Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, and Understanding

Help Questions

ISEE Upper Level Verbal Reasoning › Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, and Understanding

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

ASCERTAIN

Determine

Deceive

Stupefy

Allure

Censor

Explanation

"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.

2

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

DEIFY

Venerate

Violate

Disobey

Statue

Myth

Explanation

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.”

3

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

Explanation

"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 .

4

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

MODULATE

Regulate

Liquify

Agree

Consult

Devolve

Explanation

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."

5

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

ADMONISH

Scold

Laud

Lessen

Hoist

Demean

Explanation

“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.

6

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

FATHOM

Understand

Submerge

Retain

Deceive

Disorient

Explanation

“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.

7

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

OSTRACIZE

Exclude

Include

Hallow

Suggest

Involve

Explanation

“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.

8

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

Explanation

"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.

9

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

HOODWINK

Trick

Cajole

Encourage

Extol

Tantalize

Explanation

To "hoodwink" someone means to deceive or trick him or her. To provide further help, "cajole" means encourage; "extol" means praise; "tantalize" means tease.

10

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

BEWILDER

Confuse

Anger

Vex

Collide

Blind

Explanation

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.”

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