ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #173 : Identifying Synonyms

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

STYMIE

Possible Answers:

thwart

feint

explicate

inveigle

abjure

Correct answer:

thwart

Explanation:

"Stymie" and "thwart" both mean to frustrate or hinder. "Explicate" means to clarify or explain. "Abjure" means to give up. "Feint" means a pretense or ruse. "Inveigle" means to entice or manipulate

Example Question #174 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SPURN

Possible Answers:

repudiate

extirpate

sanction

amalgamate

solicit

Correct answer:

repudiate

Explanation:

"Spurn" and "repudiate" both mean to turn away or ignore. "Sanction" means an embargo or punishment. "Solicit" means to plead for or to try to sell. "Amalgamate" means to blend or consolidate. "Extirpate" means to destroy or uproot.

Example Question #175 : Identifying Synonyms

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

QUIBBLE

Possible Answers:

Concur

Importune

Denigrate

Whet

Bicker

Correct answer:

Bicker

Explanation:

"Quibble" and "bicker" both mean to disagree over a minor point. "Concur" means to agree or approve. "Denigrate" means to belittle or malign. "Importune" means to demand or insist. "Whet" means to make sharp or hone.

Example Question #401 : Synonyms

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

BELABOR

Possible Answers:

Suborn

Slake

Rehash

Doff

Atone

Correct answer:

Rehash

Explanation:

"Belabor" and "rehash" both mean to dwell on. "Slake" means to decrease or assuage. "Doff" means to remove or discard. "Suborn" means to bribe. "Atone" means to compensate or make amends.

Example Question #402 : Synonyms

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

SPURN

Possible Answers:

Verify

Rebuff

Manage

Consider

Accept

Correct answer:

Rebuff

Explanation:

"Spurn" is a verb that means "reject with disdain or contempt." So, "accept" cannot be the correct answer, because it is an antonym of "spurn," not a synonym. "Rebuff," a word that when used as a verb means "reject someone or something in an abrupt or ungracious manner," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "spurn," so "rebuff" is the correct answer.

Example Question #403 : Synonyms

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

PLACATE

Possible Answers:

Appease

Position

Enjoy

Satisfy

Provoke

Correct answer:

Appease

Explanation:

The word “placate” is related distantly to “to please,” but it most properly means “to please someone in order to calm him or her.” Consider its use in an example sentence: “Although the worker had been quite angry about his low pay, the promise of a raise managed to placate his rage.” The word “appease” does not merely mean “to please,” but even more properly means “to soothe the demands of someone.”

Example Question #404 : Synonyms

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

RECOGNIZE

Possible Answers:

Recollect

Think

Forget

See

Formulate

Correct answer:

Recollect

Explanation:

The word "recognize" means to identify as something previously known. The best choice here is "recollect" because is shares a similar meaning—to remember. Considering the other choices, the word "forget" is an antonym of "recognize" that means to be let slip from one's memory, "think" means consider, and "see" means look at and notice.

Example Question #405 : Synonyms

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

MANDATE

Possible Answers:

Manage

Order

Inure

Oppress

Consist

Correct answer:

Order

Explanation:

"Mandate" is a word that when used as a verb means to order or demand. "Order" is the best choice here since it is a part of the definition of "mandate." Considering the other choices, "inure" means to toughen, "manage" means to take care of, and "oppress" means to subdue with restraints.

Example Question #406 : Synonyms

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

SHOUT

Possible Answers:

Warn

Whisper

Instill

Shriek

Corroborate

Correct answer:

Shriek

Explanation:

"Shout" is a verb that means to cry out loudly. "Shriek" is the best answer choice, since it shares a similar definition—to utter a loud cry. Considering the other choices, "whisper" is an antonym that means to speak with soft, hushed sounds, "warn" means to give notice of, "instill" means to slowly foster in someone, and "corroborate" means attest to the truth of.

Example Question #407 : Synonyms

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

LAMENT

Possible Answers:

Plaster

Cry

Derive

Lay

Slight

Correct answer:

Cry

Explanation:

The word "lament" is a verb that means to express great sorrow. The best choice is "cry," since it has a related meaning—to utter sounds in an expression of grief or sorrow. Considering the other choices, "lay" means to put in a horizontal position, "plaster" means to stick on a wall or to cover with something, "derive" means to logically arrive at one thing based on one's knowledge of another thing, and "slight," when used as a verb, means to insult.

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