mediate, denounce, err, abandon, reverse: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 1 set 307. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. mediate · verb/ˈmiː.di.eɪt/

   to intervene or act as a go-between in a dispute or negotiation

   In an effort to resolve the conflict, the manager decided to mediate the discussions between the two departments.

   Synonyms: intervene, arbitrate, facilitate

   Origin: from Latin 'mediāre', meaning 'to be in the middle'

2. denounce · verb/dɪˈnaʊns/

   to publicly declare something or someone to be wrong or evil

   The organization decided to denounce the unethical practices of the company in a public statement.

   Synonyms: condemn, criticize, repudiate

   Origin: from Middle French 'denoncer' and from Latin 'denuntiare', meaning 'to report or bring news of'

3. err · verb/ɜr/

   to make a mistake or be incorrect

   To err is human, as even the most experienced professionals can make mistakes in their judgments.

   Synonyms: mistake, falter, blunder

   Origin: from Latin 'errare' meaning 'to wander, to stray, to make a mistake'

4. abandon · verb/əˈbændən/

   to leave something behind or discontinue support for it

   The hikers decided to abandon their journey when the storm became too dangerous.

   Synonyms: forsake, desert, relinquish

   Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'abandonner', from 'abandōner' (to give up, to relinquish).

5. reverse · verb/rɪˈvɝːs/

   to move backward or to cause something to go in the opposite direction

   To avoid the obstacle, she had to reverse the car quickly before hitting it.

   Synonyms: backtrack, retreat, backpedal

   Origin: From Old French 'reverser', meaning 'to turn back', from Latin 'revertere', from 're-' meaning 'back' + 'vertere' meaning 'to turn'.