SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #2011 : Synonyms

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

DEPLOY

Possible Answers:

Formalize

Corroborate

Position

Lessen

Strategize

Correct answer:

Position

Explanation:

Deploy means to position troops (when referring to the military).

Example Question #2012 : Synonyms

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

LOLL

Possible Answers:

Dash

Tense

Perceive

Bounce

Dangle

Correct answer:

Dangle

Explanation:

“Loll” is a verb that can mean “sit, lie, or stand in a lazy, relaxed way, or hang loosely; droop,” or, with an object, “stick out one’s tongue loosely.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “sit, lie, or stand in a relaxed way,” “droop,” or “stick out one’s tongue so that it dangles.” That means that “tense” cannot be the correct answer, because “tense,” when used as a verb, means “become tense, typically through anxiety or nervousness” or, with an object, “make (a muscle or one’s body) tight or rigid,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “loll.” “Dangle,” however, is a verb that can mean “hang or swing loosely,” and because “dangle” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “loll,” “dangle” is the correct answer.

Example Question #2013 : Synonyms

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

MOLT

Possible Answers:

Flap

Melt

Bite

Scratch

Shed

Correct answer:

Shed

Explanation:

“Molt” is a verb that is used of an animal and means “shed old feathers, hair, or skin, etc.,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “discard feathers, hair, skin, or an old shell to make way for new growth.” While all of the answer choirs are verbs that might be associated with animals, “shed,” is a verb that when referring to a reptile or insect means “allow skin to come off, to be replaced by another one that has grown underneath,” and when referring to a mammal means “lose (hair) as a result of molting, disease, or age.” Because “shed” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “molt,” “shed” is the correct answer.

Example Question #2014 : Synonyms

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

ERADICATE

Possible Answers:

Bombard

Grant

Grumble

Destroy

Harbor

Correct answer:

Destroy

Explanation:

"To eradicate" means to completely destroy.

Example Question #2015 : Synonyms

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

CORRODE

Possible Answers:

Deteriorate

Orate

Expand

Characterize

Whisper

Correct answer:

Deteriorate

Explanation:

To "corrode" is to deteriorate, disintegrate, or wear away.

Example Question #2016 : Synonyms

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

ANNEX

Possible Answers:

Humanize

Attach

Goad

Envelop

Swindle

Correct answer:

Attach

Explanation:

To "annex" is to add or attach, especially to something larger. The Latin root word, "annexus," means "tied to."

Example Question #2017 : Synonyms

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

EXPUNGE

Possible Answers:

Manage

Legislate

Advocate

Lie

Obliterate

Correct answer:

Obliterate

Explanation:

To "expunge" is to wipe out or obliterate.

Example Question #2018 : Synonyms

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

TRANSCEND

Possible Answers:

Gratify

Surpass

Terminate

Bore

Admonish

Correct answer:

Surpass

Explanation:

To "transcend" is to go beyond or to surpass.

Example Question #2019 : Synonyms

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

ABRIDGE

Possible Answers:

Summarize

Add onto

Shorten

Cross over

Defend

Correct answer:

Shorten

Explanation:

To "abridge" something is to shorten it, usually by editing out parts of it. This usually refers to a story, an essay, or some other written or spoken work.

Example Question #261 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

AMPLIFY

Possible Answers:

Simplify

Make larger

Praise

Become fancy

Make false

Correct answer:

Make larger

Explanation:

To "amplify" something is to make it larger. An amplifier is a device for making a musical instrument louder; if something is "ample," you have a lot of it. 

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors