Synonyms - ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning

The Latin root -dur- means tough, hard, lasting, as in "durable," which means able to withstand pressure, long lasting, tough. So, "enduring" means lasting or continuing. Additionally, "halting" means pausing, stopping; "completing" means finishing.

"Transpire" means take place, so something that has "transpired" has happened. To further help you, "traverse" means travel across; "aspire" means to want to achieve something; "defer" means postpone or offer to someone else; "juxtapose" means to compare and contrast.

"Abound" means to be plentiful. For example, one might write, “In the springtime, my garden abounds with flowers.” To further help you, "nostalgic" means feeling fondness for the past.

"Detain" means to hold back or to arrest. To further help you, "counsel" means give advice; "recommend" means suggest; "liberate" means help to free someone.

To "acquire" means to get, obtain, or buy, so "obtain" is the synonym.

To "instill" means to impart gradually. Therefore, "impart" is the synonym.

"Enhance" means improve, so "improve" is the synonym.

"Instigate" means start, cause, or set off. Therefore, "cause" is the synonym.

"Resign" means give up or quit, so "quit" is the correct answer.

“Slovenly” means messy. To provide further help, a “creative” person is imaginative and often artistic; “serendipitous” means fortunate or owed entirely to chance; “unfortunate” means not lucky; “inauspicious” means an unlucky beginning that suggests an unfavorable conclusion.

“Inert” means static or motionless, so "static" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "inert": "visible" means able to be seen; "edible" means able to be eaten; "audible" means able to be heard; and "impassioned" means emotional.

The prefix "sub-" means under, and the "-mer-" in "submerged" stems from the Latin root "mar," which means having to do with the ocean or sea; so, it makes sense that "submerged" means located under the ocean or sea, or completely underwater. "Underwater" is thus the best answer choice. As for the other answer choices, "buoyant" means floating on top of the water instead of being partially or completely underwater; "buried" means located underneath the ground or a pile of solid objects; "nautical" means having to do with the sea or ocean; and "seafaring" means working on ships or using ships to travel over water often.

"Outcome" is defined as something that comes about as an effect or end, so "conclusion" is the best match. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "outcome": "commencement" means beginning or a ceremony marking the graduation of a group of students; "encumbrance" means burden; "sententious" means sanctimonious or pompous; and "peril" means immediate and serious danger.

The prefix "per-" means through, and it is here combined with a Latin word that means "stay," so it makes sense that "permanent" means staying or lasting throughout all time or intended to do so. This means that "lasting" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “acceptable” means good enough, “frivolous” means having no purpose or seriousness; “considerable” means of enough significance to be thought about or of a notable amount; and "carefree" means untroubled.

Someone who is “destitute” is broke and penniless. To provide further guidance, "ostentatious" means defined by luxury and wealth; "comely" means cute; "ominous" and "menacing" are synonyms that both mean threatening, suggesting that danger is imminent.

"Auspicious" means fortunate, promising, favorable; a lucky start or omen. To provide further help, "audible" means able to be heard; "carnage" refers to large scale slaughter and pillaging; "mayhem" means chaos; "potential" means the possible ability of something.

The prefix "co-" means together, so it makes sense that “composition” means how something is put together, also known as its makeup or "structure." "Composition" can also mean the act of making something, but none of the answer choices matches this definition. “Declaration” means official announcement; “equity” means the trait of being fair and impartial; “ambush” means a surprise attack; and "posture" means the way in which one carries oneself and sits.

"Pupil" is a noun that can mean apprentice or novice, so the answer choice closest in meaning to "pupil" is "student," a noun meaning a person who is going to school . Considering the other answer choices, "expert" is a noun meaning a specialist or a skilled person, "parent" is a noun meaning a mother or father of a child, and "worker" is a noun meaning someone who does work.

"Manual" derives from the Latin word "manus," which has many definitions, one of which is hand. So, it makes sense that "manual," when used as an adjective, means having to do with the hands or operated by hand as opposed to automatically by utilizing another force. "Manual" labor involves the use of one's hands, for example. "Hand-operated" is thus the correct answer. While "handheld" (of a size able to be easily held in the hands) may look like a potentially correct answer, it has nothing to do with work. "Tactile," meaning able to be touched or having to do with the sense of touch, may also seem like a potentially correct answer, but again, it has nothing to do with work.