Identifying Synonyms - ISEE Lower Level: Verbal Reasoning

Whenever we say that we "admire" someone, we mean that we have a very high opinion of that person. We respect such people for who they are and for what they do. Although such persons are sometimes famous, often they are not. We admire our grandparents, even if few people know them. This means that we respect them, and thus "respected" is the best option.

"Puny" means weak and small. To further help you, "dazed" means stunned, especially by a blow; "bemused" means confused and puzzled.

"Climb" is a verb that means go up a sloped surface. So, the answer choice closest in meaning to "climb" is "ascend," a verb that means go up or climb . None of the other answers are close in meaning to "climb": "fall" is an antonym of "climb" and means go downwards, often accidentally due to having lost one's balance ; "engorge" is a verb that means swell; and "design," when used as a verb, means devise a specific look for something.

"Walked" is a verb that means use one's feet to transport oneself somewhere at a slow, constant pace. So, the answer choice closest in meaning to "walked" is "strolled", a verb that means leisurely walked. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "walked": "drove" means operated a motor vehicle in order to get from one location to another ; "pedaled" means moved by propelling oneself on a bicycle using its pedals; and "created" means made.

"Mingle" means physically mix together or socialize by mixing with other people at an event, so the correct answer is "mix." None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "mingle": "detain" means keep in a certain location or in custody; "remain" means stay; to "remove" something means to take it away; and "separate," when used as a verb, means divide.

The word "diminish" is related to words like "miniature" and "miniscule." The prefix "mini-" is also likely very familiar to you. A "mini-poodle" is a very small kind of dog. When something "diminishes," it becomes smaller or less intense. To make something "diminish in size," you reduce its size. To "reduce" means to lessen or decrease.

“Advance” means continue or proceed, so "proceed" is the correct answer. The prefix "ad-" refers to a movement or change into or away from something as seen in “adulterate" (make something impure) and “adjunct” (an addition). None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "advance": “detract” means take away from in terms of quality; “demonize” means vilify; “bewitch” means enchant; and “suspend” means pause.

The prefix "out-"generally means surpassing or exceeding, so if you “outperform” someone, you perform better than they do. So, "do better than" is the correct answer. To provide further help, “overwhelm” means overpower emotionally and “underwhelm” means disappoint, and “intrinsic” means basic, natural, or inherent.

When you "refine" something, it means that you "improve" it compared to its original condition. This differs from "glorify," which means to raise in status; "regard," which means to see or think of someone in a certain way; and "reward," which means to give compensation for a job well done.

Knead means to work or mold a substance with one's hands. Massage means to rub or work with one's hands as well, and thus is the closest in meaning. While kneaded dough is often baked, bake is not a synonym. The words are related, but not the same in meaning.

Accelerate means to increase in speed. Quicken means to go faster. Given these definitions, accelerate and quicken are very close in meaning, and therefore synonyms of one another.

Hoard means to find and keep large amounts of certain types of objects. Collect means to form a grouping of particular items. Thus, given how similar these words are, they are synonyms for one another.

This one is tough, because there are no synonyms to eliminate in the answer list. If you remember hearing the word "generation" used to mean a group of people born and living during the same time, you may be able to figure out that "generate" means birth, make, or create. "Produce" has a similar meaning to "create," therefore that is the correct answer. "Destroy" is an antonym of "generate," "predict" means foretell or attempt to determine what will happen in the future, and "loathe" means hate.

“Desist” means to stop or to make something stop. To provide further help, “forbid” means ban, not allow; “prevent” means stop something from happening before it happens; “carp” means complain.

To "thrive" is to succeed or do extremely well in some aspect of life; it sometimes refers specifically to physical growth. In general, however, "prosper" is the correct synonym, since this verb also describes the act of flourishing and succeeding. To "falter" is to hesitate and to "recede" is to retreat or travel backwards (as in a balding man's "receding hairline"). Finally, to "anticipate" something is to look forward to or become excited about it before it has happened.

The word "deftly" means nimbly, dexterously, or with great skill;therefore, the word "skillfully" most closely matches the definition of "deftly." "Clumsily" is incorrect because it means with little skill or in an awkward manner, making it an opposite of "deftly." "Maliciously," which means with the intention of causing harm, and "aggressively," which means in a hostile or confrontational manner, are unrelated to the definition of "deftly."

If people "partake" of something such as cake at a birthday party, it means they consume it or share in it ; if they partake in some activity, they participate in it or take part in it; so, "participate" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "partake": "grant" means allow when used as a verb; "convey"means transport when referring to physical objects or people and suggest when referring to ideas; and "transfer" means convey from one location to another or convey from the ownership of one person or group to the ownership of another person or group.

When you “create” something, you make or _generate_it.

To “vanquish” means to defeat or overcome something. “Recede” means to go back or to move away from; “desert” means to leave behind or to abandon when used as a verb; and “propose” means to suggest or to share an idea with someone.