SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1921 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TWEAK

Possible Answers:

Hop

Breathe

Alter

Predict

Damage

Correct answer:

Alter

Explanation:

"Tweak" means make small changes to something, and "alter" means change, so "alter" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "tweak": "breathe" means to inhale and exhale, "hop" means jump, "predict" means guess what will happen in the future based on information known at the present moment, and "damage" means cause harm to something.

Example Question #1922 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BURNISH

Possible Answers:

Polish

Trade

Develop

Fry

Wear

Correct answer:

Polish

Explanation:

To "burnish" is to polish or shine, so "polish" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "burnish": “wear” means to display on the body; “trade” means exchange commodities;“fry” means to cook with oil or fat; and “develop” means grow. 

Example Question #205 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

TARNISH

Possible Answers:

Attempt

Extinguish

Prepare

Berate

Sully

Correct answer:

Sully

Explanation:

"Tarnish" and "sully" are both words that mean make something dirtier or less valuable.

Example Question #1923 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CONVERGE

Possible Answers:

Protest

Scatter

Meet

Divulge

Inoculate

Correct answer:

Meet

Explanation:

"Converge" is a verb meaning come to the same place (metaphorically or physically) at the same time, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like come together. "Protest" and "scatter" might look like potentially correct answer choices initially, but they are each antonyms of "converge," so neither of them can be the correct answer. Because "meet" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "converge," "meet" is the correct answer.

Example Question #207 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

ERECT

Possible Answers:

Marginalize

Ignore

Construct

Straighten

Rattle

Correct answer:

Construct

Explanation:

"Erect" means raise, build, or construct, so "construct" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1924 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AMALGAMATE

Possible Answers:

Pinpoint

Bloom

Dissociate

Meld

Hallow

Correct answer:

Meld

Explanation:

“Amalgamate” is a verb that means unify multiple things into one, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like combine. That means that “dissociate” cannot be the correct answer, because “dissociate” means separate, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “amalgamate.” “Meld,” however, when used as a verb, means combine, and because “meld” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “amalgamate,” “meld” is the correct answer.

Example Question #1925 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ENERVATE

Possible Answers:

Weaken

Improve 

Energize 

Moderate

Strengthen 

Correct answer:

Weaken

Explanation:

“Enervate” is a transitive verb that means weaken someone physically or mentally, so "weaken" is the correct answer. “Strengthen,” “energize,” and “improve” are all antonyms, and "moderate" is not related in meaning to "enervate."

Example Question #46 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

ABRIDGE

Possible Answers:

climb

transfer

float

shorten

cross

Correct answer:

shorten

Explanation:

"Abridge" means to shorten something without losing the main idea.

Example Question #1926 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BARRICADE

Possible Answers:

March

Injure

Announce

Obstruct

Destroy

Correct answer:

Obstruct

Explanation:

To "barricade" or "obstruct" something is to block it.

Example Question #1927 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WANE

Possible Answers:

Diminish

Swell

Creep

Transportation

Spin

Correct answer:

Diminish

Explanation:

"Wane" means decrease in size or power, so "diminish" is the correct answer.

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