swoon, renege, recede, emaciate, ingratiate: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 3 set 16. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. swoon · verb/swun/

   to faint or lose consciousness from extreme emotion

   As the romantic scene unfolded, the audience couldn't help but swoon at the chemistry between the lead actors.

   Synonyms: faint, collapse, swoon away

   Origin: Middle English swonen, from Old English swōnan, of unknown origin

2. renege · verb/rɪˈnɛg/

   to go back on a promise or commitment

   After signing the contract, the supplier decided to renege on their promise to deliver the materials on time.

   Synonyms: backtrack, withdraw, default

   Origin: From Latin 'renegare', meaning 'to deny or refuse'.

3. recede · verb/rɪˈsiːd/

   to move back or away from a previous position

   As the floodwaters began to recede, residents started to survey the damage to their homes.

   Synonyms: withdraw, retreat, subside

   Origin: from Latin 'recedere', from 're-' meaning 'back' + 'cedere' meaning 'to go or yield'

4. emaciate · verb/ɪˈmeɪʃieɪt/

   to make very thin or weak especially through starvation or illness

   The prolonged illness began to emaciate him, leaving him weak and unable to recover his strength.

   Synonyms: waste away, weaken, wither

   Origin: from Latin emaciatus, past participle of emaciare, from e- + maciare to make thin, from macer thin

5. ingratiate · verb/ɪnˈɡreɪ.ʃi.eɪt/

   to gain favor or influence with someone by flattering or trying to please them

   He tried to ingratiate himself with the new manager by complimenting her decisions at every opportunity.

   Synonyms: curry favor, ingratiate oneself, flatter

   Origin: The word 'ingratiate' comes from the Latin 'ingratiatus', which is the past participle of 'ingratiari', meaning 'to bring into favor'.