SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1421 : Synonyms

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

IMPOSING

Possible Answers:

Clear

Striking

Disappointing

Well-mannered

Attractive

Correct answer:

Striking

Explanation:

Imposing means grand, impressive, or striking.

Example Question #1422 : Synonyms

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

DOMINANT

Possible Answers:

Minor 

Leading 

Focused 

Small 

Descendent

Correct answer:

Leading 

Explanation:

The word “dominant” describes someone who is in control or in command over others. The answer choice that most resembles this definition is “leading.”  

Example Question #1423 : Synonyms

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

DAUNTING

Possible Answers:

Bothersome

Wavering

Calibrating

Pensive

Intimidating

Correct answer:

Intimidating

Explanation:

Daunting means seemingly difficult or intimidating.

Example Question #96 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

POTENT

Possible Answers:

Powerful

Obsessive 

Blotchy

Peaceful

Doubtful

Correct answer:

Powerful

Explanation:

Potent means powerful.  

Example Question #1424 : Synonyms

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

ELEMENTARY

Possible Answers:

Bungling

Desiccated

Fundamental

Fraudulent

Advanced

Correct answer:

Fundamental

Explanation:

“Elementary” is an adjective that can mean “of or relating to the most rudimentary aspects of a subject,” “easily dealt with; straightforward and uncomplicated,” or “not decomposable into elements or other primary constituents.” We need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “simple.” That means that “advanced” cannot be the correct answer, because “advanced” means “far on or ahead in development,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “elementary.” “Fundamental,” however, is an adjective that can mean “forming a necessary base or core; of central importance” or “so basic as to be hard to alter, resolve, or overcome,” and because “fundamental” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “elementary,” “fundamental” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1425 : Synonyms

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

ARDUOUS

Possible Answers:

Bold

Shifty

Hairy

Bearable

Difficult

Correct answer:

Difficult

Explanation:

"Arduous" means "difficult" or requiring a lot of energy.  

Example Question #1426 : Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

CONCISE.

Possible Answers:

Succinct 

Demanding 

Replete

Pulchritudinous

Inclusive

Correct answer:

Succinct 

Explanation:

“Concise” means brief and to the point and is therefore closest in meaning to “succinct.” Succinct describes something expressed with brevity and clarity, brief, and to the point. For clarification, replete means filled-up, overflowing; pulchritudinous means very beautiful.

Example Question #1427 : Synonyms

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

TERSE

Possible Answers:

Lengthy

Itinerant

Previous

Challenging

Abrupt

Correct answer:

Abrupt

Explanation:

"Terse" means not using many words, or "abrupt."

Example Question #1385 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SUCCINCT

Possible Answers:

Sweet

Argumentative

Helpful

Converse

Concise

Correct answer:

Concise

Explanation:

"Succinct" means expressed clearly and concisely, so "concise" is the best answer choice.

Example Question #1428 : Synonyms

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

PROLIX

Possible Answers:

Linguistic

Forthcoming

Merry

Tasteful

Verbose

Correct answer:

Verbose

Explanation:

"Prolix" means using too many words, or verbose.

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