How to get better at SSAT synonyms
For Middle and Upper Level students and their parents: a method for synonym questions, and a plan for vocabulary.
Last updated September 27, 2026.
The short answer
- An SSAT synonym question gives one word in capital letters and asks for the choice closest in meaning.
- Synonyms are the first half of the Verbal section: 30 questions, before the 30 analogies.
- Think of your own meaning before looking at the choices, then find the closest match.
- For unfamiliar words, use word parts, whether the word sounds positive or negative, and phrases you have heard it in.
The method
- Cover the choices and define the word in your own words, even roughly.
- Find the closest match. The answer is the closest meaning, which may not be a perfect one.
- If you are not sure of the word, look for a familiar root or prefix, decide whether it sounds positive or negative, or think of a phrase you have heard it in.
- Cross out soundalikes and opposites. Choices that look or sound like the word are often traps.
Word parts worth knowing
| Word part | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| bene- | good | benefit, benefactor |
| mal- | bad | malfunction, malice |
| pre- | before | preview, precede |
| re- | again, back | rebuild, retreat |
| un-, in-, dis- | not | unkind, inactive, disagree |
| mis- | wrongly | misread, mislead |
| chron | time | chronological, synchronize |
| spect | look | inspect, spectator |
| dict | say | predict, dictate |
| port | carry | transport, portable |
| aud | hear | audible, audience |
Word parts are a clue, and a word's meaning can drift from its parts. Use them to rule out choices, then pick the best of what is left.
Traps to watch for
- Soundalikes. For HASTY, the choice "tasty" rhymes but means something else.
- Hidden smaller words. PONDER has "pond" inside it, but it means to think carefully.
- Opposites. Test writers often include the opposite of the right answer, since it feels related.
- A word from the same topic. A choice can be connected to the word without meaning the same thing.
Building vocabulary that lasts
- Read a little every day, including books and articles a bit above grade level.
- Keep a list of missed words from practice, and review ten of them each day.
- Learn words in families, like predict, prediction, and predictable, so one word unlocks several.
- Use new words out loud in a sentence about something from your own day.
Practice questions
These questions were written for this page in the style of the SSAT. Choose the word closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
HASTY (Middle Level)
- A. rushed
- B. tasty
- C. angry
- D. careful
- E. empty
Show answer
A. rushed. Hasty means done too quickly, or rushed. Tasty only sounds similar, and careful is closer to the opposite.
DWINDLE (Middle Level)
- A. grow
- B. shrink
- C. spin
- D. wander
- E. shine
Show answer
B. shrink. To dwindle is to become smaller little by little, or shrink. Grow is the opposite.
PONDER (Middle Level)
- A. splash
- B. consider
- C. pour
- D. argue
- E. forget
Show answer
B. consider. To ponder is to think something over carefully, or consider it. Splash and pour are traps for students who see the word pond inside ponder.
OBSOLETE (Upper Level)
- A. absolute
- B. outdated
- C. hidden
- D. costly
- E. rare
Show answer
B. outdated. Obsolete means no longer in use because something newer has replaced it, or outdated. Absolute only looks and sounds similar.
PROSPER (Upper Level)
- A. thrive
- B. promise
- C. protect
- D. struggle
- E. predict
Show answer
A. thrive. To prosper is to do well and succeed, or thrive. Promise, protect, and predict share the first letters but not the meaning, and struggle is close to the opposite.
How SSAT Coach helps with this
SSAT Coach has timed practice sets for synonyms on their own, and full Verbal sections with synonyms and analogies together. Every question has a walkthrough that explains the meaning and why each wrong choice was tempting. The progress report tracks synonyms as their own subskill, so you can see vocabulary grow from one practice test to the next.
Full-length and timed, for the Middle or Upper Level. No credit card.
Common questions
How many synonym questions are on the SSAT?
The Middle and Upper Level Verbal section has 60 questions: 30 synonyms first, then 30 analogies.
How can you get better at SSAT synonyms?
Read every day, keep a list of words you miss in practice and review it daily, and learn common prefixes and roots so you can work out unfamiliar words.
What should you do if you do not know the word?
Look for a familiar word part, decide whether the word sounds positive or negative, and think of a phrase you have heard it in. If you can cross out at least one choice, make your best guess.
Are synonyms on both the SSAT and the ISEE?
Yes. Both tests include synonyms. The SSAT pairs them with analogies, and the ISEE pairs them with sentence completions.