SAT HOT WORDS #21

English 3 CP

1. Meticulous

Sidney was meticulous about his clothing but quite sloppy about his room.

A meticulous investigation into the tragic hazing incident resulted in a suspension of the fraternity.

Even though Thomas was generally laconic in his speech, he was meticulous about explaining in great detail his part in the heroic rescue of his friend.

1. Meticulous

adj Very careful about

details; fussy Syn: accurate;

conscientious; fastidious

Ant: careless; messy; sloppy

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2. Mitigate

The doctor assured Mrs. Shiller that the medicine would mitigate her pain in a short time.

After a lackluster defense, the attorney noted her client’s youth in an attempt to mitigate the expected harsh sentence.

The principal told the student delegation that to mitigate the punishment for bringing weapons into the school would only invite serious trouble.

2. Mitigate

Verb To make or to become

milder or less severe; to moderate

Syn: alleviate; assuage; pacify

Ant: aggravate; incite; intensify

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3. Morose

When we come across someone who is both loquacious and morose, we are in for a double portion of unpleasantness.

What marred Ralph’s chances to develop friendships was not only his morose attitude but his impatience with every innocent display of levity.

Joan’s morose nature makes her always expect the worse.

Adj. Gloomy; bad-

tempered Syn:

cantankerous; melancholy

Ant: cheerful; optimistic

3. Morose

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4. Nomenclature

The nomenclature can be quickly mastered by using memory devices.

The emergence of new theories in psychology will undoubtedly lead to revision of the nomenclature in the field.

The first step in tackling a new topic is to learn its nomenclature.

4. Nomenclature

Noun A systematic

naming in an art or science

Syn: classification; terminology

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5. Nonchalance

Edward’s nonchalance about his studies made it difficult to lampoon him about his poor showing in the midterm exams.

The family had grown to love the adopted child and could not accept with nonchalance the order to return her to her natural mother.

Nonchalance is not part of Angela’s fiery temperament.

5. Nonchalance

Noun Carelessness; lack

of interest or concern

Syn: composure; indifference

Ant: discomposure; agitation

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6. Obliterate

The authorities feared that the heavy rain would obliterate all signs of the escaped prisoner.

One ill-spoken word can obliterate a carefully built up friendship.

The bombardment failed to obliterate the stubborn resistance of the encircled company.

6. Obliterate

Verb To blot out leaving

no traces; to destroy

Syn: annihilate; eliminate; eradicate

Ant: build; construct; create

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7. Obscure

Far from the well-traveled highway was an obscure village that seemed to belong to another age.

The teacher had the gift of making his students see the beauty in even the most obscure poetry.

In his clever but unprincipled way, the devious attorney managed to obscure the issue with irrelevant facts.

7. Obscure

Adj. Not clear or distinct;

hidden; remote; not well known (verb--to make dark, dim or indistinct; to conceal or hide as if by covering)

Syn: ambiguous Ant: perceptible

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8. Obsolete

Propeller planes have become obsolete.

Dr. Clemens’ frequent use of obsolete words and expressions typed her as archaic, to say the least.

Dr. Samuel Johnson once remarked that he had retained clothing which had become obsolete and later returned to fashion.

8. Obsolete

Adj. Out of date Syn: antiquated;

archaic Ant: contemporary;

modern

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9. Officious

Mr. Klar’s officious manner helped him gain friends easily but lose them in short order.

Those who tend to be officious do not know the value of independent action.

An officious person is likely to be bumbling and ineffective.

9. Officious

Adj. Meddling; giving

unnecessary or unwanted advice or services

Syn: obtrusive; opinionated; pragmatic

Ant: modest; shy; timid

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10. Opportunist

The Bible captures the essence of the opportunist in the description, “Every man doing what is right in his own eyes.”

The opportunist is so anxious to get ahead that he is ready to ignore the needs, feelings, and welfare of his fellow man.

Sharon did not realize that Harold’s interest in her was that of an opportunist who saw her as a means of improving his position in her father’s company.

10. Opportunist

Noun One who takes

advantage of any opportunity without regard for moral principles

Syn: go-getter, ingrate

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