SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Verbs

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #71 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

JEER

Possible Answers:

Portray

Calm

Taunt

Pass

Fasten

Correct answer:

Taunt

Explanation:

Jeer means to deride, heckle, or "taunt" someone.

Example Question #71 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

COERCE

Possible Answers:

Befriend

Pressure

Call

Bend

Overcome

Correct answer:

Pressure

Explanation:

"Coerce" means to pressure someone into doing something, so "pressure" (considered as a verb) is the correct answer.

Example Question #72 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

WINCE

Possible Answers:

Bolster

Operate

Relax

Flinch

Crank

Correct answer:

Flinch

Explanation:

“Wince” is a word that can be used as a verb or a noun, but because all of the potential answer choices can be used as verbs, we will need to consider “wince” as a verb. When used as a verb, “wince” means grimace or shrink away from. Therefore, “relax” cannot be the correct answer, because “relax” is an antonym, not a synonym, of “wince.” “Flinch,” however, is a verb that means jerk one's body back in surprise or fear, and because “flinch” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “wince,” “flinch” is the correct answer.

Example Question #73 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

RESCIND

Possible Answers:

Engage

Nullify

Reconsider

Quell

Implement

Correct answer:

Nullify

Explanation:

“Rescind” is a verb that means revoke or repeal, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like revoke. That means that “implement” cannot be the correct answer, because “implement,” when used as a verb, means have something take effect, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “rescind.” “Nullify,” however, is a verb that means annul or make void, and because “nullify” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “rescind,” “nullify” is the correct answer.

Example Question #74 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

ABASE

Possible Answers:

Memorize

Reconsider

Scatter

Degrade

Summon

Correct answer:

Degrade

Explanation:

"Abase" is a verb that means degrade or humiliate. So, "degrade," a verb that means treat someone disrespectfully, is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "abase."

Example Question #76 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

CHORTLE

Possible Answers:

Laugh

Cough

Stir

Fabricate

Burn

Correct answer:

Laugh

Explanation:

A "chortle" is a form of laughter; one might write, "The obnoxious joke still made her chortle."

Example Question #75 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

ACQUIESCE

Possible Answers:

Retreat

Agree

Argue

Infer

Beg

Correct answer:

Agree

Explanation:

"Acquiesce" means reluctantly agree to do something, so "agree" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "acquiesce."

Example Question #76 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

COMPEL.

Possible Answers:

Allow 

Prism 

Manifest 

Force 

Enable

Correct answer:

Force 

Explanation:

To “compel” means to force. For clarification manifest means obvious, apparent

Example Question #77 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

INFUSE.

Possible Answers:

Declare 

Wonder 

Instill

Garner

Threaten 

Correct answer:

Instill

Explanation:

To “infuse” somebody means to introduce some thought or emotion into someone else’s mind. This definition is very similar to “instill” which means to impart ideas in someone else’s mind gradually. For clarification, garner means to win or gain something or to collect information.

Example Question #78 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

EXPIATE

Possible Answers:

Atone

Build

Muse

Supervise

Access

Correct answer:

Atone

Explanation:

“Expiate” means to atone or make amends, so "atone" is the correct answer.  None of the other answers are close in meaning to “expiate”. “Access” means to get into. “Muse” means to ponder. “Supervise” means to oversee. “Build” means to construct.  

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors