SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2397 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DISPARATE

Possible Answers:

Dispassionate

Benighted

Subjective

Contrasting

Objective

Correct answer:

Contrasting

Explanation:

The adjective "disparate" means different from, distinct and varied, contrasting. Additionally, "objective" means unbiased and "subjective" means biased, based on one's own perceptions - these two words are antonyms. Finally, "benighted" means ignorant; "dispassionate" means calm, under control.

Example Question #2398 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PREVALENT

Possible Answers:

Portentous

Profane

Ambiguous

Widespread

Unknown

Correct answer:

Widespread

Explanation:

The adjective "prevalent" means widespread, common in a certain large area. Additionally, "ambiguous" means vague, unclear; "profane" means irreverent, sacrilegious, offensive (particularly to a religion); "portentous" means ominous, suggesting something negative might happen.

Example Question #2399 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SPURIOUS

Possible Answers:

Evasive

Contrite

Apocryphal

Exotic

Adulterated

Correct answer:

Apocryphal

Explanation:

"Spurious" means fictitious or "apocryphal." "Exotic" means strange or foreign, and "contrite" means penitent or repentant. "Elusive" is a synonym for "evasive." "Adulterated" means contaminated or impure.

Example Question #2400 : Identifying Synonyms

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

FALLACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Erroneous

Inimical

Distraught

Despondent

Illusory

Correct answer:

Erroneous

Explanation:

"Fallacious" is another word for falsified or "erroneous." "Inimical" means hostile, and "illusory" means delusive. "Distraught" means distressed. "Despondent" is another word for despairing.

Example Question #2541 : Synonyms

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

FATUOUS

Possible Answers:

Petulant

Silly

Mercurial

Daunting

Abstruse

Correct answer:

Silly

Explanation:

"Fatuous" means "silly" or asinine. "Mercurial" means capricious, and "petulant" means irritable. "Abstruse" is a synonym for "arcane." "Daunting" is a synonym for "intimidating" or forbidding.

Example Question #2542 : Synonyms

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

SALUTARY

Possible Answers:

Beneficial

Mitigated

Grimly

Pathetically

Silky

Correct answer:

Beneficial

Explanation:

"Salutary" means "beneficial," advantageous. "Silky" describes a smooth, soft texture. "Mitigated" means lessened, made less severe. "Grim" means stern or bleak. "Pathetic" is a synonym for "pitiful."

Example Question #2543 : Synonyms

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

OSTENTATIOUS

Possible Answers:

Lascivious

Showy

Abysmal

Ephemeral

Quiescent

Correct answer:

Showy

Explanation:

"Ostentatious" means "showy," pretentious. "Ephemeral" is a synonym for "transient," or fleeting. "Quiescent" means dormant, and "abysmal" means terrible, dreadful. "Lascivious" is a synonym for "lecherous."

Example Question #2544 : Synonyms

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

GHASTLY

Possible Answers:

Jejune

Conjectural

Arid

Macabre

Exigent

Correct answer:

Macabre

Explanation:

"Ghastly" is a synonym for "macabre," or dreadful. "Exigent" is a synonym for "urgent," and "conjectural" is a synonym for "speculative" or hypothetical. "Arid" means very dry and can be used figuratively or literally. "Jejune" means very dull, dry, and uninteresting.

Example Question #2545 : Synonyms

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

IMMANENT

Possible Answers:

Craven

Inherent

Impending

Abject

Illustrious

Correct answer:

Inherent

Explanation:

"Immanent" is a synonym for "inherent." "Imminent," on the other hand, means impending, so don't confuse the two. "Illustrious" means distinguished or eminent, yet another homonym (but not synonym) for "immanent." "Craven" and "abject" are synonyms.

Example Question #2546 : Synonyms

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

OUTLANDISH

Possible Answers:

Bizarre

Exotic

External

Solicitous

Specious

Correct answer:

Bizarre

Explanation:

"Outlandish" is a synonym for "bizarre" or weird. "Specious" means misleading, deceptive, or false. "Solicitous" is a synonym for "concerned" or caring. "Exotic" means foreign, and "external" is an antonym for "internal."

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