SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2421 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROTRACTED

Possible Answers:

Ephemeral

Saccharine

Onerous

Prolonged

Nescient

Correct answer:

Prolonged

Explanation:

"Protracted" means "prolonged," drawn out. This is an antonym for "ephemeral," which means short-lived and fleeting. While something "protracted" may also be "onerous," or difficult and burdensome, the two are not necessarily synonyms. "Nescient" is another work for ignorant or unaware. "Saccharine" means overly sweet (either literally or figuratively) or sentimental.

Example Question #2422 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GERMANE

Possible Answers:

Maniacal

Mitigated

Relevant

Murderous

Lucid

Correct answer:

Relevant

Explanation:

"Germane" means "relevant," pertinent. "Mitigated" means lessened in severity, and "lucid" means clear. "Murderous" is a synonym for "homicidal." "Maniacal" is another word for "crazed."

Example Question #2423 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REPUGNANT

Possible Answers:

Variegated

Responsible

Creative

Fatuous

Vile

Correct answer:

Vile

Explanation:

"Repugnant" means disgusting, loathsome, or "vile." "Responsible" means dutiful, and "variegated" means striped or splotched with various colors. "Creative" is a synonym for "imaginative," and "fatuous" is a synonym for "silly," foolish.

Example Question #2424 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SCURRILOUS

Possible Answers:

Tumescent

Infected

Libelous

Excruciating

Rotund

Correct answer:

Libelous

Explanation:

"Scurrilous" means scandalously untrue or "libelous" and usually describes rumors or speech. "Excruciating' means very painful. "Tumescent" means swollen or distended, and "rotund" means plump and round. "Infected" is another word for festering.

Example Question #1251 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

MOTLEY

Possible Answers:

Disparate

Fallacious

Famished

Tenuous

Malcontent

Correct answer:

Disparate

Explanation:

"Disparate" is an adjective meaning essentially different in kind. "Motley" is a synonym, meaning varied in appearance or character, and is the best answer. "Fallacious" means based on a mistaken belief, "famished" means extremely hungry, "malcontent" means dissatisfied and complaining, and "tenuous" means very weak or slight.

Example Question #1252 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

TRANSIENT

Possible Answers:

Duplicitous

Tempestuous

Fleeting

Momentous

Nimble

Correct answer:

Fleeting

Explanation:

"Transient" is an adjective meaning lasting for a short time. "Fleeting" is a synonym, also describing something brief in nature. "Tempestuous" means characterized by strong and turbulent or conflicting emotions, "momentous" means of great importance, "nimble" means quick and light in movement, and "duplicitous" means deceitful.

Example Question #1253 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

MULTITUDINOUS

Possible Answers:

Myriad

Daunting

Jejune

Formidable

Germane

Correct answer:

Myriad

Explanation:

Used an an adjective, "myriad" means many, multitudinous, and innumerable. "Daunting" and "formidable" are synonyms. "Jejune" means uninteresting, while "germane" means relevant to the topic at hand.

Example Question #1254 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

RISIBLE

Possible Answers:

Petulant

Irascible

Heroic

Laughable

Plaintive

Correct answer:

Laughable

Explanation:

"Risible" is a synonym for "laughable" or humorous. "Plaintive" means mournful, sad, or pathetic. "Heroic" means brave and valiant. "Irascible" is a synonym for "irritable," as is "petulant."

Example Question #1255 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PRESAGED

Possible Answers:

Remunerative

Empirical

Lucrative

Parsimonious

Foreseen

Correct answer:

Foreseen

Explanation:

"Presaged" means "foreseen," foretold, or predicted. "Lucrative" and "remunerative" are synonyms. "Parsimonious" is another word for stingy or miserly. "Empirical" means based in evidence (as opposed to based in logic or intuition).

Example Question #1256 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

DROLL

Possible Answers:

Lissome

Craven

Prolix

Humorous

Veracious

Correct answer:

Humorous

Explanation:

"Droll" means "humorous" or comical. "Lissome" is another word for supple, lithe, and graceful. "Craven" means abject, cowardly, or feeble. "Prolix" is a synonym for verbose or overly wordy. "Veracious" means truthful, honest.

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