ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #64 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

REVERBERATE

Possible Answers:

Complain

Recoil

Formulate

Scrutinize

Echo

Correct answer:

Echo

Explanation:

"Reverberate" means to echo, to rebound and re-sound. To provide further help, "recoil" means step back from in fear or disgust; "formulate" means come up with; "scrutinize" means carefully examine

Example Question #65 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

RUFFLE

Possible Answers:

Disturb

Encourage

Imply

Recreate

Postpone

Correct answer:

Disturb

Explanation:

To "ruffle" means to disarrange, to disturb, to mess up. To provide further help, "imply" means suggest. To "postpone" something is to put that thing off for later. To "encourage" is to support or pump up.

Example Question #541 : Synonyms

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

SATE

Possible Answers:

Abstain

Drawl

Gratify

Quaff

Vindicate

Correct answer:

Gratify

Explanation:

"Sate" and "gratify" both mean satisfy. As for the other answer choices, "abstain" means hold back from doing; "quaff" means drink down or gulp; "drawl" means lengthen or draw out; and "vindicate" means prove one's innocence.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

VEX

Possible Answers:

Trigger

Enrage

Question

Annoy

Horrify

Correct answer:

Annoy

Explanation:

The word “vex” comes from the Latin for “to annoy.” “Vexations,” are annoying things. One could use the word in a sentence like, “After many years of living with Sally, Joan started to become vexed by all of her little character flaws, eventually becoming enraged by what were at best small annoyances.”

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

REPULSE

Possible Answers:

Repel

Foul

Reek

Undulate

Retch

Correct answer:

Repel

Explanation:

We usually think of a “repulsive” thing as being disgusting or gross. The correspondence is not direct. Something gross is called “repulsive” because it “pushes people away from it.” (Nobody wants to be close to the person with body odor; he or she “repulses” people away.) A “pulsation” is so called because it is caused by a “beating” or “pressing” motion. To “repulse” is to “drive, beat, or press” someone away.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

COVET

Possible Answers:

Crave

Maneuver

Detest

Introduce

Cover

Correct answer:

Crave

Explanation:

"Covet" is a verb that means "yearn to possess or have something," so we need to pick out a verb that means something like "yearn to possess." While "cover" may sound and look similar to "covet," the two words have very different meanings, so "cover" cannot be the correct answer. "Crave," however, means "feel a powerful desire for something," and because it is the closest synonym of "covet" among the possible answer choices, "crave" is the correct answer.

Example Question #542 : Synonyms

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

DAUNT

Possible Answers:

Deter

Enhance

Corrupt

Embolden

Equivocate

Correct answer:

Deter

Explanation:

"Daunt" and "deter" both mean to make fearful or hesitant. "Embolden" means to encourage or inspire. "Corrupt" means to pervert or pollute. "Enhance" means to improve or embellish. "Equivocate" means to avoid an issue

Example Question #543 : Synonyms

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

VEX

Possible Answers:

Burgeon

Incite

Agitate

Glean

Alleviate

Correct answer:

Agitate

Explanation:

"Vex" means to agitate or bother. "Alleviate" means to relieve or lessen. "Burgeon" means to bloom or multiply. "Glean" means to pick out or collect. "Incite" means to encourage or provoke.

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

EXACERBATE

Possible Answers:

patent

contort

aggravate

oscillate

appease

Correct answer:

aggravate

Explanation:

"Exacerbate" and "aggravate" both mean to infuriate or make worse. "Appease" means to satisfy or pacify. "Contort" means to disfigure or distort. "Oscillate" means to change back and forth. "Patent" means to secure a copyright on an invention

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

INFURIATE

Possible Answers:

Grovel

Endorse

Pursue

Indicate

Enrage

Correct answer:

Enrage

Explanation:

"Infuriate" means enrage or make someone angry, so "enrage" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "infuriate": "grovel" means beg or crawl on the floor while begging; "indicate" means designate or mark; "pursue" means continue or follow; and "endorse" means approve or support.

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