SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms, Antonyms, and Changes in Intensity

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #195 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Lengthen is to extend as shorten is to ______________.

Possible Answers:

abdicate

entreat

shear

mollify

truncate

Correct answer:

truncate

Explanation:

"Lengthen" and "extend" are synonyms. The correct answer will be a synonym of "shorten." "Truncate" means to make shorter.

Example Question #275 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Flagrant is to brazen as __________ is to unremarkable.

Possible Answers:

nondescript

boisterous 

truculent 

grave 

acrimonious 

Correct answer:

nondescript

Explanation:

"Flagrant" and "blatant" are synonyms; both words refer to things that are obviously and overtly offensive or in violation of the rules. To solve this analogy, you need to determine which of the answer choices is a synonym of "unremarkable." "Unremarkable" means not distinctive or having no features worth remaking on. So, the correct answer is "nondescript." Additionally, "acrimonious" refers to conflict and means bitter and spiteful; "grave" means serious and potentially threatening; "truculent" means aggressive; and "boisterous" refers to behavior and means rowdy, loud, and hard to control.

Example Question #276 : Analogies

Complete this analogy.

Embalm is to __________ as mete is to allot.

Possible Answers:

soothe 

preserve

convene 

strut 

tantalize 

Correct answer:

preserve

Explanation:

"Mete" and "allot" are synonyms; both words mean to distribute or share out among multiple people. To solve this analogy, you need to determine which of the answer choices is closest in meaning to "embalm." "Embalm" means to preserve a corpse and not allow it to decay, so "preserve" is the best answer. Additionally, "tantalize" means tease and excite; "strut" means walk in an exaggerated fashion suggesting confidence; "soothe" means calm or make feel better; and "convene" means meet up or gather together for a meeting.

Example Question #101 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete the analogy.

Coy is to shy as deceptive is to __________.

Possible Answers:

misleading

loathsome 

mundane 

bellicose 

detrimental 

Correct answer:

misleading

Explanation:

"Coy" means pretending to be shy or acting shy. It is loosely a synonym of "shy," so to solve this analogy, you need to determine which of these words is loosely a synonym of "deceptive," which means dishonest and trying to trick others. The correct answer is "misleading," which means making untrue things seem as if they are true. Additionally, "mundane" means ordinary and boring; "bellicose" means aggressive and desiring war or conflict; "detrimental" means causing harm, hurtful, or getting in the way of the progress of something; and "loathsome" means detestable and deserving of hatred.

Example Question #105 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete the analogy.

Insular is to __________ as lowly is to menial.

Possible Answers:

pervasive 

alluring 

assiduous 

parochial

lethargic

Correct answer:

parochial

Explanation:

"Menial" and "lowly" are synonyms: both words refer to work and mean requiring little skill or expertise. So, to solve this analogy, you need to determine which of the answer choices has the same meaning as "insular." "Insular" sounds like "insulated" and "island," and this isn't a coincidence: the words stem from the same Latin root. You can think of "insular" as meaning culturally isolated, as if on an islandnarrow-minded, ignorant of the wider world, and uninterested in the experience of others. This is very similar in meaning to "parochial." This term can refer to an area encompassed by a religious parish, which is often rural, or (more metaphorically), it can also mean narrow-minded. Additionally, "alluring" means tempting and attractive; "lethargic" means lacking energy or enthusiasm; "pervasive" means spread throughout; and "assiduous" means painstaking, showing great care and attention to detail, and meticulous

Example Question #102 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete the analogy.

Infatuated is to __________ as oscillate is to fluctuate.

Possible Answers:

taciturn 

adulterated 

imbued 

besotted

exasperated 

Correct answer:

besotted

Explanation:

"Oscillate" and "fluctuate" are synonyms: both words mean to vary or to move back and forth. To solve this analogy, you need to determine which of the answer choices has the same meaning as "infatuated." "Infatuated" means enamored, in love with, or deeply attracted to. The correct answer is thus "besotted," which means in love with. Additionally, "taciturn" means quiet and saying little; "exasperated" means deeply frustrated with; "imbued" means filled with; and "adulterated" means edited or changed, and made impure as a result

Example Question #103 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Glen is to valley as ____________________ is to undertaker.

Possible Answers:

pedagogue

parishioner

mortician

attorney

assailant

Correct answer:

mortician

Explanation:

"Glen" means narrow valley. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words is closest in meaning to "undertaker." Well, an "undertaker" is a funeral direction, someone who prepares bodies to be buried and oversees funeral preparations. This is identical in meaning to "mortician." Additionally, "pedagogue" means teacher; "assailant" means attacker; "attorney" means lawyer; "parishioner" means member of a church parish community

Example Question #203 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Hoary is to trite as nescient is to __________________.

Possible Answers:

famous

abusive

ignorant

loud

attractive

Correct answer:

ignorant

Explanation:

"Hoary" and "trite" are synonyms, both words mean overused and cliched, (of an idea) unoriginal and uninspiring. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "nescient." Well, "nescient" means lacking knowledge, so the correct answer is "ignorant."

Example Question #104 : Synonyms, Antonyms, And Changes In Intensity

Complete this analogy.

Aflutter is to __________ as base is to ignoble.

Possible Answers:

content

happy

rowdy

miserable

nervous

Correct answer:

nervous

Explanation:

"Base" and "ignoble" are synonyms, both words mean not honorable, having no moral purpose, devoid of virtue. So, to solve this analogy you need to determine which of these words has the same meaning as "aflutter." Well, "aflutter" means caused to feel anxious, excited, or "nervous." Additionally, "rowdy" means boisterous, noisy and badly-behaved; "content" means satisfied, happy with things the way they are.

Example Question #205 : Analogies: Determining Meaning From Type Of Relationship

Complete this analogy.

Denude is to strip as __________ is to estrange.

Possible Answers:

garble

besmirch

inundate

alienate

lionize

Correct answer:

alienate

Explanation:

"Denude" means "strip", remove covering, remove a layer. To solve this analogy you therefore need to determine which of these words is a synonym of "estrange." Well, "estrange" means to make someone feel like a stranger, to cause someone to feel no longer close with. This is very similar in definition to "alienate," to make someone feel alien. Additionally, "inundate" means flood, overwhelm; "besmirch" means dirty, spoil, ruin the innocence or reputation of; "lionize" means praise, make out to be a hero; "garble" means mix-up, jumble

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