SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Middle Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #983 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SEAR

Possible Answers:

Sever

Muddle

Warm

Char

Freeze

Correct answer:

Char

Explanation:

"Sear" means to "char" something or to burn with intense heat.

"Muddle" means to put into a confused state, or "muddle" means to mix.

"Sever" means to cut apart, to disconnect or to split.

"Warm" means to increase the heat of something

"Freeze" means to lower the temperature of something until liquid turns into solid.

Example Question #984 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WRITHE

Possible Answers:

Gesture

Squirm

Forge

Emerge

Leap

Correct answer:

Squirm

Explanation:

"Writhe" means to "squirm" or to contort oneself back and forth.

"Forge" means to make something from scratch, or it means to create a false copy or a counterfeit of something.

"Emerge" means to come out, to arrive or to appear.

"Leap" means to jump, or it can mean to rapidly increase.

"Gesture" means to make a motion that signifies something, or to move as a form of communication.

Example Question #985 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ELEVATE

Possible Answers:

Descend

Levitate

Sink

Sync

Descent

Correct answer:

Levitate

Explanation:

To "elevate" something is to raise that thing further away from the ground. To "levitate" is to lift something into the air off the ground, so these two words are synonymous. "Sink" and "descend are antonyms to "elevate."

Example Question #986 : Identifying Synonyms

Each of the following questions consists of one word followed by five words or phrases. You are to select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters. 

TRUDGE

Possible Answers:

Track

Trip

Tramp

Triangulate

Train

Correct answer:

Tramp

Explanation:

"Trudge" and "tramp" are verbs used to describe the way a person might walk, with heavy steps. The other verbs do not have meanings synonymous with "trudge."

Example Question #987 : Identifying Synonyms

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

STRUT

Possible Answers:

Wiggle

Skip

Crawl

Walk boldly

Dash

Correct answer:

Walk boldly

Explanation:

"Strut" means "walk boldly" or pompously.

"Wiggle" means to move back and forth or to shake.

"Skip" means to jump over, or bounce or spring up and down

"Dash" means to run very quickly, to sprint.

"Crawl" means to move on one's hand and knees or to move very slowly.

Example Question #988 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CATALYZE

Possible Answers:

Mobilize

Halt

Conclude

Stabilize

Expand

Correct answer:

Mobilize

Explanation:

"Catalyze" means "mobilize," to begin a process (often chemical), to activate something.

"Expand" means to grow larger or wider.

"Conclude" means to bring to a conclusion, to end something.

"Halt" means to stop something, to pause.

"Stabilize" means to make something stable, to make something resistant to change.

Example Question #1001 : Synonyms

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

MOLT

Possible Answers:

Mine

Drain

Form into a shape

Shed feathers

Redirect

Correct answer:

Shed feathers

Explanation:

"Molt" means "to shed feathers" or skin, and then to replace with a fresh layer of feathers or skin.

"Redirect" means to alter something's course or to change its direction.

"Mine" means to extract raw materials such as iron or coal from the Earth.

To "drain" is to remove liquid, to empty, to use up the supply.

"Form into a shape" means to mold or to sculpt. This answer is meant to trick you if you thought that "molt" means mold.

Example Question #990 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CAREEN

Possible Answers:

Exhume

Meander

Move wildly

Infuse

Compensate

Correct answer:

Move wildly

Explanation:

"Careen" means to "move wildly," to go along a path in an uncontrolled manner.

"Meander" means to drift, wander or zigzag.

"Infuse" means to soak, to transfer a property such as taste or smell.

"Exhume" means to dig up, to unbury something.

"Compensate" means to pay, to settle debts.

Example Question #991 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DILATE

Possible Answers:

Recollect

Expand

Shrink

Recline

Ponder

Correct answer:

Expand

Explanation:

The verb "dilate" means to enlarge, to widen, to expand. It is usually used in reference to "eyes." When someone's eyes become wider they are said to "dilate." Additionally, "recline" means lean back; "recollect" means remember; "shrink" means become smaller; "ponder" means consider, think about deeply.

Example Question #992 : Identifying Synonyms

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

COHERE

Possible Answers:

Bond

Vex

Infuse

Allude

Fracture

Correct answer:

Bond

Explanation:

The verb "cohere" means to form a hole, to unify, to bond together, to stick together. A possible relevant clue to solving this problem would be to consider the usage of the pronoun co- which generally means shared. Additionally, "fracture" means break, split; "vex" means confuse and annoy; "infuse" means put into; "allude" means hint at, suggest is true without directly stating.

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