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

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.

If someone makes an assertion, it means that they make a declaration or declare something in particular.

"Ascertain" is a verb that means "find something out for certain; make sure of." So, "forget" cannot be the correct answer, because it means the opposite of "ascertain." "Deduce," however, is a verb that means "arrive at a fact or a conclusion by reasoning; draw as a logical conclusion," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "ascertain," it is the correct answer.

"Acknowledge" is a verb that can mean "accept or admit the existence or truth of," "recognize the fact or importance or quality of," or "show that one has noticed or recognized (someone) by making a gesture or greeting." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "accept," "recognize the importance of," or "show that one has noticed or recognized someone." "Deny," then, cannot be the correct answer because "deny" means " state that one refuses to admit the truth or existence of," making it an antonym of the first meaning of "acknowledge," not a synonym. "Admit," however, is a verb that can mean "confess to be true or to be the case, typically with reluctance," and because "admit" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "acknowledge," "admit" is the correct answer.

"Oblige" is a verb that means either "make (someone) legally or morally bound to an action or course of action" or "do as (someone) asks or desires in order to help or please them." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "make someone legally or morally bound to an action" or "do as someone wants." "Oppose," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "oppose" means "actively resist or refuse to comply with (a person or a system)," making "oppose" an antonym of "oblige," not a synonym. "Compel," however, is a verb that means "force or oblige (someone) to do something," and because "compel" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "oblige," "compel" is the correct answer.

"Consider" is a verb that can mean "think carefully about (something), typically before making a decision," "regard (someone or something) as having a specified quality," or "believe; think." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "think carefully about," "regard," or "believe." So, "ignore" cannot be the correct answer because "ignore" is an antonym, not a synonym, of "think carefully about." "Deem," however, is a verb that means "regard or consider in a specified way," and because "deem" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "consider," "deem" is the correct answer.

"Preoccupy" is a verb that is used of a matter or subject and means "dominate or engross the mind of (someone) to the exclusion of other thoughts." So, we need to pick out a verb that means something like "engross." That means that "forget" cannot be the correct answer, because if someone forgets something, that means that it cannot preoccupy their thoughts. "Absorb," however, is a verb that means "absorb all the attention or interest of," and because "absorb" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "preoccupy," "engross" is the correct answer.

"Enlighten" is a verb that can mean "give (someone) greater knowledge and understanding about a subject or situation" or "give (someone) spiritual knowledge or insight." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "give someone greater knowledge" or "give someone spiritual knowledge." "Mistake" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "mistake," when used as a verb, means "be wrong about," not "give someone greater knowledge." "Inform," however, is a verb that means "give (someone) facts or information; tell," and because "inform" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "enlighten," "inform" is the correct answer.

“Persuade” is a verb that can mean “to convince someone,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “reason with someone to change their beahvior.” That means that “discourage” cannot be the correct answer, because “discourage” can mean “cause to lose confidence,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “persuade.” “Coax,” however, is a verb that means “to persuade someone gently,” and because “coax” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “persuade,” “coax” is the correct answer.

“Bicker” is a verb that means “ argue trivial things,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “argue.” That means that “concur” cannot be the correct answer, because “concur” can mean “agree,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “bicker.” “Squabble,” however, when used as a verb, means “quarrel over trivial things,” and because “squabble” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “bicker,” “squabble” is the correct answer.

“Assist” is a verb that means “to help someone,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “help.” That means that “hinder” cannot be the correct answer, because “hinder” means “to create difficulties for,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “assist.” “Aid,” however, is a word that means “help” when used as a verb, and because “aid” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “assist,” “aid” is the correct answer.

“Interrogate” is a verb that means “ask questions of someone aggressively or formally,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “ask questions of someone aggressively.” That means that “reply” cannot be the correct answer, because “reply” means “say something in response to something someone has said” when used as a verb, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “interrogate.” “Question,” however, is a word that can mean “ask questions, especially in an official context” when used as a verb, and because “question” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “interrogate,” “question” is the correct answer.

"Admit" means to confess.

The word "contend" means to challenge or to compete. "Challenge" is the best choice as it is a part of the definition of "contend" and is often used as a synonym for it.

"Ennumerate" is a verb that means to mention all of the items in a category individually, so "list" is the correct answer, because "list," when used as a verb, also means to mention all of the items in a category individually. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "ennumerate": "spoil" means to go rotten, "grumble" means to complain quietly; and "categorize" means to assign people or things to categories.

The word "perplex" means to confuse. "Perplex" is the best choice because it is a synonym of "confuse." Considering the other choices, "combine" means to put together, "ambiguous" means uncertain or having many meanings, and "fickle" means frequently changing or inconstant.

The word "commemorate" means celebrate. "Celebrate" is the best choice because it is part of the definition of "commemorate." Considering the other choices, "recall" means recall information, "comment" means respond to something verbally, and "disdain" means to be disgusted by.

The word "clarify" means to make clear or understood. "Make clear" is the best choice, as it is a part of the definition of "clarify."