SSAT Elementary Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

ASSUAGE

Possible Answers:

Demand

Embolden 

Zoom

Depict 

Calm 

Correct answer:

Calm 

Explanation:

"Assuage" means to calm someone or something down, so "calm," which when used as a verb means make calm, is the correct answer. To help you, "depict" means to show, "embolden" means to make brave, "demand" means forcefully ask for something, and "zoom" means to travel at a very fast speed.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

LOATHE

Possible Answers:

Adore

Study

Despise

Clarify

Correct answer:

Despise

Explanation:

The answer is "despise." "Despise" and "loathe" are verbs that mean dislike strongly, such as in the sentence, "He despises people who bully others."

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

SEDATE

Possible Answers:

Listen 

Deny 

Settle down 

Admit 

Scold 

Correct answer:

Settle down 

Explanation:

To "sedate" something means to use medicine to make it sleep, to calm it, or settle it down. So, "settle down" is the correct answer. To help you, "scold" means reprimand, and "deny" means refuse to accept something.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

GRIMACE

Possible Answers:

Scowl 

Grin

Demand 

Chuckle 

Whisper

Correct answer:

Scowl 

Explanation:

To “grimace” is to express sadness or anger or pain with your face, and as such, it is closest in meaning to “scowl,” which means frown to convey great sadness or anger. To provide further help, to “chuckle” is to laugh quietly; to "grin" is to smile broadly, to "whisper" is to speak in a low, quiet voice so as not to be heard, and to “demand” is to tell someone they have to do something as if they don't have a choice.

Example Question #6 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

SUCCUMB

Possible Answers:

Hide under 

Turn around 

Walk about 

Give in

Go over

Correct answer:

Give in

Explanation:

"Succumb" means to yield to overpowering strength, force, appeal, or desire. If you “succumb” to something, you give in to it, or you yield to it. A common expression is to “succumb to temptation.”

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

AGGRAVATE

Possible Answers:

Irritate 

Argue 

Object 

Differ

Convey 

Correct answer:

Irritate 

Explanation:

To "aggravate" a person means to irritate or to annoy him or her. To aggravate a problem means to make it worse. So, the correct answer is "irritate." None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "aggravate": "object," when used as a verb, means interrupt to disagree, and is used this way in courts of law; "differ" means to be different from; "argue" means to talk about a disagreement heatedly; and "convey" means transport when referring to a physical object, or impart when referring to an idea.

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ASTONISH

Possible Answers:

Decimate

Reform

Surprise

Deflect

Reject

Correct answer:

Surprise

Explanation:

"Surprise" means amaze or "astonish," so "astonish" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

DREAD

Possible Answers:

Sadness

Anticipation

Welcome

Fear

Correct answer:

Fear

Explanation:
The answer is "fear." "Fear" and "dread" are verbs that mean anticipate with horror, such as in the sentence, "He had a great fear of heights, so he could never climb a ladder."

Example Question #151 : Synonyms: Verbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

COAX

Possible Answers:

Repel

Allow

Consider

Urge

Please

Correct answer:

Urge

Explanation:

The word "urge" has a similar meaning to word "coax." Both words mean encourage someone to do something.

Example Question #152 : Synonyms: Verbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

EXULT

Possible Answers:

Grab

Declare

Forfeit

Celebrate

Arrange

Correct answer:

Celebrate

Explanation:

"Exult" means celebrate because of having succeeded at something. A soccer team might exult in their victory over a rival team, for example. "Celebrate" is thus the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "exult."

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