SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

REITERATE

Possible Answers:

scold

pardon

rectify

reply

repeat

Correct answer:

repeat

Explanation:

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

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs

A synonym of "decry" is __________.

Possible Answers:

spy

disparage

compliment

eat

manage

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

impersonate

expose

exist

languish

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 #2 : Synonyms: Verbs

A synonym of “specify” is __________.

Possible Answers:

munch

suggest

designate

kick

generalize

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 #1601 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

A synonym of “blather” is __________.

Possible Answers:

contest

investigate

prattle

manage

explain

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 #1602 : Ssat Middle Level Verbal

A synonym of “tattle” is __________.

Possible Answers:

define

expound

experience

press

inform on

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

Belong

Repress

Plant

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 #14 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

Pique

Possible Answers:

Overthrow

Court

Offend

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.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

Synonyms: choose the answer that is closest in meaning to the word in question.

Presume

Possible Answers:

to monitor

to assume

to discover

to reside

to regulate

Correct answer:

to assume

Explanation:

"Presume" means to assume.

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Verbs

Synonyms: choose the answer that is closest in meaning to the word in question.

Oppress

Possible Answers:

to produce

to disgrace

To tyrannize

to lose

to consent

Correct answer:

To tyrannize

Explanation:

"Oppress" means to tyrannize or rule with an iron fist.

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