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VOCABULARY
CHAPTER3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE
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Vocabulary Lesson 22: Show Offl
ped, poedere instruct
ostentore to display
Today's roots:
pedantic
(adj)
showy about knowledge
grandis
PomP
great, big
splendor
(paedcre to instruct)
Kim's pedantic teaching style bothers her students; she uses bizan'e vocabulary words nobody understands.
Synonyms: didactia, egotistic
grandiose (adj)
pretentious; ridiculously exaggerated @randisgreat)
The castle's foyer was the most grandiose of its kind, adorned with crystal chandeliers and gilded banisters.
Antonym: humhlc
Synonyms: ostentatious,flamhoyan|Iofty
bomhastic (adj)
pompous; using inflated language
The bombasdc language in the mayoy's campaign speechmade her seem arrogant and disconnected from the public.
Antonyms: understatedresentel
Synonyms:grandiose, operblwvn
braggart (n)
one who boasts; a showoff
(braguer to show off)
No one likes a braggart; it's better to be modest and humble about your successes.
Synonym: egotist
(adj)
ostentatious
showy; pretentious
(ostentare to display + -roers full o0
That solid gold statue is the most ostentatious display of wealth I have ever seen.
Antonyms: undcrstated resewed
Synonyms:gaudl, grqndiose, garish
possessing excessive self-esteem; pretentious (pomp splendor + -oarsfrrll o0
pompous (adj)
His pompous, holier-than-thou attitude annoyed all of his classmates.
Antonyms: madcs| self*ffacing
Synonyms: conceite{ self,-centered pontifical
swagger (v)
humblc
to walk or strut in an arrogant manner
Having beat their crosstown rivals handily, the players swaggered back to the locker room.
Synonyms: brag, strut
lafA @dj) haughty; overly proud
Synonyms: cavalicr, pretentious
garish (adj)
flashy; loud
Synonyms: ornale, ostentatious, gaudy
ornate (adj)
overlydecorated
(ornatusto adorn)
Synonyms: ostentatiaus, opulen\ Caildy
opulence (adj)
luxuriousness
(opulentus wealthy)
Synonyms:,grandcur, ffiluence
pretuttious
(adj)
ostentatious
Synonyms:gaudy, grandia se, gafi sh
bmoque (adj)
extravagantly ornate and convoluted in sryle
Synonyms:ftramboy ant, florid
McGRAW.HILL'S SAT
r20
Vocabulary Lesson 23! Like a Pit Butl
tract pull
ob- against
Today's roots:
do1ged(adi
tenox
Per-
holding fast
Yery
determined; unwilling to give up
Outmanned and overmatched, the dogged fighters neverthelessrefused to surrender the Alamo.
Antonyms: yielding, irtesolute
Synonyms: tenacious, incrorablc
relentless (in- not+ exorabilis able to be swayed)
Inexorable in his wooing, Jason vowed to send Kathy roses every day until she acceptedhis prom invitation'
Antonyms:yielding, itresolute
Synonyms: obstinate, dogged
incxorablc (adj)
stubborn (obstinatus to stand stubbornly)
No matter what she tried, she could not make her obstinate husband change his mind'
Antonyms: acquic.scent, obsequious
Synonyms: adamant, relsntlcss, obdurate
obstinate (adi)
intransigenf (adj) uncompromising (in- rLot+ transigerelecompromising)
pat's intransigent nature showed itself when he adamantly refused to shift his appointment from 5:00 to 5:05'
Antonyms: concordant, accommodating, compilaisant
Synonyms: obsthute, inttactahlc
l
(contendere to strive.after + -ious full o0
Julia sighed as her excessivelycontentious husband started another unnecessaryargument with their waiter'
Antonyms: passirte, conciliatory
Synonyms;pugnacious, belligerenf
contentiaus (adi
quaffelsome
J pertinacity (n) stubbornness (per'very + tenaxholding fast)
Kyleshowedincrediblepertinacity after breakinghis leg,makingit backin time for the championshipgame.
: doggedncss, stea$astncss
Synonyms
)
stea.ffiasf(adj) unchanging; unswerving (stedestand+foest firmly fixed)
Despitemanyhardships,the teamwassteadfastin ils pursuit of the summit'
Antonyms:fcftb,vacillatory
obdurate,inexotahle
Synonyms:
)
stubbornlyrebellious
recalcitranr(adj)
Synonyms:defiant, stubborn, waYward
7 tanacious (adil holding firmly; persistent (tenax holding fast)
persistent,sten$ast, tesolute
Synonyms:
J disputatior.rs (adj) inclined to arguing (disputareto argue)
Slnonyms:contentious, litigious' polemical
3 &durate (adj) intractable; not easily persuaded(obduroreto harden)
Slnonyms:ine*orablc, dogged
J
inir:actabte (adj) hard to manage; stubborn (in' not + tract ptrll)
Sponyms: obsthwte, headsttong
J adonnnr (adj)
refusing to yield (adamasunbreakable)
Slaonyms : incxor ahlc, obdurate
J
Etigious (adj) prone to bringing lawsuits (lrs- lawsuit + agere to drive)
Slrronym: contentious
CHAPTER3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE
VOCABULARY
Vocabulary
Lesson 24zYovtre
Today's roots:
Good at Thafl
opt fit
Poro- beyond
J adroit (adj)
surnmus highest
dexter skillful
dexterous;skillfirl
An adroit con man, Clarence knew how to fool even the most skeptical eye.
Synon5rms:deft, proficient
Antonyms: clu.msy, itt4t
3 unuring
(adj)
no mistakes; perfect (un- not+ err tomake a mistake)
Her unening senseof direction always puts her in the right place even if she has never been there before.
Synonym: infalliblc
Anton5rm:it{erior
J adcpt (adj)
committing
hiehly skilled
Roberto, an adept mathematician, completed the outrageously difficult calculus final in just 25 minutes.
Synonyms: de*terous, adroit
Anton5rms:incompetanl, clanay
r
J aptitude
(n)
a natural ability; intelligence
(apt fit)
Kenneth showed agreat aptitude for computers as a child, designing complex programs at the age of ten.
Synon;rms:cotnpetence, expertise
Antonyms: hqtitud4incompetetrce
)
paragon(n)
a model of excellence; perfection (para- beyond)
The head of several charities, Susan is the paragon of philanthropy;
Synonyms: pro totyp e; epitomc
J ileft (adj)
adroit, skillful
The gracefrrl ballerina kept from tripping on stage bydeftly avoiding the poorly placed electrical wires.
Synonyms:pro/tcient, a.droit
Antonyms: clumsy, inept, a$,l<ward
J Tneaninent (adj)
outstanding
A preeminent psychologist, Dr. Carter is often asked to lend his expertise on difficult cases.
Synonyms: unsurprassed,patanauflt
Antonym:inferiot
J exputise
(n)
knowledge or skill in aparticular
area
Synon5rms:proluess, saury, bailiwick
J
disceming (adj)
showing good judgment or keen insight (dis- off + cerzere distinguish)
Synonyms: astute, judicious, sage
J agihty 6)
nimbleness (agilis tomove)
Synonyms: slnyt css, litheness
J consurnmate (adj)
perfect in every respect (con- with+ summus highest)
Synonym: impeccable
J
dextuous
(adj)
skillful with the hands (dexterskillfirl
+ -ousfull o0
Synonyms: adroit, adept
3 impeccahlc(adj)
flawless (im-not+peccare to sin)
Synonyms:immaculatq Wallibb, traascendant
3 precocioas (adj)
unusually advanced or mature in development (especially in mental attitude)
t2l
McGRAW-HILL'S SAT
122
Vocabulary
Lesson 25: Bad and rflorse
mol
mis
bad, evil
bad, wretched, hatred
vol wish
onthro humankind
3 nefafious (adj\ wicked; sinfirl (ne- not+fas lawful)
Cinderellasnefarious stepsisterstookjoy in maktngher do t}eir daily chores.
Synonyms:infanous, od.iaus
3 rcpugnanl (adj) offensive; repulsive (re-back+pugnarc to fight)
motherfound his superstitionof not bathingafter gamesrepugnant.
Christophey's
Antonyms:alhnfug' a&nbahlc
abhorent, vila, abminobte
Synonyms;
)
ittfamous (adi) famous for bad deeds;notorious (in- not+famosus celebrated)
Theinfanous "El H6ctor"wasrememberedfor the way he tortured the poor villagersof SantaPotula.
Pntolnym:noble
Synonyms:contentptible,ignominious
J odious (adj) worthy of dislike; arousing feelings of dislike (odiosus hateful)
Jimmywasno longerafraid to go to schooloncethe odlous bully wassuspended'
Antonyms:ilcwhtful''&dahle
Synonyms:ahl@ttent, loathsomc,terygt$r.t
a matanlenr (adj) wishing harm to others; eidl (mal-evil+uolwish)
Themalevolent dictator smiledashe orderedhis soldiersto burn downthe church.
Antonym:benevolent
Synonym:slnister
a tnalefactor (n) an evildoer (mal- eil+facere to perform)
Supermanhasfound and stoppedmanya malefactor beforethe crime could actuallybe committed.
Anton)rm:bensfactot
Synonyms:scatnp' dclbquent
A ahominahb (adj) loathsome; unpleasant
&inking, loud swearing,and the removalof his clothes.
His abominablebehaviorat the gameincludedexcessive
Antonyms:ilchghtful'la..dabl4
Synonyms:contemptiblc,pilc
extremegreed
miserlincss,penutio*sncss
Synon5rms:
a avafice(n)
O bigoQ (n)
,,
intolerancetowardthose who are different
a hWomite (n)
one who says one thing but does another (hypokites Gr pretender)
a miserly (adil
lacking generosity (zrs- wretched)
Synonyms: a taticiotts,
Penuriotts
unfriendly (in- not+amicars friend)
O inimical(adj\
Synonyms:antagonistia,lmstilc
Q curmudgeon(n)
e utsantlvope
A perfi& 6)
(n\
acrankyperson
one who hates humankind (zrs- hatred + anthrohumankind)
deliberatebreachof tmst; treachery
t23
VOCABULARY
CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMPRESSIVE
Vocabulary Lesson 26: Ripped Off
sub-,subter- under, secretly
Iorecin theft
Today's roots:
fugere to flee
machina device
charlatan (n) a fraud; a quack (chiarlatino a quack)
June'sfamily warnedher that Chazwasa charlatan only pretendingto be a successfirllawyer.
Synonyms:imposter,con tnan, swindlcr
ruse (n)
a crafty scheme
Theclevercriminal cameup with a flawlessruse to stealthe moneyfrom the bank.
Synonyms:strategett machination
a scheme; an attempt to deceive (subter secretly +fugere to flee)
It takesreal subterfugeto sneakanythingpastPt'incipalGuber;it's like he is ableto seeyour everymove.
Antonyms:fortftrightncss,caildor
Synonyms:surreptitioustuss, sttategem,play
subtufuge (n)
dupe (n)
one who is easily deceived
Thecon artist hasa knackfor ptckingthe perfectdupe, someonewho will easilyfall for his scam.
Synonyms:chutnp,pushaw
pilfer (v)
to steal
pilfered
Thelooters
countlessitemsfrom the electronicsstoreduring the riot.
Synonyms:etnbezzlc,filch
swindlc (v) to cheat
Thestreethustlerswindled the unsuspectingman,tricking him into buyrnga fakedesignerwatch.
: bamboozlc,rao ilwh*
Synonyms
suilible (adj) easily deceived
Thegullible teenagerwaseasilytrickedby her friendsinto believingthat oneof them wasa secretagent.
Antonym:astute
Synonym:naiue
embezzlc (v)
to steal money from one's employer
Synonyms:loot, pitfu
nachination (n)
acraftyscheme (machinadevice)
Synonyms: sttategem" tuse
f, bitk (v)
to cheat, to swindle
Synonyms:hoodwinlc,ilefraud chea6fle*ce
3 larcetry (n)
theft (Iarecin Fr theft)
Synonym:thievery
f
filch(v) tosteal
Synonyms
: pifer, enh ezzle
fbece (v) to defraud of money, to swindle
Synonyms:swindlc, bilk, hoodwinlq d&au.d
McGRAW-HILL'S SAT
t24
Vocabulary Lesson 27; Good Guys and Bad Guys
Today's roots:
orchos
c,-, en-
Q hcdonist (n)
apleasureseeker
leader, government
without
theos
pocis
god
peace
(hedonepleasure)
The '60s are often considered the age of the hedonist, a time when everyone felt they had the right to have fun.
Synonyms: epicureaa epicure, sybartte, bon vhtant
Q ascetic (n)
one who lives a holy life of self-denial
(asketes monk)
Tim has spent years at a time as an ascetic, each time giving away all he owns and living on rice and prayer.
Synonym: zrozft
(n)
A anarchist
one who opposes all political authority
(az- without + archos leader)
Before the coup d'6tat, the dictator claimed to be an anarchist; that all changed once he was given power,
Synonyms: insurgant, rebel
A pacifist
(n)
an individual
who is opposed to violence (pacis peace+facere to make)
Forever a paclfist, J.ulieorganized a rally protesting the war in the Middle East.
Antonyms: wmawrnger, combatant
Synonym:peace-seel<s
one who does not believe that God exists (a- without + theos god)
A atlrcist (n)
Although she is an atheist and does not worship the Buddha, Cathy meditates with her Buddhist friends.
A nihilist
(n)
one who rejects moral distinctions
and knowable "truths"
Becauseshe is a nihilist, Carrie likes to contend that the world may be a figment of her imagination.
a
despot (n)
a tyrant; one who rules oppres sively (despofes Gk absolute ruler)
The despot rules with reckless abandon, doing only what he wants, with no concern for the citizens.
Synonyms: tyt ant, qppressor
Q narcissist
(n)
A zealat (n)
one in love with his/her own image (from Narcissus, who fell in love with himselfl
one who engages passionately in a cause
Synonyms: enthusi.ast, fanatic, d.evotee
Q sybarite (n)
an individual
who seeks luxury
Synonym: hcdonist
Q pessimist (n)
an individual
Synonyms: alamis|
A optimist (n)
who focuses on the negative side of a situation Qtessimus worst)
Cassandra" defeatist
one who focuses on the positive side of a situation (optimusbest)
Synonyms: idealist, Potlyann4 Panglass, Candidc
A fanatic (n) one who shows extreme enthusiasm for a cause ({anaticus enthusiastic)
Synonyms: extremist, raflical zealat, qihusiast
VOCABU!-ARY
CHAPTER 3 / BUILDING AN IMFRESSIVE
Vocabulary Lesson 28: Thatts Better
culpo blame
ex-. e- out
Today's roots:
plocare to please
n.ollis soft
O vindicate (v) to clear from blame
Theadroit defenselawyerwasableto vindicate her client of all charges,and he wassetfree.
Synonyns:er.(merele'absohte Antonym:cotuict
J assuage(v) to sootheanger or pain; to satisfy a hunger (suavk agreeable,sweet)
Ifyour doggetsstungby a bee,placea wet washclothon the areato assuagethe pain.
vex,exacerbate
Antonyms:provol<c,
Synonyms:pacify,appease,quaneh,allay
J mollify (v) to soothe the anger of (mollis soft)
Thewaiter attemptedto mollifu the angrycustomerby offeringhim a freedessertwith his dinner.
Antonyms:tilc, provolcc
appease'placate,conciliate
Synonyms:ctssuage,
J exonerate (v) to clear from accusation (ex' olut+ onusburden)
Whenthe principal foundthe spraypaint in Rex'slocker,Timmy wasexoneratedof all graffiti charges.
Antonym:incrininate
Synonyms:acquit, exculpate,absolve
)
to soothe;to mollify (placare to please)
Themotherattemptedto placate her cryingbabyby handinghim his favoriteteddybear.
Antonyms:ewage,ptwolcc
pacifu, assuage,conciliate, appease
Synonyms:
placate (v)
J exculpate (v) to free from blame (ex- out+ culpablame)
Althoughthe DNAevidencedid not identify the killer, it did exculpatethe police'sprimary suspect.
Antonyms:impeach,cotwict
Synonyms:acquit, disculpate,exaflcrate
3 anesthctic (n) something that reduces sensation (az- without + aisthesis Gk feeling)
Beforeclosingthe cut, the doctoradministeredan anestheticto numb the areaaroundthe wound.
Synonymt palliathte
to soothethe agitation oranger of (pacispeace)
Synonyms:swease, conciliate
J pacify (v)
J ittrtigorate (v) to energize (in- in+vigorliveliness +'ate to do)
: stimulqte, rciuvenate
Synonyms
J aTeviate (v) to relieve (think of "Aleve" to relieve body aches)
: assuage,allay
Synonyms
J emonient (n)
a substance that softens (mollis soft)
topardon (ab- from+solveretoloosen)
Synonyms
: exatlpate, aaquit
3 absolve (v)
3 placiil (adj)
peaceful; calm (placareto please)
Synonyms:sererrc,ttanquil
J nitigate (v)
to make lesssevere;to lessenthe force of
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