SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1281 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ARCH

Possible Answers:

Cryptic

Clumsy

Teasing

Pithy

Ostentatious

Correct answer:

Teasing

Explanation:

Arch can mean coy, mischievous, teasing, or even sly. It does not mean "clumsy," or awkward. "Pithy" is a synonym of succinct, while "ostentatious" is a synonym of showy. "Cryptic" means mysterious or difficult to decipher.

Example Question #1282 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PUNCTILIOUS

Possible Answers:

Congenial

Serene

Doleful

Sloppy

Fastidious

Correct answer:

Fastidious

Explanation:

"Punctilious" means fastidious, scrupulous, or meticulous. It is an antonym of "sloppy." "Doleful" is a synonym for mournful or sorrowful. "Congenial" means personable or likable. "Serene" means placid, tranquil, or calm.

Example Question #1283 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNCOUTH

Possible Answers:

Ebullient

Captious

Holy

Rude

Avaricious

Correct answer:

Rude

Explanation:

"Uncouth" means "rude," uncivilized, or unrefined. "Avaricious" means greedy, and "captious" means prone to nitpick or quibble over even the tiniest detail. Another word for "holy" is sacrosanct. Another word for "ebullient" is overjoyed.

Example Question #1284 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNSAVORY

Possible Answers:

Sanguine

Luckless

Untrustworthy

Serendipitous

Insipid

Correct answer:

Untrustworthy

Explanation:

"Unsavory" can either mean not tasty or disreputable and "untrustworthy," depending on context. "Sanguine" is a synonym for "cheerful." "Insipid" means boring or uninspired. "Luckless" means unfortunate. "Serendipitous," or lucky, is an antonym of this.

Example Question #1285 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SYCOPHANTIC

Possible Answers:

Perspicacious

Recalcitrant

Fawning

Percipient

Adversarial

Correct answer:

Fawning

Explanation:

"Sycophantic" is a synonym for "fawning," servile, and obsequious. "Percipient" and "perspicacious" both mean alert, perceptive, or astute. "Recalcitrant" means stubborn or resistant. "Adversarial" is a synonym for "antagonistic."

Example Question #1286 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRETENTIOUS

Possible Answers:

Treacherous

Dismayed

Highfalutin

Threadbare

Anemic

Correct answer:

Highfalutin

Explanation:

"Pretentious" is an adjective meaning attempting to impress by affecting greater importance. "Highfalutin" is an adjective meaning pompous in an irritating, self-important manner and is therefore the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

PRONE

Possible Answers:

dark

steadfast

flat

noisy

susceptible

Correct answer:

susceptible

Explanation:

Prone means likely to suffer from something, or susceptible to something.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

IMPASSABLE

Possible Answers:

welcoming

courageous

formulaic

blocked

threatening

Correct answer:

blocked

Explanation:

Impassable means impossible to travel through, or blocked.

Example Question #1331 : Synonyms

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

MATERNAL

Possible Answers:

motherly

fierce

groundbreaking

familial

concise

Correct answer:

motherly

Explanation:

Maternal means of or relating to mothers, or motherly.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

DELETERIOUS.

Possible Answers:

Pernicious 

Bellicose 

Rudimentary

Healthy 

Enigma 

Correct answer:

Pernicious 

Explanation:

“Deleterious” means extremely harmful, which is the same meaning of the word “pernicious.” For clarification, "rudimentary" means basic; "enigma" means mystery; "bellicose" means ready for or inclined towards warfare.

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