SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #471 : Synonyms

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

MISERLY

Possible Answers:

Knowledgeable

Generous 

Worldly 

Ostentatious 

Parsimonious 

Correct answer:

Parsimonious 

Explanation:

"Miserly" means not generous of spirit and as such is most similar in meaning to "parsimonious," a word which means stingy. So, "parsimonious" is the correct answer. For clarification, "ostentatious" means showy and pretentious, "worldly" means mature, sophisticated and wise or concerning material things as opposed to spiritual things, "generous" means liberal or openhanded, and "knowledgable" means knowing a lot about a particular subject.

Example Question #175 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

TENACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Obstinate 

Lampoon 

Forgiving 

Supreme 

Grand 

Correct answer:

Obstinate 

Explanation:

"Tenacious" means stubborn, inflexible, or relentless and as such is most similar in meaning to "obstinate," a word which means stubborn or refusing to change. So, "obstinate" is the correct answer. For clarification, "lampoon" is a verb which means mock, "supreme" means ultimate, dominant, or best, "grand" means magnificent or main, and "forgiving" means merciful or lenient.

Example Question #176 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ZEALOUS

Possible Answers:

Passionate 

Loquacious

Quixotic 

Basic 

Whimsical 

Correct answer:

Passionate 

Explanation:

"Zealous" means passionate, so "passionate" is the correct answer. For clarification, "whimsical" means silly or quirky, "loquacious" means talkative, "basic" means fundamental, and "quixotic" means unrealistically idealistic.

Example Question #37 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

KEEN

Possible Answers:

Sharp-witted 

Welcomed 

Ill-tempered 

Jocular

Banished 

Correct answer:

Sharp-witted 

Explanation:

"Keen" means either eager or sharp-witted. So, "sharp-witted" is the correct answer. For clarification, "banished" means sent away, and is an antonym of "welcomed," which means amiably received. "Ill-tempered" means crabby or cranky, and "jocular" means jovialplayful, or funny.

Example Question #38 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

MERCURIAL

Possible Answers:

Fey 

Magical 

Profane 

Unpredictable 

Notorious 

Correct answer:

Unpredictable 

Explanation:

"Mercurial" means unpredictablecapricious, or mysterious, so "unpredictable" is the correct answer. For clarification, "fey" means supernatural, "notorious" means infamous, "profane" means rude and disrespectful or worldly as opposed to spiritual, and "magical" means of or related to magic or extraordinary.

Example Question #181 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

OSTENTATIOUS

Possible Answers:

Abstinent 

Showy 

Parsimonious 

Messy 

Destitute 

Correct answer:

Showy 

Explanation:

"Ostentatious" means showy or pretentious, so "showy" is the correct answer. For clarification, "parsimonious" means stingy or not generous, "destitute" means very poor or having no possessions, "abstinent" means refraining from doing something, and "messy" means unorganized or dirty.

Example Question #40 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

ASTUTE

Possible Answers:

Harebrained

Thoughtless 

Shrewd 

Imprudent 

Daft 

Correct answer:

Shrewd 

Explanation:

Someone who is "astute" is smart, shrewd and quick-witted, so "shrewd," a word that means clever, is the correct answer. For clarification, "imprudent" means not prudent or rash, as you might be able to infer from the word being a combination of the root "im-," which means not, and "prudent." "Daft" and "harebrained" can each mean absurd or foolish, and "thoughtless," as you might guess, means done without thinking, and specifically done without thinking about the emotions of others, or in other words, inconsiderate

Example Question #181 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

IMPERIOUS

Possible Answers:

Pious

Arrogant

Intelligent 

Calm

Sanctimonious

Correct answer:

Arrogant

Explanation:

Someone who is "imperious" is very arrogant and self-assured, so "arrogant" is the correct answer. For clarification, "pious" means deeply religious, and "sanctimonious" means self-righteous or smug.

Example Question #182 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

PUGNACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Devout 

Munificent

Rendezvous

Belligerent 

Repugnant 

Correct answer:

Belligerent 

Explanation:

Someone who is "pugnacious" is aggressive, hostile and belligerent, so "belligerent" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "pugnacious" and the correct answer. For clarification, a "rendezvous" is a secret meeting, "devout" means very religious, "repugnant" means gross or unpleasant, and "munificent" means generous or plentiful.

Example Question #183 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

RANCOROUS

Possible Answers:

Poisonous 

Noxious 

Toxic 

Implacable 

Cheerful 

Correct answer:

Implacable 

Explanation:

Someone who is "rancorous" is merciless, relentless or implacable. For clarification, "noxious," "toxic," and "poisonous" are all synonyms.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors