SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1831 : Synonyms

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

COERCE

Possible Answers:

Befriend

Pressure

Bend

Call

Overcome

Correct answer:

Pressure

Explanation:

"Coerce" means to pressure someone into doing something, so "pressure" (considered as a verb) is the correct answer.

Example Question #1832 : Synonyms

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

WINCE

Possible Answers:

Bolster

Operate

Flinch

Crank

Relax

Correct answer:

Flinch

Explanation:

“Wince” is a word that can be used as a verb or a noun, but because all of the potential answer choices can be used as verbs, we will need to consider “wince” as a verb. When used as a verb, “wince” means grimace or shrink away from. Therefore, “relax” cannot be the correct answer, because “relax” is an antonym, not a synonym, of “wince.” “Flinch,” however, is a verb that means jerk one's body back in surprise or fear, and because “flinch” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “wince,” “flinch” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1833 : Synonyms

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

RESCIND

Possible Answers:

Implement

Engage

Reconsider

Quell

Nullify

Correct answer:

Nullify

Explanation:

“Rescind” is a verb that means revoke or repeal, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like revoke. That means that “implement” cannot be the correct answer, because “implement,” when used as a verb, means have something take effect, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “rescind.” “Nullify,” however, is a verb that means annul or make void, and because “nullify” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “rescind,” “nullify” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1834 : Synonyms

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

ABASE

Possible Answers:

Degrade

Memorize

Reconsider

Summon

Scatter

Correct answer:

Degrade

Explanation:

"Abase" is a verb that means degrade or humiliate. So, "degrade," a verb that means treat someone disrespectfully, is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "abase."

Example Question #1835 : Synonyms

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

CHORTLE

Possible Answers:

Fabricate

Cough

Burn

Stir

Laugh

Correct answer:

Laugh

Explanation:

A "chortle" is a form of laughter; one might write, "The obnoxious joke still made her chortle."

Example Question #1836 : Synonyms

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

ACQUIESCE

Possible Answers:

Agree

Infer

Beg

Argue

Retreat

Correct answer:

Agree

Explanation:

"Acquiesce" means reluctantly agree to do something, so "agree" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "acquiesce."

Example Question #1837 : Synonyms

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

COMPEL.

Possible Answers:

Force 

Allow 

Manifest 

Enable

Prism 

Correct answer:

Force 

Explanation:

To “compel” means to force. For clarification manifest means obvious, apparent

Example Question #1838 : Synonyms

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

INFUSE.

Possible Answers:

Wonder 

Declare 

Instill

Threaten 

Garner

Correct answer:

Instill

Explanation:

To “infuse” somebody means to introduce some thought or emotion into someone else’s mind. This definition is very similar to “instill” which means to impart ideas in someone else’s mind gradually. For clarification, garner means to win or gain something or to collect information.

Example Question #1839 : Synonyms

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

EXPIATE

Possible Answers:

Build

Access

Muse

Supervise

Atone

Correct answer:

Atone

Explanation:

“Expiate” means to atone or make amends, so "atone" is the correct answer.  None of the other answers are close in meaning to “expiate”. “Access” means to get into. “Muse” means to ponder. “Supervise” means to oversee. “Build” means to construct.  

Example Question #81 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

ENTREAT

Possible Answers:

Spoil

Urge

Conspire

Concoct

Push

Correct answer:

Urge

Explanation:

"Entreat" means to ask anxiously for someone to do something, or to "urge."

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