Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Degree, Intensity, Power, and Importance - ISEE Lower Level: Verbal Reasoning

"Trifling," when used as an adjective, means "unimportant or trivial." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "unimportant." "Important" is the opposite of "unimportant," so it can't be the correct answer, but "petty" means "of little importance; trivial," "characterized by an undue concern for trivial matters, esp. in a small-minded or spiteful way" when used to describe behavior, or "of secondary or lesser importance, rank, or scale; minor." Because "petty" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "trifling," "petty" is the correct answer.

"Feeble" is an adjective that can mean "lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness," "faint" when referring to a sound, "lacking strength of character," or "failing to convince or impress." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "lacking strength." That means that "strong" can't be the correct answer, because "strong" is an antonym of a word that means "lacking strength." "Weak," however, means "lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks; lacking physical strength and energy." Because "weak" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "feeble," it is the correct answer.

Drastic means likely to have a strong or far-reaching effect, and can mean radical or "extreme."

"Futile" is an adjective that means "incapable of producing any useful result; pointless." So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "pointless." "Successful," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "successful" is an adjective that can mean "accomplishing an aim or purpose," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "futile." "Useless," however, is an adjective that can mean "not fulfilling or not expected to achieve the intended purpose or desired outcome," and because "useless" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "futile," "useless" is the correct answer.

"Major" means important.

"Influential" means having a powerful effect on people or events. "Important," which means significant or valuable, is closest in meaning to "influential," so it is the correct answer.

Incorrect answers:

"Miraculous" means inexplicable or occurring through or as if through divine intervention, as in the sentence, "The sick child made a miraculous recovery that the doctors did not think was possible."

"Approving" means thinking favorably of, as in the sentence, "The teacher had an approving look on her face as she told the students she was proud of their hard work."

"Cautious" means careful, as in the sentence, "You must be cautious when you cross the busy street."

The word "authoritative" means trustworthy or self-assured and commanding . So, the best answer choice is "commanding."" "Power" is not the best choice because it is a noun that refers to the strength of something. Since "authoritative" is an adjective, the answer must also be an adjective.

The correct answer is "harsh." Both "severe" and "harsh" mean strict or having no leniency. The other words mean the opposite of "strict."

The word "trivial" means unimportant. "Unimportant" is the best choice because it is a part of the definition of "trivial."

The word "vital" means absolutely necessary. "Necessary" is the best choice because it is a part of the definition of "vital."

"Feeble" means lacking strength because of age or sickness. Weak also means not strong, so "weak" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, to "saunter" means to walk slowly, at a relaxed pace, to "revert" means to return to a previous state, an "avalanche" is a dangerous event in which snow and rocks fall quickly down the side of a mountain, and a "banquet" is a large meal or a feast.

The word "significant" means important. The best choice is "important," as it is a part of the definition of "significant." Considering the other choices, "focus," when used as a noun, means center point, careful attention,or concentration, a "sign" is a notice that bears a message, and "combined" means joined together.

Severe is defined as something that is unnecessarily extreme, which can also define harsh.

Something that is essential is needed; it is something you cannot do without. To further help you, irate means very angry; compassionate means loving; edible means able to be eaten; visible means able to be seen.

Hearty means strong and healthy. To further help you, wise means very smart, able to make good decisions; benevolent means good-natured; malevolent means wicked-natured; benevolent and malevolent are antonyms of one another; visible means able to be seen.

"Feeble" means weak or ineffectual. To further help you, "robust," "sturdy," and "brawny" are synonyms and all mean strong.

"Dominant" means in control, in charge, on top.

"Absolute" is defined as unquestionable, such as when describing a king’s absolute authority. The best match, "supreme," means having the final (unquestionable) say in things or of the highest rank in some category. So, "supreme" is the correct answer.

When something is "necessary," it must be done. For instance, some people say that it is necessary to good health that we exercise at least five days a week. This means that good health requires such activity. Likewise, it is required that you have a large vocabulary to do well on the ISEE verbal sections. This means that you need to have a large vocabulary to do well. Therefore, something that is "required" is something that has been said to be necessary. "Requirements" are necessary things to be done or things that are needed. (The requirements for an application are all of its necessary components.)