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 #66 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

INCENSED

Possible Answers:

Angry

Happy

Alone

Lenient

Calm

Correct answer:

Angry

Explanation:

The adjective "incensed" means made furious by, deeply angry at. Additionally, "lenient" means tolerant, not strict.

Example Question #67 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

AVERSE

Possible Answers:

Unlikely

Unfortunate

Unbecoming

Unwilling

Untimely

Correct answer:

Unwilling

Explanation:

The adjective "averse" means opposed to, "unwilling." Additionally, "untimely" means happening at the wrong or an inappropriate time; "unbecoming" means not flattering, not attractive, inappropriate.

Example Question #68 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

BEATIFIC

Possible Answers:

Vehement

Rapturous

Garrulous

Obstinate

Malicious

Correct answer:

Rapturous

Explanation:

The adjective "beatific" means blissfully happy, deeply joyous, or "rapturous" which means ecstatic, showing great joy. Additionally, "garrulous" means loquacious, talkative; "malicious" means spiteful, showing ill-will, hateful; "obstinate" means stubborn, recalcitrant, refusing to change one's mind; "vehement" means showing a forceful passion and commitment to.

Example Question #69 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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

PROTEAN

Possible Answers:

Listless

Substantiated

Unstable

Assured

Rapacious

Correct answer:

Unstable

Explanation:

The adjective "protean" is used to describe something that frequently changes and is inconsistent. This is closest in meaning to "unstable." Additionally, "substantiated" means proved through evidence; "assured" means self-confident; "listless" means lacking energy and enthusiasm; "rapacious" means extremely greedy.

Example Question #183 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

VORACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Insatiable

Timorous

Bereft

Gauche

Venal

Correct answer:

Insatiable

Explanation:

The adjective "voracious" means starving, not able to be satisfied, or "insatiable." Additionally, "bereft" means deprived of, sad due to a loss; "venal" means corrupt, able to be bribed; "gauche" means impolite, lacking social graces; "timorous" means prone to nervousness and anxiety.

Example Question #181 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

MAUDLIN

Possible Answers:

Naive

Painstaking

Chipper

Hurtful

Sentimental

Correct answer:

Sentimental

Explanation:

"Maudlin" means "sentimental," exaggeratedly and often tearfully so. "Naive" means innocent and childlike, while "painstaking" means very careful and thorough. "Chipper" means very cheerful.

Example Question #182 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

MOROSE

Possible Answers:

Stern

Facetious

Lassitudinous

Volatile

Glum

Correct answer:

Glum

Explanation:

"Morose" is a synonym for "glum" or lugubrious. "Facetious" means flippant, inappropriately using humor. "Stern" means strict, and "volatile" means temperamental, explosive. "Lassitude" is lethargy or sluggishness.

Example Question #186 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

DESPONDENT

Possible Answers:

Insufferable

Despairing

Eager

Poignant

Enthusiastic

Correct answer:

Despairing

Explanation:

"Despondent" and "despairing" are synonyms, as are "eager" and "enthusiastic." "Poignant" means touching, tragic, or plaintive. "Insufferable" is a synonym for "unbearable" or intolerable.

Example Question #187 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ENERVATED

Possible Answers:

Debilitated

Pulchritudinous 

Invigorated

Melancholic

Energized

Correct answer:

Debilitated

Explanation:

"Enervated" and "debilitated" both mean severely weakened. This is an antonym for both "energetic" and "invigorated." "Pulchritudinous" means very beautiful, and "melancholic" means sad.

Example Question #188 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

CHOLERIC

Possible Answers:

Perfidious

Irritable

Incorrigible

Emaciated

Obsequious

Correct answer:

Irritable

Explanation:

The adjective "choleric" means bad-tempered and easily annoyed, making "irritable" the best answer. Additionally, "emaciated" means starving, very underweight from lack of nutrition; "incorrigible" means unable to be controlled; "perfidious" means disloyal; and "obsequious" means servile, subservient, and easily dominated by others

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors