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 #371 : Synonyms

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

RUSTIC

Possible Answers:

Slovenly

Handsome

Urban

Grisly

Rural

Correct answer:

Rural

Explanation:

"Rustic" means "rural," or it can mean plain or crude

"Grisly" means gross, gruesome or horrifying.

"Slovenly" means disgusting, unkempt or dirty.

"Handsome" means physically attractive.

"Urban" means related to cities; it is the opposite of rural.

Example Question #372 : Synonyms

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

DRAB

Possible Answers:

Flamboyant

Polished

Vibrant

Flimsy

Dull

Correct answer:

Dull

Explanation:

"Drab" means "dull" or bleak or rundown.

"Polished" means brightly shining or gleaming due to being cleaned with polish; it can also mean elegant or well-executed, when referring to an action.

"Flamboyant" means extravagant or flashy.

"Flimsy" means not sturdy; thin and insubstantial.

"Vibrant" means colorful, lively or vivid.

Example Question #373 : Synonyms

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

LUMINOUS

Possible Answers:

Putrid

Dull

Flowery

Outrageous

Radiant

Correct answer:

Radiant

Explanation:

"Luminous" means "radiant" or glowing; shining with light.

"Flowery" means overly ornate, excessively fancy. Typically refers to unnecessarily fancy language.

"Outrageous" means barbaric, very bad or something that causes outrageous.

"Putrid" means rotten or stinky or contaminated.

"Dull" means not bright or shiny; drab or cloudy.

Example Question #374 : Synonyms

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

URBANE

Possible Answers:

Lanky

Pristine

Unrealistic

Stained

Civilized

Correct answer:

Civilized

Explanation:

"Urbane" means "civilized," cosmopolitan or sophisticated.

"Lanky" means long-limbed, gangly or tall and thin.

"Unrealistic" means fanciful or not believable.

"Pristine" means pure, untouched by civilization, primeval.

"Stained" means dirty, impure or sullied.

Example Question #375 : Synonyms

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

SALLOW

Possible Answers:

Angelic

Unhealthy

Vigorous

Portly

Phony

Correct answer:

Unhealthy

Explanation:

"Sallow" means "unhealthy," pale, dull.

"Angelic" means like an angel; sweet, kind and typically beautiful.

"Phony" means false or bogus.

"Portly" means fat, round, overweight.

"Vigorous" means full of vigor, vivacious, energetic.

Example Question #376 : Synonyms

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

AJAR

Possible Answers:

Slightly open

Small

Underneath

Spectacular

Tidy

Correct answer:

Slightly open

Explanation:

"Ajar" means "slightly open" or open a crack. For example, the door was ajar.

"Tidy" means neat, clean or orderly.

"Small" means not large in size, petite, or little

"Spectacular" means wonderful, impressive or something that catches the eye.

"Underneath" is a preposition that means below or under something.

Example Question #377 : Synonyms

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

DAPPER

Possible Answers:

Classy

Ugly

Drab

Sweltering

Gloomy

Correct answer:

Classy

Explanation:

'Dapper' means "classy," well-groomed or elegant.

"Gloomy" means dismal, depressing, sullen. Also has a meaning of dark or shadowed when describing landscapes.

"Sweltering" means extremely hot in temperature, scorching, humid.

"Drab" means bleak, colorless, or run-down in appearance.

"Ugly" means unattractive or unsightly. It can also describe anything that is unpleasant or dangerous.

Example Question #378 : Synonyms

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

HORRID

Possible Answers:

Horticultural

Inappropriate

Homely

Honest

Dreadful

Correct answer:

Dreadful

Explanation:

The words "horrid" and "dreadful" are synonymous. They refer to something that inspires fear. The other answer choices do not have this meaning. Words like "homely," "honest," and "horticultural" may seem to have similar prefixes, but they have completely unrelated meanings.

Example Question #379 : Synonyms

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

SICKLY

Possible Answers:

Rosy

Glowing

Enthused

Invigorated

Insipid

Correct answer:

Insipid

Explanation:

"Sickly" and "insipid" are synonyms describing something that shows low levels of energy. All of the other choices are antonyms of the words "sickly" and "insipid." If you consider them carefully, you'll notice that they are very closely related to each other. This may help you deduce the correct answer.

Example Question #380 : Synonyms

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

OVERT

Possible Answers:

Askew

Pudgy

Disguised

Apparent

Tilted

Correct answer:

Apparent

Explanation:

"Overt" means "apparent" or undisguised.

"Pudgy" means fat, overweight or chubby.

"Tilted" means leaned or slanted.

"Askew" means crooked or not straight.

"Disguised" means hidden by a false appearance or unrecognizable.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors