21. REVERE
21. REVERE
to respect, honor or admire
v. <ri-VEER>
Bob is revered by the countless students he has helped get into
college.
Synonyms: esteem (232)
Word Alert: Reverence is the act of revering.
Word Alert: If the prefix, ir- means not, what would irreverence mean?
22. PROVOCATIVE
adj. <pruh-VAWK-uh-tiv>
22. PROVOCATIVE
tending to stir to anger or action
This artist makes provocative nude paintings that often shock
and offend the public.
Word Alert: To provoke is to be provocative.
23. INDULGE
23. INDULGE
to please or satisfy
v. <in-DUHU>
I know I'm on a diet, but I can't help but indulge myself with this
chocolate cake.
Word Alert: Indulgent means tending to indulge.
24. RHETORIC
n. <REH-tuh-ric>
24. RHETORIC
one's use of language (especially effective
language)
Caroline's speech was very convincing; her persuasive rhetoric
made up for her lack of concrete evidence.
Word Alert: Rhetorical means having to do with rhetoric.
A rhetorician is a person skilled in rhetoric.
Word Alert: A rhetorical question is a question that you don't actually
want answered; you only asked it for rhetorical effect.
25. SCRUTINIZE
v. <SKROOT-in-ize>
25. SCRUTINIZE
to examine carefully
After scrutinizing the data for three weeks, 1 have finally come
to a conclusion.
Word Alert: Scrutiny is the act of examining. Something inscrutable
cannot be examined or understood.
26.
FOSTER
v.
26. FOSTER
to promote the development of
<FAW-ster>
Good reading skills will foster good writing skills.
Synonyms: nurture (376)
27.
PLAUSIBLE
27. PLAUSIBLE
believable
adj. <PLAW-zuh-buhl>
It's technically possible that the dog did in fact cat your
homework, but it is not very plausible.
Word Alert: If the prefix, /;//- means not, what would implausible mean?
28.
INACCESSIBLE
adj. <in-uhk-SES-uh-buhl>
28. INACCESSIBLE
not easily approached, entered, or obtained
The fortress is inaccessible; no one can get in or out.
29.
UNDERSCORE
v.
29. UNDERSCORE
to emphasize
<UN-der-skohr>
John tends to yell at his students when he wants to underscore
something important.
30. A W E
n. (rhymes with "saw")
30. AWE
a mixed emotion of respect, wonder, and dread
Seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time filled Allen with awe.
Word Alert: Something that causes awe is awesome.
31.
SUBSTANTIATE
31. SUBSTANTIATE
to support with proof
v. <suhb-STAN-shec-ate>
Although everyone suspects that it was John who set fire to
Scott's car. there is no proof to substantiate the claim.
Word Alert: To substantiate is lo give substance to an argument.
32. CONFORM
32. CONFORM
to be similar; to adapt
v. <kuhn-FORM>
Connor always conforms to the latest fads rather than developing
his own style.
Like-Minded
conform (32), uniform (73), consensus (88), accord (180), concord (207),
concur(279)
Word Alert: When you conform, you put yourself in a state of conformity.
33. TRIVIAL
33. TRIVIAL
insignificant, unimportant
adj. <TRIV-ec-uhl>
Historical dates are trivial facts; a true understanding of history
requires knowledge of why things happen.
Synonyms: inconsequential (157), frivolous (186), negligible (395)
Word Alert: To trivialize is lo make something seem trivial.
34. INDIGNATION
34. INDIGNATION
anger (over something unjust)
n. <in-dig-NAY-shun>
There is much public indignation over the city's plan to tear
down the playground in order to build a power plant.
Word Alert: To be indignant is to feel indignation.
35. TEMPER
v. <TEM-per>
35. TEMPER
to soften or moderate
If you don't temper that attitude of yours I'm going to have to ask
you to leave.
Feel Better
temper (35), mollify (203), mitigate (260), alleviate (293),
palliative (310)
Word Alert: Something that is temperate is soft or moderate.
Temperance is moderation or self-control.
36.
MUNDANE
36. MUNDANE
ordinary, commonplace
adj. <muhn-DAYN>
Instead of big action or sweeping melodrama, this movie portrays
the mundane events of everyday life.
Played Out
mundane (36), prosaic (194), banal (221), hackneyed (345),
insipid (382), trite (460)
37. VULNERABLE
adj. <VUHL-ner-uh-buhl>
37. VULNERABLE
not protected against harm; easily injured
The best time to strike is when your enemy is most vulnerable.
Word Alert: If the prefix in- means not, what would invulnerable mean?
38. APATHETIC
adj. <ap-uh-THET-ik>
38. APATHETIC
lacking interest, concern, or emotion
Apathetic about the SAT, Dick actually fell asleep during the
test.
Synonyms: indifferent (10), nonchalant (161)
Word Alert: Apatity is an apathetic state of mind.
39. CREDIBLE
39. CREDIBLE
believable
adj. <KRED-uh-buhl>
You can trust her testimony; she's a credible witness.
Word Alert: If the prefix in- means not, what would incredible mean?
40. ARBITRARY
adj. <AHR-bi-trer-ee>
40. ARBITRARY
determined by impulse or chance, without reason
Marge was indifferent about her college choice, so she made an
arbitrary decision.
Unpredictable
arbitrary (40), whimsical (69), capricious (130), erratic (168),
impetuous (175), volatile (341), mutable (359), mercurial (387)