Synonyms - ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning

A "portent" is a sign that something is about to happen. The best choice is "omen," as it shares the same definition as "portent." Considering the other choices, a "portal" is a passageway, "portable" means able to be carried, and "journey" means trip when used as a noun, or travel from one place to another when used as a verb.

“Inert” means static or motionless, so "static" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "inert": "visible" means able to be seen; "edible" means able to be eaten; "audible" means able to be heard; and "impassioned" means emotional.

"Fleeting" means temporary or short-lived, so "short-lived" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "fleeting": "blissful" means very happy or joyful; "celestial" means related to the sky or the heavens; "plentiful" means abundant; and "filthy" means very dirty or disgusting.

Someone who is “destitute” is broke and penniless. To provide further guidance, "ostentatious" means defined by luxury and wealth; "comely" means cute; "ominous" and "menacing" are synonyms that both mean threatening, suggesting that danger is imminent.

"Arbitrary" means unreasonable or undetermined. "Inconsistent" is the best choice because it means contradictory or erratic. When something is "inconsistent," it is constantly changing and therefore cannot be determined.Considering the other choices, "surprised" means shocked or astonished,"jaded" means worn out, and "unruly" means difficult to control.

"Auspicious" means fortunate, promising, favorable; a lucky start or omen. To provide further help, "audible" means able to be heard; "carnage" refers to large scale slaughter and pillaging; "mayhem" means chaos; "potential" means the possible ability of something.

The word "prone" means lying on one's side. The best choice is "flat," which means horizontal. Something that lays on its side is horizontal. Considering the other choices, "urgent" means _necessary and pressing, "_rural" means pertaining to the countryside or having characteristics of country life, and "positive" means certain, optimistic, or carrying an electrical charge that is the opposite of negative.

"Punctual" means prompt or on time. Therefore, "prompt" is the proper synonym.

"Eternal" means not having an end or lasting forever, so "never-ending" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "eternal": "illiterate" means not having learned to read or write; "jubilant" means extremely happy and joyful; "passive" means not active; and "pious" means very religious.

Something that is "brisk" is best summarized as quick or fast; for example, a "brisk" wind is one that is blustering. In terms of the other answer choices, "forlorn" means lonely; "steady" means constant; "leisurely" means laidback; and "fierce" means strong or aggressive.

“Constant” means not changing, staying the same. To provide further help, “fallible” means imperfect; “ghastly” means ghost-like or horrific; “contiguous” means sequential; “sustainable” means able to be kept going.

"Exhilarating" is an adjective that means "making one feel very happy, animated or elated." Tedious is an antonym, it has the opposite meaning, which is boring. Illuminating and interesting both sound similar to exhilarating, but they refer to growing lighter and gaining or seeking information. And when one is happy, animated or elated, one is not usually numb, but feels everything. So "thrilling" is the best answer, as it refers to happiness and excitement.

"Prone" means to be inclined towards doing something. For example, if you are "prone" to lying, then you lie often. To further help you, "cautious" means careful and wary; "objective" means subject to logic instead of personal opinion; "subjective" is an antonym of "objective" and means subject to personal opinion instead of logic.

An "excursion" is a noun that means an outing or a journey, so the answer choice closest in meaning to "excursion" is "trip," which when used as a noun means a journey or a voyage. Considering the other answer choices, none are close in meaning to "excursion": "file," when used as a noun, means a collection of records or a digital document; "pantry" is a noun meaning a storage closet; and "exercise" is a series of physical activities done in order to maintain one's health.

"Futile" means useless, meaningless, not going to be successful. To further help you, "dreaded" means _feared; "_despair" is a feeling of sorrow and hopelessness.

"Wealth" is a noun that means a large amount of money, or when referring to other things, plenty. That means that the answer choice closest in meaning to "wealth" is "abundance," which is a noun meaning a large quantity of something. Considering the other answer choices, none are close in meaning to "wealth": a "need" is a necessity, a "lack" is the absence of something; and a "portion" is a piece of a greater whole.

The prefix "a-" means not and negates the original meaning of a word. “Symmetrical” means having two halves that are mirror images of one another, so “asymmetrical” means not having two halves that are mirror images of one another. This makes "uneven" the best answer choice. As for the other answer choices, “resourceful” means capable and able to cope with many situations; “balanced” means even; “international” means global or having to do with multiple nations; “outdated” means out of date and obsolete.

"Robust" is an adjective that means "physically strong; muscular." So, "weak" cannot be the correct answer because "weak" is an antonym of "robust," and while "lithe" may look potentially correct, "lithe" means "thin, supple, and graceful," and is often used to describe a person's body. The closest synonym to "robust" amongst the possible answer choices is "burly," an adjective that means "large and strong; heavily built" and is used to describe people. So, "burly" is the correct answer.

"Hideous" means ugly or unpleasant looking.

The word "commemorate" comes from Latin roots meaning roughly to remember together. The "com-" prefix is a form of "cum-" or "con-" that we find in words like "community," "cumulative," and "congregation." It means together or with. When we commemorate something or someone, we remember that person or thing together as a group. In doing this, we honor that which we commemorate. Think of annual ceremonies that commemorate events like September 11, 2001 (to honor its victims) or the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.