SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2121 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXCEL

Possible Answers:

Decry

Mimic

Shine

Prepare

Fail

Correct answer:

Shine

Explanation:

“Excel” is a verb that means “be exceptionally good at an activity or subject,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “be exceptionally good at something.” That means that “fail” cannot be the correct answer, because “fail” means “to be unsuccessful,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “excel.” “Shine,” however, is a word that when used as a verb, can mean “to be very talented or perform very well,” and because “shine” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “excel,” “shine” is the correct answer.

Example Question #2122 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REMUNERATE

Possible Answers:

Elude

Live

Impersonate

Recede

Pay

Correct answer:

Pay

Explanation:

To "remunerate" is to pay.

Example Question #2123 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RELEGATE

Possible Answers:

Evade

Demote

Energize

Lighten

Dupe

Correct answer:

Demote

Explanation:

To "relegate" is to demote or assign to an inferior position.

Example Question #2124 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABANDON

Possible Answers:

Cherish

Absorb

Forget

Relinquish

Maintain

Correct answer:

Relinquish

Explanation:

"Abandon" means to relinquish or give up.

Example Question #2125 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FLOUT

Possible Answers:

Defend

Champion

Precipitate

Violate

Comply

Correct answer:

Violate

Explanation:

"Flout" means to defy or violate.

Example Question #2126 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FOSTER

Possible Answers:

Design

Fail

Promote

Speak

Liberate

Correct answer:

Promote

Explanation:

"Foster" means to promote.

Example Question #52 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

BIDE

Possible Answers:

Propose

Chew

Wait

Steal

Discover

Correct answer:

Wait

Explanation:

"Bide" means to wait.

Example Question #2127 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INTERROGATE

Possible Answers:

Imply

Interrupt

Incinerate

Question

Suggest

Correct answer:

Question

Explanation:

"Interrogate" and "question" are synonymous. To "interrupt" something is to halt the continuity or jump into the middle of something. To "incinerate" something is to burn that thing up. "Imply" and "suggest" are synonyms meaning to give the impression of something without stating it directly.

Example Question #2128 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ECONOMIZE

Possible Answers:

Conserve

Confine

Hone

Deteriorate

Detain

Correct answer:

Conserve

Explanation:

The verb "economize" means to cut costs, to try and save money. This is closest in meaning to "conserve" which means to save something, to keep something for later. Additionally, "hone" means to sharpen one's skills; "confine" means imprison, lock up, prevent from leaving; "detain" means hold, imprison; "deteriorate" means weaken over time.

Example Question #2129 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HONE

Possible Answers:

Impute

Innovate

Mollify

Sharpen

Pratter

Correct answer:

Sharpen

Explanation:

The verb "hone" means to sharpen, particularly to sharpen one's skills and refine one's performance. Additionally, "innovate" means come up with new ideas and solutions; "pratter" means talk foolishly; "mollify" means calm, soothe, assuage; "impute" means attribute to, claim is responsible for or associated with.

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