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:

Predict

Damage

Breathe

Alter

Hop

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:

Trade

Wear

Polish

Develop

Fry

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 #1923 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TARNISH

Possible Answers:

Prepare

Attempt

Sully

Extinguish

Berate

Correct answer:

Sully

Explanation:

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

Example Question #1924 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CONVERGE

Possible Answers:

Inoculate

Protest

Scatter

Divulge

Meet

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 #1925 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ERECT

Possible Answers:

Straighten

Marginalize

Construct

Ignore

Rattle

Correct answer:

Construct

Explanation:

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

Example Question #1926 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AMALGAMATE

Possible Answers:

Meld

Pinpoint

Bloom

Hallow

Dissociate

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 #1927 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ENERVATE

Possible Answers:

Strengthen 

Improve 

Energize 

Moderate

Weaken

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 #2725 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

ABRIDGE

Possible Answers:

shorten

cross

climb

float

transfer

Correct answer:

shorten

Explanation:

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

Example Question #2725 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

BARRICADE

Possible Answers:

Obstruct

March

Announce

Injure

Destroy

Correct answer:

Obstruct

Explanation:

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

Example Question #1928 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WANE

Possible Answers:

Diminish

Transportation

Swell

Spin

Creep

Correct answer:

Diminish

Explanation:

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

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