SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1821 : Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DECRY

Possible Answers:

Chat

Convene

Thank

Criticize

Wait

Correct answer:

Criticize

Explanation:

To "decry" something is to openly criticize it, so "criticize" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "decry": “wait” means to remain inactive until something expected happens; “convene” means assemblegather or meet;“chat” means converse or have a casual conversation; and “thank” means express gratitude.

Example Question #1822 : Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

DESCRY

Possible Answers:

Phrase

Perceive 

Purge

Fail

Conspire

Correct answer:

Perceive 

Explanation:

To "descry" is to perceive or to see by looking carefully, so "perceive" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "descry": “conspire” means to plot to do something morally wrong;“fail” means be unsuccessful; “purge” means get rid of all of something from a certain thing or area; and "phrase” means express with words in a particular way.  

Example Question #1823 : Synonyms

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

COGITATE

Possible Answers:

Stalk

Ponder

Duplicate

Influence

Fake

Correct answer:

Ponder

Explanation:

"Cogitate" means think about or ponder, so "ponder" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "cogitate":  “stalk” means pursue stealthily;“fake” means to pretend that something is true; to “duplicate” something means to copy it; and to “influence” someone or something means to sway that person or it.

Example Question #1824 : Synonyms

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

GOAD

Possible Answers:

Understand 

Imply 

Garrison 

Provoke 

Recount 

Correct answer:

Provoke 

Explanation:

To “goad” somebody means to provoke themor to incite a reaction in them, so "provoke" is the correct answer. For clarification, "imply" means to suggest something without directly expressing it, and "garrison" means station military troops somewhere.

Example Question #1825 : Synonyms

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

OPINE

Possible Answers:

Mingle

Know

Contend

Contest

Inter

Correct answer:

Contend

Explanation:

“Opine” is a verb that means declare to be one’s opinion, so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like say as one’s opinion. That means that “know” cannot be the correct answer, because “know” can mean be absolutely certain or sure about something, and so deals with (perceived) facts instead of opinions. “Contend,” however, is a verb that means assert, and because “contend” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “opine,” “contend” is the correct answer.

Example Question #67 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

PARDON

Possible Answers:

choose

forgive

stumble

condemn

complain

Correct answer:

forgive

Explanation:

"Pardon" means to forgive or excuse.

Example Question #67 : Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, And Understanding

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

SUMMON

Possible Answers:

puncture

change

send

buy

call

Correct answer:

call

Explanation:

"Summon" means to urgently call someone.

Example Question #69 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

PROSCRIBE

Possible Answers:

Condemn

Recommend

Reverse

Mix

Leak

Correct answer:

Condemn

Explanation:

To "proscribe" is to condemn.

Example Question #67 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

REDACT

Possible Answers:

Pulse

Edit

Invigorate

Starve

Churn

Correct answer:

Edit

Explanation:

"Redact" means to censure or prepare a written work for being published, or "edit."

Example Question #71 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

JEER

Possible Answers:

Pass

Taunt

Fasten

Portray

Calm

Correct answer:

Taunt

Explanation:

Jeer means to deride, heckle, or "taunt" someone.

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