SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1281 : Synonyms

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

COMPLAISANT

Possible Answers:

Potent

Thorough

Amenable

Self-evident

Self-satisfied

Correct answer:

Amenable

Explanation:

"Complaisant" means willing to do things, pleasant, and "amenable." Be careful not to confuse this with "complacent," which means overly satisfied with oneself. "Potent" means powerful. Something "thorough" is in-depth, rigorous, and exhaustive.

Example Question #1282 : Synonyms

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

ABSTEMIOUS

Possible Answers:

Pugnacious

Circumspect

Grandiloquent

Temperate

Bombastic

Correct answer:

Temperate

Explanation:

"Abstemious" is the adjective form of the verb "abstain" and denotes temperance and moderation. "Circumspect" is a synonym for "noncommittal." Both "bombastic" and "grandiloquent" mean pompous. "Pugnacious" means aggressive and combative.

Example Question #1283 : Synonyms

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

PEDANTIC

Possible Answers:

Suave

Picky

Deleterious

Conspicuous

Discreet

Correct answer:

Picky

Explanation:

"Pedantic" means "picky," overly fastidious, or narrow minded. "Suave" is a synonym for "sophisticated." "Deleterious" is a synonym for "harmful." "Discreet" is a synonym for "inconspicuous," which is obviously the antonym of "conspicuous."

Example Question #1284 : Synonyms

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

PROMISCUOUS

Possible Answers:

Modest

Debased

Perilous

Wanton

Precarious

Correct answer:

Wanton

Explanation:

"Wanton" is a word that means immoral or "promiscuous" in some contexts. "Perilous" is a synonym for "dangerous." "Precarious" means unsteady or insecure. "Debased" means lowered in value or humiliated. "Modest" means humble or lowly.

Example Question #1285 : Synonyms

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

PERTINACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Misunderstood

Garish

Exceptional

Persistent

Outlandish

Correct answer:

Persistent

Explanation:

"Pertinacious" is a synonym for "persistent" and "tenacious." "Outlandish" means strange or bizarre. "Garish" is a synonym for tawdry or gaudy, and "exceptional" is a synonym for "outstanding." "Understood" and "misunderstood" are antonyms.

Example Question #1286 : Synonyms

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

MISANTHROPIC

Possible Answers:

Somnolent

Adept

Philanthropic

Antisocial

Adroit

Correct answer:

Antisocial

Explanation:

"Misanthropic" means "antisocial" or unfriendly: literally, hating humankind. As you may be able to guess, this is an antonym of "philanthropic," which means charitable and generous. "Adroit" and "adept" both mean skillful. "Somnolent" is a synonym for "sleepy."

Example Question #1287 : Synonyms

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

RECLUSIVE

Possible Answers:

Hermitic

Acerbic

Gregarious

Ridiculous

Garish

Correct answer:

Hermitic

Explanation:

Someone who is a "recluse" is a hermit, a solitary person. This is an antonym for "gregarious," or outgoing. "Garish" is another word for gaudy, and "acerbic" is another word for "caustic." Another word for "ridiculous" is "ludicrous."

Example Question #1288 : Synonyms

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

FIENDISH

Possible Answers:

Virtuous

Fanciful

Wicked

Blissful

Cavalier

Correct answer:

Wicked

Explanation:

The adjective "fiendish" means wicked, devilish and cunning. Additionally, "fanciful" means unrealistic, 'far-fetched'; "virtuous" means good, wholesome, not sinful; "cavalier" means offhand, apathetic towards; "blissful" means very happy, ecstatic.

Example Question #1289 : Synonyms

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

PRECOCIOUS

Possible Answers:

Irresolute

Surreptitious

Gifted

Taciturn

Ribald

Correct answer:

Gifted

Explanation:

The adjective "precocious" means advanced for one's age, especially talented and "gifted." Additionally, "irresolute" means uncertain; "ribald" means vulgar, (of behavior) distasteful; "surreptitious" means secretive, clandestine; "taciturn" means not talkative, prone to silence.

Example Question #1290 : Synonyms

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

NEUROTIC

Possible Answers:

Malformed

Malicious

Misappropriated

Malevolent

Maladjusted

Correct answer:

Maladjusted

Explanation:

The adjective "neurotic" is used to describe someone who has many complexes, is suffering from a mental imbalance. This is closest in meaning to "maladjusted" which means poorly adjusted, poorly suited to society. The prefix mal- means bad. So, "malicious" means bad-natured, wicked; "malevolent" also means having an evil nature, wicked; "malformed" means badly formed, incorrectly made; "misappropriated" means to have taken something, like a saying, and used it incorrectly.

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