Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions - ISEE Upper Level Verbal Reasoning

When someone is “patronizing,” he or she shows care for someone but does so in a way that shows that he or she feels superior or in a condescending manner. For example, one might say, “When John would say to Jenna, ‘You’re a sweet one,’ his tone always belied his haughty attitude toward her.”

Here, the only option for “patronize” that is appropriate is “support.” Often, the word “patronize” or “patronizing” means “condescending kindness” or “showing superiority veiled in kind words.” It can also mean, “To support or often go to a store, restaurant, or other business.” Here, think of being a “patron” (a customer). This is the sense of the word. Among the options provided, “support” most closely matches this usage.

Often, we use the term “ramble” to mean that someone is talking without ceasing and without making any discernable point. This sense of the word is related to another meaning, namely, “to wander” or “to go walking without any real destination.” When someone rambles in words, he or she merely lets his or her thoughts wander about whatever topic is pleasing—like one wandering on forest pathways.

The word “premise” can be used in logic regarding the ideas and statements that are presupposed in an argument. However, when the word is used in the plural, it can mean—depending upon the context—a building and its surrounding land. You likely have experienced the word used in a sentence like, “The young man was escorted from the store’s premises, for his rowdy behavior was disturbing many of the patrons.” Here, the implication is that the young man was physically taken from the property because of his actions.

"Delicate" means physically fragile or not able to handle much stress. The best choice is "squeamish," since its definition is the closest in meaning to "delicate" when "delicate" is used figuratively—easily shocked. Considering the other choices, "firm" is an antonym of this word and means hard and durable, and "broken" means reduced to fragments or not functioning properly.

The word “masses” used in the plural can have two main meanings. The first would be “masses” as in certain amounts of matter. For example, we talk about a tumor as being a “mass,” meaning that it is an undefined amount of matter in one place in the body. It can be used, of course, for any such set of masses. However, it can also be extended from this basic sense to indicate a large amount of “human matter” (speaking metaphorically). Thus, it comes to mean a large group of people, generally undifferentiated. At the foot of the U.S. Statue of Liberty is a plaque containing the words of the poem “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus. It contains the famous words, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.” It is calling other countries to send to the U.S. the “masses” (the trapped crowds, at least as portrayed in the poem) from other nations. Often, the word “masses” has a negative sense, as in “the uneducated masses.” Among the answers provided, "people" is the only one that describes the "masses" as the "people" in general.

The word “mechanism” is likely somewhat familiar. It is clearly relate to words like “mechanical” and “mechanic.” It is likewise related to “machine” and words like that. Often, a word is used in an extended sense, as when we call a group of people working together “a perfectly working machine.” A “mechanism” can be such a procedure of things working together. For instance, one could call the process of governmental action leading up to the passing of a bill “the mechanisms of the state.” We do not always use such language, but it is appropriate.

When someone is "arrested" by the police, he or she is stopped (among other things). The adjective “arresting” describes something that stops a person, as when someone sees an “arresting view” in nature. Such a sight makes the person “stop in his or her tracks.” Such things could be called "fascinating," for arresting things are generally quite interesting and engrossing as are fascinating ones. All of the other answers are attempting to draw you into false resonances with the “police sense” of “arrest.”

“Whet” means physically sharpen or encourage and stimulate, as in the phrase "whet one's appetite." “Persevere” means persist; “defiant” means noncompliant, showing resistance and stubbornness; “overwrought” means hysterical or in a state of agitation; and “compassionate” means kind and loving.

The word "pellucid" comes from Latin roots that mean light. This is the "-luc-" root that comes from "lux, lucis." To be "pellucid" means, literally, to let light shine through. Thus, the word can be a synonym for "translucent," which also contains the lux root. Often, the word is used to describe someone's ability to communicate ideas clearly and understandably. Such a person lets the ideas "shine through." Thus, the best option among those offered is "understandable." Something that is "pellucid" in this latter sense is something understandable—like a "clear idea", as many say.

The word "faint" can be used to indicate the physical act of passing out (as well as the feeling that often precedes this). The word also can indicate something that is almost too weak to be sensed at all. Thus, a "faint sound" is one that is very soft, and a "faint pencil mark" is one that is very lightly written on a piece of paper. This last example indicates that the writing is very light and likely vague—meaning that it is indefinite in shape. Likewise, "faint memories" are ones that are very vague and indistinct. Thus, do not be tricked by options like "sickly" and "unhealthy" (or even "underweight"). These options are trying to lure you into thinking that "faint"must deal with passing out, butthis is not always the case. Even if this were the meaning for this question, being sickly only leads to fainting. It is not the same as the act of fainting itself. Thus, the best option is "vague."

The word "fabricate" comes from Latin roots roughly meaning "to make or create." A related word is "fabric", which is a carefully crafted type of cloth. The word "fabricate" can have a negative connotation too, and this is the case for this question. A "fabrication" can be a lie—something that is "made up", as we often say in day-to-day speech. To "fabricate a tale" means to craft and tell a lie or false story. When we "counterfeit", we make something that is false—such as false money, which we most often describe by the adjective "counterfeit" (though "counterfeit" can also be used as a verb).

The word "modest" has several meanings, though all of them have to do (in general) with being in the "middle" or "moderate." Modesty is the character trait of not bragging but, instead, having an accurate idea about one's abilities. A "modest income" is an acceptable income—not too much, not too little. The word does, however, emphasize the fact that it is not too much. Thus, it has a shading of meaning that indicates that it is a smaller amount. Still, the general idea is to express that it is not a large amount. For this question, "modest" is used in yet another sense. When a young lady has on a "modest dress", she is wearing something that is not overly revealing of her physique. Thus "modest" can mean proper, as in suitable.

The word "devolve" comes from two well-known Latin roots. The "de-" prefix means down from or downward, as in words like "descend" and "delegate." The "-volve" portion of this word is the same as the root found in "revolve", meaning in general to roll. Thus, when something "devolves" it goes downward. Sometimes, this indicates that a situation becomes worse, as when we say, "The meeting devolved into a lot bickering, hateful remarks." It can also mean to delegate or to transfer authority from a higher level of command to a lower one. Thus, a commander might devolve his authority to smaller groups of troops and their commanders. (Thus, the power "rolls downward", you see?) Therefore, the best option is "transfer", as none of the other options match the other meanings of "devolve."

The word "rustic" is used to describe something that is in the country. It could indicate that the thing in question is merely in a rural location. It also can be used in a positive manner to describe a kind of simple beauty that is involved in the thing. The word does have a negative connotation, for it can be used to imply that someone is uncivilized or uncultured because he or she does not live in the city. Thus, the option "unsophisticated" matches this last meaning. (The word "impoverished" does not, as "rustic" does not primarily have to do with being financially disadvantaged.)

The word "sophisticated" can be used to describe a number of things that are related. The general meaning that applies to the various uses is highly developed, intricate, or refined. A sophisticated machine is a complex one that takes much skill to create. A sophisticated person is someone who is very knowledgeable about the complex matters of the world. Now, this does not mean that the person is "scholarly," "reflective," or "haughty." These are perhaps things that we associated with some sophisticated people, but the best meaning provided here is the most direct one, namely "intricate," which means complex.

The word "irrelevant" means no longer applicable. Now, it is possible that you have heard the term be used to describe something that is boring or even tedious; however, these are reactions that people have to irrelevant matters. For example, if someone does not care about learning logic, he or she will find a philosopher to be pretty boring—precisely because the philosopher is irrelevant to the given person. The irrelevance causes the boredom. It is not the same as it, however!

Thus, the best option is "immaterial," which is a direct synonym for irrelevant. (The word also can mean non-material or spiritual, but this is not of direct interest to this question.)

The word "pastoral" may remind you of the title "pastor", which is used for various Christian religious leaders. The words are related, both coming from the Latin for "shepherd." Indeed, "pastoral" can even be used as an adjective to describe the particular sorts of duties undertaken by such a minister; however, none of the religion-related options here are appropriate. A better synonym for this religious meaning would be "ministerial." "Pastoral" can also be used to describe land in the country—where a shepherd would be. Thus, the option "rural" is the correct answer for this question.

The word furious can mean very angry, as when we say, "He was furious that his little sister hit him in the head five times." It can also indicate that someone is acting in a very intense manner. Thus, a person who is working quickly at a task can be said to work at a "furious pace." Do not be tempted by the option "annoyed" because it is related to being angry. The "anger-related" meaning of furious indicates great anger. Thus, you must choose the other meaning, namely, "intense."