Identifying Synonyms
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SSAT Upper Level Verbal › Identifying Synonyms
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INGENIOUSLY
Innovatively
Histrionically
Innocuously
Innocently
Naively
Explanation
"Ingenious" means clever, inventive, or innovative. Don't confuse it with "ingenuous," which means naive and innocent. "Histrionic" means melodramatic or overly theatrical, and "innocuous" means harmless.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
QUIXOTICALLY
Idealistically
Creatively
Zealously
Fractiously
Villainously
Explanation
"Quixotic" means hopelessly, romantically idealistic. "Villainous" is a synonym for "wicked," and "fractious" means grumpy, irritable, or unruly. "Zealous" means passionately enthusiastic. Another word for "creative" is imaginative.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXECRABLE
Detestable
Needless
Released
Clipped
Supportive
Explanation
"Execrable" means detestable or very bad.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HARBINGER
Omen
Period
Support
Embarrassment
Entrance
Explanation
A "harbinger" is an omen or anything that indicates a future event.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
EXECRABLE
Detestable
Needless
Released
Clipped
Supportive
Explanation
"Execrable" means detestable or very bad.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
CENSORIOUS
Hypercritical
Facile
Fatuous
Dulcet
Academic
Explanation
"Censorious" means overly critical. "Academic" describes institutionalized study, usually at a university. "Dulcet" means mellifluous or sweet sounding. "Fatuous" is another word for "silly," and "facile" is a synonym for "simplistic" or superficial.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
WAGGISH
Humorous
Salacious
Hedonistic
Inimitable
Maudlin
Explanation
Someone who is behaving in a "waggish" way is being playfully or mischievously funny. This is an antonym for "maudlin," which means tearfully sentimental or excessively sorrowful. "Inimitable" means one of a kind. "Hedonistic" means concerned with the pursuit of pleasure. "Salacious" is a synonym for "prurient."
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SUPERFICIALLY
Shallowly
Congenially
Unbearably
Astutely
Pugnaciously
Explanation
"Superficial" is another word for "shallow." "Congenial," or "genial," means friendly and personable. "Pugnacious" means argumentative and combative. "Unbearable" means insufferable or intolerable. "Astute" means sharp or shrewd.
Select the word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.
NEFARIOUS.
Wicked
Honest
Unscrupulous
Hard-working
Discerning
Explanation
“Nefarious” means wicked, infamous or evil. For clarification, "unscrupulous" means not restrained by moral or ethical principles; "discerning" means selective and showing good judgment.
Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
INGENIOUSLY
Innovatively
Histrionically
Innocuously
Innocently
Naively
Explanation
"Ingenious" means clever, inventive, or innovative. Don't confuse it with "ingenuous," which means naive and innocent. "Histrionic" means melodramatic or overly theatrical, and "innocuous" means harmless.