Eng. 2 Vocabulary Concept Cards #8

E2 VQ8 1. vitiate (tv) – to reduce the value or impair the quality of (something); to make impure 2. beset (tv) – to trouble (someone) persistently, to harass 3. demagogue (n) – a leader who obtains power by means of impassioned appeals to the emotions and prejudices of the populace 4. charisma (n) – a rare personal quality attributed to leaders who arouse fervent popular devotion and enthusiasm; magical attractiveness 5. placate (tv) – to pacify (someone); to allay the anger of, especially by making concessions; to appease 6. rudimentary (adj) – of or relating to basic facts or principles; elementary 7. credulous (adj) – eager to believe; disposed to believe too readily; gullible 8. sacrosanct (adj) – regarded as sacred and inviolable 9. docile (adj) – ready and willing to be taught; teachable; easily taught 10. innocuous (adj) – having no adverse effect; harmless 11. aptitude (n) – an inherit ability, as for learning a talent; a natural ability 12. substantive (adj) – not imagery; actual; real; having substance

vitiate(tv) Definition: to reduce the value or impair the quality of (something); to make impure Sample Sentence: Being naïve, the little boy played with the signed baseball knowing he could vitiate the value. Synonyms: mar, devalue Antonyms: upcycle, improve Related words: vitiated (adj)

beset (tv) Definition: to trouble (someone) persistently; to harass Sample Sentence: Persistent problems soon beset her after she engaged in calumny against her friends. Synonyms: attack, badger Antonyms: aid, assist, abet Related Words: besetting (adj)

demagogue(n) Definition: a leader who obtains power by means of impassioned appeals to the emotions and prejudices of the populace Sample Sentence: Kim Jong Un, with his impassioned speeches, proves he is a demagogue in North Korea. Synonyms: agitator, fanatic Antonyms: peacemaker, unifier Related Words: demagoguery (n)

charisma(n) Definition: a rare personal quality attributed to leaders who arouse fervent popular devotion and enthusiasm; magical attractiveness Sample Sentence: Johnny Depp’s charisma has landed him leading roles in numerous movies. Synonyms: charm, character Antonyms: unpleasantness, downer Related Words: charismatic (adj); charismatically (adv)

placate(tv) Definition: to pacify (someone); to allay the anger of, especially by making concessions; to appease Sample Sentence: Rocking the crying baby, the mother attempted to placate her child. Synonyms: soothe, calm (v) Antonyms: disrupt, agitate Related Words: placid (adj)

rudimentary(adj) Definition: of or relating to basic facts or principles; elementary Sample Sentence: Rudimentary tools, used by cave people 9,000 years ago, have recently been discovered in Mexico. Synonyms: beginning, introductory Antonyms: advanced, developed Related Words: rudiment (n)

credulous(adj) Definition: eager to believe; disposed to believe too readily; gullible Sample Sentence: A few credulous teens still believe in Santa Claus and the tooth fairy. Synonyms: gullible Antonyms: incredulous, skeptical Related Words: credulously (adv); credible (adj)

sacrosanct(adj) Definition: regarded as sacred and inviolable Sample Sentence: Sacrosanct to the Muslims, the mosque stood above other buildings in the city. Synonyms: pure, religious Antonyms: profane Related Words: sacred (adj) sacrament (n)

docile(adj) Definition: ready and willing to be taught; teachable; easily taught Sample Sentence: Although docile dogs are easier to train, “Dog Whisperer” Caesar Milan enjoys the challenge of changing aggressive behavior. Synonyms: obedient, dutiful Antonyms: willful, disobedient Related Words: docilely (adv)

innocuous (adj) Definition: having no adverse effect; harmless Sample Sentence: Spilling water upon my brand new blouse, I realized that it was innocuous and didn’t leave a stain. Synonyms: safe, nontoxic Antonyms: harmful, toxic Related Words: inoculation (n) innocuously (adv)

aptitude(n) Definition: an inherit ability, as for learning; a talent; a natural ability Sample Sentence: Being born double jointed, the young girl had the aptitude to step over her arms and bring them all around her body multiple times in a row. Synonyms: skill, gift Antonyms: incompetence Related Words: apt (adj)

substantive(adj) Definition: not imaginary; actual; real; having substance Sample Sentence: Searching the suspect’s home, the detectives determined that there was no substantive evidence that he had robbed the bank. Synonyms: real, actual Antonyms: surface, abstract Related Words: substantively (adv); substance (n), substantiate (v)