Synonyms
Help Questions
ISEE Lower Level: Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
OUTPERFORM
Do better than
Do worse than
Overwhelm
Underwhelm
Intrinsic
Explanation
The prefix "out-"generally means surpassing or exceeding, so if you “outperform” someone, you perform better than they do. So, "do better than" is the correct answer. To provide further help, “overwhelm” means overpower emotionally and “underwhelm” means disappoint, and “intrinsic” means basic, natural, or inherent.
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
PARTAKE
Participate
Grant
Transfer
Convey
Explanation
If people "partake" of something such as cake at a birthday party, it means they consume it or share in it ; if they partake in some activity, they participate in it or take part in it; so, "participate" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "partake": "grant" means allow when used as a verb; "convey"means transport when referring to physical objects or people and suggest when referring to ideas; and "transfer" means convey from one location to another or convey from the ownership of one person or group to the ownership of another person or group.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ADAPT
Change
Differ
Contrast
Compare
Advance
Explanation
To "adapt" is to "change" as circumstances change. "Advance" is to move forward; "compare" is to look at similarities; and "contrast" is to look at differences.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXCELLENT
Superb
Perfect
Flawless
Surprising
Original
Explanation
It is important not to "overdo" the meaning of your word. When we say that something is "excellent," we mean to say that it is very good. This does not, however, mean that it is perfect. Therefore, you should not choose "perfect" or "flawless." Something that is "superb" is something excellent. You should know this word from the clearly related word "super." They are quite similar in meaning.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ENLIGHTENING
Informative
Scholarly
Lunar
Polar
Grammatical
Explanation
The word "enlightening" comes from the word light, but it is used in a metaphorical sense. It means making something understandable. Think of when we say, "That was an enlightening explanation."It is like the explanation "shines" and makes its topic obvious. The best option for this is "informative," for informative things or actions help to explain something else.
Synonyms: Select the word whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
AUTHENTIC
Genuine
Fraudulent
Flagrant
Striated
Explanation
If an object is "authentic," it actually is what it is supposed to be as opposed to fake. For example, if a dinosaur bone found at a dig site is found to be authentic, then it truly is a dinosaur bone and not a hoax. "Fraudulent" is clearly wrong, since it is synonymous with "fake" and therefore an antonym. "Striated" means striped and "flagrant" means conspicuous or bold, especially when referring to an offense; these words are also improper choices. Our final answer, the correct one, is "genuine," which means real or authentic.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DUBIOUS
Doubtful
Double
Wrong
Hasty
Explanation
The word "dubious" means doubtful or untrustworthy. The best choice is "doubtful" because it is part of the definition of "dubious_._"Considering the other choices, "double" means two of something, "wrong" means not correct, and "hasty" means quick.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
ACCURATE
Precise
General
Uncertain
Incorrect
Explanation
The correct answer is "precise." "Precise" and "accurate" are synonyms because both mean exact. The other words do not mean "accurate."
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PRECISE
Exact
Immature
Careless
Incomplete
Serious
Explanation
The adjective "precise" refers to an extremely accurate or specific measurement or assessment. "Exact," which also refers to an accurate or correct quantity, is our answer. "Careless" is clearly incorrect, since it describes something that is sloppy and unlikely to be perfectly measured. You might use the word "immature" to describe a person who acts unusually young and inexperienced; neither this term nor "incomplete" (unfinished) is related to the given word.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ARID
Dry
Wet
Cold
Hot
Snow
Explanation
If somewhere is “arid” that means it is very dry and does not get very much rain. So the desert is very “arid.”