Synonyms: Verbs

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ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Verbs

Questions 1 - 10
1

A synonym of “empower” is __________.

authorize

prohibit

disobey

engage

hurry

Explanation

“Empower” is a verb that can mean either “to give power to” or “make a person stronger and more confident.” That means that “prohibit” cannot be the correct answer, because “prohibit” means “formally forbid,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “empower.” “Authorize,” however, is a verb that means “give official permission,” and because “authorize” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “empower,” “authorize” is the correct answer.

2

A synonym of “empower” is __________.

authorize

prohibit

disobey

engage

hurry

Explanation

“Empower” is a verb that can mean either “to give power to” or “make a person stronger and more confident.” That means that “prohibit” cannot be the correct answer, because “prohibit” means “formally forbid,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “empower.” “Authorize,” however, is a verb that means “give official permission,” and because “authorize” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “empower,” “authorize” is the correct answer.

3

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

INTERCEPT

Stop

Advance

Continue

Relax

Calm

Explanation

To "intercept” something or someone means to stop or get in the way of that person or thing. “Advance” means move forward; “continue” means keep going; “relax” means calm down and reduce one's level of stress; and "calm," when used as a verb, means cause to feel relaxed and serene.

4

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

DIVULGE

Reveal

Inform

Express

Permit

Discuss

Explanation

This question has a number of options that are very close to the meaning of "divulge," but none of them are exactly correct. Whenever we "divulge" something, we reveal something we should have been keeping secret. This "revelation" is a critical aspect of the notion of divulging. Many of the other options express the idea of telling or expressing. None of these matters are about revealing things that should remain hidden.

5

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

PLACATE

Appease

Frustrate

Attack

Congratulate

Explanation

Imagine that one of your best friends is very angry. To calm him down, perhaps you will agree with the opinions that he is stating, even if you aren't sure whether he is right. In this case, you tried to "placate" your friend. To "placate" is to soothe or calm someone who is angry or violently frustrated, especially by conceding to his or her point(s) of view. "Appease" refers to the same process, and is the right synonym to choose here. "Frustrate" and "attack" are incorrect because they describe actions that would only make an furious person more upset, and "congratulate" conveys appreciation of an impressive feat, not pacification of an irritated person or group.

6

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

INFER

Assume

Revive

Deviate

Sever

Satisfy

Explanation

"Infer" means to surmise or determine something that is not explicit, so "surmise" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "infer": "revive" means bring back to life and consciousness; "deviate" means veer away from a path, plan, or topic of conversation; "sever" means cut off or separate; and "satisfy" means meet the expectations of.

7

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

EXPLOIT

Take advantage of

Extract

Discover

Flatter

Accommodate

Explanation

"Exploit" is a verb meaning to take advantage of. For example: "The needs of our large machines and large appetites cause us to EXPLOIT our natural resources for material gain."

"Extract," when used a verb, refers to the action of removing something. To "discover" something is to find it. "Flatter" is a verb referring to the action of complimenting or praising someone.

8

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

RECTIFY

Correct

Reduce

Raise

Overestimate

Redo

Explanation

"Rectify" means to fix or to correct. For example, one might write, "After the mother had yelled inappropriately at her child, she apologized, hoping to rectify the sitaution." So, "correct" is the correct answer.

9

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

AGITATE

Disturb

Permit

Avoid

Retract

Condemn

Explanation

To "agitate" something means to disturb or to unsettle. To feel "agitated" means to feel unsettled, to feel anxious. To provide further help, "condemn" means express disapproval of, denounce; "retract" means take back, as in to take back a statement; "permit" means allow.

10

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

INFER

Assume

Revive

Deviate

Sever

Satisfy

Explanation

"Infer" means to surmise or determine something that is not explicit, so "surmise" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "infer": "revive" means bring back to life and consciousness; "deviate" means veer away from a path, plan, or topic of conversation; "sever" means cut off or separate; and "satisfy" means meet the expectations of.

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