Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States - ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning

"Nonchalant" is an adjective that refers to a person or manner and means "feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not worried" or "not interested." While "irresponsible" may look like a potentially correct answer choice simply because both "nonchalant" and "irresponsible" begin with negative prefixes, "irresponsible" means "not responsible" and is not similar in meaning to "nonchalant," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Unconcerned," however, means "showing a lack of worry or interest, especially when this is surprising or callous." Because "unconcerned" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "nonchalant," "unconcerned" is the correct answer.

"Acrid" is an adjective that can mean either "having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell" or "angry and bitter." While "sweet" can also describe the taste of something, it has positive connotations and does not mean the same thing as "acrid," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Bitter," however, can men "having a sharp, pungent taste or smell; not sweet" or "angry, hurt, or resentful because of one's bad experiences or a sense of unjust treatment." Because the meanings of "acrid" and "bitter" are synonymous on multiple levels, "bitter" is the best answer choice.

"Crestfallen" is an adjective that means downhearted, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like sad. "Cheerful" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "cheerful" means happy, so it is an antonym of sad. "Dejected," however, is an adjective that means sad, and because it is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "crestfallen," "dejected" is the correct answer.

"Irate" is an verb that means "feeling or characterized by great anger." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "angry." "Furious" is an adjective that means either "extremely angry" or "full of anger or energy; violent or intense," and because it is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "irate," "furious" is the correct answer.

"Exuberant" is an adjective that means"filled with or characterized by a lively energy and excitement." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "energetic" or "excited." While "morbid," like "exuberant," describes an emotional state, it cannot be the correct answer because "morbid" means "characterized by or appealing to an abnormal and unhealthy interest in disturbing and unpleasant subjects, especially death and disease." "Ebullient," however, is an adjective that means "cheerful and full of energy," and because "ebullient" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "exuberant," "ebullient" is the correct answer.

"Glum" is an adjective that means "looking or feeling dejected; morose." So, we need to pick out a answer choice that means something like "morose." While "quiet" might look like a potentially correct answer because someone who is morose might also be quiet, "morose" does not mean the same thing as "quiet," so "quiet" cannot be the correct answer. "Melancholy," however, when used as an adjective, means either "having a feeling of melancholy; sad and pensive" or " causing or expressing sadness; depressing." Because "melancholy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "glum," "melancholy" is the correct answer.

"Turbulent" is an adjective that can mean either "characterized by conflict, disorder, or confusion; not controlled or calm," or when speaking of air or water, "moving unsteadily or violently." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "characterized by disorder" or "moving violently." "Orderly," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "orderly," which means "neatly and methodically arranged" or "of a person or group: well behaved; disciplined," is an antonym of "turbulent," not a synonym. "Tumultuous," however, is an adjective that means either "making a loud, confused noise; uproarious," or "excited, confused, or disorderly." Because "tumultuous" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "turbulent," "tumultuous" is the correct answer.

"Aghast" is an adjective that means shocked or horrified. For example, one might write, "They were aghast when they heard the news of the deadly train crash."

"Indignant" is an adjective that means angry or outraged because of not being treated fairly. "Ignorant" means not knowledgeable about or aware of something, "native" means indiginous, "reluctant" means unwilling to do something, and "petty" means trivial, so none of these potential answer choices can be correct because none of them mean angry. "Irate" is the only word that means angry, so "irate" is the correct answer.

If someone is "livid," they are extremely angered by a situation or person in particular. So, "angered" is the correct answer.

"Aghast" is defined as struck with terror, amazement, or horror, so "shocked" is the best match.

The word "stoic" means not showing emotion. The best choice is "unemotional," which means not demonstrating emotions or not having emotions. Considering the other choices, a "stove" is a machine that generates heat for use, "cooked" means prepared by use of heat, and a "chair" is a seat.

The word "irate" means angry. The best choice is "angry," as it is a part of the definition of "irate."

The word "tranquil" means peaceful. The best choice is "peaceful" because it is a part of the definition of "tranquil." Considering the other choices, "cozy" means warm and comfortable, a "quilt" is a bedspread, and a "bed" is a piece of furniture designed to be slept on.

"Leery" means distrustful of others or of a situation. For example, one might say, "The young woman was leery of the teenagers who hung out around the park and kept sneaking glances at her purse." So, "distrustful" is the correct answer.

"Disgruntled" means dissatisfied or unhappy. Thus, "disgruntled" is closest in meaning to "dissatisfied."

"Exuberant" is an adjective that means having a lot of energy or excited about something, so "excited" is the correct answer.

"Wary" means cautious, worried, or careful, so "cautious" is the correct answer. To help you, "garrulous" means talkative, "enchanting" means charming, "rakish" means dashing and attractive, and "witty" means quick with words and clever.

"Jubilant" means very happy and is related to the words "joy" and "jubilation," which both mean happiness, and "jubilee," which means anniversary.