ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Verbs

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:

abjure

inveigle

explicate

thwart

feint

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 #14 : Synonyms: Verbs

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:

amalgamate

sanction

extirpate

repudiate

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 #15 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

QUIBBLE

Possible Answers:

Whet

Concur

Denigrate

Importune

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 #16 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

BELABOR

Possible Answers:

Rehash

Slake

Atone

Doff

Suborn

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 #17 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

SPURN

Possible Answers:

Accept

Verify

Manage

Consider

Rebuff

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 #18 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

PLACATE

Possible Answers:

Enjoy

Position

Provoke

Satisfy

Appease

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 #19 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

RECOGNIZE

Possible Answers:

Forget

Recollect

Think

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 #401 : Synonyms

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

MANDATE

Possible Answers:

Consist

Manage

Oppress

Inure

Order

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 #402 : Synonyms

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

SHOUT

Possible Answers:

Whisper

Instill

Shriek

Corroborate

Warn

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 #403 : Synonyms

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

LAMENT

Possible Answers:

Cry

Derive

Lay

Plaster

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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