English 4 SAT Vocabulary Words Lesson 3

adj. ordinary or dull Sentence The crowd responded to the pedestrian speech with yawns. Synonyms boring, commonplace Antonyms different, interesting

adj. in good faith Sentence We made a bona fide offer for the property. Synonyms real, true, legitimate Antonyms fake, unreal, phony

adj. accidental; nonessential Sentence The scientists admitted that the breakthrough was an adventitious result of the study. Synonyms incidental, by chance Antonyms planned, premeditated

adj. fertile; productive Sentence The fecund soil produced a record number of tomatoes this year. Synonyms reproducing, breeding, fruitful Antonyms sterile, unproductive, unfruitful

v. to turn aside from a course; to stray Sentence Sometimes it's better to deviate from the truth than to hurt someone's feelings. Synonyms depart from, bend the rules Antonyms go straight, keep, stay

v. confuse; to bewilder Sentence The realtor tried to obfuscate the issue, and it was working, because the confused buyer did not know if he was coming or going. Synonyms complicate, puzzle Antonyms clarify, order

v. to pierce with a sharp stake through the body Sentence The natives used sharp sticks to impale fish in the tide pools. Synonyms stab, puncture

v. to lessen seriousness by providing partial excuses Sentence The jury believes that the thief's situation extenuates the crime of stealing food. Synonyms excuse, justify

adj. local; narrow; limited Sentence Because he had never traveled outside his own town, Jim had a very parochial view of life. Synonyms narrow-minded, restricted Antonyms broad, unrestricted

v. to stare angrily Sentence The boys glowered at his mother when she corrected his manners. Synonyms frown, sulk, scowl Antonyms grin, smile

v. improve someone morally Sentence The sermon was meant to edify the congregation. Synonyms teach, uplift, improve

adj. open to more than one (meaning) interpretation Sentence The candidate's ambiguous comments tendd to cnonfuse the issue even more. Synonyms unclear, uncertain, vague Antonyms clear, definite

n. a violent change Sentence The earthquake in Mexico was a cataclysm which no one could have foreseen. Synonyms disaster, ruin, tragedy Antonyms truimph, boon, good fortune

adj. best; most favorable; ideal Sentence The pilot was waiting for optimum conditions before settingout on the dangerous flight. Synonyms highest,more excellent, first-class Antonyms least, poorest, worst

v. to ask persistently; to beg Sentence John importuned his father, but could not get the car keys. Synonyms nag, ask, appeal, badger