1. Eng. 2 Vocabulary Concept Cards #8

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. 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)

6. 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)

7. 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)

8. 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)

9. 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)

10. 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)

11. 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)

12. 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)

13. 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)

14. 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)