SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1623 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FEISTILY

Possible Answers:

Avariciously

Pugnaciously

Spunkily

Elaborately

Rambunctiously

Correct answer:

Spunkily

Explanation:

"Feisty" means "spunky" and spirited. "Rambunctious" means boisterous. "Avaricious" is a synonym for "greedy," and "pugnacious" means argumentative or aggressive. "Elaborate" is a synonym for "complex."

Example Question #1624 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LURIDLY

Possible Answers:

Sensationally

Dismally

Drearily

Tastefully

Gaudily

Correct answer:

Sensationally

Explanation:

"Lurid" means "sensational," colorful, or vivid. "Dreary" means dull and tedious, while "dismal" means dingy and gloomy. "Gaudy" and "tasteful" are antonyms.

Example Question #881 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

INGENIOUSLY

Possible Answers:

Naively

Innovatively

Innocently

Innocuously

Histrionically

Correct answer:

Innovatively

Explanation:

"Ingenious" means clever, inventive, or innovative. Don't confuse it with "ingenuous," which means naive and innocent. "Histrionic" means melodramatic or overly theatrical, and "innocuous" means harmless.

Example Question #882 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

EXECRABLY

Possible Answers:

Wonderfully

Romantically

Scientifically

Wondrously

Dreadfully

Correct answer:

Dreadfully

Explanation:

"Execrable" means extremely bad, awful, and dreadful. This is an antonym for both "wonderful" and "wondrous." "Scientifically" means in a scientific manner, and "romantic" is a synonym for "amorous."

Example Question #883 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ARDUOUSLY

Possible Answers:

Duplicitously

Laboriously

Indigently

Indolently

Mendaciously

Correct answer:

Laboriously

Explanation:

Something that is "arduous" is "laborious" or strenuous, requiring hard and often difficult work. "Indolent" means lazy, and "indigent" means impoverished or homeless. "Mendacious" and "duplicitous" are both synonyms for dishonest.

Example Question #1671 : Synonyms

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

INDECOROUSLY

Possible Answers:

Perilously

Immodestly

Sporadically

Impecuniously

Properly

Correct answer:

Immodestly

Explanation:

"Indecorous" and "immodest" are both synonyms for improper. This is an antonym for "proper." "Impecunious" means penniless, impoverished. "Sporadic" means infrequent, irregular, or random, and "perilous" means dangerous.

Example Question #1672 : Synonyms

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

HISTRIONICALLY

Possible Answers:

Triflingly

Qualitatively

Immaculately

Melodramatically

Newly

Correct answer:

Melodramatically

Explanation:

"Histrionic" means melodramatic, overdramatic, or theatrical. "New" is an antonym for "old," and "qualitative" is an antonym for "quantitative." "Immaculate" means pristine or spotless, and "trifling" means unimportant.

Example Question #1673 : Synonyms

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

VITUPERATIVELY

Possible Answers:

Bitterly

Parsimoniously

Indefatigably

Arduously

Impartially

Correct answer:

Bitterly

Explanation:

"Vituperative" means bitter, critical, and abusive. "Arduous" means laborious, difficult. "Impartial" is unbiased, while "parsimonious" is stingy and miserly. "Indefatigable" means untiring or inexhaustible.

Example Question #1674 : Synonyms

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

WANTONLY

Possible Answers:

Decently

Perceptively

Ostentatiously

Immorally

Obstreperously

Correct answer:

Immorally

Explanation:

When used to describe a person, "wanton" can mean immoral, promiscuous, or indecent. "Decent" is an antonym of this concept. In other contexts, "wanton" can also mean deliberately destructive, such as a wanton act of violence. "Perceptive" means perceiving, attentive. "Obstreperous" means boisterous. "Ostentatious" means showy or pretentious.

Example Question #1675 : Synonyms

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

COMPLAISANTLY

Possible Answers:

Smugly

Acquiescently

Frugally

Doggedly

Prodigally

Correct answer:

Acquiescently

Explanation:

"Complaisant" means acquiescent, cheerfully agreeing to do things for others. This isn't to be confused with "complacent," which means smug and self-satisfied. "Prodigal" means wasteful, which is an antonym of "frugal," or economical. "Dogged" means determined and persistent.

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