SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms, Antonyms, and Changes in Intensity

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #81 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete the analogy.

Oceanic is to aquatic as extensive is to ___________.

Possible Answers:

hefty

exclusive

extrovert

pervasive

finite

Correct answer:

pervasive

Explanation:

"Oceanic" and "aquatic" are both adjectives referring to taking place in the water or ocean. To follow the analogy, the correct answer should also be an adjective similar in meaning to extensive. "Extensive" means reaching out far. Prefix "ex" = out, root "tens" line.

"Pervasive" (adj), meaning spread throughout, is the correct answer. Prefix "per" = through, root "vas" go.

"Exclusive" (adj) means pertaining to a limited area. Prefix "ex" = out, root "clus" = shut. This is an antonym, not a synonym.

"Finite" (adj) having limits. It is also an antonym of extensive.

"Hefty" (adj) does mean large, but has a connotation that refers to mass.

"Extrovert" (noun) is someone who is outgoing and sociable and who gains energy from social interaction.  Prefix "extro" = outside, beyond, root "vert" turn/change. This could be synonymous if the word were an adjective.

Example Question #82 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Ebb is to recede as ordain is to __________.

Possible Answers:

gratify

ventilate

rescind

sanctify

quibble

Correct answer:

sanctify

Explanation:

"Ebb" and "recede" are synonyms, both words mean go out, move away from. So, to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these is a synonym of "ordain." To "ordain" is to make holy, to make sacred, or to "sanctify." Additionally, "quibble" means complain about something minor, argue about something petty; "rescind" means withdraw, take back; "gratify" means please, give pleasure and satisfaction to; "ventilate" means allow air to circulate, 'air out.'

Example Question #83 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to burden as renounce is to abdicate.

Possible Answers:

Allot

Disburse

Forge

Sequester

Encumber

Correct answer:

Encumber

Explanation:

To begin with "renounce" and "abdicate" are both loosely synonyms of one another. They both mean to give something up, to abandon something. Although usually "renounce" means to give up, to abandon an idea and "abdicate" means to give up on and abandon power. So, to solve this problem you need to determine which of these answers has the same meaning as "burden." The correct answer is "encumber" which means burden with, weigh down with. Additionally, "disburse" means spend, pay for; "sequester" means isolate, lock-away; "allot" means assign to, give to; "forge" means either make, create or falsify, make up, lie about.

Example Question #251 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to liberate as confine is to imprison. 

Possible Answers:

Digress

Extricate

Induce

Apprehend

Permit

Correct answer:

Extricate

Explanation:

"Confine" and "imprison" both mean to lock up, they are synonyms of one another. So, to solve this analogy you need to figure out which of these answers is a synonym of "liberate" which means set free, make free. The correct answer is "extricate" which means free someone from a constraint. Additionally, "permit" means allow to happen; "digress" means stray, move away from the main point; "apprehend" means catch and arrest; "induce" means cause to happen, make happen.

Example Question #257 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to deadlock as decree is to order.

Possible Answers:

Muse 

Motion 

Rendition 

Courier 

Impasse 

Correct answer:

Impasse 

Explanation:

A "decree" is the same thing as an "order." To solve this analogy, you need to determine which of the answer choices is a synonym of "deadlock." "Deadlock" refers to a situation in which two sides cannot make any progress. Another word for this is an "impasse." A "muse" is an inspiration for a work of art, and to "muse" about something is to think deeply about it. A "courier" is a messenger, and a "rendition" is a performance of something

Example Question #261 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Egress is to exit as __________ is to starving.

Possible Answers:

glib

impecunious

doomed

dispassionate

ravenous

Correct answer:

ravenous

Explanation:

An "egress" is an exit, so to solve this problem you need to determine which of these answer choices means "starving" (hungry, needing food). The correct answer is "ravenous" which means starving hungry. Additionally, "dispassionate" means calm, under control, not passionate; "doomed" means destined to fail, likely to suffer; "glib" means (of conversation) insincere and terse; "impecunious" means penniless, having no money, 'broke.'

Example Question #262 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Zealotry is to fanaticism as idolatry is to __________

Possible Answers:

candor

duplicity

enmity

veneration

aspiration

Correct answer:

veneration

Explanation:

"Zealotry" and "fanaticism" are synonyms, both words relate to an intense and fanatical devotion to an idea, a group, or an ideology. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words is a synonym of "idolatry." "Idolatry" is the worship of idols, or the worship of images deemed inappropriate by a certain religion. This is closest in meaning to "veneration" which means the worship of something. Additionally, "candor" means honesty and frankness; "aspiration" is a desire to achieve something, a hope to accomplish some goal; "duplicity" is deceitfulness (particularly saying one thing to one person and one thing to another person); "enmity" is hostility, a state of prolonged conflict and tension.

Example Question #81 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

__________ is to tireless as devout is to pious.

Possible Answers:

Resilient

Indefatigable

Doleful

Quiescent

Imbued

Correct answer:

Indefatigable

Explanation:

"Pious" and "devout" are synonyms of one another, both words mean deeply religious. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words means something like "tireless." The correct answer is "indefatigable" which means not able to be tired or fatigued by, tireless. Additionally, "quiescent" means at rest; "doleful" means sad, morose; "resilient" means able to suffer setbacks and then bounce back; "imbued" means filled with

Example Question #82 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Perfunctory is to superficial as __________ is to perfidy.

Possible Answers:

exigency

atrocity

treachery

pomposity

stationary

Correct answer:

treachery

Explanation:

"Perfunctory" means cursory, undertaken with little consideration, casual and "superficial." "Perfunctory" and "superficial" are synonyms of one another, so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is a synonym of "perfidy." The correct answer is "treachery" because "perfidy" means lack of trustworthiness, duplicity, betrayal. Additionally, "exigency" is urgency; "pomposity" is the characteristic of being self-important and arrogant; "stationary" means not moving, 'in one place'; an "atrocity" is a terrible act committed against a group.

Example Question #265 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Lopsided is to asymmetrical as __________ is to obstinate.

Possible Answers:

juvenile

hidebound

frivolous

caustic

phenomenal

Correct answer:

hidebound

Explanation:

To begin with "lopsided" means crooked, uneven, out of line, not symmetrical. It is therefore a synonym of "asymmetrical." So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these answer choices is a synonym of "obstinate" (which means stubborn). The correct answer is "hidebound" which means stubborn, refusing to change one's mind. Additionally, "frivolous" means flippant, not having any usefulness, pointless and glib; "juvenile" means childish, immature; "caustic" means sarcastic and scathing; "phenomenal" means fantastic, extraordinary, sublime, incredible.

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