Synonyms: Nouns - ISEE Upper Level Verbal Reasoning

"Paradigm" is a noun that can "a typical example or pattern of something; a model" or "a worldview underlying the theories and methodology of a particular scientific subject." So, we need to pick out a noun that means something like "a typical example of something" or "a worldview." While "paradox" and "paradigm" both begin with the root "para," "paradox" is a noun that can mean "a statement or proposition that, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory" or "a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true." So, because "paradox" does not mean the same thing as "paradigm," it cannot be the correct answer. "Archetype," however, is a noun that means "a very typical example of a certain person or thing," and because "archetype" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "paradigm," "archetype" is the correct answer.

Revelry is a rambunctious or noisy form of partying. Often, it comes with the implication that the partying is accompanied by heavy drinking of alcohol. Among the answers, the word “festivity” best signifies this sense of partying.

The word “testament” comes from the Latin for “a will.” Often, we still speak of someone’s “last will and testament,” as though we wish to say that this document gives the final evidence of that person’s wishes. Also, the word is often used with the preposition “to” as in, “John’s devoted assistance to Michael during the latter’s illness was a testament to his deep regard for his sick friend.”

Contempt means “feeling that something or someone has no worth or deserves no respect.” For example, one could say, “Thomas showed contempt for all of his neighbors, for he thought they were leeches on society, providing nothing for the common good or even for themselves.” The word “disdain” is related to “dignity,” but the “dis-” prefix implies the opposite of root that is related to dignity. Therefore, expressions of “disdain” are the opposite of expressions of worth.

The word libation comes from the Latin meaning “to pour out,” generally implying that it is being done as a sacrifice to the God. Such a “libation” would be poured as a type of sacrifice. The term has been made to be somewhat informal in regular speech and is often used to refer to a drink in general. To say, “Let us share a libation,” can sound far more refined than a mere, “Let us share a drink.” Among the options provided, the only one that matches either sense is “offering.”

The word altercation comes from the Latin for “to dispute or argue.” It means roughly the same in English. For example, one might say, “After the large altercation between the two men, their friends decided not to invite them to the party, fearing that they would argue in public and disturb the peace of the gathering.”

Clearly, the word “villainy” is related to “villain.” It is a noun meaning “an action that is immoral,” often implying some kind of illegality. For example, one could say, “The mafia boss committed many acts of villainy, often killing his enemies in a brutal manner without any regret.”

Likely, you have heard the expression, “the only recourse,” as in, “A presidential pardon was the only recourse that the man had to lift the crime from his record.” The word generally means, “Means of alleviating a situation,” or even more generally, “Choice or option.” Thus, when one says, “He had recourse to the support of his family during his financial difficulties,” this means, “He had the option to go to his family for aid.”

The word “weal” is perhaps a bit strange in its usage, but it is found in a number of other words. It is related to the word “wealth,” thus meaning something like “good” or “interest” or “wealth.” A commonwealth is a governmental body that comes together for the common interest or good of the group. Likewise, to say that you will stay with someone in “weal and woe” is to say that you will stay with that person in good times and in bad. Thus, the word can be used to express something that is in the interest of a party and is thus used in expressions like, “For the public weal, I must keep this secret, for it would destroy society to know its details.”

When someone is “zealous,” he or she has great energy in pursuing a cause. It is for this reason that such a person is often called a “zealot,” or one who untiringly pursues something, often in a very pushy and judgmental manner, though that need not always be the case. The word originally comes from a similar Greek word, basically meaning zeal; however, as the word came into Latin, it took on the meaning “jealous” as well. When someone “jealously guards” something, it is not merely a matter of trying to keep that thing exclusively to himself or herself, though that is partially implied. It also is a matter of guarding it with great devotion and zeal.

The word “woe,” is often used in interjections like, “Woe is me! Such horrible things always happen to me!” The sense implied is, “How unhappy and unfortunate I am!” The word “woe” more generally can be used as a noun meaning “sorrow” or “great sadness.” For instance, you could say, “By age ten, the young man had already experienced many more woes than his classmates, whose lives were passed in relative bliss and joy.”

An "accolade" is a form of distinction, recognition, or strong praise. "Truculence" means a fight or form of aggression. A "quirk" is an oddity or strange way of doing something. "Intuition" means insight or instinct. "Delusion" is a misconception or misbelief.

A "harbinger" is a portent, omen, or indication of something. An "affirmation" is a declaration of truth. A "delusion" is a misconception or misbelief. A "hybrid" is a mixture or combination of something. "Jargon" is a specialized language or dialect.

A "quagmire" is an imbroglio or a bad situation. A "misanthrope" is a person who hates others. A "sovereign" is a supreme ruler or a monarch. A "patent" is a copyright on an invention or technology. "Myriad" means a lot of something.

A well-known idiom speaks of "separating the wheat from the chaff"—that is, separating out that which has value from that which is worthless. In a literal sense, "chaff" can describe the protective casing around a seed that is burned up once the seed has been removed. More commonly the word is used to describe anything that is useless and expendable. Be careful to to confuse "chaff" with "chafe" (damage by rubbing). Also keep in mind that "refuse" here is the noun (pronounced REF-yoos) that means garbage—not the more-familiar verb (pronounced ri-FYOOZ) that means to turn down an offer.

"Zeal" and "fervor" both mean enthusiasm or devotion. "Apathy" means an uncaring attitude or lack of interest. "Lethargy" means laziness or sluggishness. "Tirade" means abuse or outburst. "Leviathan" means colossus or behemoth.

"Philanthropy" and "charity" both mean humanitarianism or generosity. "Avarice" means extreme greed. "Quiescence" means inaction or quiet. "Diatribe" means criticism or tirade. "Improvidence" means carelessness or neglect.

"Reproof" and "censure" both mean blame or criticism. "Elegy" means dirge or lament. "Turpitude" means corruption or debauchery. "Implication" means association or suggestion. "Guile" means slyness or cleverness.

"Peccadillo" and "impropriety" both mean a small fault or misdemeanor. "Zenith" means the highest point or apex. "Transient" means something temporary or ephemeral. "Skepticism" means doubt or questioning. "Remedy" means a cure or solution.

"Panegyric" and "elegy" both mean praise or warm words. "Rant" means a tirade or yelling. "Probity" means fairness or honesty. "Proclivity" means an inclination or habit. "Odyssey" means a journey or excursion.