SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1281 : Synonyms

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

COMPLAISANT

Possible Answers:

Self-satisfied

Amenable

Self-evident

Thorough

Potent

Correct answer:

Amenable

Explanation:

"Complaisant" means willing to do things, pleasant, and "amenable." Be careful not to confuse this with "complacent," which means overly satisfied with oneself. "Potent" means powerful. Something "thorough" is in-depth, rigorous, and exhaustive.

Example Question #1282 : Synonyms

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

ABSTEMIOUS

Possible Answers:

Temperate

Bombastic

Circumspect

Grandiloquent

Pugnacious

Correct answer:

Temperate

Explanation:

"Abstemious" is the adjective form of the verb "abstain" and denotes temperance and moderation. "Circumspect" is a synonym for "noncommittal." Both "bombastic" and "grandiloquent" mean pompous. "Pugnacious" means aggressive and combative.

Example Question #1283 : Synonyms

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

PEDANTIC

Possible Answers:

Suave

Picky

Conspicuous

Deleterious

Discreet

Correct answer:

Picky

Explanation:

"Pedantic" means "picky," overly fastidious, or narrow minded. "Suave" is a synonym for "sophisticated." "Deleterious" is a synonym for "harmful." "Discreet" is a synonym for "inconspicuous," which is obviously the antonym of "conspicuous."

Example Question #1284 : Synonyms

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

PROMISCUOUS

Possible Answers:

Debased

Modest

Perilous

Precarious

Wanton

Correct answer:

Wanton

Explanation:

"Wanton" is a word that means immoral or "promiscuous" in some contexts. "Perilous" is a synonym for "dangerous." "Precarious" means unsteady or insecure. "Debased" means lowered in value or humiliated. "Modest" means humble or lowly.

Example Question #1285 : Synonyms

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

PERTINACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Outlandish

Exceptional

Misunderstood

Persistent

Garish

Correct answer:

Persistent

Explanation:

"Pertinacious" is a synonym for "persistent" and "tenacious." "Outlandish" means strange or bizarre. "Garish" is a synonym for tawdry or gaudy, and "exceptional" is a synonym for "outstanding." "Understood" and "misunderstood" are antonyms.

Example Question #1286 : Synonyms

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

MISANTHROPIC

Possible Answers:

Adept

Antisocial

Adroit

Philanthropic

Somnolent

Correct answer:

Antisocial

Explanation:

"Misanthropic" means "antisocial" or unfriendly: literally, hating humankind. As you may be able to guess, this is an antonym of "philanthropic," which means charitable and generous. "Adroit" and "adept" both mean skillful. "Somnolent" is a synonym for "sleepy."

Example Question #495 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

RECLUSIVE

Possible Answers:

Garish

Acerbic

Gregarious

Hermitic

Ridiculous

Correct answer:

Hermitic

Explanation:

Someone who is a "recluse" is a hermit, a solitary person. This is an antonym for "gregarious," or outgoing. "Garish" is another word for gaudy, and "acerbic" is another word for "caustic." Another word for "ridiculous" is "ludicrous."

Example Question #1287 : Synonyms

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

FIENDISH

Possible Answers:

Fanciful

Wicked

Blissful

Virtuous

Cavalier

Correct answer:

Wicked

Explanation:

The adjective "fiendish" means wicked, devilish and cunning. Additionally, "fanciful" means unrealistic, 'far-fetched'; "virtuous" means good, wholesome, not sinful; "cavalier" means offhand, apathetic towards; "blissful" means very happy, ecstatic.

Example Question #1288 : Synonyms

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

PRECOCIOUS

Possible Answers:

Taciturn

Irresolute

Gifted

Surreptitious

Ribald

Correct answer:

Gifted

Explanation:

The adjective "precocious" means advanced for one's age, especially talented and "gifted." Additionally, "irresolute" means uncertain; "ribald" means vulgar, (of behavior) distasteful; "surreptitious" means secretive, clandestine; "taciturn" means not talkative, prone to silence.

Example Question #1289 : Synonyms

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

NEUROTIC

Possible Answers:

Malformed

Maladjusted

Malevolent

Misappropriated

Malicious

Correct answer:

Maladjusted

Explanation:

The adjective "neurotic" is used to describe someone who has many complexes, is suffering from a mental imbalance. This is closest in meaning to "maladjusted" which means poorly adjusted, poorly suited to society. The prefix mal- means bad. So, "malicious" means bad-natured, wicked; "malevolent" also means having an evil nature, wicked; "malformed" means badly formed, incorrectly made; "misappropriated" means to have taken something, like a saying, and used it incorrectly.

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