SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #961 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DISPASSIONATE 

Possible Answers:

Sad

Angry

Calm

Frightened

Envious

Correct answer:

Calm

Explanation:

The adjective "dispassionate" means not emotional, not passionate, not feeling strong emotions. This is closest in meaning to "calm." Other synonyms for "dispassionate" include "unruffled," "composed," and "impassive."

Example Question #962 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SALACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Subdued

Prudish

Energetic

Libidinous

Proper

Correct answer:

Libidinous

Explanation:

"Salacious" means lewd, "libidinous," or obscene. This is an antonym for "proper" and "prudish." "Subdued" means somber, downcast. "Energetic" means high-spirited and full of energy.

Example Question #963 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HANGDOG

Possible Answers:

Criminal

Indulgent

Broke

Shamefaced

Abject

Correct answer:

Shamefaced

Explanation:

"Hangdog" means shamefaced, "abashed," or "ashamed" and often describes a person's facial expression. "Broke" means temporarily or currently short on money, and "criminal" as an adjective means inclined to commit or having already committed crime. "Abject" means craven, miserable. "Indulgent" means lenient, generous, or softhearted.

Example Question #964 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LACHRYMOSE

Possible Answers:

Appetizing

Nutty

Confounded

Sickened

Weepy

Correct answer:

Weepy

Explanation:

"Lachrymose" means weepy," tearful, or sad. "Appetizing" means appealing, tasty. "Confounded" means bewildered, and "nutty" means zany or crazy. "Sickened" means ill, ailing.

Example Question #965 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VIRULENT

Possible Answers:

Congenial

Innocuous

Bizarre

Hostile

Affable

Correct answer:

Hostile

Explanation:

"Virulent" can mean dangerously toxic or venomous, but it can also mean "hostile," bitter, and rancorous. This is an antonym for "innocuous," which means harmless. "Bizarre" means outlandish or strange, and "congenial" means friendly or personable. "Affable" has a similar meaning of friendly, amiable, and cordial.

Example Question #966 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CRESTFALLEN

Possible Answers:

Emotive

Woebegone

Unlucky

Calamitous

Leery

Correct answer:

Woebegone

Explanation:

"Crestfallen" means downhearted, sad, and "woebegone." "Leery" is another word for cautious or guarded, and "calamitous" is another word for disastrous. "Emotive" means expressive of one's feelings. An antonym for "unlucky" is serendipitous.

Example Question #967 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SPLENETIC

Possible Answers:

Angry

Quizzical

Bizarre

Frenzied

Superstitious

Correct answer:

Angry

Explanation:

"Splenetic" means "angry" or irritable. ("Spleen" is an old-fashioned word for anger and frustration.) Don't confuse this with "frenetic," which means frenzied. "Quizzical" means curious or puzzling, and "bizarre" means strange or outlandish. "Superstitious" means having an irrational belief in superstitions.

Example Question #968 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HOMICIDAL

Possible Answers:

Doleful

Puerile

Prurient

Murderous

Embarrassed

Correct answer:

Murderous

Explanation:

"Homicidal" can mean literally "murderous" or figuratively very violent and brutal. "Prurient" means lustful, while "puerile" means immature or juvenile. "Embarrassed" is another word for ashamed. "Doleful" is another word for forlorn or mournful.

Example Question #969 : Identifying Synonyms

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

JOCULAR

Possible Answers:

Gelid

Sardonic

Humorous

Jubilant

Panglossian

Correct answer:

Humorous

Explanation:

"Jocular" means "humorous" or joking. This is not the same as "jubilant," which means overjoyed. "Sardonic" means sarcastic, and "Panglossian" means overly optimistic and naively hopeful. "Gelid" means very cold, frigid.

Example Question #970 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WAGGISH

Possible Answers:

Inimitable

Maudlin

Salacious

Hedonistic

Humorous

Correct answer:

Humorous

Explanation:

Someone who is behaving in a "waggish" way is being playfully or mischievously funny. This is an antonym for "maudlin," which means tearfully sentimental or excessively sorrowful. "Inimitable" means one of a kind. "Hedonistic" means concerned with the pursuit of pleasure. "Salacious" is a synonym for "prurient."

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