SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #831 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HARDY

Possible Answers:

Easy

Ugly

Vile

Poor

Tough

Correct answer:

Tough

Explanation:

The adjective "hardy" means robust, fit and healthy, strong and tough. Additionally, "vile" means disgusting or wicked.

Example Question #832 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CORPULENT

Possible Answers:

Overweight

Underwhelming

Underweight

Egregious

Overwhelming

Correct answer:

Overweight

Explanation:

The adjective "corpulent" means fat, overweight. Additionally, "egregious" means particularly bad and shocking, especially terrible.

Example Question #833 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OROTUND

Possible Answers:

Feisty

Querulous

Sonorous

Pulchritudinous

Sordid

Correct answer:

Sonorous

Explanation:

"Orotund" is a synonym for "sonorous," pleasant-sounding. "Pulchritudinous" describes visual beauty. "Sordid" means filthy, and "querulous" means irritable, cranky. "Feisty" is another word for spunky, spirited.

Example Question #834 : Identifying Synonyms

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

STRIATED

Possible Answers:

Festering

Striped

Jejune

Dappled

Excited

Correct answer:

Striped

Explanation:

"Striated" is another word for "striped." "Dappled" means spotted or marked with splotches. "Jejune" means dull and uninteresting. "Festering" means diseased and rotting. "Excited" is a synonym for "enthusiastic" and "eager."

Example Question #835 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GELID

Possible Answers:

Tepid

Ludicrous

Icy

Indulgent

Lenient

Correct answer:

Icy

Explanation:

"Gelid" means frigid, "icy," very cold. "Tepid," which means lukewarm, is another temperature word. "Ludicrous" is a synonym for "ridiculous," absurd. "Indulgent" and "lenient" are synonyms.

Example Question #836 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WIZENED

Possible Answers:

Geriatric

Rotund

Puerile

Shriveled

Outlandish

Correct answer:

Shriveled

Explanation:

"Wizened" means "shriveled," age-worn, and wrinkled, and is often used to describe elderly people or things. It is not, however, a direct synonym for "geriatric" (elderly). "Puerile' means juvenile, immature. "Outlandish" means bizarre or strange. "Rotund" is a synonym for "plump."

Example Question #837 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CAPACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Extenuating

Scrupulous

Ample

Redundant

Ghastly

Correct answer:

Ample

Explanation:

The adjective "capacious" means spacious, roomy, having more than enough room. This is closest in meaning to "ample" which means having more than enough of. Additionally, "extenuating" means (of circumstances) explaining and excusing; "redundant" means no longer needed, made unnecessary; "scrupulous" means either careful and meticulous or honest and principled; "ghastly" means horrible, grim, dire, horrific.

Example Question #838 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OBLIQUE

Possible Answers:

Corrupt

Slanting

Rectilinear

Choleric

Curvaceous

Correct answer:

Slanting

Explanation:

"Oblique" means "slanting" or crooked. "Rectilinear" means having straight lines, and "curvaceous" means having curves. "Corrupt" is a synonym for "depraved." "Choleric" means angry or irritable.

Example Question #839 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GRAVID

Possible Answers:

Wizened

Serpentine

Dreary

Pregnant

Trivial

Correct answer:

Pregnant

Explanation:

"Gravid" mean "pregnant," either literally with child or figuratively (as in a gravid pause). "Wizened" means withered and shriveled, and "trivial" means trifling, unimportant. "Serpentine" is a synonym for "winding" or tortuous. "Dreary" is a synonym for "dismal."

Example Question #840 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ROTUND

Possible Answers:

Plump

Scathing

Baronial

Apposite

Stately

Correct answer:

Plump

Explanation:

"Rotund" means chubby or plump. "Baronial" and "stately" are both synonyms for "grand." "Scathing" means blistering. "Apposite" means apt or appropriate.

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