Synonyms

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SSAT Middle Level Verbal › Synonyms

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

FRIGID

Chilly

Damp

Moist

Wet

Humid

Explanation

"Frigid" and "chilly" are synonyms adjectives describing the state of being cold. The other answer choices are synonymous with each other, and all refer to the state of being wet, but only "chilly" means the same thing as "frigid." Someone might be "frigid" because their clothes are "damp," but these adjectives are not in and of themselves synonymous.

2

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

WOEFUL

Pathetic

Frantic

Sturdy

Unhinged

Repulsive

Explanation

The adjective "woeful" means terribly sad and pitiful, pathetic and tragic. Additionally, "repulsive" means gross, disgusting, not attractive; "frantic" means hurried, stressed; "sturdy" means reliable, strong and firm, unlikely to fall over or break; "unhinged" means disturbed, mentally imbalanced, crazy.

3

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

URGENTLY

Pressingly

Tenderly

Vocationally

Dangerously

Frighteningly

Explanation

If something is "urgent," it demands immediate or pressing attention. "Frightening" means scary, "dangerous" means risky, and "tender" means gentle. "Vocational" means relating to a job or occupation.

4

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

OVERT

Apparent

Disguised

Askew

Tilted

Pudgy

Explanation

"Overt" means "apparent" or undisguised.

"Pudgy" means fat, overweight or chubby.

"Tilted" means leaned or slanted.

"Askew" means crooked or not straight.

"Disguised" means hidden by a false appearance or unrecognizable.

5

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

TWISTY

Tortuous

Very painful

Yellowed

Infuriating

Edible

Explanation

"Tortuous" and "twisty" both mean winding, full of twists and turns. "Edible" means able to be eaten, "infuriating" means maddening, and "yellowed" means turned yellow (usually because of age). "Painful" is a near synonym for torturous, the word used to describe torture, but that is a different word from tortuous.

6

Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

CONSTRICTIVE

restrictive

liberating

hazardous

mean-spirited

snake-like

Explanation

Constrictive means something is restrictive.

7

Synonyms: choose the word with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Miserable

Unhappy

Ecstatic

Cheap

Old

Meager

Explanation

"Miserable" means sad and unhappy.

8

Synonyms: Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

EMACIATED

Gaunt

Destroyed

Sad

Sensitive

Fibrous

Explanation

If someone or something is “emaciated” they are very thin and bony. For example, one could write, "After the famine, the farm animals were “emaciated.” “Gaunt” means thin and bony and usually pale. If you say, "His face looked gaunt," you mean it was thin, pale, and bony. To further help you ,“fibrous” means stringy or made of fibres, so chewy meat is “fibrous.” “Sensitive” means easily offended or sympathetic to other people’s feelings.

9

Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

HOSPITABLE

Welcoming

Unfriendly

Permanent

Stalwart

Apathetic

Explanation

"Hospitable" means welcoming or friendly to guests, so "welcoming" is the correct answer. "Unfriendly" is an antonym of "hospitable"; it means not nice or antagonizing others. "Permanent" means lasting forever or unchanged indefinitely. "Stalwart" means devoted and hardworking. "Apathetic" means indifferent or lacking in care.

10

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

SOUR

Tart

Swarthy

Husky

Sweet

Quizzical

Explanation

"Sour" and "tart" both describe a mouth-puckering taste. "Swarthy" means dark-skinned, "husky" means strong and robust, and "quizzical" means puzzled. "Sweet" and "sour" are generally considered antonyms.

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