SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms: Verbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #241 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

SEDATE

Possible Answers:

Allow 

Drive insane

Encourage

Forbid 

Tranquilize

Correct answer:

Tranquilize

Explanation:

"Sedate" is a verb that describes the action of administering medicine to put someone or something into an artificially-induced calm or sleeping state. It can also be used as an adjective that means lazy or unhurried. So, "tranquilize," a verb that means to sedate using a tranquilizing drug, is the correct answer.

Example Question #242 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

SCORN

Possible Answers:

Repulsive 

Disdain 

Enamored 

Jocular 

Encourage 

Correct answer:

Disdain 

Explanation:

"Scorn" is a strong feeling of disdain or dislike, so "disdain," which means contempt or show contempt toward, is the correct answer. For clarification, "enamored" means having a strong like for or in love with, "jocular" means good-humored, "repulsive" means disgusting, and "encourage" means support.

Example Question #243 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

PERTURB

Possible Answers:

Apprehension

Strut

Disconcert

Erode

Scurry

Correct answer:

Disconcert

Explanation:

"Perturb" is a verb that means unsettle or annoy, so we need to pick out another word that means something like unsettle. While "apprehension" (anxiety about future events) might sound like the correct answer, "perturb" is a verb and "apprehension" a noun, so "apprehension" can't be the correct answer. "Disconcert," a verb meaning unsettle, is the answer choice closest in meaning to "perturb," so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #244 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

INDULGE

Possible Answers:

Limit

Prevent

Gratify

Superimpose

Maintain

Correct answer:

Gratify

Explanation:

"Indulge" is a verb that can mean "allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of," "become involved in (an activity, typically one that is undesirable or disapproved of)," "satisfy or yield freely to (a desire or interest)" when used with an object, or "allow (someone) to enjoy a desired pleasure," also when used with an object. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "allow oneself the pleasure of," "become involved in," or "satisfy." "Limit," then, cannot be the correct answer because "limit" is nearly an antonym of "indulge." "Gratify," however, is a verb that means either "give (someone) pleasure or satisfaction" or "indulge or satisfy (a desire)," and because "gratify" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "indulge," "gratify" is the correct answer.

Example Question #245 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

SCORN

Possible Answers:

Disdain

Business

Persuasion

Admiration

Demolition

Correct answer:

Disdain

Explanation:

“Scorn” is a noun that means “contempt,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “contempt.” That means that “admiration” cannot be the correct answer, because “admiration” means “respect and warm approval,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “scorn.” “Disdain,” however, is a noun that means “the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one’s consideration or respect; contempt,” and because “disdain” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “scorn,” “disdain” is the correct answer.

Example Question #246 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

RELISH

Possible Answers:

Dislike

Savor

Persuade

Ignore

Forget

Correct answer:

Savor

Explanation:

"Relish," when used as a verb, means either "enjoy greatly" or "be pleased by or about," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "enjoy" or "be pleased by or about." "Dislike," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "dislike" means the opposite of "enjoy greatly," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "relish." "Savor," however, is an verb that can mean "taste (good food or drink) and enjoy it completely," and because "savor" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "relish," "savor" is the correct answer.

Example Question #247 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

ENTHRALL

Possible Answers:

Disillusion

Confuse

Scare

Suggest

Captivate

Correct answer:

Captivate

Explanation:

"Enthrall" means to captivate someone's attention or to fascinate someone

"Scare" means to cause fear.

"Disillusion" means to cause somebody to consider his or her belief false.

"Suggest" means to put forward something for consideration

"Confuse" means to cause bewilderment.

Example Question #248 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

ABHOR

Possible Answers:

Evoke

Squander

Dissent

Perplex

Hate

Correct answer:

Hate

Explanation:

"Abhor" is a verb that means to hate, or to feel disgust.

None of the other words are synonymous with abhor.

"Evoke" means to conjure or call forth.

"Squander" means to spend money excessively or to waste your money.

"Dissent" means to disagree or to object to something.

"Perplex" means to confuse or to astound.

Example Question #249 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

ENDEAR

Possible Answers:

Insulate

Endorse

Captivate

Capitulate

Heartless

Correct answer:

Captivate

Explanation:

"Endear" means to attract affection and attention or to captivate.

None of the other words are synonyms of endear:

"To be heartless" means to be without feeling, or to be callous and cold.

"Capitulate" means to give up or to surrender.

"Endorse" means to give official or public approval to something.

"Insulate" means to protect or to close off, or it means to use a material that prevents loss of heat, such as when walls are insulated.

Example Question #250 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

ENERVATE

Possible Answers:

Mollify

Incorporate

Invoke

Rally

Tire

Correct answer:

Tire

Explanation:

"Enervate" means to tire or to exhaust or make feeble.

None of the other words are synonymous with enervate.

"Rally" means to gather people and excite them or to unite people for a cause.

"Incorporate" means to bring something in or to integrate or assimilate something.

"Invoke" means to call upon, and is typically used in a spiritual sense, such as invoking ancestors.

"Mollify" means to pacify or to calm somebody.

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