SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1243 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PLEONASTIC

Possible Answers:

Specious

Wordy

Exotic

Quirky

Heinous

Correct answer:

Wordy

Explanation:

"Pleonastic" means overly "wordy," verbose. "Heinous" is a synonym for "atrocious," and "specious" is a synonym for "misleadingly plausible." "Quirky" means idiosyncratic or strange, and "exotic" means foreign or strange.

Example Question #1244 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

SUBLIMINAL

Possible Answers:

Subconscious

Borderline

Medical

Exorbitant

Outlandish

Correct answer:

Subconscious

Explanation:

"Subliminal" means subconscious, beneath the surface of the working mind. "Borderline" means on the edges, peripheral. "Outlandish" means bizarre and weird. "Exorbitant" is a synonym for "excessive," and "medical" is the adjective form of "medicine."

Example Question #1245 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

AILING

Possible Answers:

Treasonous

Repellent

Penniless

Subversive

Ill

Correct answer:

Ill

Explanation:

"Ailing" means "ill," in poor health. "Treasonous" is a synonym for "treacherous." "Repellent" is a synonym for "disgusting" or revolting. "Subversive" means rebellious or intended to overthrow a government. "Penniless" is another word for "impoverished."

Example Question #1246 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

FORESTALLED

Possible Answers:

Nautical

Failed

Elderly

Commodious

Preempted

Correct answer:

Preempted

Explanation:

To "forestall" something is to preempt or prevent it. This is different from outright failure, so "forestalled" and "failed" are not synonyms. Another word for "elderly" is geriatric, and another word for "nautical" is maritime. "Commodious" means capacious or spacious.

Example Question #2421 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROTRACTED

Possible Answers:

Saccharine

Onerous

Prolonged

Nescient

Ephemeral

Correct answer:

Prolonged

Explanation:

"Protracted" means "prolonged," drawn out. This is an antonym for "ephemeral," which means short-lived and fleeting. While something "protracted" may also be "onerous," or difficult and burdensome, the two are not necessarily synonyms. "Nescient" is another work for ignorant or unaware. "Saccharine" means overly sweet (either literally or figuratively) or sentimental.

Example Question #2422 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GERMANE

Possible Answers:

Murderous

Maniacal

Relevant

Mitigated

Lucid

Correct answer:

Relevant

Explanation:

"Germane" means "relevant," pertinent. "Mitigated" means lessened in severity, and "lucid" means clear. "Murderous" is a synonym for "homicidal." "Maniacal" is another word for "crazed."

Example Question #2423 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REPUGNANT

Possible Answers:

Vile

Variegated

Fatuous

Creative

Responsible

Correct answer:

Vile

Explanation:

"Repugnant" means disgusting, loathsome, or "vile." "Responsible" means dutiful, and "variegated" means striped or splotched with various colors. "Creative" is a synonym for "imaginative," and "fatuous" is a synonym for "silly," foolish.

Example Question #2424 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SCURRILOUS

Possible Answers:

Infected

Excruciating

Tumescent

Libelous

Rotund

Correct answer:

Libelous

Explanation:

"Scurrilous" means scandalously untrue or "libelous" and usually describes rumors or speech. "Excruciating' means very painful. "Tumescent" means swollen or distended, and "rotund" means plump and round. "Infected" is another word for festering.

Example Question #2425 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MOTLEY

Possible Answers:

Malcontent

Fallacious

Famished

Disparate

Tenuous

Correct answer:

Disparate

Explanation:

"Disparate" is an adjective meaning essentially different in kind. "Motley" is a synonym, meaning varied in appearance or character, and is the best answer. "Fallacious" means based on a mistaken belief, "famished" means extremely hungry, "malcontent" means dissatisfied and complaining, and "tenuous" means very weak or slight.

Example Question #2426 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TRANSIENT

Possible Answers:

Fleeting

Tempestuous

Momentous

Nimble

Duplicitous

Correct answer:

Fleeting

Explanation:

"Transient" is an adjective meaning lasting for a short time. "Fleeting" is a synonym, also describing something brief in nature. "Tempestuous" means characterized by strong and turbulent or conflicting emotions, "momentous" means of great importance, "nimble" means quick and light in movement, and "duplicitous" means deceitful.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors