ISEE Upper Level Vocabulary - 300 Words

Vocabulary study cards covering 300 words for the ISEE Upper Level exam including definitions and synonyms.

Abridged

adj: compressed, reduced, shortened

Abrupt

adj: sudden, blunt, rude

Absolute

adj: complete, full, entire

Abundant

adj: ample, plenty, enough

Accentuate

verb: emphasize, highlight, focus on

Adage

noun: proverb, saying, motto

Adamant

adj: determined, unyielding, firm

Adept

adj: capable, proficient, skilled

Admonish

verb: reprimand, scold, crticize

Adorn

verb: embellish, enhance, garnish

Adversary

noun: enemy, attacker, rival

Affluent

adj: rich, prosperous, well-off

Affront

verb: insult, criticize, offend

Aghast

adj: very surprised, appalled, shocked

Agile

adj: athletic, energetic, lively

Ailment

noun: illness, disease, sickness

Alleviate

verb: relieve, lessen, ease

Aloof

adj: standoffish, detached, haughty

Ambiguous

adj: unclear, vague, obscure

Ambivalence

noun: doubt, hesitation, uncertainty

Amiable

adj: friendly, pleasant, agreeable

Ample

adj: abundant, plentiful, sufficient

Anecdote

noun: story, tale, account

Animosity

noun: extreme dislike, hatred, hostility

Anomalous

adj: unusual, atypical, unnatural

Antagonist

noun: enemy, opponent, competitor

Appease

verb: satisfy, pacify, calm

Arduous

adj: difficult, hard to endure, exhausting

Arid

adj: dry, parched, moistureless

Aspire

verb: aim, hope, strive

Barren

adj: desolate, empty, unproductive

Bias

noun: favoritism, partiality, preference

Bizarre

adj: strange, wild, unusual

Blatant

adj: shameless, conspicuous, obvious

Bliss

adj: gladness, joy, euphoria

Boisterous

adj: noisy, rowdy, raucous

Boycott

verb: avoid, ban, exclude

Brazen

adj: bold, impudent, insolent

Calamity

noun: disaster, tragedy, mishap

Callous

adj: merciless, ruthles, heartless

Candid

adj: honest, blunt, outspoken

Captivate

verb: fascinate, entice, enchant

Cater

verb: help, provide, supply

Certify

verb: approve, authorize, verify

Chronic

adj: persistent, lingering, constant

Chronology

noun: timeline, itinerary, program

Clich

adj: unoriginal, trite, overdone

Clinch

verb: secure, confirm, finalize

Cohesive

adj: united, connected, close-knit

Collaborate

verb: work together, cooperate, participate

Colossal

adj: very large, enormous, gigantic

Comprise

verb: contain, include, consist (of)

Concise

adj: to the point, succinct, brief

Concur

verb: agree, approve, assent

Condescending

adj: patronizing, arrogant, disdainful

Confound

verb: confuse, perplex, bewilder

Contrite

adj: remorseful, apologetic, repentant

Controversial

adj: disputable, polarizing, contentious

Convoluted

adj: complicated, intricate, confusing

Copious

adj: abundant, extensive, ample

Cordial

adj: friendly, gracious, warm

Corrosive

adj: erosive, caustic, destructive

Cower

verb: cringe, flinch, recoil

Crucial

adj: important, necessary, essential

Cryptic

adj: mysterious, obscure, enigmatic

Culpable

adj: guilty, at fault, blameworthy

Dearth

noun: shortage, lack, deficiency

Debacle

noun: disaster, catastrophe, tragedy

Debilitate

verb: disable, cripple, harm

Dcor

noun: furnishing, ornamentation, scenery

Deduction

noun: conclusion, answer, inference

Deface

verb: destroy, vandalize, ruin

Deficient

adj: imperfect, inadequate, faulty

Deliberate

adj: intentional, purposeful, planned

Depiction

noun: drawing, illustration, representation

Desist

verb: cease, stop, discontinue

Despondent

adj: depressed, dejected, morose

Destitute

adj: poor, impoverished, broke

Detain

verb: arrest, apprehend, restrain

Detest

verb: hate, despise, loathe

Detrimental

adj: damaging, destructive, harmful

Devour

verb: swallow, consume, eat

Didactic

adj: educational, preachy, instructive

Diminish

verb: lessen, decline, decrease

Discard

verb: dispose, dump, reject

Disdain

noun: contempt, scorn, dislike

Disparate

adj: contrasting, different, inconsistent

Dispose

verb: discard, eliminate, remove

Distort

verb: misrepresent, alter, warp

Divisive

adj: controversial, polarizing, conflicting

Dormant

adj: inactive, asleep, inoperative

Dubious

adj: doubtful, arguable, questionable

Eclectic

adj: diverse, varied, wide-ranging

Effective

adj: productive, efficient, compelling

Elation

noun: extreme happiness, bliss, glee

Eloquent

adj: articulate, expressive, outspoken

Elusive

adj: hidden, mysterious, puzzling

Embargo

noun: ban, restriction, barrier

Embezzle

verb: steal, pilfer, misappropriate

Endeavor

noun: attempt, effort, struggle