SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ROTUND

Possible Answers:

Framed

Secondary

Plump

Courageous 

Sedulous

Correct answer:

Plump

Explanation:

"Rotund" means round or plump. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "rotund"; "secondary" means of less importance than something else; "framed" means set up to be falsely blamed for a crime one did not commit; "sedulous" means "diligent"; and "courageous" means brave.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

ETHEREAL

Possible Answers:

Refrigerated

Delicate

Outraged

Subordinate

Tense

Correct answer:

Delicate

Explanation:

"Ethereal" means almost as light as air or delicate, so "delicate" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "ethereal": "outraged" means very angry; "refrigerated" means chilled; "subordinate" means lower in rank; and "tense" means stressed.

Example Question #11 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

LAVISH

Possible Answers:

Frigid

Luxurious

Comfortable

Arid

Deafening

Correct answer:

Luxurious

Explanation:

"Lavish" means rich or fancy, so "luxurious," an adjective that means suptuous or grand, is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "lavish": "comfortable" means relaxing, agreeable, or cozy; "frigid" means extremely cold; "arid" means extremey dry; and "deafening" means very loud.

Example Question #12 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

QUAINT

Possible Answers:

Old-fashioned

Timid

Compassionate

Negligent

Putrid

Correct answer:

Old-fashioned

Explanation:

"Quaint" means old-fashioned and charming. "Putrid" means decayed or rotten. "Negligent" means not cautious or careless. "Compassionate" means sympathetic or showing emotion and concern for others. "Timid" means shy and easily scared. 

Example Question #13 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

WINDING

Possible Answers:

Olfactory

Unique

Twisted

Juvenile

Wordy

Correct answer:

Twisted

Explanation:

"Winding" refers to a twisted or spiral course or path. "Unique" means rare or one-of-a-kind. "Wordy" means the overuse of words. "Olfactory" refers to a sense of smell. "Juvenile" means young and immature.

Example Question #14 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

SUPPLE

Possible Answers:

Innocuous

Limber

Inflexible

Savage

Vulgar

Correct answer:

Limber

Explanation:

"Supple" means "limber" or flexible. "Inflexible" is an antonym of "supple"; it means stiff or not able to be bent. "Vulgar" means tasteless or unrefined. "Innocuous" means harmless. "Savage" means wild or ferocious.

Example Question #3 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

MACABRE

Possible Answers:

Protective

Methodical

Gruesome

Panicked

Understated

Correct answer:

Gruesome

Explanation:

“Macabre” means gruesome, horrifying, or pertaining to death, so "gruesome" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to “macabre”. “Understated” means modest or simple. “Protective” means defensive or shielding. “Panicked” means frightened. “Methodical” means systematic. 

Example Question #15 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

SCINTILLATING

Possible Answers:

Maximum

Forbidden

Luxurious

Sparkling

Boring

Correct answer:

Sparkling

Explanation:

"Scintillating" means emitting small amounts of light. "Sparkling," which also means emitting bits of light, is therefore the correct answer. The other answers do not have similar meanings: "luxurious" means comfortable and expensive; "forbidden" means prohibited; "maximum" means most or highest; and "boring" means dull.

Example Question #16 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

FRIGID

Possible Answers:

Sparse

Silent

Wealthy

Emotional

Cold

Correct answer:

Cold

Explanation:

"Frigid" means very cold, so "cold" is the correct answer. The other choices have nothing to do with "cold": "silent" means not making noise, "emotional" means showing emotion, "sparse" means infrequent or few, and "wealthy" means having lots of money.

Example Question #17 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

OBTRUSIVE

Possible Answers:

Traumatic

Conspicuous

Welcome

Indecisive

Leftover

Correct answer:

Conspicuous

Explanation:

"Obtrusive" means noticeable, in an unwanted way. The correct answer "conspicuous" also means very noticeable. The other choices do not have similar definitions: "welcome" means invited, "indecisive" means unable to make a decision, "traumatic" means very difficult and unpleasant, and "leftover" means remaining after a meal or an event.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors