SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1141 : Synonyms

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

INUNDATE

Possible Answers:

Swoop

Overwhelm

Broil

Writhe

Merge

Correct answer:

Overwhelm

Explanation:

"Inundate" means "overwhelm," drown or engulf.

"Writhe" means wiggle, contort or squirm.

"Swoop" means descend from the air, dive; it is typically used to describe the movement of a descending bird.

"Broil" means to cook under direct heat.

"Merge" means to join or bring together.

Example Question #1142 : Synonyms

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

EMBROIL

Possible Answers:

Scorch

Cook under high heat

Wallow

Involve

Gild

Correct answer:

Involve

Explanation:

"Embroil" means to "involve" someone in a complicated situation; ensnare or entangle someone in a situation.

"Gild" means to put gold leaf on something; to embellish or decorate something.

"Wallow" means slosh around in. For example, to wallow in sorrow.

"Scorch" means to sear, or to burn.

"Cook under high heat" is an answer that is meant to mislead if you thought that "embroil" was a synonym of "broil."

Example Question #1143 : Synonyms

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

AUGMENT

Possible Answers:

Increase

Diminish

Decline

Forget

Hinder

Correct answer:

Increase

Explanation:

The correct answer is "increase."

The term "augment" is defines as making (something) greater by adding to it; increase.

Therefore, "increase" is a synonym of "augment."

Example Question #1144 : Synonyms

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

SAVOR

Possible Answers:

Recant

Detest

Enjoy

Entice

Confine

Correct answer:

Enjoy

Explanation:

The verb "savor" means to enjoy something deeply and to take one's time enjoying. Additionally, "confine" means imprison, lock up; "recant" means take back something one has said; "detest" means hate, loathe; "entice" means tempt, allure, trick and then trap.

Example Question #1145 : Synonyms

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

HACKNEY

Possible Answers:

To make stale by common use

Hoard

Gyrate

Replenish

Pique

Correct answer:

To make stale by common use

Explanation:

"Hackney" means to make something--such as a word, a phrase or an idea--stale, common, trite or clichéd by excessive use.

"Gyrate" means to circle, twirl or whirl.

"Pique" means to arouse a slight anger, to offend or provoke.

"Hoard" means to stockpile, to accumulate, to collect.

"Replenish" means to fill, refresh or restock something.

Example Question #1146 : Synonyms

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

MUSTER

Possible Answers:

Realize 

Lend 

Gather 

Separate 

Scatter 

Correct answer:

Gather 

Explanation:

The correct answer is "gather."

"Muster," in this case, is a verb that means to gather, collect, assemble or bring together

This term can be used two ways -with an object or without. In the sentence above, it is used without an object (courage is not a tangible object). 

An example of using the term with an object would be the following -

The commander "mustered" up the candidates for the ceremony. The tangible object would be the candidates. 

Example Question #1147 : Synonyms

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

REVERE

Possible Answers:

Disregard

Ridicule

Extol

Shun

Admire

Correct answer:

Admire

Explanation:

The correct answer is "admire."

The word "revere" is a verb that means to feel deep respect and admiration for (something).

"Admire" is a synonym of "revere."

Example Question #1148 : Synonyms

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

DEVIATE

Possible Answers:

Diverge

Agree

Spread

Reconcile

Scrape

Correct answer:

Diverge

Explanation:

"Deviate" means to diverge from a path, to depart from a path, to veer away.

"Spread" means to open, to develop or to proliferate.

"Scrape" means to scratch something, to remove the outer layer or to rub something against a rough surface.

"Agree" means to be in unison, to allow or to assent.

"Reconcile" means to come to an agreement or make peace.

Example Question #1149 : Synonyms

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

ENDURE

Possible Answers:

Strike

Preach

Break down

Exists

Continue

Correct answer:

Exists

Explanation:

"Endure" means to exists. "Strike" means to hit. "Preach" means to give a sermon or speech relating to religion. "Continue" means to resume or to keep going. "Break down" means to become broken or to become no longer functioning.

Example Question #1 : Identifying Synonyms When Words Have Multiple Meanings

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

CHOKE

Possible Answers:

Promise 

Desolate 

Elevate

Succeed 

Bungle

Correct answer:

Bungle

Explanation:

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.

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