SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2011 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COWER

Possible Answers:

Lurk

Vanquish

Spectate

Crouch

Abdicate

Correct answer:

Crouch

Explanation:

To "cower" is to "crouch" or cringe in fear. This is different from "lurking," which means skulking or loitering with a sinister intention. To "spectate" is to watch, particularly a sporting event, and to "vanquish" is to defeat an enemy. To "abdicate" is to resign or step down from a position of power.

Example Question #2012 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LOLLYGAG

Possible Answers:

Orate

Dawdle

Prevaricate

Quiver

Espy

Correct answer:

Dawdle

Explanation:

"Lollygag" is another word for "dawdle," loiter, or idle. To "prevaricate" is to lie, particularly by using vague or ambiguous speech. To "orate" is to deliver a speech, usually in a formal context. To "espy" is to glimpse or to spot something. To "quiver" is to shake or tremble.

Example Question #2013 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SCUTTLE

Possible Answers:

Harmonize

Bicker

Hurry

Lounge

Toll

Correct answer:

Hurry

Explanation:

To "scuttle" is to hurry, but it refers specifically to the act of walking or running with quick, short steps. This is a near antonym for "lounge," which means to loaf or hang around in a lazy way. To "bicker" is to squabble or quarrel. To "toll" a bell is to ring it, and to "harmonize" is to sing melodically in tune with another.

Example Question #2014 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ANNIHILATE

Possible Answers:

Suffer

Testify

Emulate

Raze

Realize

Correct answer:

Raze

Explanation:

To "annihilate" is to destroy completely.

The town was annihilated by the powerful tornado.

The correct answer choice is "raze," which means to level or destroy completely.

After the attack, the enemy razed the entire village by burning down every building.

Example Question #2015 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MINGLE

Possible Answers:

Dance

Mix

Twist

Ruin

Enliven

Correct answer:

Mix

Explanation:

To "mingle" is to mix. It can mean to mix together, such as “The smell of the ocean mingled with the scent of sunscreen smells like summer to me.”

Or to mingle can mean to circulate from person to person at a social function, such as “I don’t stay in one spot at a party; I prefer to mingle with the guests.”

So "mix" would be the best answer choice.

Example Question #2016 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ESPY

Possible Answers:

Concoct

Characterize

Preclude

Catalog

Glimpse

Correct answer:

Glimpse

Explanation:

To "espy" is to catch a glimpse of. To "catalog" is to sort into categories, and to "preclude" something is to make it impossible to happen. "Concoct" is a synonym for "cook up." To "characterize" something is to endow it with specific personality traits.

Example Question #2017 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LOAF

Possible Answers:

Cure

Exonerate

Prevail

Lounge

Acquit

Correct answer:

Lounge

Explanation:

Used as a verb, "loaf" means to "lounge" or lie idly around. To "prevail is to triumph, and to "cure" is to heal or to preserve a food by drying and smoking it. "Acquit" and "exonerate" are synonyms for clearing someone of legal charges or guilt.

Example Question #2018 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BICKER

Possible Answers:

Cower

Regurgitate

Quarrel

Cloy

Perspire

Correct answer:

Quarrel

Explanation:

"Bicker" and "quarrel" are both synonyms for squabble. To "regurgitate" is to spit up, either literally (with food) or figuratively (with learned information, for example). To "cloy" is to be sickeningly sweet or sentimental. "Cower" is a synonym for "cringe," and "perspire" is a synonym for "sweat."

Example Question #2019 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SKULK

Possible Answers:

Implicate

Coerce

Alleviate

Slink

Espy

Correct answer:

Slink

Explanation:

To "skulk" is to "slink" around, lurk, or hide oneself in order to conceal evil intentions. To "espy" is to glimpse, and to "alleviate" is to lessen the severity of. To "coerce" is to threaten or force. "Implicate" is a synonym for "incriminate."

Example Question #2020 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RESUSCITATE

Possible Answers:

Revive

Endure

Skulk

Perjure

Mitigate

Correct answer:

Revive

Explanation:

To "resuscitate" someone or something is to bring that person or thing back to life. To "endure," on the other hand, is to survive. "Skulk" is a synonym for hide or lurk, and "mitigate" is a synonym for "alleviate." To "perjure" is to lie under oath.

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