SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2431 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PICARESQUE

Possible Answers:

Assiduous

Meritorious

Insuperable

Myriad

Episodic

Correct answer:

Episodic

Explanation:

"Picaresque," which is often used in a literary context, describes something that occurs in many episodes, often humorous ones. "Myriad" means many or innumerable. "Insuperable" is another word for overwhelming, impossible to overcome. "Meritorious" means praiseworthy, commendable. "Assiduous" means diligent and hardworking.

Example Question #2432 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VERACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Excruciating

Apocryphal

Truthful

Exigent

Ravenous

Correct answer:

Truthful

Explanation:

"Veracious" means "truthful," accurate. It's easy to confuse this word with "voracious," which means ravenous, insatiable. "Apocryphal," which means false or fictitious, is an antonym for "veracious." "Excruciating" means extremely painful, and "exigent" means urgent.

Example Question #2433 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RAMPANT

Possible Answers:

Abhorrent

Meticulous

Ephemeral

Analogous

Widespread

Correct answer:

Widespread

Explanation:

"Rampant" means "widespread" or uncontrolled, such as a rampant wildfire or the rampant spread of disease. "Analogous" means comparable or similar, while "abhorrent" means loathsome or repellent. "Meticulous" is another word for fastidious, extremely attentive to detail. "Ephemeral" means transitory, fleeting.

Example Question #2434 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INCIPIENT

Possible Answers:

Antiquated

Fecund

Extemporaneous

Obsequious 

Emergent

Correct answer:

Emergent

Explanation:

"Incipient" describes something that is in an early or initial phase, that's "emergent" or just beginning to coalesce. "Antiquated" means old-fashioned, and "obsequious" means sycophantic or servile. "Fecund" means fertile, productive. "Extemporaneous" is a synonym for "impromptu," unplanned.

Example Question #2435 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ECUMENICAL

Possible Answers:

catholic

Tyrannical

Germane

Irrelevant

Exuberant

Correct answer:

catholic

Explanation:

"Ecumenical" and "catholic" both mean all-encompassing, universal. (Don't confuse catholic with "Catholic," a specific religious denomination.) "Germane" is an antonym for "irrelevant." "Exuberant" means overjoyed, while "tyrannical" means authoritarian and cruel.

Example Question #2436 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LAPIDARY

Possible Answers:

Inchoate

Multitudinous

Smug

Scanty

Elegant

Correct answer:

Elegant

Explanation:

"Lapidary" means "elegant," particularly in a way that is concise. (In fact, the word was originally used to describe jewelers' precise and beautiful work with gemstones.) "Smug" means self-satisfied, and "multitudinous" means numerous or prolific. This is an antonym for "scanty," which means scarce. "Inchoate" describes something that is new and not yet fully formed.

Example Question #2437 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AUTOCHTHONOUS

Possible Answers:

Measly

Chary

Excessive

Despotic

Indigenous

Correct answer:

Indigenous

Explanation:

Something "autochthonous" is native or indigenous to a particular area, the opposite of an "immigrant." "Chary" means cautious, wary. "Despotic" is a synonym for "tyrannical," and "excessive" means too much. "Measly" is another word for paltry or too little.

Example Question #2438 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INTERMINABLE

Possible Answers:

Effervescent

Philanthropic

Unending

Erroneous

Fallacious

Correct answer:

Unending

Explanation:

"Interminable" means ceaseless or long-lasting. "Effervescent" is a synonym for "bubbly," and "charitable" is a synonym for "philanthropic." "Fallacious" and "erroneous" are synonyms that both mean false or mistaken.

Example Question #2439 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IRKSOME

Possible Answers:

Annoying

Ill-tempered

Burnished

Secretive

Garish

Correct answer:

Annoying

Explanation:

"Irksome" is a synonym for bothersome or irritating. Don't confuse this with "irascible," or ill-tempered. "Secretive" is another word for "furtive, "and "garish" is a synonym for "tawdry." "Burnished" means well-polished and gleaming.

Example Question #2440 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INSIPID

Possible Answers:

Unequivocal

Paltry

Measly

Uninteresting

Erratic

Correct answer:

Uninteresting

Explanation:

"Insipid" can mean "uninteresting," dull, or unimaginative, such as an "insipid joke." "Unequivocal" means unambiguous, and "erratic" means unpredictable. "Measly" and "paltry" are synonyms for small, insufficient.

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