SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1971 : Synonyms

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

BARRICADE

Possible Answers:

Injure

March

Obstruct

Announce

Destroy

Correct answer:

Obstruct

Explanation:

To "barricade" or "obstruct" something is to block it.

Example Question #1972 : Synonyms

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

WANE

Possible Answers:

Diminish

Transportation

Spin

Creep

Swell

Correct answer:

Diminish

Explanation:

"Wane" means decrease in size or power, so "diminish" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1931 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TRUNCATE

Possible Answers:

Oppose

Manipulate

Demand

Produce

Shorten

Correct answer:

Shorten

Explanation:

"Truncate" means curtail or cut off the end of, so "shorten" is the closest synonym amongst the available answer choices. 

Example Question #1932 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PULVERIZE

Possible Answers:

Burn

Strengthen

Defeat

Build

Crush

Correct answer:

Crush

Explanation:

"Pulverize" means to grind or pound into powder, so "crush" is the best synonym amongst the provided answer choices.

Example Question #1933 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MUSTER

Possible Answers:

Hold

Enjoy

Spread

Provoke

Assemble

Correct answer:

Assemble

Explanation:

"Muster" means gather or assemble and often is used to refer to people, so "assemble" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1934 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXPEDITE

Possible Answers:

Hasten

Recede

Risk

Wish

Load

Correct answer:

Hasten

Explanation:

"Expedite" means speed up the progress of or hasten, so "hasten" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "expedite": "load" means fill; "wish" means hope; "risk" means endanger; and "recede" means retreat.

Example Question #1933 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ADULTERATE

Possible Answers:

Deny

Matriculate

Frequent

Contaminate

Mature

Correct answer:

Contaminate

Explanation:

"Adulterate" means to lessen the quality of a substance by adding an impurity, or to contaminate it.

Example Question #1934 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SHIRK

Possible Answers:

Determine

Avoid

Bewilder

Appreciate

Irritate

Correct answer:

Avoid

Explanation:

"Shirk" means avoid or evade, so "avoid," a verb that means eschew or stay away from, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "shirk" and "avoid": "determine" means to figure out or solve; "bewilder" means to confuse or to baffle; "Irritate" means to annoy or to bother; and "appreciate" means to show gratitude for something.

Example Question #1935 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the answer closest in meaning to the word in question.

DAWDLE

Possible Answers:

Innovate

Memorize

Prioritize

Accuse

Idle

Correct answer:

Idle

Explanation:

"Dawdle" means to idle or waste time and do nothing. "Memorize" to remember every word or aspect. "Prioritize" means to put things in order of importance with the most important in front. "Innovate" means to improve or make changes to something to make it better. "Accuse" means to charge a person with a crime or offense.

Example Question #1936 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DALLY

Possible Answers:

Rectify

Concur

Profess

Dawdle

Elucidate

Correct answer:

Dawdle

Explanation:

"Dally" means linger or "dawdle." "Concur" means agree. "Rectify" means to correct or to make right. "Elucidate" means make clear. "Profess" means state openly or announce.

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