SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #939 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EMOTIVE

Possible Answers:

Contrite

Laudable

Manifold

Expressive

Exquisite

Correct answer:

Expressive

Explanation:

Someone who is "emotive" is very "expressive" and open about sharing emotions. "Exquisite" is another word for lovely or beautiful, and "laudable" means commendable or praiseworthy. "Manifold" is a synonym for "diverse" or varied. "Contrite" means repentant or penitent.

Example Question #940 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DISCONSOLATE

Possible Answers:

Lurid

Doleful

Asinine

Ebullient

Despicable

Correct answer:

Doleful

Explanation:

"Disconsolate" means "doleful," mournful, and sorrowful. "Despicable" is a synonym for "loathsome." "Ebullient" is a synonym for exuberant and exultant. "Asinine" means silly, stupid, or foolish. "Lurid" means sensational, shocking, or overly vivid.

Example Question #941 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRENZIED

Possible Answers:

Arcane

Congenial

Frantic

Assiduous

Depraved

Correct answer:

Frantic

Explanation:

"Frenzied," "frantic," and "frenetic" are all synonyms. "Arcane" means abstruse or obscure. "Congenial" means friendly and personable. "Depraved" means corrupt or dissolute. "Assiduous" means sedulous or hardworking.

Example Question #942 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REPROACHFUL

Possible Answers:

Disapproving

Fallacious

Conjectural

Suave

Multifarious

Correct answer:

Disapproving

Explanation:

"Reproachful" and "disapproving" are synonyms. "Multifarious" means manifold or diverse. "Fallacious" means false or erroneous. "Conjectural" is a synonym for speculative, theoretical, or hypothetical. "Suave" and "sophisticated" are synonyms.

Example Question #943 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ADDLED

Possible Answers:

Lonesome

Blissful

Somber

Terrified

Perplexed

Correct answer:

Perplexed

Explanation:

The adjective "addled" means confused, perplexed, unable to think clearly (due to drug use or mental illness). Additionally, "somber" means grave and serious; "blissful" means very happy.

Example Question #944 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INCENDIARY

Possible Answers:

Fastidious

Precarious

Sinewy

Instantaneous

Flammable

Correct answer:

Flammable

Explanation:

"Incendiary" means flammable, combustible, likely to catch on fire. It can also be used to describe comments and statements, in which case it means provocative, likely to cause a passionate reaction. Additionally, "precarious" means dangerous; "fastidious" means hard to please, obsessive; "sinewy" means strong, muscular and brawny; "instantaneous" means occurring in an instant.

Example Question #945 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CENSORIOUS

Possible Answers:

Academic

Hypercritical

Dulcet

Fatuous

Facile

Correct answer:

Hypercritical

Explanation:

"Censorious" means overly critical. "Academic" describes institutionalized study, usually at a university. "Dulcet" means mellifluous or sweet sounding. "Fatuous" is another word for "silly," and "facile" is a synonym for "simplistic" or superficial.

Example Question #946 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CONTRITE

Possible Answers:

Asinine

Onerous

Erratic

Penitent

Fallacious

Correct answer:

Penitent

Explanation:

"Contrite" means "penitent," repentant, or sorry. "Fallacious" means erroneous or false. "Asinine" is another word for stupid or idiotic. "Erratic" is a synonym for "unpredictable." "Onerous" is a synonym for "laborious" or difficult.

Example Question #947 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VULNERABLE

Possible Answers:

Potent

Prudent

Defenseless

Rash

Solicitous

Correct answer:

Defenseless

Explanation:

"Vulnerable" means "defenseless," powerless, or helpless. This is an antonym for "potent," or powerful. "Rash" is a synonym for "reckless" and an antonym for "prudent" or cautious. "Solicitous" means concerned and caring.

Example Question #948 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNFLAPPABLE

Possible Answers:

imperturbable

Gravid

Somnolent

Eremitic

Laudatory

Correct answer:

imperturbable

Explanation:

"Imperturbable" and "unflappable" both mean unable to be upset easily. "Somnolent" means sleepy, and "gravid" means pregnant (literally or figuratively). "Laudatory" is another word for congratulatory or praiseworthy. "Eremitic" is another word for reclusive, solitary.

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