SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #57 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

FLUSTERED

Possible Answers:

Alert

Logical

Clearheaded

Thoughtful

Discombobulated

Correct answer:

Discombobulated

Explanation:

"Flustered" and "discombobulated" are synonymous; they refer to someone who is frustrated with a situation. The other words do not come close to being synonyms. In fact, "thoughtful," "logical," "alert," and "clearheaded" are actually all somewhat related to each other. The one word that really stands out is "discombobulated."

Example Question #58 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

LEERY

Possible Answers:

Affable

Munificent

Congenial

Cautious

Magnanimous

Correct answer:

Cautious

Explanation:

"Leery" means cautious and wary. "Affable" means friendly or amiable. "Magnanimous" is a synonym for generous, as is "munificent." "Congenial" means personable, hospitable, and genial.

Example Question #59 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

RASH

Possible Answers:

Aggressive

Reckless

Direct

Iconic

Cheerful

Correct answer:

Reckless

Explanation:

"Rash" means hasty and reckless. "Direct" and "indirect" are antonyms, as are "cheerful" and "unhappy." "Iconic" means classic. "Aggressive" means antagonistic and hostile.

Example Question #60 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

DISTRAUGHT

Possible Answers:

Grim

Bewildered

Distressed

Bashful

Dismal

Correct answer:

Distressed

Explanation:

"Distraught" means distressed and upset. "Bashful" means shy, and "bewildered" means confused or confounded. "Dismal" means glum and dreary, and "grim" means dark, stern, or dire, depending on context.

Example Question #921 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ARDENT

Possible Answers:

Avid

Zealous

Eminent

Parochial

Illustrious

Correct answer:

Zealous

Explanation:

"Ardent" means fervid, passionate, or zealous. "Parochial" and "provincial" are synonyms, as are "eminent" and "illustrious." "Avid" means keen and eager.

Example Question #922 : Identifying Synonyms

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

HOSTILE

Possible Answers:

Envious

Livid

Skeptical

Euphoric

Inimical

Correct answer:

Inimical

Explanation:

"Hostile" and "inimical" are synonyms. "Envious" means jealous, "skeptical" means dubious, and "euphoric" means ecstatic. "Livid" means extremely angry.

Example Question #923 : Identifying Synonyms

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

CONFOUNDED

Possible Answers:

Supercilious

Bewildered

Superficial

Acerbic

Abrasive

Correct answer:

Bewildered

Explanation:

"Confounded" means "bewildered" or puzzled. "Abrasive" means harsh or rough. "Superficial" means shallow, and "supercilious" means haughty or arrogant. "Acerbic" and "caustic" are synonyms.

Example Question #924 : Identifying Synonyms

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

EBULLIENT

Possible Answers:

Imminent

Exuberant

Deleterious

Decadent

Forbidding

Correct answer:

Exuberant

Explanation:

"Ebullient" and "exuberant" both mean very happy and cheerful. "Imminent" means upcoming or impending. "Deleterious" mean harmful, and "decadent" means dissolute or morally degenerate. "Forbidding" means grim or unwelcoming.

Example Question #925 : Identifying Synonyms

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

SLEEPY

Possible Answers:

Bashful

Convincing

Somnolent

Sugary

Lascivious

Correct answer:

Somnolent

Explanation:

"Somnolent" is another word for "sleepy." "Sugary" means sweet, and "lascivious" means lecherous, lustful. "Bashful" is another word for shy, and "convincing" means persuasive.

Example Question #926 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HISTRIONIC

Possible Answers:

Recondite

Capacious

Theatrical

Inane

Insipid

Correct answer:

Theatrical

Explanation:

The adjective "histrionic" is used to describe someone who is overly dramatic or theatrical. Additionally, "recondite" means (of knowledge) known by only a few people, arcane and esoteric; "insipid" means tasteless, lacking flavor or character; "capacious" means roomy, spacious, voluminous; "inane" means pointless and stupid, meaningless.

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