mainstay, debacle, anguish, siren, paradox: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 2 set 30. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. mainstay · noun/ˈmeɪnˌsteɪ/

   a primary support or essential element

   Agriculture has always been the mainstay of the local economy, providing jobs and resources for the community.

   Synonyms: pillar, backbone, cornerstone

   Origin: The word 'mainstay' originates from the late Middle English 'main stai,' where 'main' means 'chief' or 'primary' and 'stay' refers to 'support.'

2. debacle · noun/dɪˈbɑ.kəl/

   a sudden and ignominious failure

   The launch of the new product turned into a complete debacle, with technical issues leading to its immediate withdrawal from the market.

   Synonyms: failure, disaster, fiasco

   Origin: French 'débâcle', meaning 'to unbar' or 'to let loose', from 'dé-' (un-) and 'bacler' (to bar or fasten)

3. anguish · noun/ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/

   severe mental or physical suffering

   After losing her beloved pet, she was overcome with a profound sense of anguish that left her feeling completely lost.

   Synonyms: suffering, torment, agony

   Origin: from Old French 'angoisse', from Latin 'angustia', meaning 'narrowness, distress'

4. siren · noun/ˈsaɪrən/

   a device that makes a loud sound as a warning or signal

   The fire truck raced down the street with its siren blaring, warning cars to move out of the way.

   Synonyms: alarm, signal, warning

   Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'siren', from Latin 'siren', from Greek 'seirēn'

5. paradox · noun/ˈpærədɑːks/

   a statement that seems contradictory or illogical but may reveal an underlying truth

   It is a paradox that saving money can sometimes lead to financial instability if not managed wisely.

   Synonyms: contradiction, inconsistency, dilemma

   Origin: from the Greek 'paradoxon', meaning 'contrary to expectation'