SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1041 : Synonyms

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

AGITATE

Possible Answers:

Decipher

Convince

Highlight

Upset

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 #1042 : Synonyms

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

PERTURB

Possible Answers:

Enjoy

Complain

Acquire

Indict

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 #1043 : Synonyms

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

GRATIFY

Possible Answers:

Please

Correct

Mistake

Barter

Sling

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 #1044 : Synonyms

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

YEARN

Possible Answers:

Detach

Consult

Desire

Blend

Fast

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 #1045 : Synonyms

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

SEDATE

Possible Answers:

Tranquilize

Encourage

Forbid 

Drive insane

Allow 

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 #1046 : Synonyms

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

SCORN

Possible Answers:

Encourage 

Disdain 

Repulsive 

Enamored 

Jocular 

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 #1047 : Synonyms

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

PERTURB

Possible Answers:

Erode

Strut

Scurry

Disconcert

Apprehension

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 #1048 : Synonyms

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

INDULGE

Possible Answers:

Gratify

Prevent

Superimpose

Maintain

Limit

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 #1049 : Synonyms

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

SCORN

Possible Answers:

Disdain

Persuasion

Admiration

Demolition

Business

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 #1050 : Synonyms

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

RELISH

Possible Answers:

Dislike

Savor

Ignore

Forget

Persuade

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.

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