SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2246 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

PENURIOUS

Possible Answers:

Emblematic

Impoverished

Propitious

Auspicious

Ignominious

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 #2247 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

LACONIC

Possible Answers:

Slothful

Terse

Tasteless

Apposite

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 #2248 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

CONJECTURAL

Possible Answers:

Grotesque

Elliptical

Vicarious

Speculative

Belligerent

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 #2249 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

INSOLVENT

Possible Answers:

Aloof

Infrequent

Inane

Greedy

Bankrupt

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 Additionally, "aloof" means distant, withdrawn from human company; "inane" means pointless and silly.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 #2250 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

PUTATIVE

Possible Answers:

Presumed

Gilded

Morose

Apocryphal

Effervescent

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 #2251 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

GAUCHE

Possible Answers:

Tasteful

Inelegant

Haughty

Superfluous

Supercilious

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 #2252 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

EMBLEMATIC

Possible Answers:

Garrulous

Bewitching

Symbolic

Shrewd

Pedantic 

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 #2253 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

FRACTIOUS

Possible Answers:

Lecherous

Irascible

Lascivious

Fragmented

Jingoistic

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 #2254 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

IMPECUNIOUS

Possible Answers:

Wealthy

Intense

Poor

Exhausted

Absurd

Correct answer:

Poor

Explanation:

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

Example Question #2255 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

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

INEXORABLE

Possible Answers:

Unyielding

Ignominious

Obstreperous

Tacit

Impending

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.

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