Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Timing, Speed, Movement, and Age - ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning

A good example using the word primitive is to describe cooking tools used by early man. These tools were primitive and were originally used by man to cook.

For something to be incessant, it means that it is continual. For instance, an incessant noise indicates that the noise repeats itself.

"Inconvenient" is an adjective consisting of the negative prefix "in-" and "convenient," so we can infer that it means something like "not convenient"; it actually means "causing trouble, difficulties, or discomfort." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not convenient" or "causing trouble." "Timely," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "timely" is an adjective that means "done or occurring at a favorable or useful time; opportune," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "inconvenient." "Inopportune," however, is an adjective that consists of the negative prefix "in-" and "opportune," so it means "not opportune," or more specifically, "occurring at an inconvenient or inappropriate time." Because "inopportune" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "inconvenient," "inopportune" is the correct answer.

"Tardy" means late.

The correct answer is "speedy," or in a quick manner, as "swift" means occurring or moving very quickly. "Slow" is an opposite of "swift" and "dance" is not related in meaning to "swift" at all. While to "run" does mean to move quickly, "run" is a verb and "swift" is an adjective, so their meanings are very different.

Something that is "chronic" continues for a long time. "Continual" is a synonym of "chronic." "Time" is not as good a choice because it refers to the general concept of time and not any length of time. "Old" also does not work here because it means great in age and does not refer to an ongoing process like the words "chronic" and "continual" do.

"Intermediate" means in the middle or in-between, so _t_he best choice is "in-between" which also means in the middle . Don't confuse the word "meddle," which means to interfere, with the word "middle."

The word "sluggish" means slow or lazy. "Slow" is the best choice, as it is a part of the definition of "sluggish." Considering the other choices, "stiff" means rigid . While it may seem related, the word "sluggish" describes some sort of motion, though very little, while "stiff" does not. "Active" is an antonym of the word "sluggish." "Slug" is only related because sluggish means slug-like, as in as slow as a slug.

"Frequent" means happening again and again with little time in between events. Anorther word for "frequent" is often, so "often" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, "jealous" means envious or wanting what someone else has, "usually" means under normal circumstances, a "burrow" is a hole in the ground that certain animals dig and live in, and to "burrow" means to dig a hole in the ground, and "modest" means not taking as much credit as one should for one's achievements or talent.

Primitive means having to do with the early history of the world or of humanity, or simple and relatively undeveloped. "Ancient" means extremely old, so "ancient" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "primitive."

Seldom means rarely or not often happening, so "rarely" is the correct answer. To help you, "impressive" means demanding notice, striking, or great.

"Nimble" means quick and agile. "Agile" is the best choice because it means easily able to move quickly and is part of the definition of "nimble." Considering the other choices, "robotic" means acting in an unchanging and unemotional manner, like a robot, "correct" means right or true , and "indifferent" means not caring.

"Idle" means unmoving or not active. "Stationary" is the best choice because it also means unmoving. Considering the other choices, "hidden" means not in plain sight, "deter" means restrain from doing, and "vex" means anger or annoy.

"Timely" is defined as done or occurring at a favorable or useful time. The best answer choice is "convenient," which means fitting in well with a person's schedule.

"Inevitable" means unable to be avoided or definitely bound to happen. "Unavoidable" is therefore the word choice that matches the definition. "Unpredictable," "unpleasant," and "incredible" are all unrelated to the definition.

Instantaneous means instant or occurring without any delay whatsoever. "Immediate" is the best answer choice because it also means instant.

"Wizened" means dry, shrunken, and wrinkled due to being old, so "gnarled," an adjective that means twisted and rough due to age, is the correct answer.

"Annual" means on a yearly basis, so "yearly" is the correct answer. "Kind-hearted" means nice and compassionate. "Difficult" means hard or tough to complete. "Stressful" means causing stress or anxiety. "Cooperative" means collaborative or working well with another person or others in a group.

“Abrupt” means sudden and unexpected. To provide further help, “outlandish” means bizarre, peculiar, or strange; “dogmatic” means bound by strict, inflexible rules; “miserable” means very sad; “circumstantial” means owed to circumstance, owed to chance.

“Sluggish” means tired, lethargic and lacking energy.