Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

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SSAT Middle Level Verbal › Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Emotional States

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

EXASPERATED

Frustrated

Displeased

Magnificent

Gregarious

Munificent

Explanation

To feel "exasperated" means to feel very frustrated. For clarification, "magnificent" means glorious and wonderful; "munificent" means generous; "gregarious" means outgoing and sociable.

2

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

HESITANT

Uncertain

Dormant

Forbidden

Desirable

Sacred

Explanation

The adjective "hesitant" means uncertain, reluctant to do something, unsure and unwilling to act. Additionally, "sacred" means holy, of religious importance to someone; "dormant" means at rest, inactive, asleep; "desirable" means wanted, able to be desired; "forbidden" means prohibited, not allowed, against the rules.

3

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.

4

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

JEALOUS

Envious

Critical

Wary

Clean

Agitated

Explanation

"Jealous" and "envious" are synonyms; they both refer to the feeling of being upset by the success of someone else. "Critical" means important or serious, and "wary" means cautious or careful. "Clean" and "dirty" are antonyms, as are "agitated" and "calm."

5

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

BASHFUL

Shy

Broken

Demolished

Carefree

Blithe

Explanation

"Bashful" means shy, reserved, or inhibited. "Broken" means not functional, and "demolished" means destroyed or ruined. "Carefree" and "blithe" both mean happily untroubled and unworried.

6

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

MELANCHOLY

Somber

Excited

Antsy

Anxious

Nervous

Explanation

"Melancholy" is an adjective describing an emotion synonymous with "somber." The rest of the answers are all closely related: "Excited," "Anxious," "Antsy," and "Nervous" are all emotions, but they are not emotions related to sadness in the way "melancholy" and "somber" are.

7

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

TRAUMATIC

Upsetting

Motivating

Irritating

Jovial

Supreme

Explanation

The adjective "traumatic" means distressing, upsetting, causing someone to feel long lasting pain and suffering. Additionally, "motivating" means inspiring, causing someone to want to do something; "irritating" means annoying; "jovial" means cheerful, good-natured; "supreme" means ultimate, best, the greatest.

8

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

AILING

Sick

Tired

Uncomfortable

Happy

Joyous

Explanation

The adjective "ailing" means sick, unwell, unhealthy, struggling with something. Additionally, "joyous" is a synonym of "happy" it means very happy.

9

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

MISERABLE

Unhappy

Joyful

Lethal

Sturdy

Grimy

Explanation

"Miserable" means sad or unhappy, so "unhappy" is the correct answer. "Joyful" is an antonym of "miserable"; it means very happy or cheerful. "Lethal" means dangerous and possibly causing death. "Sturdy" means strong or robust. "Grimy" means filthy or dirty.

10

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

SUSPICIOUS

Mistrustful

Ignorant

Unschooled

Dun

Umber

Explanation

To be "suspicious" of someone or something is not to trust that person or thing. "Ignorant" and "unschooled" both mean uneducated or lacking knowledge. "Dun" is a gray-brown color, and "umber" is a dark brown color.

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