Synonyms

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ISEE Upper Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

ADAMANT

Insistent

Contrite

Humane

Flexible

Inopportune

Explanation

The adjective "adamant" is etymologically related to the word "diamond"—the hardest stone. Someone who is "adamant" is "hard" in the sense of being relentless, unyielding, or insistent.

2

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

FORMIDABLE

Daunting

Timorous

Reticent

Pusillanimous

Bestial

Explanation

"Formidable" means imposing and daunting. To provide further help, "reticent" means reserved; "timorous" means timid, easily frightened; "pusillanimous" means cowardly; "bestial" means savage, like a beast.

3

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

AFFLUENT

Prosperous

Mobile

Sober

Arrogant

Direct

Explanation

The word "affluent" does have roots that mean to flow. While this meaning was once upon a time reflected in the word, it no longer is used in this manner. Instead, the word means wealthy—as though someone is "flowing" with money. Thus, the only option that is appropriate is "prosperous." (Note that "mobile" is not the same as flowing. A walking person is mobile—yet is not flowing, strictly speaking.)

4

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

VULNERABLE

susceptible

veteran

painstaking

morose

Explanation

Vulnerable means susceptible to physical or emotional harm.

5

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

AMPLIFY

Intensify

Repeat

Duplicate

Maneuver

Digitize

Explanation

The word “amplify” literally means “to make larger.” The “ampli-” portion is the same as that which is found in “ample” (spacious or plentiful) and “amplitude” (roughly meaning “magnitude,” often used in physics to describe vibrations). The “-fy” means “to do or make.” The word “amplify” is often used to describe the process of making sounds louder, though it can mean “intensify” in the general sense as well.

6

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

PROSPEROUS

Flourishing

Foreseeing

Predictive

Investing

Economical

Explanation

When someone is “prosperous,” that person is said to “do well” for himself or himself. That is, he or she is accomplishing the tasks and goals that he or she has set. Often, such prosperity is indicated by an increase in material wealth. This is the sense in which the word is most often used, as in, “The banker was the most prosperous man in town, owning fifteen cars and two large houses.” In a more general sense, it can mean “flourishing,” which is related to “flowering,” here meaning “coming to full development” (like a plant coming to flower).

7

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

RESOLUTE

Steadfast

Voted

Agreed

Tacit

Difficult

Explanation

The word "resolute" comes from similar roots as "resolve" and "resolution." These words mean in general to come to a determined decision. The particular adjective "resolute" describes someone who has decided in a fixed and unchanging manner. Thus, the best answer is "steadfast," which describes someone in a similar manner.

8

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

VULNERABLE

susceptible

veteran

painstaking

morose

Explanation

Vulnerable means susceptible to physical or emotional harm.

9

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

PAROCHIAL

Limited

Heavenly

Posh

Naive

Ponderous

Explanation

"Parochial" means having a limited worldview, provincial. So the best answer choice is "limited." To provide further help, "posh" means wealthy and refined; "ponderous" means slow moving, boring; "naive" means gullible, easily tricked into believing lies; "heavenly" means lovely, divine.

10

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

HAUGHTY

Conceited

Overstated

Wealthy

Affluent

Prosperous

Explanation

While one might think that “haughty” is related to someone being wealthy, what it generally means is that someone has a “high opinion” of himself or herself. Such a person would judge others as being “beneath” him or her. An adequate description of such a “haughty person” would be “conceited,” which means “being very proud, judging one’s abilities to be great.”

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