SSAT Middle Level Verbal : Synonyms

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #631 : Synonyms

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

OUTLANDISH

Possible Answers:

Exquisite

Bizarre 

Comely 

Famous 

Inspiring 

Correct answer:

Bizarre 

Explanation:

Something that is "outlandish" is bizarre and eccentric, so "bizarre," an adjective that means strange, is the correct answer. For clarification, "exquisite" means very beautiful, "comely" means attractive, "inspiring" means encouraging or motivating, and "famous" means well-known or prominent.

Example Question #632 : Synonyms

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

SINISTER

Possible Answers:

Filthy

Fearful

Evil

Sturdy

Stiff

Correct answer:

Evil

Explanation:

"Sinister" means evil or harmful, so "evil" is the correct answer. None of the answer choices are close in meaning to "sinister": "fearful" means being and appearing scared or frightened; "stiff" means rigid and inflexible; "sturdy" means strong and robust; and "filthy" means dirty or disgusting.

Example Question #633 : Synonyms

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

PROSPEROUS

Possible Answers:

Innocuous 

Wealthy 

Parsimonious 

Shiny

Detrimental 

Correct answer:

Wealthy 

Explanation:

Someone who is "prosperous" is wealthy and successful, so "wealthy" is the correct answer. For clarification, "parsimonious" means not generous, and "innocuous" means innocent or not harmful and is an antonym of "detrimental," which means causing harm.

Example Question #634 : Synonyms

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

RAVENOUS

Possible Answers:

Harmful 

Efficient 

Harmless 

Starving

Deleterious

Correct answer:

Starving

Explanation:

To be "ravenous" means to be very hungry, so the correct answer is “starving,” which also means very hungry. For clarification, "deleterious" means harmful, and "efficient" means well-organized.

Example Question #635 : Synonyms

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

BALMY

Possible Answers:

Soothing 

Cowardly

Reflexive 

Fascinating 

Harsh 

Correct answer:

Soothing 

Explanation:

If something is “balmy,” it has the qualities of balm, so it is soothing. It can also be used to mean crazy or foolish. To clarify, “reflexive” means directed or turned back on itself; "cowardly” means not brave; “fascinating” means interesting; “harsh” means unpleasant or unfair.

Example Question #636 : Synonyms

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

VENERABLE

Possible Answers:

Respected

Dire 

Rotund 

Defenseless 

Collude 

Correct answer:

Respected

Explanation:

If something is “venerable,” it is respected or valued because of age. It is most similar in meaning to “respected.” To clarify the other terms, “collude” means to secretly conspire or interact with others, often to do something illegal or dishonest; “rotund” means round or fat; “dire” means terrible or perilous.

Example Question #26 : Synonyms: Other Adjectives

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

BOURGEOIS

Possible Answers:

middle-class

a powder room

impoverished

comfortable

fancy

Correct answer:

middle-class

Explanation:

Someone who is "bourgeois" is of the middle-class.

Example Question #637 : Synonyms

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

EFFICIENT

Possible Answers:

Wasteful

Dull

Unreliable

Effective

Arduous

Correct answer:

Effective

Explanation:

"Efficient" means effective without being wasteful, so "effective" is the closest synonym.

Example Question #621 : Identifying Synonyms

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

EERIE

Possible Answers:

Tranquil

Uncanny

Just

Injured

Protected

Correct answer:

Uncanny

Explanation:

“Eerie” is an adjective that means weird and scary. That means that “tranquil” cannot be the correct answer, because “tranquil” means calm, a meaning very distant from that of “eerie.” “Uncanny,” however, is an adjective that means perplexing and odd and because “uncanny” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “eerie,” “uncanny” is the correct answer.

Example Question #637 : Synonyms

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

BLATANT

Possible Answers:

Ecstatic

Urban

Shrouded

Flagrant

Gloomy

Correct answer:

Flagrant

Explanation:

"Blatant" means flagrant or performed openly, so "flagrant" is the correct answer. "Shrouded" is an antonym of "blatant" and "flagrant"; it means concealed or hidden from open view. "Gloomy" means sad or depresssed. "Ecstatic" means extremely happy. "Urban" means having to do with a city environment in contrast to a rural environment.

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