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 #31 : Synonyms

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

MAGNATE

Possible Answers:

Resident

Lodestone

Commuter

Tycoon

Windfall

Correct answer:

Tycoon

Explanation:

"Magnate" is a noun that means "a person who has great wealth and power in a particular business or industry," so we need to find another word that means something like "a person who has power in a certain industry." While "magnate" may sound like "magnet" and "lodestone" is a synonym of "magnet," "magnet" does not mean the same thing as "magnate," so it can't be the correct answer. "Tycoon," however, means "a very wealthy and powerful business person," and since its meaning is closest to "magnate" of the given answer choices, "tycoon" is the correct answer.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Nouns For People

Synonyms: pick the word that is most similar in meaning to the word in question.

Vagabond

Possible Answers:

Wanderer

Fitness

Trespasser

Extension

Loan

Correct answer:

Wanderer

Explanation:

A "vagabond" is a wanderer. The Latin root word, "vagari," means to roam.

Example Question #32 : Synonyms

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

PHYSICIAN

Possible Answers:

Queen

Doctor

Henchman

Rascal

Churl

Correct answer:

Doctor

Explanation:

"Physician" means "a doctor."

"Henchman" means a ruthless subordinate, usually a criminal.

"Rascal" means a dishonest or unscrupulous person.

"Churl" means someone who is rude and surly.

"Queen" is a female monarch.

Example Question #33 : Synonyms

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

RUFFIAN

Possible Answers:

Pontiff

Hoodlum

Spectator

Cherub

Scribe

Correct answer:

Hoodlum

Explanation:

A "ruffian" is a "hoodlum," a troublemaker or a delinquent.

None of the other words are synonymous with ruffian:

"Spectator" means a bystander or someone who views an event or a spectacle.

"Pontiff" means the pope, or the leader of the Catholic Church.

A "scribe" is someone who makes hand-written copies of texts. Scribes still exist, but were more common in the time before the printing press was invented.

A "cherub" is a very cute baby, or a chubby angel child with wings.

Example Question #34 : Synonyms

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

MARAUDER

Possible Answers:

Offspring

Exemplar

Connoisseur

Jockey

Plunderer

Correct answer:

Plunderer

Explanation:

"Marauder" is a plunderer, or someone who raids people for profit.

"Offspring" means child of someone, or progeny.

"Connoisseur" means someone who is an expert in arts or matters of taste.

"Exemplar" is someone who is imitated.

"Jockey" is a professional horse racer.

Example Question #35 : Synonyms

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

PANACHE

Possible Answers:

Epiphany

Rapport

Ennui

Suffrage

Flamboyance

Correct answer:

Flamboyance

Explanation:

"Panache" means flamboyance, charisma or swagger.

"Ennui" means boredom, depression or weariness.

"Epiphany" means realization or revelation.

"Suffrage" means the ability to vote.

"Rapport" means understanding or empathy.

Example Question #36 : Synonyms

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

NEMESIS

Possible Answers:

Enemy

Hero

Neophyte

Sage

Juvenile

Correct answer:

Enemy

Explanation:

"Nemesis" means enemy, typically an unconquerable enemy.

"Hero" means someone who acts with bravery, a person who has performed a heroic act.

"Neophyte" means a beginner at something or a novice.

"Juvenile" means someone who is young or a child.

"Sage" means a deeply wise person.

Example Question #37 : Synonyms

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

EDUCATOR

Possible Answers:

Doctor

University

Technology

Textbook

Professor

Correct answer:

Professor

Explanation:

An "educator" is a person whose job it is to educate people. A "professor" is considered an "educator." An "educator" might use "technology" or a "textbook" as resources for teaching at a "university." Although a "doctor" can also be an educator, especially a university professor, "doctor" is not necessarily synonymous with "educator."

Example Question #38 : Synonyms

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

CHEMIST

Possible Answers:

Cavalier

Alchemist

Celtic

Cellist

Calvinist

Correct answer:

Alchemist

Explanation:

"Chemists" and "alchemists" are people who work with chemical processes. Both words also share a root: chem-. The other words may also describe kinds of people, but they are not at all related to the word chemical.

Example Question #39 : Synonyms

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

CONDUCTOR

Possible Answers:

Musician

Authority

Driver

Official

Navigator

Correct answer:

Driver

Explanation:

A "conductor" or a "driver" controls vehicles such as trains and cars. These words are synonymous. A "navigator" is someone who helps with directions and navigation. Although an orchestra "conductor" might lead a musician during a performance, these words are not synonymous.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors