SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1131 : Synonyms

A synonym of "enroll" is __________.

Possible Answers:

perturb

ignore

spin

matriculate

entrap

Correct answer:

matriculate

Explanation:

"Enroll" is a verb that means "to become a member of or a participant in," so we need to pick out another word that means "to become a member of." While "enroll" sounds like "roll" and "roll" and "spin" are close in meaning, "enroll" does not mean the same thing as "roll," so "spin" cannot be the correct answer. "Matriculate," however, means "to enroll as a member of a body, especially of a college or university." Since "matriculate" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "enroll," "matriculate" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1132 : Synonyms

A synonym of "transpire" is __________.

Possible Answers:

gape

sweet

occur

sweat

skimp

Correct answer:

occur

Explanation:

"Transpire" is a verb that means "happen," so we need to pick out another word that means "happen." While "transpire" sounds like "perspire," which means "to sweat," "sweat" is not the answer because while "transpire" and "perspire" sound alike, they have very different meanings. "Occur," however, means "happen; take place," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "transpire," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #1133 : Synonyms

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

ABJURE

Possible Answers:

Let in 

Open up 

Give up 

Go around 

Go up 

Correct answer:

Give up 

Explanation:

“Abjure” means give up or renounce, so "give up" is the correct answer. The prefix "ab-" is often related to the act of giving something up, as in the word “abdicate,” which means to give up the throne.

Example Question #1134 : Synonyms

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

BUNGLE

Possible Answers:

Activate

Demonstrate

Cottage

Create

Spoil

Correct answer:

Spoil

Explanation:

If you "bungle" something, you make a mistake. You might "bungle" a surprise party by letting the guest of honor accidentally know about the party. To "bungle" a task is to "spoil" or ruin the endeavor.

Example Question #1135 : Synonyms

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

ACQUIT

Possible Answers:

Absolve

Prosecute

Prosecute

Absolve

Convict

Correct answer:

Absolve

Explanation:

"Acquit" means to clear someone of charges or to "absolve" someone of criminal charges.

"Incarcerate" means to put someone in jail. "Blame" means to assign responsibility of a fault. "Convict" means to declare someone guilty of a crime and is an antonym to "acquit." "Prosecute" means to enact legal proceeding against a person.

Example Question #1136 : Synonyms

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

SQUANDER

Possible Answers:

Spend extravagantly

Explain

Dupe

Fall

Be frugal

Correct answer:

Spend extravagantly

Explanation:

"Squander" means to "spend extravagantly" or excessively.

"Explain" means to make understandable.

"Dupe" means to trick or to deceive.

"Fall" means to drop or descend under the force of gravity.

"Be frugal" means to be economical or not wasteful of money. It is the opposite of squander.

Example Question #1137 : Synonyms

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

EMULATE

Possible Answers:

Ensconce

Envy

Imitate

Scold

Conquer

Correct answer:

Imitate

Explanation:

"Emulate" is a verb that means model oneself after, or to imitate or match someone.

"Ensconce" means to safely settle in a place. "Envy" is the desire to have a quality belonging to someone else. "Scold" means to reprimand, or to express displeasure about somebody's actions. "Conquer" means to successfully overcome a challenge.

Example Question #1138 : Synonyms

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

FUMIGATE

Possible Answers:

Repudiate

Disinfect

Preserve

Fuse

Burn

Correct answer:

Disinfect

Explanation:

"Fumigate" is a verb that means to disinfect something by means of smoke or poisonous fumes.

"Fuse" means to join, or to meld objects. Often is means to weld two pieces of metal together.

"Repudiate" means to reject something as false or to turn one's back on something.

"Preserve" means to keep something safe in its original state.

"Burn" means to harm or destroy something with fire.

Example Question #1139 : Synonyms

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

TEEM

Possible Answers:

Succumb

Jeopardize

Eradicate

Cooperate

Swarm

Correct answer:

Swarm

Explanation:

"Teem" means swarm, or to be full of. For example, the evening air teemed with insects.

"Jeopardize" means to put in danger or imperil.

"Succumb" means to give in or to stop resisting something.

"Eradicate" means to eliminate or destroy something completely.

"Cooperate" means to help or assist somebody, or it means to agree to something or to participate in something.

Example Question #1140 : Synonyms

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

ABET

Possible Answers:

Assess

Aid

Halt

Propose

Hinder

Correct answer:

Aid

Explanation:

"Abet" means to "aid," or to help. "Abet" typically means to help someone commit a crime.

"Halt" means to bring to a stop, or to end.

"Assess" means evaluate, determine or judge.

"Propose" means to put an idea forward, to suggest or to introduce something.

"Hinder" means to slow, make something difficult or prevent something.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors