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 #148 : Using Prefixes, Suffixes, And Roots To Identify Synonyms

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

DIFFUSE

Possible Answers:

Dissimilar

Disagreeable

Scattered

Irregular

Variant

Correct answer:

Scattered

Explanation:

The word “diffuse” comes from roots that literally mean poured away from. The “di-” prefix means away from or down from, and the “-fuse” means to pour. This latter is found in words like “infuse” (meaning, literally, to pour into) and “effusive” (meaning pouring out, implying that someone “pours out” a great amount of something like praise). As a verb, the word “diffuse” means to scatter or to spread out, as when one diffuses a smell into a room or when an idea diffuses through an entire population. The word can likewise be used as an adjective, basically having the meaning of the past participle of the word, namely “scattered.”

Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

PRECLUDE

Possible Answers:

Cooperate

Pester

Attend

Scan

Stop

Correct answer:

Stop

Explanation:

To "preclude" something is to stop it from happening. The prefix "pre-" means before, and the root word, "clud," means to close or to shut

Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Prefixes From Latin

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

EQUIVOCAL

Possible Answers:

Fair

Necessary

Adorned

Ambiguous

Nauseous

Correct answer:

Ambiguous

Explanation:

"Equivocal" means ambiguous or allowing the possibility of different meanings. The prefix "equi-" means equal.

Example Question #2201 : Synonyms

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

IMMOBILE

Possible Answers:

Swollen

Precise

Loud

Motionless

Destined

Correct answer:

Motionless

Explanation:

"Immobile" means incapable of moving or being moved. The root word "mob" means move. The prefix, "im-," means not or without. Thus, the best answer choice is "motionless." 

Example Question #2202 : Synonyms

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

INDEFATIGABLE

Possible Answers:

Versatile

Tireless

Courageous

Misguided

Explanatory

Correct answer:

Tireless

Explanation:

"Indefatigable" means unable to be tired out. The best choice is "tireless." The prefix "in-" means not, and the Latin root word, "fatigare," means to tire. "Fatigare" is also the root for the word fatigue.  

Example Question #2203 : Synonyms

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

DISPARAGE

Possible Answers:

Belittle

Emerge

Hound

Ingest

Avenge

Correct answer:

Belittle

Explanation:

To "disparage" is to belittle. The root word, "parage," means equality, and the prefix, "dis-," means not.

Example Question #2204 : Synonyms

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

PROVENANCE

Possible Answers:

Origin

Blockage

Style

Language

Participation

Correct answer:

Origin

Explanation:

"Provenance" means origin. The root word, "ven," means come, and the prefix "pro-" means for or forward.

Example Question #2205 : Synonyms

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

OPPROBRIUM

Possible Answers:

Revelry

Disgrace

Pleasantry 

Corrosion

Circus

Correct answer:

Disgrace

Explanation:

"Opprobrium" means disgrace from shameful conduct. The Latin root word, "probum," means a shameful act. The prefix, "ob-," means against.

Example Question #2206 : Synonyms

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

IMPERVIOUS

Possible Answers:

Smooth

Mobile

Impenetrable

Porous

Stationary

Correct answer:

Impenetrable

Explanation:

"Impervious" means impenetrable.

Example Question #2207 : Synonyms

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

IGNOMINY

Possible Answers:

Support

Pet

Dishonor

Perfection

Accident

Correct answer:

Dishonor

Explanation:

"Ignominy" means dishonor or disgrace. The root word, "nom," means name. The prefix, "ig-," means without or not.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors