Synonyms
Help Questions
ISEE Upper Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ADAMANT
Insistent
Contrite
Humane
Flexible
Inopportune
Explanation
The adjective "adamant" is etymologically related to the word "diamond"—the hardest stone. Someone who is "adamant" is "hard" in the sense of being relentless, unyielding, or insistent.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FORMIDABLE
Daunting
Timorous
Reticent
Pusillanimous
Bestial
Explanation
"Formidable" means imposing and daunting. To provide further help, "reticent" means reserved; "timorous" means timid, easily frightened; "pusillanimous" means cowardly; "bestial" means savage, like a beast.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AFFLUENT
Prosperous
Mobile
Sober
Arrogant
Direct
Explanation
The word "affluent" does have roots that mean to flow. While this meaning was once upon a time reflected in the word, it no longer is used in this manner. Instead, the word means wealthy—as though someone is "flowing" with money. Thus, the only option that is appropriate is "prosperous." (Note that "mobile" is not the same as flowing. A walking person is mobile—yet is not flowing, strictly speaking.)
Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.
VULNERABLE
susceptible
veteran
painstaking
morose
Explanation
Vulnerable means susceptible to physical or emotional harm.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AMPLIFY
Intensify
Repeat
Duplicate
Maneuver
Digitize
Explanation
The word “amplify” literally means “to make larger.” The “ampli-” portion is the same as that which is found in “ample” (spacious or plentiful) and “amplitude” (roughly meaning “magnitude,” often used in physics to describe vibrations). The “-fy” means “to do or make.” The word “amplify” is often used to describe the process of making sounds louder, though it can mean “intensify” in the general sense as well.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PROSPEROUS
Flourishing
Foreseeing
Predictive
Investing
Economical
Explanation
When someone is “prosperous,” that person is said to “do well” for himself or himself. That is, he or she is accomplishing the tasks and goals that he or she has set. Often, such prosperity is indicated by an increase in material wealth. This is the sense in which the word is most often used, as in, “The banker was the most prosperous man in town, owning fifteen cars and two large houses.” In a more general sense, it can mean “flourishing,” which is related to “flowering,” here meaning “coming to full development” (like a plant coming to flower).
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
RESOLUTE
Steadfast
Voted
Agreed
Tacit
Difficult
Explanation
The word "resolute" comes from similar roots as "resolve" and "resolution." These words mean in general to come to a determined decision. The particular adjective "resolute" describes someone who has decided in a fixed and unchanging manner. Thus, the best answer is "steadfast," which describes someone in a similar manner.
Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.
VULNERABLE
susceptible
veteran
painstaking
morose
Explanation
Vulnerable means susceptible to physical or emotional harm.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
PAROCHIAL
Limited
Heavenly
Posh
Naive
Ponderous
Explanation
"Parochial" means having a limited worldview, provincial. So the best answer choice is "limited." To provide further help, "posh" means wealthy and refined; "ponderous" means slow moving, boring; "naive" means gullible, easily tricked into believing lies; "heavenly" means lovely, divine.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HAUGHTY
Conceited
Overstated
Wealthy
Affluent
Prosperous
Explanation
While one might think that “haughty” is related to someone being wealthy, what it generally means is that someone has a “high opinion” of himself or herself. Such a person would judge others as being “beneath” him or her. An adequate description of such a “haughty person” would be “conceited,” which means “being very proud, judging one’s abilities to be great.”