Synonyms: Nouns - ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning

The word "corroboration" means _proof that confirms a given theory or statement is correc_t; therefore, "confirmation" is the word that most closely matches its definition, as "confirmation" can mean information that confirms something. "Contrition" means guilt, penitence, or regret, so it is is unrelated to the definition of "corroboration." "Idealism," which means the characteristic of chasing unrealistic dreams of perfection, is also unrelated. A "contradiction" occurs when the difference between two things means that both cannot be true. This is almost the opposite of "corroboration."

The word "coincidence" is comprised of two parts: "co-incidence." An "incident" is something that happens in a given place. The prefix "co-" means with or together. "Coincidences" are things that happen together. Often, the word is used to describe things that happen together without any expectation. For instance, we both walk into the room and see each other, though we had not intended this meeting. Thus, we met by coincidence. To put it another way, we met by chance. Therefore, "chance" is the best option among the answer choices given.

When two things are "similar," they are not completely equal in appearance or nature, but they are at least "alike." A strict equivalence is too alike to be called a "similarity." For example, two cars of the same make, model, year, and color could be called identical. However, we would call two cars that have bodies that are alike to each other, though not quite the same and of different colors "similar." Likewise, we might say that someone has eyes that are similar to his or her parents, even though they are not exactly alike. Therefore, the word "resemblance" is the best option since it expresses such "likeness" without absolute equivalence.

You might associate the word "gluttony" with food. In Christian theology, "gluttony" is numbered as one the "seven deadly sins." It has a number of meanings, though many of them are associated with overeating food or liking food too much. This is why most people think that the word "gluttony" has only to do with food. However, "gluttony" often can mean greed in a more general sense. (It is, of course, most normally associated with greed for food.) Note that the only option that expresses this is the simple "greed." One can be starving or hungry without being gluttonous.

A ”gap” is a hole or empty space in something. The word “support” means help given to someone.

A “controversy” is a disagreement where two or more people do not think the same thing has happened. Often a “controversy” is something that breaks the rules. The word “punishment” describes what is done to people who do bad things and get caught. An “instinct” is something you feel or do naturally; a “declaration” is a statement, a saying, of something; and a “supposition” is the act of believing something that has no proof or such a belief.

A “skirmish” is a small fight or battle. A "wound" is a physical injury, so while you may receive a wound in a skermish, "wound" does not mean the same thing as "skirmish."

“Squalor” is dirt or “filth"; someone who lives in “squalor” lives in very dirty or filthy conditions. The word “baggage” describes something you carry with you, like a suitcase. The word “benefit” means something helpful. A “habitat” is the natural place where something lives, so a monkey’s “habitat” is the jungle.

“Anguish” is another word for pain or distress. If you “feel anguished,” you feel unhappy and in pain. "Pain" is thus the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “elation” means deep happiness and is an antonym of “anguish.”

A “hardship” is something difficult you experience, so "difficulty" is the best answer choice. The word “reward” describes something you get for doing the right thing or doing something well; “companionship” is another word for friendship; and “punishment” is something bad that you receive because of something you did wrong.

The word “triumph” means win or victory. It is the opposite of “defeat,” which means loss. An “argument” is when you talk to someone and the two of you think different things are right and debate them, often in an angry way. The word “contend” means to argue or to express what you think. So, you might “contend” an “argument” and then be “defeated” or emerge “triumphant.”

A “brawl” is a physical fight, usually a chaotic one, so "fight" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "brawl." As for the other answer choices, a "deception" is a trick or lie that intentionally fools someone into believing something false; "protection" means defense or something that prevents its user from getting damaged or hurt; "punishment" is discipline for rules that you broke. While "brawl" may sound like "bawl," which means to cry loudly, "crying" isn't related to "brawl."

The "extent" of something is the physical area it covers, intensity, or "scope." The "ex-" prefix here means out, like in the word "exterior"; the combination of "ex-" and "-tent" may have led you to pick "outdoors." Similarly, if you thought of "exact" as being similar to "extent," you may have picked "precision." However, neither "outdoors" nor "precision" is close in meaning to "extent," so neither can be the correct answer.

An ”activity” is energy and movement, or something you do, like a "hobby." A “nightmare” is a bad dream; and a “desire” is something you want, while "desire" is wanting .

"Vision” is another name for sight. “Sight” is the ability to see or what you see; “touch” is the ability to feel something's texture or solidity. These five answer choices are related to the five senses in humans.

A “narrative” is a story. As for the other answer choices, “industry” means the business and work of manufacturing in general, the field of _manufacturing something specific,_or the process of diligently working and being active; “moral” means a lesson a story teaches about what is right and wrong; “kin” means family; and a “banquet” is a feast or a fancy meal for many people.

"Regime" comes from the same Latin roots as "regal" (befitting or having the bearing of a monarch or ruler) and "regalia" (official, formal clothing and items that identify an important person like a ruler at official events). What do these words have in common? Both have to do with rulers, so it makes sense that "regime" means the rule of a government, often one controlled by one person or few people, making "government" the correct answer.

A “location” is a place where something is, so "place" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, the “temperature” is how hot or cold it is; “value” is how much something is worth, often in terms of money; and “mode” is a way in which something happens or is done, as in the sentence “The car is his favorite mode of transportation.”

The "cosmos" is the universe, including the Earth, the planets, stars, and other astronomical bodies, so "universe" is the correct answer.

The "duration" of something is the amount of time for which it lasts, so "length" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, the “temperature” is how hot or cold something is; the “weight” of something is how heavy it is; and “depth” means how deep something is relative to another point, such as the surface of the earth or the surface of the ocean.