Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States - ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning

If someone is nonchalant about a test grade, it means he or she is unconcerned or aloof. Nonchalant is defined as laid back or not easily excited.

"Headstrong" is an adjective that means "not willing to do what other people want: very stubborn." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that is also an adjective and means something like "stubborn." While "tough" might look like a potentially correct answer because "tough" is a synonym of "strong," and "headstrong" contains the word "strong," "tough" does not mean "stubborn," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Obstinate," however, means "stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so." Because "obstinate" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "headstrong," "obstinate" is the correct answer.

Something that is solemn such as a solemn event indicates that it is serious in nature.

If someone is distraught, it means they are highly distressed and upset.

When someone is glum, it means that they are depressed or saddened.

"Plaintive" is an adjective that means "sounding sad and mournful." So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something similar to "sad" or "mournful." So, "celebratory" cannot be the correct answer because it is an antonym of "sad" and "mournful." "Sorrowful," however, is an adjective that means either "feeling or showing grief" or "causing grief," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "plaintive," "sorrowful" is the correct answer.

"Dissatisfied" is an adjective that means "not content or happy with something." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not happy with something." So, "pleased" cannot be the correct answer, because "pleased" is an antonym of "dissatisfied," not a synonym. "Disgruntled," however, is an adjective that means "angry or dissatisfied," so "disgruntled" is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "dissatisfied."

Benevolent is often used to refer to leaders who lead with kindness and generosity. While polite may be close, benevolence always goes hand in hand with generosity; thus "generous" is the correct answer.

Frantic often has to do with fear or anxiety, being crazed with stress; alarmed might have fit, but to alarm is the wrong part of speech (a verb instead of adjective).

"Merry" means cheerful.

"Furious" means full of rage. The best answer choice is "enraged" because it shares the same definition. "Furious" and "enraged" are synonyms. Considering the other choices, "depressed" means sad and gloomy, "miffed" means annoyed, and "ecstatic" means incredibly overjoyed.

The word "cantankerous" means hard to deal with or ill-tempered.The best choice is "grouchy," which shares the same definition.

"Melancholy" refers to a gloominess in a person's mood; a person who is feeling "melancholy" will seem sad or depressed. "Mournful," which also means sad or gloomy, is therefore the best answer. "Pleased" is an opposite of "melancholy," and both "boring" and "impassive" indicate a lack of emotion, not any specific feeling of sadness.

When somone is distraught, they are upset and deeply agitated, which can also describe someone who is distressed.

If someone is distraught, they can also be emotional, but distressed is a better answer choice. Emotional describes both positive and negative feelings, whereas distraught and distressed have negative connotations.

Envious means wanting something someone else has. To further help you, furious means irate, very angry; generous means giving and kind; delicious and delectable are synonyms and both mean tastes very good.

Furious means irate or very angry. To further help you, envious means jealous or wanting what someone else has.

When someone is "livid," they are extremely angry. Other words with the same meaning are "furious" and "enraged." "Restful," a word that means calm and quiet, and "intelligent," or smart, are adjectives that do not imply any anger at all. "Quick" and "livid" have nothing to do with each other.

The word "hostile" means not friendly or like an enemy. The best choice is "hateful," which means expressing hate or dislike of something. Considering the other choices, "complicated" means difficult to understand, "courteous" means polite, and "lively" means energetic.

"Confused" is defined as unable to think clearly; bewildered. Since "puzzled" is defined as to feel confused due to a lack of understanding, "puzzled" is the best answer choice.