Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Quality, Quantity, and Variety - SSAT Middle Level Verbal

"Optimal" is an adjective describing a noun that is the best or as well-suited to something as can be. Of the answer choices, "ideal" has the closest meaning.

Prolific means someone or something produces a lot.

"Insipid" is an adjective that means "tasteless, flavorless, or bland" when referring to food or drink, and "unimaginative, drab, or tedious" when referring to writing, art, or ideas. While "ennui" might look like a good candidate for a synonym of "insipid," ennui is a noun that means "a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement," and while something that is insipid might cause a state of ennui, "ennui" is a noun and "insipid" an adjective, so "ennui" cannot be the correct answer. "Humdrum," however, can be used as an adjective meaning "lacking excitement or variety; dull; monotonous." Because "humdrum" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "insipid," "humdrum" is the correct answer.

"Manifold" means many.

"Rife" means abundant, as in rife with something.

"Bereft" most nearly means "deprived," as in, "The blank canvas was bereft of color."

“Abysmal” is an adjective that means “extremely bad; appalling,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “extremely bad.” That means that “phenomenal” cannot be the correct answer, because “phenomenal” is an adjective that can mean “very remarkable; extraordinary,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “abysmal.” “Deplorable,” however, is an adjective that can mean “shockingly bad in quality,” and because “deplorable” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “abysmal,” “deplorable” is the correct answer.

“Ramshackle” means in very poor condition, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means in disrepair. That means that “pristine” cannot be the correct answer, because “pristine” is an adjective that can mean, spotless, perfect, or in something's original condition making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “ramshackle.” “Dilapidated,” however, is an adjective that is used of a building or object and means in disrepair, and because “dilapidated” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “ramshackle,” “dilapidated” is the correct answer.

“Derivative” is an adjective that can mean “imitative of the work of another person, and usually disapproved of for that reason” and is usually used of an artist or work of art when used in this way. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “imitative.” That means that “unique” cannot be the correct answer, because “unique” is an adjective that means “being the only one of its kind; unlike anything,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “derivative.” “Unoriginal,” however, is an adjective that means “lacking originality; derivative,” and because “unoriginal” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “derivative,” “unoriginal” is the correct answer.

"Impeccable"means flawless, or "perfect."

"Rife" means prevalent or common.

"Myriad" means pertaining to an indefinitely great number. Thus, the best answer choice is the word countless.

"Finite" means limited; Unlimited means infinite; Archaic means ancient; Pessimistic means having a negative view; and Crucial means extremely important.

"Ample" means enough or sufficient.

"Glorious" means wonderful, or having glory.

"Additional" means extra.

"Dual" means having to do with two or double. "Single" means having to do with one. "Sullen" means cranky. "Humorous" means funny or amusing . "Confident" means sure of oneself.

"Mediocre" means common or ordinary, so "ordinary" is the correct answer.

"Decent" means satisfactory. "Insufficient" means lacking in quantity and "unreasonable" means not reasonable, as one can infer from the word being a combination of the negative prefix "un-," which means not, and "reasonable." As for the other answers, neither of them are close in meaning to "decent": "familial" means of or relating to family, and "insane," being a combination of the negative prefix "in-," which means not, and "sane," means not sane, or suffering from a severe mental illness.

Something that is “exquisite” is beautiful and perfect. For clarification, "pliable" means flexible, and "haughty" means proud or self-important.