PowerScore SAT 35 Repeat Offenders | Day 4

Definition: resilient (adj)

• able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions
• permanently damaged by adversity
• easily overwhelmed by stress
• unable to adapt to change

Answer explanation

Example: Fire ants are resilient pests; even if you destroy their mound, they’ll quickly rebuild just a few feet away.

Word Forms: resiliently, resilience, resiliency

Definition: reticent (adj)

• Reserved or reluctant to speak.
• Unwilling to listen.
• Always speaking loudly.
• Eager to share thoughts.

Answer explanation

Example: Ironically, the actor once known for his outspoken behavior became reticent in later years, refusing to grant interviews.

Word Forms: reticently, reticence, reticency

Definition: revere (vb)

• To feel indifferent or apathetic.
• To criticize harshly and openly.
• To regard with deep respect and admiration.
• To ignore or dismiss completely.

Answer explanation

Example: Paul Revere was one of many colonists who revered freedom and democracy.

Word Forms: reverable, reverent, reverently, reverence, reverential, reverer

Antonym Forms: irreverent, irreverently, irreverence

Related Word: reverend

Definition: rhetoric (n)

• a method of analyzing historical texts
• a type of literary genre
• the study of grammar and syntax
• skill in using language to persuade

Answer explanation

Example: The real estate agent was well-versed in the rhetoric needed to sell the broken-down house.

Word Forms: rhetorical, rhetorically, rhetoricalness

Definition: rigorous (adj)

• simple and easygoing in execution
• casual and relaxed in methodology
• strict and thorough in approach
• flexible and lenient in approach

Answer explanation

Example: Reggie started a rigorous weight loss plan that consisted of a strict diet and intense exercise schedule.

Word Forms: rigorously, rigorousness, rigor

Definition: sarcasm (n)

• A form of verbal irony used to mock or convey contempt.
• A method of storytelling that emphasizes truth.
• A straightforward statement without hidden meaning.
• A type of humor that involves exaggeration.

Answer explanation

Example: When Sara said she liked Blake’s car, he knew she meant the exact opposite; her sarcasm was meant to make fun of his inexpensive automobile.

Word Forms: sarcastic, sarcastically, sarcasticness, sarcastical

Definition: satire (n)

• A type of serious drama focused on moral lessons.
• A form of praise or admiration in literature.
• The use of ridicule or a work (such as an essay, play, or movie) intending to ridicule.
• A genre that exclusively features romantic themes.

Answer explanation

Example: The movie is a satire, making fun of all the teenage horror movies that came before it.

Word Forms: satiric, satirical, satirically, satiricalness, satirize, satirizable, satirization, satirizer

Definition: scorn (n)

• A strong feeling of love.
• A state of happiness or joy.
• An expression of approval or admiration.
• A feeling of contempt or disdain.

Answer explanation

Example: Steve knew he deserved the scorn of his teammates after he was caught cheating, but their reaction still saddened him.

Word Forms: scorn (vb.), scornful, scornfully, scornfulness, scorningly, scorner

Definition: scrupulous (adj)

• careless and indifferent in ethical matters
• strictly adhering to legal standards only
• careful and precise in matters of ethics or morality
• unconcerned about moral implications

Answer explanation

Example: The scrupulous executive would not let the advertisement run with the misleading information printed in it.

Word Forms: scrupulously, scrupulousness, scrupulosity

Antonym Forms: unscrupulous, unscrupulously, unscrupulousness, unscrupulosity

Related Word: scruples

Definition: scrutinize (vb)

• to examine closely and critically
• to summarize briefly
• to analyze superficially
• to ignore completely

Answer explanation

Example: Ruth scrutinized the classified ads, carefully reading each of the posted jobs.

Word Forms: scrutinizingly, scrutinization, scrutiny, scrutinizer