SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Antonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #401 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Exorbitant is to ______________ as pejorative is to complimentary.

Possible Answers:

prohibitive

moderate

excessive

extortionate

unconscionable

Correct answer:

moderate

Explanation:

"Pejorative" means having a disparaging, prejudiced, or insulting effect. It is therefore an antonym of "complimentary" (praising, flattering). So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words is an antonym of "exorbitant." Well, "exorbitant" means (of a price) unreasonably expensive. So, the correct answer is "moderate." Additionally, all the other answer choices are loosely synonyms of "exorbitant," although they have somewhat different meanings - "extortionate" means exorbitant; "prohibitive" means so expensive or abstruse as to prohibit most people from being included; "excessive" means unreasonably large or intense; "unconscionable" means immoral and completely unreasonable

Example Question #227 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Inimical is to advantageous as ________________ is to limpid.

Possible Answers:

homely 

ebullient 

opaque 

synthetic 

clear 

Correct answer:

opaque 

Explanation:

"Inimical" means harmful, likely to cause trouble, disadvantageous. It is therefore an antonym of "advantageous" (favorable, working to one's advantage). So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the opposite meaning to "limpid" (clear, allowing light to pass through). The correct answer is "opaque," which means not allowing light to pass through, not clear. Additionally, "ebullient" means enthusiastic and excited; "synthetic" means chemically produced to mimic something natural; "homely" means plain, unattractive

Example Question #228 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Gaiety is to anguish as _____________ is to trustworthiness.

Possible Answers:

platitude

fiasco

banality

perfidy

boor

Correct answer:

perfidy

Explanation:

"Gaiety" means cheerfulness, being happy and lighthearted. Whereas, "anguish" is intense sadness and suffering. These two terms are therefore antonyms, so which of these answer choices has the opposite meaning to "trustworthiness?" The correct answer is "perfidy," which means treachery, disloyalty. Additionally, "banality" is the condition of being unoriginal and mundane; a "fiasco" is a chaotic and disastrous event; a "boor" is a rude and obnoxious and uninteresting person; a "platitude" is an unoriginal and insincere remark.

Example Question #402 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Imbecile is to mastermind as _____________ is to periphery.

Possible Answers:

fringe

zenith

terse

nadir

hub

Correct answer:

hub

Explanation:

An "imbecile" is a fool, an extremely stupid person. A "mastermind" is a genius, someone who is the brains behind a plan or operation. These two words are therefore antonyms, so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words is opposite in meaning to "periphery." Well, "periphery" means the fringes, on the edge, not in the center of something. So, the correct answer is "hub," which means center of activity. Additionally, "terse" means brief, 'to the point'; "fringe" means edge; "nadir" means low-point; "zenith" means high-point, moment of great personal triumph

Example Question #403 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Herculean is to ______________ as leery is to rash.

Possible Answers:

strenuous

grueling

arduous

laborious

facile

Correct answer:

facile

Explanation:

"Leery" means overly cautious, wary. "Rash" means hasty, reckless, not thinking before acting. These two words are antonyms, so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the opposite meaning to "herculean." Well, "herculean" means (of a task) very difficult and exhausting to accomplish. So, the correct answer is "facile," which means easy. Additionally, all the other answer choices are all synonyms of "herculean," they all refer to a job that is very difficult and tiring

Example Question #404 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Indigent is to affluent as _________________ is to inattentive.

Possible Answers:

lambent

truculent

taciturn

timorous

scrupulous

Correct answer:

scrupulous

Explanation:

"Indigent" means poor, penniless, in need. "Affluent" means wealthy, rich, prosperous. These two words are therefore antonyms, so to solve this analogy you have to determine which of these words has the opposite meaning to "inattentive." Well, "inattentive" means careless, not paying attention to. So, the best available answer is "scrupulous," which means careful, diligent, meticulous, paying close attention to. Additionally, "truculent" means aggressive; "timorous" means easily scared; "taciturn" means silent, quiet; "lambent" means (of a light) flickering, glowing.

Example Question #405 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Forebear is to _____________ as summit is to base.

Possible Answers:

miser

progenitor

benefactor

descendant

ancestor

Correct answer:

descendant

Explanation:

The "summit" is the top of something, especially a mountain. And, the "base" is the bottom of something, especially a mountain. These two words are antonyms, so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the opposite meaning to "forebear" (ancestor). The correct answer is "descendant." Additionally, "miser" means person who does not give generously to others, someone who is stingy with money; "benefactor" means person who provided the financial support for; "progenitor" means a person or idea from which all other things descend.

Example Question #406 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Hale is to __________ as laconic is to verbose.

Possible Answers:

unwilling

unhealthy

unlikely

unlucky

unimpressed

Correct answer:

unhealthy

Explanation:

"Laconic" means (of writing or speech) containing few words. "Verbose" means (of writing or speech) containing too many words. These words are therefore antonyms of one another, so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the opposite meaning to "hale." Well, "hale" means strong, fit, and healthy. So, the correct answer is "unhealthy."

Example Question #401 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Florid is to plain as thrifty is to __________.

Possible Answers:

acclaimed

prodigal

slovenly

torpid

enthralled

Correct answer:

prodigal

Explanation:

"Florid" means ornate, excessively elaborate and decorated. It is therefore an antonym of "plain," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these is an antonym of "thrifty." Well, "thrifty" means not inclined towards spending money, using money efficiently. So, the correct answer is "prodigal," which means wasteful, spending money freely and without concern. Additionally, "slovenly" means (of someone's appearance) messy and dirty, untidy, scruffy; "acclaimed" means widely praise; "enthralled" means captivated by and attracted to; "torpid" means lethargic, lacking energy.

Example Question #74 : Antonyms

Complete this analogy.

Negligence is to care as recidivism is to _____________.

Possible Answers:

mourning

timely

celebration

willpower

dominance

Correct answer:

willpower

Explanation:

"Negligence" means showing improper "care" for something, allowing something under one's care to fall into a poor condition. It is therefore an antonym of "care," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the opposite meaning to "recidivism." Well, "recidivism" is falling back intro criminal or harmful behavior. It is therefore an antonym of "willpower." 

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