HSPT Verbal : Synonyms: Verbs

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HSPT Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

BROOD

Possible Answers:

preclude

fret

annex

challenge

hide

Correct answer:

fret

Explanation:

"Brood" means to worry or to fret.

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Verbs

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

AGONIZE

Possible Answers:

Perpetrate

Laud

Worry

Depict

Gargle

Correct answer:

Worry

Explanation:

"Agonize" means to worry greatly about something and is ofted used in the phrase "to agonize over" something. So, "worry" is the correct answer. "Perpetrate" means to commit or carry out a crime. "Laud" means to applaud or to praise. "Depict" means to show or demonstrate. "Gargle" means to clean or wash one's throat or mouth with a liquid substance.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

ASSUAGE

Possible Answers:

Relieve

Narrate

Amass

Enervate

Atone

Correct answer:

Relieve

Explanation:

"Assuage" means to "relieve" or to ease. "Amass" means to gather or to collect. "Atone" means to apologize or make amends for. "Enervate" means to weaken or to cause to lose energy. "Narrate" means to tell a story.

Example Question #36 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

ASSUAGE

Possible Answers:

Decide 

Measure 

Reward

Allay 

Indicate 

Correct answer:

Allay 

Explanation:

To “assuage” means to provide relief from something uncomfortable or distressing. You often hear it used to describe “assuaging guilt,” which means to make someone feel less guilty. The only answer choice that matches this definition is “allay.” Allay means to relieve or calm the severity of something. Both words describe the relieving of an unpleasant sensation.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Verbs

"Abhor" most nearly means __________.

Possible Answers:

instigate

enhance

desire

despise

covet

Correct answer:

despise

Explanation:

To "abhor" something is to loathe, despise or hate it. You might "abhor" violence and refuse to watch TV shows that promote violence. "Covet" and "desire" both mean to want something, so these are antonyms of abhor. "Instigate" means to start something and "enhance" means to make better.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

CURTAIL

Possible Answers:

Contaminate

Decrease

Accelerate

Evolve

Duration

Correct answer:

Decrease

Explanation:

"Curtail" is a verb meaning to reduce or limit and sometimes impose a restriction on. The word closest in meaning to this is "decrease" which also means to reduce

"Accelerate" means to increase. This is the opposite of "curtail." 

"Contaminate" means to make impure

"Duration" is the time in which something happens.

"Evolve" means to gradually become more complex.

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