Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings - ISEE Lower Level: Verbal Reasoning

The word "rear" can take on two very different meanings. On the one hand, it can mean behind. Think of the "rear seat" of the car. This is the "back seat." Thus, options like "forgotten," "unimportant," and "outdated" might all appear to be correct, for things that are "behind" us are sometimes forgotten, unimportant, or outdated. None of these directly means "behind." Instead, the second meaning is what we need, namely, to raise, parent, or nurture. We use this meaning when we say things like, "He reared his children to be respectful."

(Actually, the word "rear" can also mean, "To raise up or lift up," as when we say, "He reared his head to look at me." This meaning is given here in this question.)

The word "soil" can be used to describe dirt. It also can mean to make dirty. For example, think of when we say, "He soiled his shirt." This means that the person got some kind of dirt on his shirt. Now, you can also make someone's reputation "dirty." This is another acceptable meaning for "soil", at least in an extended sense. Thus, you can say, "When Harold told the secret in public, he soiled Egbert's reputation." This means that Harold damaged Egbert's reputation. This is the only option that works as an acceptable synonym.

Whenever something is said to have "structure" or to be a "structure," we are saying that the thing in question has or is an organized arrangement. We do tend to use the word to describe physical buildings. Thus, a house or a large tower is a "structure." We say this because the building is an arrangement of parts that come together to make one, unified building; however, anything that is organized can be called "structured." Some of the other options may tempt you because they are related to physical buildings; however, only "organized" expresses this idea about having an ordered structure.

We tend to use the word "explosive" to think of things that physically explode—often with very dangerous and fiery consequences; however, think of what explosions are like. They are very sudden things. Quickly, some small item blasts outward—it explodes. Sometimes, we speak of "explosive" things metaphorically, like an "explosive population growth in ducks." This means that the ducks have suddenly had a significant increase in population. Although some of the other options are somehow related to the general notion of explosions, only "sudden" is a proper synonym.

You perhaps have heard the word "lofty" used to describe something that is physically very tall. This is the most obvious and standard meaning of the word; however, this idea of being "high up" can also apply to less material things. For instance, someone can have very "lofty goals" or very "lofty intentions." This means that he or she has chosen a very noble or praiseworthy set of goals or intentions. Such goals or intentions are "above" other goals and intentions in a metaphorical sense.

"Majority"means more than 50%, or the group with the most members in a given vote or debate. It is the opposite of "minority,"which therefore cannot be the correct answer. The right answer is "most," because "most" means more than half. Thus, majority and most are synonyms. While "majority"can sometimes be used as a noun, it can also be used as an adjective. ("The majority of the population" is an example of it being used as a noun, while "the majority vote" is an example of it being used as an adjective.)

"Ditch" is a word that when used as a noun, means "a narrow channel dug in the ground, typically used for drainage alongside a road or the edge of a field." When used as a verb, "ditch" can mean "provide with ditches," or, informally, "get rid of; give up." Because all of the answer choices are verbs, we will need to consider "ditch" as a verb pick out an answer choice that means something like "provide with ditches" or "get rid of." "Follow," then, cannot be the correct answer, because if one is following someone, they are not abandoning them. "Desert," however, is a word that when used as a verb means "abandon (a person, cause, or organization) in a way considered disloyal or treacherous," and because "desert" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "ditch," "desert" is the correct answer.

All of the answer choices can be used as verbs, so we need to consider "gorge" as a verb. When used as a verb, "gorge" means "eat a large amount greedily; fill oneself with food," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "eat a lot." "Starve," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "starve" means "of a person or animal: suffer severely or die from hunger," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "gorge." "Devour," a verb that means "eat (food or prey) hungrily or quickly," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "gorge," so "devour" is the correct answer.

"Pledge" is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as nouns, we will need to consider "pledge" as a noun. As a noun, "pledge" means "a solemn promise or undertaking," so we will need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "a solemn promise." "Treason," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "treason" means either "the crime of betraying one's country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government" or "the action of betraying someone or something," both meanings of which are far from meaning "a solemn promise." "Assurance," however, is a noun that means " a positive declaration intended to give confidence; a promise," and because "assurance" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "pledge," "assurance" is the correct answer.

The word "vow" means to promise. "Promise" is the best answer choice because it is a part of the definition of "vow." Considering the other choices, "bow" means bend or curve forward, "say" means speak, and "balk" means stop short and refuse to go on.

"Acclaim," when used as a verb or as a noun, means praise. "Praise" is the best choice as it is a part of the definition of "acclaim." The remaining choices are unrelated to the word "acclaim."

The word "summit" means the highest point of something. The best answer choice is "top" because it is the most similar in meaning to "summit." Considering the other choices, the word "summit" is often used to refer to the top of a mountain, but "summit" does not mean the same thing as "mountain." "Sky" and "summary" are unrelated in meaning to "summit."

The word "transport" means carry an object or a person from one location to another. The word "bear," when used as a verb, means carry as well. "Bear" is the best choice because it shares the same definition as "transport." When none of the answer choices seem obviously correct to you, remember to consider their secondary definitions.

The word "chuckle," when used as a verb, means to laugh. "Laugh" is the best choice because it is a part of the definition of "chuckle." The rest of the choices are all unrelated actions.

The correct answer is "absence." Both "lack" and "absence" mean the status of something not being present or available, especially when it is needed. "Abundance" is an opposite, or antonym, of "lack."

A "barrage" is an overwhelming number of explosions. The best choice is "blast," as means explosion and is the only word that refers to explosions. Considering the other choices, "anger" is a strong feeling of displeasure,"defend" means protect, and "tie" means_connect two strands together with a knot_.

"Source" means where a person or thing comes from, or "origin." A "blizzard" is a large snowstorm. A "companion" is a friend or partner. A "strategy" is a tactic or course of action. An "aroma" is a distinct smell or a fragrance.

To "rebuke" is to criticize or "yell at" someone who has misbehaved. For example, a teacher may rebuke students who have been talking loudly in class or otherwise breaking the rules. Both "cherish," which means love dearly, and "compliment" represent positive emotions, so they are very unlike the term "rebuke." To "ignore" is simply to pay no attention to a person or thing.

Torment can be used as either a verb or a noun. When used as a verb, it means to make someone feel pain. When used as a noun, it means great suffering or pain. To further help you, preserve means save; pardon means forgive; petrify means scare.