PSAT Practice Flashcards
insignia
a distinguishing mark or token of something; emblem (military rank or organization membership)
adversary
one’s opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute
repertoire
a whole set of plays, dances, or pieces that a company or person are ready to perform
protracted
lasting for a long time or longer than expected/usual
tenuous
very weak or slight; slender or fine; insubstantial
draconian
excessively harsh or severe (of laws or their application)
laudatory
expressing praise or commendation (of speech or writing)
ordeal
a painful or horrific experience, especially a protracted one
vindictive
having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge
lark
something done for fun; mischievously or daringly; an activity that is foolish or a waste of time; to enjoy oneself by behaving playfully or mischieviously
scathing
witheringly scornful; severely critical; harming or injuring
sycophantic
behaving or done in an obsequious way to gain advantage
caustic
sarcastic in a scathing or bitter way
obsequious
obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree
insolent
showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect
repast
A meal
ingratiating
intended to gain approval for or favor; sycophantic
gregarious
fond of company; sociable
petulant
childishly sulky or bad tempered
irresolute
showing or feeling hesitancy; uncertain
credulous
having or showing too great a readiness to believe things; gullible
tenacious
tending to keep a firm hold of something; determined
scorn
the feeling or belief that someone or something is worthless or despicable
withering
intended to make someone feel mortified or humiliated
servile
having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others; of or characteristic of a slave or slaves
contempt
the feeling that a person/thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn
derision
contemptuous ridicule or mockery
Feeble
Lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness
Advocate
To support or urge by argument, especially publicly
Ambivalent
Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone
Undermine
To weaken, sabotage, subvert, debilitate, destabilize
Depict
To represent by drawing,
Portray; to characterize in words
Controversy
A usually prolonged public dispute;
An argument
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
Subvert
Undermine the power and authority of (an established system)
Vehement
Showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, or intense
Encumber
Restrict or burden (someone or something) in such a way that free act on or movement is difficult
Devoid
entirely lacking or free form
Blandishment
Flattering or pleasing statement or action used to persuade someone gently to do something
Lamentation
Grieving, weeping
Bereaved
Be deprived of a loved one due to death
Plaintive
Sad and mournful
Divisive
Dissenting, at odds with, alienating, creating dissension or discord
Digress
To wander away from the main topic or argument in speaking or writing
Dissension
Disagreement
Sardonic
Cynical, mocking
Glib
Fluent but insincere and shallow
Verisimilitude
The quality of appearing true or real
Transcendence
To ride above the scope of ordinary experience
Penetrate
succeed in forcing a way into or through (a thing).
Loquacious
Full of excessive talk
Fervid
intensely enthusiastic or passionate, especially to an excessive degree:
Sadistically
Cruelty
Valiant
Courageous; determined
Besotted
Strongly infatuated; intoxicated or drunk
Odious
Unpleasant or repulsive
Eloquence
Fluent or persuasive
Omnipotence
Quality of having unlimited or great power
Belligerent
Hostile or aggressive; engaged in conflict
Surreptitiously
Trying to avoid being noticed; done in a concealed underhand way
Obstreperously
Noisily and aggressively boisterous; unruly
Scrupulously
Having moral integrity; very precise
Obsolete
Out of date; no longer produced or used
Averse
Having a strong dislike of or opposition to something
Equanimity
Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper; especially in a difficult situation
Histrionics
Exaggerated dramatic behavior designed to attract attention; actor
Exhibitionism
Extravagant behavior that is intended to attract attention to oneself
Auxiliary
Providing supplementary or additional help and support
Exult
Show or feel elation or jubilation, especially as the result of success
Balk
Hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking
Demur
Raise doubts or objections or show reluctance
Pompous
Arrogant and conceited;
Irritatingly grand, solemn,
Or self important
Litany
A tedious recital or repetitive series
Infatuated
Inspired by intense but short lived passion or admiration
Jubilation
Feeling of great happiness or triumph
Ostentatious
Designed to impress or attract
Perfidious
Deceitful and untrustworthy
Gratify
Give someone pleasure or satisfaction
Exhilarate
Make someone feel very happy or elated
Despondent
Feeling or showing hopelessness, discouragement, dejection
Unscrupulous
Having or show by no moral principles; not honest or fair
Trivialize
Make something seem less important, significant, or complex than it is
Exasperate
To irritate or provoke to a high degree; annoy extremely
Subside
To sink to a low or lower level
Periphery
The external boundary of any surface or area
Duplicity
Deceitfulness
Altruism
Unselfishness
Discern
To perceive; see, recognize; dictionary
Effusive
Unduly demonstrative; lacking reserve; pouring out; overflowing
Subservient
Serving or acting in a subordinate capacity; servile; obsequious
Corroborate
To make more certain; confirm
Ephemeral
Short lived; temporary; lasting a very short time
Intrinsic
Belonging to a thing by its very nature
Spurious
Not genuine, authentic, or true;’counterfeit
Vitriolic
Very caustic; scathing
To differ in sentiment or opinion, especially from the majority
Dissent
Stalwart
Strongly and stoutly built; strong and brave; valiant
Lampoon
To mock or ridicule
Menace
A threat
Clout
Strong influence; a blow, especially with the hand
Obviate
To anticipate and prevent or eliminate by effective measures
Tentative
Unsure; uncertain; not definite or positive; hesitant
Maverick
Unconventional; independent; perusing rebellious ideas
Decry
Denounce as faulty or worthless
Emulate
To imitate, idolize, try to equal or excel
Reticent
Reserved; reluctant or restrained; disposed to be silent or not speak freely
Exuberant
Abounding in vitality; extremely Joyful, enthusiastic
Aloof
Apart; why; disinterested; standoffish
Diffident
Lacking confidence in ones own ability; timid, shy
Banal
Cliche; dull, overused
Pedestrian, hackneyed
