Synonyms: Roots from Latin - SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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Question

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

AMBIGUOUS

Answer

If you don't recognize a word, it is almost always a good idea to try to use roots to figure out its meaning. You can break the word ambiguous into its component parts fairly easily ("ambi" + "guous"). "Ambi-" is a pretty common prefix, so you should recognize it even if you don't know what the whole word means. It's even in one of the other answer choices: "ambidextrous." The prefix "ambi-" has to do with something that goes in two directions at once. "Ambidextrous," for instance, means able to use both hands to do tasks (e.g. to write). "Ambiguous" means unclear, or _having an unclear or undecidable meaning—_a meaning that is unclear because it is one among multiple possible meanings. The answer choices "pristine," "indubitable," and "undeniable" each have to do with either clearness or certainty, and we already know what ambidextrous means, so "unclear" is the only choice left.

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Question

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

ACQUIT

Answer

When someone is “acquitted” of an action, he or she is “forgiven” or set free from any sort of charges of that action. For instance, someone “acquitted of murder” is judged to be innocent of the crime. The word “exonerate” best matches this usage. It means to remove blame officially. Literally, it is derived from the Latin meaning to lift the burden from someone. The “-onerate” portion of the word means “burden,” while (as you likely know) “ex-” means out of or away from. The word is related to “onerous,” meaning burdensome or difficult.

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Question

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

VERBOSE

Answer

The word “verbose” comes from the Latin for “word.” It is related to words like “verbal” and “verb.” It means using too many words to communicate something. Although the word “wordy” is a bit informal, it means just this—that someone uses too many words.

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Question

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

BENEVOLENT

Answer

Benevolent means kind, friendly, or charitable. The root word "bene" means good or well.

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Question

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

BENEVOLENT

Answer

Someone who is benevolent is kindly, helpful, or friendly. The root word is "bene," Latin for "good."

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Question

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

CIRCUMLOCUTION

Answer

Circumlocution is the act of talking around the point instead of getting directly to it; it's speaking evasively or indirectly. The roots are "circum", Latin for "around", and "locut-" Latin for "speaking;" "circumlocution" is "around-speaking."

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Question

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

COGENT

Answer

Something that is cogent is logical, sensible, and intelligent. It comes from the Latin root "cog-" meaning "think/know", as in "cognition" (the act of thinking or knowing) and "incognito" (unknown, or under cover).

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

CORPULENT

Answer

Someone who is corpulent is very fat, or obese. This comes from the Latin root "corp-", meaning body, as in "corpse" and "incorporate."

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

CREDULITY

Answer

Credulity is the condition of being eager to believe something, so the synonym is gullibility. The Latin root here is "cred-", which means to believe, as in "credit" (being willing to trust or believe someone or something), and "incredible" (unbelievable).

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Question

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

DIMINUTIVE

Answer

"Diminutive" means small, so the synonym you want is "tiny." This comes from the Latin root "minute," meaning a small thing, as in "minute" (small measure of time) and "mini-" (a prefix meaning anything small in size) or "minus" (to make smaller by subtracting).

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Question

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

NOVEL

Answer

The root 'nov' means new. Thus, novel means new.

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FIDELITY

Answer

The root 'fid' means faith or trust. Fidelity means loyalty.

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NULLIFY

Answer

"To nullify" is to cancel. The Latin root word, "nullus," means no or none.

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COPIOUS

Answer

"Copious" means plentiful or large in quantity. The Latin root word, "copia," means abundance.

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Question

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

DOMICILE.

Answer

The term “domicile” is used to refer to a home. The prefix dom- usually precedes a term about the house or home, as in domesticated.

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

COMPLACENT

Answer

"Complacent" means pleased, especially with oneself or one's situation. Thus, the best answer choice is smug. The root word "plac-" means please.

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Question

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

COSMOPOLITAN

Answer

"Cosmopolitan" means familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures. It also means sophisticated. Thus, the best answer choice is "worldly," which also means sophisticated. The root word "cosmo-" means world or universe, and the root word "poli" means city.

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Question

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

SOLILOQUY

Answer

A "soliloquy" is a monologue. The root word "sol-" means alone, and the root word "loqu-" means talk. "Monologue" is thus the correct answer.

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Question

Synonyms: pick the word that is most similar in meaning to the word in question.

MAGNATE

Answer

A "magnate" is an influential or powerful person. A tycoon is a businessperson of great power and wealth. The root word "magnus" means great.

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Question

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

ODIOUS

Answer

"Odious" means detestable or causing hatred. The Latin root word, "odium," means hatred.

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