SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #111 : Synonyms

A synonym of "intuition" is . . . 

Possible Answers:

intention

guess

climate

desire

hunch

Correct answer:

hunch

Explanation:

"Intuition" is a noun that means "the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning," so we need to pick out another noun that means something like "unconscious understanding." While "intention" may seem like a good answer choice because it sounds like "intuition," "intention" means "a thing intended; an aim or plan." Since "intuition" does not mean the same thing as "intention," it cannot be the correct answer. "Hunch," however, is a noun that means "a feeling or guess based on intuition rather than known facts," it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "intuition" and thus the correct answer.

Example Question #112 : Synonyms

Synonyms

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

FLUX

Possible Answers:

flow

stoppage

irate

twist

sick

Correct answer:

flow

Explanation:

A "flux" is a flow or a condition of constant change.

Example Question #113 : Synonyms

Synonyms

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

HIATUS

Possible Answers:

dismissal

salutation

cliff

a banquet

a break

Correct answer:

a break

Explanation:

A "hiatus" is a break.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

A synonym of "nicety" is __________.

Possible Answers:

subtlety

worry

attribute

classification

presence

Correct answer:

subtlety

Explanation:

"Nicety" is a noun that can mean "a fine detail or distinction, especially one regarded as intricate and fussy," "accuracy and precision," or "a minor aspect of polite social behavior; a detail of etiquette." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "a fine detail," "accuracy," or "a detail of etiquette." "Attribute," a word that when used as a noun means "a quality or feature regarded as a characteristic or inherent part of someone or something," might look like the correct answer because both "nicety" and "attribute" can refer to characteristics, but "subtlety" is actually the better answer, because "subtlety" can mean "a subtle distinction, feature, or argument," and better captures the connotation of fineness, intricateness, or fussiness that is part of the word "nicety." So, "subtlety" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

A synonym of "delusion" is __________.

Possible Answers:

persuasion

actuality

oblivion

fallacy

conviviality

Correct answer:

fallacy

Explanation:

"Delusion" is a noun that means "a belief that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by accepted as reality, typically a symptom of mental disorder," or "the action of deluding someone or the state of being deluded." So, we need to pick out a noun that means something like "misinterpretation." "Actuality," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "actuality" means "actual existence, typically as contrasted with what was intended, expected, or believed," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "delusion." "Fallacy," however, is a noun that can mean "a mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound argument," and because "fallacy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "delusion," "fallacy" is the correct answer.

Example Question #115 : Synonyms

A synonym of “zeal” is __________.

Possible Answers:

information

preparedness

fervor

detail

ennui

Correct answer:

fervor

Explanation:

“Zeal” is a noun that means “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “great energy or enthusiasm.” That means that “ennui” cannot be the correct answer, because “ennui” is a noun that means “a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “zeal.” “Fervor,” however, is a noun that means “intense and passionate feeling,” and because “fervor” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “zeal,” “fervor” is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Nouns For Abstract Concepts

A synonym of “reprieve” is __________.

Possible Answers:

frustration

agony

respite

movement

permanence

Correct answer:

respite

Explanation:

“Reprieve” is a word that can be used as a verb or a noun, but because all of the answer choices are nouns, we need to consider “reprieve” as a noun. When used as a noun, “reprieve” can mean “an official order that delays the punishment of a prisoner who is sentenced to death,” “a delay that keeps something bad from happening,” or “a period of relief from pain or trouble.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “an official order that delays a prisoner’s execution,” “a delay that keeps something bad from happening,” or “a period of relief.” That means that “agony” cannot be the correct answer, because “agony” means “extreme physical or mental suffering” or “the final stages of a difficult or painful death,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “reprieve.” “Respite,” however, is a noun that means “a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant,” and because “respite” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “reprieve,” “respite” is the correct answer.

Example Question #91 : Synonyms: Nouns

A synonym of “nuisance” is __________.

Possible Answers:

support

annoyance

boredom

formality

length

Correct answer:

annoyance

Explanation:

“Nuisance” is a noun that means “a person, thing, or circumstance causing inconvenience or annoyance,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “something or someone causing inconvenience.” That means that “comfort” cannot be the correct answer, because “comfort,” when used as a noun, can mean “a person or thing that gives consolation,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “nuisance.” “Annoyance,” however, is a noun that can mean “a thing that annoys someone; a nuisance,” and because “annoyance” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “nuisance,” “annoyance” is the correct answer.

Example Question #101 : Synonyms: Nouns

A synonym of “sabotage” is __________.

Possible Answers:

wreck

narrow

renovate

reconsider

supplant

Correct answer:

wreck

Explanation:

“Sabotage” is a word that can be used as a verb or a noun, but because all of the potential answer choices are verbs, we will need to consider it as a noun. When “sabotage” is used as a verb, it means “deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct (something), especially for political or military advantage,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “deliberately destroy.” That means that “renovate” cannot be the correct answer, because “renovate” is a verb that means “restore (something old, especially a building) to a good state of repair,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “sabotage.” “Wreck,” however, is a word that when used as a verb, can mean “destroy or severely damage (a structure or vehicle),” and because “wreck” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “sabotage,” “wreck” is the correct answer.

Example Question #102 : Synonyms: Nouns

A synonym of “assembly” is __________.

Possible Answers:

individual

network

facet

preparation

meeting

Correct answer:

meeting

Explanation:

“Assembly” is a noun that can mean “a group of people gathered together in one place for a common purpose,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “a group of people gathered together with a common goal.” That means that “individual” cannot be the correct answer, because “individual,” when used as a noun, means “a single human being as distinct from a group, class, or family,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “assembly.” “Meeting,” however, is a noun that means “an assembly of people, especially the members of a society or committee, for discussion or entertainment,” and because “meeting” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “assembly,” “meeting” is the correct answer.

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