a feeling of self-consciousness, shame, or awkwardness
example
She felt a deep sense of embarrassment when she tripped and fell in front of her classmates.
synonyms
shameawkwardnessdiscomfort
word origin — Late Middle English: from the verb 'embarrass', influenced by French 'embarrasser' and later connected to the Spanish 'embarazarse'.
SAT Vocabulary Level 2 — Set 323
Set 323 of SAT Vocabulary Level 2 covers 5 words: embarrassment, sophistication, anarchist, nomenclature, parody. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.
embarrassment · noun/ɪmˈbɛrəsmənt/
a feeling of self-consciousness, shame, or awkwardness
She felt a deep sense of embarrassment when she tripped and fell in front of her classmates.
Synonyms: shame, awkwardness, discomfort
Origin: Late Middle English: from the verb 'embarrass', influenced by French 'embarrasser' and later connected to the Spanish 'embarazarse'.
sophistication · noun/səˌfɪs.tɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/
the quality of being cultured, complex, and well-informed
Her sophistication in art and literature made her a sought-after guest at high-profile events.
Synonyms: cultivation, culture, refinement
Origin: The word 'sophistication' comes from the Late Latin 'sophisticatio', which is derived from the Greek 'sophistēs' meaning 'wise man' or 'expert'.
anarchist · noun/ˈæn.ɑr.kɪst/
a person who opposes all forms of government and authority
The anarchist group organized a protest to advocate for a society without government oversight.
Synonyms: nihilist, rebel, dissenter
Origin: The word 'anarchist' comes from the Greek 'anarkhos,' meaning 'without a leader,' composed of 'a-' (without) and 'arkhos' (leader).
nomenclature · noun/ˈnoʊ.mən.ˌkleɪ.tʃər/
the system of naming, especially in the arts and sciences
In biology, the nomenclature of species is crucial for proper identification and classification.
Synonyms: taxonomy, classification, designation
Origin: From Latin 'nomenclatura', from 'nomen' meaning 'name' + 'calare' meaning 'to call'.
parody · noun/ˈpærədi/
a humorous or satirical imitation of a specific work or style
The comedian's latest sketch is a hilarious parody of popular reality TV shows, poking fun at their over-the-top drama.
Synonyms: satire, spoof, caricature
Origin: from the Greek word 'paroidia', which means 'a song sung alongside'.