Identifying Synonyms - SSAT Upper Level Verbal

"Fecund" means "fertile" and fruitful. "Aridity" is dryness, and "aplomb" is poise. A "sarcophagus" is an elaborate coffin. A "constituent" is a voting person or a component of something bigger, depending on the context.

A "harangue" is a "rant" or a tirade. "Vivacity" is liveliness, and "amity" is friendship. "Sanctuary" and "asylum" are synonyms, as are "cicatrix" and "scar."

"Larceny" is a more formal term for "theft." The "nadir" of something is its low point (literal or figurative), while the "zenith" of something is its high point. "Amiability" is friendliness, and "lassitude" is lethargy.

The noun "battery" means assault, the act of violently attacking someone. Additionally, "disposition" means character, personality, behavior; "ovation" means applause; "ruse" means trick, a deception; "plight" means danger, a difficult or challenging situation that is dangerous.

The noun "rendition" means a performance, something spoken or performed aloud in front of others. Additionally, a "muse" is inspiration for a piece of artwork; a "courier" is a messenger; "flora" is plants; "abnegation" is denial, the act of rejecting something.

The noun "citadel" means fortress, defensive structure. Additionally, a "hiatus" is a break from something; an "asylum" is a sanctuary, a 'safe-house'; a "sojourn" is a temporary stay somewhere; a "respite" is a temporary break in the action.

The noun "pinnacle" means the peek of something, a high point. Additionally, a "nadir" is a low point; a "commode" is a room, (particularly a bathroom); a "guise" is a false appearance designed to conceal the truth; "aspersion" is an attack on the reputation of, slander.

The noun "flora" refers to plant-life. The noun "fauna" is usually used in conjunction to mean animal-life.

An "ovation" is sustained applause in approval of something. Additionally, "ingress" means entrance and "egress" means exit; a "boor" is a rude and obnoxious person; "doldrums" is a prolonged period of stagnation or depression, a feeling of melancholy and pointlessness.

The noun "plumage" refers to the feathers of a bird (particularly when those feathers are considered beautiful or extravagant).

"Diaphanous" is an adjective that often is used to describe fabrics, and means delicate and not completely opaque. So, the answer choices closest in meaning to "diaphanous" are "gauzy" and "frangible." While "frangible" means easily breakable, "gauzy" means thin and not completely opaque. Since "gauzy" is the closest synonym of "diaphanous" amongst the possible answer choices, it is the correct answer.

"Kitschy" and "gaudy" are both words to describe something that is cheap and tacky.

The noun "ingress" means entrance, place of entry. The antonym is "egress" which means exit. Additionally, a "conundrum" is a problem, a predicament (usually with two viable solutions); a "sanction" (rather confusingly unfortunately) can be either an official punishment or an official authorization - you will have to use context to determine in which fashion it is being used in the future; "contrition" is a feeling of genuine remorse and desire to atone.

The noun "epoch" refers to a period of time, an "era" of history. Additionally, a "strait" is a narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water; the "verge" is the edge of something; "congestion" is the state of being blocked up; "aegis" is protection, support, 'backing.'

The noun "progeny" means child of, "offspring." Additionally, "sycophant" means flatterer, someone who is excessively fawning and obsequious; a "missionary" is someone on a religious mission to a foreign country with the intention of converting the native population; an "instigator" is someone who starts conflict, the person who caused a fight; an "itinerant" means a person who travels all the time, a nomad, a wanderer.

"Elocution" means diction, articulation, "enunciation." "Lassitude" is lethargy, and a "paragon" is an exemplar or epitome. "Futility" means pointlessness. A "cicatrix" is a scar.

"Gloss" is "luster" or shine. "Equanimity" is composure and calmness. "Ambivalence" is the state of having mixed feelings about something. "Jargon" is specialized language or the vocabulary of a particular skill set. A "proclivity" is an inclination or penchant for something.

"Hyperbole" is the literary technique of "exaggeration." "Plaudits" and "approbation" both means approval and praise. "Censure" means official or severe criticism, and "spleen" is rage or wrath.

"Indigence" is "poverty" or penury. "Temperance" is abstinence, sobriety. "Zenith" and "apogee" both mean high points, either literally or figuratively. The "crux" of a situation is the heart of that situation.

"Invective" is "verbal abuse," a tirade, or a harangue. It is not "social confusion" or "heroic conduct" or behavior. "Eminence" is prominence, and "acumen" is shrewdness or intelligence.