SAT Vocabulary: guess the word | Baamboozle - Baamboozle

What does “badger” mean in this sentence: The reporter badgered the official with relentless questions.

to pester, harass, or persistently annoy someone

What does “austerity” mean in this sentence: The government implemented a policy of austerity, cutting all non-essential programs.

strict economic measures aimed at reducing government spending and debt

What does “discriminating” mean in this sentence: The chef was known for her discriminating palate.

having refined taste, keen judgment, or the ability to perceive fine distinctions—especially in flavors, quality, or aesthetics.

What does “embroider” mean in this sentence: He embroidered the story to make it more dramatic.

to embellish, exaggerate, or add fictional details to the story in order to make it more exciting or dramatic.

What does “exploit” mean in this sentence: The program exploits unused bandwidth to speed up downloads.

to utilize or take advantage of a resource effectively—in this case, unused bandwidth—to improve performance.

What does “harbored” mean in this sentence: He harbored doubts about the mission’s success.

to hold onto, keep secretly, or maintain (a thought, feeling, or doubt) over time.

What does “gravity” mean in this sentence: The gravity of the situation was apparent in his tone.

seriousness or importance—specifically, the weighty, urgent, or severe nature of the situation.

What does “reserve” mean in this sentence: Let’s reserve judgment until all the facts are known.

"Withhold judgment", "Wait before deciding", or "not to judge or conclude anything yet"

What does “infallible” mean in this sentence: Her instincts in negotiations were almost infallible.

never wrong, extremely reliable, or incapable of making mistakes

What does “discerning” mean in this sentence: A discerning reader will appreciate the novel’s subtle themes.

having or showing good judgment, especially the ability to notice fine details or subtle differences.

What does “innocuous” mean in this sentence: The comment seemed innocuous but actually had a deeper meaning.

harmless or not likely to cause offense or harm

What does “unqualified” mean in this sentence: She gave her unqualified approval to the project.

complete, total, or unconditional

What does “intrinsic” mean in this sentence: Curiosity is intrinsic to scientific discovery.

a natural and essential part of something—something that is built-in or inherent.

What does “solvent” mean in this sentence: The company remained solvent despite the economic downturn.

financially stable—specifically, that the company is able to pay all its debts.

What does “appreciate” mean in this sentence: He appreciated the risks involved before agreeing to the plan.

to recognize the full significance or understand the seriousness of something

What does “shelve” mean in this sentence: The board voted to shelve the plan for expansion until the economy stabilized.

To reject or discard temporarily; to put aside or postpone.

What does “sound” mean in this sentence: Her research presented a sound argument supported by data from multiple studies.

Firm, valid

What does “reservations” mean in this sentence: Although the proposal seemed promising, she still had reservations about its long-term impact.

meaning she had doubts or misgivings about it

What does “capacity” mean in this sentence: As a leader, she had the capacity to remain calm under pressure and make rational decisions.

ability—specifically, her mental or emotional ability to stay calm and think clearly in stressful situations.

What does “afford” mean in this sentence: The generous scholarship afforded her the opportunity to study at her dream university without financial stress.

to give or offer something, such as an opportunity