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 #888 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MERRY

Possible Answers:

Jolly

Obese

Engaged

Spiritual

Fanatic

Correct answer:

Jolly

Explanation:

"Merry" is used to describe someone or something that is happy and pleasant. One might write, "His neighbors adored his merry, upbeat attitude."

Example Question #889 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MOROSE

Possible Answers:

Jocular

Sullen

Excessive

Apathetic

Wise

Correct answer:

Sullen

Explanation:

"Morose" means ill-tempered, or "sullen."

Example Question #891 : Identifying Synonyms

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

APATHETIC

Possible Answers:

Challenging

Corresponding

Snobbish

Peaceful

Uninterested

Correct answer:

Uninterested

Explanation:

"Apathetic" means indifferent, emotionless, or "uninterested."

Example Question #892 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ALOOF

Possible Answers:

Charged

Substantial

Distant

Disastrous 

Energetic

Correct answer:

Distant

Explanation:

"Aloof" means remote in manner, or "distant."

Example Question #931 : Synonyms

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

BLITHE

Possible Answers:

Isolated

Candid

Hurried

Adopted

Joyful

Correct answer:

Joyful

Explanation:

"Blithe" means joyful, so the correct answer is "joyful."

Example Question #894 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DESPONDENT

Possible Answers:

Rigid

Ultimate

Bespectacled

Hopeless

Sheer

Correct answer:

Hopeless

Explanation:

"Despondent" means feeling hopeless.  

Example Question #895 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CORDIAL 

Possible Answers:

Seasonal

Friendly

Stuffy

Courtly

Proper

Correct answer:

Friendly

Explanation:

"Cordial" means warm and open. (Example: "The hostess was very cordial towards her guests, offering them tea and cookies.") The word closest in meaning to "cordial" is therefore "friendly," the best answer choice.

Example Question #896 : Identifying Synonyms

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

VORACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Delicious

Ravenous

Edible

Explicit

Indignant

Correct answer:

Ravenous

Explanation:

"Voracious" is an adjective that means wanting or devouring great quantities of something, often food. So, we're looking for an adjective that has to do with food and specifically means extremely hungry. Three of the listed answer choices have to do with food: "edible" means able to be eaten, so it's not a synonym of "voracious." "Delicious" means pleasant to the taste, so it is also not a synonym of "voracious." "Ravenous," which means extremely hungry, is a synonym of "voracious," so it is the best answer choice.

Example Question #897 : Identifying Synonyms

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

TEPID

Possible Answers:

Stagnant

Unenthusiastic

Scalding

Frigid

Invested

Correct answer:

Unenthusiastic

Explanation:

You may have seen the word tepid paired with the water in the past and assumed that it meant frigid (cold), stagnant (standing still), or Scalding (extremely hot), but the word actually means lukewarm or unenthusiastic.

Example Question #898 : Identifying Synonyms

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

KEEN

Possible Answers:

Observant

Curved

Gloomy

Enthusiastic

Quiet

Correct answer:

Enthusiastic

Explanation:

Keen means showing eagerness or enthusiasm.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors