Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

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SSAT Middle Level Verbal › Synonyms: Distinguishing Between Multiple Definitions

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

PALLETE

Taste

Inscribe

Scribble

Pen

Author

Explanation

The word "pallete" can be used in statements about people's sense of taste. The other words may be slightly related to the word pallete, but the meanings in this sense would not be close enough to call them synonymous.

2

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

VOLATILE

Erratic

Loathsome

Terrifying

Memorable

Static

Explanation

"Volatile" is an adjective with two meanings. Here, "volatile" means erratic or liable to change unpredictably. The second definition of "volatile" is scientific, and means evaporates at room temperature.

"Static" means not moving or changing. "Memorable" means able to be remembered. "Terrifying" means _causes extreme fear. "_Loathsome" means hateful or repulsive.

3

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

ASSESS

Charge

Cancel

Fix

Bring

Find

Explanation

The verb "assess" usually means to evaluate, to judge the nature of something, to decide what one thinks of something. However, it also has a second common meaning which is to charge. So, to be "assessed repairs" is to be charged for repairs.

4

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

SEETHE

Simmer

Anger

Repudiate

Dispatch

Inhabit

Explanation

"Seethe" is a verb that when used of liquids, means "bubble up as a result of being boiled," and when used of people, "be filled with intense but unexpressed anger." Since none of the answer choices appear to mean "bubble up" or "boil," we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "be filled with unexpressed anger." "Anger" might look like the best answer choice, but as a verb, it means "make angry"; since its meaning isn't that close to "seethe," it can't be the correct answer. "Simmer," a verb which can mean "be in a state of suppressed anger or excitement," is the best answer choice and the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to "seethe."

5

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

PRESS

Media

Conspiracy

Criminal

Freedom

Politician

Explanation

The "press" and the "media" can both refer to journalists as a group. The other nouns do not have directly related meanings and are not synonymous with "press," but are topics often covered by the "press."

6

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

CHOKE

Bungle

Succeed

Promise

Elevate

Desolate

Explanation

The primary meaning of “choke” is gag or strangle someone, but since none of the answer choices are close in meaning to this definition, you can assume you are searching for a secondary meaning of the word. If you “choke,” then you lose your composure and fail to perform effectively in a critical situation,so you could say, "He had a chance to win the game but he choked."Thus, "choke" used in this way is most similar in meaning to "bungle,"which means mess something up.As for the other answer choices,"elevate" means rise up or place at a higher position; and "desolate" means empty, barren, or devoid of life.

7

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

POLICE

Oversee

Imprison

Punish

Lie

Cheat

Explanation

The verbs "police"—yes, the word "police" can be used as a verb too—and "oversee" are synonymous. The other words ("imprison," "punish," "lie," etc.) might have indirectly related meanings, but they are not synonymous with "police" when used as a verb.

8

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

FANCY

Liking

Esteem

Coincidence

Multitude

Phantom

Explanation

"Fancy" can be an adjective meaning elaborate and decorative. "Fancy" can also be a noun meaning taste or inclination. With this second definition in mind, liking is a synonym and therefore the correct answer.

9

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

BLEMISH

Ruin

Purify

Hurt

Cleanse

Clean

Explanation

"Blemish," means to spoil the appearance of (something). The term ruin is a synonym of "blemish," making it the correct answer. "Purify" means to remove contaminants from. The word "hurt" means to cause physical harm or injury. The terms "cleanse" and "clean" are defined similarly; to make (something) thoroughly clean/free from dirt.

10

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

BALE

Bundle

Throw

Indifferent

Wet

Suitcase

Explanation

Spelled this way, "bale" is a noun meaning a bundle prepared for transportation or storage. It is often associated with hay or cotton. For instance, "The groom spread another bale of hay over the floor of the horse's stall." Spelled "bail," this word is a verb with multiple meanings.

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