Larry Krieger 500 SAT Vocabulary Words

reticent (adj.)

reluctant to publicly discuss one's thoughts, feelings, and personal affairs, restrained and reserved in style; not out spoken

verbal irony

saying one thing and implying something else, usually the opposite of expressed meaning

personification

a figure of speech in which inanimate objects are endowed with human characteristics

simile

a figure of speech in which two essentially unlike things are compared, often in a phrase introduced by "like" or "as"

metaphor

a figure of speech in which two unrelated objects are paired

paradox

a seemingly contradictory statement which none the less may be true

anecdote

a short story told to illustrate a point

situational irony

an inconsistency between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs

peremptory

an order or command that does not allow discussion or refusal and arbitrary order

succinct (adj.)

brief and to the point; concise (brief but comprehensive)

aesthetic (adj.)

characterized by a sensitivity to beauty in art and taste

antithetical(adj.)

characterized by an extreme constant or polar opposites

altruistic (adj.)

characterized by unselfish concern for the welfare of others; not egotistical

conventional (adj.)

customary: conforming to established practices; based on what is done or believed

discerning (adj.)

demonstrating keen insight and good judgement; able to distinguish good from bad

subtle (adj.)

gradual and therefore not obvious

ominous (adj.)

menacing and threatening; foreshadowing ill-fortune

frank (adj.)

open an honest; candid (truthful)

prescient (adj.)

perceiving the significance of events before they occur; showing foresight (seeings the future)

pragmatic (adj.)

practical, realistic, down to earth

parallel structure

the repetition of words, phrases, or sentences that are similar in meaning and structure

diffident (adj.)

timid; lacking self-confidence; shy and reserved in social gatherings

belie

to give false impression; misrepresent

mitigate (v.)

to make less severe of harsh; to moderate; to lessen; to relieve

revere (v. )

to show great respect for a person, idea, or symbol; venerate (regard with respect)

beguile (v.)

to trick or captivate someone, either with deception or irresistible charm

nostalgia (n.)

a bittersweet longing for something in the past

vignette

a breif literary sketch

anomaly

a deviation from a common pattern; a departure from the norm