SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1911 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ACCELERATE

Possible Answers:

Retreat

Slow down

Stop

Speed up

Exploit

Correct answer:

Speed up

Explanation:

"Accelerate" means to speed up. "Slow down" has the opposite meaning; it means to travel at a slower speed. "Stop" means to end or halt. "Retreat" means to withdraw or pull back. "Exploit" means to make full use of or to benefit from.

Example Question #1912 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OCCLUDE

Possible Answers:

Close

Live

Hand

Petrify

Relish

Correct answer:

Close

Explanation:

"Occlude" means close or stop up, so "close" is the correct answer. None of the other words are close in meaning to "occlude": "live" means exist in a state that is alive; "petrify" means scare greatly; "hand" means pass something to someone; and "relish" means enjoy.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

DWINDLE

Possible Answers:

Tease

Diminish

Rotate

Hang

Foretell

Correct answer:

Diminish

Explanation:

"Dwindle" means diminish gradually, so "diminish," which means decline or decrease, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "dwindle" and "diminish": "foretell" means predict or prognosticate; "hang" means dangle or suspend; "rotate" means spin or revolve; and "tease" means goad or mock.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

CAPSIZE

Possible Answers:

Signify

Fulfill

Debate

Sink

Mature

Correct answer:

Sink

Explanation:

"Capsize" means to overturn or to sink, and usually refers to ships. So, "sink" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "capsize": "fulfill" means to carry out or complete a task or an assignment; "debate" means to discuss or argue about an issue or topic; "signify" means to indicate; and "mature" means to grow up physically or mentally.

Example Question #1913 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the answer closest in meaning to the word in question.

BUFF

Possible Answers:

Renege

Concur

Dehydrate

Cajole

Polish

Correct answer:

Polish

Explanation:

"Buff" means to polish or shine. "Renege" means to break or go back on a promise. "Concur" means to assent or to agree. "Cajole" means to convince or persuade someone through flattery. "Dehydrate" means to dry out or deprive of water.

Example Question #1914 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the answer closest in meaning to the word in question.

CONVENE

Possible Answers:

Enact

Disown

Assemble

Glorify

Dispute

Correct answer:

Assemble

Explanation:

"Convene" means to assemble or come together. "Disown" means to abandon or to reject. "Dispute" means to argue or debate. "Enact" means to pass or put into effect. "Glorify" means to admire a person or thing beyond what he or it deserves.

Example Question #1915 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IMBIBE

Possible Answers:

Think

Curb

Abstain

Enter

Drink

Correct answer:

Drink

Explanation:

The word "imbibe" means to drink. "Drink" is the best choice as it is a part of the definition for "imbibe." Considering the other choices, "think" means to consider, "abstain" means to hold oneself back from something voluntarily, "curb" means to restrain, and "enter" means to go into.

Example Question #1916 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SATURATE

Possible Answers:

Abandon

Clarify

Construct

Drench

Impede

Correct answer:

Drench

Explanation:

 "Saturate" means to drench or soak with a liquid, or to provide with more than enough of something, or to permeate. So, "drench" is the correct answer. "Clarify" means to make clearer or easier to understand. "Construct" means to build or erect a structure. "Impede" means to delay or to block. "Abandon" means to give up or to leave behind.

Example Question #901 : Hspt Verbal Skills

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

EMBELLISH

Possible Answers:

Terminate

Define

Mimic

Plagiarize

Decorate

Correct answer:

Decorate

Explanation:

"Embellish" means to "decorate" or to add ornaments to something; one might embellish a story by adding details that are not true to an otherwise true account. "Terminate" means to end or to conclude. "Mimic" means to imitate or to copy. "Plagiarize" means to copy another person's work without crediting that person for it. "Define" means to state the definition or qualities of a person or thing.

Example Question #1917 : Identifying Synonyms

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

THRUST

Possible Answers:

Dance

Catapult

Change

Fly

Force

Correct answer:

Force

Explanation:

"Thrust" means force something upon someone, or shove something forcibly. The correct answer is therefore "force." The other choices do not have similar definitions: "dance" means move your body to music, "catapult" means hurl something using an ancient military device, "change" means make different, and "fly" means propel oneself through the air.

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