SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1481 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TANTAMOUNT

Possible Answers:

Squeamish

Crucial

Admonishing

Equivalent

Conjectural

Correct answer:

Equivalent

Explanation:

Unlike "paramount," which means crucial, "tantamount" simply means equivalent to. To "admonish" is to warn or chastise someone. "Conjectural" is a synonym for "speculative" or hypothetical. "Squeamish" means easily nauseated, queasy.

Example Question #1482 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FEBRILE

Possible Answers:

Crucial

Tacit

Feverish

Torpid

Archaic

Correct answer:

Feverish

Explanation:

"Febrile" is another word for "feverish." While someone who is "feverish" may be "torpid," or sluggish, the two words are not necessarily synonymous. "Crucial" means vital, essential. "Tacit" is a synonym for "unspoken." "Archaic" means outdated, antiquated.

Example Question #1483 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRIMAL

Possible Answers:

Tangential

Banal

Tantamount

Fundamental

Trite

Correct answer:

Fundamental

Explanation:

"Primal" can mean "fundamental" or primitive, depending on the context. "Tantamount" means equivalent, and "tangential" is a synonym for "barely relevant." "Banal" and "trite" are synonyms for extremely boring.

Example Question #1484 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PRIMORDIAL

Possible Answers:

Auspicious

Laconic

Nomadic

Ancient

Propitious

Correct answer:

Ancient

Explanation:

"Primordial" means "ancient" and primitive. "Ribald" means rude, irreverent. "Propitious" and "auspicious" both mean favorable. "Laconic" is a synonym for "terse" and "pithy." "Nomadic" means wandering from place to place.

Example Question #1485 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ANDROGYNOUS

Possible Answers:

Adroit

Unisex

Maritime

Gauche

Refined

Correct answer:

Unisex

Explanation:

"Androgynous" means "unisex" or having characteristics of both the male and female genders. "Gauche" means tasteless or inelegant, which is an antonym for "refined." "Adroit" means skillful and adept. "Maritime" is a synonym for "nautical."

Example Question #1486 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNCONSCIONABLE

Possible Answers:

Vicarious

Pleonastic

Verbose

Unethical

Salutary

Correct answer:

Unethical

Explanation:

"Unconscionable" means indefensible, immoral, and "unethical." "Pleonastic" and "verbose" both mean excessively wordy. "Vicarious" is a synonym for "secondhand," and "salutary" means very healthful.

Example Question #1487 : Identifying Synonyms

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

VEHEMENTLY

Possible Answers:

passionately

reluctantly

rapidly

truthfully

calmly

Correct answer:

passionately

Explanation:

"Vehemently" means with strong feeling or passion.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adverbs

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

MERELY

Possible Answers:

trifling

maliciously

politely

disappointing

solely

Correct answer:

solely

Explanation:

"Merely" is an adverb meaning just, only, or solely.

Example Question #1488 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ROUNDLY

Possible Answers:

Emphatically

Openly

Cheerfully

Falsely

Marginally

Correct answer:

Emphatically

Explanation:

"Roundly" means done in an emphatic or vehement way.

Example Question #1489 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VICIOUSLY

Possible Answers:

Visibly

Invincible

Heart-rending

Vicinity

Ferociously

Correct answer:

Ferociously

Explanation:

"Viciously" and "ferociously" are synonymous adverbs describing a savage, violent or destructive way of performing an action, attacking viciously, for example. The other words do not share this meaning. In fact, some of the other answer choices are not even adverbs. 

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