SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #831 : Identifying Synonyms

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

HARDY

Possible Answers:

Tough

Ugly

Easy

Vile

Poor

Correct answer:

Tough

Explanation:

The adjective "hardy" means robust, fit and healthy, strong and tough. Additionally, "vile" means disgusting or wicked.

Example Question #832 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CORPULENT

Possible Answers:

Overweight

Overwhelming

Underweight

Underwhelming

Egregious

Correct answer:

Overweight

Explanation:

The adjective "corpulent" means fat, overweight. Additionally, "egregious" means particularly bad and shocking, especially terrible.

Example Question #833 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OROTUND

Possible Answers:

Sonorous

Querulous

Pulchritudinous

Sordid

Feisty

Correct answer:

Sonorous

Explanation:

"Orotund" is a synonym for "sonorous," pleasant-sounding. "Pulchritudinous" describes visual beauty. "Sordid" means filthy, and "querulous" means irritable, cranky. "Feisty" is another word for spunky, spirited.

Example Question #834 : Identifying Synonyms

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

STRIATED

Possible Answers:

Jejune

Festering

Excited

Dappled

Striped

Correct answer:

Striped

Explanation:

"Striated" is another word for "striped." "Dappled" means spotted or marked with splotches. "Jejune" means dull and uninteresting. "Festering" means diseased and rotting. "Excited" is a synonym for "enthusiastic" and "eager."

Example Question #835 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GELID

Possible Answers:

Icy

Tepid

Indulgent

Lenient

Ludicrous

Correct answer:

Icy

Explanation:

"Gelid" means frigid, "icy," very cold. "Tepid," which means lukewarm, is another temperature word. "Ludicrous" is a synonym for "ridiculous," absurd. "Indulgent" and "lenient" are synonyms.

Example Question #836 : Identifying Synonyms

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

WIZENED

Possible Answers:

Rotund

Geriatric

Puerile

Outlandish

Shriveled

Correct answer:

Shriveled

Explanation:

"Wizened" means "shriveled," age-worn, and wrinkled, and is often used to describe elderly people or things. It is not, however, a direct synonym for "geriatric" (elderly). "Puerile' means juvenile, immature. "Outlandish" means bizarre or strange. "Rotund" is a synonym for "plump."

Example Question #837 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CAPACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Ample

Ghastly

Redundant

Scrupulous

Extenuating

Correct answer:

Ample

Explanation:

The adjective "capacious" means spacious, roomy, having more than enough room. This is closest in meaning to "ample" which means having more than enough of. Additionally, "extenuating" means (of circumstances) explaining and excusing; "redundant" means no longer needed, made unnecessary; "scrupulous" means either careful and meticulous or honest and principled; "ghastly" means horrible, grim, dire, horrific.

Example Question #838 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OBLIQUE

Possible Answers:

Corrupt

Choleric

Slanting

Rectilinear

Curvaceous

Correct answer:

Slanting

Explanation:

"Oblique" means "slanting" or crooked. "Rectilinear" means having straight lines, and "curvaceous" means having curves. "Corrupt" is a synonym for "depraved." "Choleric" means angry or irritable.

Example Question #839 : Identifying Synonyms

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

GRAVID

Possible Answers:

Wizened

Trivial

Pregnant

Dreary

Serpentine

Correct answer:

Pregnant

Explanation:

"Gravid" mean "pregnant," either literally with child or figuratively (as in a gravid pause). "Wizened" means withered and shriveled, and "trivial" means trifling, unimportant. "Serpentine" is a synonym for "winding" or tortuous. "Dreary" is a synonym for "dismal."

Example Question #840 : Identifying Synonyms

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

ROTUND

Possible Answers:

Stately

Apposite

Scathing

Plump

Baronial

Correct answer:

Plump

Explanation:

"Rotund" means chubby or plump. "Baronial" and "stately" are both synonyms for "grand." "Scathing" means blistering. "Apposite" means apt or appropriate.

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