26-50 Flashcards
Pragmatic
Practical, realistic, down to earth
Mitigate
To make less severe or harsh, to moderate, to lessen, to relieve
Altruistic
Characterized by unselfish concern for the welfare of others, not egotistical
Diffident
Timid, lacking self-confidence, shy and reserved, especially in social gatherings, self-effacing
Reticent
Reluctant to publicly discuss one’s thoughts, feelings, & personal affairs, restrained and reserved in style, not outspoken
Antithetical
Characterized by an extreme contrast or polar opposites
Succinct
Brief and to the point, concise
Belie
To give a false impression, to misrepresent
Peremptory
An order or command that does not allow discussion or refusal, an arbitrary order
Vignette
A brief literary sketch
Typically several paragraphs long in the SAT
(NOT an anecdote)
Paradox
A seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true
Verbal Irony
Saying one thing and implying something else, usually the opposite of the expressed meaning
Situational Irony
An inconsistency between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs
Parallel Structure
The repetition of words, phrases, or sentences that are similar in meaning and structure
Parenthetical Expression
An expression inserted into the flow of thought and set of by parentheses
