Identifying Synonyms

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SSAT Upper Level Verbal › Identifying Synonyms

Questions 1 - 10
1

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

INGENIOUSLY

Innovatively

Histrionically

Innocuously

Innocently

Naively

Explanation

"Ingenious" means clever, inventive, or innovative. Don't confuse it with "ingenuous," which means naive and innocent. "Histrionic" means melodramatic or overly theatrical, and "innocuous" means harmless.

2

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

QUIXOTICALLY

Idealistically

Creatively

Zealously

Fractiously

Villainously

Explanation

"Quixotic" means hopelessly, romantically idealistic. "Villainous" is a synonym for "wicked," and "fractious" means grumpy, irritable, or unruly. "Zealous" means passionately enthusiastic. Another word for "creative" is imaginative.

3

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

EXECRABLE

Detestable

Needless

Released

Clipped

Supportive

Explanation

"Execrable" means detestable or very bad.

4

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

HARBINGER

Omen

Period

Support

Embarrassment

Entrance

Explanation

A "harbinger" is an omen or anything that indicates a future event.

5

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

EXECRABLE

Detestable

Needless

Released

Clipped

Supportive

Explanation

"Execrable" means detestable or very bad.

6

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

CENSORIOUS

Hypercritical

Facile

Fatuous

Dulcet

Academic

Explanation

"Censorious" means overly critical. "Academic" describes institutionalized study, usually at a university. "Dulcet" means mellifluous or sweet sounding. "Fatuous" is another word for "silly," and "facile" is a synonym for "simplistic" or superficial.

7

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

WAGGISH

Humorous

Salacious

Hedonistic

Inimitable

Maudlin

Explanation

Someone who is behaving in a "waggish" way is being playfully or mischievously funny. This is an antonym for "maudlin," which means tearfully sentimental or excessively sorrowful. "Inimitable" means one of a kind. "Hedonistic" means concerned with the pursuit of pleasure. "Salacious" is a synonym for "prurient."

8

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

SUPERFICIALLY

Shallowly

Congenially

Unbearably

Astutely

Pugnaciously

Explanation

"Superficial" is another word for "shallow." "Congenial," or "genial," means friendly and personable. "Pugnacious" means argumentative and combative. "Unbearable" means insufferable or intolerable. "Astute" means sharp or shrewd.

9

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

NEFARIOUS.

Wicked

Honest

Unscrupulous

Hard-working

Discerning

Explanation

“Nefarious” means wicked, infamous or evil. For clarification, "unscrupulous" means not restrained by moral or ethical principles; "discerning" means selective and showing good judgment.

10

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

INGENIOUSLY

Innovatively

Histrionically

Innocuously

Innocently

Naively

Explanation

"Ingenious" means clever, inventive, or innovative. Don't confuse it with "ingenuous," which means naive and innocent. "Histrionic" means melodramatic or overly theatrical, and "innocuous" means harmless.

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