SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #951 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HURTLE

Possible Answers:

Sprint

Compare

Shrink

Distinguish

Drench

Correct answer:

Sprint

Explanation:

"Hurtle" means run or move at a great speed and usually in an uncontrolled manner, so "sprint," which means run very quickly, is the correct answer.  "Compare" means identify similar and dissimilar qualities of two or more things. "Shrink" means make smaller. "Drench" means wet or soak. "Distinguish" means tell apart two or more people or things.

Example Question #952 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ANNIHILATE

Possible Answers:

Build

Continue

to swell

Destroy

Deny

Correct answer:

Destroy

Explanation:

"Annihilate" means obliterate or completely destroy, so "destroy" is the correct answer. "Build" is an antonym of "annihilate" and "destroy"; it is a verb that means construct. "Deny" means refuse or reject. "Swell" means expand or become larger. "Continue" means keep going.

Example Question #953 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PLUNDER

Possible Answers:

Lend 

Aid 

Steal 

Vend 

Manage 

Correct answer:

Steal 

Explanation:

"Plunder," when used as a verb, means steal or loot, so "steal" is the correct answer. For clarification, "lend" means let someone borrow, "vend" means sell, "aid" means help, and "manage" means lead or cope.

Example Question #954 : Identifying Synonyms

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

THROB

Possible Answers:

Pulsate

Satisfy

Sever

Prepare

Defend

Correct answer:

Pulsate

Explanation:

"Throb" means to beat or pulsate in a steady manner, so "pulsate," which means palpitate or pulse, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "throb" or "pulsate": "prepare" means get ready for something; "satisfy" means meet the expecations or demands of someone or something; "defend" means support or protect, and "sever" means to cut off.

Example Question #955 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EVACUATE

Possible Answers:

Ambivalent 

Ascend 

Absolve 

Abandon 

Antagonize 

Correct answer:

Abandon 

Explanation:

"Evacuate" is a verb that means abandon an area or vehicle or remove from an area due to danger. For clarification, "ascend" means to rise up, "absolve" means exonerate or remove blame from, "antagonize" means provoke, and "ambivalent" means equivocal or indecisive.

Example Question #956 : Identifying Synonyms

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

QUIVER

Possible Answers:

Usurp 

Harangue 

Sturdy 

Dodge 

Tremble 

Correct answer:

Tremble 

Explanation:

"Quiver" means a shaking of the body caused by fear or surprise. So, the correct answer is “tremble,” which means shake. For clarification, "sturdy" means strong and reliable, "harangue" means rebuke or tell-off, "usurp" means to overthrow a leader and take over their position, and "dodge" means avoid.

Example Question #957 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LINGER

Possible Answers:

Oppose 

Counterfeit 

Solicit 

Remain 

Loquacious

Correct answer:

Remain 

Explanation:

"Linger" means to hang around, to remain. For clarification, "counterfeit" means fake, forged; "solicit" means to ask for something; "loquacious" means talkative.

Example Question #958 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RAMBLE

Possible Answers:

Deposit 

Enfranchise 

Lanky 

Kindle 

Stroll 

Correct answer:

Stroll 

Explanation:

A "ramble" is a leisurely walk, or a stroll. For clarification, "lanky" means tall and think; "enfranchise" means to set somebody free, to give someone the right to vote; "deposit" means drop off; "kindle" means to ignite, to inspire, to start.

Example Question #959 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WANE

Possible Answers:

Inculcate

Diminish 

Exacerbate 

Recalcitrant 

Remiss 

Correct answer:

Diminish 

Explanation:

To "wane" means to get smaller or to diminish. For example, when the moon "wanes," it appears to gradually get smaller in the sky. So, "diminish," a verb that also means to get smaller, is the correct answer. For clarification, "exacerbate" means to make worse, "remiss" means careless, "recalcitrant" means disobedient, and "inculcate" means to instill an idea into someone's mind.

Example Question #960 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ERADICATE

Possible Answers:

Decide

Filter

Destroy

Simplify

Taper

Correct answer:

Destroy

Explanation:

"Eradicate" means to destory completely or eliminate completely, so "destroy" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "eradicate": "simplify" means to make something more simple or easier to understand; "filter" means to remove unwanted material or impurities; "decide" means to choose or to make a decision; and "taper" means to narrow or to lessen slowly.

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