MCAT CARS VOCAB

disrepute

bad reputation; loss of respect

Tone: negative Synonym: disgrace Example: Critics argued the scandal brought the institution into disrepute.

chasm

deep divide or gap

Tone: mixed (often negative) Synonym: gulf Example: The essay emphasized the chasm between elite and popular culture.

antiquity

ancient times

Tone: neutral Synonym: ancient past Example: Philosophers of antiquity often linked virtue with civic duty.

chronicle

record events over time

Tone: neutral Synonym: document Example: The historian sought to chronicle shifts in political thought.

anthropomorphic

giving human traits to nonhumans

Tone: neutral Synonym: humanized Example: The author criticized anthropomorphic portrayals of nature.

gestalt

whole greater than parts

Tone: neutral Synonym: overall pattern Example: The movement valued the gestalt of artistic experience over isolated details.

cardinal

fundamental; most important

Tone: positive/neutral Synonym: essential Example: The writer viewed autonomy as a cardinal principle of democracy.

epitomize

perfectly represent

Tone: usually positive Synonym: embody Example: Many saw the monument as epitomizing national ideals.

stealth

secrecy; avoiding notice

Tone: neutral/mixed Synonym: concealment Example: The policy advanced with unusual stealth despite public concern.

homeopathically

in extremely tiny amounts

Tone: neutral Synonym: minimally Example: The critic joked that reform was introduced homeopathically rather than substantially.