SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #2051 : Identifying Synonyms

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

APPEASE

Possible Answers:

Calm

Nourish

Predict

Perceive

Invade

Correct answer:

Calm

Explanation:

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

Example Question #2052 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABHOR

Possible Answers:

Fear

Remove

Detest

Shorten

Approve

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 #2053 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ALLEVIATE

Possible Answers:

Edit

Oppose

Relieve

Join forces with

Worsen

Correct answer:

Relieve

Explanation:

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

Example Question #2851 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

HARROW

Possible Answers:

Emotion

Indifference

Segment

Introduction

Distress

Correct answer:

Distress

Explanation:

"Harrow" means distress.

Example Question #2852 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

CONFOUND

Possible Answers:

Injure

Pacify

Recover

Frustrate

Relieve

Correct answer:

Frustrate

Explanation:

"Confound" means to frustrate.

Example Question #2853 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

ASSUAGE

Possible Answers:

Indicate 

Reward

Allay 

Measure 

Decide 

Correct answer:

Allay 

Explanation:

To “assuage” means to provide relief from something uncomfortable or distressing. You often hear it used to describe “assuaging guilt,” which means to make someone feel less guilty. The only answer choice that matches this definition is “allay.” Allay means to relieve or calm the severity of something. Both words describe the relieving of an unpleasant sensation.

Example Question #2854 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

UNNERVE

Possible Answers:

Reveal

Stress

Relinquish

Consume

Trudge

Correct answer:

Stress

Explanation:

"Unnerve" and "stress" are closest in meaning. These synonyms describe the action of causing something frustration and uneasiness. The other words do not share this meaning. "Consume" means to eat, digest, or exhaust. To "reveal" something is to bring something to light. To "relinquish" something is to give that thing up. To "trudge" is to walk heavily.

Example Question #2855 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

ROUSE

Possible Answers:

Parry

Incense

Deign

Inspire

Confiscate

Correct answer:

Inspire

Explanation:

The verb "rouse" means to cause excitement, to inspire and motivate. Additionally, "incense" means to anger, to make furious; "deign" means condescend, to allow oneself to talk to people one views as inferior; "confiscate" means seize, take from; "parry" means (of something thrown at one) to deflect, to cause to move in another direction.

Example Question #2856 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

FLUSTERED

Possible Answers:

Unsettled

Composed

Recondite

Poised

Supreme

Correct answer:

Unsettled

Explanation:

The verb "flustered" means unsettled, made nervous by something. Additionally, "composed" means calm and under control; "poised" means showing calm and composure in a stressful situation; "supreme" means best, superior, greatest; "recondite" means (of knowledge) obscure and arcane, known by only a few.

Example Question #2861 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

ENTRANCE

Possible Answers:

Resign

Join

Dismay

Captivate

Convince

Correct answer:

Captivate

Explanation:

This is a little tough because the word "entrance" can be a noun that means a way into something. But "entrance" also means to put into a trance or to charm.

I was entranced by the beautiful music coming from the tower.

There is no answer choice that could serve as a synonym of the noun form of entrance, so it must be the verb form, and the word "captivate," meaning to hold or capture the interest of, is a synonym.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors