SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1251 : Synonyms

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

DEBONAIR

Possible Answers:

Indolent

Urbane

Potent

Assiduous

Potable

Correct answer:

Urbane

Explanation:

"Debonair" means "urbane," suave, or sophisticated. "Assiduous" means hardworking, which is an antonym for "indolent," or lazy. "Potable" means safe to drink, and "potent" means powerful.

Example Question #1252 : Synonyms

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

UNCTUOUS

Possible Answers:

Magnanimous

Smarmy

Impartial

Saccharine

Imaginative

Correct answer:

Smarmy

Explanation:

"Unctuous" is a synonym for "smarmy," insincerely ingratiating. "Impartial" means unbiased, and "saccharine" means overly sweet. "Imaginative" is a synonym for creative, and "magnanimous" is a synonym for "generous."

Example Question #1253 : Synonyms

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

PEDANTIC

Possible Answers:

Lackluster

Addled

Fortuitous

Paramount

Meticulous

Correct answer:

Meticulous

Explanation:

The adjective "pedantic" is used to describe someone who pays too close attention to details, someone who is obsessive about something in an irritating manner. The closest answer choice to this definition is "meticulous" which means precise, trying to do something perfectly. Additionally, "paramount" means of particular importance, very significant; "fortuitous" means lucky; "addled" means confused and mentally weak (usually from drug use or old age); "lackluster" means uninspiring, underwhelming.

Example Question #1254 : Synonyms

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

ECCENTRIC

Possible Answers:

Simple

Ancient

Youthful

Odd

Normal

Correct answer:

Odd

Explanation:

The adjective "eccentric" is usually used to describe certain people and means odd, unusual, prone to weird behavior.

Example Question #1255 : Synonyms

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

PERSPICACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Loathsome

Salient

Illuminating

Discerning

Corpulent

Correct answer:

Discerning

Explanation:

The adjective "perspicacious" is used to describe someone who is very discerning, able to notice and understand things very well. Additionally, "loathsome" means detestable, hated; "illuminating" means revealing, 'shining a light on'; "corpulent" means overweight, fat; "salient" means most important, very significant.

Example Question #1256 : Synonyms

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

SUPERCILIOUS

Possible Answers:

Fruitful

Meek

Raucous

Conceited

Drastic

Correct answer:

Conceited

Explanation:

The adjective "supercilious" means arrogant, haughty, thinking one knows better than everyone else, or "conceited." Additionally, "meek" means shy, reserved, weak; "fruitful" means productive; "drastic" means extreme and desperate; "raucous" means rowdy, disorderly and grating.

Example Question #1257 : Synonyms

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

INSUFFERABLE

Possible Answers:

Unbearable

Provocative

Cagey

Inveterate

Besmirched

Correct answer:

Unbearable

Explanation:

The adjective "insufferable," which can be used to describe people or circumstances, means so annoying as to be impossible to put up with, too intense to cope with. This is closest in definition to "unbearable" which means intolerable, unendurable. Additionally, "provocative" means likely to cause offense, incendiary, causing a strong reaction; "cagey" means cautious and noncommittal, wary and guarded; "inveterate" means (of a habit) deeply ingrained and long established; "besmirched" means sullied, tarnished, ruined, (of a reputation) damaged.

Example Question #1258 : Synonyms

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

OFFICIOUS

Possible Answers:

Meddlesome

Ostentatious

Insolvent

Corpulent

Noisome

Correct answer:

Meddlesome

Explanation:

The adjective "officious" means (of an authority figure) prone to interfering and meddling unnecessarily, meddlesome and irritating. Additionally, "insolvent" means bankrupt, run out of money; "corpulent" means overweight, fat; "ostentatious" means extravagant and showy; "noisome" means smelling very bad, having an offensive smell.

Example Question #1259 : Synonyms

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

PERFIDIOUS

Possible Answers:

Demonstrative

Disloyal

Acclaimed

Jovial

Adulterated

Correct answer:

Disloyal

Explanation:

The adjective "perfidious" means treacherous, not trustworthy, duplicitous and likely to betray, disloyal. Additionally, "jovial" means good-natured or in a good-mood; "adulterated" means edited and made impure; "acclaimed" means widely celebrated and praised; "demonstrative" means extremely showy of one's thoughts and feelings, expressive.

Example Question #1260 : Synonyms

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

SOLIPSISTIC

Possible Answers:

Self-assured

Self-possessed

Deleterious

Lurid

Self-centered

Correct answer:

Self-centered

Explanation:

"Solipsistic" means egotistical or focused on the self. "Confident" means self-assured, as does "self-possessed." "Lurid" is a synonym for bright, colorful, sensational, or overly dramatic. "Deleterious" means harmful.

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