SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Verbs

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

PLACATE

Possible Answers:

Conciliate

Heed

Pursue

Imply

Quench

Correct answer:

Conciliate

Explanation:

Since to placate someone means to soothe or appease him or her, we're looking for a verb that means to appease or to soothe. While "quench" does mean to appease thirst, it does not refer to people and is thus not a synonym of "placate." "Conciliate," on the other hand, means stop someone or something from being angry or discontented; "to placate, appease, or pacify," it is the best answer choice.

Example Question #331 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

PLACATE

Possible Answers:

Antagonize 

Implore 

Urge 

Assist 

Conciliate 

Correct answer:

Conciliate 

Explanation:

“Placate” means to calm down, and is therefore most similar in meaning to conciliate, which means to make peace, to bring calm. For clarification, implore and urge are synonyms; antagonize is loosely an antonym of placate and conciliate.

Example Question #26 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

PLACATE

Possible Answers:

Plaster

Overwhelm

Calm 

Master

Wash

Correct answer:

Calm 

Explanation:

"Placate" means to soothe or remove anxiety. (Example: "The mailman tried to placate the angry dog by offering him dog treats.") Thus, the verb "calm" is close in meaning and is therefore the best synonym.

Example Question #27 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

INFURIATE

Possible Answers:

Brawl

Fracture

Flood

Anger

Sling

Correct answer:

Anger

Explanation:

"Infuriate" means to make someone or something angry, so "anger," a word that when used as a verb means to enrage or to cause to be angry, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "infuriate" or "anger": "flood" means inundate with; "fracture" means to break or to crack; "brawl" means to fight; and "sling" means to throw.

Example Question #28 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

PLACATE

Possible Answers:

Soothe 

Recommend

Corner

Express

Abandon

Correct answer:

Soothe 

Explanation:

To placate is to soothe or to pacify.  

Example Question #336 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

VEX

Possible Answers:

Annoy

Captivate

Utilize

Boost

Heal

Correct answer:

Annoy

Explanation:

To vex is to annoy or to confuse.  

Example Question #333 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

QUENCH

Possible Answers:

Ratify

Confuse

Prescribe

Offend

Satisfy

Correct answer:

Satisfy

Explanation:

To quench is to satisfy. 

Example Question #31 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

APPEASE

Possible Answers:

Predict

Invade

Calm

Nourish

Perceive

Correct answer:

Calm

Explanation:

To "appease" is to calm or to bring to a state of peace.  

Example Question #32 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

ABHOR

Possible Answers:

Fear

Detest

Remove

Approve

Shorten

Correct answer:

Detest

Explanation:

To "abhor" something is to hate it, so the synonym is "detest," which also means to hate or dislike something strongly.

Example Question #33 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

ALLEVIATE

Possible Answers:

Join forces with

Relieve

Oppose

Worsen

Edit

Correct answer:

Relieve

Explanation:

To "alleviate" a condition is to relieve it or make it better.

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