SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2855 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

CONFOUND

Possible Answers:

Frustrate

Injure

Relieve

Recover

Pacify

Correct answer:

Frustrate

Explanation:

"Confound" means to frustrate.

Example Question #2055 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ASSUAGE

Possible Answers:

Allay 

Decide 

Reward

Measure 

Indicate 

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 #2061 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNNERVE

Possible Answers:

Consume

Trudge

Stress

Relinquish

Reveal

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 #2062 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ROUSE

Possible Answers:

Inspire

Deign

Confiscate

Parry

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 #2063 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FLUSTERED

Possible Answers:

Poised

Unsettled

Supreme

Recondite

Composed

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 #2064 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ENTRANCE

Possible Answers:

Resign

Convince

Captivate

Join

Dismay

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 #2065 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MOLLIFY

Possible Answers:

Secure

Frighten

Support

Lessen

Engage

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 #2066 : Identifying Synonyms

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:

light

foot

hundred

twist

animal

Correct answer:

foot

Explanation:

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

Example Question #2067 : Identifying Synonyms

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

under

death

words

belief

Correct answer:

words

Explanation:

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

Example Question #2068 : Identifying Synonyms

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

study

believe

become

other

Correct answer:

believe

Explanation:

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

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