SAT VOCABULARY UNIT 3

Abominate

(v) to have an intense dislike or hatred for Syn: loathe, abhor Ant: cherish, esteem

*Acculturation

(n) the modification of social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contract with those of another Syn: adaptation

Adventitious

(adj) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential Syn: incidental, fortuitous Ant: essential, inherent

*Ascribe

(v) to assign or refer to as a cause or source; attribute Syn: impute, credit

Circuitous

(adj) roundabout, not direct Syn: meandering, winding Ant: straight, direct

Commiserate

(v) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress Syn: feel sorry for, empathize

*Enjoin

(v) to direct or order, to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit Syn: bid, charge Ant: allow, permit

Expedite

(v) to make easy, to cause to progress faster Syn: accelerate, facilitate Ant: hinder, obstruct

*Expiate

(v) to make amends, make up for, to avert Syn: redeem, atone

*Ferment

(n) a state of great agitation, excitement, or turbulence; (v) to be in or work into such a state; to produce alcohol by chemical reaction Syn: commotion, turmoil Ant: tranquility, placidity

Inadvertent

(adj) resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional Syn: accidental, unconsidered Ant: deliberate, premeditated

Nominal

(adj) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously Syn: token, trifling Ant: actual, noteworthy

Noncommittal

(adj) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no Syn: uninformative, on the fence Ant: definite, committed

Peculate

(v) to steal something that has been given into one’s trust; to take improperly for one’s own use Syn: embezzle, misappropriate

Proclivity

(n) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency Syn: penchant, propensity Ant: inability, incapacity

*Sangfroid

(n) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances Syn: poise, self-assurance Ant: hysteria, panic

Seditious

(adj) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government Syn: mutinous, subversive Ant: supportive, allegiant

Tenuous

(adj) thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; lacking a sound basis; poorly supported; of slight importance or significance Syn: flimsy, vague Ant: solid, substantial

Vitriolic

(adj) bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid) Syn: withering, acerbic Ant: saccharine, kind

*Wheedle

(v.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end Syn: cajole, sweet-talk Ant: coerce, intimidate