Synonyms: Other Adjectives - SSAT Upper Level Verbal

"Pejorative" is an adjective that means "expressing contempt or disapproval," so we need to find another word that means about the same thing - roughly, "disapproving." While "sneer" (""a contemptuous or mocking smile, remark, or tone, or to make such an expression or comment") might seem like a good answer because a sneer is often a pejorative gesture, it is not an adjective that means "disapproving," so it can't be the correct answer. "Deprecatory," on the other hand, is an adjective that means "showing a critical or disrespectful attitude," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "pejorative," it is the correct answer.

"Tyrannical" and "despotic" are both words to describe a person who holds the majority of the power and abuses it.

"Germane" is an adjective that means relevant to the topic of discussion, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like relevant. While both "important" and "pertinent" may look like potentially correct answer choices, "important" does not mean relevant, while "pertinent" means relevant. Because "pertinent" is the closest synonym of "germane" amongst the listed answer choices, it is the correct answer.

The word akin means "related to" or "alike." Based on this definition, we can rule out all other answer choices. One way to remember that the word akin means related to may be to think of the word kin, which is used in some areas to mean family or relatives.

"Affluent" means having lots of material wealth.

"Lewd" means crude, offensive, or "vulgar."

"Profane" means secular, disrespectful, or "indecent."

"Terse" means not using many words, or "abrupt."

If an action or decision is unilateral, it only affects one individual and not the others in the group. It is therefore independent.

"Onerous" means challenging, burdensome, and difficult, so "arduous," a word that means difficult and taxing, is the best answer choice.

"Succinct" means_expressed clearly and concisely_, so "concise" is the best answer choice.

Imperial means "of or relating to an emperor." It also means "characteristic of or exercising supreme authority." Royal means "of or pertaining to a king, queen, or some other ruler."

"Illusory" means deceptive or false. Honest and Truthful are the antonyms of Illusory. Fortuitous means to be lucky, and Feral means to be wild. Both of these words have no relation to Illusory in this context.

Intricate means complex.

Complex means involving many parts, or complicated.

Opulent means wealthy.

Accountable means expected to justify actions, or responsible.

Something that is "defunct" is no longer in use or no longer capable of being used or done; something that is it is non-working.

Imposing means grand, impressive, or striking.

The word “dominant” describes someone who is in control or in command over others. The answer choice that most resembles this definition is “leading.”