SSAT Elementary Level Verbal › Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, and Sensory Imagery
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DELICATE
Breakable
Sturdy
Agile
Risky
Comforting
Something that is “delicate” is easily broken and fragile. To provide further help, “sturdy" means not easily broken or tipped over, “comforting” means providing comfort and making you feel better, "agile" means quick-moving and athletic, and "risky" means involving risk-taking and therefore dangerous and uncertain.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HUGE
Enormous
Strong
Potent
Energetic
Miniature
The words "huge" and "enormous" are synonyms_._ They describe something large. The other words do not share this meaning. "Miniature" is an antonym to "huge."
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MASKED
Covered
Calm
Quick
Challenging
Open
When something is "masked" it means that thing is concealed or covered. The root word, "mask," means something that covers the face, while the suffix "-ed" indicates an adjective.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
THROB
Ache
Vibrate
Whistle
Lift
"Throb" means to ache in a pulsing manner, or pound. You could say you have a "throbbing headache." To "vibrate" is to shake with tiny, quick motions. To "whistle" is to make a tuneful sound with one's lips. To lift is to elevate an object.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SOLID
Firm
Dirty
Filthy
Invisible
Clear
The words "solid" and "firm" are synonymous. The incorrect answer choices also contain some words that are synonymous with each other. "Dirty" and "filthy" mean the same thing; the words "clear" and "invisible" are also very closely related in meaning. Identifying this kind of relationship between answer choices can help eliminate the incorrect answers.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ELEGANT
Beautiful
Horrible
Distasteful
Morbid
Average
"Elegant" means pleasingly graceful and stylish in appearance. "Beautiful," which means pleasing the senses or mind, is the best synonym of "elegant."
Incorrect Answers:
"Horrible" means very unpleasant
"Distasteful" also means unpleasant, and is a synonym of "horrible."
"Morbid" involves a fascination with death.
"Average" means the usual standard.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
HOARSE
Raspy
Smooth
Artistic
Mountainous
Don't get this word confused with "horse," the animal! "Hoarse" means raspy or rough-sounding, especially when describing someone's voice. You've probably had a hoarse voice after getting a sore throat. "Smooth" means even or free of bumps; "artistic" means talented at art or creative activities, and "mountainous" refers to areas of land and means containing mountains.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
PUTRID
Rancid
Hateful
Flavorful
Spicy
The answer is "rancid." "Rancid" and "putrid" both mean decayed and usually having a very bad or disgusting smell. For example, you might say, "The milk smelled rancid after being left out all week."
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BRITTLE
Fragile
Nautical
Calm
Normal
Sturdy
Something that is "brittle" is not strong and easily broken. So, "fragile," a word that means easily broken, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "brittle": "sturdy" means strong or difficult to break and is an opposite, or antonym, of "brittle"; "normal" means standard or ordinary; "calm" means peaceful or unworried; and "nautical" means having to do with the sea or the ocean.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ELEGANT
Fancy
Kind
Appropriate
Inappropriate
Passionate
The words "elegant" and "fancy" are synonymous. They describe something that is ornate or decorated in a sophisticated way. The other words do not share this meaning. "Appropriate" and "inapropriate" are antonyms to each other, and unrelated to the concept of elegance. "Kind" and "passionate" are both positive personality descriptions that do not have anything to do with sophistication.