Synonyms: Adjectives and Adverbs - ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning

"Onerous" is an adjective that means "involving an amount of effort or difficulty that is overly burdensome." Fun is clearly incorrect, as is talented. So scary sounds possible, since onerous looks a little like ominous, but just because something is challenging does not make it scary, so that's out. Rude is close, and onerous can certainly be used in a context that might mean rude, but ultimately, difficult is the closest synonym.

"Exhilarating" is an adjective that means "making one feel very happy, animated or elated." Tedious is an antonym, it has the opposite meaning, which is boring. Illuminating and interesting both sound similar to exhilarating, but they refer to growing lighter and gaining or seeking information. And when one is happy, animated or elated, one is not usually numb, but feels everything. So "thrilling" is the best answer, as it refers to happiness and excitement.

"Fortuitous" is an adjective that means "happening by accident or chance rather than design," so we need to pick out an answer choice that is an adjective that means something like "happening by accident." So, "intentional" cannot be the correct answer because "intentional" means "done on purpose; deliberate," making it an antonym of "fortuitous," not a synonym. "Coincidental," however, is an adjective that means "resulting from a coincidence; done or happening by chance," and because "coincidental" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "fortuitous," "coincidental" is the correct answer.

"Inveterate" is an adjective that means either "having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change," or when describing such a feeling or habit, "long-established and unlikely to change." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "unlikely to change." "Incurable," an adjective that when used of a person or behavior can mean "unable to be changed," is the answer choice closest in meaning to "inveterate," so "incurable" is the correct answer.

"Labyrinthine" is an adjective that means either "like a labyrinth; irregular and twisting" when describing a network, or "intricate and confusing" when describing a system. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "irregular and twisting" or "intricate and confusing." "Simple," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "simple" is an antonym of "labyrinthine," not a synonym. "Convoluted," however, is an adjective that means "extremely complex and difficult to follow" and is often used of an argument, story, or sentence. Because "convoluted" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "labyrinthine," "convoluted" is the correct answer.

"Inert" means lacking the ability or strength to move. If someone is inert, she is motionless or still.

"Noxious" is an adjective that means poisonous. It has a negative connotation, so the answer must also be an adjective with a negative connotation. Considering the potential answer choices, "benign" (which means harmless) and "legitimate" (which means acceptable or lawful) do not have negative connotations, so neither of those words can be the correct answer. This leaves us to pick the correct answer from amongst "injurious," which means harmful, "aggravating," which means irritating or annoying, and "woeful," which means miserable. "Injurious" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "noxious," so "injurious" is the correct answer.

"Turbulent" means characterised by agitation or chaos. "Tempestuous" means stormy, so it is a synonym of "turbulent." "Calm," "tranquil" and "peaceful" are all antonyms of turbulent that mean untroubled.

If you are "obstructed," it means that you are hindered or having to deal with an obstacle in your way. So, "hindered" is the correct answer.

"Minuscule" means very small, so "tiny" is the best match. "Vast" usually refers to areas of land or bodies of water and means very wide, so it is an antonym, or opposite, of "minuscule."

The word "disparate" means unequal. "Unequal" is the best choice because it is a part of the definition of "disparate." Considering the other choices, "parrotlike" means having the qualities of a parrot, "insulting" means causing offense or insult, and "gregarious" means loving the company of others.

The word "benign" means harmless. The best choice is "harmless" because it is a part of the definition of "benign."

The word "apt" means appropriate or very intelligent. The best choice is "appropriate," as it is a part of the definition of the word "apt." Considering the other options, an "application" is a request, "inappropriate" means not suitable, and "fit" means in good physical condition.

"Hypnotic" means to have the effect of fixating one's attention. "Mesmerizing" also means this, so "mesmerizing" is the correct answer.

Both of the meanings of the word "prone" in English derive from a Latin root meaning "leaning forward." In a physical sense, this leads to the meaning of lying face down (now popularly called "planking"), and in a less-literal sense—as in this question—it can mean having a tendency toward something. One might be prone to anger, or prone to speak out of turn in class. The word "wont," (which is a homophone of the more-familiar word "want"), also means to be inclined toward something.

"Mundane" means ordinary or uninteresting. Therefore, "ordinary" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "mundane."

Conspicuous means easily noticeable, or "prominent."

Something that is "probable" is likely to happen, so "likely" is the correct answer. To help you, "impassive" means unemotional, unaffected, or blank.

"Wanton" can mean random, so "random" is the correct answer. To help you, "implausible" means almost impossible or hard to believe, "credible" means reliable, "demeaning" means humiliating or undignified, and "suspicious" means doubtful.