SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #2021 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PERSPIRE

Possible Answers:

Sweat

Quarrel

Plot

Cower

Deceive

Correct answer:

Sweat

Explanation:

To "perspire" is to sweat. Don't confuse this with "conspire," which means to plot. To "deceive" is to trick, while to "cower" is to cringe or crouch. To "quarrel" is to argue or bicker.

Example Question #2022 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RECONNOITER

Possible Answers:

Squeal

Harp

Survey

Scuttle

Correlate

Correct answer:

Survey

Explanation:

To "reconnoiter" is to "scout" or survey, usually for military purposes. To "correlate" is to correspond to or connect with. To "harp" on something is to keep talking or complaining about it. To "squeal" is to screech or shriek. To "scuttle" is to move quickly with small steps.

Example Question #2023 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ENVELOP

Possible Answers:

Surround

Augment

Laud

Cultivate

Contrive

Correct answer:

Surround

Explanation:

To "envelop" something is to "surround" or enclose it completely. To "augment" is to increase or make larger. To "contrive" is to plan, plot, or scheme. To "cultivate" is to grow or develop, depending on the context. To "laud" is to praise or commend.

Example Question #2024 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ENCROACH

Possible Answers:

Eradicate

Obliterate

Mollify

Intrude

Scrutinize

Correct answer:

Intrude

Explanation:

To "encroach" is to invade, violate, or interrupt. To "mollify" is to placate or appease. "Obliterate" and "eradicate" are synonyms for destroy or wipe out completely. To "scrutinize" is to examine or inspect closely.

Example Question #304 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

MOLLIFY. 

Possible Answers:

Ministration 

Congenial

Disobey 

Oppose 

Placate 

Correct answer:

Placate 

Explanation:

To “mollify” someone means to calm them down or to placate them. For clarification, "ministration" means to provide support; "congenial" means friendly.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Verbs About Emotional Changes

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

BROOD

Possible Answers:

challenge

hide

annex

fret

preclude

Correct answer:

fret

Explanation:

"Brood" means to worry or to fret.

Example Question #305 : Synonyms: Verbs

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

LULL.

Possible Answers:

Perceive

Suggest

Allow

Calm

Constrain 

Correct answer:

Calm

Explanation:

A “lull” can be a verb or a noun but in either instance is a synonym for calm. It can be used either to describe a calm, as in “there was a lull in the storm . . .” or to calm, as in “he helped lull the restless animal . . .” For clarification, perceive means detect or identify some characteristic;constrain means to forcibly restrict somebody or something.

Example Question #2025 : Identifying Synonyms

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

APPEASE. 

Possible Answers:

Secede

Atrophy

Pacify 

Idolize 

Jaunty 

Correct answer:

Pacify 

Explanation:

“Appease” means to calm someone or make something better, so the correct answer is “pacify,” which means to bring peace and calm. For clarification, secede means to break away; idolize means worship; atrophy refers to the wasting away of some part of the body, like muscle; jaunty means cheerful.

Example Question #2825 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Synonyms: choose the answer with the meaning closest to the word in question.

Assuage

Possible Answers:

Bask

Relieve

Rectify

Fool

Surrender

Correct answer:

Relieve

Explanation:

To "assuage" is to relieve, to soothe, or to make less severe.

Example Question #2826 : Ssat Upper Level Verbal

Synonyms

Abhor

Possible Answers:

Support

Abolish

Hate

Differentiate

Terminate

Correct answer:

Hate

Explanation:

"Abhor" means to hate. Abolish and terminate means to end and differentiate means to distinguish.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors