Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, and Understanding - ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning

The prefix "inter-" means between or with, so the word “interact” means work with someone else, talk with someone else, or communicate with someone else. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "interact": “inculcate” means instill ideas through teaching; “administer” means give a dosage of a drug or manage; a “referendum” is an issue decided by a popular vote of the people; and “placate” means pacify or say the right things to calm someone down.

When you "compute" something, like a math problem, you "calculate" the answer to that problem. As for the other answer choices, when used as a verb, "reason" means to use logic to solve a problem; "discover" means to find; and "signify" means to express or have one thing stand for another.

The word “deceive” means to lie to someone or to try and trick somebody, so "trick" is the correct answer. The word “assist” means to help someone, and “trade” means to give someone one thing and get a different thing back from that person.

The word “commend” means to say someone did something well, or in other words, to "praise." It is the opposite of “condemn,” which means to say someone is wrong or did something wrong. “Summon” means send for or call for, and "order" means direct someone to do something as if they have no other choice. You may have chosen "order" if you read "commend" as "command," so be careful when reading the word in all capital letters.

To "advertise" means to spread the word about something, often a product people can buy. Similarly, to "publicize" means to put something in the public eye. Putting something in the public eye will certainly spread the word about it. Therefore, "advertise"and "publicize"are synonyms.

"Persuade"means to make someone believe a particular opinion or way of thinking. "Convince" means to get a person to take on certain thoughts or ideas as their own. Given how similar these words are in meaning, they are synonyms, and "convince" is the correct answer.

"Inspire" means give someone the motivation to do something, or "motivate." As for the other answer choices, “detect” means notice or see; “preserve” means save or keep; “provide” means give; and “purchase” means buy.

To “command” someone means to order that person to do something, so "order" is the correct answer. As for the other answers, “receive” means to be given; “repress” means hold down and stop from being free; “approach” means walk up to or come up to; and “exceed” means go further than or go beyond.

The "ed-" in "educate" stems from the "ex-" prefix, here meaning out of; the "-ducate" portion of the word stems from Latin roots meaning lead. So, to "educate" stems from roots that mean lead out of or train. "Educate" has since shifted its definition and now means instruct as a student or "teach." As for the other answer choices, “demand” means forcefully ask for or say something has to be done or given; “elude” means get away from or hide from; “irritate” means annoy or vex; and "learn" means gain knowledge about a specific concept or procedure.

When people or groups "cooperate," they work together to achieve a common goal. Since "unite" means come together, this verb is the most relevant choice. When we take a look at the other three answers, we can see that both "disagree" and "compete" refer to actions that do not involve working together in harmony. Finally, to "startle" another individual is to surprise him or her, so that term has nothing to do with our original word.

To "describe" means to portray what something is. The word that best matches this is "explain," which means to discuss something in detail so one's listeners better understand that thing. Therefore, it is the correct answer. The other words are unrelated to this.

When something is "deceiving," it is tricky. It looks one way when, in fact, it is another thing. Thus, when we try to "deceive" someone, we try to trick that person. We attempt to make them think that one thing is true when, in fact, something else is the case. Thus, the best option here is "mislead." When we deceive someone, we "lead" them to believe the wrong thing.

When we "express" a thought, we attempt to communicate it in words as well as in bodily movements. An "expressive song" is one that has the power of communicating a message powerfully. An "expression" is a series of words communicating some kind of meaning. Thus, the best option for "express" is "communicate," for this alone focuses on the idea of making known some sort of message.

To "abuse" something is to hurt it. Something that has been "abused" has been hurt or tormented. To provide further help, "abolish" and "repeal" are synonyms - both words mean to stop, to formally discontinue.

To "pardon" someone means to forgive them, to excuse behavior. To provide further help, "remedy" means fix, solution, solve; "quake" means tremor, shake.

The word "restrain" means to prevent or limit someone's ability to act. Thus, we can say, "I restrained the dog while the doctor treated its wound." Also, we can exercise "self-restraint," as when we prevent ourselves from acting in an excessive manner. For example, "I restrained myself from eating fifteen candy bars for dinner." Thus, restraining and limiting are synonymous, making the best choice for this question "limit."

The word "acknowledge" clearly has a root of "knowledge" in it. It has to do with showing your awareness of something or someone. For example, "acknowledging a person's dignity," means, "recognizing his or her dignity." It can also mean merely to admit, as when we say, "I acknowledged that I broke the glass." This means that you admit that you broke it.

An example with the word elicit is when you elicit a response; this means that you draw out or evoke a response.

If a meaning of a word or words is implied, it means that it is suggested. Thus, if someone indicates they are going to a faraway place on vacation, it implies that they need space and a change of pace.

If someone flatters someone or something, it means that they compliment or praise that person or thing.