SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Identifying Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #841 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DISTENDED

Possible Answers:

Enthralled

Abstruse

Swollen

Leery

Emaciated

Correct answer:

Swollen

Explanation:

The adjective "distended" means enlarged due to pressure, swollen, bloated. Additionally, "leery" means wary, cautious and careful; "enthralled" means captivated by, deeply interested in and attracted to; "abstruse" means esoteric, arcane, hard to understand; "emaciated" means extremely skinny, very thin and skeletal.

Example Question #842 : Identifying Synonyms

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

OSTENTATIOUS

Possible Answers:

Gaudy

Garbled

Taciturn

Surreptitious

Supercilious

Correct answer:

Gaudy

Explanation:

The adjective "ostentatious" means excessively pretentious and showy. This is closest in meaning to "gaudy" which means lacking class and good taste, excessively extravagant. Additionally, "garbled" means mixed up; "taciturn" means quiet, silent, reserved; "supercilious" means arrogant, overbearing; "surreptitious" means secretive and sneaky.

Example Question #843 : Identifying Synonyms

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

CREPUSCULAR

Possible Answers:

Ordinary

Twilight

Burnished

Dulcet

Rotund

Correct answer:

Twilight

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."

Example Question #844 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RESINOUS

Possible Answers:

Capacious

Sticky

Floral

Exacerbated

Turgid

Correct answer:

Sticky

Explanation:

"Resin" is sticky brownish natural substance that oozes from trees (similar to sap). "Capacious" is a synonym for "roomy" or spacious. "Floral" is a synonym for "flowery." "Exacerbated" means made worse or more intense, and "turgid" means swollen or distended.

Example Question #845 : Identifying Synonyms

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

AMORPHOUS

Possible Answers:

Penitent

Shapeless

Chartreuse

Winsome

Sordid

Correct answer:

Shapeless

Explanation:

"Amorphous" means "shapeless" or formless, blobby. "Penitent" means repentant or contrite. "Chartreuse" is a vivid shade of yellowish green. "Winsome" is a synonym for visually attractive or appealing. "Sordid" means filthy or squalid.

Example Question #846 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SUPPERATING

Possible Answers:

Serpentine

Orotund

Sonorous

Corrugated

Rotting

Correct answer:

Rotting

Explanation:

"Suppuration" is rot, pus, or oozing infectious material. "Serpentine" means winding or tortuous. "Orotund" and "sonorous" are synonyms that both mean harmonious or pleasant-sounding. "Corrugated" describes a ridged texture.

Example Question #847 : Identifying Synonyms

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

LILTING

Possible Answers:

Sprinkling

Waving

Singsong

Hangdog

Twinkling

Correct answer:

Singsong

Explanation:

A "lilt" is a melodic rhythmic and falling in a voice that is characteristic to some languages and some individual speakers. A "sprinkle" is a light rain or dusting with liquid. "Undulating" is another word for waving gently, and "twinkling" is another word for sparkling. "Hangdog" means shamefaced, sheepish.

Example Question #848 : Identifying Synonyms

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

SCRUMPTIOUS

Possible Answers:

Equitable

Noisome

Oblique

Noxious

Delicious

Correct answer:

Delicious

Explanation:

"Scrumptious" means very "delicious." "Noisome" describes an extremely unpleasant or vile smell, and "noxious" similarly means toxic or highly unpleasant. These are both near antonyms for "scrumptious." "Equitable" means fair, balanced, or unbiased. "Oblique" is a synonym for "slanting."

Example Question #849 : Identifying Synonyms

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

UNDULATING

Possible Answers:

Shrieking

Wavy

Winsome

Average

Wizened

Correct answer:

Wavy

Explanation:

"Undulating" means "wavy" and often describes a wavelike motion. "Average" means ordinary, not uncommon. A "shriek" is a high-pitched cry or scream. "Winsome" means attractive, and "wizened" means wrinkled and shriveled.

Example Question #850 : Identifying Synonyms

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

MINISCULE

Possible Answers:

Gelid

Tiny

Misunderstood

Tawdry

Frigid

Correct answer:

Tiny

Explanation:

"Minuscule" means minute, tiny. "Gelid" and "frigid" are synonyms for very cold. "Tawdry" is another word for garish or flashy. "Misunderstood" is an antonym for "understood," of course.

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