ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #55 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CALUMNY

Possible Answers:

synthesis

chagrin

slander

chicanery

panegyric

Correct answer:

slander

Explanation:

"Calumny" and "slander" both mean a scandalous remark or disparagement. "Panegyric" means acclaim or praise. "Synthesis" means combining or combination. "Chagrin" means displeasure or annoyance. "Chicanery" means trickery or deceit

Example Question #58 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CANARD

Possible Answers:

contaminant

edict

hoax

charlatan

veracity

Correct answer:

hoax

Explanation:

"Canard" and "hoax" both mean a lie or deception. "Veracity" means truth or accuracy. "Charlatan" means a trickster or fraud. "Contaminant" means a pollutant. "Edict" means a pronouncement or order.

Example Question #56 : Identifying Synonyms

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

APOGEE

Possible Answers:

hilarity

pinnacle

guile

drawback

nadir

Correct answer:

pinnacle

Explanation:

"Apogee" and "pinnacle" both mean the highest point or zenith. "Nadir" means the lowest point or bottom. "Drawback" means a disadvantage. "Guile" means slyness or cleverness. "Hilarity" means laughter or amusement

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

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

DRAWBACK

Possible Answers:

accretion

impediment

virtuosity

puissance

gaffe

Correct answer:

impediment

Explanation:

"Drawback" and "impediment" both mean a disadvantage or hindrance. "Puissance" means energy or force. "Virtuosity" means skill or craft. "Gaffe" means a mistake or faux pas. "Accretion" means a gradual growth or addition.

Example Question #62 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HIATUS

Possible Answers:

canon

raconteur

sinecure

conjecture

interval

Correct answer:

interval

Explanation:

"Hiatus" and "interval" both mean a pause or interruption. "Conjecture" means speculation or assumption. "Sinecure" means a pushover. "Raconteur" means a storyteller or bard. "Canon" means a rule or edict.

Example Question #281 : Synonyms

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

RHETORIC

Possible Answers:

conception

minion

oratory

luminary

vicissitude

Correct answer:

oratory

Explanation:

"Rhetoric" and "oratory" both mean wordiness or a long speech. "Conception" means beginning or birth. "Vicissitude" means change or fluctuation. "Minion" means a sycophant or lackey. "Luminary" means a celebrity or dignitary

Example Question #63 : Identifying Synonyms

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

QUAGMIRE

Possible Answers:

xenophobe

cloture

gainsay

imbroglio

hyperbole

Correct answer:

imbroglio

Explanation:

"Quagmire" and "imbroglio" both mean a bad situation or dilemma. "Cloture" means a process to bring debate to an end. "Gainsay" means to contradict or disagree. "Hyperbole" means an exaggeration or metaphor. "Xenophobe" means someone afraid of or hateful towards foreigners.

Example Question #64 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PLATITUDE

Possible Answers:

banality

coinage

invective

iniquity

harangue

Correct answer:

banality

Explanation:

"Platitude" and "banality" both mean a dull or overused saying. "Coinage" means the process of making money. "Harangue" means a long lecture or rant. "Invective" means verbal abuse

Example Question #65 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LASSITUDE

Possible Answers:

largess

lethargy

legerdemain

vigor

diligence

Correct answer:

lethargy

Explanation:

"Lassitude" and "lethargy" both mean apathy or fatigue. "Diligence" means perseverance in carrying out an action. "Vigor" means power or energy. "Largess" means generosity. "Legerdemain" means sleight of hand

Example Question #282 : Synonyms

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

EXIGENCY

Possible Answers:

boon

largess

hegemony

transient

contingency

Correct answer:

contingency

Explanation:

"Exigency" and "contingency" both mean difficulty or crisis. "Boon" means an advantage or blessing. "Hegemony" means dominion or authority. "Transient" means temporary or ephemeral. "Largess" means generosity or aid.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors