ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

DIVEST

Possible Answers:

deprive

wane

goad

maintain

beguile

Correct answer:

deprive

Explanation:

"Divest" and "deprive" both means to dispossess or take off. "Maintain" means to care for or keep up. "Wane" means to diminish or lessen. "Goad" means to egg on or incite. "Beguile" means to fool or charm

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

CONCOCT

Possible Answers:

stir

instill

poison

boil

fabricate

Correct answer:

fabricate

Explanation:

The word “concoct” most generally means to make by combining together a number of parts or ingredients. For instance, one could refer to a stew or a potion as a “concoction.” The word can take on the further meaning of something that has been put together untruthfully, as when someone concocts a story to cover up the truth. The word “fabricate” does literally mean to make, but it also can have the same negative sense of to come up with a false tale.

Example Question #20 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

CONFER

Possible Answers:

meddle

grant

simulate

foreshadow

Correct answer:

grant

Explanation:

Confer means to grant or bestow something.

Example Question #182 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

 

ABDICATE

Possible Answers:

relinquish

dissemble

arbitrate

manifest

assuage

Correct answer:

relinquish

Explanation:

"Abdicate" means to relinquish or give up power, position, or authority. "Manifest" means to make clear or obvious. "Assuage" means to soothe or relieve. "Dissemble" means to disguise or pretend. "Arbitrate" means to achieve a settlement or straighten out

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

ABSTAIN

Possible Answers:

incite

forgo

garner

abscond

fathom

Correct answer:

forgo

Explanation:

"Abstain" means to forgo or hold back from doing something. "Abscond" means to run away or depart secretly. "Garner" means to collect or accumulate. "Incite" means to encourage or provoke. "Fathom" means to discern or understand

Example Question #192 : Synonyms: Verbs

Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

PROVOKE

Possible Answers:

incite

ruin

halt

increase

promote

Correct answer:

incite

Explanation:

"Provoke" means to start, and the word closest in meaning to that is incite.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

ENGENDER

Possible Answers:

induce

mitigate

pilfer

repress

juxtapose

Correct answer:

induce

Explanation:

"Engender" and "induce" both mean to cause to happen or to cause an action. "Repress" means to keep back or hold in. "Juxtapose" means to place side by side. "Mitigate" means to diminish or lighten. "Pilfer" means to steal or embezzle

Example Question #193 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

CONTRIVE

Possible Answers:

Raze

Obliterate

Rig

Revise

Devise

Correct answer:

Devise

Explanation:

Something "contrived" is devised or "invented."

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

IMPAIR

Possible Answers:

Weaken

Duplicate

Trim

Dual

Reduce

Correct answer:

Weaken

Explanation:

The word impair does not have to do with “two” things (as you might think from “pair”). Instead, it is related to the same Latin root that underlies the word “pejorative,” which means “contemptuous” or “disapproving.” A pejorative word is negative and can be hurtful. When someone is impaired, he or she is weakened or made worse. While one could speak of something like “impairing the process of making the product,” the term is most often used with reference to human abilities. For instance, consider the sentence, “The four glasses of wine impaired John’s coordination, so he thought it better to have someone else drive home.”

Example Question #24 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

CONSERVE

Possible Answers:

Detoxify

Enhance

Safeguard

Rebuild

Slavish

Correct answer:

Safeguard

Explanation:

The word “conserve” likely is associated with the word “conservative” for you. The latter does have to deal with certain aspects of political thought concerned with “retaining the past,” but the signification of that word is not simple. The general sense conveyed by words related to “conserve” is that of “preserving” or “retaining.” A conservative person desires to retain the customs, ideas, or morals of a past age. Any other notions are added to this basic and foundational signification, which is best expressed by “safeguard.”

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