ISEE Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Verbs

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1141 : Synonyms

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

RAZE

Possible Answers:

Lift

Coddle

Forget

Amplify

Destroy

Correct answer:

Destroy

Explanation:

Do not quickly misread this question. The word "raze" is not the same as "raise." The options try to trick you into choosing "lift" or "amplify". When someone "raises" his or her hand, he or she lifts it. Likewise, amplification is the making of something louder—that is, "raising the volume." However, "raze" means to utterly destroy, as when a city is "razed" by an army. Thus, the best option is "destroy."

Example Question #201 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

HAMPER

Possible Answers:

Dry

Intensify

Obstruct

Pollute

Facilitate

Correct answer:

Obstruct

Explanation:

"Hamper" is a verb meaning to block or obstruct. "Facilitate" and "intensity" are both antonyms to "hamper," meaning it has the opposite meaning. 

Example Question #202 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

AMEND

Possible Answers:

Modify

Cease

Transport

Create

Corporal

Correct answer:

Modify

Explanation:

"Amend" is a verb meaning to change or modify. For example: "Since they were not to our liking, we asked to AMEND the class rules."

To "cease" doing something is to stop doing that thing. To "create" something is to make that thing (referring to a new thing). "Corporal" refers to a militaristic or strict manner of doing something (eg. "corporal punishment"). To "transport" something is to move that thing from one place to another.

Example Question #203 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

RECUPERATE

Possible Answers:

Uncover

Touch

Hold

Recover

Discover

Correct answer:

Recover

Explanation:

To "recuperate" means to rest and recover from something like an illness. To provide further help, "uncover" means reveal, show; "discover" means find

Example Question #204 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

ENSNARE

Possible Answers:

Assist

Urge

Trap

Convene

Liberate

Correct answer:

Trap

Explanation:

To "ensnare" something means to trap it. To provide further help, "urge" means beg, plead; "convene" means meet; "assist" means help; "liberate" means free. "Liberate" and "ensnare" are antonyms because they have opposite meanings.

Example Question #205 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

TAPER

Possible Answers:

Shirk

Flourish

Thrive

Dwindle

Admonish

Correct answer:

Dwindle

Explanation:

"Taper" means to diminish or reduce in size or impact, to dwindle. To provide further help, "admonish" means yell at, scold; "shirk" means avoid a responsibility; "thrive" and "flourish" are synonyms, both words means to grow and develop very well

Example Question #206 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

AFFECT

Possible Answers:

Onset

Consequence

Influence

Demonstrate

Startle

Correct answer:

Influence

Explanation:

To "affect" something means to have an impact on, to influence, to change. One of the more challenging differentiations in definitions that English speakers have to deal with can be found in "affect" and "effect." To "affect" means to influence; the "effect" is the result, the consequence. So, you "affect" something to produce an "effect." To provide further help, "onset" means beginning; "demonstrate" means show, provide an example; "startle" means to shock or surprise

Example Question #207 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

FUMBLE

Possible Answers:

Pass

Gift

Drop

Catch

Control

Correct answer:

Drop

Explanation:

To "fumble" means to drop something, to do something careless and clumsy with one's hands

Example Question #208 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

WRENCH

Possible Answers:

Loathe

Jest

Tug

Leap

Shove

Correct answer:

Tug

Explanation:

To "wrench" means to pull suddenly or violently, to tug, to yank. To provide further help, "loathe" means hate; "jest" means joke; "leap" means jump high

Example Question #209 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

UPROOT

Possible Answers:

Displace

Encroach

Demise

Succumb

Dismember

Correct answer:

Displace

Explanation:

To "uproot" means to force someone from their home, or place they are comfortable in, and make them move elsewhere. To provide further help, "dismember" means take apart; "encroach" means trespass, intrude on another person's property; "succumb" means give in to, fail to resist; "demise" means death.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors