SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives and Adverbs

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #2551 : Synonyms

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

PEJORATIVE

Possible Answers:

Baronial

Extemporaneous

Defamatory

Ephemeral

Elusive

Correct answer:

Defamatory

Explanation:

Something "pejorative" is negative, "defamatory," deprecatory. "Baronial" means grand and stately. "Ephemeral" is a synonym for "short-lived" or fleeting. "Extemporaneous" is a synonym for "improvised." "Elusive" means difficult to catch or find.

Example Question #2552 : Synonyms

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

MANIFOLD

Possible Answers:

Ebullient

Venal

Incumbent

Nominal

Sundry

Correct answer:

Sundry

Explanation:

The adjective "manifold" means diverse, containing a lot of variety. This is closest in definition to "sundry" which means of several distinct kinds, of several varieties. Additionally, "ebullient" means enthusiastic; "incumbent" means obligatory, has to be done, required; "venal" means corrupt and wicked; "nominal" means insignificant, of little importance.

Example Question #2561 : Synonyms

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

PLEONASTIC

Possible Answers:

Heinous

Wordy

Exotic

Specious

Quirky

Correct answer:

Wordy

Explanation:

"Pleonastic" means overly "wordy," verbose. "Heinous" is a synonym for "atrocious," and "specious" is a synonym for "misleadingly plausible." "Quirky" means idiosyncratic or strange, and "exotic" means foreign or strange.

Example Question #2562 : Synonyms

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

SUBLIMINAL

Possible Answers:

Exorbitant

Outlandish

Medical

Borderline

Subconscious

Correct answer:

Subconscious

Explanation:

"Subliminal" means subconscious, beneath the surface of the working mind. "Borderline" means on the edges, peripheral. "Outlandish" means bizarre and weird. "Exorbitant" is a synonym for "excessive," and "medical" is the adjective form of "medicine."

Example Question #2563 : Synonyms

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

AILING

Possible Answers:

Ill

Treasonous

Penniless

Subversive

Repellent

Correct answer:

Ill

Explanation:

"Ailing" means "ill," in poor health. "Treasonous" is a synonym for "treacherous." "Repellent" is a synonym for "disgusting" or revolting. "Subversive" means rebellious or intended to overthrow a government. "Penniless" is another word for "impoverished."

Example Question #2564 : Synonyms

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

FORESTALLED

Possible Answers:

Commodious

Failed

Nautical

Preempted

Elderly

Correct answer:

Preempted

Explanation:

To "forestall" something is to preempt or prevent it. This is different from outright failure, so "forestalled" and "failed" are not synonyms. Another word for "elderly" is geriatric, and another word for "nautical" is maritime. "Commodious" means capacious or spacious.

Example Question #2565 : Synonyms

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

PROTRACTED

Possible Answers:

Onerous

Saccharine

Prolonged

Ephemeral

Nescient

Correct answer:

Prolonged

Explanation:

"Protracted" means "prolonged," drawn out. This is an antonym for "ephemeral," which means short-lived and fleeting. While something "protracted" may also be "onerous," or difficult and burdensome, the two are not necessarily synonyms. "Nescient" is another work for ignorant or unaware. "Saccharine" means overly sweet (either literally or figuratively) or sentimental.

Example Question #2566 : Synonyms

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

GERMANE

Possible Answers:

Murderous

Relevant

Maniacal

Lucid

Mitigated

Correct answer:

Relevant

Explanation:

"Germane" means "relevant," pertinent. "Mitigated" means lessened in severity, and "lucid" means clear. "Murderous" is a synonym for "homicidal." "Maniacal" is another word for "crazed."

Example Question #2567 : Synonyms

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

REPUGNANT

Possible Answers:

Variegated

Fatuous

Responsible

Vile

Creative

Correct answer:

Vile

Explanation:

"Repugnant" means disgusting, loathsome, or "vile." "Responsible" means dutiful, and "variegated" means striped or splotched with various colors. "Creative" is a synonym for "imaginative," and "fatuous" is a synonym for "silly," foolish.

Example Question #2568 : Synonyms

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

SCURRILOUS

Possible Answers:

Tumescent

Infected

Libelous

Rotund

Excruciating

Correct answer:

Libelous

Explanation:

"Scurrilous" means scandalously untrue or "libelous" and usually describes rumors or speech. "Excruciating' means very painful. "Tumescent" means swollen or distended, and "rotund" means plump and round. "Infected" is another word for festering.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors