ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #262 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DWELL

Possible Answers:

Live

Insult

Finish

Locate

Pertain

Correct answer:

Live

Explanation:

The word "dwell" is a verb that means to live in a particular place or state. The best answer is "house," which can also be used as a verb. When used as a verb, "live" shares the same meaning as "dwell." Considering the other choices, the word "finish" means to bring to an end, "locate" is a verb that means determine the place where something isand "insult" means to say something that offends.

Example Question #101 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

SMITE

Possible Answers:

Vend

Destroy

Perpetrate

Meander

Barter

Correct answer:

Destroy

Explanation:

“Smite” means destroy, take vengeance upon, or strike down, so "destroy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "smite." As for the other answer choices, “vend” means sell; “barter” means trade, particularly to try to buy something for less money than it is worth or to buy something using something other than money; “meander” means to move indirectly, from side-to-side, like a river; and "perpetrate" means commit, specifically in the context of committing crimes.

Example Question #103 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

WANE

Possible Answers:

Admonish

Exasperate

Forsake

Diminish

Hamper

Correct answer:

Diminish

Explanation:

“Wane” means decline or diminish, so "diminish" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “exasperate” means frustrate; “admonish” means scold or criticize; “hamper” means impede or stop the progress of; and “forsake” means abandon or disavow.

Example Question #271 : Identifying Synonyms

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

KINDLE

Possible Answers:

Flatter

Consume

Procrastinate

Orbit

Ignite

Correct answer:

Ignite

Explanation:

"Kindle" means ignite or start a fire, so "ignite" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "kindle": "consume" means eat or use up; "orbit," when used as a verb, means revolve around or circle; "flatter" means shower compliments and praise on a person; and "procrastinate" means delay or postpone until near a deadline.

Example Question #104 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

COALESCE

Possible Answers:

proximate

fawn

importune

amalgamate

disjoin

Correct answer:

amalgamate

Explanation:

"Coalesce" and "amalgamate" both mean to blend or come together. "Disjoin" means to become separated. "Fawn" means to ingratiate oneself or serve. "Importune" means to demand or insist. "Proximate" means very near or close

Example Question #105 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

EFFACE

Possible Answers:

corroborate

exact

undergird

expunge

foreshadow

Correct answer:

expunge

Explanation:

"Efface" and "expunge" both mean to erase or delete. "Foreshadow" means to indicate or portend. "Undergird" means to support or bolster. "Exact" means to demand or call for"Corroborate" means to back up or support information

Example Question #106 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

ABUT

Possible Answers:

adjoin

ratify

condone

strut

subpoena

Correct answer:

adjoin

Explanation:

"Abut" and "adjoin" both mean to border on or be adjacent to. "Strut" means to walk pompously. "Condone" means to make allowance for. "Ratify" means to affirm or authorize. "Subpoena" means to issue a writ or citation

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

DILATE

Possible Answers:

Assemble

Enlarge

Evolve

Constrict

Impede

Correct answer:

Enlarge

Explanation:

When something dilates, it means it increases in size or enlarges. For example, the pupils of the eyes typically dilate, or enlarge, in dark environments to let in more light.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

TRANSCEND

Possible Answers:

Ignore

Go beyond

Concerned with

Beleaguer

Sink into

Correct answer:

Go beyond

Explanation:

"Transcend" is a verb that means "be or go beyond the range or limits of something abstract, typically a conceptual field or division," or "surpass a person or an achievement." So, while "concerned with" or "beleaguer" might each look like a potentially correct answer because each answer choice can concern abstract details, "go beyond" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "transcend," so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

AGGRANDIZE

Possible Answers:

debilitate

jettison

expedite

abridge

augment

Correct answer:

augment

Explanation:

"Aggrandize" and "augment" both mean to increase or enlarge. "Abridge" means to shorten or curtail. "Debilitate" means to incapacitate or cripple. "Expedite" means to accelerate. "Jettison" means to eject or throw overboard

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