SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1031 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SCORN

Possible Answers:

Business

Persuasion

Admiration

Demolition

Disdain

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 #1032 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RELISH

Possible Answers:

Forget

Savor

Persuade

Dislike

Ignore

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 #1033 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ENTHRALL

Possible Answers:

Disillusion

Suggest

Scare

Confuse

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 #1034 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABHOR

Possible Answers:

Perplex

Hate

Squander

Dissent

Evoke

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 #1035 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ENDEAR

Possible Answers:

Endorse

Capitulate

Heartless

Captivate

Insulate

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 #1036 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ENERVATE

Possible Answers:

Invoke

Incorporate

Mollify

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.

Example Question #1037 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UPSET

Possible Answers:

Bedazzle

Discombobulate

Distress

Confuse

Confound

Correct answer:

Distress

Explanation:

"Upset" and "distress" are synonymous verbs expressing the action of irritating someone, causing them stress or frustration. The other words are related to each other and are verbs expressing the action of "confusing" someone or causing them to feel "awe".

Example Question #1038 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EAGER

Possible Answers:

Emotional

Depressed

Enthusiastic

Gloomy

Moody

Correct answer:

Enthusiastic

Explanation:

The words "eager" and "enthusiastic" are both positively charged and are in fact synonymous, meaning to be excited about something! The other words do not have similar meanings, all referring to various emotional states, and are not synonymous with "eager."

Example Question #1039 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OVERWHELMED

Possible Answers:

Underachieve

Overachieve

Overnight

Overage

Overcome

Correct answer:

Overcome

Explanation:

The verbs "overwhelmed" and "overcome" are the closest in meaning both meaning to be overpowered or conquered (can be used metaphorically, as in "overcome with emotion"). "Overage" is a banking term; "overnight" describes something that lasts through the night until morning; "overachieve" refers to succeeding more than is expected at a task; "underachieve" is an antonym to "overachieve."

Example Question #1040 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BEWITCH

Possible Answers:

Attract

Deceive

Curse

Incense

Charm

Correct answer:

Charm

Explanation:

"Bewitch" means to "charm" someone, to fascinate or to dazzle someone.

"Incense" means to make someone very angry, to enrage.

"Reject" means to say no, to refuse, to deny.

"Deceive" means to mislead someone, to lie, to be dishonest.

"Curse" means to say a bad word, or to put an evil spell on someone.

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