ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #58 : Identifying Synonyms

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

CALUMNY

Possible Answers:

chagrin

panegyric

synthesis

chicanery

slander

Correct answer:

slander

Explanation:

"Calumny" and "slander" both mean a scandalous remark or disparagement. "Panegyric" means acclaim or praise. "Synthesis" means combining or combination. "Chagrin" means displeasure or annoyance. "Chicanery" means trickery or deceit

Example Question #59 : Identifying Synonyms

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

CANARD

Possible Answers:

edict

contaminant

charlatan

veracity

hoax

Correct answer:

hoax

Explanation:

"Canard" and "hoax" both mean a lie or deception. "Veracity" means truth or accuracy. "Charlatan" means a trickster or fraud. "Contaminant" means a pollutant. "Edict" means a pronouncement or order.

Example Question #60 : Identifying Synonyms

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

APOGEE

Possible Answers:

guile

hilarity

nadir

pinnacle

drawback

Correct answer:

pinnacle

Explanation:

"Apogee" and "pinnacle" both mean the highest point or zenith. "Nadir" means the lowest point or bottom. "Drawback" means a disadvantage. "Guile" means slyness or cleverness. "Hilarity" means laughter or amusement

Example Question #32 : Synonyms

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters. 

DRAWBACK

Possible Answers:

puissance

impediment

gaffe

virtuosity

accretion

Correct answer:

impediment

Explanation:

"Drawback" and "impediment" both mean a disadvantage or hindrance. "Puissance" means energy or force. "Virtuosity" means skill or craft. "Gaffe" means a mistake or faux pas. "Accretion" means a gradual growth or addition.

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters. 

HIATUS

Possible Answers:

interval

conjecture

raconteur

canon

sinecure

Correct answer:

interval

Explanation:

"Hiatus" and "interval" both mean a pause or interruption. "Conjecture" means speculation or assumption. "Sinecure" means a pushover. "Raconteur" means a storyteller or bard. "Canon" means a rule or edict.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters. 

RHETORIC

Possible Answers:

oratory

minion

luminary

vicissitude

conception

Correct answer:

oratory

Explanation:

"Rhetoric" and "oratory" both mean wordiness or a long speech. "Conception" means beginning or birth. "Vicissitude" means change or fluctuation. "Minion" means a sycophant or lackey. "Luminary" means a celebrity or dignitary

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters. 

QUAGMIRE

Possible Answers:

cloture

hyperbole

imbroglio

gainsay

xenophobe

Correct answer:

imbroglio

Explanation:

"Quagmire" and "imbroglio" both mean a bad situation or dilemma. "Cloture" means a process to bring debate to an end. "Gainsay" means to contradict or disagree. "Hyperbole" means an exaggeration or metaphor. "Xenophobe" means someone afraid of or hateful towards foreigners.

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

PLATITUDE

Possible Answers:

banality

harangue

coinage

iniquity

invective

Correct answer:

banality

Explanation:

"Platitude" and "banality" both mean a dull or overused saying. "Coinage" means the process of making money. "Harangue" means a long lecture or rant. "Invective" means verbal abuse

Example Question #25 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

LASSITUDE

Possible Answers:

vigor

diligence

largess

legerdemain

lethargy

Correct answer:

lethargy

Explanation:

"Lassitude" and "lethargy" both mean apathy or fatigue. "Diligence" means perseverance in carrying out an action. "Vigor" means power or energy. "Largess" means generosity. "Legerdemain" means sleight of hand

Example Question #26 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

EXIGENCY

Possible Answers:

hegemony

contingency

largess

transient

boon

Correct answer:

contingency

Explanation:

"Exigency" and "contingency" both mean difficulty or crisis. "Boon" means an advantage or blessing. "Hegemony" means dominion or authority. "Transient" means temporary or ephemeral. "Largess" means generosity or aid.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors