SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

ABSCOND. 

Possible Answers:

Profound 

Flee

Obdurate

Ameliorate

Annoy

Correct answer:

Flee

Explanation:

To “abscond” means to run away or flee. For clarification, "profound" means deep and meaningful; "ameliorate" means to relieve; "obdurate" means stubborn.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

SEMINAL.

Possible Answers:

Sensual 

Soliloquy

Sound

Sardonic 

Ground-breaking 

Correct answer:

Ground-breaking 

Explanation:

“Seminal” means ground-breaking work. For clarification, "soliloquy" is part of a play in which a character talks alone to the audience; "sardonic" means ironic and whimsical; "sensual" means relating to physical pleasure.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

UMBRAGE.

Possible Answers:

Loud

Soft

Youthful

Offense

Understanding

Correct answer:

Offense

Explanation:

To take “umbrage” means to take offense and resent somebody.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

VIVACIOUS.

Possible Answers:

Lethargic

Miserly

Energetic 

Generous

Critical

Correct answer:

Energetic 

Explanation:

To be “vivacious” means to feel energetic. For clarification, "lethargic" means very lazy and exhausted; "miserly" is an antonym of generous.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

INIMICAL.

Possible Answers:

Pulchritudinous 

Bountiful

Adverse

Comely 

Winsome

Correct answer:

Adverse

Explanation:

Something that is “inimical” is unfavorable or adverse. For clarification pulchritudinous means beautiful and comely means cute; winsome means charming and bountiful means plentiful.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

BRUMAL.

Possible Answers:

Meaningful

Incendiary

Colloquial

Provocative

Wintry

Correct answer:

Wintry

Explanation:

“Brumal” is a synonym for cold and wintry conditions. For clarification incendiary and provocative are synonyms that both mean likely to provoke an adverse reaction; colloquial refers to a type of speaking distinct to a certain people or area.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

BATTERY. 

Possible Answers:

Energy 

Create 

Assault

Power

Defense 

Correct answer:

Assault

Explanation:

“Battery” describes the unlawful use of force against somebody. The best available synonym would therefore be “assault.”

Example Question #2 : Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

SYNOPSIS.

Possible Answers:

Forensic 

Umbrage 

Deleterious

Disease 

Summary 

Correct answer:

Summary 

Explanation:

A “synopsis” is a summary of events and is usually used as in “a synopsis of the movie . . .” For clarification, "deleterious" means very harmful; "umbrage" means to take offense; forensic is the science of crime-solving.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

TEDIOUS. 

Possible Answers:

Provocative

Elusive 

Understanding

Careful

Dull

Correct answer:

Dull

Explanation:

Tedious means dull or boring. For clarification provocative means challenging and stimulating; elusive means hard to track down.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

SURFEIT.

Possible Answers:

Lack 

Deficiency

Deviancy

Shortage 

Excess

Correct answer:

Excess

Explanation:

Having a “surfeit” of something means you have an excess of it. For clarification, "lack," "deficiency," and "shortage" are all synonyms that mean to not have enough of something making them antonyms of “surfeit” and excess; "deviancy" refers to immoral behavior.

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