “Washington” is metonymy for:

Explanation

“Washington” stands for the U.S. federal government through association.

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14. Which best explains why metonymy can be powerful?

Explanation

Metonymy makes abstract ideas clearer by linking them to familiar images or names.

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15. Which sentence uses synecdoche rather than metonymy?

Explanation

“Boots” refers to soldiers using a physical part, making it synecdoche rather than metonymy.

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What is the key difference between metonymy and synecdoche?
Which example is metonymy, not synecdoche?
“All hands on deck” is best labeled as:
Which one is metonymy?
Metonymy shows a connection between two things through:
“The pulpit cried out for justice.” “Pulpit” stands for:
Match the figure of speech with the example
Which sentence shows both personification and metonymy?
“The bottle has him in chains.” What deeper idea is suggested by...
When a tool or object stands for its function (e.g., “the pen” for...
Which line is NOT an example of metonymy?
In literature, metonymy often helps writers:
“Washington decided to act.” Here, “Washington” is metonymy...
Which best explains why metonymy can be powerful?
Which sentence uses synecdoche rather than metonymy?
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