SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

A synonym of "dispute" is __________.

Possible Answers:

competition

contract

prototype

debate

poise

Correct answer:

debate

Explanation:

Since "dispute" means "disagreement, argument, or verbal controversy," we need to pick out another answer choice that also means "disagreement." While "competition" and "debate" might both look like potentially correct answers, "competition" means "the act or process of trying to win something that someone else is trying to win," whereas "debate" means "a discussion between people in which they express different opinions about something." Since both "dispute" and "debate" mean "disagreement," "debate" is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs

A synonym of "imply" is . . .

Possible Answers:

intimate

regurgitate

suggested

cite

pardon

Correct answer:

intimate

Explanation:

"Imply" is a verb meaning "strongly suggest the truth or existence of something not expressly stated," or "suggest something as a logical consequence" when used to refer to facts or occurences. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "strongly suggest something unstated." While "suggested" may look like the correct answer, "suggested" is not an infinitive verb, but an adjective or a verb conjugated for the past tense, so "suggested" cannot be the correct answer. "Intimate," however, can be used as a verb meaning "imply or hint," or "state or make known." Because "intimate" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "imply," "intimate" is the correct answer.

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

REITERATE

Possible Answers:

rectify

repeat

scold

reply

pardon

Correct answer:

repeat

Explanation:

"Reiterate" means to repeat, as in something said.

Example Question #5 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

A synonym of "decry" is __________.

Possible Answers:

compliment

disparage

manage

eat

spy

Correct answer:

disparage

Explanation:

"Decry" is a verb that means "publicly denounce," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "denounce." So, "compliment" cannot be the correct answer because "compliment" is an antonym of "decry," not a synonym. "Disparage," however, is a verb that means "regard or represent as being of little worth," and because "disparage" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "decry," "disparage" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

A synonym of "purport" is __________.

Possible Answers:

run

languish

expose

impersonate

exist

Correct answer:

impersonate

Explanation:

"Purport" is a word that can be used as either a noun or a verb, but because all of the potential answer choices are verbs, we will need to consider "purport" as a verb. When used as a verb, "purport" means "appear or claim to be or do something, especially falsely; profess." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "appear to be something, especially falsely." "Expose," then, cannot be the correct answer, because while one might expose the true qualities of someone falsely purporting to have other qualities, "expose" does not mean the same thing as "purport." "Impersonate," however, is a verb that means "pretend to be (another person) as entertainment or in order to deceive someone," and because "impersonate" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "purport," "impersonate" is the correct answer.

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

A synonym of “specify” is __________.

Possible Answers:

generalize

designate

suggest

munch

kick

Correct answer:

designate

Explanation:

“Specify” is a verb that means “identify clearly and definitely,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “identify clearly.” That means that “generalize” cannot be the correct answer, because “make general or broad statement by inferring from specific cases,” a meaning very distant from that of “specify.” “Designate,” however, is a verb that can mean “ signify; indicate,” and because “designate” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “specify,” “designate” is the correct answer.

Example Question #791 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of “blather” is __________.

Possible Answers:

manage

prattle

investigate

explain

contest

Correct answer:

prattle

Explanation:

“Blather” is a word that when used as a verb, means “to talk long-windedly without making sense,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “talk longwindedly without making sense.” That means that “explain” cannot be the correct answer, because “explain” can mean “to make something clear to someone by describing it in detail,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “blather.” “Prattle,” however, when used as a verb, means “talk at length in a foolish way,” and because “prattle” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “blather,” “prattle” is the correct answer.

Example Question #792 : Identifying Synonyms

A synonym of “tattle” is __________.

Possible Answers:

experience

press

expound

inform on

define

Correct answer:

inform on

Explanation:

“Tattle” is a verb that can mean “to report another’s wrongdoing” or “to gossip,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “to report another’s wrongdoing” or “to gossip.” That means that “expound” cannot be the correct answer, because “expound” means “present and explain something in detail,” which is quite distant from that of “tattle.” “Inform on,” however, is a phrase that means “give information about someone to the police,” and because “inform on” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “tattle,” “inform on” is the correct answer.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Verbs

Synonyms: choose the word with a meaning most similar to the word in question.

Succumb

Possible Answers:

Surrender

Plant

Repress

Belong

Display

Correct answer:

Surrender

Explanation:

To "succumb" is to give in to a superior force. The best answer choice is the word "surrender."

Example Question #793 : Identifying Synonyms

Synonyms: choose the word with a meaning most similar to the word in question.

Pique

Possible Answers:

Court

Offend

Overthrow

Reciprocate

Strive

Correct answer:

Offend

Explanation:

To "pique" is to offend or to excite. This is from the Latin root word, "piccare," which means to pick.

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