SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2854 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

CONFOUND

Possible Answers:

Frustrate

Recover

Injure

Relieve

Pacify

Correct answer:

Frustrate

Explanation:

"Confound" means to frustrate.

Example Question #34 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

ASSUAGE

Possible Answers:

Indicate 

Decide 

Allay 

Measure 

Reward

Correct answer:

Allay 

Explanation:

To “assuage” means to provide relief from something uncomfortable or distressing. You often hear it used to describe “assuaging guilt,” which means to make someone feel less guilty. The only answer choice that matches this definition is “allay.” Allay means to relieve or calm the severity of something. Both words describe the relieving of an unpleasant sensation.

Example Question #35 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

UNNERVE

Possible Answers:

Trudge

Stress

Reveal

Consume

Relinquish

Correct answer:

Stress

Explanation:

"Unnerve" and "stress" are closest in meaning. These synonyms describe the action of causing something frustration and uneasiness. The other words do not share this meaning. "Consume" means to eat, digest, or exhaust. To "reveal" something is to bring something to light. To "relinquish" something is to give that thing up. To "trudge" is to walk heavily.

Example Question #36 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

ROUSE

Possible Answers:

Inspire

Deign

Parry

Confiscate

Incense

Correct answer:

Inspire

Explanation:

The verb "rouse" means to cause excitement, to inspire and motivate. Additionally, "incense" means to anger, to make furious; "deign" means condescend, to allow oneself to talk to people one views as inferior; "confiscate" means seize, take from; "parry" means (of something thrown at one) to deflect, to cause to move in another direction.

Example Question #37 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

FLUSTERED

Possible Answers:

Recondite

Supreme

Unsettled

Composed

Poised

Correct answer:

Unsettled

Explanation:

The verb "flustered" means unsettled, made nervous by something. Additionally, "composed" means calm and under control; "poised" means showing calm and composure in a stressful situation; "supreme" means best, superior, greatest; "recondite" means (of knowledge) obscure and arcane, known by only a few.

Example Question #2861 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

ENTRANCE

Possible Answers:

Convince

Captivate

Resign

Dismay

Join

Correct answer:

Captivate

Explanation:

This is a little tough because the word "entrance" can be a noun that means a way into something. But "entrance" also means to put into a trance or to charm.

I was entranced by the beautiful music coming from the tower.

There is no answer choice that could serve as a synonym of the noun form of entrance, so it must be the verb form, and the word "captivate," meaning to hold or capture the interest of, is a synonym.

Example Question #2862 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

MOLLIFY

Possible Answers:

Support

Lessen

Secure

Engage

Frighten

Correct answer:

Lessen

Explanation:

"Mollify" means to soften or make less intense in feeling or temper.

I hope that giving the family an upgrade to first class will  mollify them after the airline lost their luggage.

So to "lessen" is the best choice.

Example Question #2863 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Practice using word roots, prefixes, and suffixes to predict the meaning of a word. Choose the answer that reflects what the underlined part of the word means.

Centipede

Possible Answers:

foot

twist

light

hundred

animal

Correct answer:

foot

Explanation:

"Ped" usually means foot. Another example is "pedestrian."

Example Question #2864 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Practice using word roots, prefixes, and suffixes to predict the meaning of a word. Choose the answer that reflects what the underlined part of the word means.

Dictum

Possible Answers:

many

death

words

under

belief

Correct answer:

words

Explanation:

"Dict" has to do with words, or saying. Another example is "dictionary."

Example Question #2865 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Practice using word roots, prefixes, and suffixes to predict the meaning of a word. Choose the answer that reflects what the underlined part of the word means.

Credential

Possible Answers:

call

other

study

become

believe

Correct answer:

believe

Explanation:

"Cred" usually has to do with belief. Another example is "credible."

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