SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2541 : Synonyms

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

DISPARATE

Possible Answers:

Subjective

Objective

Contrasting

Dispassionate

Benighted

Correct answer:

Contrasting

Explanation:

The adjective "disparate" means different from, distinct and varied, contrasting. Additionally, "objective" means unbiased and "subjective" means biased, based on one's own perceptions - these two words are antonyms. Finally, "benighted" means ignorant; "dispassionate" means calm, under control.

Example Question #2542 : Synonyms

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

PREVALENT

Possible Answers:

Portentous

Widespread

Unknown

Ambiguous

Profane

Correct answer:

Widespread

Explanation:

The adjective "prevalent" means widespread, common in a certain large area. Additionally, "ambiguous" means vague, unclear; "profane" means irreverent, sacrilegious, offensive (particularly to a religion); "portentous" means ominous, suggesting something negative might happen.

Example Question #2543 : Synonyms

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

SPURIOUS

Possible Answers:

Adulterated

Exotic

Evasive

Apocryphal

Contrite

Correct answer:

Apocryphal

Explanation:

"Spurious" means fictitious or "apocryphal." "Exotic" means strange or foreign, and "contrite" means penitent or repentant. "Elusive" is a synonym for "evasive." "Adulterated" means contaminated or impure.

Example Question #2544 : Synonyms

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

FALLACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Distraught

Inimical

Illusory

Despondent

Erroneous

Correct answer:

Erroneous

Explanation:

"Fallacious" is another word for falsified or "erroneous." "Inimical" means hostile, and "illusory" means delusive. "Distraught" means distressed. "Despondent" is another word for despairing.

Example Question #2545 : Synonyms

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

FATUOUS

Possible Answers:

Daunting

Abstruse

Silly

Petulant

Mercurial

Correct answer:

Silly

Explanation:

"Fatuous" means "silly" or asinine. "Mercurial" means capricious, and "petulant" means irritable. "Abstruse" is a synonym for "arcane." "Daunting" is a synonym for "intimidating" or forbidding.

Example Question #2546 : Synonyms

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

SALUTARY

Possible Answers:

Mitigated

Silky

Beneficial

Grimly

Pathetically

Correct answer:

Beneficial

Explanation:

"Salutary" means "beneficial," advantageous. "Silky" describes a smooth, soft texture. "Mitigated" means lessened, made less severe. "Grim" means stern or bleak. "Pathetic" is a synonym for "pitiful."

Example Question #2547 : Synonyms

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

OSTENTATIOUS

Possible Answers:

Lascivious

Showy

Abysmal

Quiescent

Ephemeral

Correct answer:

Showy

Explanation:

"Ostentatious" means "showy," pretentious. "Ephemeral" is a synonym for "transient," or fleeting. "Quiescent" means dormant, and "abysmal" means terrible, dreadful. "Lascivious" is a synonym for "lecherous."

Example Question #2548 : Synonyms

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

GHASTLY

Possible Answers:

Conjectural

Exigent

Macabre

Arid

Jejune

Correct answer:

Macabre

Explanation:

"Ghastly" is a synonym for "macabre," or dreadful. "Exigent" is a synonym for "urgent," and "conjectural" is a synonym for "speculative" or hypothetical. "Arid" means very dry and can be used figuratively or literally. "Jejune" means very dull, dry, and uninteresting.

Example Question #2549 : Synonyms

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

IMMANENT

Possible Answers:

Illustrious

Abject

Craven

Impending

Inherent

Correct answer:

Inherent

Explanation:

"Immanent" is a synonym for "inherent." "Imminent," on the other hand, means impending, so don't confuse the two. "Illustrious" means distinguished or eminent, yet another homonym (but not synonym) for "immanent." "Craven" and "abject" are synonyms.

Example Question #2550 : Synonyms

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

OUTLANDISH

Possible Answers:

External

Specious

Exotic

Bizarre

Solicitous

Correct answer:

Bizarre

Explanation:

"Outlandish" is a synonym for "bizarre" or weird. "Specious" means misleading, deceptive, or false. "Solicitous" is a synonym for "concerned" or caring. "Exotic" means foreign, and "external" is an antonym for "internal."

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