Synonyms: Nouns for Abstract Concepts - SSAT Middle Level Verbal

"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.

“Nuisance” is a noun that means “a person, thing, or circumstance causing inconvenience or annoyance,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “something or someone causing inconvenience.” That means that “comfort” cannot be the correct answer, because “comfort,” when used as a noun, can mean “a person or thing that gives consolation,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “nuisance.” “Annoyance,” however, is a noun that can mean “a thing that annoys someone; a nuisance,” and because “annoyance” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “nuisance,” “annoyance” is the correct answer.

“Finesse” is a word that can be used as a noun or a verb, but because all of the possible answer choices are nouns, we will need to consider “finesse” as a noun. When used as a noun, “finesse” means either “intricate and refined delicacy” or “artful subtlety, typically that needed for tactful handling of a difficulty.” So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “refined delicacy” or “artful subtlety.” That means that “ineptness” cannot be the correct answer, because “ineptness” means “the quality of having or showing no skill; clumsiness,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “finesse.” “Tact,” however, is a noun that means “adroitness and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues,” and because “tact” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “finesse,” “tact” is the correct answer.

“Yearning” is a noun that means “a feeling of intense longing for something,” so we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like “intense longing.” That means that “avoidance” cannot be the correct answer, because “avoidance” means “the act of keeping away from or stopping oneself,” making it an antonym, not a synonym, of “yearning.” “Desire,” however, is a noun that can mean “a strong feeling of wishing for something to happen,” and because “desire” is the answer choice closest in meaning to “yearning,” “desire” is the correct answer.

A custom is a tradition or convention.

"Confrontation"means a conflict or battle, so "conflict" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "confrontation."

"Precision" means exactness.

"Hiatus" means a break or interruption.

"Brevity" means a shortness of time or duration. It also means expressing a lot in few words.