SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1111 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TRANSACT

Possible Answers:

Neglect

Demand

Enunciate

Perform

Bolster

Correct answer:

Perform

Explanation:

“Transact” is a verb that means “conduct or carry out (business),” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “carry out.” That means that “neglect” cannot be the correct answer, because “neglect” can mean “fail to do something” when used with an infinitive, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “transact.” “Perform,” however, is a verb that means “carry out, accomplish, or fulfill (an action, task, or function),” and because “perform” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “transact,” “perform” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1112 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DISCARD

Possible Answers:

Damage 

Respect 

Abandon

Steal 

Support 

Correct answer:

Abandon

Explanation:

To "discard" something is to throw it away. This definition is most similar in meaning to "abandon," which is the correct answer.

Example Question #1113 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "enroll" is __________.

Possible Answers:

matriculate

ignore

spin

entrap

perturb

Correct answer:

matriculate

Explanation:

"Enroll" is a verb that means "to become a member of or a participant in," so we need to pick out another word that means "to become a member of." While "enroll" sounds like "roll" and "roll" and "spin" are close in meaning, "enroll" does not mean the same thing as "roll," so "spin" cannot be the correct answer. "Matriculate," however, means "to enroll as a member of a body, especially of a college or university." Since "matriculate" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "enroll," "matriculate" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1114 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of "transpire" is __________.

Possible Answers:

sweet

sweat

occur

skimp

gape

Correct answer:

occur

Explanation:

"Transpire" is a verb that means "happen," so we need to pick out another word that means "happen." While "transpire" sounds like "perspire," which means "to sweat," "sweat" is not the answer because while "transpire" and "perspire" sound alike, they have very different meanings. "Occur," however, means "happen; take place," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "transpire," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #1115 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

ABJURE

Possible Answers:

Give up 

Go up 

Go around 

Open up 

Let in 

Correct answer:

Give up 

Explanation:

“Abjure” means give up or renounce, so "give up" is the correct answer. The prefix "ab-" is often related to the act of giving something up, as in the word “abdicate,” which means to give up the throne.

Example Question #1116 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BUNGLE

Possible Answers:

Demonstrate

Activate

Spoil

Cottage

Create

Correct answer:

Spoil

Explanation:

If you "bungle" something, you make a mistake. You might "bungle" a surprise party by letting the guest of honor accidentally know about the party. To "bungle" a task is to "spoil" or ruin the endeavor.

Example Question #1117 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ACQUIT

Possible Answers:

Convict

Absolve

Prosecute

Absolve

Prosecute

Correct answer:

Absolve

Explanation:

"Acquit" means to clear someone of charges or to "absolve" someone of criminal charges.

"Incarcerate" means to put someone in jail. "Blame" means to assign responsibility of a fault. "Convict" means to declare someone guilty of a crime and is an antonym to "acquit." "Prosecute" means to enact legal proceeding against a person.

Example Question #1118 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SQUANDER

Possible Answers:

Explain

Dupe

Spend extravagantly

Be frugal

Fall

Correct answer:

Spend extravagantly

Explanation:

"Squander" means to "spend extravagantly" or excessively.

"Explain" means to make understandable.

"Dupe" means to trick or to deceive.

"Fall" means to drop or descend under the force of gravity.

"Be frugal" means to be economical or not wasteful of money. It is the opposite of squander.

Example Question #1119 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EMULATE

Possible Answers:

Envy

Ensconce

Scold

Imitate

Conquer

Correct answer:

Imitate

Explanation:

"Emulate" is a verb that means model oneself after, or to imitate or match someone.

"Ensconce" means to safely settle in a place. "Envy" is the desire to have a quality belonging to someone else. "Scold" means to reprimand, or to express displeasure about somebody's actions. "Conquer" means to successfully overcome a challenge.

Example Question #1120 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FUMIGATE

Possible Answers:

Preserve

Repudiate

Burn

Fuse

Disinfect

Correct answer:

Disinfect

Explanation:

"Fumigate" is a verb that means to disinfect something by means of smoke or poisonous fumes.

"Fuse" means to join, or to meld objects. Often is means to weld two pieces of metal together.

"Repudiate" means to reject something as false or to turn one's back on something.

"Preserve" means to keep something safe in its original state.

"Burn" means to harm or destroy something with fire.

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