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 #591 : Synonyms

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

CALLOUS

Possible Answers:

Insensitive

Compassionate

Caring

Dense

Criminal

Correct answer:

Insensitive

Explanation:

"Callous" means "insensitive" or cruel.

"Criminal" means corrupt or illegal.

"Dense" means thick or compressed; as a personality trait it means unintelligent.

"Compassionate" means caring and empathetic.

"Caring" means to be kind and attentive to another's needs.

Example Question #592 : Synonyms

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

SCRUPULOUS

Possible Answers:

Kind

Devious

Principled

Immoral

Monastic

Correct answer:

Principled

Explanation:

"Scrupulous" means "principled," honest or trustworthy.

"Kind" means generous and good.

"Monastic" means secluded or contemplative or related to a monk.

"Devious" means deceitful, dishonest, wily.

"Immoral" means evil, degenerate or unscrupulous.

Example Question #593 : Synonyms

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

CYNICAL

Possible Answers:

Disgusting

Pertinent

Distrusting

Relevant

Displaced

Correct answer:

Distrusting

Explanation:

The adjective "cynical" is used to describe someone who is distrusting of others and inclined to believe things are less virtuous than they seem. Additionally, "disgusting" means gross, unattractive, sickening; "displaced" means moved from its original position, dislodged, shifted; "pertinent" is a synonym of "relevant" they both mean related to the topic of discussion, important to what is happening.

Example Question #594 : Synonyms

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

KEEN

Possible Answers:

Unwilling

Eager

Creative

Serene

Jolly

Correct answer:

Eager

Explanation:

The adjective "keen" can mean either "eager," willing to do something or sharp, quick-witted, intelligent. Additionally, "jolly" means cheerful, good-natured, happy; "serene" means peaceful; "unwilling" means not wanting to do something.

Example Question #595 : Synonyms

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

CHARISMATIC

Possible Answers:

Charming

Nauseating

Ominous

Vigilant

Inert

Correct answer:

Charming

Explanation:

The adjective "charismatic" means charming and interesting, having a personality that other people find attractive and fascinating. Additionally, "inert" means motionless, not moving, having no energy; "vigilant" means watchful, attentive, paying careful attention to something; "nauseating" means sickening, disgusting, causing one to feel sick; "ominous" means threatening, suggesting something bad or dangerous will happen.

Example Question #596 : Synonyms

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

STAID

Possible Answers:

Dynamic

Composed

Reckless

Serious

Hedonistic

Correct answer:

Serious

Explanation:

The adjective "staid" is used to describe someone who is serious and respectable, but also boring and unadventurous. Additionally, "composed" means under control in a stressful situation; "reckless" means out of control, prone to taking risks, careless; "dynamic" means energetic, forceful, powerful; "hedonistic" means devoted to the pursuit of pleasure, self-indulgent and immoderate.

Example Question #597 : Synonyms

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

STILTED

Possible Answers:

Genuine

Angelic

Fastidious

Pretentious

Rash

Correct answer:

Pretentious

Explanation:

"Stilted" means "pretentious," artificial or overly-formal.

"Genuine" means real, authentic or honest.

"Rash" means irrational, impulsive or hasty.

"Fastidious" means fussy, meticulous, or extremely careful.

"Angelic" means like an angel, sweet, kind, or beautiful.

Example Question #598 : Synonyms

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

PRECOCIOUS

Possible Answers:

Gifted

Dilated

Engorged

Foolhardy

Aggressive

Correct answer:

Gifted

Explanation:

The adjective "precocious" is used to describe someone young who is especially talented, intelligent, and gifted. Additionally, "foolhardy" means foolish, reckless, stupid; "engorged" means filled with blood (or some other liquid) and made larger; "aggressive" means prone to starting conflict; "dilated" means (usually of eyes) made wider and more open.

Example Question #599 : Synonyms

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

BLASE

Possible Answers:

Supple

Indifferent

Awry

Tactful

Concise

Correct answer:

Indifferent

Explanation:

The adjective "blase" means indifferent to, uncaring about something due to believing it to be uninteresting, ordinary, or unexciting. Additionally, "supple" means flexible and bendy; "concise" means brief and 'to the point'; "awry" means gone wrong, gone amiss, out of place; "tactful" means showing appropriate levels of politeness and concern in a social situation, knowing what to say so as not to be rude.

Example Question #600 : Synonyms

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

LICENTIOUS

Possible Answers:

Sanctioned

Immoral

Grandiose

Curious

Legal

Correct answer:

Immoral

Explanation:

"Licentious" means "immoral," debauched, or unrestrained by morality.

"Grandiose" means theatrical or extravagant, excessively grand.

"Curious" means desiring knowledge, being inquisitive, or it can be used to describe something that is weird or strange.

"Legal" means permitted by even a strict interpretation of the law.

"Sanctioned" means officially approved, allowed, or permitted

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors