SSAT Upper Level Verbal Quiz: Antonym Analogies
20 questions · exam conditions
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Antonym AnalogiesQuestion 1 of 20

BELLICOSE : PACIFIC ::

HOSTILE : FRIENDLY
TRUCULENT : AGGRESSIVE
CONTENTIOUS : AMIABLE
PUGNACIOUS : CONCILIATORY
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SSAT Upper Level Verbal Quiz

SSAT Upper Level Verbal Quiz: Antonym Analogies

Practice Antonym Analogies in SSAT Upper Level Verbal with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Antonym Analogies, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for SSAT Upper Level Verbal.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

BELLICOSE : PACIFIC ::

  1. HOSTILE : FRIENDLY
  2. TRUCULENT : AGGRESSIVE
  3. CONTENTIOUS : AMIABLE
  4. PUGNACIOUS : CONCILIATORY (correct answer)
Explanation: This is an analogy question testing your understanding of word relationships, specifically antonyms (opposite meanings). The format BELLICOSE : PACIFIC means "bellicose is to pacific as   is to  ," so you need to find the pair that has the same relationship. BELLICOSE means warlike or aggressive, while PACIFIC means peaceful or calm. These words are direct opposites, creating an antonym relationship. You need to find another pair where the first word means aggressive/combative and the second means peaceful/calm. Looking at choice D, PUGNACIOUS means eager to fight or quarrelsome, while CONCILIATORY means intended to make peace or reconcile differences. This creates the same antonym relationship: aggressive/warlike versus peaceful/reconciling. Choice A might seem tempting since HOSTILE and FRIENDLY are opposites, but hostile is more about unfriendliness than the specific warlike quality that bellicose conveys. Choice B fails because TRUCULENT and AGGRESSIVE are synonyms (both mean harsh and aggressive), not antonyms. Choice C starts well with CONTENTIOUS (argumentative), but while AMIABLE means friendly, it doesn't capture the specific peace-making quality that would parallel "pacific." The key strategy for analogy questions is to first identify the precise relationship between the given pair, then look for that exact same relationship in the answer choices. Don't just look for "opposites" - look for opposites that work in the same specific way as the original pair.

Question 2

Ancient is to modern as:

  1. old is to new (correct answer)
  2. historic is to famous
  3. antique is to valuable
  4. past is to memorable
Explanation: Ancient and modern are antonyms representing opposite time periods. Similarly, old and new are antonyms representing opposite states of age or time. Historic/famous are not opposites but related concepts. Antique/valuable are not opposites; antiques can be valuable. Past/memorable are not opposites; past events can be memorable.

Question 3

Ascend is to descend as:

  1. climb is to mountain
  2. rise is to fall (correct answer)
  3. elevate is to higher
  4. soar is to gracefully
Explanation: Ascend and descend are antonyms representing opposite directions of movement. Rise and fall are also antonyms representing opposite directions. Climb/mountain are not opposites; one is an action, the other a location. Elevate/higher are not opposites but related concepts. Soar/gracefully are not opposites; one is an action, the other an adverb.

Question 4

Expand is to contract as:

  1. grow is to shrink (correct answer)
  2. increase is to multiply
  3. stretch is to flexible
  4. enlarge is to bigger
Explanation: Expand and contract are antonyms representing opposite actions of size change. Grow and shrink are antonyms representing opposite changes in size or amount. Increase/multiply are synonymous concepts, not opposites. Stretch/flexible are not opposites; flexibility enables stretching. Enlarge/bigger are not opposites but related concepts of size increase.

Question 5

Rigid is to flexible as:

  1. stiff is to bendable (correct answer)
  2. hard is to metallic
  3. firm is to stable
  4. solid is to heavy
Explanation: Rigid and flexible are antonyms describing opposite physical properties of materials. Stiff and bendable are antonyms describing opposite abilities to change shape. Hard/metallic are not opposites; metals can be hard. Firm/stable are synonymous concepts, not opposites. Solid/heavy are not opposites; solids can vary in weight.

Question 6

Abundant is to scarce as:

  1. plentiful is to rare (correct answer)
  2. numerous is to countable
  3. wealthy is to prosperous
  4. rich is to expensive
Explanation: Abundant and scarce are antonyms describing opposite quantities or availability. Plentiful and rare are antonyms describing opposite levels of abundance or frequency. Numerous/countable are not opposites; numerous things can still be countable. Wealthy/prosperous are synonyms, not antonyms. Rich/expensive are not opposites; rich describes wealth while expensive describes cost.

Question 7

PROFLIGATE : FRUGAL ::

  1. EXTRAVAGANT : THRIFTY
  2. GENEROUS : MISERLY
  3. LAVISH : AUSTERE (correct answer)
  4. WEALTHY : POOR
Explanation: Analogy questions test your ability to identify the relationship between two words, then find another pair with the same relationship. In PROFLIGATE : FRUGAL, you're looking at two words that are direct opposites. A profligate person spends money recklessly and wastefully, while a frugal person is careful and economical with spending. The correct answer is C) LAVISH : AUSTERE because these words mirror the same opposing relationship. "Lavish" means elaborate, luxurious, or generous to excess, while "austere" means severely simple, strict, or without luxury. Just like profligate and frugal represent opposite approaches to spending, lavish and austere represent opposite approaches to lifestyle and abundance. Let's examine why the other choices fall short. Choice A) EXTRAVAGANT : THRIFTY creates a similar opposition, but these words are less precise matches for the intensity and scope of the original pair. Choice B) GENEROUS : MISERLY represents an opposition about giving versus hoarding, but "generous" has positive connotations that "profligate" lacks—profligacy implies wasteful excess, not admirable generosity. Choice D) WEALTHY : POOR describes opposite financial states rather than opposite behaviors or attitudes toward money and resources. When tackling analogy questions, first define both words in the given pair precisely, then identify their specific relationship. Don't just look for "opposites"—find the pair that captures the same type and degree of opposition as the original.

Question 8

AMELIORATE : EXACERBATE ::

  1. MITIGATE : ASSUAGE
  2. IMPROVE : WORSEN
  3. ALLEVIATE : INTENSIFY (correct answer)
  4. ENHANCE : DIMINISH
Explanation: This analogy question tests your understanding of antonym relationships between words with similar meanings. When you see AMELIORATE : EXACERBATE, you need to identify the relationship: these words are opposites that both relate to making situations better or worse. AMELIORATE means to make something better or improve a bad situation, while EXACERBATE means to make something worse or more severe. So you're looking for another pair where the first word means to make better/reduce something negative, and the second word means to make it worse/increase something negative. ALLEVIATE : INTENSIFY follows this exact pattern. ALLEVIATE means to make suffering, pain, or problems less severe, while INTENSIFY means to make something stronger, more acute, or more severe. This mirrors the ameliorate/exacerbate relationship perfectly. Looking at the wrong answers: Choice (A) MITIGATE : ASSUAGE pairs two words that are actually synonyms—both mean to reduce or lessen something negative. Choice (B) IMPROVE : WORSEN does show an antonym relationship, but these words are too general and don't capture the specific nuance of ameliorate/exacerbate, which specifically deal with addressing existing problems or negative situations. Choice (D) ENHANCE : DIMINISH shows opposites, but enhance typically applies to positive improvements rather than addressing negative situations. Strategy tip: In verbal analogies, pay attention to the specific context and intensity of word relationships. Don't just look for "opposites"—look for opposites that operate in the same domain and with similar intensity levels.

Question 9

Artificial is to natural as:

  1. synthetic is to organic (correct answer)
  2. fake is to realistic
  3. manufactured is to industrial
  4. plastic is to durable
Explanation: Artificial and natural are antonyms describing opposite origins or methods of creation. Synthetic and organic are antonyms describing opposite methods of production or origin. Fake/realistic are not perfect opposites; realistic things can still be fake. Manufactured/industrial are related concepts, not opposites. Plastic/durable are not opposites; plastic can be durable.

Question 10

Compress is to expand as:

  1. squeeze is to stretch (correct answer)
  2. press is to firm
  3. compact is to dense
  4. reduce is to smaller
Explanation: Compress and expand are antonyms describing opposite actions affecting size or volume. Squeeze and stretch are antonyms describing opposite physical actions that change shape or size. Press/firm are not opposites but related concepts. Compact/dense are synonymous concepts describing concentrated matter. Reduce/smaller are not opposites but related concepts of size decrease.

Question 11

GAINSAY : AFFIRM ::

  1. CONTRADICT : SUPPORT
  2. DENY : ADMIT
  3. DISPUTE : ARGUE
  4. REPUDIATE : EMBRACE (correct answer)
Explanation: This is an analogy question testing your understanding of word relationships, specifically looking for antonyms or opposing concepts. The relationship between GAINSAY and AFFIRM is one of direct opposition. To gainsay means to deny, contradict, or speak against something, while to affirm means to confirm or assert positively. These words represent opposite actions in terms of agreement or support. Looking for this same relationship of direct opposition, choice D gives us REPUDIATE : EMBRACE. To repudiate means to reject, refuse, or deny the validity of something, while to embrace means to accept, support, or welcome something. This mirrors the gainsay/affirm relationship perfectly—both pairs show complete opposition in terms of acceptance versus rejection. Choice A (CONTRADICT : SUPPORT) might seem tempting since contradict and gainsay are similar, but the relationship isn't as precisely parallel as repudiate/embrace. Choice B (DENY : ADMIT) shows opposition, but these words are more about acknowledging facts rather than the broader concept of supporting or rejecting ideas. Choice C (DISPUTE : ARGUE) actually shows related actions rather than opposing ones—both involve disagreement or debate, so this pair doesn't demonstrate the antonym relationship we need. When tackling analogy questions, first identify the precise relationship between the original pair, then look for that exact same relationship—not just similar meanings—in the answer choices. Focus on the specific type of opposition or connection being demonstrated.

Question 12

Praise is to criticize as:

  1. compliment is to insult (correct answer)
  2. admire is to respect
  3. honor is to celebrate
  4. applaud is to cheer
Explanation: Praise and criticize are antonyms describing opposite types of judgment or evaluation. Compliment and insult are antonyms describing opposite types of remarks about someone or something. Admire/respect are synonymous positive concepts, not opposites. Honor/celebrate are related positive concepts, not opposites. Applaud/cheer are synonymous expressions of approval, not opposites.

Question 13

Shallow is to deep as:

  1. surface is to bottom (correct answer)
  2. water is to ocean
  3. pond is to lake
  4. wide is to narrow
Explanation: Shallow and deep are antonyms describing opposite measurements of depth or profundity. Surface and bottom are antonyms describing opposite positions in terms of depth. Water/ocean are not opposites; oceans contain water. Pond/lake are not opposites but different sizes of water bodies. Wide/narrow are antonyms but describe width, not depth.

Question 14

Temporary is to permanent as:

  1. brief is to lasting (correct answer)
  2. short is to measured
  3. quick is to speedy
  4. momentary is to instant
Explanation: Temporary and permanent are antonyms describing opposite durations or states of existence. Brief and lasting are antonyms describing opposite time periods or durability. Short/measured are not opposites; measured things can be short. Quick/speedy are synonyms, not antonyms. Momentary/instant are synonymous concepts describing very brief time periods.

Question 15

Humble is to arrogant as:

  1. modest is to boastful (correct answer)
  2. simple is to plain
  3. quiet is to peaceful
  4. meek is to gentle
Explanation: Humble and arrogant are antonyms describing opposite attitudes toward one's own importance or abilities. Modest and boastful are antonyms describing opposite ways of presenting oneself or one's achievements. Simple/plain are synonymous concepts, not opposites. Quiet/peaceful are related positive concepts, not opposites. Meek/gentle are synonymous concepts describing mild temperament.

Question 16

Accelerate is to decelerate as:

  1. quicken is to slow (correct answer)
  2. speed is to velocity
  3. rush is to hurried
  4. hasten is to urgent
Explanation: Accelerate and decelerate are antonyms describing opposite changes in speed or pace. Quicken and slow are antonyms describing opposite changes in rate or pace. Speed/velocity are synonymous scientific terms, not opposites. Rush/hurried are related concepts, not opposites. Hasten/urgent are related concepts where urgency might cause hastening.

Question 17

Include is to exclude as:

  1. embrace is to reject (correct answer)
  2. contain is to hold
  3. involve is to participate
  4. welcome is to greet
Explanation: Include and exclude are antonyms describing opposite actions regarding membership or participation. Embrace and reject are antonyms describing opposite responses to ideas, people, or opportunities. Contain/hold are synonymous concepts, not opposites. Involve/participate are related concepts, not opposites. Welcome/greet are related concepts; greeting can be part of welcoming.

Question 18

Smooth is to rough as:

  1. even is to bumpy (correct answer)
  2. soft is to comfortable
  3. polished is to shiny
  4. flat is to level
Explanation: Smooth and rough are antonyms describing opposite surface textures or qualities. Even and bumpy are antonyms describing opposite surface characteristics or regularity. Soft/comfortable are related positive concepts, not opposites. Polished/shiny are related concepts; polishing creates shine. Flat/level are synonymous concepts describing horizontal surfaces.

Question 19

Generous is to stingy as:

  1. charitable is to selfish (correct answer)
  2. giving is to helpful
  3. kind is to gentle
  4. wealthy is to rich
Explanation: Generous and stingy are antonyms describing opposite attitudes toward giving or sharing. Charitable and selfish are antonyms describing opposite orientations toward helping others versus self-interest. Giving/helpful are related positive concepts, not opposites. Kind/gentle are synonymous positive traits, not opposites. Wealthy/rich are synonymous concepts describing financial abundance.

Question 20

Cautious is to reckless as:

  1. careful is to careless (correct answer)
  2. prudent is to wise
  3. safe is to protected
  4. wary is to alert
Explanation: Cautious and reckless are antonyms describing opposite approaches to risk and decision-making. Careful and careless are antonyms describing opposite levels of attention and consideration. Prudent/wise are synonymous concepts, not opposites. Safe/protected are related concepts, not opposites. Wary/alert are synonymous concepts describing heightened awareness.