Analogies: Determining Meaning from Type of Relationship - SSAT Upper Level Verbal

"Abeyance" means "suspension," a temporary state of pausing or immobility. So, which of these words has the same meaning as "accouterments?" Well, "accouterments" means items carried or owned for specific use. This is the same meaning as "equipment." Additionally, "notions" are ideas, thoughts; "armaments" are weapons.

"Ostensible" and "apparent" are synonyms, both words mean manifest and obvious or having the appearance of being true but not necessarily being so. So, which of these words has the same meaning as "insouciant?" Well, "insouciant" means indifferent, showing an inappropriate lack of concern for something. This is identical in meaning to "blasé." Additionally, "loquacious" means talkative; "drastic" means extreme, intense; "nominal" means insignificant, not important; "abstruse" means esoteric, hard to understand.

"Beguile" means "charm," enchant or attract someone. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "distribute?" The correct answer is "apportion," which means to allocate, to give to someone according to their share. Additionally, "blazon" means embellish, display or decorate; "renege" means break a promise, go back on one's word; "flout" means break or ignore the rules.

"Endow" and "bestow" are synonyms, both words mean to grant a sum of money, to confer a title, to give to. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "meliorate." Well, "meliorate" means ameliorate, to soothe or make better. This is fairly close in definition to "enhance," so this is the correct answer. Additionally, "assail" means attack; "succumb" means be unable to resist, 'give in to.'

"Arrogate" means to "claim" something without authority or justification. It is therefore loosely a synonym of "claim," so which of these words has a similar meaning to "abscond?" Well, "abscond" means to leave in a quick and secretive fashion usually with someone else, to flee, to "escape." Additionally, "convene" means meet up, come together; "grouse" means complain about something minor.

"Indefatigable" and "unflagging" are synonyms, both words mean relentless, tireless, persistent and tenacious. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "disingenuous." Well, "disingenuous" means not truthful, deceptive. So, the correct answer is "mendacious." Additionally, "truculent" means aggressive; "juvenile" means immature, youthful; "sincere" means open and honest, genuine; "debauched" means depraved, wicked, (of behavior) sinful.

"Contort" and "twist" are synonyms, both words mean to bend out of shape. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "encumber." Well, "encumber" means weigh down with, restrict the movement of. This is very similar in definition to "burden."

"Transient" and "ephemeral" are synonyms, both words mean fleeting, not eternal, lasting a short time. So, which of these words has the same meaning as "perspicacious?" Well, "perspicacious" means discerning, astute, able to understand and perceive things. This is the same definition as "shrewd." Additionally, "fraudulent" means inauthentic, not genuine, faked; "adulterated" means edited and made impure; "penitent" means feeling contrite and seeking forgiveness for; "extenuating" means (of circumstances) excusable.

An "aeronaut" is a "pilot," someone who operates planes. So, which of these words is a synonym of "arena?" The correct answer is "amphitheater." An "amphitheater" is an arena for sporting events or artistic performances. Additionally, a "mutineer" is a renegade, a rebel; a "platitude" is an unoriginal or insincere comment; "innuendo" is a remark that is generally suggestive and involves word-play; a "libation" is a religious offering, typically of a liquid.

"Febrile" and "feverish" are synonyms, both words mean having a fever, being in a state of fevered excitement and nervousness. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "extraordinary" (incredible, unusual and remarkable). The correct answer is "ineffable," which means so "extraordinary" as to be impossible to describe. Additionally, "mundane" means ordinary and boring; "maudlin" means overly sentimental; "assiduous" means hard-working, showing great care and effort; "insidious" means treacherous, having a gradual, but negative, effect.

"Indelible" means unable to be removed, "permanent." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "manifest." Well, "manifest" means apparent, obvious, clear. So, the correct answer is "patent," which means obvious, easily understood as true. Additionally, "concealed" means hidden, disguised; "supreme" means best, greatest; "irresolute" means uncertain, unsure; "exigent" means urgent, pressing, demanding.

"Catacomb" and "crypt" are synonyms, both words refer to an underground place where bodies are buried. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these has the same meaning as "apostle." Well, an "apostle" is a follower of a religion, particularly one of the earliest followers of Jesus Christ. So, the correct answer is "disciple." Additionally, an "incumbent" is someone who's authority is being challenged and who already holds a position of power; a "heretic" is a nonbeliever, someone who goes against religious teaching or denies some religious truth; a "pugilist" is a fighter; a "mendicant" is a beggar.

"Aphorism" and "maxim" are synonyms, both words refer to a pithy statement that relays some kind of truth or lesson. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "iconoclast." Well, an "iconoclast" is someone who verbally attacks long-held beliefs. This is similar in definition to a "critic." Additionally, a "deity" is a God; a "heathen" is a heretic, a nonbeliever.

"Elephantine" and "gigantic" are synonyms, both words mean excessively large, very big. So, which of these words has the same meaning as "morbid?" Well, "morbid" means demonstrating an abnormal and unsettling fascination with death. This is very similar in definition to "macabre," which means disturbing due to a close association with death. Additionally, "devout" means pious, deeply religious; "natal" means of or related to birth; "austral" means of or related to the south; "tumultuous" means chaotic, confusing and disordered.

"Dugout" and "shelter" are synonyms, both words mean a building intended to provide protection in the event of a bombing or other such act of war. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these has the same meaning as "lichen." Well, "lichen" is a very small, plant-like thing that grows on rocks and the sides of trees. This is also called a "moss." Additionally, a "quarry" is a place where stone or marble is mined; "fortitude" is strength and resilience, the ability to keep going in spite of setbacks; "temerity" is audacity, nerve, excessive arrogance and confidence especially in violation of the rules.

"Modulate" and "adjust" are synonyms, both words mean to make changes to something, to edit. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "indemnify." Well, "indemnify" means to give someone money for the loss of something or for harm caused. This is the same meaning as "compensate." Additionally, "duplicate" means produce a second copy of; "arrogate" means falsely lay claim to; "repatriate" means send someone back to the country they came from; "supplicate" means ask for passionately, beg, please.

"Civic" and "urban" are synonyms, both words mean of or related to a city or town. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "catholic." Well, "catholic" means all-encompassing, all-embracing, inclusive, or "universal." This is the original meaning of the Catholic Church (it was named as if it were the Universal Church, or the All-Encompassing Church). Additionally, "rural" means of or related to the countryside.

"Adhere" means to stick to, to support, or to "follow." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "renege." Well, to "renege" is to go back on one's word, to "break" a promise or agreement.

A "pachyderm" is another word for an "elephant," (although it can also be a rhino or a hippo). So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is another word for "death." The correct answer is "quietus," which is defined as "death," or a cause of "death," particularly if the "death" was a release from the burdens and suffering of life. Additionally, "epicene" means having the characteristics of both, or neither, genders; "epithet" means nickname, a phrase used to describe someone; a "refinery" is a machine or factory where raw material is refined; a "peon" is a subordinate, someone under the control and command of someone more powerful.

"Decamp" means to leave somewhere suddenly or in a secretive fashion. This is very similar in meaning to "abscond," to run away with, or to leave in a secretive fashion. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is synonym of "contravene." Well, "contravene" means to ignore the rules, to find a way around regulations. This is the same meaning as "flout." Additionally, "conform" means change one's behavior to match the expectations of society; "cower" means recoil, move away from in fear; "prune" means trim; "sanction" means formally or officially approve or allow.