PowerScore SAT 50 People Repeat Offenders | Day 9

Definition: agnostic (n)

• a person who is certain about the existence of God.

• a person who believes that the existence of God or the divine is unknown or unknowable.

• someone who actively denies the existence of any deity.

• a person who believes in multiple gods.

Answer explanation

Example: Agatha is an agnostic; she doesn’t deny the existence of a god, but she doesn’t believe in one, either.

Word Forms: agnostic (adj.), agnostical, agnostically, agnosticism

Definition: amateur (n)

• A professional who is paid for their work.
• A person who only participates in competitions.
• Someone who has no interest in any activities.
• A person who engages in a hobby or activity without being a professional.

Answer explanation

Example: Amos was a great golfer, but he was still just an amateur; he had no interest in pursuing the sport professionally.

Word Forms: amateur (adj.), amateurish, amateurishly, amateurishness, amateurism, amateurship

Definition: anarchist (n)

• A supporter of a strong central government.
• A person who advocates for strict laws and regulations.
• An individual who promotes capitalism and private ownership.
• A person who opposes all forms of government.

Answer explanation

Example: On campus, the anarchist preached against the university’s government, advocating revolt by the students.

Word Forms: anarchy, anarchistic, anarchic, anarchical, anarchically, anarch

Definition: aristocrat (n)

• A person who belongs to the highest or most privileged class in a society

• An individual who has no noble title or rank.
• A person who is a member of the middle class.
• A wealthy landowner with no political power.

Answer explanation

Example: As an aristocrat, Ari was used to preferential treatment in the most expensive hotels and restaurants in the city.

Word Forms: aristocracy, aristocratic, aristocratical, aristocratically, aristocraticalness, aristocraticness

Definition: ascetic (n)

• A person who seeks pleasure and indulgence
• A person who avoids all forms of discipline
• A person who practices self-indulgence as a lifestyle
• A person who practices self-denial as a spiritual discipline

Answer explanation

Example: To prove his devotion to the religion, the ascetic did not own anything that might provide comfort or pleasure, such as a mattress or television set.

Word Forms: ascetic (adj.), ascetical, ascetically, asceticism

Definition: authoritarian (n)

• A leader who promotes free speech
• A person who encourages debate and discussion
• An individual who values personal freedom
• A person who expects unquestioned obedience

Answer explanation

Example: The timid girl’s father was an authoritarian; she was expected to obey his every order without question or hesitation.

Word Forms: authoritarian (adj.), authoritarianism

Related Words: authority, authoritative

Definition: autocrat (n)

• A ruler with absolute power.
• A leader who follows strict laws and regulations.
• A ruler who shares power with a council.
• A democratic leader elected by the people.

Answer explanation

Example: The autocrat was an oppressive ruler, dictating all laws and rules for the citizens of the nation.

Word Forms: autocratic, autocratical, autocratically, autocracy

Antonym Forms: democrat, democratic, democratical, democratically, democracy

Definition: avenger (n)

• A person who avoids conflict.
• A person who seeks justice.
• A person who promotes peace.
• A person who seeks justice or revenge.

Answer explanation

Example: Ava saw herself as an avenger, the only person who could find justice for the little boy injured in the fire.

Word Forms: avenge, avengeful, avengingly

Related Words: vengeance, revenge

Definition: bard (n)

• A historian who studies ancient texts.
• A novelist who writes fiction.
• A poet and storyteller, often associated with music.
• A musician who plays in orchestras.

Answer explanation

Example: The bard recited several of his poems at the book signing.

Word Forms: bardic, bardish, bardlike, bardship

Note: William Shakespeare is referred to as the bard.

Definition: belittler (n)

• A person who belittles others.
• A person who supports others.
• A person who ignores others.
• A person who praises others.

Answer explanation

Example: Bella is using her natural tendency as a belittler to win the science fair; by criticizing the other projects, she hopes to draw attention to her own.

Word Forms: belittle, belittlement

Related Word: little