SAT Vocabulary Level 2 — Set 266

Set 266 of SAT Vocabulary Level 2 covers 5 words: gape, incite, succumb, actuate, negate. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. gape · verb/ɡeɪp/

   to open widely or to stare with mouth open in surprise or wonder

   The audience began to gape in amazement as the magician performed his final trick.

   Synonyms: yawn, gawk, stare

   Origin: Middle English 'gapen', from Old English 'gæpan', related to the German 'gähnen' (to yawn)

2. incite · verb/ɪnˈsaɪt/

   to provoke or stir up someone to act or feel a certain way

   The speaker tried to incite the crowd to protest against the new policy.

   Synonyms: provoke, instigate, stir

   Origin: The word 'incite' originates from the Latin 'incitare,' meaning 'to put in motion' or 'to urge on.'

3. succumb · verb/səˈkʌm/

   to yield to a superior force or overwhelming desire

   Despite his best efforts to resist, he ultimately succumbed to the overwhelming temptation of the dessert buffet.

   Synonyms: yield, submit, give in

   Origin: Late Middle English: from Latin 'succumbere', from 'sub-' meaning 'under' + 'cumbere' meaning 'to lie down'.

4. actuate · verb/ˈæk.tʃuˌeɪt/

   to cause to operate or take action

   The engineer designed a system to actuate the emergency brake when the sensors detect a sudden stop.

   Synonyms: activate, trigger, initiate

   Origin: from the Latin 'actuare', meaning to set in motion, from 'actus' meaning act or deed.

5. negate · verb/nɪˈɡeɪt/

   to make ineffective or invalid

   The new evidence served to negate the claims made by the defense attorney.

   Synonyms: nullify, invalidate, annul

   Origin: from Latin 'negare' meaning 'to deny'