SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1241 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PEDANTIC

Possible Answers:

Suave

Deleterious

Discreet

Picky

Conspicuous

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 #1242 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROMISCUOUS

Possible Answers:

Perilous

Precarious

Debased

Modest

Wanton

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 #1243 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PERTINACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Exceptional

Misunderstood

Outlandish

Garish

Persistent

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 #1244 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MISANTHROPIC

Possible Answers:

Adroit

Philanthropic

Somnolent

Adept

Antisocial

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 #1245 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RECLUSIVE

Possible Answers:

Gregarious

Acerbic

Garish

Ridiculous

Hermitic

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:

Blissful

Virtuous

Wicked

Fanciful

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 #1246 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRECOCIOUS

Possible Answers:

Gifted

Irresolute

Taciturn

Ribald

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 #1247 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NEUROTIC

Possible Answers:

Misappropriated

Malicious

Maladjusted

Malformed

Malevolent

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 #271 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

RAPACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Aghast

Slovenly

Selfless

Bewildered

Greedy

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 #1248 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MUNIFICENT

Possible Answers:

Talkative

Torpid

Juvenile

Generous

Serene

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.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors