HSPT Verbal : Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #141 : Synonyms

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

CAREEN

Possible Answers:

congregate

hurtle

assemble

threaten

loosen

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:

Foretell

Diminish

Tease

Rotate

Hang

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 #2 : 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:

Sink

Signify

Mature

Fulfill

Debate

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 #2 : 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.

EMBELLISH

Possible Answers:

Define

Decorate

Plagiarize

Terminate

Mimic

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

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

SNARE

Possible Answers:

Falsify

Prosper

Trap

Contaminate

Research

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 #1 : 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:

Ingratiate

Spawn

Dangerous

Female

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 #2 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

BROOD

Possible Answers:

preclude

fret

annex

challenge

hide

Correct answer:

fret

Explanation:

"Brood" means to worry or to fret.

Example Question #141 : Synonyms

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

AGONIZE

Possible Answers:

Laud

Depict

Worry

Gargle

Perpetrate

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 #142 : Synonyms

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

ASSUAGE

Possible Answers:

Atone

Enervate

Relieve

Narrate

Amass

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 #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

ASSUAGE

Possible Answers:

Decide 

Reward

Indicate 

Measure 

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.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors