SAT VOCAB 1

self-righteous

believing you are always morally better than others

corruption

1. dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, exp. bribery

2. word alteration

3. degradation

remedy

rectify, correct sth

beseeching

showing emotionally that you want sth very much = pleading

entreat

beseech = plead = implore

adjure

ask, order sb to do sth

censorious

overcritical = condemning

castigate

criticize severely = rebuke

admonish

1. reprimand = castigate

2. warn

chastise

criticize or punish severely

reproach

express disapproval or disappointment

affair

1. event

2. matter = concern (of public interest/importance)

contemptuous

expressing derision = sneering

scornful

disdainful = contemptuous

inept

incompetent

adroit

adept = dexterous

agile

nimble = shrewd

acute

astute = incisive

trepidation

fear abt sth unpleasant may happen

dread

anticipate with great fear

reverence

deep respect

awe

great respect mixed with fear

apprehension

1. action of arrest

2. trepidation

solemn

1. serious

2. sincere

distillation

extraction of the essential meaning

tenuous

negligible

attenuate

reduce

amplitude

magnitude

amplify

enlarge

primeval

1. ancient, of earliest time in history

2. primitive = intuitive

inarticulate

imcomprehensible

treacherous

1. deceitful

2. perilous

precarious

likely to collapse

profundity

great depth of knowledge knowledge = profoundness

endeavour

attempt

tolerable

mediocre = acceptable

vindicate

substantiate

sanction

1. approve

2. (n) penalty

ecclesiastical - ecclesiastic

related to Christian religion

eclectic

deriving from diverse source

hyprocrisy

pretending to believe in sth that they do not = lip service

sanctimonious

self-righteous

lucidity

intelligibility

hurdle

hinderance

subversive

intended to subvert an established system

voluptuous

1. (woman) sexually attractive

2. sth that gives you pleasure

anachronism

when sth is placed in a wrong period of history

synopsis

brief summary

loquacious

garrulous = talkative

verbose

wordy

compunction

guilt = scruples

vexation

menace = exasperation

sophistry

chicanery = cunning

nonchalant

equanimous = aloof

detached

imperturbable

dignity

1. high rank

2. nobleness

imposing

impressive in style, appearance = stately

idolent

loafing = idle

haphazard

disorganized

altruism

selfless concern for others’ well-being

trample

step heavily on sth to crush it

repugnant

intriguing distaste = repulsive

abscond

leave secretly

loathsome

abhorrent = repellent

menace

threat

ominous

intimidating = inauspicious

charlatan

a person falsely claiming to have a special knowledge or skill

incommunicado

not able, wanting, or allowed to communicate

tortuous

complicated = labyrinth

indignant

resentful

prejudice

bias

coalition

alliance

refuge

shelter = sanctuary

arbitrary

1. based on chance

2. tyrannical = despotic

capricious

unpredictable = erratic

turbulent

involving a lot of sudden changes, arguments, or violence

vacuum

emptiness

incentive

inducement = motivation

weary

tired

resolute

undaunted

staunch

unwavering = adamant

steadfast

pertinacious = tenacious

stalwart

loyal

obdurate

intransigent = obstinate

relentless

implacable

indurate

solidify

inflict

force sb to experience sth unpleasant

inanimate

not alive

posturing

behaviour that is intended to impress or mislead

repeal

annul = revoke

oppress

keep sb in subjection and hardship

countenance

permit

persecution

hostility

dispose

1. arrange in a particular position

2. incline sb towards a particular activity or mood

pious

devoutly religious

integrity

1. honesty

2. unity

viable

feasible

zenith

peak

alacrity

willingness

taciturn

reserved