SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2381 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INSIPID

Possible Answers:

Tasteless

Hopeless

Luckless

Aimless

Helpless

Correct answer:

Tasteless

Explanation:

The adjective "insipid" means lacking flavor, tasteless. Additionally, "aimless" means without goals or direction; "luckless" means unfortunate, hapless

Example Question #2382 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXQUISITE

Possible Answers:

Appalling

Abrasive

Disheartening

Delightful

Unnerving

Correct answer:

Delightful

Explanation:

The adjective "exquisite" means lovely, beautiful, and delightful. "Appalling" means disgusting and shocking or horrifying and sickening; "disheartening" means causing one to lose faith, making one less optimistic; "unnerving" means unsettling and making one feel nervous and uncomfortable; and "abrasive" means rude and obnoxious.

Example Question #2383 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LACKLUSTER

Possible Answers:

Grandiose

Amenable

Inimical

Uninspired

Munificent

Correct answer:

Uninspired

Explanation:

The adjective "lackluster" means underwhelming, uninspiring. Additionally, "amenable" means cooperative, open to a suggestion; "munificent" means generous; "inimical" means unfriendly; "grandiose" means extravagant, luxurious, ostentatious.

Example Question #2384 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROTEAN

Possible Answers:

Putative

Mutable

Early

Erratic

Dilatory

Correct answer:

Mutable

Explanation:

"Protean" means changing, "mutable," or variable. "Putative" means presumed or supposed, and "erratic" means random. "Early" is an antonym of "late." "Dilatory" means either slow to act or tending to cause delays, depending on the context.

Example Question #2385 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ADULATORY

Possible Answers:

Complimentary

Accusative

Fearful

Conjectural

Speculative

Correct answer:

Complimentary

Explanation:

"Adulation" means praise and compliments, so "adulatory" means complimentary or praising. "Conjectural" is a synonym for "speculative." "Fearful" is a synonym for "frightened" and "afraid." "Accusative" means the same thing as "accusatory."

Example Question #2386 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ASININE

Possible Answers:

Perspicacious

Astute

Wholesome

Endemic

Stupid

Correct answer:

Stupid

Explanation:

"Asinine" means "stupid" or foolish. This is somewhat of an antonym for "astute," or intelligent. "Perspicacious" similarly means sharp and discerning. If something is "endemic" to a region, it is native to that region. "Wholesome" means healthy.

Example Question #2387 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CRAVEN

Possible Answers:

Bucolic

Abject

Obsequious

enigmatic

Devilish

Correct answer:

Abject

Explanation:

"Craven" means "abject" and cowardly. "Devilish" is the adjective form of "devil." "Obsequious" means flattering and fawning, and "bucolic" means rustic or rural. "Enigmatic" is a synonym for "mysterious."

Example Question #2388 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IMMUTABLE

Possible Answers:

Inconsistent

Unchanging

protean

Elaborate

Heinous

Correct answer:

Unchanging

Explanation:

"Immutable" means "unchanging." This is the opposite of "protean," which means malleable and ever-changing. "Inconsistent" is an antonym for "consistent," and "elaborate" is a synonym for "complex" or intricate. "Heinous" means dreadful or atrocious.

Example Question #2389 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MITIGATED

Possible Answers:

Lessened

Capricious

Exigent

Alert

Exacerbated

Correct answer:

Lessened

Explanation:

To "mitigate" is to lessen or alleviate the severity of something. This is an antonym of "exacerbate," which means to make something worse or more extreme. "Exigent" means urgent and pressing. "Alert" means vigilant or watchful, and "capricious" means fickle and changing.

Example Question #2390 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EPHEMERAL

Possible Answers:

Frantic

Fleeting

Adulterated

Erratic

Indulgent

Correct answer:

Fleeting

Explanation:

"Ephemeral" means "fleeting," short-lived, and brief. "Adulterated" is a synonym for "contaminated," and "erratic" is a synonym for "unpredictable." "Frantic" means frenzied, and "indulgent" means permissive or lenient.

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