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:

Self-satisfied

Potent

Thorough

Amenable

Self-evident

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

Bombastic

Temperate

Circumspect

Grandiloquent

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 #1241 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PEDANTIC

Possible Answers:

Discreet

Picky

Suave

Deleterious

Conspicuous

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 #1242 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROMISCUOUS

Possible Answers:

Precarious

Wanton

Modest

Perilous

Debased

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 #1243 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PERTINACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Persistent

Misunderstood

Outlandish

Garish

Exceptional

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 #1283 : Synonyms

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

MISANTHROPIC

Possible Answers:

Philanthropic

Adept

Antisocial

Somnolent

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 #1284 : Synonyms

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

RECLUSIVE

Possible Answers:

Garish

Gregarious

Ridiculous

Hermitic

Acerbic

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 #1285 : Synonyms

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

FIENDISH

Possible Answers:

Blissful

Fanciful

Virtuous

Cavalier

Wicked

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 #1286 : Synonyms

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

PRECOCIOUS

Possible Answers:

Taciturn

Ribald

Surreptitious

Gifted

Irresolute

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 #1287 : Synonyms

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

NEUROTIC

Possible Answers:

Misappropriated

Maladjusted

Malformed

Malicious

Malevolent

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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