SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1841 : Synonyms

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

CONVERSE

Possible Answers:

Manipulate

Rehearse

Weaken

Talk

Force

Correct answer:

Talk

Explanation:

"Converse," when used as a verb, means to engage in conversation, or to "talk." When used as an adjective, "converse" means opposite, but since all of the potential answer choices are verbs, this should not be the meaning of "converse" that we rely upon.

Example Question #1842 : Synonyms

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

CASTIGATE

Possible Answers:

Loiter

Criticize

Acquire

Generate

Verbalize

Correct answer:

Criticize

Explanation:

To "castigate" is to criticize.

Example Question #1843 : Synonyms

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

OBFUSCATE

Possible Answers:

Hide

Complex

Complain

Reveal

Obtuse

Correct answer:

Hide

Explanation:

"Obfuscate" means to make something unclear or confusing. It can also mean to hide. "Hide" is the best choice as it is part of the definition of "obfuscate." Considering the other answer choices, "reveal" means to make known or to show, "obtuse" means not smart or dull, "complain" means to express dissatisfaction, and "complex" means complicated.  

Example Question #1844 : Synonyms

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

UNDERSCORE

Possible Answers:

Calculate

Petrify

Raze

Pinch

Emphasize

Correct answer:

Emphasize

Explanation:

"To underscore" is to emphasize or to stress.

Example Question #1845 : Synonyms

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

DIGRESS

Possible Answers:

Hurt

Find

Discover

Wander

Dig

Correct answer:

Wander

Explanation:

To "digress" means to veer off from a topic, specifically in speech. (Example: "Jonathan has trouble staying on point and often digresses when offering explanations.") Thus, "wander" is closest in meaning to "digress" and is therefore the synonym.

Example Question #1846 : Synonyms

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

PRATTLE

Possible Answers:

Obscure

Confuse

Annoy

Interest

Babble

Correct answer:

Babble

Explanation:

To "prattle" means to talk on and on in a manner that is silly and senseless. To "babble" means to speak in a way that is illogical and unintelligent sounding. Given how similar these words are, they are synonyms. While it may "annoy" someone to hear another person "prattle," the words are not synonyms because they don't mean the same thing. (Instead, there is a causal relationship between them: when one person prattles, that can annoy another.)

Example Question #1847 : Synonyms

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

DEBUNK

Possible Answers:

Ruminate

Unfold

Disprove

Untuck

Dislike

Correct answer:

Disprove

Explanation:

"Debunk" means to prove to be false. While the word sounds like it might mean to "untuck," this answer choice is a trick. The best answer choice is thus "disprove," which means to prove that something is not true.

Example Question #1848 : Synonyms

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

INDEMNIFY

Possible Answers:

Regulate

Elect

Compensate

Pinch

Soothe

Correct answer:

Compensate

Explanation:

"Indemnify" is a verb that means to compensate someone for a damage or loss.  It can also mean to ensure financial reimbursement in case of a future loss.  The root word "indemnis" means unhurt. So, "compensate" is the correct answer because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "indemnify."

Example Question #1849 : Synonyms

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

DECREE

Possible Answers:

Opulence

Command

Imperial

Harbinger

Pennant

Correct answer:

Command

Explanation:

"Decree" can function either as a noun or an verb. As a noun, a "decree" is a law or rule made by an authority; as an verb, it means to create such a law or rule and put it into effect. While "imperial" may seem like a good answer choice because someone who is imperial may issue decrees, "imperial" is not a synonym of "decree," so we should skip it. Of the listed answer choices, "command" is the closest synonym; it can similarly act as a noun or verb and means either an order issued by an authority or to issue such an order.

Example Question #1850 : Synonyms

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

CORROBORATE

Possible Answers:

Accelerate

Validate

Acclaim

Evaluate

Incite

Correct answer:

Validate

Explanation:

"Corroborate" is a verb which means "confirm or give support to a statement, theory, or finding," so we need to find another verb which means "confirm." While "acclaim" might seem like the correct answer, it actually means "praise enthusiastically and publicly," and doesn't quite match the meaning of "confirm" that we're looking for. "Validate," on the other hand, means "check or prove the validity or accuracy of something," and since it is the closest in meaning to "corroborate," it is the correct answer.

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