SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1021 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABHOR

Possible Answers:

Imagine 

Absolve 

Detest 

Love 

Abolish 

Correct answer:

Detest 

Explanation:

If you "abhor" something you hate and detest it. For clarification detest is a synonym of abhor; "abolish" means get rid of; "absolve" means to remove blame from someone.

Example Question #1022 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DREAD

Possible Answers:

Fear 

Despair 

Hope 

Love 

Aspire 

Correct answer:

Fear 

Explanation:

"Dread" means to fear something greatly, so "fear" is the correct answer. For clarification, "aspire" means aim or seek, and "despair" means a feeling of sadness and hopelessness

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

AGITATE

Possible Answers:

Highlight

Upset

Decipher

Convince

Surprise

Correct answer:

Upset

Explanation:

"Agitate" is a verb that means upset, so "upset" is the correct answer. "Highlight" means emphasize or call attention to. "Convince" means persuade or change a person's mind. "Decipher" means decode. "Surprise," when used as a verb, means shock or reveal something unexpected.

Example Question #1023 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PERTURB

Possible Answers:

Enjoy

Indict

Acquire

Complain

Disturb

Correct answer:

Disturb

Explanation:

"Perturb" means annoy or disturb, so "disturb" is the correct answer. "Enjoy" means take pleasure in a particular activity. "Complain" means express unhappiness about something. "Indict" means charge someone with a crime. "Acquire" means obtain something.

Example Question #1024 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GRATIFY

Possible Answers:

Sling

Barter

Please

Correct

Mistake

Correct answer:

Please

Explanation:

"Gratify" means pleasesatisfy, or gladden, so "please" is the correct answer. "Correct" means fix an error or mistake or make right. "Mistake," when used as a verb, means commit an error. "Barter" is a verb that means trade goods. "Sling," when used as a verb, means throw or fling an object.

Example Question #1025 : Identifying Synonyms

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

YEARN

Possible Answers:

Desire

Blend

Detach

Fast

Consult

Correct answer:

Desire

Explanation:

"Yearn" means to want something or to "desire" something. "Detach" means to remove or to disconnect. "Fast," when used as a verb, means to not eat, usually for a religious purpose. "Blend" means to mix together or to combine. "Consult" means to ask someone for advice.

Example Question #1026 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SEDATE

Possible Answers:

Forbid 

Encourage

Tranquilize

Allow 

Drive insane

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 #1027 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SCORN

Possible Answers:

Enamored 

Encourage 

Repulsive 

Jocular 

Disdain 

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 #1028 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PERTURB

Possible Answers:

Erode

Disconcert

Apprehension

Scurry

Strut

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 #1029 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INDULGE

Possible Answers:

Maintain

Limit

Prevent

Superimpose

Gratify

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.

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