SAT words 2

reprove

to scold; to find fault with

pessimism

gloominess; a belief that the bad guys always win

cursory

hasty, not thorough

profligate

extremely wasteful; wildly extravagant

miser

someone who hoards money

jocular

joking

fracas

uproar; brawl

caricature

a satiric portrait or representation

corroborate

to confirm

precarious

dangerously unstable

expository

explanatory

bolster

to support; to prop up

daunt

to intimidate; to discourage

inclined

tending toward one direction

uniform

constant; without variety

perceptive

having keen understanding; discerning

superficial

shallow; on the surface only

lucid

clear; easy to understand (elucidate)

immune

safe from harm; protected

aesthetic

concern with art or beauty (not the same with ascetic)

condescending

having or showing a feeling of patronizing superiority

confidential

intended to be kept a secret; indicating that what one says is private or secret

confrontational

tending to deal with situations in an aggressive way; hostile or argumentative

contend

struggle to surmount (a difficulty or danger) / cope with; engage in a competition or campaign in order to win or achieve (something)

contradictory

mutually opposed or inconsistent

conversational

appropriate to an informal conversion

convoluted

extremely complex and difficult to follow

cynical

believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity; doubtful as to whether something will happen or whether it is worthwhile

detached

separate or disconnected; not joined to another on either side; aloof and objective

disdainful

showing contempt or lack of respect