Synonyms: Nouns for Abstract Concepts - SSAT Middle Level Verbal

“Assembly” is a noun that can mean “a group of people gathered together in one place for a common purpose,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “a group of people gathered together with a common goal.” That means that “individual” cannot be the correct answer, because “individual,” when used as a noun, means “a single human being as distinct from a group, class, or family,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “assembly.” “Meeting,” however, is a noun that means “an assembly of people, especially the members of a society or committee, for discussion or entertainment,” and because “meeting” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “assembly,” “meeting” is the correct answer.

An atrocity is something horrific.

An "escapade" is an adventure, so "adventure" is the correct answer.

Flattery means to compliment someone.

"Dread" is a word that can act as a noun, verb, or adjective, but since all of our answer choices are nouns, we need to interpret it as a noun. As a noun, "dread" means an intense fear about future events; it can also refer to the person or thing causing that fear. So, we need to pick out another word that means something like fear. Since "apprehension" means anxiousness about the future, it is closest in meaning to "dread," so "apprehension" is the correct answer.

Since "vocation" is a job, we need to pick out another word that means "job." While "vocation" looks like "vacation," the two words have very different meanings, so "vacation" cannot be the correct answer. Similarly, "income" refers to money that is earned from a job, but not the job itself, so it isn't the correct answer either. "Occupation," however, means profession, and since it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "vocation," "occupation" is the correct answer.

"Succor" is a noun that means aid or_help_, so we need to pick out a word that means something like aid. Since "assistance" means aid, "assistance" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "succor" and the correct answer.

"Trek" is a word meaning "a long arduous journey, especially one made on foot," so we need to pick out another word that means something like "journey." Since "expedition" means "a journey or voyage undertaken by a group of people with a particular purpose, especially that of exploration, scientific research, or war," "expedition" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "trek," so "expedition" is the correct answer.

"Intuition" is a noun that means "the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning," so we need to pick out another noun that means something like "unconscious understanding." While "intention" may seem like a good answer choice because it sounds like "intuition," "intention" means "a thing intended; an aim or plan." Since "intuition" does not mean the same thing as "intention," it cannot be the correct answer. "Hunch," however, is a noun that means "a feeling or guess based on intuition rather than known facts," it is the answer choice closest in meaning to "intuition" and thus the correct answer.

"Adage" is a noun that means "a proverb or short statement expressing a general truth," so we need to pick out an answer choice that is a noun and means something like "proverb." While all of the answer choices are nouns that have something to do with speech or writing, "saying" is the best answer because a saying is "a short, pithy expression that generally contains advice or wisdom." Because "saying" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "adage," it is the correct answer.

A "flux" is a flow or a condition of constant change.

A "hiatus" is a break.

"Deportment" is a noun that means "a person's behavior or manners," so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "behavior" or "manners." "Conduct" is a word that when used as a noun, means "the manner in which a person behaves, especially on a particular occasion or in a particular context," and because "conduct" is the answer choice that is closest in meaning to "deportment," "conduct" is the correct answer.

"Nicety" is a noun that can mean "a fine detail or distinction, especially one regarded as intricate and fussy," "accuracy and precision," or "a minor aspect of polite social behavior; a detail of etiquette." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "a fine detail," "accuracy," or "a detail of etiquette." "Attribute," a word that when used as a noun means "a quality or feature regarded as a characteristic or inherent part of someone or something," might look like the correct answer because both "nicety" and "attribute" can refer to characteristics, but "subtlety" is actually the better answer, because "subtlety" can mean "a subtle distinction, feature, or argument," and better captures the connotation of fineness, intricateness, or fussiness that is part of the word "nicety." So, "subtlety" is the correct answer.

"Delusion" is a noun that means "a belief that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by accepted as reality, typically a symptom of mental disorder," or "the action of deluding someone or the state of being deluded." So, we need to pick out a noun that means something like "misinterpretation." "Actuality," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "actuality" means "actual existence, typically as contrasted with what was intended, expected, or believed," making it an antonym, not a synonym, of "delusion." "Fallacy," however, is a noun that can mean "a mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound argument," and because "fallacy" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "delusion," "fallacy" is the correct answer.

“Nuance” is a word that when used as a noun, means an almost imperceptible difference. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like a subtle distinction. Of the possible answer choices, the word closest in meaning to “nuance” is “subtlety,” a noun that can mean a subtle difference, so “subtlety” is the correct answer.

“Zeal” is a noun that means “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “great energy or enthusiasm.” That means that “ennui” cannot be the correct answer, because “ennui” is a noun that means “a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “zeal.” “Fervor,” however, is a noun that means “intense and passionate feeling,” and because “fervor” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “zeal,” “fervor” is the correct answer.

“Reprieve” is a word that can be used as a verb or a noun, but because all of the answer choices are nouns, we need to consider “reprieve” as a noun. When used as a noun, “reprieve” can mean “an official order that delays the punishment of a prisoner who is sentenced to death,” “a delay that keeps something bad from happening,” or “a period of relief from pain or trouble.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “an official order that delays a prisoner’s execution,” “a delay that keeps something bad from happening,” or “a period of relief.” That means that “agony” cannot be the correct answer, because “agony” means “extreme physical or mental suffering” or “the final stages of a difficult or painful death,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “reprieve.” “Respite,” however, is a noun that means “a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant,” and because “respite” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “reprieve,” “respite” is the correct answer.

“Facet” is a noun that can mean a side of a cut gem or a feature or aspect of something. That means that “entirety” cannot be the correct answer, because “entirety,” when used as a noun, means whole, making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “facet.” “Aspect,” however, is a noun that means part or feature, and because “aspect” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “facet,” “aspect” is the correct answer.