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 #1443 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PENURIOUS

Possible Answers:

Emblematic

Auspicious

Ignominious

Propitious

Impoverished

Correct answer:

Impoverished

Explanation:

"Penury" is extreme poverty. "Ignominy" means shame and humiliation, and "emblematic" means symbolic. "Propitious" and "auspicious" are synonyms that both mean favorable and promising.

Example Question #1444 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LACONIC

Possible Answers:

Tasteless

Slothful

Apposite

Terse

Mercurial

Correct answer:

Terse

Explanation:

"Laconic" is a synonym for "terse" or brief. "Mercurial" is a synonym for "capricious," and "apposite" means apt. "Tasteless" and "tasteful" are antonyms, "slothful" and "indolent" are synonyms.

Example Question #1451 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CONJECTURAL

Possible Answers:

Belligerent

Vicarious

Elliptical

Grotesque

Speculative

Correct answer:

Speculative

Explanation:

"Conjectural" means "speculative," supposed, hypothetical. "Belligerent" is a synonym for "aggressive," and "grotesque" is a synonym for "gruesome." "Elliptical" means obscure and impossible to comprehend. "Vicarious" is a synonym for "secondhand," indirect.

Example Question #1452 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INSOLVENT

Possible Answers:

Bankrupt

Greedy

Aloof

Infrequent

Inane

Correct answer:

Bankrupt

Explanation:

The adjective "insolvent" means unable to pay one's debts due to running out of money. This is closest in definition to "bankrupt." Additionally, "aloof" means distant, withdrawn from human company; "inane" means pointless and silly.

Example Question #1453 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PUTATIVE

Possible Answers:

Gilded

Effervescent

Morose

Apocryphal

Presumed

Correct answer:

Presumed

Explanation:

"Putative" means assumed, so-called, or supposed. "Effervescent" means bubbly and can describe a liquid or a personality, and "morose" is a synonym for glum or gloomy. "Gilded" means shiny or covered in a gold or gold-like coating. "Apocryphal" means fictitious or false.

Example Question #1454 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GAUCHE

Possible Answers:

Inelegant

Tasteful

Superfluous

Supercilious

Haughty

Correct answer:

Inelegant

Explanation:

Something "gauche" is gaudy, tasteless, or "inelegant." This is an antonym for "tasteful." "Haughty" and "supercilious" are synonyms that mean stuck up. "Superfluous," on the other hand, means surplus, extra, or redundant.

Example Question #1455 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EMBLEMATIC

Possible Answers:

Pedantic 

Bewitching

Garrulous

Symbolic

Shrewd

Correct answer:

Symbolic

Explanation:

Something that is "emblematic" is symbolic or representational. "Pedantic" means fussy or overly picky. "Shrewd" means sharp or astute, and "garrulous" means talkative. "Bewitching" means charming or enchanting.

Example Question #1456 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FRACTIOUS

Possible Answers:

Fragmented

Lecherous

Jingoistic

Irascible

Lascivious

Correct answer:

Irascible

Explanation:

"Fractious" means grumpy, irritable, and "irascible." This is different from "fragmented," which means broken into small pieces, not joined together. "Jingoistic" is a synonym for "chauvinistic," and "lecherous" is a synonym for "lustful" or lascivious.

Example Question #1457 : Identifying Synonyms

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

IMPECUNIOUS

Possible Answers:

Intense

Absurd

Wealthy

Exhausted

Poor

Correct answer:

Poor

Explanation:

The adjective "impecunious" means penniless, "poor," completely without money or possessions. Additionally, "absurd" means ridiculous.

Example Question #1458 : Identifying Synonyms

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

INEXORABLE

Possible Answers:

Impending

Obstreperous

Tacit

Unyielding

Ignominious

Correct answer:

Unyielding

Explanation:

"Inexorable" means relentless, unstoppable, or "unyielding." "Tacit" is a synonym for "unspoken," and "impending" is a synonym for "imminent." "Ignominious" means shameful or disgraceful. "Obstreperous" means rambunctious and boisterous.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors