SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

INFURIATE

Possible Answers:

Anger

Fracture

Sling

Brawl

Flood

Correct answer:

Anger

Explanation:

"Infuriate" means to make someone or something angry, so "anger," a word that when used as a verb means to enrage or to cause to be angry, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "infuriate" or "anger": "flood" means inundate with; "fracture" means to break or to crack; "brawl" means to fight; and "sling" means to throw.

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

PLACATE

Possible Answers:

Express

Corner

Abandon

Recommend

Soothe 

Correct answer:

Soothe 

Explanation:

To placate is to soothe or to pacify.  

Example Question #336 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

VEX

Possible Answers:

Annoy

Captivate

Utilize

Boost

Heal

Correct answer:

Annoy

Explanation:

To vex is to annoy or to confuse.  

Example Question #337 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

QUENCH

Possible Answers:

Confuse

Satisfy

Offend

Ratify

Prescribe

Correct answer:

Satisfy

Explanation:

To quench is to satisfy. 

Example Question #2051 : Identifying Synonyms

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

APPEASE

Possible Answers:

Calm

Nourish

Predict

Perceive

Invade

Correct answer:

Calm

Explanation:

To "appease" is to calm or to bring to a state of peace.  

Example Question #2052 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABHOR

Possible Answers:

Fear

Remove

Detest

Shorten

Approve

Correct answer:

Detest

Explanation:

To "abhor" something is to hate it, so the synonym is "detest," which also means to hate or dislike something strongly.

Example Question #2053 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ALLEVIATE

Possible Answers:

Edit

Oppose

Relieve

Join forces with

Worsen

Correct answer:

Relieve

Explanation:

To "alleviate" a condition is to relieve it or make it better.

Example Question #2054 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HARROW

Possible Answers:

Emotion

Segment

Introduction

Indifference

Distress

Correct answer:

Distress

Explanation:

"Harrow" means distress.

Example Question #2055 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CONFOUND

Possible Answers:

Pacify

Injure

Frustrate

Recover

Relieve

Correct answer:

Frustrate

Explanation:

"Confound" means to frustrate.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

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

ASSUAGE

Possible Answers:

Decide 

Indicate 

Allay 

Reward

Measure 

Correct answer:

Allay 

Explanation:

To “assuage” means to provide relief from something uncomfortable or distressing. You often hear it used to describe “assuaging guilt,” which means to make someone feel less guilty. The only answer choice that matches this definition is “allay.” Allay means to relieve or calm the severity of something. Both words describe the relieving of an unpleasant sensation.

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