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 #1 : Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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

WIND

Possible Answers:

Mock

Demonstrate

Weave

Boil

Forecast

Correct answer:

Weave

Explanation:

"Wind" may be a noun (relating to air movement and weather), but it may also be a verb. As a verb, "wind" means to move in a twisting or spiral course. The verb "weave" means to turn from side to side while moving somewhere, and is an appropriate synonym for wind.

Example Question #2271 : Synonyms

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

NET

Possible Answers:

Incentive

Disapproval

Leisure

Unity

Final

Correct answer:

Final

Explanation:

"Net" is a noun with different meanings. A "net" can be a device used for fishing, or an overall end result. Based on all the choices final is a synonym for the second definition, and therefore the correct answer.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

REPROACH

Possible Answers:

Bend

Congratulate

Identify

Whirl

Fault

Correct answer:

Fault

Explanation:

“Reproach” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as verbs, we will need to consider “reproach” as a verb. When used as a verb, “reproach” means “to express disapproval or disappointment,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “express disapproval or disappointment.” That means that “congratulate” cannot be the correct answer, because “congratulate” means “to praise for a particular achievement,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “reproach.” “Fault,” however, when used as a verb, means “criticize for inadequacy or mistakes,” and because “fault” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “reproach,” “fault” is the correct answer.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

VAULT

Possible Answers:

Motion

Run

Tumble

Forget

Hurdle

Correct answer:

Hurdle

Explanation:

“Vault” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as verbs, we will need to consider “vault” as a verb. When used as a verb, “vault” means “leap or spring,” or, when used with an object, “jump over an obstacle.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “leap over something.” That means that “tumble” cannot be the correct answer, because “tumble,” when used as a verb, typically refers to a person and means “fall suddenly, clumsily, or headlong,” a meaning very distant from that of “vault.” “Hurdle,” however, when used as a verb, means “jump over (a hurdle or other obstacle) while running,” when used with an object, and because “hurdle” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “vault,” “hurdle” is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

BREACH

Possible Answers:

Mix

Infringe

Skirt

Obey

Excuse

Correct answer:

Infringe

Explanation:

“Breach” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the potential answer choices are verbs, we will need to consider “breach” as a verb. When used as a verb, “breach” can mean “make a gap in something and break through” or “break or fail to observe something contracted or necessary.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “break through” or “fail to observe.” That means that “obey” cannot be the correct answer, because “obey” can mean “ behave in accordance with authority,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “breach.” “Infringe,” however, is a verb that can mean “actively break the terms of a contract or law,” and because “infringe” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “breach,” “infringe” is the correct answer.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

UTTER

Possible Answers:

Complain

Herald

Perform

Say

Miss

Correct answer:

Say

Explanation:

"Utter" means to make a noise or say something out loud.

Example Question #2272 : Synonyms

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

BRIEF

Possible Answers:

Cover

Sculpt

Fabricate

Shorten

Inform

Correct answer:

Inform

Explanation:

To "brief" someone means to inform them about something.

Example Question #2273 : Synonyms

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

ENGINEER

Possible Answers:

Record

Proselytise

Travel

Partake

Contrive

Correct answer:

Contrive

Explanation:

To "engineer" something means to arrange for it to happen, or to contrive things.

Example Question #7 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

MINUTE

Possible Answers:

Worldly

Pious

Punctual

Quiet

Tiny

Correct answer:

Tiny

Explanation:

One definition of minute is very small.  

Example Question #8 : Synonyms: Determining Part Of Speech

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

CURB

Possible Answers:

Mollify

Restrain

Harmonize

Sort

Ostracize

Correct answer:

Restrain

Explanation:

To curb something means to restrain it or keep it in check.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors