122 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT
Vocabulary Lesson 25: Bad and Worse
Today’s roots: mal bad, evil vol wish
mis bad, wretched, hatred anthro humankind❑ nefarious(adj) wicked; sinful (ne-not+faslawful)
Cinderella’snefariousstepsisters took joy in making her do their daily chores.
Synonyms:infamous, odious❑ repugnant(adj) offensive; repulsive (re-back+pugnareto fight)
Christopher’s mother found his superstition of not bathing after games repugnant.
Synonyms:abhorrent, vile, abominable Antonyms:alluring, admirable❑ infamous(adj) famous for bad deeds; notorious (in-not+famosuscelebrated)
Theinfamous“El Héctor” was remembered for the way he tortured the poor villagers of Santa Potula.
Synonyms:contemptible, ignominious Antonym:noble❑ odious(adj) worthy of dislike; arousing feelings of dislike (odiosushateful)
Jimmy was no longer afraid to go to school once the odiousbully was suspended.
Synonyms:abhorrent, loathsome, repugnant Antonyms:delightful, laudable❑ malevolent(adj) wishing harm to others; evil (mal-evil+volwish)
Themalevolentdictator smiled as he ordered his soldiers to burn down the church.
Synonym:sinister Antonym:benevolent❑ malefactor(n) an evildoer (mal-evil+facereto perform)
Superman has found and stopped many a malefactorbefore the crime could actually be committed.
Synonyms:scamp, delinquent Antonym:benefactor❑ abominable(adj) loathsome; unpleasant
Hisabominablebehavior at the game included excessive drinking, loud swearing, and the removal of his clothes.
Synonyms:contemptible, vile Antonyms:delightful, laudable❑ avarice(n) extreme greed
Synonyms:miserliness, penuriousness❑ bigotry(n) intolerance toward those who are different
❑ hypocrite(n) one who says one thing but does another (hypokritesGr pretender)
❑ miserly(adj) lacking generosity (mis-wretched)
Synonyms:avaricious, penurious❑ inimical(adj) unfriendly (in-not+amicusfriend)
Synonyms:antagonistic, hostile❑ curmudgeon(n) a cranky person
❑ misanthrope(n) one who hates humankind (mis-hatred+anthrohumankind)
❑ perfidy(n) deliberate breach of trust; treachery