1.
DISMISS
1. DISMISS
to reject
v. <dis-MIS>
Amy dismissed John's attempt to get back together.
Word Alert: Someone dismissive tends to dismiss everything.
2.
INNOVATIVE
2. INNOVATIVE
new and creative
adj. <IN-uh-vay-tiv>
The innovative design of this camera will revolutionize the way
people take pictures.
Synonyms: novel (58)
Word Alert: To innovate is to be innovative. An innovation is an
innovative creation.
3.
SKEPTICAL
adj. <SKEP-ti-kuhl>
3. SKEPTICAL
doubting, questioning, not believing
John said that he is over Amy, but Bob is skeptical of the claim.
Synonyms: incredulous (144)
Word Alert: A skeptic is a skeptical person. Skepticism is the state of
being skeptical.
4.
PROFOUND
4. PROFOUND
deep; far-reaching
adj. <pruh-FOUND>
What you do now will have a profound impact on your future.
Word Alert: Profundity is the state of being profound.
5.
ANECDOTE
n. <AN-ik-doht>
5. ANECDOTE
a short account of an interesting or humorous
incident
Arthur lightened his speech by including some amusing
anecdotes about his trip to Greece.
6.
UNDERMINE
6. UNDERMINE
to weaken
v. <un-dcr-MINE>
John is still in love with Amy and will do everything he can to
undermine her relationship with Scott.
7.
OBJECTIVE
adj. <ub-JECK-tiv>
7. OBJECTIVE
not influenced by emotions, unbiased
Rather than making assumptions and jumping to conclusions, the
doctor launched an objective study to determine whether the drug
was effective.
Synonyms: dispassionate (79), impartial (401)
Word Alert: As a noun, objective means a goal.
8.
ADVOCATE
v. <AD-vuh-kate>
8. ADVOCATE
to speak in favor of, promote
All SAT teachers advocate learning vocabulary because it is the
easiest way to improve one's Reading score.
Synonyms: espouse (459)
Word Alert: An advocate is a person who advocates. Advocacy is the act
or advocating.
9.
NOSTALGIA
n. <no-STAL-juh>
9. NOSTALGIA
a bittersweet longing for the past
Whenever John looks at old pictures of Amy, he cannot help but
feel nostalgia for the time they spent together.
Synonyms: wistfulness [wistful (188)]
Word Alert: If you are nostalgic, you arc experiencing nostalgia.
10.
INDIFFERENT
adj. <in-DIF-er-cnt>
10. INDIFFERENT
having no preference
Marge is indifferent about her college choice; she doesn't care
where she winds up going.
Synonyms: apathetic (38), nonchalant (161)
Word Alert: This word does NOT mean not different.
11.
RESENT
v.
11. RESENT
to feel angry and bitter about
<ri-ZENT>
I resent your remarks, jerk!
12. COMPROMISE
v.
<KOM-pruh-mize>
12. COMPROMISE
to expose to danger or suspicion*;
to mutually settle differences
The governor's past use of drugs compromised his credibility.
13. CYNICAL
adj. <SIN-ili-cul>
13. CYNICAL
believing that people are motivated by
selfishness; pessimistic
Bob is so cynical he doesn't even trust his own mother's motives.
Word Alert: A cynic is a cynical person who is full of cynicism
14. AESTHETIC
14. AESTHETIC
concerning beauty
adj. <css-THEH-tik>
This beautiful new car has great aesthetic value, but it doesn't run
very well.
Word Alert: An aesthete is a person who is very concerned with
aesthetic things.
Word Alert: Don't confuse this with ascetic (312).
15. AMBIVALENT
adj. <am-BIV-uh-lent>
15. AMBIVALENT
having opposing feelings; uncertain
Gary is ambivalent about going to Harvard: it is a good school,
but he wants to stay in the South.