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 #811 : Synonyms

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

DIAPHANOUS

Possible Answers:

Frangible

Sturdy

Ominous

Gauzy

Webbed

Correct answer:

Gauzy

Explanation:

"Diaphanous" is an adjective that often is used to describe fabrics, and means delicate and not completely opaque. So, the answer choices closest in meaning to "diaphanous" are "gauzy" and "frangible." While "frangible" means easily breakable, "gauzy" means thin and not completely opaque. Since "gauzy" is the closest synonym of "diaphanous" amongst the possible answer choices, it is the correct answer.

Example Question #812 : Synonyms

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

LITHE

Possible Answers:

Portly 

Graceful 

Noble 

Cantankerous 

Dull 

Correct answer:

Graceful 

Explanation:

“Lithe” means flexible and/or graceful, so "graceful" is the correct answer. For clarification, "portly" means fat, and "cantankerous" means bad-tempered.

Example Question #21 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

KITSCHY

Possible Answers:

Chipper

Adorable

Gaudy

Unconventional

Old-fashioned

Correct answer:

Gaudy

Explanation:

"Kitschy" and "gaudy" are both words to describe something that is cheap and tacky.

Example Question #772 : Identifying Synonyms

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

RADIANT

Possible Answers:

Paltry

Enthused

Beaming

Scientific

Poisonous

Correct answer:

Beaming

Explanation:

"Radiant" means luminous, or "beaming."

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

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

OPULENT

Possible Answers:

Putrid

Opaque

Benevolent

Complex

Sumptuous

Correct answer:

Sumptuous

Explanation:

"Opulent" is an adjective that means lavish, and since "sumptuous" means expensive-looking, it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "opulent," so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #773 : Identifying Synonyms

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

PULCHRITUDE

Possible Answers:

Removal

Beauty

Conception

Exit

Nightmare

Correct answer:

Beauty

Explanation:

"Pulchritude" means beauty, so "beauty" is the correct answer. None of the other answers are close in meaning to "pulchritude": "exit" means departure; "conception" means start; "nightmare" means bad dream; and "removal" means elimination.

Example Question #4 : Synonyms: Adjectives Describing Appearance, Materiality, And Sensory Imagery

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

IMPERVIOUS

Possible Answers:

Independent

Flawless

Stained

Insignificant

Unaffected

Correct answer:

Unaffected

Explanation:

"Impervious" means not letting things pass through, or unaffected by something. One might write, "While everyone else got sick, Michael seemed impervious to germs."

Example Question #22 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

NEBULOUS

Possible Answers:

Indistinct 

Morose 

Concrete 

Celebrated 

Nefarious 

Correct answer:

Indistinct 

Explanation:

“Nebulous” means murky or indistinct. For clarification, "morose" means very sad; "nefarious" means wicked or infamous.

Example Question #23 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

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

STRIDENT

Possible Answers:

Harsh

Immature

Ambiguous

Retroactive

Written

Correct answer:

Harsh

Explanation:

"Strident" means loud or harsh.

Example Question #776 : Identifying Synonyms

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

DIAPHANOUS

Possible Answers:

Wise 

Munificent

Light 

Bifocal 

Audible 

Correct answer:

Light 

Explanation:

“Diaphanous” means light, and is most commonly used to describe fabric or material. For clarification, "audible" means able to be heard; "bifocal" means having two focal lengths,and refers to a type of glasses; "munificent" means very generous.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors