SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1791 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RESCIND

Possible Answers:

Implement

Engage

Nullify

Quell

Reconsider

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 #1792 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABASE

Possible Answers:

Degrade

Scatter

Summon

Reconsider

Memorize

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 #1793 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CHORTLE

Possible Answers:

Laugh

Cough

Fabricate

Stir

Burn

Correct answer:

Laugh

Explanation:

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

Example Question #1793 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ACQUIESCE

Possible Answers:

Agree

Retreat

Argue

Beg

Infer

Correct answer:

Agree

Explanation:

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

Example Question #2592 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

COMPEL.

Possible Answers:

Manifest 

Allow 

Enable

Prism 

Force 

Correct answer:

Force 

Explanation:

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

Example Question #1794 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INFUSE.

Possible Answers:

Threaten 

Declare 

Wonder 

Instill

Garner

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 #1795 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXPIATE

Possible Answers:

Build

Access

Muse

Atone

Supervise

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.  

Example Question #1796 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ENTREAT

Possible Answers:

Spoil

Conspire

Push

Urge

Concoct

Correct answer:

Urge

Explanation:

"Entreat" means to ask anxiously for someone to do something, or to "urge."

Example Question #1841 : Synonyms

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

CONVERSE

Possible Answers:

Weaken

Manipulate

Force

Talk

Rehearse

Correct answer:

Talk

Explanation:

"Converse," when used as a verb, means to engage in conversation, or to "talk." When used as an adjective, "converse" means opposite, but since all of the potential answer choices are verbs, this should not be the meaning of "converse" that we rely upon.

Example Question #1797 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CASTIGATE

Possible Answers:

Criticize

Loiter

Acquire

Verbalize

Generate

Correct answer:

Criticize

Explanation:

To "castigate" is to criticize.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors