ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #414 : Synonyms

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

DISAVOW

Possible Answers:

Peddle

Deride

Accede

Deny

Reject

Correct answer:

Deny

Explanation:

“Disavow” means to deny responsibility for or association with something, so "deny" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “accede” means agree to a demand; “reject” means not accept or say no to; “deride” means mock and make fun of; and “peddle” means to sell something.

Example Question #415 : Synonyms

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

CAPITULATE

Possible Answers:

Wield

Surrender

Grieve

Imitate

Incite

Correct answer:

Surrender

Explanation:

“Capitulate” means surrender or run away from battle, so "surrender" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “wield” means hold and use as a weapon; “grieve” means express sadness over a loss, most often the loss of a friend; “imitate” means copy; and “incite” means cause something to happen.

Example Question #191 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ELUCIDATE

Possible Answers:

Reconsider

Circumnavigate

Eradicate

Postulate

Illuminate

Correct answer:

Illuminate

Explanation:

"Elucidate” means to make clear, or in other words, to explain or “illuminate.” As for the other answer choices, “eradicate” means completely destroy; “postulate” means suggest a solution to a problem; “circumnavigate” means travel all the way around the world or evade a topic in conversation; and "reconsider" means rethink a decision, possibly changing it.

Example Question #192 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INCITE

Possible Answers:

Ignite

Pursue

Exonerate

Ramble

Disavow

Correct answer:

Ignite

Explanation:

“Incite” means encourage to do something, especially something illegal. "Ignite" can mean to start a fire or, more broadly, kindle or instigate. "Ignite" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "incite," so "ignite" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “disavow” means deny responsibility for or renounce; “exonerate” means absolve; “ramble” means to talk without purpose or direction; and "pursue" means chase after.

Example Question #418 : Synonyms

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

ALLOW

Possible Answers:

Effect

Salary

Permit

Verify

Advocate

Correct answer:

Permit

Explanation:

The word "allow" is a verb that means to permit or yield. "Permit" is the best choice since it is part of the definition of "allow." Considering the other choices, "sell" is a verb that means give an item to someone else for a set monetary price"affect" is a noun that means alter the consequences of, "advocate" means speak on behalf of a person or cause, and "verify" means confirm the truth of

Example Question #419 : Synonyms

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

EQUIVOCATE

Possible Answers:

precipitate

corroborate

prevaricate

venerate

imply

Correct answer:

prevaricate

Explanation:

"Equivocate" means to prevaricate or avoid an issue. "Venerate" means to revere or cherish. "Precipitate" means to expedite or hurry. "Imply" means to indicate or hint. "Corroborate" means to authenticate or confirm

Example Question #420 : Synonyms

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

PREVARICATE

Possible Answers:

deceive

breach

cadge

absolve

confront

Correct answer:

deceive

Explanation:

"Prevaricate" and "deceive" both mean to exaggerate or stretch the truth. "Confront" means to challenge or defy. "Absolve" means to free from responsbility. "Cadge" means to beg. "Breach" means to crack or rupture

Example Question #191 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INFER

Possible Answers:

zest

truncate

abstain

disperse

ascertain

Correct answer:

ascertain

Explanation:

"Infer" and "ascertain" both mean to conclude or deduce. "Abstain" means to hold back from doing something. "Disperse" means to distribute or scatter. "Truncate" means to shorten or abbreviate. "Zest" means to season or make flavorful.

Example Question #192 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ADVOCATE

Possible Answers:

undermine

promote

glean

nullify

condemn

Correct answer:

promote

Explanation:

"Accolade" and "promote" both mean to support. "Condemn" means to blame or convict. "Undermine" means to weaken or cripple. "Glean" means to pick out or collect. "Nulllify" means to cancel or revoke.

Example Question #193 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROPITIATE

Possible Answers:

provoke

summon

conciliate

pulverize

recant

Correct answer:

conciliate

Explanation:

"Propitiate" and "conciliate" both mean to appease or satisfy. "Provoke" means to make angry. "Pulverize" means to destroy or smash. "Recant" means to take back something said. "Summon" means to call to a place

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