SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1951 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WHET

Possible Answers:

Accelerate

Belittle

Hone

Dampen

Find

Correct answer:

Hone

Explanation:

"Whet" is a verb which means "to sharpen the blade of a tool or weapon," or "to excite or stimulate someone's desire, interest, or appetite." So, we need to pick out another verb that means something like "sharpen." While "whet" sounds like "wet," and "dampen" is synonymous with "wet" when "wet" is used as a verb, "whet" has a very different meaning than "wet," so "dampen" cannot be the correct answer. "Hone," however, is a verb that means "to sharpen with a whetstone" or "to make sharper or more focused or efficient." Since "hone" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "whet," "hone" is the correct answer.

Example Question #1952 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CURTAIL

Possible Answers:

Reduce

Follow

Curmudgeon

Exacerbate

Deny

Correct answer:

Reduce

Explanation:

While "follow" might seem like a good answer because to "tail" someone is to follow them, "curtail" does not mean the same thing as "tail," so "follow" is not the correct answer. Similarly, while "curmudgeon" and "curtail" both begin with "cur-," curmudgeon is a noun and curtail is a verb, so they cannot be synonyms. Since "curtail" means "reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on," "reduce" is its closest synonym and the correct answer.

Example Question #1953 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DOUSE

Possible Answers:

Dry

Dehydrate

Fluctuate

Mimic

Drench

Correct answer:

Drench

Explanation:

"Douse" means to drench or extinguish, usually with water. Dehydrate and Dry would be the opposite meaning of douse. Fluctuate means to waver and mimic is to imitate, so they are not synonyms of douse.

Example Question #1954 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RETRACT

Possible Answers:

Poach

Withdraw

Permeate

Laud

Advance

Correct answer:

Withdraw

Explanation:

"Retract" means to pull back or withdraw. Advance is to go forward, which is the opposite meaning of Retract. Poach means to hunt, Permeate means to penetrate, and Laud means to applause. None of these words have any relation to Retract.

Example Question #1997 : Synonyms

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

Curtail

Possible Answers:

Capitulate

Invest

Repeal 

Follow

Shorten

Correct answer:

Shorten

Explanation:

To curtail means to cut short or shorten.  

Example Question #1955 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VACILLATE

Possible Answers:

Preach

Fluctuate

Incriminate

Explore

Solidify

Correct answer:

Fluctuate

Explanation:

To vacillate and to fluctuate both mean to continually shift back and forth. 

Example Question #1956 : Identifying Synonyms

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

STRIKE

Possible Answers:

Dismiss

Anger

Fly

Propel

Hit

Correct answer:

Hit

Explanation:

Strike means to hit forcibily.

Example Question #1957 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INFILTRATE

Possible Answers:

Revolutionize

Observe

Invade

Retreat

Matriculate

Correct answer:

Invade

Explanation:

Infiltrate means to gain access to something surreptiously, or gradually invade.

Example Question #1958 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INTERCEPT

Possible Answers:

Propel

Share

Consume

Obstruct

Produce

Correct answer:

Obstruct

Explanation:

Intercept means to prevent something from getting to its destination, or to obstruct

Example Question #1959 : Identifying Synonyms

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

BURGEON

Possible Answers:

Margin

Bloom

Fish

Urge

Burden

Correct answer:

Bloom

Explanation:

Something that is burgeoning is growing well and fruitfully, blossoming, or blooming.

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