ISEE Upper Level Vocabulary — Words to Know, with Examples

How the Upper Level tests vocabulary

Vocabulary on the ISEE is tested in the Verbal Reasoning section: 40 four-option questions in 20 minutes at the Upper Level. Two question types share the section. Synonym questions give one word and ask for the closest meaning. Sentence completion questions give a sentence with a blank and ask which word fits it best — so knowing a definition is not enough; you need to know how the word is used.

Upper Level words are formal and often literary: “abhorrent”, “ascertain”, “circumspect”. Many are rare in conversation, and several answer choices are usually close in meaning, so precise shades of meaning — and connotation — decide the question.

Words to Know

30 ISEE Upper Level words

A sample from the Upper list, each with a definition and an example sentence. Every word links to its own page with pronunciation, synonyms, translations and a practice question.

dormant — adj. not active or growing but having the ability to become active
The volcano has been dormant for centuries, but it could erupt again.
equanimity — n. calmness; composure; serenity
She faced the crisis with remarkable equanimity.
exemplary — adj. outstandingly good; serving as a desirable model or example.
Her exemplary performance in the project earned her a promotion.
exhaustive — adj. complete and thorough
The report was exhaustive and covered every aspect of the issue.
explicate — v. explain clarify interpret
The professor helped to explicate the complex theory.
famine — n. a severe shortage of food resulting in widespread hunger
The prolonged drought led to a severe famine in the region.
folly — n. lack of good sense or judgment; foolishness.
Building a castle in the middle of the desert was an act of pure folly.
glutton — n. a person who eats and drinks excessively or voraciously
He's a glutton for seafood, unable to resist every new dish.
hapless — adj. unlucky, unfortunate
The hapless traveler encountered one setback after another during his journey.
immeasurable — adj. impossible to measure or calculate
The value of true friendship is immeasurable.
implicit — adj. implied; understood; unspoken
Her silence gave implicit consent.
inapt — adj. inappropriate; unsuitable; inept
His sarcastic comment was quite inapt for the serious occasion.
indulgent — adj. lenient; permissive; spoiling
The indulgent parents spoiled their child.
insuperable — adj. impossible to overcome
The challenges faced by the expedition seemed insuperable, yet they persevered.
intrinsic — adj. inherent; essential; built-in
The intrinsic value of the artwork was immeasurable.
laconic — adj. using very few words
His speech was laconic, leaving a lot unsaid.
latent — adj. existing but not yet developed or manifest; hidden or concealed
The virus can remain latent in the body for years without causing symptoms.
perilous — adj. full of danger or risk
The hikers knew they faced a perilous journey through the mountains.
persevere — v. to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult
Despite numerous setbacks, she continued to persevere with her research.
preclude — v. to prevent something from happening
Her injury precluded her from participating in the competition.
prestige — n. high status or respect based on qualities or achievements
The university is known for its academic prestige.
rampant — adj. flourishing or spreading unchecked
Corruption was rampant in the government.
refute — v. disprove; contradict; rebut
She was able to refute all the accusations.
reprehensible — Adj. blameworthy; condemnable; shameful
Mr. Cramer said the violence by anti-government protestors was reprehensible.
sanction — n. penalty; approval; authorize
The UN imposed sanctions on the country.
scant — adj. insufficient; meager; limited
There was a scant amount of evidence to support his claim.
self-effacing — adj. modest humble unassuming
Despite his achievements, he remained remarkably self-effacing.
sequester — v. isolate separate confine
The jury was sequestered during the trial.
vapid — adj. dull; boring; lifeless
The conversation was vapid and uninspiring.
voluble — adj. Fluent and talkative; eloquent
She was a very voluble speaker, never at a loss for words.

The full Upper list is studied one word at a time: start a Upper Level study session.

How to study Upper Level vocabulary

Study connotation, not just meaning: “frugal” and “stingy” overlap, but only one is a compliment.
Read widely in formal prose — editorials, classic novels, science writing — where these words live.
When two choices look right, pick the one that fits the sentence’s tone as well as its meaning.

Practise in the real format

Each practice test follows the Upper Level Verbal Reasoning format, with every answer explained: Upper Level Practice Test 1 · Upper Level Practice Test 2 · Upper Level Practice Test 3.

For the whole test — levels, scoring and how to prepare — see the ISEE guide. Other levels: ISEE Lower Level vocabulary · ISEE Middle Level vocabulary.

ISEE Upper Level vocabulary FAQ

What vocabulary is on the ISEE Upper Level?

The ISEE Upper Level, for students applying to grades 9–12, tests vocabulary in the Verbal Reasoning section through synonym questions and sentence completion questions. Upper Level words are formal and often literary: “abhorrent”, “ascertain”, “circumspect”. Many are rare in conversation, and several answer choices are usually close in meaning, so precise shades of meaning — and connotation — decide the question.

How long is the ISEE Upper Level Verbal Reasoning section?

40 questions in 20 minutes, all multiple choice with four options. ERB does not publish a fixed split between synonym and sentence completion questions; practice tests usually treat it as roughly half and half.

How many words should I study for the ISEE Upper Level?

There is no official ISEE word list. The iSEE Vocab Upper list has 800+ words chosen for this level; students who work through a list of that size, with example sentences, are well prepared for the vocabulary the test uses.

How is the Upper Level different from the Middle Level?

Middle Level uses the same format with more familiar words; Upper Level expects precision between near-synonyms.

What is the best way to study ISEE Upper Level vocabulary?

Study connotation, not just meaning: “frugal” and “stingy” overlap, but only one is a compliment. Read widely in formal prose — editorials, classic novels, science writing — where these words live. When two choices look right, pick the one that fits the sentence’s tone as well as its meaning.