Synonyms: Verbs

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HSPT Language Skills › Synonyms: Verbs

Questions 1 - 10
1

"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.

2

"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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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.

6

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.

7

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.

8

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.

9

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.

10

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.

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