SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1211 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PEDANTIC

Possible Answers:

Lackluster

Fortuitous

Paramount

Addled

Meticulous

Correct answer:

Meticulous

Explanation:

The adjective "pedantic" is used to describe someone who pays too close attention to details, someone who is obsessive about something in an irritating manner. The closest answer choice to this definition is "meticulous" which means precise, trying to do something perfectly. Additionally, "paramount" means of particular importance, very significant; "fortuitous" means lucky; "addled" means confused and mentally weak (usually from drug use or old age); "lackluster" means uninspiring, underwhelming.

Example Question #1212 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ECCENTRIC

Possible Answers:

Normal

Youthful

Odd

Ancient

Simple

Correct answer:

Odd

Explanation:

The adjective "eccentric" is usually used to describe certain people and means odd, unusual, prone to weird behavior.

Example Question #1213 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PERSPICACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Salient

Illuminating

Loathsome

Discerning

Corpulent

Correct answer:

Discerning

Explanation:

The adjective "perspicacious" is used to describe someone who is very discerning, able to notice and understand things very well. Additionally, "loathsome" means detestable, hated; "illuminating" means revealing, 'shining a light on'; "corpulent" means overweight, fat; "salient" means most important, very significant.

Example Question #1214 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SUPERCILIOUS

Possible Answers:

Conceited

Raucous

Fruitful

Drastic

Meek

Correct answer:

Conceited

Explanation:

The adjective "supercilious" means arrogant, haughty, thinking one knows better than everyone else, or "conceited." Additionally, "meek" means shy, reserved, weak; "fruitful" means productive; "drastic" means extreme and desperate; "raucous" means rowdy, disorderly and grating.

Example Question #1215 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INSUFFERABLE

Possible Answers:

Besmirched

Cagey

Unbearable

Inveterate

Provocative

Correct answer:

Unbearable

Explanation:

The adjective "insufferable," which can be used to describe people or circumstances, means so annoying as to be impossible to put up with, too intense to cope with. This is closest in definition to "unbearable" which means intolerable, unendurable. Additionally, "provocative" means likely to cause offense, incendiary, causing a strong reaction; "cagey" means cautious and noncommittal, wary and guarded; "inveterate" means (of a habit) deeply ingrained and long established; "besmirched" means sullied, tarnished, ruined, (of a reputation) damaged.

Example Question #1216 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OFFICIOUS

Possible Answers:

Insolvent

Corpulent

Meddlesome

Noisome

Ostentatious

Correct answer:

Meddlesome

Explanation:

The adjective "officious" means (of an authority figure) prone to interfering and meddling unnecessarily, meddlesome and irritating. Additionally, "insolvent" means bankrupt, run out of money; "corpulent" means overweight, fat; "ostentatious" means extravagant and showy; "noisome" means smelling very bad, having an offensive smell.

Example Question #1217 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PERFIDIOUS

Possible Answers:

Disloyal

Adulterated

Acclaimed

Demonstrative

Jovial

Correct answer:

Disloyal

Explanation:

The adjective "perfidious" means treacherous, not trustworthy, duplicitous and likely to betray, disloyal. Additionally, "jovial" means good-natured or in a good-mood; "adulterated" means edited and made impure; "acclaimed" means widely celebrated and praised; "demonstrative" means extremely showy of one's thoughts and feelings, expressive.

Example Question #1218 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SOLIPSISTIC

Possible Answers:

Self-centered

Deleterious

Lurid

Self-possessed

Self-assured

Correct answer:

Self-centered

Explanation:

"Solipsistic" means egotistical or focused on the self. "Confident" means self-assured, as does "self-possessed." "Lurid" is a synonym for bright, colorful, sensational, or overly dramatic. "Deleterious" means harmful.

Example Question #1219 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INTRACTABLE

Possible Answers:

Yielding

Emblematic

Stubborn

Capricious

Mercurial

Correct answer:

Stubborn

Explanation:

"Intractable" means "stubborn" or resistant. This is an antonym for "yielding." "Mercurial" means temperamental or capricious. If something is "emblematic," it is a symbol or representation of something else.

Example Question #1220 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VAPID

Possible Answers:

Invigorated

Inept

Adroit

Skeptical

Dull

Correct answer:

Dull

Explanation:

"Vapid" means "dull," boring, lacking in liveliness and energy. This is an antonym for "invigorated," or energetic. "Skeptical" means doubtful. "Inept" means incompetent, which is an antonym for "adroit" or skillful.

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