100 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT
Vocabulary Lesson 14: Cruel and Unusual
Today’s roots: vilis worthless de- down
super- above, beyond -less without❑ ruthless(adj) cruel; merciless (rueregret+-lesswithout)
Torquemada is widely regarded as the most ruthlessinterrogator of the Spanish Inquisition.
Synonyms:brutal, callous Antonyms:civilized, humane, merciful❑ contempt(n) scorn; disrespect
Many eminent and successful scientists often show contemptfor novel theories that question their own.
Synonyms:disdain, scorn Antonyms:respect, honor, reverence❑ callous(adj) hardened; insensitive
Because they see so much suffering daily, emergency room doctors often struggle to avoid becoming callous.
Synonyms:insensitive, dispassionate Antonyms:compassionate, empathetic, sympathetic❑ sadistic(adj) taking pleasure in the pain of others (from the Marquis de Sade)
Thesadisticyoungster smiled as he watched his classmate get hit in the head with a dodgeball.
Synonyms:barbarous, savage, ruthless Antonyms:civilized, humane❑ supercilious(adj) full of haughty arrogance (super-above+ciliumeyebrow)
Although he seems superciliouswhen you first meet him, Joe is actually a modest and down-to-earth guy.
Synonyms:haughty, cavalier Antonyms:diffident, unassuming, humble❑ idiosyncrasy(n) a peculiar trait or habit (idiopeculiar)
My history teacher has the idiosyncrasyof always squinting just before she asks a question of the class.
Synonyms:quirk, affectation, eccentricity, singularity❑ anomaly(n) unusual event (an-not+homossame)
The ninety-degree day in Siberia was an anomaly;the temperature had gone that high only once before.
Synonyms:aberration, irregularity Antonym:regularity❑ incongruous(adj) inappropriate; not in keeping with a pattern (in-not+congruagree)
❑ fetter(v) to tie up; to chain
Synonyms:shackle, hamper❑ notorious(adj) famous for bad things (notusknown)
Synonyms:infamous, disreputable❑ decry(v) to speak out against (de-down+criercry)
Synonyms:vilify, condemn❑ vilify(v) to slander; to defame (vilisworthless)
Synonyms:denigrate, malign, libel, calumniate❑ heinous(adj) cruel and unusual (hainehatred)
Synonyms:atrocious, monstrous❑ revile(v) to denounce abusively (vilisworthless)
Benedict Arnold has long been reviledas a traitor