Princeton SAT Flashcards
Controversy
A usually prolonged public dispute; an argument
Depict
To represent by drawing, portray; to characterize in words
Undermine
To weaken, sabotage, subvert, debilitate, destabilize
advocate
to support or urge by argument, especially publicly
cynic
one who believes that only selfishness motivates human actions
dispute
to engage in argument or debate; to argue vehemently, quarrel
Provoke
to anger or vex; to stir up or call forth (feelings, desires, or activity)
contradict
to challenge, confront, counter, deny, or oppose
empathy
identification with and understanding of another’s situation, feelings, and motives
perceive
to become aware of by means of the senses; to recognize or understand
phenomenon
a fact, occurrence, or circumstance observed or observable; something remarkable or extraordinary
contempt
a feeling of disdain for anything considered mean or worthless
resolve
to come to a firm decision about, determine; to settle or solve (e.g., a question or a controversy)
speculate
to engage in thought, especially conjectural thought
intricate
having many interrelated parts or facets; hard to understand, work, or make
skepticism
a questioning or doubting attitude; doubt regarding religion
assert
to state positively; declare
distinct
not identical, separate; different in nature or quality, dissimilar
divisive
dissenting, at odds with, alienating; creating dissension or discord
consume
to expend by use; to use up
digress
to wander away from the main topic or argument in speaking or writing
innovate
to introduce (something new)
diminish
to make or become smaller, less, or less important
nostalgia
a sentimental longing for something in the past
practical
of, involving, or resulting from practice or action; adapted or suited for actual use
versatile
capable of turning easily from one thing to another; having many uses or applications
profound
showing deep insight or understanding; originating in the depths of one’s being
tenacity
persistence, strong character, perseverance
insight
intuitiveness, awareness, observation, understanding, wisdom
endure
to tolerate, withstand, sustain, undergo, bear hardship
perplex
to cause to be puzzled or bewildered; to confuse
denounce
to condemn openly; to attack accuse, or criticize
plausibility
credibility, believability
vulnerable
capable of or susceptible to being wounded; open to or defenseless against criticism or attack
pragmatic
practical, sensible, logical
rigor
the quality of being strict or inflexible; harshness, as of attitude, severity; hardship
adept
very skilled; expert
disparage
to speak of negatively; to belittle
aesthetic
having to do with the appreciation of beauty
superficial
being at, on, or near the surface; apparent rather than real
foster
to promote the growth or development of; to bring up
ambivalent
simultaneously experiencing opposing feelings; uncertain
elaborate
worked out in great detail, painstaking; ornate, showy, or gaudy
beneficial
producing or promoting a favorable result; helpful
embellish
to ornament or decorate; to exaggerate
imply
to indicate, suggest, refer, hint
esoteric
intended for or understood by only a small group
inevitable
unable to be avoided or escaped
resent
to feel or show displeasure or indignation at
scarce
insufficient to satisfy a need or demand; rarely encountered
ingenuity
the quality of being cleverly inventive or resourceful
substantiate
to support with proof or evidence; to verify
isolated
detached or separated, alone
subtle
difficult to perceive; fine or delicate; characterized by or requiring mental acuteness
presume
to take for granted, assume, or suppose; to undertake (do something) without right or permission
sentiment
an attitude, feeling, or opinion; refined or tender emotion
rhetoric
the art of using language effectively and persuasively
defiance
a bold resistance to authority or force; open disregard; contempt
abstruse
difficult to understand
deliberate
studied or intentional; careful or slow in deciding
bolster
to hearten, support, or prop up
eradicate
to get rid of as if by tearing it up by the roots; to abolish
contend
to struggle; to compete