SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper Level Verbal
All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1963 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
DEPLOY
Position
Formalize
Lessen
Corroborate
Strategize
Position
Deploy means to position troops (when referring to the military).
Example Question #1964 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
LOLL
Tense
Dangle
Dash
Bounce
Perceive
Dangle
“Loll” is a verb that can mean “sit, lie, or stand in a lazy, relaxed way, or hang loosely; droop,” or, with an object, “stick out one’s tongue loosely.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “sit, lie, or stand in a relaxed way,” “droop,” or “stick out one’s tongue so that it dangles.” That means that “tense” cannot be the correct answer, because “tense,” when used as a verb, means “become tense, typically through anxiety or nervousness” or, with an object, “make (a muscle or one’s body) tight or rigid,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “loll.” “Dangle,” however, is a verb that can mean “hang or swing loosely,” and because “dangle” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “loll,” “dangle” is the correct answer.
Example Question #1971 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
MOLT
Shed
Flap
Melt
Bite
Scratch
Shed
“Molt” is a verb that is used of an animal and means “shed old feathers, hair, or skin, etc.,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “discard feathers, hair, skin, or an old shell to make way for new growth.” While all of the answer choirs are verbs that might be associated with animals, “shed,” is a verb that when referring to a reptile or insect means “allow skin to come off, to be replaced by another one that has grown underneath,” and when referring to a mammal means “lose (hair) as a result of molting, disease, or age.” Because “shed” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “molt,” “shed” is the correct answer.
Example Question #1972 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ERADICATE
Destroy
Harbor
Grumble
Grant
Bombard
Destroy
"To eradicate" means to completely destroy.
Example Question #256 : Synonyms: Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CORRODE
Whisper
Deteriorate
Orate
Characterize
Expand
Deteriorate
To "corrode" is to deteriorate, disintegrate, or wear away.
Example Question #257 : Synonyms: Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ANNEX
Envelop
Attach
Goad
Humanize
Swindle
Attach
To "annex" is to add or attach, especially to something larger. The Latin root word, "annexus," means "tied to."
Example Question #258 : Synonyms: Verbs
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXPUNGE
Manage
Legislate
Advocate
Obliterate
Lie
Obliterate
To "expunge" is to wipe out or obliterate.
Example Question #1973 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
TRANSCEND
Terminate
Admonish
Bore
Gratify
Surpass
Surpass
To "transcend" is to go beyond or to surpass.
Example Question #1974 : Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
ABRIDGE
Add onto
Defend
Summarize
Shorten
Cross over
Shorten
To "abridge" something is to shorten it, usually by editing out parts of it. This usually refers to a story, an essay, or some other written or spoken work.
Example Question #91 : Synonyms: Verbs About Physical Changes, Movement, Or Location
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
AMPLIFY
Make false
Make larger
Praise
Become fancy
Simplify
Make larger
To "amplify" something is to make it larger. An amplifier is a device for making a musical instrument louder; if something is "ample," you have a lot of it.
All SSAT Upper Level Verbal Resources
