ISEE Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #491 : Synonyms

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

DWELL

Possible Answers:

Live

Pertain

Locate

Finish

Insult

Correct answer:

Live

Explanation:

The word "dwell" is a verb that means to live in a particular place or state. The best answer is "house," which can also be used as a verb. When used as a verb, "live" shares the same meaning as "dwell." Considering the other choices, the word "finish" means to bring to an end, "locate" is a verb that means determine the place where something isand "insult" means to say something that offends.

Example Question #492 : Synonyms

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

SMITE

Possible Answers:

Destroy

Barter

Vend

Meander

Perpetrate

Correct answer:

Destroy

Explanation:

“Smite” means destroy, take vengeance upon, or strike down, so "destroy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "smite." As for the other answer choices, “vend” means sell; “barter” means trade, particularly to try to buy something for less money than it is worth or to buy something using something other than money; “meander” means to move indirectly, from side-to-side, like a river; and "perpetrate" means commit, specifically in the context of committing crimes.

Example Question #493 : Synonyms

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

WANE

Possible Answers:

Diminish

Hamper

Forsake

Exasperate

Admonish

Correct answer:

Diminish

Explanation:

“Wane” means decline or diminish, so "diminish" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “exasperate” means frustrate; “admonish” means scold or criticize; “hamper” means impede or stop the progress of; and “forsake” means abandon or disavow.

Example Question #271 : Identifying Synonyms

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

KINDLE

Possible Answers:

Ignite

Flatter

Procrastinate

Orbit

Consume

Correct answer:

Ignite

Explanation:

"Kindle" means ignite or start a fire, so "ignite" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "kindle": "consume" means eat or use up; "orbit," when used as a verb, means revolve around or circle; "flatter" means shower compliments and praise on a person; and "procrastinate" means delay or postpone until near a deadline.

Example Question #272 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COALESCE

Possible Answers:

disjoin

importune

fawn

amalgamate

proximate

Correct answer:

amalgamate

Explanation:

"Coalesce" and "amalgamate" both mean to blend or come together. "Disjoin" means to become separated. "Fawn" means to ingratiate oneself or serve. "Importune" means to demand or insist. "Proximate" means very near or close

Example Question #273 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EFFACE

Possible Answers:

exact

expunge

corroborate

foreshadow

undergird

Correct answer:

expunge

Explanation:

"Efface" and "expunge" both mean to erase or delete. "Foreshadow" means to indicate or portend. "Undergird" means to support or bolster. "Exact" means to demand or call for"Corroborate" means to back up or support information

Example Question #274 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABUT

Possible Answers:

adjoin

ratify

strut

subpoena

condone

Correct answer:

adjoin

Explanation:

"Abut" and "adjoin" both mean to border on or be adjacent to. "Strut" means to walk pompously. "Condone" means to make allowance for. "Ratify" means to affirm or authorize. "Subpoena" means to issue a writ or citation

Example Question #494 : Synonyms

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

DILATE

Possible Answers:

Impede

Constrict

Assemble

Enlarge

Evolve

Correct answer:

Enlarge

Explanation:

When something dilates, it means it increases in size or enlarges. For example, the pupils of the eyes typically dilate, or enlarge, in dark environments to let in more light.

Example Question #272 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TRANSCEND

Possible Answers:

Concerned with

Sink into

Go beyond

Ignore

Beleaguer

Correct answer:

Go beyond

Explanation:

"Transcend" is a verb that means "be or go beyond the range or limits of something abstract, typically a conceptual field or division," or "surpass a person or an achievement." So, while "concerned with" or "beleaguer" might each look like a potentially correct answer because each answer choice can concern abstract details, "go beyond" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "transcend," so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #273 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AGGRANDIZE

Possible Answers:

expedite

debilitate

abridge

augment

jettison

Correct answer:

augment

Explanation:

"Aggrandize" and "augment" both mean to increase or enlarge. "Abridge" means to shorten or curtail. "Debilitate" means to incapacitate or cripple. "Expedite" means to accelerate. "Jettison" means to eject or throw overboard

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