SAT Vocabulary Level 2 — Set 129

Set 129 of SAT Vocabulary Level 2 covers 5 words: inclination, crony, arousal, pardon, melodrama. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. inclination · noun/ˌɪn.kləˈneɪ.ʃən/

   a tendency or preference towards a particular idea or course of action

   She has a strong inclination towards artistic pursuits, often spending her weekends painting and visiting galleries.

   Synonyms: tendency, preference, disposition

   Origin: Latin 'inclinatio', from 'inclinare' meaning 'to lean in'

2. crony · noun/ˈkroʊ.ni/

   a close friend or associate, particularly one who is favored in a political or business context

   The mayor appointed his crony to the lucrative contract, sparking accusations of favoritism.

   Synonyms: buddy, pal, associate

   Origin: The word 'crony' originates from the late 17th century, derived from the Greek word 'khrónnos,' meaning 'time,' but was colloquially used in the 18th century in England as a term for a close friend or companion.

3. arousal · noun/əˈraʊzəl/

   a state of being awakened or stimulated to a heightened level of activity or awareness

   The exciting presentation created a significant level of arousal among the audience, keeping them engaged throughout.

   Synonyms: stimulation, awakening, excitement

   Origin: from Old French 'arousal', based on the verb 'arouse', which comes from the prefix 'a-' (from Latin 'ad-') meaning 'to' and 'rouse' meaning 'to stir up' or 'to awaken'.

4. pardon · noun/ˈpɑrdən/

   the action of forgiving or excusing an offense or mistake

   The judge granted him a full pardon, allowing him to leave his past mistakes behind.

   Synonyms: forgiveness, excuse, reprieve

   Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'pardoner', from the verb 'pardoner', meaning 'to give up, to forgive'

5. melodrama · noun/ˈmɛləˌdræmə/

   a dramatic work that exaggerates emotions and plots for effect

   The new soap opera is filled with so much melodrama that it often feels more like a comedy than a serious show.

   Synonyms: soap opera, tragedy, sensationalism

   Origin: The term 'melodrama' originated from the combination of the Greek word 'melos,' meaning 'song,' and the French term 'drame,' meaning 'drama.' It was initially used to describe a dramatic piece accompanied by music.