SAT Vocab Sets 6-8

ambivalent

having mixed feelings about something

arbitrary

based on personal whim, rather than reason

arbitrate

to serve as a neutral third party in a dispute

carping

constantly finding fault, particularly about trivial matters

censor

to edit or oppress

censure

to express formal disapproval of someone's behavior

clemency

leniency, particularly in judicial sentencing

conformist

one who conscientiously complies with the standards of a group

contempt

sharp disgust for something deemed unworthy

cynic

one who believes that humans are essentially selfish

demeaning

causing a loss of respect or dignity

denounce

publicly declare as bad or evil

depraved

immoral or wicked

derision

mockery; contemptuous ridicule

disdain

feeling that something or someone is unworthy

dogmatic

proclaiming an indexible adherence 10 religious or political principles

extol

to praise enthusiastically

furile

doomed to fail: pointless

inane

silly, stupid

irreverent

showing no respect for things that are ordinarily given respect

mundane

dull and uninteresting

punitive

intended to punish

repudiate

to refuse association with

skeptical

inclined to doubt; not easily convinced

embellish

to make a story more interesting by fabricating or exaggerating entertaining details; to decorate

eradicate

to eliminate completely

hyperbole

exaggeration for persuasive effect

indulgent

excessively generous or lenient

superfluous

unnecessary, excessive

unstinting

without reservations; given liberally

ameliorate

to make a situation better

assuage

to make something umpleasant less intense

curtail

to cut back; to impose a restriction on an activity

equanimity

evenness of temper

fastidious

showing great anemion to details, particularly in matters of cleanliness

impassive

memotional; calm

meticulous

showing finicky attention to details and precision

nonchalant

calm and unconcerned, often inappropriately so

parsimony

extreme reluctance to spend money, use unnecessary language, or expend resources

placid

1. (of a person or animal) calm and unexcitable

2. (of a place) calm and peaceful

refurbish

to renovate; to restore to good condition

rejuvenate

to restore the vitality of

reticent

unwilling to speak or express one's feelings

scrupulous

1: diligent and attentive to details

2: concerned with moral correctness

sedate

calm, to the point of being dull

stoic

enduring hardship without complaint

succinct

expressed clearly and concisely

temperance

self-control with regard to consumption

vigilant

watchful for danger or difficulties