HSPT Verbal : Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

CAREEN

Possible Answers:

threaten

loosen

assemble

hurtle

congregate

Correct answer:

hurtle

Explanation:

"Careen" means to move quickly and uncontrolled in a particular direction, or hurtle through somewhere.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DWINDLE

Possible Answers:

Hang

Foretell

Rotate

Tease

Diminish

Correct answer:

Diminish

Explanation:

"Dwindle" means diminish gradually, so "diminish," which means decline or decrease, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "dwindle" and "diminish": "foretell" means predict or prognosticate; "hang" means dangle or suspend; "rotate" means spin or revolve; and "tease" means goad or mock.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

CAPSIZE

Possible Answers:

Mature

Debate

Signify

Fulfill

Sink

Correct answer:

Sink

Explanation:

"Capsize" means to overturn or to sink, and usually refers to ships. So, "sink" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "capsize": "fulfill" means to carry out or complete a task or an assignment; "debate" means to discuss or argue about an issue or topic; "signify" means to indicate; and "mature" means to grow up physically or mentally.

Example Question #141 : Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

EMBELLISH

Possible Answers:

Mimic

Terminate

Plagiarize

Define

Decorate

Correct answer:

Decorate

Explanation:

"Embellish" means to "decorate" or to add ornaments to something; one might embellish a story by adding details that are not true to an otherwise true account. "Terminate" means to end or to conclude. "Mimic" means to imitate or to copy. "Plagiarize" means to copy another person's work without crediting that person for it. "Define" means to state the definition or qualities of a person or thing.

Example Question #271 : Synonyms: Verbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

SNARE

Possible Answers:

Falsify

Contaminate

Trap

Research

Prosper

Correct answer:

Trap

Explanation:

"Snare" is a word that can be used as either a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as verbs, we will need to consider "snare" as a verb. When used as a verb, "snare" means to trap or to catch and usually refers to trapping an animal, so "trap" is the correct answer.  None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "snare" or "trap": "prosper" means succeed or flourish. "Contaminate" means pollute; "falsify" means mislead or show that something is false; and "research" means to study or investigate.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ENGENDER

Possible Answers:

Spawn

Dangerous

Female

Ingratiate

Duplicate

Correct answer:

Spawn

Explanation:

"Engender" is a verb which means to call forth. This can be used in the sense of creation of ideas, or in the sense of creating children.  "Spawn" can also mean to call forth. Additionally, it is, specifically, the laying of eggs by fish, amphibians or mollusks

"Dangerous" is an adjective which means causing harm.

"Ingratiate" is a verb meaning to flatter someone to create good will.

"Female" may seem like a good answer because it is a gender. "Engender" does not mean male or female, however.

"Duplicate" means to copy. This seems like a possible answer because, in the strictest sense, duplicating is an act of creation, just like engendering; however, "engender" has the connotation of creating something original:  an original idea or a child.  "Duplicate" is literally a copy of something else.  "Spawn" is a better answer because it, like "engender," has the connotation of creating something original.

Example Question #304 : Synonyms: Verbs

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

BROOD

Possible Answers:

fret

challenge

annex

hide

preclude

Correct answer:

fret

Explanation:

"Brood" means to worry or to fret.

Example Question #142 : Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

AGONIZE

Possible Answers:

Depict

Worry

Perpetrate

Laud

Gargle

Correct answer:

Worry

Explanation:

"Agonize" means to worry greatly about something and is ofted used in the phrase "to agonize over" something. So, "worry" is the correct answer. "Perpetrate" means to commit or carry out a crime. "Laud" means to applaud or to praise. "Depict" means to show or demonstrate. "Gargle" means to clean or wash one's throat or mouth with a liquid substance.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

ASSUAGE

Possible Answers:

Narrate

Relieve

Amass

Enervate

Atone

Correct answer:

Relieve

Explanation:

"Assuage" means to "relieve" or to ease. "Amass" means to gather or to collect. "Atone" means to apologize or make amends for. "Enervate" means to weaken or to cause to lose energy. "Narrate" means to tell a story.

Example Question #143 : Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ASSUAGE

Possible Answers:

Measure 

Decide 

Reward

Indicate 

Allay 

Correct answer:

Allay 

Explanation:

To “assuage” means to provide relief from something uncomfortable or distressing. You often hear it used to describe “assuaging guilt,” which means to make someone feel less guilty. The only answer choice that matches this definition is “allay.” Allay means to relieve or calm the severity of something. Both words describe the relieving of an unpleasant sensation.

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