SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1041 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FOSTER

Possible Answers:

Polarize

Eradicate

Renounce

Stifle

Promote growth

Correct answer:

Promote growth

Explanation:

"Foster" means to "promote growth" or to nurture or to support something.

"Eradicate" means to eliminate or destroy or remove.

"Polarize" means to divide into opposites, to split.

"Renounce" means to abandon, to reject, to quit.

"Stifle" means to suppress, to restrain, or to prevent from expanding or growing.

Example Question #1042 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COVET

Possible Answers:

Allow

Desire

Pretend

Dislike

Reject

Correct answer:

Desire

Explanation:

The verb "covet" means to want to possess something, to yearn for something, to "desire" something.

Example Question #1043 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REPRESS

Possible Answers:

Dispute

Deride

Control

Assume

Ordain

Correct answer:

Control

Explanation:

The verb "repress" has several different meanings, all of which are loosely related. It can mean to put down an uprising or protest; it can mean to prevent or restrain; it can mean to control and suppress; or it can mean to push down one's emotions so that they are subconscious and concealed. Additionally, "ordain" means make holy or formally approve of; "dispute" means argue against a certain point; "deride" means mock, speak negatively about and make fun of; "assume" means believe something to be true without actually knowing.

Example Question #1044 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRET

Possible Answers:

Sanction

Worry

Appease

Scorn

Repudiate

Correct answer:

Worry

Explanation:

"Fret" means to "worry," to agonize, or to brood.

"Sanction" means to authorize, approve or certify.

"Repudiate" means to abandon something, to turn one's back on, to reject something.

"Scorn" means to feel contempt, to sneer or to disdain.

"Appease" means to satisfy, to pacify or to alleviate.

Example Question #1045 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INCITE

Possible Answers:

Encourage

Rescind

Connote

Devise

Diagnose

Correct answer:

Encourage

Explanation:

"Incite" means to encourage, to provoke, or to rally people.

"Connote" means to signify, to mean, or to hint at.

"Devise" means to come up with, to concoct, or to mastermind

"Diagnose" means to identify a disease or an issue, to determine, to investigate.

"Rescind" means to declare null and void, to cancel or to dismantle.

Example Question #1046 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXHORT

Possible Answers:

Chastise

Concur

Warn

Extol

Deter

Correct answer:

Warn

Explanation:

"Exhort" means to "warn," to advise, or to admonish.

"Chastise" means to scold, to tell off, to reprimand.

"Extol" means to sing the praises of, to celebrate, to commend

"Concur" means to agree or to approve.

"Deter" means to inhibit something or someone, to stop them, to obstruct them.

Example Question #1047 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PETRIFY

Possible Answers:

Terrify

Encourage

Convince

Welcome

Malign

Correct answer:

Terrify

Explanation:

"Petrify" means to terrify or to scare someone so badly that they can't move; "petrify" can also mean to become inert or fossilized.

"Convince" means to assure or persuade someone.

"Welcome" means to receive someone, to accost someone or approach someone with a greeting.

"Malign" means to defame, besmirch, or denigrate something.

"Encourage" means to stimulate, to boost or to buoy someone's confidence; to give someone courage.

Example Question #1048 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ELICIT

Possible Answers:

forget

put in

never mention

consume

draw out

Correct answer:

draw out

Explanation:

Elicit means to draw out.

Example Question #261 : Synonyms: Verbs

A synonym of "behoove" is __________.

Possible Answers:

be different from

decorous

reveal

be proper for

be similar to

Correct answer:

be proper for

Explanation:

"Behoove" is a verb that means "to be necessary, proper, or advantageous for," so we need to pick out another word or phrase that has a similar meaning. While "decorous" might look like a good answer choice because "decorous" means "proper," "decorous" is an adjective while "behoove" is a verb, so "decorous" cannot be the correct answer. Because "be proper for" is closest in meaning to "behoove" of the given answer choices, "be proper for" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1049 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "dovetail" is __________.

Possible Answers:

explore

harmonize

disentangle

combine

part

Correct answer:

harmonize

Explanation:

"Dovetail" is a verb that means "to fit together in a pleasing or satisfying way," so we need to pick out another word that means "to fit together well." While "combine" means "unite" or "merge," it does not include the positive connotation that "dovetail" does in that "merge" does not necessarily entail two things combining "in a pleasing or satisfying way." "Harmonize," however, besides meaning "to play or sing different musical notes that sound pleasing together," also means "to be combined or go together in a pleasing way." Because "harmonize" not only means "combine" but also includes the positive connotation of "in a pleasing way," "harmonize" is the best answer.

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