SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Verbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #331 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

PLACATE

Possible Answers:

Pursue

Quench

Conciliate

Heed

Imply

Correct answer:

Conciliate

Explanation:

Since to placate someone means to soothe or appease him or her, we're looking for a verb that means to appease or to soothe. While "quench" does mean to appease thirst, it does not refer to people and is thus not a synonym of "placate." "Conciliate," on the other hand, means stop someone or something from being angry or discontented; "to placate, appease, or pacify," it is the best answer choice.

Example Question #332 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

PLACATE

Possible Answers:

Urge 

Conciliate 

Implore 

Antagonize 

Assist 

Correct answer:

Conciliate 

Explanation:

“Placate” means to calm down, and is therefore most similar in meaning to conciliate, which means to make peace, to bring calm. For clarification, implore and urge are synonyms; antagonize is loosely an antonym of placate and conciliate.

Example Question #333 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

PLACATE

Possible Answers:

Plaster

Calm 

Overwhelm

Wash

Master

Correct answer:

Calm 

Explanation:

"Placate" means to soothe or remove anxiety. (Example: "The mailman tried to placate the angry dog by offering him dog treats.") Thus, the verb "calm" is close in meaning and is therefore the best synonym.

Example Question #334 : Synonyms: Verbs

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

INFURIATE

Possible Answers:

Flood

Sling

Anger

Fracture

Brawl

Correct answer:

Anger

Explanation:

"Infuriate" means to make someone or something angry, so "anger," a word that when used as a verb means to enrage or to cause to be angry, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "infuriate" or "anger": "flood" means inundate with; "fracture" means to break or to crack; "brawl" means to fight; and "sling" means to throw.

Example Question #335 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

PLACATE

Possible Answers:

Express

Soothe 

Abandon

Corner

Recommend

Correct answer:

Soothe 

Explanation:

To placate is to soothe or to pacify.  

Example Question #336 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

VEX

Possible Answers:

Utilize

Annoy

Boost

Heal

Captivate

Correct answer:

Annoy

Explanation:

To vex is to annoy or to confuse.  

Example Question #337 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

QUENCH

Possible Answers:

Satisfy

Ratify

Prescribe

Confuse

Offend

Correct answer:

Satisfy

Explanation:

To quench is to satisfy. 

Example Question #335 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

APPEASE

Possible Answers:

Calm

Perceive

Predict

Invade

Nourish

Correct answer:

Calm

Explanation:

To "appease" is to calm or to bring to a state of peace.  

Example Question #336 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

ABHOR

Possible Answers:

Approve

Remove

Shorten

Detest

Fear

Correct answer:

Detest

Explanation:

To "abhor" something is to hate it, so the synonym is "detest," which also means to hate or dislike something strongly.

Example Question #337 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

ALLEVIATE

Possible Answers:

Edit

Oppose

Join forces with

Worsen

Relieve

Correct answer:

Relieve

Explanation:

To "alleviate" a condition is to relieve it or make it better.

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