glare, jubilee, vanguard, backwater, obsession: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 2 set 81. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. glare · noun/ɡlɛr/

   a strong, harsh light that is difficult to see through

   The glare of the headlights made it difficult for me to see the road ahead.

   Synonyms: blaze, dazzle

   Origin: Middle English 'glaren', from Old English 'glerian' meaning 'to shine' or 'to glimmer'

2. jubilee · noun/ˈdʒuːbɪliː/

   a special anniversary or celebration, especially one marking a significant event

   The community gathered to celebrate the golden jubilee of the local school, marking fifty years of education and service.

   Synonyms: celebration, anniversary, festivity

   Origin: from Latin 'jubilaeus', meaning 'of jubilee', from 'jubilare', meaning 'to shout for joy'

3. vanguard · noun/ˈvænˌɡɑrd/

   the forefront of an action or movement

   The organization is at the vanguard of the environmental movement, pushing for sustainable policies and practices.

   Synonyms: forefront, cutting edge, spearhead

   Origin: derived from the Middle French 'avant-garde', meaning 'forward guard', from the Old French 'avant' meaning 'front' and 'garde' meaning 'guard'.

4. backwater · noun/ˈbækˌwɔtər/

   a place or condition in which no development or progress is taking place

   The small town had become a backwater, untouched by the rapid advancements seen in nearby cities.

   Synonyms: slough, stagnation, dead end

   Origin: The term 'backwater' originates from the combination of 'back,' meaning 'behind' or 'towards the rear,' and 'water,' referring to a body of water, specifically a part where the current is slow or stagnant. It originally referred to a body of water flowing back or away from the main current, which metaphorically extended to conditions of stagnation or lack of progress.

5. obsession · noun/əbˈsɛʃən/

   an excessive preoccupation or fixation on a person, idea, or activity

   Her obsession with perfection often led her to spend hours redoing her projects.

   Synonyms: fixation, preoccupation, obsessionality

   Origin: derived from the Latin word 'obsessio', meaning 'a siege' or 'to besiege'; from 'obsidere' meaning 'to sit before, besiege'.