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 #1964 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DEPLOY

Possible Answers:

Formalize

Lessen

Position

Corroborate

Strategize

Correct answer:

Position

Explanation:

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

Example Question #1965 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LOLL

Possible Answers:

Tense

Perceive

Dash

Dangle

Bounce

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 #2761 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

MOLT

Possible Answers:

Scratch

Melt

Shed

Flap

Bite

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:

Destroy

Bombard

Harbor

Grumble

Grant

Correct answer:

Destroy

Explanation:

"To eradicate" means to completely destroy.

Example Question #2762 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

CORRODE

Possible Answers:

Whisper

Deteriorate

Orate

Characterize

Expand

Correct answer:

Deteriorate

Explanation:

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

Example Question #2011 : Synonyms

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

ANNEX

Possible Answers:

Attach

Goad

Humanize

Swindle

Envelop

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:

Legislate

Manage

Lie

Obliterate

Advocate

Correct answer:

Obliterate

Explanation:

To "expunge" is to wipe out or obliterate.

Example Question #2015 : Synonyms

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

TRANSCEND

Possible Answers:

Surpass

Terminate

Bore

Admonish

Gratify

Correct answer:

Surpass

Explanation:

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

Example Question #2012 : Synonyms

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

ABRIDGE

Possible Answers:

Defend

Summarize

Cross over

Add onto

Shorten

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 #2772 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

AMPLIFY

Possible Answers:

Simplify

Make larger

Become fancy

Make false

Praise

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