SSAT Upper Level Verbal › Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Personality Traits
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CAPRICIOUS
Fickle
Avid
Dulcet
Irascible
Petulant
"Capricious" means unpredictable or "fickle." "Petulant" and "irascible" both mean irritable, peevish. "Dulcet" is used to describe sweet, pleasant sounds. "Avid" means keen and eager.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
UNCOUTH
Rude
Avaricious
Captious
Ebullient
Holy
"Uncouth" means "rude," uncivilized, or unrefined. "Avaricious" means greedy, and "captious" means prone to nitpick or quibble over even the tiniest detail. Another word for "holy" is sacrosanct. Another word for "ebullient" is overjoyed.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
DISCURSIVE
Rambling
Harmful
Exhaustive
Patterned
Modest
“Discursive” means rambling or lacking order, so "rambling" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to “discursive”. “Harmful” means damaging. “Exhaustive” means thorough. “Patterned” means decorated with a recurring design. “Modest” means unpretentious or humble.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
PETULANT
Peevish
Clever
Dangerous
Maniacal
Challenging
"Petulant" means bad-tempered, childish, or peevish, so "peevish," which means sullen or crabby, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "petulant" and "peevish": "clever" means shrewd or smart; "dangerous" means potentially causing harm; "maniacal" means insane; and "challenging" means difficult.
Synonyms: Select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
FEISTY
Lively
Depressed
Radiant
Bad-tempered
Fertile
"Fiesty" means lively or spunky, so "lively," which means full of energy, is the correct answer. "Depressed" means sad and gloomy. "Radiant" means bright or very shiny. "Bad-tempered" means easily irritated or upset. "Fertile" means fruitful, able to produce a lot of crops, or capable of conceiving.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INTRANSIGENT
Stubborn
Ludicrous
Enervated
Invigorated
Amicable
"Intransigent" is another word for "stubborn" or recalcitrant. "Amicable" means amiable or friendly. "Ludicrous" means absurd, ridiculous, and laughable. "Invigorated," or strong, is an antonym for "enervated," or weak.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DISCREET
Inconspicuous
Separate
Monstrous
Hideous
Reckless
Someone who is "discreet" is cautious or inconspicuous. This is an antonym of "reckless." "Hideous" means very ugly, and "monstrous" means monster-like. "Discrete," a different word from "discreet," can be used to mean separate and distinct from something else.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SEDULOUS
Hardworking
Aggressive
Infuriating
Lazy
Indolent
"Sedulous," like diligent, is a word that means "hardworking." "Indolent" is an antonym that means lazy. "Aggressive" and "antagonistic" are synonyms. "Infuriating" means maddening.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SOLIPSISTIC
Self-centered
Self-assured
Lurid
Self-possessed
Deleterious
"Solipsistic" means egotistical or focused on the self. "Confident" means self-assured, as does "self-possessed." "Lurid" is a synonym for bright, colorful, sensational, or overly dramatic. "Deleterious" means harmful.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
IMPERTINENT
Insolent
Saccharine
Impartial
Prophetic
Depraved
"Impertinent" and "insolent" are synonyms. "Saccharine" means overly sweet or sentimental. "Depraved" means corrupt or morally degenerate. "Impartial" and "unbiased" are synonyms, as are "prophetic" and "farsighted."