SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #43 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

PRECARIOUS

Possible Answers:

Risky

Preventative

Inattentive

Precious

Uncertain

Correct answer:

Risky

Explanation:

"Precarious" means dangerous, so "risky," which means potentially harmful, is the correct answer.

Example Question #44 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

PEJORATIVE

Possible Answers:

Sensible

Deprecatory

Lenient

Sneer

Elitist

Correct answer:

Deprecatory

Explanation:

"Pejorative" is an adjective that means "expressing contempt or disapproval," so we need to find another word that means about the same thing - roughly, "disapproving." While "sneer" (""a contemptuous or mocking smile, remark, or tone, or to make such an expression or comment") might seem like a good answer because a sneer is often a pejorative gesture, it is not an adjective that means "disapproving," so it can't be the correct answer. "Deprecatory," on the other hand, is an adjective that means "showing a critical or disrespectful attitude," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "pejorative," it is the correct answer.

Example Question #581 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ILLUSORY

Possible Answers:

Truthful

Feral

Fortuituous

Honest

False

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

"Illusory" means deceptive or false. Honest and Truthful are the antonyms of Illusory. Fortuitous means to be lucky, and Feral means to be wild. Both of these words have no relation to Illusory in this context.

Example Question #582 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

OPULENT

Possible Answers:

Naive

Shiny

Ostentatious

Wealthy

Quarrelsome

Correct answer:

Wealthy

Explanation:

Opulent means wealthy.  

Example Question #583 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

DEFUNCT

Possible Answers:

Terrible

Blunt

Non-working

Hard of hearing

Stupid

Correct answer:

Non-working

Explanation:

Something that is "defunct" is no longer in use or no longer capable of being used or done; something that is it is non-working.

Example Question #584 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

COMATOSE

Possible Answers:

Feeling down 

Passed out 

Second wind 

Wide awake 

Running late 

Correct answer:

Passed out 

Explanation:

“Comatose” is an adjective that describes someone in a state of exhaustion or who cannot function. The expression that best matches “comatose” is “passed out.” Energetic and feeling “wide awake” are antonyms of “comatose.”

Example Question #1377 : Synonyms

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

ACUTE

Possible Answers:

Passive

Small

Sharp

Mysterious

Winding

Correct answer:

Sharp

Explanation:

Acute means sharp or crucial.  

Example Question #585 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

VOLATILE

Possible Answers:

Precocious

Changeable 

Sentimental

Vile

Melodious

Correct answer:

Changeable 

Explanation:

Volatile means changeable.  It also means explosive.  

Example Question #51 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

FAVORABLE

Possible Answers:

Sturdy

Meticulous

Jaunty

Approving

Reticent

Correct answer:

Approving

Explanation:

Favorable means expressing approval, or approving.

Example Question #52 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

INOPERABLE

Possible Answers:

Untreatable

Forested

Disagreeable

Tone-deaf

Selective

Correct answer:

Untreatable

Explanation:

Inoperable means unable to be operated on, or untreatable.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors