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

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

SNARE

Possible Answers:

Falsify

Prosper

Research

Trap

Contaminate

Correct answer:

Trap

Explanation:

"Snare" is a word that can be used as either a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as verbs, we will need to consider "snare" as a verb. When used as a verb, "snare" means to trap or to catch and usually refers to trapping an animal, so "trap" is the correct answer.  None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "snare" or "trap": "prosper" means succeed or flourish. "Contaminate" means pollute; "falsify" means mislead or show that something is false; and "research" means to study or investigate.

Example Question #2784 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

CASCADE

Possible Answers:

Struggle

Determine

Loft

Fall

Thrive

Correct answer:

Fall

Explanation:

The verb "cascade" means (speaking of a liquid) to fall heavily. Additionally, "thrive" means to grow, to flourish, to develop well; "determine" means figure out, decide

Example Question #2785 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

MATRICULATE

Possible Answers:

Enroll

Egress

Abhor

Ingress

Adore

Correct answer:

Enroll

Explanation:

The verb "matriculate" means enroll in a college class, sign up for university. Additionally, "abhor" means detest, hate whereas "adore" means love, cherish; "egress" means place of exit and "ingress" means place of entrance

Example Question #2786 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Synonyms: Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

TAPER

Possible Answers:

Aggrandize

Elongate

Deprecate

Supplant

Narrow

Correct answer:

Narrow

Explanation:

The verb "taper" means to narrow, to diminish, to reduce or to cause to reduce. Additionally, "elongate" means make or become longer; "deprecate" means dislike and criticize; "supplant" means replace; "aggrandize" means increase the power and wealth of.

Example Question #272 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

PARRY

Possible Answers:

Abridge

Intercept

Deflect

Anoint

Incapacitate

Correct answer:

Deflect

Explanation:

The verb "parry" means to deflect something thrown at you and cause it to go in a different direction. Additionally, "intercept" means get in the way, or take control, of something so as to prevent it from getting to it's intended destination; "abridge" means shorten; "anoint" means consecrate, ordain, make holy or sacred; "incapacitate" means render no longer a threat, prevent from functioning.

Example Question #273 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

BURGEON

Possible Answers:

Digress

Domesticate

Thrive

Accrue

Advocate

Correct answer:

Thrive

Explanation:

The verb "burgeon" means to grow, to "thrive," to flourish. Additionally, "accrue" means increase in value; "advocate" means speak out in support of; "digress" means stray from the main point; "domesticate" means make a pet, tame.

Example Question #274 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

BOLSTER

Possible Answers:

Masticate

Supplicate

Embezzle

Reinforce

Brandish

Correct answer:

Reinforce

Explanation:

The verb "bolster" means to "reinforce", to add to in order to strengthen. Additionally, "supplicate" means urge and entreat, humbly plead and beg for; "masticate" means chew; "embezzle" means steal money which was given to one in good faith, steal from one's own company; "brandish" means flourish, (of a weapon or other object) wave about.

Example Question #275 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

CORRAL

Possible Answers:

Enunciate

Enumerate

Entice

Enclose

Enliven

Correct answer:

Enclose

Explanation:

The verb "corral" means to herd, to forcefully gather together and confine within. This is closest in meaning to "enclose." Additionally, "entice" means tempt, lure; "enliven" means make more entertaining or energetic; "enumerate" means make a list of; "enunciate" means pronounce clearly and correctly.

Example Question #276 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

DETERIORATE

Possible Answers:

Enter

Replicate

Worsen

Allude

Improve

Correct answer:

Worsen

Explanation:

The verb "deteriorate" means to worsen over time, (of a condition) to become worse. Additionally, "replicate" means copy, reproduce; "allude" means hint at, indicate is true.

Example Question #281 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

DAWDLE

Possible Answers:

Linger

Purport

Eradicate

Illustrate

Amplify

Correct answer:

Linger

Explanation:

The verb "dawdle" means to wait behind or to stay in one place and take one's time in leaving, so "linger" is the best answer, as it also means to remain in a place longer than expected to or to delay leaving a place past a expected time one was expected to leave. "Amplify" means make louder; "illustrate" can mean draw, but it can also mean show, depict, or demonstrate; "purport" means claim, as in the phrase "purport to be"; and "eradicate" means completely destroy.

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