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:

Hone

Dampen

Belittle

Accelerate

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:

Follow

Deny

Curmudgeon

Exacerbate

Reduce

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 #71 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

DOUSE

Possible Answers:

Dry

Fluctuate

Drench

Dehydrate

Mimic

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 #72 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

RETRACT

Possible Answers:

Advance

Permeate

Withdraw

Poach

Laud

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 #73 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

Curtail

Possible Answers:

Repeal 

Invest

Shorten

Capitulate

Follow

Correct answer:

Shorten

Explanation:

To curtail means to cut short or shorten.  

Example Question #74 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

VACILLATE

Possible Answers:

Fluctuate

Solidify

Preach

Explore

Incriminate

Correct answer:

Fluctuate

Explanation:

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

Example Question #240 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

STRIKE

Possible Answers:

Propel

Anger

Dismiss

Hit

Fly

Correct answer:

Hit

Explanation:

Strike means to hit forcibily.

Example Question #75 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

INFILTRATE

Possible Answers:

Observe

Revolutionize

Matriculate

Retreat

Invade

Correct answer:

Invade

Explanation:

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

Example Question #76 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

INTERCEPT

Possible Answers:

Share

Produce

Propel

Consume

Obstruct

Correct answer:

Obstruct

Explanation:

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

Example Question #77 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location

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

BURGEON

Possible Answers:

Urge

Margin

Bloom

Fish

Burden

Correct answer:

Bloom

Explanation:

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

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