Synonyms: Verbs
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HSPT Language Skills › Synonyms: Verbs
"Abhor" most nearly means __________.
despise
covet
desire
instigate
enhance
Explanation
To "abhor" something is to loathe, despise or hate it. You might "abhor" violence and refuse to watch TV shows that promote violence. "Covet" and "desire" both mean to want something, so these are antonyms of abhor. "Instigate" means to start something and "enhance" means to make better.
"Abhor" most nearly means __________.
despise
covet
desire
instigate
enhance
Explanation
To "abhor" something is to loathe, despise or hate it. You might "abhor" violence and refuse to watch TV shows that promote violence. "Covet" and "desire" both mean to want something, so these are antonyms of abhor. "Instigate" means to start something and "enhance" means to make better.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ENGENDER
Spawn
Dangerous
Ingratiate
Female
Duplicate
Explanation
"Engender" is a verb which means to call forth. This can be used in the sense of creation of ideas, or in the sense of creating children. "Spawn" can also mean to call forth. Additionally, it is, specifically, the laying of eggs by fish, amphibians or mollusks.
"Dangerous" is an adjective which means causing harm.
"Ingratiate" is a verb meaning to flatter someone to create good will.
"Female" may seem like a good answer because it is a gender. "Engender" does not mean male or female, however.
"Duplicate" means to copy. This seems like a possible answer because, in the strictest sense, duplicating is an act of creation, just like engendering; however, "engender" has the connotation of creating something original: an original idea or a child. "Duplicate" is literally a copy of something else. "Spawn" is a better answer because it, like "engender," has the connotation of creating something original.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ENGENDER
Spawn
Dangerous
Ingratiate
Female
Duplicate
Explanation
"Engender" is a verb which means to call forth. This can be used in the sense of creation of ideas, or in the sense of creating children. "Spawn" can also mean to call forth. Additionally, it is, specifically, the laying of eggs by fish, amphibians or mollusks.
"Dangerous" is an adjective which means causing harm.
"Ingratiate" is a verb meaning to flatter someone to create good will.
"Female" may seem like a good answer because it is a gender. "Engender" does not mean male or female, however.
"Duplicate" means to copy. This seems like a possible answer because, in the strictest sense, duplicating is an act of creation, just like engendering; however, "engender" has the connotation of creating something original: an original idea or a child. "Duplicate" is literally a copy of something else. "Spawn" is a better answer because it, like "engender," has the connotation of creating something original.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ASSUAGE
Allay
Reward
Measure
Decide
Indicate
Explanation
To “assuage” means to provide relief from something uncomfortable or distressing. You often hear it used to describe “assuaging guilt,” which means to make someone feel less guilty. The only answer choice that matches this definition is “allay.” Allay means to relieve or calm the severity of something. Both words describe the relieving of an unpleasant sensation.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ASSUAGE
Allay
Reward
Measure
Decide
Indicate
Explanation
To “assuage” means to provide relief from something uncomfortable or distressing. You often hear it used to describe “assuaging guilt,” which means to make someone feel less guilty. The only answer choice that matches this definition is “allay.” Allay means to relieve or calm the severity of something. Both words describe the relieving of an unpleasant sensation.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
FATHOM
Understand
Bewilder
Satisfy
Pelt
Irritate
Explanation
"Fathom" means comprehend or understand, so "understand" is the correct answer. "Bewilder" is an antonym of "fathom"; it means confuse. "Satisfy" means meet a certain condition or meet the expectations of someone. "Pelt" means bombard or attack someone or something with projectiles. "Irritate" means bother or annoy.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
CAJOLE
Persuade
Injure
Conciliate
Rejuvinate
Celebrate
Explanation
"Cajole" means to persuade using coaxing and flattery.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ELUCIDATE
Clarify
Strengthen
Undermine
Douse
Construct
Explanation
"Elucidate" means to clarify; to strengthen is to make stronger; to undermine is to weaken; to douse is to drench; and to construct is to build.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BEMOAN
Lament
Devastate
Bewilder
Dispute
Pollute
Explanation
"Bemoan" means show sadness about something, so "lament," a word that when used as a verb means grieve or wail, is the correct answer. "Devastate" means destroy or wreck. "Bewilder" means confuse or baffle. "Dispute" means to debate or to argue. "Pollute" means to contaiminate or to poison.