SAT Vocabulary Level 3 — Set 204

Set 204 of SAT Vocabulary Level 3 covers 5 words: propitiate, aerate, misbehave, totter, pummel. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. propitiate · verb/prəˈpɪʃiˌeɪt/

   to appease or placate someone by doing something to win their favor

   To propitiate the angry shareholders, the CEO promised to implement more transparent financial reporting.

   Synonyms: appease, placate, conciliate

   Origin: Latin 'propitiatus', past participle of 'propitiare', which means to appease or placate.

2. aerate · verb/ˈɛreɪt/

   to introduce air into a substance

   To improve the soil's quality, gardeners often aerate the garden beds to allow better airflow to the roots.

   Synonyms: oxygenate, ventilate, aerify

   Origin: late Middle English: from Latin aerat- 'made airy', from the verb aerāre, from aera 'air'

3. misbehave · verb/ˌmɪs.bɪˈheɪv/

   to behave badly or improperly

   The children tend to misbehave during storytime if they are not kept engaged.

   Synonyms: misconduct, misdeed, act up

   Origin: The word 'misbehave' comes from the prefix 'mis-' meaning 'wrongly' and the verb 'behave' from Middle English 'behaven', which is derived from Old French 'abehaiver' meaning 'to conduct oneself'.

4. totter · verb/ˈtɑːtər/

   to walk unsteadily or shakily

   After a long day of exploring, the toddler began to totter towards her mother with sleepy eyes.

   Synonyms: stagger, waddle, wobble

   Origin: The word 'totter' originates from the Middle English 'toteren,' which is likely of imitative origin, representing a sound associated with unsteady walking.

5. pummel · verb/ˈpʌməl/

   to strike repeatedly with great force

   The boxer continued to pummel his opponent with a series of powerful punches.

   Synonyms: batter, thrash, pound

   Origin: Middle English *pommel*, from Old French *pomel*, diminutive of *pomme* meaning 'apple', originally referring to the rounded part of a sword handle that one might strike with.