Which one of the following combinations is incorrect? [This test belongs to…

Concept: A word-meaning combination is genuinely correct only when the second word is an established synonym of the first, sharing the same core sense in standard dictionaries and thesauri, not merely a loosely related or contextual association. Finding the incorrect combination means checking each pair against this synonym test.

1. Acquiescence denotes passive, reluctant acceptance of something without protest, which is a core sense of submission, so this pairing holds.

2. Wheedle denotes persuading someone through flattery or coaxing, while roundabout denotes something indirect or circuitous, describing two different ideas, so this pairing does not hold.

3. Flippancy denotes a lack of seriousness or inappropriate levity, a recognized sense of lightness, so this pairing holds.

4. Profligate denotes reckless, wasteful spending, a direct match with extravagant, so this pairing holds.

Cross-check: Standard thesaurus entries confirm this independently: acquiescence, flippancy, and profligate each list their paired word among their accepted synonyms, while wheedle's accepted synonyms (cajole, coax, flatter) do not include roundabout, whose own synonyms are indirect, circuitous, and evasive.

• Wheedle describes persuading someone through flattery or sweet talk, a manner of influencing a person.

• Roundabout describes something indirect or circuitous, a description of a path or method, not of flattery.

• The two share a faint “not straightforward” flavour, which is exactly why the pairing looks plausible, yet they denote different underlying ideas and are not synonyms.

Result: The combination that does not hold as a genuine synonym pair is Wheedle - Roundabout.