- Look at a rectangle next to another parallelogram, and you will immediate-
ly recognize the contrast. - Adjusting the contraston a television will soften or harden the way objects
next to each other are differentiated.
[-ed, -ing] [Syn. compare]
contribute(kun TRIB yoot) vt.1. to give to a common fund or cause; 2. to
write and give or sell a piece of writing to a magazine, newspaper, or other publica-
tion; 3. to furnish or donate knowledge, ideas, expertise, etc. - Pat always contributesto cancer-fighting organizations.
- James Thurber contributedmany humorous cartoons and short stories to
various editors during his lifetime. - Many scientists of the Manhattan Project contributedthe ideas and calcula-
tions that led to Robert Oppenheimer’s becoming the father of the atomic
bomb.
[-d, contributing, contribution n.]
contrite (kun TRYT) adj.1. feeling sorrow; remorse; 2. showing or resulting
from repentance; regretting having done wrong - Kathy was contritefor having taken Rhoda’s car without first having gotten
permission. - Bob’s avoiding meeting Gary’s eyes after having damaged his boat was the
result of his feeling contrite.
[-ly adv., contrition n.] [Syn. penitent]
controversial (KON truh VER shee uhl) adj.subject to or likely to cause dis-
agreement; debatable - The question of whether or not to build a new parking garage was the
most controversialsubject on the agenda. - Controversialtopics are often the subject of public debate and can polarize
opinions.
[-ly adv., controversy n.]
controvert(KON truh voert) vt.1. to argue against; dispute; deny; contradict;
- to argue about; debate; discuss
- It is becoming increasingly difficult to controvertthe notion that life might
have once existed on Mars. - Magellan’s voyage should have been enough to controvertall notions of the
world’s being flat.
[-ed, -ing, -ible adj., -ibly adv.] [Syn. disprove]
conundrum(kuh NUHN drm) n.1. a riddle in which the answer contains a
pun (play on words); 2. any puzzling question or problem
A conundrum’ssense #1 is illustrated in the following Q & A:Q. What’s the difference between a jeweler and a jailer?A. One sells watches, and the other watches cells.- Having been invited to three different New Year’s Eve parties, and not
wanting to hurt anyone’s feelings, Olive felt that deciding how to act was a
conundrum.
C: SAT Words 65