SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1521 : Synonyms

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

CELESTIAL

Possible Answers:

Capacious

Regal

Macabre

Spectral

Cosmic

Correct answer:

Cosmic

Explanation:

"Celestial" means "cosmic" and particularly pertains to stars. "Spectral" means ghostly. "Regal" means royal and stately. "Capacious" means spacious or palatial.

Example Question #1522 : Synonyms

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

PARAMOUNT

Possible Answers:

Of little importance

Empirical

Of equivalent importance

Proportional

Vital

Correct answer:

Vital

Explanation:

"Paramount" means of utmost importance, "vital," or integral. "Empirical" means able to be measured or based in evidence rather than, say, logic or intuition. "Proportional" means commensurate, corresponding.

Example Question #191 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

TANTAMOUNT

Possible Answers:

Crucial

Equivalent

Conjectural

Squeamish

Admonishing

Correct answer:

Equivalent

Explanation:

Unlike "paramount," which means crucial, "tantamount" simply means equivalent to. To "admonish" is to warn or chastise someone. "Conjectural" is a synonym for "speculative" or hypothetical. "Squeamish" means easily nauseated, queasy.

Example Question #192 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

FEBRILE

Possible Answers:

Crucial

Feverish

Archaic

Torpid

Tacit

Correct answer:

Feverish

Explanation:

"Febrile" is another word for "feverish." While someone who is "feverish" may be "torpid," or sluggish, the two words are not necessarily synonymous. "Crucial" means vital, essential. "Tacit" is a synonym for "unspoken." "Archaic" means outdated, antiquated.

Example Question #193 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

PRIMAL

Possible Answers:

Fundamental

Tantamount

Trite

Tangential

Banal

Correct answer:

Fundamental

Explanation:

"Primal" can mean "fundamental" or primitive, depending on the context. "Tantamount" means equivalent, and "tangential" is a synonym for "barely relevant." "Banal" and "trite" are synonyms for extremely boring.

Example Question #194 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

PRIMORDIAL

Possible Answers:

Auspicious

Nomadic

Ancient

Propitious

Laconic

Correct answer:

Ancient

Explanation:

"Primordial" means "ancient" and primitive. "Ribald" means rude, irreverent. "Propitious" and "auspicious" both mean favorable. "Laconic" is a synonym for "terse" and "pithy." "Nomadic" means wandering from place to place.

Example Question #195 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

ANDROGYNOUS

Possible Answers:

Gauche

Unisex

Adroit

Refined

Maritime

Correct answer:

Unisex

Explanation:

"Androgynous" means "unisex" or having characteristics of both the male and female genders. "Gauche" means tasteless or inelegant, which is an antonym for "refined." "Adroit" means skillful and adept. "Maritime" is a synonym for "nautical."

Example Question #196 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

UNCONSCIONABLE

Possible Answers:

Salutary

Verbose

Pleonastic

Unethical

Vicarious

Correct answer:

Unethical

Explanation:

"Unconscionable" means indefensible, immoral, and "unethical." "Pleonastic" and "verbose" both mean excessively wordy. "Vicarious" is a synonym for "secondhand," and "salutary" means very healthful.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adverbs

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

VEHEMENTLY

Possible Answers:

rapidly

truthfully

passionately

reluctantly

calmly

Correct answer:

passionately

Explanation:

"Vehemently" means with strong feeling or passion.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adverbs

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

MERELY

Possible Answers:

disappointing

trifling

politely

maliciously

solely

Correct answer:

solely

Explanation:

"Merely" is an adverb meaning just, only, or solely.

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