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 #1491 : Synonyms

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

PENURIOUS

Possible Answers:

Ignominious

Propitious

Impoverished

Auspicious

Emblematic

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 #1492 : Synonyms

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

LACONIC

Possible Answers:

Mercurial

Apposite

Tasteless

Terse

Slothful

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 #1493 : Synonyms

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

CONJECTURAL

Possible Answers:

Grotesque

Belligerent

Elliptical

Speculative

Vicarious

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 #1494 : Synonyms

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

INSOLVENT

Possible Answers:

Inane

Aloof

Greedy

Infrequent

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 Additionally, "aloof" means distant, withdrawn from human company; "inane" means pointless and silly.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 #1495 : Synonyms

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

PUTATIVE

Possible Answers:

Gilded

Presumed

Effervescent

Morose

Apocryphal

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 #1496 : Synonyms

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

GAUCHE

Possible Answers:

Inelegant

Supercilious

Tasteful

Haughty

Superfluous

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 #1497 : Synonyms

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

EMBLEMATIC

Possible Answers:

Symbolic

Bewitching

Pedantic 

Garrulous

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 #1498 : Synonyms

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

FRACTIOUS

Possible Answers:

Irascible

Lecherous

Jingoistic

Lascivious

Fragmented

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 #171 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

IMPECUNIOUS

Possible Answers:

Wealthy

Exhausted

Intense

Absurd

Poor

Correct answer:

Poor

Explanation:

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

Example Question #172 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

INEXORABLE

Possible Answers:

Tacit

Impending

Obstreperous

Ignominious

Unyielding

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