Synonyms, Antonyms, and Changes in Intensity - SSAT Upper Level: Verbal

"Ebullience" is a noun that means "the quality of being cheerful and full of energy; exuberance," and "lassitude" is a noun that means "a state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy." Since the two words are antonyms, we need to pick out another pair of words that are also opposites. Since "ennui" means "a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement," "interest" is its opposite. Since "ennui is to interest" is the only answer choice whose words are antonyms, "ennui is to interest" is the correct answer.

"Deter" is a verb meaning discourage or prevent. Since "deter" is an antonym of "encourage," we need to pick out an answer choice which includes two words that have opposite meanings. While "condone is to approve" might look like a good answer choice, "condone" actually means accept and support. Since "condone" and "allow" are synonyms, "condone is to allow" cannot be the correct answer. The answer choice "cease is to start," however, includes a pair of antonyms: "cease" is a verb meaning end, making it an antonym of "start." Because "cease" and "start" are antonyms just like "deter" and "encourage" are antonyms, "cease is to start" is the correct answer.

Bucolic refers to the country and urban to the city. Similarly, rural is countrified, or unsophisticated, and cosmopolitan is of the city or sophisticated.

Something that is precarious is not stable, and someone who is not lithe is clumsy.

This is a word game analogy. "Raze" and "raise" are homonyms, but they mean opposite things. To "raze" a structure is to destroy it, or to level it to the ground, but to "raise" a barn is to build it.

"Premeditated" is an adjective that means planned beforehand and is often used in reference to crimes. "Spontaneous" is an adjective that means impulsive, done without being thought-out beforehand. "Premeditated" and "spontaneous" are antonyms, so we need to pick out an answer choice that is an antonym of "parsimonious," an adjective that means frugal and stingy. While "stingy" is an answer choice, it is a synonym of "parsimonious," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Generous," however, is an antonym of "parsimonious," just like "premeditated" is an antonym of "spontaneous," so "generous" is the correct answer.

You have probably heard of the Catholic Church, but did you know that the word catholic actually means general? If you know that catholic means general, you can probably tell that the answer choice that you are looking for will probably have the same meaning as the word specific. The only answer choice that works is particular. The others are designed to confuse you and to bring out the religious associations that the word catholic might bring to mind.

Stoic means not showing one's feelings or not complaining. Emotional means showing very strong feelings. Stoic is the opposite of emotional. Silent is the opposite of noisy. Thus, the two sets of words have the same relationship.

Subtle means hard to detect or not immediately obvious. Thus, it is the opposite of obvious.

One definition of cold is unfriendly. Thus, it is the opposite of friendly.

In both pairs, the first word is the opposite of the second word.

Comely is an adjective that means cute or good-looking. This is an antonym of repulsive which means disgusting; therefore to complete the second part of the analogy you are required to find the best possible antonym for miserable. Miserable means very sad. The correct answer is ecstatic which means very happy.

To "laud" something means to praise it. To "condemn" something means to criticize it or declare it to be incorrect. These two meanings are opposites, so to solve this analogy, look for the antonym of "disparage." "Disparage" means criticize or express disdain or disgust. The best available antonym for criticize is "praise."

"Ebullient" is an adjective that means full of excitement and enthusiasm. This is an antonym of "miserable," so to solve this analogy you need to determine which answer choice is an antonym of "forgiving." The best answer is "vengeful," which means desiring revenge. For clarification, "taciturn" means silent or uncommunicative, and "merciful" means showing mercy.

Trivial is an adjective that describes an event of little importance. This is an antonym of significant so to solve this analogy you need to determine the best available antonym for self-aggrandizing. Self-aggrandizing refers to the act of exaggerating one’s own importance therefore an acceptable antonym would be modest. Modest means humble. For clarification boastful is an antonym of modest; lethargic means very tired.

"Ascetic" is an adjective used to describe someone’s behavior and lifestyle that denies personal luxury and enforces rigid self-discipline. This is the opposite type of behavior as might exhibited by a hedonist. A "hedonistic" lifestyle is one directed towards the pursuit of pleasure. To solve this analogy, then, you need to find the word that is most opposite in meaning to "antiquated." "Antiquated" means ancient or old-fashioned, making it an antonym of "innovative." "Innovative" means new or creative.

Sardonic refers to behavior or expression that is disdainful, mocking and cynical. This is an antonym of genuine so to solve this analogy you are looking for the best available antonym for amiable. Amiable means friendly, likable and pleasant so the best answer choice is dislikable. For clarification foolish means not wise; remorseful means expressing regret; worldly means well-informed or knowledgeable.

Hyperbolic is an adjective which describes language or behavior that is exaggerated or over-the-top. Understated has the opposite meaning so to solve this analogy you need to find which answer choice is the best antonym for intangible. Intangible means lacking material qualities, hard to define or incapable of being perceived. The best antonym for this is palpable, which means able to be felt or so intense it is almost able to be felt. For clarification, degrading means making someone feel humiliated; implicit means something not stated, but nonetheless understood; recalcitrant means resistant to authority; nonsensical means ridiculous.

To create something has the opposite effect of destroying something; therefore you know you are looking for an antonym. "Brazen" means bold or brash, so the best available antonym is "discreet," which means cautious or tactful.

“Nemesis” is a noun that can mean either “the inescapable agent of someone’s or something’s downfall” or “a long-standing rival; an archenemy.” So, a superhero and a nemesis form a pair of rivals, and we need to pick out an answer choice that also consists of two nouns which form a pair of rivals. While “ally is to friend” and “competitor is to rival” might each look like a potential correct answer, “ally” is a synonym of “friend,” so the two words cannot represent a pair of rivals and “ally is to friend” cannot be the correct answer. “Hero” and “villain,” however, do form a pair of rivals like “superhero” and “nemesis,” so “hero is to villain” is the correct answer.

“History” is a noun associated with time that has passed, while “future” is a noun associated with time that is yet to pass. So, we need to pick out a pair of nouns in which the first noun is associated with the past and the second noun is associated with the future. While “present is to past” and “yesterday is to tomorrow” might each look like a potentially correct answer, “present” is not associated with the past and “past” is not associated with the future, so “present is to past” cannot be the correct answer. “Yesterday,” however, is a noun associated with the past, while “tomorrow” is a noun associated with the future, so “yesterday is to tomorrow” is the correct answer.