Unit 12 SAT Vocabulary

Question 1

appreciable

Answer 1

adj

-large or important enough to be noticed; considerable

Question 2

autocratic

Answer 2

adj

• of or relating to a ruler who has absolute power; tyrannical
• taking no account of other people’s wishes or opinions; domineering

Question 3

blanch

Answer 3

v

• to whiten by removing color; bleach
• to become white; turn pale

Question 4

blasphemy

Answer 4

n

• the act of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things; profane talk
• irreverent behavior towards anything held sacred, etc.

Question 5

brawny

Answer 5

adj

-muscular; strong

Question 6

concerted

Answer 6

adj

• contrived or arranged by agreement; planned or devised together
• done or performed together or in cooperation

Question 7

contend

Answer 7

v

• to struggle in opposition
• to strive in rivalry; compete; vie
• to assert or maintain earnestly

Question 8

humane

Answer 8

adj
-characterized by tenderness, compassion, and sympathy for people and animals, especially for the suffering or distressed

Question 9

illustrious

Answer 9

adj

• highly distinguished; renowned; famous
• well known, respected, and admired for past achievements

Question 10

intolerable

Answer 10

adj

-not tolerable; unendurable; insufferable

Question 11

irreverent

Answer 11

adj

-showing a lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously

Question 12

laborious

Answer 12

adj

• requiring much work, exertions, or perseverance
• characterized by or exhibiting excessive effort, dullness, and lack of spontaneity

Question 13

lithe

Answer 13

adj

-bending readily; pliant; limber; supple; flexible

Question 14

maltreat

Answer 14

v

-to treat or handle badly, cruelly, or roughly; abuse

Question 15

ponder

Answer 15

v

-to weight carefully in the mind; consider thoughtfully

Question 16

subversive

Answer 16

adj

-seeking or intended to subvert or to overthrow an established system or institution; rebellious

Question 17

synthetic

Answer 17

adj

• (of a substance) made by chemical synthesis, especially to imitate a natural product
• (of an emotion or action) not genuine; insincere

Question 18

temperate

Answer 18

adj

-moderate or self-restrained; not extreme in opinion, statement, etc.

Question 19

venomous

Answer 19

adj

• of animals secreting venom; capable of injecting venom by means of a bit or sting
• (of a person or their behavior) full of malice or spite

Question 20

wily

Answer 20

adj

-skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully