Which word means something that has no equal; a nonpareil?

Which word means something that has no equal; a nonpareil?

• A. Nonesuch
• B. Paragon
• C. Lilliputian
• D. Nonpareil

Answer: (D)

The idea being tested is the exact sense of “unmatched, without equals.” Nonpareil literally means “not equal,” coming from the root pareil meaning equal, with a negation. It’s used to describe something or someone whose excellence or quality has no equal—peerless or unrivaled. That direct meaning makes it the best fit for “something that has no equal; a nonpareil.” Lilliputian describes something very small or miniature, which is the opposite of what the prompt asks. Paragon refers to a perfect example or model of excellence; it signals high quality but doesn’t necessarily convey that there is nothing comparable. Nonesuch is close in sense and can mean something without equal, but it’s less common and often used as a noun, whereas nonpareil more cleanly and directly conveys the “no equal” idea.

The idea being tested is the exact sense of “unmatched, without equals.” Nonpareil literally means “not equal,” coming from the root pareil meaning equal, with a negation. It’s used to describe something or someone whose excellence or quality has no equal—peerless or unrivaled. That direct meaning makes it the best fit for “something that has no equal; a nonpareil.”

Lilliputian describes something very small or miniature, which is the opposite of what the prompt asks. Paragon refers to a perfect example or model of excellence; it signals high quality but doesn’t necessarily convey that there is nothing comparable. Nonesuch is close in sense and can mean something without equal, but it’s less common and often used as a noun, whereas nonpareil more cleanly and directly conveys the “no equal” idea.