Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions - ISEE Middle Level Verbal Reasoning

The word "dull" has many meanings, though they do have some relationship to each other. We often think of a "dull knife" (or something of that sort). This means that such an instrument is no longer sharp. Dull colors are sort of like this. They are not bright or "sharp to the eye." Think of a dreary day—it is dull. Likewise, we say that someone is "dull" when he or she is not very intelligent or interesting. This is so because he or she does not have a "piercing" intellect that can handle intricate problems. Thus, of the options provided, the only option that directly defines a possible synonym is "blunt."

The word "bright" is a great example of how we metaphorically use language in everyday speech. We will sometimes say that someone is "bright" or that an idea is "bright," meaning that it is intelligent. Such "brightness" is like an "intellectual light bulb," helping to illuminate some topic with insight. Hence also, we will call someone "dim" when he or she is not very intelligent.

We generally think of "hazy" in terms of the weather. On a hazy day, it is hard to see because the air is full of some sort of material, usually water vapor though it could also be something like smoke or any other material that creates some kind of cloudiness. Among the answers, the only wrong one that should be tempting is "thick," for haze can be thick. Perhaps also "rainy" is tempting, but to be "hazy" means something other than to be wet and rainy. (It is about making it difficult to see—as said earlier.) We also use the word to mean vague. A "hazy idea" is one that is not very clear. Another example is "hazy memories," meaning that something is hard to remember in its details—it is not a "clear" memory.

The word "vocal" has several meanings, though all deal with the voice. They come from similar Latin roots, ultimately derived from "vox" or "vocis," meaning voice. A vocal person is "outspoken," not hiding his or her ideas or feelings. Such a person rarely speaks in an indirect manner. Instead, he or she is very direct in expressing these ideas. When something is "blunt" it is neither sharp nor pointed; however it can be very flat—like a wooden board. A blunt person's opinion will be expressed like a large flat board of wood—openly and without any kind of covering up! Thus, a vocal person is "blunt" in this sense—stating things directly.

The word "critic" comes from Greek and Latin words that mean to judge. When we "critique" someone or something, we give an opinion about that person or thing. Likewise, a "critical remark" is one that judges something, generally negatively. The word can also mean important when used as the adjective "critical." For example, at a "critical time," it is necessary to judge something one way or the other. This actually comes from the idea of judgment mentioned earlier. Something is "critical" because it requires a judgment—right now. By extension, we say something is "critical" when it is "important."

Here, you must be careful not to use the word "sensible" as though it means able to be sensed. In that meaning, you would be referring to something related to one of the five senses—taste, touch, smell, etc. Two of the options try to trick you in this way—"tangible" and "olfactory;" however, these indicate individual sensible things but are not even acceptable synonyms for "sensible" in general in the way mentioned above.

Instead, we also use "sensible" to mean practical or showing common sense. Think of when we might say, "It was a sensible decision to come in during the storm, for otherwise, Johann might have been struck by lightning." Likewise, we could say, "Wilhelm was always quite sensible, refusing to express grand reflections on the meaning of all things." Thus, something that is "sensible" is "balanced" and not extreme.

The word "elevated" means, most generally, "higher than other things." Now, this most often is used to describe physical elevation—as in the elevated mountains in contrast to valleys and hills. However, it can also be applied to things that are elevated in the sense of being more noble or important. Thus, elevated discussion is discussion of important and noble things. Thus, among the words provided, the only option that directly recognizes such "heights" is "noble." Remember, "noble" not only refers to the person such as a prince or king. It also is an adjective meaning "excellent."

You most likely use "base" in the physical sense, describing something that is at the bottom of another thing—as in the base of a statue or some other thing. However, the meaning can be extended to mean anything that is low. This often is used to describe low morals or bad moral standards. Thus, to call something "base" is to say that the thing is immoral or very unacceptable. Thus, the best option here is "immoral."

Several of the other options try to trick you. A footstool seems low, but it is not synonymous with "base" even in the first sense discussed above. Also, we do often think of "military bases." However, these "bases" are the actual physical locations for the soldiers. The word is not synonymous with "militant" or "infantry".

The word "blunt" is a kind of antonym for "sharp." Whenever something is "blunt," it is flat—like a blunt club used for hitting other people. The word can be used to describe physical objects, but it also is able to describe personality traits. A "blunt" person is someone whose words can "hit you like a flat board of wood." Such a person is honest—so honest that he or she doesn't "hold anything back."

You certainly know the "physical" and literal meaning of "settling." Whenever you "settle" into a location, you start to inhabit that place. Thus, "settlers" are new inhabitants or colonists. Whenever someone is said to "settle" on an opinion, he or she decides to have one or the other opinion on a matter. A person who is of "settled" opinion is someone who has a determined and decided opinion on the matter. Hence, "determined" is an acceptable synonym for this question.

Whenever something is "remote," it exists at a distance. Thus, a "remote" star is a star that is far away, and a "remote control" is a kind of device that we use to control something at a particular distance. A person can be described as being "remote" as well. Such a person has an attitude that makes him or her seem distant. He or she could also be described as being "detached" or aloof.

Physically speaking, the word "dull" is contrasted to something that is pointed or sharp. From this meaning, the word can take on various other meanings. For instance, it can mean stupid—as though someone is not "sharp" enough to penetrate into some topic. Likewise, it can mean boring, as though something is not very "piercing" and interesting. This is the way that the word is being presented here among the options provided. For example, think of how we can say, "That was a dull class." This means that the class was boring and uninteresting.

When something is "sleek," it is smooth. We do use the adjective to describe things like "sleek hair", often implying that it has a kind of oiled, smooth look. The primary meaning of "sleek" is smooth. Now, this meaning can then be extended to mean elegant or graceful—like smooth lines that are well drawn. This is the only option that works for this question.

Whenever something is "rigid," it is unbending. A rigid piece of wood is one that is very stiff. We use the word also to describe someone's habits. A person of "rigid" habits is a person who does not change his or her ways of acting. This is the sense in which the word is being used here. None of the other options match the notion of being rigid except for "unchangeable."

The word "radiant" comes from Latin roots meaning to shine or (more obviously) to put out rays. Hence, we speak of the sun as being "radiant" because it shines out "light rays." Likewise, we talk about "radiant heating" because the source of heat puts out infrared rays (or "heat rays"). This word can also be used to describe someone who is very happy, as when we say, "Thomas was radiant when he was told that he won the award." This is the meaning for this question, and "jubilant" is a good synonym, as it means full of joy. Think of it like someone shining with "joy rays"!

You are likely most familiar with the word "circulate" from its use in biology or anatomy. Blood circulates in the body, meaning that it "goes around" through the whole body. As the word clearly indicates, it makes the "complete circuit" or the "full circle" of the body.

However, things like news can be said to circulate as well. By this, we mean that the news "gets out." Whenever a rumor circulates, it is told to many people. Hence, the word "circulate" can have "communicate" as a synonym. Do not be tricked by the options that seem to be related to anatomy as well as blood—such as "embodied," "bleed," and "seep." None of these words are directly about the actual movement of things, as is indicated by the word "circulate."

The word "cement" is most familiar when it is used to describe the kind of hard material that we often see in sidewalks and as a general building material; however, the word generally indicates the process or material that helps something to "stay in place." Hence, as a verb, you can even use the word "cement" to describe something like a business agreement or a relationship. Multiple people can get together to put together an agreement. When it is "cemented," it has been firmly established. You can think of it like being "rock-hard" like the building material with which you are likely familiar.

We tend to think of being "buried" in terms of physical burial. Whenever someone dies, his or her body is buried in the ground. This means that it is placed under the soil. It is this general sense of "placing under" that is the root of the meaning being used here. Whenever someone "buries" his or her feelings, that person hides them—sometimes even from himself or herself. Hence, the word "buried" could have "concealed" for one of its synonyms, as it does in this question.

When something is "sleek," it is very clean and smooth. It is often used to describe the kind of smooth hair that a person or animal can have when we say that it is "slicked back"; however, this kind of clean and smooth appearance can also indicate that something is "in style" or at least elegant (as opposed to something that is a total mess). This is the way "sleek" is being used in this question, for the only acceptable option is "stylish."