SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives and Adverbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2038 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

PEDANTIC

Possible Answers:

Suave

Conspicuous

Deleterious

Picky

Discreet

Correct answer:

Picky

Explanation:

"Pedantic" means "picky," overly fastidious, or narrow minded. "Suave" is a synonym for "sophisticated." "Deleterious" is a synonym for "harmful." "Discreet" is a synonym for "inconspicuous," which is obviously the antonym of "conspicuous."

Example Question #2039 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

PROMISCUOUS

Possible Answers:

Precarious

Wanton

Debased

Perilous

Modest

Correct answer:

Wanton

Explanation:

"Wanton" is a word that means immoral or "promiscuous" in some contexts. "Perilous" is a synonym for "dangerous." "Precarious" means unsteady or insecure. "Debased" means lowered in value or humiliated. "Modest" means humble or lowly.

Example Question #2040 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

PERTINACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Persistent

Exceptional

Outlandish

Misunderstood

Garish

Correct answer:

Persistent

Explanation:

"Pertinacious" is a synonym for "persistent" and "tenacious." "Outlandish" means strange or bizarre. "Garish" is a synonym for tawdry or gaudy, and "exceptional" is a synonym for "outstanding." "Understood" and "misunderstood" are antonyms.

Example Question #2041 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

MISANTHROPIC

Possible Answers:

Philanthropic

Adept

Adroit

Antisocial

Somnolent

Correct answer:

Antisocial

Explanation:

"Misanthropic" means "antisocial" or unfriendly: literally, hating humankind. As you may be able to guess, this is an antonym of "philanthropic," which means charitable and generous. "Adroit" and "adept" both mean skillful. "Somnolent" is a synonym for "sleepy."

Example Question #2042 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

RECLUSIVE

Possible Answers:

Acerbic

Hermitic

Garish

Ridiculous

Gregarious

Correct answer:

Hermitic

Explanation:

Someone who is a "recluse" is a hermit, a solitary person. This is an antonym for "gregarious," or outgoing. "Garish" is another word for gaudy, and "acerbic" is another word for "caustic." Another word for "ridiculous" is "ludicrous."

Example Question #2043 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

FIENDISH

Possible Answers:

Fanciful

Blissful

Wicked

Virtuous

Cavalier

Correct answer:

Wicked

Explanation:

The adjective "fiendish" means wicked, devilish and cunning. Additionally, "fanciful" means unrealistic, 'far-fetched'; "virtuous" means good, wholesome, not sinful; "cavalier" means offhand, apathetic towards; "blissful" means very happy, ecstatic.

Example Question #2044 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

PRECOCIOUS

Possible Answers:

Taciturn

Ribald

Irresolute

Gifted

Surreptitious

Correct answer:

Gifted

Explanation:

The adjective "precocious" means advanced for one's age, especially talented and "gifted." Additionally, "irresolute" means uncertain; "ribald" means vulgar, (of behavior) distasteful; "surreptitious" means secretive, clandestine; "taciturn" means not talkative, prone to silence.

Example Question #2045 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

NEUROTIC

Possible Answers:

Malicious

Malformed

Maladjusted

Malevolent

Misappropriated

Correct answer:

Maladjusted

Explanation:

The adjective "neurotic" is used to describe someone who has many complexes, is suffering from a mental imbalance. This is closest in meaning to "maladjusted" which means poorly adjusted, poorly suited to society. The prefix mal- means bad. So, "malicious" means bad-natured, wicked; "malevolent" also means having an evil nature, wicked; "malformed" means badly formed, incorrectly made; "misappropriated" means to have taken something, like a saying, and used it incorrectly.

Example Question #2046 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

RAPACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Selfless

Slovenly

Aghast

Greedy

Bewildered

Correct answer:

Greedy

Explanation:

The adjective "rapacious" means extremely greedy, aggressively desiring what someone else has. Additionally, "slovenly" means (of a person) messy and lazy; "aghast" means shocked and appalled by; "bewildered" means confused, perplexed, bemused.

Example Question #2047 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

MUNIFICENT

Possible Answers:

Generous

Juvenile

Serene

Torpid

Talkative

Correct answer:

Generous

Explanation:

The adjective "munificent" is used to describe someone who is generous with money. Additionally, "torpid" means lethargic, inactive; "serene" means tranquil, at peace; "juvenile" means childish.

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