SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #861 : Synonyms

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

EXQUISITE

Possible Answers:

Beautiful

Evocative

Propitious

Anomalous

Auspicious

Correct answer:

Beautiful

Explanation:

"Exquisite" can mean "beautiful," elegant, or delicate. "Anomalous" means abnormal, and "propitious" and "auspicious "are both synonyms for favorable. "Evocative" means redolent or reminiscent.

Example Question #862 : Synonyms

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

SORDID

Possible Answers:

Impossible

Maudlin

Filthy

Ravenous

Arboreal

Correct answer:

Filthy

Explanation:

"Sordid" and "filthy" both mean very dirty. "Maudlin" means overly sentimental. "Arboreal" means treelike, and "ravenous" means famished or very hungry. "Impossible" is an antonym of "possible," of course.

Example Question #71 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

DISCORDANT

Possible Answers:

Dissonant

Mellifluous

Excruciating

Harmonious

Munificent

Correct answer:

Dissonant

Explanation:

"Discordant" and "dissonant" both mean clashing, disharmonious. This is an antonym of both "harmonious" and "mellifluous." "Munificent" means generous or bountiful. "Excruciating" means agonizingly painful.

Example Question #72 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

TURGID

Possible Answers:

Swollen

Timid

Shiny

Lucid

Hideous

Correct answer:

Swollen

Explanation:

"Turgid" means swollen or bloated. "Lucid" means clear, and "timid" means meek. "Shiny" and "matte" are antonyms, as are "hideous" and "beautiful."

Example Question #73 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

WINSOME

Possible Answers:

Abrasive

Bucolic

Attractive

Archaic

Dulcet

Correct answer:

Attractive

Explanation:

"Winsome" means "attractive" or appealing. It is a somewhat antiquated term. "Archaic" means obsolete or outdated. "Dulcet" means harmonious or sweet sounding. "Abrasive" means harsh or grating, and "bucolic" means rustic or rural.

Example Question #74 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

EMACIATED

Possible Answers:

Lilliputian

Corpulent

Gaunt

Obese

Gargantuan

Correct answer:

Gaunt

Explanation:

The adjective "emaciated" means extremely and unhealthily thin, starving, "gaunt," and skeletal. Additionally, "corpulent" and "obese" are synonyms, both words mean fat, overweight; "lilliputian" means very small; "gargantuan" means very large.

Example Question #75 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

REDOUBTABLE

Possible Answers:

Opulent

Egregious

Daunting

Petulant

Erroneous

Correct answer:

Daunting

Explanation:

The adjective "redoubtable" means formidable, awe-inspiring, daunting and intimidating. Additionally, "petulant" means disobedient and badly-behaved; "erroneous" means incorrect, based on a mistaken belief; "egregious" means particularly shocking, especially bad; "opulent" means ostentatious, showy and luxurious.

Example Question #76 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

OBTRUSIVE

Possible Answers:

Indubitable

Cognizant

Conspicuous

Inimical

Inopportune

Correct answer:

Conspicuous

Explanation:

The adjective "obtrusive" means in the way and easily noticeable. This is closest in definition to "conspicuous" which means easily seen and not well hidden. Additionally, "cognizant" means aware and capable of noticing and understanding; "inimical" means very unfriendly; "inopportune" means happening at the wrong time; "indubitable" means certain and unquestionable.

Example Question #77 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

MELLIFLUOUS

Possible Answers:

Egregious

Cacophonous

Dulcet

Chaotic

Splendid

Correct answer:

Dulcet

Explanation:

"Mellifluous" and "dulcet" both describe pleasant, sweet sounds. This is the opposite of "cacophonous," or disharmonious. "Chaotic" means random and disorganized, and "splendid" means magnificent or excellent. "Egregious" means outstandingly bad, shocking, or appalling.

Example Question #78 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

PULCHRITUDINOUS

Possible Answers:

Religious

Beautiful

Ravaged

Diseased

Calamitous

Correct answer:

Beautiful

Explanation:

Although it isn't a pleasant sounding word, "pulchritudinous" actually means "beautiful." It does not mean "diseased" (infected/sickly) or "ravaged" (devastated/damaged). "Calamitous" means catastrophic or disastrous. "Religious" is the adjective form of "religion."

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