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.

INCISIVELY

Cuttingly

Chronically

Frivolously

Vigilantly

Vacantly

Explanation

"Incisive" (usually used to describe people or thought processes) means acute, sharp, or cutting. "Chronically" means persistently. "Vacant" means empty. "Vigilant" means alert and watchful. "Frivolous" means carefree, flighty, and flippant.

2

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

TANTAMOUNT

Equivalent

Indifferent

Divergent

Vile

Distinguished

Explanation

"Tantamount" is an adjective that means "equal in seriousness to; virtually the same as," so we need to pick out another word that means "equal." While "indifferent" may look like a good answer choice because it looks like "in-" ("not") and "different," "indifferent" actually doesn't mean "not different," but instead means "having no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned," or "neither good nor bad; mediocre," so it's not the word we're looking for. "Equivalent," however, means "equal in value, amount, function, or meaning," and because it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "tantamount," it is the correct answer.

3

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.

4

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

CREPUSCULAR

Twilight

Rotund

Burnished

Ordinary

Dulcet

Explanation

"Crepuscular" describes the "twilight" or dusk. "Dulcet" means sweet-sounding or mellifluous. "Ordinary" means average or normal. "Burnished" means polished or shined by careful rubbing, and "rotund" is a synonym for "plump."

5

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

EXORBITANTLY

Excessively

Garrulously

Gregariously

Largely

Gorgeously

Explanation

"Exorbitant" means excessive or prohibitively high. "Gorgeous" means very beautiful, and "largely" means mostly or mainly. "Gregarious" describes someone who is outgoing, while "garrulous" describes someone who is talkative.

6

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

ECUMENICAL

catholic

Tyrannical

Exuberant

Irrelevant

Germane

Explanation

"Ecumenical" and "catholic" both mean all-encompassing, universal. (Don't confuse catholic with "Catholic," a specific religious denomination.) "Germane" is an antonym for "irrelevant." "Exuberant" means overjoyed, while "tyrannical" means authoritarian and cruel.

7

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.

8

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

ACUTE.

Sharp

Inane

Worthy

Possible

Dignified

Explanation

"Acute" means sharp, or focused. For clarification, inane means absurd or pointless; dignified means composed or noble.

9

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

magnanimous

generous

heartfelt

childish

explosive

futuristic

Explanation

"Magnanimous"means generous or forgiving, especially towards a rival or subordinate.

10

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

VEHEMENTLY

passionately

calmly

reluctantly

rapidly

truthfully

Explanation

"Vehemently"means with strong feeling or passion.

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