SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1281 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ARCH

Possible Answers:

Pithy

Teasing

Clumsy

Cryptic

Ostentatious

Correct answer:

Teasing

Explanation:

Arch can mean coy, mischievous, teasing, or even sly. It does not mean "clumsy," or awkward. "Pithy" is a synonym of succinct, while "ostentatious" is a synonym of showy. "Cryptic" means mysterious or difficult to decipher.

Example Question #1282 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PUNCTILIOUS

Possible Answers:

Sloppy

Doleful

Fastidious

Congenial

Serene

Correct answer:

Fastidious

Explanation:

"Punctilious" means fastidious, scrupulous, or meticulous. It is an antonym of "sloppy." "Doleful" is a synonym for mournful or sorrowful. "Congenial" means personable or likable. "Serene" means placid, tranquil, or calm.

Example Question #1283 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNCOUTH

Possible Answers:

Avaricious

Ebullient

Holy

Captious

Rude

Correct answer:

Rude

Explanation:

"Uncouth" means "rude," uncivilized, or unrefined. "Avaricious" means greedy, and "captious" means prone to nitpick or quibble over even the tiniest detail. Another word for "holy" is sacrosanct. Another word for "ebullient" is overjoyed.

Example Question #1284 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNSAVORY

Possible Answers:

Serendipitous

Sanguine

Insipid

Luckless

Untrustworthy

Correct answer:

Untrustworthy

Explanation:

"Unsavory" can either mean not tasty or disreputable and "untrustworthy," depending on context. "Sanguine" is a synonym for "cheerful." "Insipid" means boring or uninspired. "Luckless" means unfortunate. "Serendipitous," or lucky, is an antonym of this.

Example Question #1285 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SYCOPHANTIC

Possible Answers:

Recalcitrant

Perspicacious

Adversarial

Percipient

Fawning

Correct answer:

Fawning

Explanation:

"Sycophantic" is a synonym for "fawning," servile, and obsequious. "Percipient" and "perspicacious" both mean alert, perceptive, or astute. "Recalcitrant" means stubborn or resistant. "Adversarial" is a synonym for "antagonistic."

Example Question #1286 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRETENTIOUS

Possible Answers:

Highfalutin

Treacherous

Threadbare

Anemic

Dismayed

Correct answer:

Highfalutin

Explanation:

"Pretentious" is an adjective meaning attempting to impress by affecting greater importance. "Highfalutin" is an adjective meaning pompous in an irritating, self-important manner and is therefore the correct answer.

Example Question #1321 : Synonyms

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

PRONE

Possible Answers:

flat

steadfast

dark

noisy

susceptible

Correct answer:

susceptible

Explanation:

Prone means likely to suffer from something, or susceptible to something.

Example Question #1322 : Synonyms

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

IMPASSABLE

Possible Answers:

blocked

welcoming

formulaic

threatening

courageous

Correct answer:

blocked

Explanation:

Impassable means impossible to travel through, or blocked.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

MATERNAL

Possible Answers:

groundbreaking

fierce

familial

concise

motherly

Correct answer:

motherly

Explanation:

Maternal means of or relating to mothers, or motherly.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

DELETERIOUS.

Possible Answers:

Healthy 

Enigma 

Bellicose 

Pernicious 

Rudimentary

Correct answer:

Pernicious 

Explanation:

“Deleterious” means extremely harmful, which is the same meaning of the word “pernicious.” For clarification, "rudimentary" means basic; "enigma" means mystery; "bellicose" means ready for or inclined towards warfare.

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