Synonym
Analogies
Master the art of completing analogies based on synonym relationships: words that share the same or nearly the same meaning.
What Is an Analogy?
An analogy is a comparison that shows a relationship between two pairs of words. On the SSAT, an analogy looks like this:
What Are Synonyms?
Synonyms are words that have the same or very similar meanings. They are the most common relationship type on SSAT analogy questions.
Why Do Synonym Analogies Matter?
Synonym analogies test two skills at once: your vocabulary knowledge and your ability to recognize logical relationships between words.
The Core Rule of Synonym Analogies
Reading the SSAT Format
SSAT analogies use a specific format. You need to be able to read the structure correctly before you solve the problem.
Synonyms vs. Antonyms
The biggest trap in analogy questions is confusing synonym and antonym relationships. Know the difference:
| Synonym Analogy | Antonym Analogy | |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship | Words mean the same thing | Words mean the opposite |
| Example Pair | Big : Large | Big : Small |
| Signal | Words can replace each other | Words contrast each other |
| Test Tip | "A means the same as B" | "A means the opposite of B" |
The 4-Step Strategy
Worked Example: Level 1
Worked Example: Level 2
Let us apply the 4-step strategy:
Worked Example: Level 3
Watch for Intensity Levels
Synonyms are not always perfectly interchangeable. Some words carry a stronger or weaker intensity than others. The best answer matches the same intensity level.
Parts of Speech Must Match
In a well-formed analogy, the parts of speech stay consistent. Nouns pair with nouns, verbs with verbs, and adjectives with adjectives.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Quick Reference Summary
| Checkpoint | What to Do | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Check if Pair 1 are synonyms | Glad = Happy? Yes |
| Step 2 | Build bridge sentence | "Glad means the same as Happy" |
| Step 3 | Apply bridge to Word C | "Angry means the same as ___" |
| Step 4 | Pick best synonym from choices | Furious ✓ |
| Verify | Check part of speech and intensity | Adj : Adj, moderate : moderate |
Question 1 of 5
Clever is to Intelligent as Timid is to ___
Question 2 of 5
Enormous is to Gigantic as Tiny is to ___
Question 3 of 5
Preserve is to Protect as Demolish is to ___
Question 4 of 5
Weary is to Exhausted as Jubilant is to ___
Question 5 of 5
Arduous is to Difficult as Tranquil is to ___