ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #311 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ATROPHY

Possible Answers:

Plunder

Wither

Pilfer

Jettison

Strengthen

Correct answer:

Wither

Explanation:

To "atrophy" means to weaken, to waste away, to wither. It is generally used to describe the weakening of muscles, as in "muscle atrophy." To provide further help, "jettison" means discard; "plunder" and "pilfer" both mean to steal

Example Question #312 : Identifying Synonyms

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

STYMIE

Possible Answers:

Hinder

Suspend

Assist

Discern

Sanction

Correct answer:

Hinder

Explanation:

To "stymie" something is to hinder it, to prevent something from developing. To provide further help, "assist" means help; "suspend" means pause; "discern" means recognize and notice; "sanction" means approve

Example Question #313 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FESTOON

Possible Answers:

Decorate

Reinforce

Exculpate

Reside

Hinder

Correct answer:

Decorate

Explanation:

To "festoon" something means to decorate, to adorn. To provide further help, "reside" means live; "exculpate" means acquit, free from guilt; "reinforce" means provide support for; "hinder" means get in the way of, make something more difficult

Example Question #314 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXPUNGE

Possible Answers:

Permit

Forbid

Remove

Create

Acquit

Correct answer:

Remove

Explanation:

To "expunge" something means to remove it, to remove it from the record. To provide further help, "acquit" means pardon; "permit" means allow; "forbid" means say something is not allowed

Example Question #315 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PILFER

Possible Answers:

Recognize

Acquire

Steal

Delay

Comprehend

Correct answer:

Steal

Explanation:

To "pilfer" something means to steal, to plunder. To provide further help, "comprehend" means understand; "acquire" means get

Example Question #316 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CLEAVE

Possible Answers:

Subtract

Augment

Enhance

Multiply

Split

Correct answer:

Split

Explanation:

To "cleave" something means to cut in half, to split something. To provide further help, "enhance" and "augment" are synonyms, both words mean to make something better by adding to it

Example Question #317 : Identifying Synonyms

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

KINDLE

Possible Answers:

Defer

Ignite

Ridicule

Read

Abscond

Correct answer:

Ignite

Explanation:

"Kindle" means to light on fire, to ignite. To provide further help, "ridicule" means mock, make fun of; "defer" means postpone, put off, allow someone else to take charge; "abscond" means run away, usually run away with

Example Question #318 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REVERBERATE

Possible Answers:

Echo

Scrutinize

Complain

Recoil

Formulate

Correct answer:

Echo

Explanation:

"Reverberate" means to echo, to rebound and re-sound. To provide further help, "recoil" means step back from in fear or disgust; "formulate" means come up with; "scrutinize" means carefully examine

Example Question #319 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RUFFLE

Possible Answers:

Recreate

Imply

Encourage

Disturb

Postpone

Correct answer:

Disturb

Explanation:

To "ruffle" means to disarrange, to disturb, to mess up. To provide further help, "imply" means suggest. To "postpone" something is to put that thing off for later. To "encourage" is to support or pump up.

Example Question #320 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SATE

Possible Answers:

Drawl

Abstain

Vindicate

Quaff

Gratify

Correct answer:

Gratify

Explanation:

"Sate" and "gratify" both mean satisfy. As for the other answer choices, "abstain" means hold back from doing; "quaff" means drink down or gulp; "drawl" means lengthen or draw out; and "vindicate" means prove one's innocence.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors