Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Authenticity, Understanding, and Importance - SSAT Middle Level Verbal

If something is "ambiguous" it is unclear or mysterious.

If you are "dubious" about something, you are unsure or doubtful about the outcome. For clarification, "serendipitous" means owed to good fortune or unexpected, "dilatory" means slow or lacking, "inundate" means overwhelm or flood, and "remedy" means to fix.

When people are "skeptical" about something they are doubtful about that thing, so "doubtful" is the correct answer. For clarification, "bellicose" means aggressive, "vivacious" means full of energy, "supportive" means encouraging, and "efficient" means achieving a goal without wasting time, money, or effort.

"Obscure" means hidden or unusual. For clarification, "merry" means happy; "serendipitous" means owed to good fortune; "placate" means appease; "placid" means easygoing, docile.

"Paramount" means upmost or supreme, as in the commonly heard phrase, “of paramount importance.” For clarification, "mediocre" means average in a negative way; "penitent" means feeling regret for sinful behavior; "outlawed" means banned or criminalized.

Coherent means something is orderly and logical.

Obscure means vague.

Plausible means conceivable.

"Figurative" means symbolic.

"Innate" means that something, like a talent, is inborn, natural.

One meaning of "patent" is apparent. Something is patently obvious (that is, apparently obvious).

"Innate" means something naturally present; it is therefore most similar in meaning to “inherent.” For clarification, "introspective" means internally self-reflective; "persuasive" means argues convincingly; "dogged" and "determined" are synonyms.

“Artificial” is an adjective that means “made by people rather than nature,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “produced by humans rather than occurring naturally.” That means that “natural” cannot be the correct answer, because “natural” means “existing in or caused by nature; not made or caused by humankind,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “artificial.” “Man-made,” however, is an adjective that means “made or caused by human beings (as opposed to occurring or being made naturally); artificial,” and because “man-made” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “artificial,” “man-made” is the correct answer.

“Extant” is an adjective that means “still in existence; surviving,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “still in existence.” That means that “destroyed” cannot be the correct answer, because “destroyed” is an antonym, not a synonym, of “extant.” “Remaining,” however, when used as an adjective, can mean “still existing, present, or in use; surviving,” and because “remaining” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “extant,” “remaining” is the correct answer.

“Obligatory” is an adjective that means “required by a legal, moral, or other rule; compulsory,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “compulsory.” That means that “voluntary” cannot be the correct answer, because “voluntary” means “acting of one’s own free will,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “obligatory.” “Mandatory,” however, is an adjective that means “required by law or rules; compulsory,” and because “mandatory” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “obligatory,” “mandatory” is the correct answer.

"Relevant" means appropriate, or "pertinent."

"Dubious" means doubtful.

Words you may not know:

• "Deliberate" means c_arefully considered; intentional_.
• "Inconsiderate" means not considerate. The prefix "in-" means not.

"Vague" means unclear.

"Accurate" means precise.