SSAT Middle Level Verbal › Synonyms: Verbs About Communicating, Arguing, and Understanding
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SCRUTINIZE
Inspect
Dirty
Misrepresent
Enchant
Attach
"Scrutinize" means inspect or examine in detail, so "inspect" is the correct answer.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
REIMBURSE
Repay
Replay
Repeat
Replete
Respire
The verb "reimburse" means to pay someone back who has lost money or given money to you. This is, of course, closest in meaning to "repay." Additionally, "respire" means breathe; "replete" means filled with.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
HAGGLE
Barter
Repeat
Explore
Symbolize
Presume
"Haggle" means barter or negotiate over the cost of an item, so "barter" is the correct answer. "Repeat" means do again. "Explore" means travel to a new place to learn about the area. "Symbolize" means represent. "Presume" means assume something.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
VIE
Compete
Suspend
Deny
Compose
Suspect
“Vie” means fight for or compete, so "compete" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "vie": “suspend” means pause or hang when used as a verb; “deny” means refuse or refuse to accept the truth of something; and “compound” means make things worse.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
INSINUATE
Suggest
Aspire
Decree
Demand
Solicit
"Insinuate" means to suggest or imply something. For clarification, an "aspiration" is a goal or target, a "decree" is an order, and "solicit" means to ask or plead someone or a group for something.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
OSTRACIZE
Exclude
Provoke
Solve
Personify
Register
To "ostracize" is to exclude a person from a particular group or from society.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
BELLOW
Roar
Avert
Simplify
Comprehend
Release
"Bellow" means roar or shout, so "roar" is the correct answer. "Avert" means turn away or avoid. "Simplify" means make clear or make easier. "Comprehend" means understand. "Release" means let go.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
GESTICULATE
Motion
Jump
Admonish
Laud
Condemn
“Gesticulate” means wave and gesture to help make a point, so "motion," which can mean gesture when used as a verb, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "gesticulate": “admonish” means scold or tell off; “laud” means praise; and “condemn” means attack or denounce.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BAFFLE
Bewilder
Convinced
Mythical
Complete
Clear
As a verb, "baffle" means to confuse someone, or to be confused. An example is, "Walking through the maze, Diana was baffled about how to get out." If you're "confused," you are bewildered.
Someone who is "baffled" is certainly not "convinced" of anything, probably because their situation is not "clear!"
Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
EMULATE
Copy
Imagine
Penitent
Demand
Absolve
To "emulate" something means to copy it. For clarification, "absolve" means to remove blame; "penitent" describes someone who is contrite and remorseful and desires forgiveness or absolution.