SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #101 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MAVERICK

Possible Answers:

Tyro

Orator

Glutton

Nonconformist

Ambassador

Correct answer:

Nonconformist

Explanation:

A "maverick" is a "nonconformist," someone who does not play by the rules. A "tyro" is a beginner or novice, and an "orator" is someone who makes and delivers speeches. Another word for a "glutton" is a gourmand. Another word for an "ambassador" is an "emissary."

Example Question #102 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MOUNTEBANK

Possible Answers:

Pedagogue

Dissident

Fraud

Maverick

Protester

Correct answer:

Fraud

Explanation:

"Mountebank" is another word for a charlatan, swindler, or "fraud." A "dissident" is someone who dissents or disagrees, as is a "protester." A "maverick" is a free thinker, a nonconformist. A "pedagogue" is a teacher or instructor.

Example Question #103 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PHILANDERER

Possible Answers:

Specter

Craftsperson

Artisan

Adulterer

Apothecary

Correct answer:

Adulterer

Explanation:

A "philanderer" is an "adulterer," a cheater. An "apothecary" is an old-fashioned pharmacist or herbalist. "Artisan" and "craftsperson" are synonyms. A "specter" is a ghost or phantom.

Example Question #104 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DILETTANTE

Possible Answers:

Benefactor

Sorcerer

Dullard

Imbecile

Dabbler

Correct answer:

Dabbler

Explanation:

A "dilettante" is someone who dabbles in a particular art or science: an amateur and nonspecialist. An "imbecile" is a dunce or a dullard. A "benefactor" is someone who donates money, and a "sorcerer" is a wizard or magical person.

Example Question #105 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CHARLATAN

Possible Answers:

Quack

Fiasco

Hiatus

Renegade

Shard

Correct answer:

Quack

Explanation:

A "charlatan" is a person who pretends to be an expert but is in fact not qualified, a sham and a phony. This is very similar in meaning to "quack," so this is the correct answer. Additionally, a "hiatus" is a break (usually from work); a "fiasco" is a farcical and disastrous situation; a "renegade" is a mutineer, someone who rebels against authority; a "shard" is a fragment, a piece of something.

Example Question #106 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ADVOCATE

Possible Answers:

Artifice

Proponent

Consulate

Crucible

Asylum

Correct answer:

Proponent

Explanation:

An "advocate" is someone who speaks out in support of something, a person who publicly offers support for a cause, a supporter, a "proponent." Additionally, an "asylum" is a place of sanctuary, typically for the mentally ill; an "artifice" is some clever device (often a literary device) designed to deceive or conceal the truth; a "crucible" is a particularly severe or challenging trial; a "consulate" is an embassy, a building where the representatives of one country can be found within another country.

Example Question #107 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ACCOMPLICE

Possible Answers:

Libertine

Aviator

Lackey

Co-conspirator

Enigma

Correct answer:

Co-conspirator

Explanation:

An "accomplice" is a "co-conspirator" or collaborator in a scheme. An "enigma" is a mystery. An "aviator" is a pilot, and a "libertine" is a philanderer or, more generally, a debauched person who does not abide by society's morals. A "lackey" is an underling or flunky, a servant.

Example Question #108 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SYLPH

Possible Answers:

Crook

Sprite

Scallywag

Cantor

Judge

Correct answer:

Sprite

Explanation:

A "sylph" is a "sprite" or air spirit (such as Ariel in Shakespeare's play The Tempest). A "crook" is a criminal, a scallywag is a scoundrel. A "cantor" is a singer, particularly in a liturgical context. Another word for "judge" is "adjudicator."

Example Question #109 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CRONY

Possible Answers:

Mountebank

Clergyman

Henchman

Physician

Charlatan

Correct answer:

Henchman

Explanation:

A "crony" is an accomplice, friend in wrongdoing, or "henchman." A "mountebank" is a charlatan, fraud, or trickster. A "physician" is a medical doctor. A "clergyman" is a religious leader, usually in a Christian denomination.

Example Question #110 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PUGILIST

Possible Answers:

Fugitive

Pacifist

Fighter

Aeronaut

Emissary

Correct answer:

Fighter

Explanation:

A "pugilist" is "a fighter," particularly a boxer. This is a near antonym for a pacifist, or peacemaker. An "emissary" is an ambassador or envoy. A "fugitive" is an outlaw or runaway. An "aeronaut" is another word for an air traveler.

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