SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2401 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ABHORRENT

Possible Answers:

Lovable

Repellent

Rambling

Spurious

Apocryphal

Correct answer:

Repellent

Explanation:

"Abhorrent" is a synonym for "repellent," detestable, or despicable. This is an antonym for "lovable." "Spurious" and "apocryphal" are both synonyms for false or fictitious. "Rambling" means meandering or wordy, depending on whether it's in a literal or figurative context.

Example Question #2402 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REMUNERATIVE

Possible Answers:

Pernicious

Perilous

Adulatory

Lucrative

Penurious

Correct answer:

Lucrative

Explanation:

"Remunerative" means "lucrative," monetarily rewarding. "Penurious" means impoverished, which is a near antonym. "Perilous" is a synonym for "hazardous," and "pernicious" is a synonym for "damaging" or harmful. "Adulatory" is a synonym for "laudatory" or congratulatory.

Example Question #2403 : Identifying Synonyms

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

NOXIOUS

Possible Answers:

Dire

Muddled

Advantageous

Wary

Poisonous

Correct answer:

Poisonous

Explanation:

"Noxious" means "poisonous" or toxic. "Wary" means cautious, and "dire" means urgent or dreadful. "Muddled" means hazy or confused. "Advantageous" is a synonym for "beneficial."

Example Question #2404 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PROLIX

Possible Answers:

Outlandish

Dark

Squeamish

Verbose

Mendacious

Correct answer:

Verbose

Explanation:

"Prolix" is another word for "verbose" or wordy. "Outlandish" means strange or bizarre, and "dark" is an antonym for "light." "Squeamish" means easily nauseated, queasy. "Mendacious" is a synonym for "dishonest."

Example Question #2411 : Identifying Synonyms

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

JEJUNE

Possible Answers:

Obscure

Uninteresting

Chronic

Scintillating

Instantaneous

Correct answer:

Uninteresting

Explanation:

"Jejune" means dull, dry, and "uninteresting." This is an antonym for "scintillating," or fascinating. "Obscure" means unsure or uncertain, and "chronic" means persistent or long-standing. "Instantaneous" is a synonym for "immediate."

Example Question #2412 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EXTEMPORANEOUS

Possible Answers:

Rehearsed

Fatuous

Impromptu

Contemporary

Inane

Correct answer:

Impromptu

Explanation:

"Extemporaneous" means unrehearsed, "impromptu." This is an antonym for "rehearsed." "Contemporary" means current or occurring at the same time as something else. "Fatuous" means silly, stupid, or inane.

Example Question #2413 : Identifying Synonyms

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

THWARTED

Possible Answers:

Tangential

Foiled

Nascent

Aromatic

Sluggish

Correct answer:

Foiled

Explanation:

To "thwart" a plan is to foil or ruin it. "Sluggish" means lethargic or listless. "Aromatic" is a synonym for "fragrant," and "nascent" is a synonym for "new," not fully formed. Another word for "tangential" is peripheral.

Example Question #2414 : Identifying Synonyms

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

REPREHENSIBLE

Possible Answers:

Jejune

Arcane

Frigid

Detestable

Abstruse

Correct answer:

Detestable

Explanation:

Something "reprehensible" is loathsome or "detestable." "Frigid" means very cold, and "jejune" means dull or uninteresting. "Arcane" and "abstruse" are both synonyms for "esoteric."

Example Question #2415 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PEJORATIVE

Possible Answers:

Extemporaneous

Elusive

Baronial

Ephemeral

Defamatory

Correct answer:

Defamatory

Explanation:

Something "pejorative" is negative, "defamatory," deprecatory. "Baronial" means grand and stately. "Ephemeral" is a synonym for "short-lived" or fleeting. "Extemporaneous" is a synonym for "improvised." "Elusive" means difficult to catch or find.

Example Question #2416 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MANIFOLD

Possible Answers:

Venal

Sundry

Ebullient

Nominal

Incumbent

Correct answer:

Sundry

Explanation:

The adjective "manifold" means diverse, containing a lot of variety. This is closest in definition to "sundry" which means of several distinct kinds, of several varieties. Additionally, "ebullient" means enthusiastic; "incumbent" means obligatory, has to be done, required; "venal" means corrupt and wicked; "nominal" means insignificant, of little importance.

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