SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #901 : Hspt Verbal Skills

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

EMBELLISH

Possible Answers:

Decorate

Terminate

Define

Mimic

Plagiarize

Correct answer:

Decorate

Explanation:

"Embellish" means to "decorate" or to add ornaments to something; one might embellish a story by adding details that are not true to an otherwise true account. "Terminate" means to end or to conclude. "Mimic" means to imitate or to copy. "Plagiarize" means to copy another person's work without crediting that person for it. "Define" means to state the definition or qualities of a person or thing.

Example Question #2715 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

THRUST

Possible Answers:

Change

Fly

Dance

Force

Catapult

Correct answer:

Force

Explanation:

"Thrust" means force something upon someone, or shove something forcibly. The correct answer is therefore "force." The other choices do not have similar definitions: "dance" means move your body to music, "catapult" means hurl something using an ancient military device, "change" means make different, and "fly" means propel oneself through the air.

Example Question #2716 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

TWEAK

Possible Answers:

Damage

Predict

Alter

Hop

Breathe

Correct answer:

Alter

Explanation:

"Tweak" means make small changes to something, and "alter" means change, so "alter" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "tweak": "breathe" means to inhale and exhale, "hop" means jump, "predict" means guess what will happen in the future based on information known at the present moment, and "damage" means cause harm to something.

Example Question #2717 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

BURNISH

Possible Answers:

Polish

Fry

Develop

Trade

Wear

Correct answer:

Polish

Explanation:

To "burnish" is to polish or shine, so "polish" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "burnish": “wear” means to display on the body; “trade” means exchange commodities;“fry” means to cook with oil or fat; and “develop” means grow. 

Example Question #2718 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

TARNISH

Possible Answers:

Attempt

Berate

Sully

Extinguish

Prepare

Correct answer:

Sully

Explanation:

"Tarnish" and "sully" are both words that mean make something dirtier or less valuable.

Example Question #2721 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

CONVERGE

Possible Answers:

Inoculate

Divulge

Meet

Scatter

Protest

Correct answer:

Meet

Explanation:

"Converge" is a verb meaning come to the same place (metaphorically or physically) at the same time, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like come together. "Protest" and "scatter" might look like potentially correct answer choices initially, but they are each antonyms of "converge," so neither of them can be the correct answer. Because "meet" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "converge," "meet" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2722 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

ERECT

Possible Answers:

Ignore

Rattle

Straighten

Marginalize

Construct

Correct answer:

Construct

Explanation:

"Erect" means raise, build, or construct, so "construct" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2723 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

AMALGAMATE

Possible Answers:

Pinpoint

Bloom

Dissociate

Meld

Hallow

Correct answer:

Meld

Explanation:

“Amalgamate” is a verb that means unify multiple things into one, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like combine. That means that “dissociate” cannot be the correct answer, because “dissociate” means separate, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “amalgamate.” “Meld,” however, when used as a verb, means combine, and because “meld” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “amalgamate,” “meld” is the correct answer.

Example Question #2724 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

ENERVATE

Possible Answers:

Moderate

Energize 

Improve 

Weaken

Strengthen 

Correct answer:

Weaken

Explanation:

“Enervate” is a transitive verb that means weaken someone physically or mentally, so "weaken" is the correct answer. “Strengthen,” “energize,” and “improve” are all antonyms, and "moderate" is not related in meaning to "enervate."

Example Question #2725 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

ABRIDGE

Possible Answers:

shorten

cross

climb

float

transfer

Correct answer:

shorten

Explanation:

"Abridge" means to shorten something without losing the main idea.

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