SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

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:

Fail

Shine

Mimic

Decry

Prepare

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 #44 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

REMUNERATE

Possible Answers:

Impersonate

Elude

Pay

Recede

Live

Correct answer:

Pay

Explanation:

To "remunerate" is to pay.

Example Question #2122 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RELEGATE

Possible Answers:

Demote

Evade

Dupe

Lighten

Energize

Correct answer:

Demote

Explanation:

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

Example Question #2164 : Synonyms

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

ABANDON

Possible Answers:

Relinquish

Absorb

Cherish

Forget

Maintain

Correct answer:

Relinquish

Explanation:

"Abandon" means to relinquish or give up.

Example Question #45 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

FLOUT

Possible Answers:

Violate

Comply

Champion

Precipitate

Defend

Correct answer:

Violate

Explanation:

"Flout" means to defy or violate.

Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Other Verbs

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

FOSTER

Possible Answers:

Fail

Design

Promote

Liberate

Speak

Correct answer:

Promote

Explanation:

"Foster" means to promote.

Example Question #2923 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

BIDE

Possible Answers:

Chew

Wait

Discover

Propose

Steal

Correct answer:

Wait

Explanation:

"Bide" means to wait.

Example Question #2123 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INTERROGATE

Possible Answers:

Suggest

Interrupt

Imply

Incinerate

Question

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 #2124 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ECONOMIZE

Possible Answers:

Hone

Confine

Conserve

Detain

Deteriorate

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 #2125 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HONE

Possible Answers:

Mollify

Pratter

Impute

Sharpen

Innovate

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.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors