ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #9 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

DETEST

Possible Answers:

Destroy

Forget

Disapprove

Abhor

Dislike

Correct answer:

Abhor

Explanation:

When someone detests another person or thing, he or she does not merely dislike it but instead has an intense hatred for it. For that reason, the weaker answer choices like “dislike” and “disapprove” do not really capture the sense as does “abhor.” Someone “abhors” something or someone when he or she is disgusted by it or has a strong hatred for it.

Example Question #10 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

PLACATE

Possible Answers:

Regress

Exacerbate

Supplant

Soothe

Eradicate

Correct answer:

Soothe

Explanation:

“Placate” means assuage, or give someone what they want to make them feel better, so "soothe" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “exacerbate” means make worse, intensify, or heighten; “eradicate” means completely destroy; “supplant” means replace; and “regress” means go backwards or return to a former state.

Example Question #161 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

MOURN

Possible Answers:

Embalm

Lament

Pity

Whine

Bellow

Correct answer:

Lament

Explanation:

To "mourn" something means to express sadness regarding that thing. Now, do not be tempted by options like "bellow" (meaning, to shout loudly) or "whine." Although the mourning person may make various kinds of sounds, the essence of mourning is being sad. To "lament" something, however, is to express one's sadness just like someone mourning. This is a good synonym, given the options.

Example Question #331 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IMPAIR

Possible Answers:

Vex

Renounce

Fortify

Weaken

Postulate

Correct answer:

Weaken

Explanation:

“Impair” means weaken, damage, or have a negative effect on. "Fortify” means reinforce and make more secure; "postulate” means posit, or state an unsupported point to consider as the start of a hypothetical argument; "renounce" means swear off one's association with; and "vex" means annoy.

Example Question #332 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FORSAKE

Possible Answers:

Desert

Satire

Patronize

Preempt

Slander

Correct answer:

Desert

Explanation:

“Forsake” means desert or renounce. “Preempt” means to act in advance of something else in order to stop that thing from occurring; “slander” means say bad, false things about something to damage their reputation; “satire” means mock something by adopting its style in a humorous way; and “patronize” means interact with in a condescending manner.

Example Question #333 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXONERATE

Possible Answers:

Acquit

Postulate

Condemn

Prosecute

Convict

Correct answer:

Acquit

Explanation:

“Exonerate” means release from blame, free from guilt in court, or "acquit." As for the other answer choices, “condemn” means heavily criticize or punish; “convict," when used as a verb, means demonstrate in court that someone committed a crime; “prosecute” means start legal action against someone; and “postulate” means posit.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

Each synonyms question is made up of a word in capital letters followed by five choices. Choose the one word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

SUCCUMB:

Possible Answers:

concur

acquiesce

sanction

appease

yield

Correct answer:

yield

Explanation:

If someone succumbs, it means they yield or surrender; an example is succumbing in battle.

Example Question #2270 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Verbal Reasoning

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

AMELIORATE

Possible Answers:

improve

quiet

grind

provoke

Correct answer:

improve

Explanation:

Ameliorate means to make better or improve.

Example Question #331 : Identifying Synonyms

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

USURP

Possible Answers:

abolish

donate

seize

settle

truncate

Correct answer:

seize

Explanation:

"Usurp" means to take without permission. "Truncate" is incorrect because it means to reduce, "donate" means to give away, and abolish means to get rid of. "Seize" is the only possible answer choice, which means to take.

Example Question #332 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OBVIATE

Possible Answers:

pulverize

scrutinize

preclude

ruffle

quip

Correct answer:

preclude

Explanation:

"Obviate" and "preclude" both mean to make unnecessary. "Pulverize" means to smash or destroy. "Quip" means to make a witty remark or retort. "Ruffle" means to upset or irritate. "Scrutinize" means to examine closely

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