Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States - SSAT Middle Level Verbal

"Aghast" is an adjective that means stunned or horrified, so we need to find another adjective that means something that has to do with feeling shock or fear. While "ghastly" sounds like "aghast," it is an adjective that means terrible or shocking. Since "ghastly" does not mean the same thing as "aghast" ("shocking" doesn't mean the same thing as "shocked"), it can't be the right answer. "Alarmed," on the other hand, means frightened, and since it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "aghast," it is the correct answer.

"Contrite" is an adjective that means "feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt," so we need to pick out another adjective that means something like "feeling guilty." While "pennant" and "penitent" sound quite similar to one another, "pennant" is a noun meaning "a long, thin, pointed flag," while "penitent" is an adjective meaning "feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentant." Because "penitent" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "contrite," "penitent" is the correct answer.

"Tranquil" means that something, like a setting, is calming, peaceful.

"Sanguine" most nearly means cheery when faced with difficulty, as in "Despite the fact that his opponent had beaten him before, Gary remained sanguine about his chances of winning the race."

"Envious" most nearly means jealous, as in "Admiring the movie star's gorgeous looks, Lori felt slightly envious of her beauty."

"Tranquil" means peaceful; Loud means noisy; Rowdy means loud and unruly; Sleepy means tired; and Wealthy means rich.

"Content" means satisfied or happy; Extensive means thorough; Important means relevant; Paltry means of small amount; and Enormous means huge.

"Agitated" means upset or disturbed.

"Miserable" means sad and unhappy.

To feel "despondent" means the same as to feel sad and hopeless. For clarification, "severe" means intense.

If someone is "irate" they are very angry or furious.

Someone who is "hysterical" is out of control. "Hysterical" can also mean very funny or mentally unwell, depending on the circumstances.

To feel "exasperated" means to feel very frustrated. For clarification, "magnificent" means glorious and wonderful; "munificent" means generous; "gregarious" means outgoing and sociable.

"Lonely" describes someone who feels alone or is friendless, so "friendless" is the correct answer_._ "Popular" is an antonym of "lonely"; it describes someone who has many friends. "Talkative" is a synonym of garrulous and describes someone who talks a lot. "Joyful" means very happy. "Chaotic" means involving disorder or confusion.

Someone who is "exuberant" is very cheerful, so "cheerful" is the correct answer. For clarification, "feral" means wild, "parsimonious" means not generous, "languid" means lazy and lethargic or slow when referring to movement(s), and "kinetic" means having to do with movement.

"Miserable" means sad or unhappy, so "unhappy" is the correct answer. "Joyful" is an antonym of "miserable"; it means very happy or cheerful. "Lethal" means dangerous and possibly causing death. "Sturdy" means strong or robust. "Grimy" means filthy or dirty.

"Livid" means furious, irate or very angry, so "very angry" is the correct answer.

"Elated" means very happy, so "jubilant," an adjective that means triumphant or gleeful, is the correct answer. "Depressed" is an antonym of "elated" and "jubilant"; it means sad and gloomy. None of the other answer choices have meanings related to that of "elated": "tasty" means delicious or flavorful; "frigid" means very cold; and "friendly" means amiable.

"Sheepish" means embarrassed or uncomfortable, so "embarassed" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "sheepish": "swift" means rapid or quick; "energetic" means lively or having or showing a lot of energy; "sympathetic" means compassionate or understanding; and "flexible" means bendable.

"Avid" means enthusiastic, or being very eager and passionate about something.

None of the other words are synonyms of avid:

"Trivial" means not important.

"Rigorous" means intensive, demanding or difficult.

"Pompous" means having an annoying sense of self-importance or something that is excessively pretentious.

"Acidic" means the quality of having acid, or of being sour.