SSAT Upper Level Verbal › Synonyms: Determining Part of Speech
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
UTTER
Say
Herald
Perform
Complain
Miss
"Utter" means to make a noise or say something out loud.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CURB
Restrain
Harmonize
Mollify
Ostracize
Sort
To curb something means to restrain it or keep it in check.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BRANCH
Division
Currency
Coinage
Banknotes
Bills
The words "branch" or "division" can both refer to a specialized department at an institution. The other words are related to money.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BRIEF
Inform
Fabricate
Cover
Sculpt
Shorten
To "brief" someone means to inform them about something.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ENGINEER
Contrive
Partake
Record
Travel
Proselytise
To "engineer" something means to arrange for it to happen, or to contrive things.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
VAULT
Hurdle
Tumble
Run
Forget
Motion
“Vault” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the answer choices can be used as verbs, we will need to consider “vault” as a verb. When used as a verb, “vault” means “leap or spring,” or, when used with an object, “jump over an obstacle.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “leap over something.” That means that “tumble” cannot be the correct answer, because “tumble,” when used as a verb, typically refers to a person and means “fall suddenly, clumsily, or headlong,” a meaning very distant from that of “vault.” “Hurdle,” however, when used as a verb, means “jump over (a hurdle or other obstacle) while running,” when used with an object, and because “hurdle” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “vault,” “hurdle” is the correct answer.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
BREACH
Infringe
Obey
Skirt
Mix
Excuse
“Breach” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the potential answer choices are verbs, we will need to consider “breach” as a verb. When used as a verb, “breach” can mean “make a gap in something and break through” or “break or fail to observe something contracted or necessary.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “break through” or “fail to observe.” That means that “obey” cannot be the correct answer, because “obey” can mean “ behave in accordance with authority,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “breach.” “Infringe,” however, is a verb that can mean “actively break the terms of a contract or law,” and because “infringe” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “breach,” “infringe” is the correct answer.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
UNFETTERED
Liberated
Trivial
Customary
Intuitive
Nominal
The adjective and verb "unfettered" means freed of, not restrained by, released from inhibition or confinement. This is closest in meaning to "liberated" which means set free, free. Additionally, "trivial" and "nominal" are synonyms, both words mean insignificant, not important; "customary" means traditional, according to common custom, conventional and polite; "intuitive" means easily able to be understood using one's natural intellect.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EFFECT
Impact
Explosion
Flash
Spectacle
Fireworks
The words "effect" and "impact" are synonyms referring to the result of another event or action. The other words might seem related to the word "affect," which is frequently confused with "effect." Unfortunately, the meanings of the other answer choices are not related to the word "effect."
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MINUTE
Tiny
Worldly
Punctual
Quiet
Pious
One definition of minute is very small.