SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1441 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PENURIOUS

Possible Answers:

Auspicious

Ignominious

Emblematic

Propitious

Impoverished

Correct answer:

Impoverished

Explanation:

"Penury" is extreme poverty. "Ignominy" means shame and humiliation, and "emblematic" means symbolic. "Propitious" and "auspicious" are synonyms that both mean favorable and promising.

Example Question #1442 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LACONIC

Possible Answers:

Apposite

Terse

Slothful

Tasteless

Mercurial

Correct answer:

Terse

Explanation:

"Laconic" is a synonym for "terse" or brief. "Mercurial" is a synonym for "capricious," and "apposite" means apt. "Tasteless" and "tasteful" are antonyms, "slothful" and "indolent" are synonyms.

Example Question #1491 : Synonyms

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

CONJECTURAL

Possible Answers:

Vicarious

Elliptical

Speculative

Belligerent

Grotesque

Correct answer:

Speculative

Explanation:

"Conjectural" means "speculative," supposed, hypothetical. "Belligerent" is a synonym for "aggressive," and "grotesque" is a synonym for "gruesome." "Elliptical" means obscure and impossible to comprehend. "Vicarious" is a synonym for "secondhand," indirect.

Example Question #1492 : Synonyms

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

INSOLVENT

Possible Answers:

Infrequent

Inane

Aloof

Bankrupt

Greedy

Correct answer:

Bankrupt

Explanation:

The adjective "insolvent" means unable to pay one's debts due to running out of money. This is closest in definition to "bankrupt." Additionally, "aloof" means distant, withdrawn from human company; "inane" means pointless and silly.

Example Question #1493 : Synonyms

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

PUTATIVE

Possible Answers:

Apocryphal

Gilded

Effervescent

Presumed

Morose

Correct answer:

Presumed

Explanation:

"Putative" means assumed, so-called, or supposed. "Effervescent" means bubbly and can describe a liquid or a personality, and "morose" is a synonym for glum or gloomy. "Gilded" means shiny or covered in a gold or gold-like coating. "Apocryphal" means fictitious or false.

Example Question #2251 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

GAUCHE

Possible Answers:

Haughty

Superfluous

Inelegant

Tasteful

Supercilious

Correct answer:

Inelegant

Explanation:

Something "gauche" is gaudy, tasteless, or "inelegant." This is an antonym for "tasteful." "Haughty" and "supercilious" are synonyms that mean stuck up. "Superfluous," on the other hand, means surplus, extra, or redundant.

Example Question #2252 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

EMBLEMATIC

Possible Answers:

Symbolic

Bewitching

Shrewd

Garrulous

Pedantic 

Correct answer:

Symbolic

Explanation:

Something that is "emblematic" is symbolic or representational. "Pedantic" means fussy or overly picky. "Shrewd" means sharp or astute, and "garrulous" means talkative. "Bewitching" means charming or enchanting.

Example Question #2253 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

FRACTIOUS

Possible Answers:

Fragmented

Irascible

Jingoistic

Lecherous

Lascivious

Correct answer:

Irascible

Explanation:

"Fractious" means grumpy, irritable, and "irascible." This is different from "fragmented," which means broken into small pieces, not joined together. "Jingoistic" is a synonym for "chauvinistic," and "lecherous" is a synonym for "lustful" or lascivious.

Example Question #2254 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

IMPECUNIOUS

Possible Answers:

Absurd

Intense

Wealthy

Exhausted

Poor

Correct answer:

Poor

Explanation:

The adjective "impecunious" means penniless, "poor," completely without money or possessions. Additionally, "absurd" means ridiculous.

Example Question #2255 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

INEXORABLE

Possible Answers:

Ignominious

Unyielding

Obstreperous

Impending

Tacit

Correct answer:

Unyielding

Explanation:

"Inexorable" means relentless, unstoppable, or "unyielding." "Tacit" is a synonym for "unspoken," and "impending" is a synonym for "imminent." "Ignominious" means shameful or disgraceful. "Obstreperous" means rambunctious and boisterous.

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