SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #721 : Synonyms

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

TRYST

Possible Answers:

Pestilence

Rendezvous

Reverie

Renegade. 

Maelstrom

Correct answer:

Rendezvous

Explanation:

The noun "tryst" means a secretive meeting between two lovers, an affair, or a "rendezvous." Additionally, a "maelstrom" is a turbulent situation, turmoil; "pestilence" is disease; "reverie" is daydream, being lost in one's own thoughts; a "renegade" is a mutineer, a rebel, a revolutionary, someone who resists authority.

Example Question #722 : Synonyms

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

RUSE

Possible Answers:

Ditty

Aperture

Hubris

Ploy

Conviction

Correct answer:

Ploy

Explanation:

The noun "ruse" refers to a trick, a "ploy," designed to deceive. Additionally, an "aperture" is an opening; "hubris" is excessive pride, that eventually leads to a downfall; "conviction" is belief and determination; a "ditty" is a light-hearted song.

Example Question #681 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

DECIBEL

Possible Answers:

Clarity

Temperature

Culprit

Fiasco

Volume

Correct answer:

Volume

Explanation:

The noun "decibel" refers to a unit of measurement that is used to measure "volume." This is closest in meaning, of course, to "volume" (or how loud something is). Additionally, "clarity" means how clear something is; "culprit" means guilty party, person responsible for a crime; "fiasco" means calamity, disaster, (a situation) that is chaotic and catastrophic.

Example Question #682 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

PRECIPICE

Possible Answers:

Aid

Decorum

Edge

Opulence

Edifice

Correct answer:

Edge

Explanation:

The noun "precipice" refers to the "edge" of something after which there is a steep drop. It can also refer to the moment right before something important or profound occurs. Additionally, "aid" means help, assistance; "decorum" means polite behavior; an "edifice" is a building, or one side of a building; "opulence" is extreme wealth and luxury.

Example Question #683 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

QUINTESSENCE

Possible Answers:

Mendacity

Depravity

Turpitude

Exemplar

Proclivity

Correct answer:

Exemplar

Explanation:

"Quintessence" is a synonym for epitome or "exemplar." "Proclivity" is a synonym for "inclination," and "depravity" is a synonym for "turpitude." "Mendacity" means dishonesty.

Example Question #684 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

APPROBATION

Possible Answers:

Aberration

Anomaly

Approval

Chicanery

Notoriety

Correct answer:

Approval

Explanation:

"Approbation" and "approval" are synonyms. "Chicanery" is trickery, and "notoriety" is infamy. An "aberration" is an anomaly.

Example Question #685 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

OPPROBRIUM

Possible Answers:

Invective

Luster

Disgrace

Pandemonium

Obstinacy

Correct answer:

Disgrace

Explanation:

"Opprobrium" is either "disgrace" and shame or criticism and abuse, depending on the situation. "Luster" is a synonym for "gloss." "Pandemonium" is a synonym for "chaos." "Invective" is verbal abuse, and "obstinacy" is stubbornness.

Example Question #686 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

TRUCULENCE

Possible Answers:

Ordure

Defiance

Acquiescence

Enmity

Splendor

Correct answer:

Defiance

Explanation:

To be "truculent" is to defy someone else's orders or wishes. This is an antonym for "acquiescence," which involves giving in to someone else's wishes. "Enmity" is the antonym of "friendship," while "splendor" is the noun form of "splendid." "Ordure" is sewage or filth.

Example Question #687 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

VERISMILITUDE

Possible Answers:

Redundancy

Propriety

Realness

Mendacity

Censure

Correct answer:

Realness

Explanation:

"Verisimilitude" describes "realness," or, more accurately, the appearance or replication of realness. "Propriety" is a synonym for "decorum." "Mendacity" is dishonesty. "Censure" is a synonym for "criticism" or condemnation. "Redundancy" is a synonym for "repetitiveness."

Example Question #688 : Synonyms: Nouns

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

DUDGEON

Possible Answers:

Eloquence

Resentment

Dispute

Iniquity

Dissonance

Correct answer:

Resentment

Explanation:

To be in high "dudgeon" is to be indignant or resentful about something. "Eloquence" is the quality of fluent, articulate speech. "Iniquity" is evil, and a "dispute" is a disagreement. "Dissonance" is tension, particularly between inharmonious sounds.

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