Synonyms: Other Verbs - SSAT Upper Level Verbal

"Assimilate" is a verb that has several different meanings, including absorb ideas or people into a group. While "assist" may look like a potentially correct answer, the meaning of "assist" does not match any of the meanings of "assimilate," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Subsume," however, is a verb meaning include or absorb, and since "subsume" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "assimilate," "subsume" is the correct answer.

"Adhere" is a verb with a variety of meanings; sticky things can adhere (stick to) other things, or a person can adhere to (obey) rules. "Sticky' may look like a potential synonym of "adhere," but whereas "stick" could be a synonym, "sticky" cannot, as it is an adjective and "adhere" a verb. "Obey," however, is a synonym of "adhere" as it is used to mean comply with, so "obey" is the correct answer.

"Usurp" means seize or overthrow, so "seize" is the correct answer.

"Eschew"means to avoid using something.

Reform means the process of improving a practice or institution.

A compromise is an agreement or settlement reached when both sides give something up.

Hew means to conform or adhere to something.

"Render" means to provide something, usually a service or a kind of help.

Subsidize means to support financially, or to fund.

“Excel” is a verb that means “be exceptionally good at an activity or subject,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “be exceptionally good at something.” That means that “fail” cannot be the correct answer, because “fail” means “to be unsuccessful,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “excel.” “Shine,” however, is a word that when used as a verb, can mean “to be very talented or perform very well,” and because “shine” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “excel,” “shine” is the correct answer.

"Render" means to provide, give, or supply a service.

"Foist" means to impose an unwelcome person or thing on someone.

To "relegate" is to demote or assign to an inferior position.

“Whet” is a transitive verb that describes the action of stimulating something. For clarification, postpone means suspend; meander is a type of slow movement characterized by indirectness, such as in a river.

To "rectify" something means to fix it. For clarification, indoctrinate means to instruct or teach through propaganda; mollify means to assuage, or calm.

To “squander” something means to waste it. For clarification, the other four answer choices are all antonyms of squander.

"Liberate" means to free or release someone from a situation.

"Fare" (as a verb) means to get on, cope, or manage.

"Refrain" means to stop oneself from doing something, or to abstain from it.