SAT 4

brocaded

a fabric decorated with raised patterns, often in gold or silver thread. Example: She wore a _ dress that shimmered in the light.

ruse

a clever trick or deception used to achieve a goal. Example: The spy used a clever _ to escape capture.

self-inspection

the act of examining oneself to identify mistakes or areas for improvement. Example: Regular _ helps maintain personal accountability.

palliative

soothing or relieving pain without curing the cause. Example: The doctor prescribed a _ treatment to ease her discomfort.

capitulate

to surrender or give in after resistance. Example: The soldiers had no choice but to _.

suppress

to stop, subdue, or restrain something. Example: He tried to _ his anger during the meeting.

anchoring

a stabilizing or grounding influence. Example: Her family provides emotional _ during tough times.

extort

to obtain something by force or threats. Example: The criminals tried to _ money from the businessman.

imploring

begging or pleading earnestly. Example: She gave him an _ look, hoping for forgiveness.

repine

to feel discontent or complain about something. Example: There’s no use _ over things that cannot be changed.

crucifixion

the act of nailing someone to a cross, especially Jesus. Example: The painting depicted the _ of Christ.

uninhibited

free, expressive, and not restrained. Example: Her _ laughter filled the room with joy.

hallmark

a distinguishing or typical feature. Example: Honesty is the _ of a good leader.

impetuous

acting quickly without thought or care. Example: His _ decision led to unexpected consequences.

ajar

slightly open. Example: The door was left _.

shrewdness

keen insight or sharp judgment. Example: Her business _ helped the company thrive.

configurations

arrangements or shapes of parts or elements. Example: Scientists studied the molecular _ of the compound.

tarry

to linger or delay in leaving. Example: Do not _; the train is about to depart.

incantation

a series of magical words spoken as a charm. Example: The wizard murmured an ancient _.

decadent

luxurious but morally declining. Example: The novel portrays a _ society obsessed with pleasure.

inauspicious

unlucky or unfavorable. Example: They began their journey under _ weather conditions.

punctilious

extremely attentive to detail and etiquette. Example: The _ host ensured every guest felt welcome.

sluggishness

lack of energy, speed, or activity. Example: Economic _ affected the nation’s recovery.

solemn

serious, dignified, and formal. Example: The ceremony had a _ atmosphere.

side-saddle

a way of riding a horse with both legs on one side, traditionally used by women. Example: She rode gracefully _ across the field.

epidermal

related to the outer layer of skin. Example: The doctor examined the _ cells under a microscope.

stratify

to arrange or classify into layers or levels. Example: Society tends to _ based on wealth and education.

pre-malignancy

a medical condition that may develop into cancer. Example: The biopsy revealed signs of _.

endemic

native or restricted to a certain region. Example: This species of bird is _ to Southeast Asia.

avian

relating to birds. Example: Researchers studied the migration patterns of _ species.

portal

a doorway, gateway, or digital entry point. Example: The website serves as a _ to online resources.

titular

holding a title without real power. Example: The king was only a _ ruler under foreign control.

vigilant

watchful and alert to danger. Example: Citizens must remain _ against cybercrime.

egregious

outstandingly bad or shocking. Example: The report exposed an _ error in data handling.

surreptitious

done secretly or stealthily. Example: He took a _ glance at his phone during class.

infiltration

the act of secretly entering or gaining access. Example: The spy’s _ went undetected for months.

genomic

related to genes or DNA. Example: Advances in _ research revolutionized medicine.

amalgamated

combined or merged to form one entity. Example: The two companies _ to expand their market.

idiosyncrasy

an individual peculiarity or unique habit. Example: One of his _ is tapping his pen while thinking.

propitious

favorable or likely to bring success. Example: It was a _ time to start the business.

benignant

kind, gentle, and benevolent. Example: The teacher gave a _ smile to comfort the student.

propagative

able to spread or reproduce. Example: The plant’s _ ability helps it survive harsh climates.

perilous

dangerous or risky. Example: They embarked on a _ climb up the mountain.

heresy

a belief or opinion contrary to accepted doctrine. Example: His radical ideas were condemned as _.

sacrilege

the violation of something sacred. Example: Damaging the temple was considered an act of _.

profundity

great depth of thought or understanding. Example: The philosopher’s words were admired for their _.

abutment

a structure that supports a bridge or arch. Example: The engineers reinforced the bridge’s _.

quandary

a state of uncertainty or confusion. Example: She found herself in a _ about which career to pursue.

relegate

to assign to a lower position or status. Example: The manager decided to _ him to a minor role.

falter

to hesitate or lose strength. Example: His confidence began to _ during the speech.

disparage

to criticize or belittle someone. Example: It’s unfair to _ others for their mistakes.

equivocate

to speak ambiguously to avoid telling the truth. Example: When questioned, he chose to _ rather than confess.

malicious

intending to cause harm or suffering. Example: The hacker spread _ software to damage the system.