ISEE Lower Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Lower Level Verbal

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #621 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

WALKED

Possible Answers:

Created

Drove

Strolled

Pedaled

Correct answer:

Strolled

Explanation:

"Walked" is a verb that means use one's feet to transport oneself somewhere at a slow, constant pace. So, the answer choice closest in meaning to "walked" is "strolled", a verb that means leisurely walked. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "walked": "drove" means operated a motor vehicle in order to get from one location to another; "pedaled" means moved by propelling oneself on a bicycle using its pedals; and "created" means made.

Example Question #622 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ELUDE

Possible Answers:

Imply

Attract

Resolve

Enclose

Avoid

Correct answer:

Avoid

Explanation:

If you "elude" something or someone, it means you evade or avoid it. For instance, you might elude your parents after you receive your report card if you know your grades are not stellar.

Example Question #623 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WITHSTAND

Possible Answers:

Entreat

Resist

Succumb

Treat

Vary

Correct answer:

Resist

Explanation:

"Withstand" is a verb that means either resist successfully or not take any damage from. We need to pick out an answer choice that means something like resist. "Succumb," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "succumb" is a verb that means intend to resist but fail to do so, making it an antonym of "withstand," not a synonym. "Resist," however, is a verb that means endure, and because "resist" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "withstand," "resist" is the correct answer.

Example Question #624 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FORTIFY

Possible Answers:

Deteriorate

Build

Strengthen

Maintain

Corrupt

Correct answer:

Strengthen

Explanation:

To "fortify" something is to reinforce it, which means to make it stronger. For a classic example, think about a building, like a castle. You could fortify the castle by building extra walls and defensive structures, which would strengthen it against attack. As for the other answer choices, "deteriorate" means fall apart, "corrupt" (when used as a verb) means make worse in quality or less moral, and "maintain" means keep something in the same condition.

Example Question #625 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SCOUR

Possible Answers:

Demarcate

Contemplate

Polish

Demolish

Discover

Correct answer:

Polish

Explanation:

There are two definitions of scour.  In this definition, it means to polish or clean.  The other meaning of scour is to search thoroughly.

Example Question #626 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WRITHE

Possible Answers:

Admonish 

Abolish

Intercept

Twist

Delay

Correct answer:

Twist

Explanation:

To "writhe" means to twist, usually in pain, so "twist" is the correct answer. To help you, "abolish" means get rid of, "admonish" means criticize or punish for doing something wrong, "intercept" means interrupt something intended for someone else, and "delay" means pause when used as a noun, and to "delay" something is to put it off until a later time.

Example Question #627 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IMPEDE

Possible Answers:

Engage

Hamper

Juxtapose

Miss

Permit

Correct answer:

Hamper

Explanation:

"Impede" is a verb that means "delay or prevent (someone or something) by obstructing them; hinder," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "delay" or "hinder." "Permit," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "permit," when used as a verb, means "give authorization or consent to (someone) to do something," a meaning that is not similar to "delay" or "hinder." "Hamper," however, is a word that when used as a verb, means "hinder or impede the movement or progress of," and because "hamper" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "hinder," "hamper" is the correct answer.

Example Question #628 : Identifying Synonyms

Choose the best synonym for the following word:

KNEAD

Possible Answers:

Bury

Massage

Need

Discover

Bake

Correct answer:

Massage

Explanation:

Knead means to work or mold a substance with one's hands. Massage means to rub or work with one's hands as well, and thus is the closest in meaning. While kneaded dough is often baked, bake is not a synonym. The words are related, but not the same in meaning. 

Example Question #797 : Synonyms

Choose the best synonym for the following word:

ACCELERATE

Possible Answers:

Quicken

Enhance

Evolve

Grow

Surprise

Correct answer:

Quicken

Explanation:

Accelerate means to increase in speed. Quicken means to go faster. Given these definitions, accelerate and quicken are very close in meaning, and therefore synonyms of one another. 

Example Question #121 : Synonyms: Verbs

Choose the best synonym for the following word:

HOARD

Possible Answers:

Decipher

Find

Hide

Collect

Harness

Correct answer:

Collect

Explanation:

Hoard means to find and keep large amounts of certain types of objects. Collect means to form a grouping of particular items. Thus, given how similar these words are, they are synonyms for one another. 

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors