PSAT Unit 3 Vocab

Anachronism definition

Something out of place in time, especially something that is outdated

The modern sounding dialogue was conspicuously ________ for a movie set in the 1920s

Anachronistic

Belie definition

1. Fail to give true impression of something

2. To betray; to show to be untrue

David’s bluster ________ his lack of self-confidence

Belie (1)

The evidence  ________ the defendant’s claim 

Belies (2)

Chicanery definition

A devious trickery or evasion

Unlike most politicians, she discusses tax policies openly, rather than using _______ to hide her true motives and affiliations.

chicanery

circuitous definition 

indirect; roundabout

We took a ______ route to the cabin because the main highway was closed.

circuitous

confound definition 

1. to cause someone to become confused

2. confuse two elements as being one

She was _______ by the puzzle for many weeks.

confounded (1)

We should not ______ patriotism and loyalty to the government

confound (2)

convoluted definition 

1. (of an argument or story) complicated and difficult to follow

2. intricately folded

The account the witness provided was so ______ that the jury could not follow it

convoluted (1)

The human cortex is a _________ shell of interconnected neurons.

convoluted (2)

digress definition

stray from the topic in speaking or writing

Powell ______ for several pages to describe the history of the village he was visiting.

digressed

disingenuous definition

not candid or sincere; deceitful

The senator’s ________ comments were just another example of political posturing.

disingenuous

dubious

1. questionable

2. doubting

That is a ____ claim, bordering on the absurd

dubious (1)

I’m ______ that our team will be able to come back and win.

dubious (2)

duplicity definition 

deceitfulness; double-dealing

He considered a career as a spy but wondered whether he had the skill or moral flexibility to engage in such ______.

duplicity

guile definition 

cunning or slyness in attaining a goal

David Rohde was able to use ____ and patience to escape his Taliban captors

guile

inept definition 

unskilled; clumsy

Todd’s awkward joke was a sincere but _____ attempt to lighten the mood.

inept

machination definition 

a plot or scheme

Dawn’s artful _________ succeeded in gaining her the title of class president.

machinations

perjure 

to lie under oath

Martha Stewart’s conviction for conspiracy to commit _____ landed her six months in prison

perjury

spurious definition 

false or fake; not what it seems to be (esp. as applied to claims or

theories)

The stories about Jordan’s career as a spy were _______, generated by his friends’ wild imaginations.

spurious

subterfuge definition 

a trick or expedient used to escape a consequence or achieve a goal

Max’s _______ involved three alibis and a full-scale replica

of himself.

subterfuge

surreptitious definition

kept secret because it is objectionable

Charlotte was upset when she heard about her husband’s _______ affair.

surreptitious

treacherous definition 

1. characterized by or guilty of betrayal

2. hazardous

Benedict Arnold’s ________ actions are etched in our national history

treacherous (1)

The ocean currents here are very ________.

treacherous (2)

unscrupulous definition 

dishonest; showing no moral principles

The broker’s _______ dealings only came to light after he had stolen several million dollars of his client’s money.

unscrupulous

vex definition 

to make to feel annoyed or frustrated

I am constantly _____ by my inability to remember the names of all of your friends

vexed