ISEE Upper Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, and Sensory Imagery
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FURTIVE
Hidden
Explicit
Refulgent
Clear
Passionate
Several of the proposed answers attempt to get you to confuse "furtive" with "fervent." The latter word means passionate and fierce. The word _"_furtive" actually comes from the Latin word for "thief". A thief acts under the cover of darkness and behaves secretively. Thus, when something is "furtive" it is secret or hidden. Therefore, the best option among those provided is "hidden."
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ALLURING
Cute
Concerning
Unstable
Responsible
Deliberate
"Alluring" is an adjective that means beautiful or attractive. The best choice is "cute," since it means attractive. Considering the other choices, "concerning" means causing worry, "unstable" means constantly changing states of being, "responsible" means able to be relied upon to complete tasks, and "deliberate" means done on purpose or working carefully.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
STRIDENT
Harsh
Disagreeing
Vetoing
Distant
Gnawing
You might think of the word strident as meaning “strong” or “determined.” The word is often used in this manner and loosely can mean this, merely presenting an opinion in a forceful manner. The first meaning of the word is “rough” or “grating,” as in a “grating and loud sound.” Thus, someone who defends a position very strongly and with much passion might become strident in voice, that is, harsh sounding in vocal tone.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DULCET
Mellifluous
Simple
Delicious
Soft
Ambiguous
The word "dulcet" is an adjective that means sweet and calming and is used to describe sounds and music_._ The best choice is the word "mellifluous," as it means sweet-sounding. Considering the other choices, "simple" means not complicated, "delicious" mean tasting very good, "soft" means having a fuzzy texture, and "ambiguous" means having multiple ways in which the meaning of something could be interpreted.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
STRIDENT
Harsh
Provocative
Resilient
Bereft
Aloof
"Strident" means harsh, unforgiving, of a sound that is loud and grating. To provide further help, "aloof" means cold and detached from people; "resilient" means determined, able to bounce back from hardship; "bereft" means feeling deeply sad and lost after suffering a loss; "provocative" means inciting, inflammatory.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OPULENT
Luxurious
Foreboding
Penitent
Disconcerting
Indiscriminate
“Opulent” means luxurious, extravagant and very fancy, or financially rich. As for the other answer choices, “foreboding” means ominous; “disconcerting” means troubling or worrying; “penitent” means showing regret and wanting forgiveness; “indiscriminate” means done at random, aimless, and arbitrary.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
GARISH
Gaudy
Illuminating
Ugly
Blaring
Revolting
Something that is "garish" is showy and generally quite tasteless. Think of a coat that is painted neon green with bright orange lines and a lot of sequins. Now, such a thing might be ugly or even revolting, but the primary meaning of "garish" is showy. The word "gaudy" is a good synonym for such showiness.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
PALPABLE
Tangible
Explicable
Invulnerable
Malleable
Repressible
“Palpable” means able to be felt or sensed. This is very similar to “tangible,” which means able to be touched. As for the incorrect answer choices, “explicable” means able to be explained; “invulnerable" means not open to being attacked or damaged; “repressible” means able to be repressed or hidden; and “malleable” means able to be manipulated or able to be changed and molded.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
NOXIOUS
Poisonous
Innocuous
Hospitable
Habitable
Fragrant
“Noxious” means toxic or "poisonous." “Innocuous” means harmless; “hospitable” means welcoming; "habitable" refers to areas and means able to support life; and "fragrant" means having a pleasant smell.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ALLURING
Cute
Concerning
Unstable
Responsible
Deliberate
"Alluring" is an adjective that means beautiful or attractive. The best choice is "cute," since it means attractive. Considering the other choices, "concerning" means causing worry, "unstable" means constantly changing states of being, "responsible" means able to be relied upon to complete tasks, and "deliberate" means done on purpose or working carefully.