ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #17 : 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.

CALUMNY

Possible Answers:

synthesis

panegyric

chagrin

chicanery

slander

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 #18 : 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.

CANARD

Possible Answers:

veracity

charlatan

edict

hoax

contaminant

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 #19 : 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.

APOGEE

Possible Answers:

nadir

guile

hilarity

pinnacle

drawback

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:

gaffe

impediment

puissance

accretion

virtuosity

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 #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. 

HIATUS

Possible Answers:

sinecure

interval

canon

conjecture

raconteur

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 #22 : 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. 

RHETORIC

Possible Answers:

vicissitude

minion

conception

oratory

luminary

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 #23 : 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. 

QUAGMIRE

Possible Answers:

cloture

xenophobe

gainsay

hyperbole

imbroglio

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 #24 : 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.

PLATITUDE

Possible Answers:

iniquity

invective

banality

harangue

coinage

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 #25 : 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.

LASSITUDE

Possible Answers:

lethargy

legerdemain

largess

diligence

vigor

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 #26 : 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.

EXIGENCY

Possible Answers:

largess

contingency

boon

hegemony

transient

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.

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