Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings - SSAT Middle Level Verbal

"Quibble," when used as a verb, means to complain about petty negative aspects of something, and when used as a noun, means a relatively unimportant complaint. So, "complain" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "quibble." For clarification, "panic" means to suddenly feel afraid or stressed in an uncontrolled way, "laud" means praise, "acknowledge" means recognize, and "defy" means resist.

"Champion" is often used as a noun that means victor or winner. However, "champion" can also mean promote, as in the sentence, “She championed the cause of animal rights.” So, "promote" is the correct answer. For clarification, "abandon" means discard, and "disparage" means mock.

If you change your side or allegiance, the side you ally yourself with, then you “defect.” A “defect” is a fault so be careful. If you “flee,” you run away or retreat, so it is not quite right.

The correct answer is "drift."

"Waft"is a verb (or noun) that means to pass (or cause to pass) easily/gently through the air or as if through the air.

This makes "drift"(carried slowly by a current of air or water) making it the correct synonym.

"Coach" can be a noun meaning an athletic instructor, or a verb meaning to instruct one in a sport. A "coach" can also be a noun meaning "carriage," (generally horse-draw) which is the correct answer.

"Seethe" is a verb that when used of liquids, means "bubble up as a result of being boiled," and when used of people, "be filled with intense but unexpressed anger." Since none of the answer choices appear to mean "bubble up" or "boil," we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "be filled with unexpressed anger." "Anger" might look like the best answer choice, but as a verb, it means "make angry"; since its meaning isn't that close to "seethe," it can't be the correct answer. "Simmer," a verb which can mean "be in a state of suppressed anger or excitement," is the best answer choice and the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "seethe."

The primary meaning of “choke” is gag or strangle someone, but since none of the answer choices are close in meaning to this definition, you can assume you are searching for a secondary meaning of the word. If you “choke,” then you lose your composure and fail to perform effectively in a critical situation,so you could say, "He had a chance to win the game but he choked."Thus, "choke" used in this way is most similar in meaning to "bungle,"which means mess something up.As for the other answer choices,"elevate" means rise up or place at a higher position; and "desolate" means empty, barren, or devoid of life.

A "badger" is an animal, similar to a skunk, but much larger and with a very bad temper. The word "badger" can also be used as an adjective meaning to pester or bother. An example is, "Sam's mother continued to badger him about picking up his clothes."

Spelled this way, "bale" is a noun meaning a bundle prepared for transportation or storage. It is often associated with hay or cotton. For instance, "The groom spread another bale of hay over the floor of the horse's stall." Spelled "bail," this word is a verb with multiple meanings.

"Volatile" is an adjective with two meanings. Here, "volatile" means erratic or liable to change unpredictably. The second definition of "volatile" is scientific, and means evaporates at room temperature.

"Static" means not moving or changing. "Memorable" means able to be remembered. "Terrifying" means _causes extreme fear. "_Loathsome" means hateful or repulsive.

The word "pallete" can be used in statements about people's sense of taste. The other words may be slightly related to the word pallete, but the meanings in this sense would not be close enough to call them synonymous.

The "press" and the "media" can both refer to journalists as a group. The other nouns do not have directly related meanings and are not synonymous with "press," but are topics often covered by the "press."

The verbs "police"—yes, the word "police" can be used as a verb too—and "oversee" are synonymous. The other words ("imprison," "punish," "lie," etc.) might have indirectly related meanings, but they are not synonymous with "police" when used as a verb.

"Blemish," means to spoil the appearance of (something). The term ruin is a synonym of "blemish," making it the correct answer. "Purify" means to remove contaminants from. The word "hurt" means to cause physical harm or injury. The terms "cleanse" and "clean" are defined similarly; to make (something) thoroughly clean/free from dirt.

The verb "assess" usually means to evaluate, to judge the nature of something, to decide what one thinks of something. However, it also has a second common meaning which is to charge. So, to be "assessed repairs" is to be charged for repairs.

"Fancy" can be an adjective meaning elaborate and decorative. "Fancy" can also be a noun meaning taste or inclination. With this second definition in mind, liking is a synonym and therefore the correct answer.

"Seethe" is a verb that when used of liquids, means "bubble up as a result of being boiled," and when used of people, "be filled with intense but unexpressed anger." Since none of the answer choices appear to mean "bubble up" or "boil," we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "be filled with unexpressed anger." "Anger" might look like the best answer choice, but as a verb, it means "make angry"; since its meaning isn't that close to "seethe," it can't be the correct answer. "Simmer," a verb which can mean "be in a state of suppressed anger or excitement," is the best answer choice and the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "seethe."

The primary meaning of “choke” is gag or strangle someone, but since none of the answer choices are close in meaning to this definition, you can assume you are searching for a secondary meaning of the word. If you “choke,” then you lose your composure and fail to perform effectively in a critical situation,so you could say, "He had a chance to win the game but he choked."Thus, "choke" used in this way is most similar in meaning to "bungle,"which means mess something up.As for the other answer choices,"elevate" means rise up or place at a higher position; and "desolate" means empty, barren, or devoid of life.

A "badger" is an animal, similar to a skunk, but much larger and with a very bad temper. The word "badger" can also be used as an adjective meaning to pester or bother. An example is, "Sam's mother continued to badger him about picking up his clothes."