Hot SAT Words You Are in Trouble!

You should NOT have done that! Criticizing Disapproving Scolding You should NOT have done that!

BERATE Vb. To rebuke or scold in a harsh tone

BERATE Her parents often BERATED her, but when the scoldings took place in front of her friends, Lulu was humiliated!

Vb. To scold or punish severely CASTIGATE

CASTIGATE The policeman not only issued him a ticket, but CASTIGATED him for passing a stopped school bus.

Don’t confuse “CASTIGATE” with…

Vb. To criticize strongly CENSURE

CENSURE For harassing his secretary, Mr. Packwood was CENSURED, but not fired, from his job.

“CENSURED” NOT to be confused with “CENSORED”

This example is

Vb. To punish or scold harshly. CHASTISE

CHASTISE I was CHASTISED for driving the car across the golf course.

Vb. To show mild disapproval DEPRECATE Vb. To show mild disapproval

DEPRECATE Although I tried very hard this semester, Mrs. Shivers didn’t think I tried hard enough and DEPRECATED my efforts to improve.

Vb. To oppose or attack someone or something as false or refutable IMPUGN Vb. To oppose or attack someone or something as false or refutable

IMPUGN The scandal IMPUGNED the reputation of the judge.

This sign IMPUGNS your intelligence

Vb. To snub; to bluntly refuse REBUFF Vb. To snub; to bluntly refuse

REBUFF Grant’s initial request for a raise was . However, he got the money the second time he asked.

Vb. To reprimand sharply; N. a sharp reprimand REBUKE Vb. To reprimand sharply; N. a sharp reprimand

REBUKE Sarah continued to bite her nails in spite of her mother’s repeated REBUKES.

Vb. To speak in a disapproving manner; to scold REPROVE Vb. To speak in a disapproving manner; to scold

REPROVE Mrs. Shivers said REPROVINGLY, “You may have a great explanation, but there IS no excuse for failing to do your work!”

Vb. To chide; to scold bitterly UPBRAID Vb. To chide; to scold bitterly

UPBRAID Vb. Mrs. Shivers UPBRAIDED the class for scoring poorly on the practice PSAT test.