Identifying Synonyms - ISEE Upper Level: Verbal Reasoning

"Quibble" and "bicker" both mean to disagree over a minor point. "Concur" means to agree or approve. "Denigrate" means to belittle or malign. "Importune" means to demand or insist. "Whet" means to make sharp or hone.

"Renege" and "default" both mean to go back on one's word. "Nettle" means to provoke or upset. "Bemoan" means to express sorrow. "Embezzle" means to steal money, often from an employer. "Redress" means to change or rectify.

"Expostulate" and "remonstrate" both mean to reason with or argue. "Enervate" means to tire or wear out. "Expunge" means to destroy or obliterate. "Impinge" means to trespass or encroach. "Obfuscate" means to confuse or baffle.

To "ruminate" means to think carefully and deliberately about (something). So the best possible answer choice is "ponder" which has the same meaning. To provide further help, "abscond" means run away with; "meander" means to move in a winding manner, like a river.

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

"Insinuate" means to suggest. To provide further help, "comprehend" means understand; "abhor" means detest, hate; "deplore" means speak badly of, to disparage; "explicate" means to free from.

"Sate" and "gratify" both mean satisfy. As for the other answer choices, "abstain" means hold back from doing; "quaff" means drink down or gulp; "drawl" means lengthen or draw out; and "vindicate" means prove one's innocence.

"Kindle" means to light on fire, to ignite. To provide further help, "ridicule" means mock, make fun of; "defer" means postpone, put off, allow someone else to take charge; "abscond" means run away, usually run away with.

"Reverberate" means to echo, to rebound and re-sound. To provide further help, "recoil" means step back from in fear or disgust; "formulate" means come up with; "scrutinize" means carefully examine.

To "cleave" something means to cut in half, to split something. To provide further help, "enhance" and "augment" are synonyms, both words mean to make something better by adding to it.

To "pilfer" something means to steal, to plunder. To provide further help, "comprehend" means understand; "acquire" means get.

To "ruffle" means to disarrange, to disturb, to mess up. To provide further help, "imply" means suggest. To "postpone" something is to put that thing off for later. To "encourage" is to support or pump up.

The word "meticulous" describes someone who is very careful about details. The best option among those provided is "fastidious," which means nearly the same thing. For a pairing like this, it is just necessary to know the vocabulary words in order to answer the question correctly.

"Unctuous" means excessively ingratiating, fawning, someone who debases themselves for someone else's approval. To provide further help, "abstruse" means hard to understand; "obtuse" means dim-witted, not smart; "acute" means sharp, quick-witted; "nominal" means insignificant.

Someone who is "craven" is cowardly and pathetic. To provide further help, "miserly" and "parsimonious" are synonyms, both words mean stingy, not generous with money. Finally, "haughty" means arrogant, bold and disdainful towards others.

"Mordant" means having a harsh and critical tone, scathing, caustic. To provide further help, "bestial" means savage, like a beast; "hapless" means unlucky, hopeless, useless; "dejected" means very sad; "raucous" means loud and out of control.

"Adventitious" means unplanned, accidental, not deliberate. To provide further help, "intentional" and "deliberate" are synonyms, both words mean done on purpose. Additionally, "extenuating" means existing and excusable circumstances; "premeditated" means planned.

The word “economical” is not the same as “economic,” which can mean “pertaining to finances or wealth.” Instead, it can mean “someone who is thrifty or careful with money” as well as “something that is inexpensive but useful” such as “an economical house.”

"Prone" and "apt" both mean liable or likely. "Fetid" means foul or rancid. "Futile" means hopeless or pointless. "Ambivalent" means conflicting or contradictory. "Axiomatic" means understood or accepted.