SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1261 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COERCIVE

Possible Answers:

Sardonic

Lascivious

Forceful

Sedulous

Prophetic

Correct answer:

Forceful

Explanation:

"Coercive" means "forceful" or threatening. "Lascivious" is a synonym for "lecherous" or lustful, and "prophetic" is a synonym for "clairvoyant" or farsighted. "Sedulous" means hardworking, assiduous. "Sardonic" is a synonym for "sarcastic."

Example Question #1262 : Identifying Synonyms

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

XENOPHOBIC

Possible Answers:

Fearful of heights

Fearful of foreigners

Fearful of open spaces

Fear of germs

Fearful of water

Correct answer:

Fearful of foreigners

Explanation:

Someone "xenophobic" is afraid of or hateful toward foreigners. "Agoraphobia" is a fear of open spaces or a fear of crowded spaces, and "aquaphobia" is a fear of water. "Acrophobia" is a fear of heights. "Fear of germs and infection" is known as mysophobia or germophobia.

Example Question #1263 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SUCCINCT

Possible Answers:

Gregarious

Abrasive

Indefatigable

Invective

Concise

Correct answer:

Concise

Explanation:

"Succinct" means "concise," laconic, or pithy. "Abrasive" means harsh or grating. "Indefatigable" means untiring, and "invective" is verbal abuse or a tirade. "Gregarious" means outgoing or sociable.

Example Question #1264 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BELLICOSE

Possible Answers:

Vituperative

Solipsistic

Controlling

Warlike

Congenial

Correct answer:

Warlike

Explanation:

"Bellicose" means belligerent or "warlike." "Solipsistic" means egotistical or self-centered. "Congenial" means personable, hospitable, or friendly. "Vituperative" means bitter and opprobrious.

Example Question #1265 : Identifying Synonyms

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

STALWART

Possible Answers:

Loyal

Ambulatory

Bucolic

Energetic

Succinct

Correct answer:

Loyal

Explanation:

"Stalwart" means steadfast and loyal. "Succinct" is another word for pithy, concise, or laconic. "Energetic" can mean invigorated or enthusiastic. "Bucolic" means rural or rustic. "Ambulatory" means able to walk, or, more generally, mobile.

Example Question #1266 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CHARY

Possible Answers:

Imminent

Wary

Deleterious

Gullible

Obdurate

Correct answer:

Wary

Explanation:

"Chary" means cautious, wary, and even suspicious. This is a near antonym for "gullible," which means overly willing to believe or trust. "Deleterious" is another word for harmful. "Imminent" is a synonym for "impending," and "obdurate" is a synonym for "stubborn" or unyielding.

Example Question #1267 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SLAVISH

Possible Answers:

Servile

Sagacious

Clear

Arbitrary

Pertinent

Correct answer:

Servile

Explanation:

"Slavish" can literally mean in the manner of a slave, but it can more broadly mean servile, subservient, or fawning. "Pertinent" is another word for relevant. "Sagacious" means wise, and "arbitrary" means random or based on whim. Another word for "clear" is "lucid."

Example Question #1268 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CAPITOUS

Possible Answers:

Praiseworthy

Crestfallen

Risky

Fault-finding

Fairly judging

Correct answer:

Fault-finding

Explanation:

Someone who is "captious" is constantly nitpicking and finding flaws in people or things. "Praiseworthy" means commendable, and "risky" means reckless. "Crestfallen" is another word for woebegone. To judge something fairly is to be "unbiased," not "captious."

Example Question #1311 : Synonyms

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

PUNCTILIOUS

Possible Answers:

Ferocious

Stolid

Truculent

Optimistic

Meticulous

Correct answer:

Meticulous

Explanation:

"Punctilious" means "meticulous," fastidious, or paying very close and careful attention to detail. "Ferocious" is a synonym for "fierce," and "stolid" is a synonym for "calm" and "impassive." "Truculent" means aggressive, belligerent. "Optimistic," of course, is an antonym for "pessimistic."

Example Question #1312 : Synonyms

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

COQUETTISH

Possible Answers:

Ignorant

Coy

Misanthropic

Rapacious

Hermitic

Correct answer:

Coy

Explanation:

"Coquettish" is a synonym for flirtatious or "coy." "Ignorant" means poorly informed, unaware. "Rapacious" means excessively greedy. "Hermitic" means reclusive, isolated. "Misanthropic" is another word for antisocial.

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