ISEE Upper Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, and Understanding
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ASCERTAIN
Determine
Deceive
Stupefy
Allure
Censor
"Ascertain" means determine or find out, so "determine" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "ascertain": "deceive" means mislead or trick; "stupefy" means stun or greatly surprise; "allure" means attract or lure; and "censor" means delete all or part of something because it is considered inappropriate.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DEIFY
Venerate
Violate
Disobey
Statue
Myth
The word “deify” literally means “to make into a God.” The “-fy” prefix is used in many places in English to mean “to make or do” as in “falsify” and “nullify.” The “dei-” portion of the word is derived from a large cluster of “god-related” words such as “deity” and “deism,” as well as “theology” and “atheist.” (The “d” and “th” are related sounds.) When someone deifies someone else, they are likely to worship that person as a god. Therefore, the best option here is “venerate,” which means “to revere someone or something.”
Answer the following sample question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
EQUIVOCATE
prevaricate
venerate
precipitate
imply
corroborate
"Equivocate" means to prevaricate or avoid an issue. "Venerate" means to revere or cherish. "Precipitate" means to expedite or hurry. "Imply" means to indicate or hint. "Corroborate" means to authenticate or confirm .
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MODULATE
Regulate
Liquify
Agree
Consult
Devolve
The word "modulate" contains the same roots that are found in the related word "moderate." The "mod-" prefix has a rich history, though it generally indicates that something has been measured. Thus, a "moderate" temper is one that has just the right amount of anger, excitement, sadness, and so forth. To "accomodate" is to match the needs of someone else (thus, to meet his or her "measure"). When someone modulates his or her voice, he or she adjusts it to a given situation—thus "measuring" the voice to match the situation. Thus, the best option for this question is "regulate."
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ADMONISH
Scold
Laud
Lessen
Hoist
Demean
“Admonish” means to punish, scold, or criticize, so "scold" is the correct answer. “Laud” means praise or celebrate; “demean” means lessen the significance of or mock and bully; “lessen” means reduce the quantity or intensity of; and "hoist" means use a pulley system to raise up into the air.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FATHOM
Understand
Submerge
Retain
Deceive
Disorient
“Fathom” means understand or comprehend. As for the incorrect answers, “deceive” means lie to or trick; “retain” means keep; "submerge" means to sink something beneath the surface of water so that no part of it extends above the water; and "disorient" means confuse the inherent sense of direction and balance of.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OSTRACIZE
Exclude
Include
Hallow
Suggest
Involve
“Ostracize” means banish from a community, or "exclude." As for the other answer choices, “include” means make part of a whole; “involve” means allow to be a part of; “hallow” means make sacred or consecrate; and "suggest" means put forward an idea directly or indirectly.
Answer the following question by selecting the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
FULMINATE
berate
laud
dupe
conciliate
vivify
"Fulminate" and "berate" both mean to criticize harshly. "Laud" means to give acclaim or praise. "Dupe" means to fool someone. "Conciliate" means to placate or appease. "Vivify" means to enliven or animate.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HOODWINK
Trick
Cajole
Encourage
Extol
Tantalize
To "hoodwink" someone means to deceive or trick him or her. To provide further help, "cajole" means encourage; "extol" means praise; "tantalize" means tease.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BEWILDER
Confuse
Anger
Vex
Collide
Blind
Although “bewilder” is a verb, we most often use it in its perfect passive participle form, “bewildered,” or in its present active participle form, “bewildering.” When it is used in the former sense, it means “perplexed” or “confused.” For example, we can say, “He was utterly bewildered by the questions being asked by the child, for he could only understand the sorts of questions asked by people who were his own age.” When used as a verb, “bewilder” merely means “to cause confusion or perplexity.” For example, one could say, “Questions bewilder the man and make him extremely confused and angry.”