SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1033 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

TRIVIAL

Possible Answers:

Splendid

Frivolous

Careful

Magnetic

Testy

Correct answer:

Frivolous

Explanation:

Trivial and frivolous both mean petty and superficial.

Example Question #1034 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ARCANE

Possible Answers:

Purposeful

Moody

Recent

Charming

Mysterious

Correct answer:

Mysterious

Explanation:

"Arcane" means understood by few, mysterious.

Example Question #2204 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

CRYPTIC

Possible Answers:

Obvious 

Apparent 

Mysterious 

Evident 

Palpable

Correct answer:

Mysterious 

Explanation:

“Cryptic” means enigmatic or mysterious. For clarification, the other four answer choices are all antonyms of cryptic and synonyms of one another.

Example Question #1036 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

VERITABLE

Possible Answers:

Fair-weather

Capricious

Dubious

Doubtful

Legitimate

Correct answer:

Legitimate

Explanation:

The word "veritable" is most similar in meaning to "legitimate" and relates an object's authentic nature. The other words do not share this meaning. Some of the answer choices are, in fact, antonyms of "veritable."

Example Question #1037 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

AUTHORITATIVE

Possible Answers:

Awe-inspiring

Official

Authentic

Autumnal

Authorial

Correct answer:

Official

Explanation:

"Authoritative" and "official" are synonyms. They refer to an object's standing or reputation as being of the highest official or institutional caliber. The other words might appear similar but do not have closely related meanings. "Authorial" refers to the something (usually intention) pertaining to an author.

Example Question #2212 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ENIGMATIC

Possible Answers:

Medicinal

Mystical

Magnanimous

Magnetic

Magnificent

Correct answer:

Mystical

Explanation:

"Enigmatic" and "mystical" are synonyms describing the quality of something esoteric and puzzling. The other words do not have meanings related to this sense of mystery. "Magnetic" refers either to the quality (in a person) of having a compelling personality, or the physical quality of attracting metals containing an opposite pole. "Magnificent" is an extremely positive adjective. "Magnanimous" refers to the quality of being generous and sympathetic to others.

Example Question #1038 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

UNADULTERATED

Possible Answers:

Considerate

Special

Elegant

Top-notch

Pure

Correct answer:

Pure

Explanation:

"Unadulterated" refers to something that is pure; something that has not been tampered with. The other answer choices have similarly positive connotations but don't quite capture this shade of meaning. "Elegant" may refer to something luxurious, while "special" and "top-notch" refer to something of good quality. "Considerate" is not at all related to the word "unadulterated."

Example Question #1039 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

INANE

Possible Answers:

Fatuous

Ingenuous

Truculent

Ponderous

Disingenuous

Correct answer:

Fatuous

Explanation:

The adjective "inane" means pointless, silly, and foolish. This is closest in meaning to "fatuous" which means vacuous, without purpose. Additionally, "ponderous" means slow-moving; "truculent" means aggressive, hostile, eager to fight; "ingenuous" means naive, innocent, gullible; "disingenuous" means false, deceptive, insincere.

Example Question #2351 : Synonyms

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

PARAMOUNT

Possible Answers:

Implied

Ingrate

Invalid

Important

Inveterate

Correct answer:

Important

Explanation:

The adjective "paramount" means of particular importance, especially "important." Additionally, "inveterate" means (of behavior) entrenched and habitual; "invalid" means not valid, not acceptable; "implied" means hinted at, suggested; an "ingrate" is an ungrateful and rude person.

Example Question #2352 : Synonyms

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

INDUBITABLE

Possible Answers:

Certain

Uncertain

Quiescent

Exasperated

Unctuous

Correct answer:

Certain

Explanation:

The adjective "indubitable" means not able to be doubted, unquestionable, or "certain." Additionally, "exasperated" means deeply frustrated and annoyed by; "unctuous" means exceedingly obsequious and fawning, prone to excessive flattery and sycophantic behavior; "quiescent" means at rest, inactive, dormant.

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