VOCAB SET 10 (FINAL)

enigma

a noun that means a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.

nondescript

(adj.) ordinary, not outstanding; not easily classified;

Look at your blocks! You have a bright red one, a sparkly blue one, and a yellow one shaped like a star. Then you have a plain, brown, square block. It's not very exciting, is it? It's just... a block. That plain, boring block is...

Parsimonious

not willing to spend money or resources; can be either frugal or selfish

opulent

wealthy, luxurious; ample; grandiose;Think about a princess in a cartoon! She has a big, shiny castle, a sparkly dress, and jewels everywhere! Everything is super fancy and says "WOW!" That's...; It's like having a million shiny, glittery toys.

sanctimonious

making a show of being morally superior to other people; You know when you're playing, and another kid puffs out their chest and says, "Hmph! I'm being a good listener and YOU are not!" They are acting like they are the bestest kid in the whole world. That's being ____. It's not a very friendly way to be.

predatory

inclined to prey on others; Think of the big bad wolf chasing the little pigs. Or a big kitty cat trying to catch a little mouse. The big animal that wants to gobble up the small one is being ___. Grrrr!

entrenched

firmly established; Imagine you push your toy truck deep, deep, deep into the sand at the playground and you pack the sand down really hard. Now your truck is stuck! It's really hard to move it. That truck is ___. It's super stuck in one place.

pedantry

excessive concern with minor details and rule; a pretentious display of knowledge

sagacious

wise; having keen perception and sound judgement; You know when you're trying to fit a puzzle piece and it just won't go? Grrrr! Then Mommy or Daddy comes over, turns it just a little bit, and it fits perfectly! They knew exactly what to do because they are very smart and wise. That's being ___.

fortitude

courage in facing difficulties; Oh no, you tripped and got a boo-boo on your knee! Ouch! It hurts and makes you want to cry. But you take a big breath, let me put a fun bandage on it, and then you get right back up to play. Being super brave when something hurts is called ___. You are so strong!

equanimity

(n.) calmness, composure, nonchalant; Imagine you just built the biggest, bestest block tower ever! And then... CRASH! It all falls down. Instead of getting mad and crying, you just look at the blocks, take a calm breath and say, "Oopsie! Let's build it again!" When you stay calm and peaceful like that, that's ___

consummate

(adj.) complete or perfect in the highest degree; (v.) to bring to a state of completion or perfection; Have you ever seen a big kid at the park who can climb all the way to the very top of the playground super fast? They are SO good at it, they don't even wobble! When you are the best-est at doing something, you are a ___ climber

obfuscate

to confuse; to bewilder

fabricate

make up things

surmise

(v.) to think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess; (n.) likely idea that lacks definite proof; You are playing in your room and you smell something yummy. Sniff, sniff. You can't see the kitchen, but you guess that Grandma is baking your favorite cookies. Making a really good guess based on a little clue (like a smell!) is to ___.

trite

overused and hackneyed

frenetic

(adj) wildly excited or active, energetic ; frenzied, wildly fast, disorganized, often with a sense of being out of control.

vindictive

having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge; This is a feeling. Let's pretend your friend knocks over your block tower on purpose. You get so mad that you go and take their favorite crayon so they'll be sad, too. That feeling of wanting to be mean back to someone is being ___.

vitriolic

filled with bitter criticism or malice; You know how a bee sting can be extra ouchie? ___ is when someone uses words that are so mean they sting your heart and make you feel really, really sad. They are extra-ouchie words. (SPEECH, WRITING,...)

secretive

(adj) concealing; not open or frank; Shhh! Let's say you found a beautiful, shiny rock and you hide it in your pocket. When I ask what you have, you just giggle and say, "It's a secret!" When you like to hide things and not tell anybody, you are being ___

unanimity

in complete agreement; This is a noun. It's a big word for when everybody wants the exact same thing! If I ask, "Who wants yummy ice cream for a snack?" and everyone in the room shouts "ME!" at the same time, that's ___! Everyone agrees.🍦

scrupulous

(adj) very principled, very careful and conscientious; This means you are super, super careful to do things the right way. When it's time to clean up, you don't just throw the toys in the box. You make sure every single car is parked perfectly and every block is in the right spot. Being that careful is being ___

fastidious

(adj) very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail; This is another word for being very, very picky about things being clean and tidy. If you get one little drop of juice on your shirt and you want to change it right away, you are being ___. Some kitties are very fastidious about keeping their fur perfectly clean! 🐈

capitalize

to take advantage of something; to make the most of something; This is a verb, an action word! It means you see a really good chance to get something, and you take it! Imagine Mommy leaves the cookie jar on a low table by mistake. You see it and quickly grab a cookie while you can! You ___ on that good chance!

forbearance

patient self-control; restraint and tolerance; This is a noun. It's like having super-strong patience. Imagine your baby brother knocks over your tower by accident. You feel mad for a second, but you take a big breath and don't yell because you know he's just little. That strong, patient power is ___

ponderous

(adj) Heavy and slow moving; Think about a giant, sleepy bear or a big elephant. They walk very slowly and heavily. Thump... thump... thump. That slow, heavy way of moving is ___. It's like when you try to carry Daddy's big shoes around the house.

surreptitious

(adj)

Definition: Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of; stealthy.

In Simple Terms: Done in a sneaky, hushed, or clandestine way.

Real-Life Context: The two rival politicians held a series of ____ meetings, hoping to form a coalition without alerting the press.

SAT Synonyms: Clandestine, furtive, covert, stealthy.

SAT Antonyms: Overt, open, public, conspicuous.

abscond

(verb)Definition: To leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid arrest or detection for a wrongdoing.

In Simple Terms: To run away and hide, usually after stealing something.

Real-Life Context: After the Ponzi scheme collapsed, the con artist managed to ____ with the last of his investors' money before the authorities could freeze his accounts.

SAT Synonyms: Flee, decamp, bolt, make off.

SAT Antonyms: Remain, stay, face.

asylum

(noun)

Definition: The protection granted by a nation to someone who has left their native country as a political refugee.

In Simple Terms: A safe haven or official protection from another country.

Real-Life Context: The artist, whose work was banned and declared a threat by the authoritarian regime, fled to France to seek political ____.

SAT Synonyms: Sanctuary, refuge, haven, shelter.

SAT Antonyms: Persecution, danger, threat.

squalor

(noun)

Definition: A state of being extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect.

In Simple Terms: Filth and misery.

Real-Life Context: After the orphanage was shut down, inspectors were shocked by the ____ the children had been forced to live in, with crumbling walls and rampant neglect.

SAT Synonyms: Filth, wretchedness, destitution, squalidness.

SAT Antonyms: Cleanliness, luxury, opulence, splendor.

concoct

(v)

Definition: To create or devise a story or plan, often deceitfully.

In Simple Terms: To make something up, like an excuse, a lie, or a clever plan.

Real-Life Context: The novelist's greatest skill was his ability to ____ intricate backstories for his characters, making them feel incredibly real.

SAT Synonyms: Devise, fabricate, invent, formulate.

SAT Antonyms: Recount, report, state truthfully.

lugubrious

(adj)

Definition: Looking or sounding sad, mournful, and dismal in an exaggerated way.

In Simple Terms: Over-the-top gloomy.

Real-Life Context: The poet's ____ verses were filled with images of weeping willows, lonely graves, and dreary, rain-swept nights.

SAT Synonyms: Mournful, gloomy, morose, doleful, melancholy.

SAT Antonyms: Cheerful, jovial, jubilant, sanguine.

bemoan

(v)

Definition: To express discontent or sorrow over something.

In Simple Terms: To complain or grieve about something.

Real-Life Context: Environmentalists ____ the relentless deforestation of the Amazon, warning that a vital global ecosystem is on the brink of collapse.

SAT Synonyms: Lament, deplore, bewail.

SAT Antonyms: Celebrate, praise, rejoice in.

recondite

(adj)

Definition: (Of a subject or knowledge) little known; abstruse or obscure.

In Simple Terms: Extremely difficult to understand; known only by experts.

Real-Life Context: The legal scholar's latest article was on a ____ point of maritime law from the 17th century, making it inaccessible to most readers.

SAT Synonyms: Obscure, abstruse, esoteric, arcane.

SAT Antonyms: Simple, straightforward, widely known.

prefigure

(v)

Definition: To be an early indication or version of something; to foreshadow.

In Simple Terms: To be an early hint or sign of what's to come.

Real-Life Context: The Wright brothers' early experimental gliders can be seen to ____ the massive passenger jets that would dominate the skies a century later.

SAT Synonyms: Foreshadow, presage, portend, adumbrate.

SAT Antonyms: Contradict, negate.

seditious

(adj)

Definition: Inciting or causing people to rebel against the authority of a state or government.

In Simple Terms: Encouraging rebellion.

Real-Life Context: The government shut down the radio station, claiming its broadcasts were ____ and were actively encouraging citizens to take up arms.

SAT Synonyms: Subversive, treasonous, inflammatory, rebellious.

SAT Antonyms: Loyal, patriotic, law-abiding.

incendiary

(adj)

Definition: Tending to stir up conflict; deliberately provocative or inflammatory.

In Simple Terms: Figuratively "starting fires" by making people angry.

Real-Life Context: The newspaper's op-ed was so ____ that it ignited a firestorm of public debate and led to protests outside their headquarters.

SAT Synonyms: Inflammatory, provocative, seditious.

SAT Antonyms: Soothing, calming, conciliatory.

cogent

(adj) Definition: (Of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing.

In Simple Terms: A well-reasoned and persuasive argument.

Real-Life Context: She wrote a ____ and persuasive essay arguing for tax reform, which managed to convince even some of her staunchest opponents.

SAT Synonyms: Convincing, compelling, persuasive, logical, coherent.

SAT Antonyms: Unconvincing, illogical, vague, muddled.

contingent

(adj/noun)

Definition: 1. (adj) Dependent on something else. 2. (n) A group of people united by a common feature, forming part of a larger group.Real-Life Context:

The success of the entire project is ____ on securing the next round of funding.

The Japanese ____ arrived at the climate summit with a bold new proposal for reducing emissions.

SAT Synonyms: Dependent, conditional (adj); Delegation, group (n).

SAT Antonyms: Independent, certain (adj).

invertebrate

(adj/noun)

Definition: 1. (n) An animal lacking a backbone. 2. (adj, fig.) Lacking courage or moral conviction; spineless.

Real-Life Context: The board of directors saw the CEO as an ____ leader, incapable of making the difficult decisions needed to save the company.

SAT Synonyms: Spineless, weak, cowardly, pusillanimous (fig.).

SAT Antonyms: Courageous, resolute, steadfast (fig.).

presuppose

(v)

Definition: To assume something is true at the beginning of an argument; to require as a precondition.

In Simple Terms: To assume something is true before you even start.

Real-Life Context: The entire scientific method must ____ that the universe is orderly and that its laws are discoverable through observation.

SAT Synonyms: Assume, presume, postulate, take for granted.

SAT Antonyms: Prove, demonstrate, question.

tantamount

(adj)

Definition: Equivalent in seriousness to; virtually the same as.

In Simple Terms: "Basically the same as." Used for actions and effects.

Real-Life Context: In the middle of a war, leaking classified military plans to a journalist is ____ to betrayal.

SAT Synonyms: Equivalent to, synonymous with, commensurate with.

SAT Antonyms: Opposite of, different from, unequal to.

proffer

(v)

Definition: To offer or present something (like a proposal or explanation) for acceptance.

In Simple Terms: To formally offer up.

Context in Text: Sharma decided to offer her findings to the board.

Synonyms: Offer, present, propose, tender.

redress

(v)

Definition: To remedy or set right an unfair situation.

In Simple Terms: To correct an injustice.

Context in Text: The board of powerful leaders had to fix the injustice that had occurred.

Synonyms: Rectify, correct, remedy, amend.

sanction

(v)

Definition: To impose a penalty or take punitive action against someone.

• To approve

promulgate

(v)

Definition: To promote or make an idea or policy widely known; to put a law into effect by official proclamation.

In Simple Terms: To officially announce and spread the word.

Context in Text: The board wanted to officially announce and distribute new, transparent company policies for everyone to know.

Synonyms: Publicize, declare, announce, broadcast.

repulse

(v)

Definition: To drive back an attack or advance; to cause someone to feel intense distaste and aversion.

In Simple Terms: To fight off or to disgust.

Context in Text: Finch tried to fight off their efforts to remove him, but the evidence was too strong.

Synonyms: Repel, drive back, reject, revolt.

fetter

(n)

Definition: A chain used to restrain a prisoner; metaphorically, something that confines or restricts freedom.

In Simple Terms: A restraint or a shackle.

Context in Text: Finch's power, which once seemed like an unbreakable restraint on others, was finally broken.

Synonyms: Shackle, restraint, constraint, manacle.

matriculate

(v)

Definition: To be enrolled at a college or university.

In Simple Terms: To officially sign up for college.

Context in Text: Sharma was so talented that she skipped the step of enrolling in law school to pursue her work directly.

Synonyms: Enroll, register.

elide

(v)

Definition: To omit or leave out a sound, syllable, or word in speech or writing.

In Simple Terms: To skip over or leave something out.

Context in Text: Sharma had a habit of not letting a speaker skip over important facts.

Synonyms: Omit, leave out, exclude, skip.

Ricochet

(v)

Definition: (Of a projectile) to rebound one or more times off a surface. Metaphorically, for an action to have far-reaching, unintended consequences.

In Simple Terms: To bounce off something; to have ripple effects.

Context in Text: The consequences of her investigation would rebound and spread throughout the entire industry for years.

Synonyms: Rebound, bounce, boomerang, backfire.

solicitous

(adj)

Definition: Characterized by showing interest or concern.

In Simple Terms: Caring and attentive.

Context in Text: The new leadership was caring and showed great concern for the employees' well-being.

Synonyms: Concerned, caring, attentive, considerate.

desiccated

(adj)

Definition: Having had all the moisture removed; dried out. Metaphorically, lacking vitality or passion.

In Simple Terms: Dried-up and lifeless.

Context in Text: The company culture, once dried-out and lacking energy, was brought back to life.

Synonyms: Dried, withered, lifeless, depleted.

iridescent

(adj)

Definition: Showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.

In Simple Terms: Shimmering with many shifting colors.

* Context in Text: The story of the investigation was complex, with shimmering, shifting colors of what was deceit and what was truth.

Synonyms: Shimmering, pearlescent, opalescent, multicolored.

boisterous

(adj)

Definition: Noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy.

In Simple Terms: Loud and full of energy.

Context in Text: The workers had a loud and energetic celebration after Finch was removed.

Synonyms: Lively, rambunctious, rowdy, exuberant.

proletarian

(adj)

Definition: Relating to the proletariat; the working class.

In Simple Terms: Pertaining to everyday workers.

Context in Text: The news of Finch's removal was celebrated by the working-class employees.

Synonyms: Working-class, blue-collar, common.

venerate

(v) to deeply respect

reverence

(noun) of venerate, venerable : great respect

precocious

(adj)

Definition: (Of a child) having developed certain abilities or proclivities at an earlier age than usual.

In Simple Terms: Advanced or talented for one's age.

Context in Text: Sharma was a ___ talent, meaning she was unusually gifted and skilled at a young age.

Synonyms: Advanced, gifted, talented, mature.

repress

(v)

Definition:

To subdue or crush a group or activity by force.

To restrain or consciously prevent the expression of a feeling, desire, or memory.

In Simple Terms: To forcefully push something down to keep it from surfacing. This can be a rebellion or your own emotions.

Real-Life Context:

(Political) The dictator used his secret police to ____ any political opposition.

(Psychological) She learned from a young age to ____ her anger, always appearing calm even when she was furious.

Synonyms: Suppress, crush, quell, stifle, subdue, bottle up.

Antonyms: Express, release, liberate, encourage, foster.

Helpful Tip: Think of a coiled spring. To repress something is to use constant pressure to keep it pushed down. If that pressure is removed, the repressed thing can spring back forcefully. The word literally comes from Latin roots meaning "to press back."

parched

an adjective that means dried out with heat. It can also mean to be extremely thirsty.

exactitude

a noun that means the quality of being exact and precise.

frolic

a verb that means to play and move about cheerfully, excitedly, or energetically.

frolicsome

an adjective that means playful and lively.

redress

a verb that means to remedy or set right an unfair or undesirable situation.

squalid

an adjective that describes a place as being extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect.