SAT Vocabulary Level 2 — Set 275

Set 275 of SAT Vocabulary Level 2 covers 5 words: sinister, climatic, placid, speculative, insular. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. sinister · adjective/ˈsɪn.ɪ.stɚ/

   having an evil or criminal aspect

   The sinister grin on the villain's face sent chills down my spine as he plotted his next move.

   Synonyms: malevolent, wicked, nefarious

   Origin: from Latin 'sinister', meaning 'left' or 'unfavorable', which evolved to imply malice or evil

2. climatic · adjective/klaɪˈmætɪk/

   relating to the climate or weather conditions of a region

   The region's climatic conditions have changed significantly over the past few decades, impacting local agriculture.

   Synonyms: climatic, meteorological, atmospheric

   Origin: from the Greek word 'klima,' meaning 'slope' or 'region', which refers to climate or weather conditions

3. placid · adjective/ˈplæs.ɪd/

   calm and peaceful with little movement or activity

   The placid lake reflected the clear blue sky, creating a serene backdrop for the hikers.

   Synonyms: serene, tranquil, peaceful

   Origin: from Latin 'placidus' meaning 'calm, quiet, peaceful'

4. speculative · adjective/ˈspɛkjʊˌleɪtɪv/

   based on conjecture rather than knowledge or fact

   The analyst provided a speculative forecast about the company's future profits based on current market trends.

   Synonyms: theoretical, conjectural, hypothetical

   Origin: from Latin 'speculativus', from 'speculari' meaning 'to look at' or 'to observe'

5. insular · adjective/ˈɪn.sjə.lər/

   relating to or characteristic of an island; narrow or provincial in outlook

   His insular views often led to disagreements with those who had a more global perspective.

   Synonyms: isolated, narrow-minded, provincial

   Origin: From Latin 'insularis', from 'insula' meaning 'island'