SAT Vocabulary Level 2 — Set 163

Set 163 of SAT Vocabulary Level 2 covers 5 words: cumbersome, pervasive, successive, pedantic, figurative. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. cumbersome · adjective/ˈkʌmbərsəm/

   large or heavy and difficult to carry or use

   Carrying the cumbersome equipment up the mountain was more challenging than we had anticipated.

   Synonyms: awkward, clumsy, bulky

   Origin: from Middle English 'cumbrous', from Old French 'cumbres', from the Latin 'cumulus' meaning 'a heap'.

2. pervasive · adjective/pərˈveɪsɪv/

   spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people

   The pervasive influence of social media has transformed how we communicate and share information.

   Synonyms: widespread, omnipresent, prevalent

   Origin: The word 'pervasive' originates from the Latin 'pervasus', the past participle of 'pervadere', meaning 'to spread through'.

3. successive · adjective/səkˈsɛsɪv/

   following one after another in a sequence

   The team achieved successive victories in three consecutive matches, boosting their confidence for the championship.

   Synonyms: sequential, consecutive, following

   Origin: from Latin 'successivus', meaning 'following, coming after'

4. pedantic · adjective/pɪˈdæn.tɪk/

   excessively concerned with minor details and rules or with displaying academic learning

   His pedantic approach to grammar made every conversation feel like a lecture on the correct use of punctuation.

   Synonyms: fussy, nitpicky, meticulous

   Origin: The word 'pedantic' originates from the late Latin 'pedanticus,' which derives from 'pedant,' meaning a schoolmaster or teacher, likely influenced by French 'pédant', from the Latin 'paedagogans', meaning 'one who leads a child'.

5. figurative · adjective/ˈfɪɡərətɪv/

   not literal but representing something else through metaphor or analogy

   The artist used figurative language to convey complex emotions in her poem.

   Synonyms: metaphorical, symbolic, nonliteral

   Origin: from Latin 'figurativus', from 'figurare' meaning 'to form, shape'.