His puerile behavior during the meeting distracted everyone from the serious topics we needed to discuss.
synonyms
childishtrivialsilly
word origin — from Latin 'puerilis', meaning 'of a boy, boyish', from 'puer' meaning 'boy'
SAT Vocabulary Level 3 — Set 207
Set 207 of SAT Vocabulary Level 3 covers 5 words: puerile, imperceptible, trenchant, irresolute, sanctimonious. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.
puerile · adjective/ˈpjʊrəl/
childishly silly or trivial
His puerile behavior during the meeting distracted everyone from the serious topics we needed to discuss.
Synonyms: childish, trivial, silly
Origin: from Latin 'puerilis', meaning 'of a boy, boyish', from 'puer' meaning 'boy'
imperceptible · adjective/ɪmpərˈsɛptəbl/
not able to be perceived or noticed
The changes in the landscape were so subtle that they felt almost imperceptible to the casual observer.
Synonyms: unnoticeable, insensible, indiscernible
Origin: from Latin 'imperceptibilis', meaning 'not able to be perceived'
trenchant · adjective/ˈtrɛntʃənt/
sharp or incisive in expression or style
The journalist's trenchant commentary on the political climate captivated readers with its clarity and insight.
Synonyms: incisive, keen, piercing
Origin: from Old French 'trenchant', present participle of 'trencher' meaning to cut, from Latin 'trenchar' meaning to cut or slice
irresolute · adjective/ɪˈrɛzəˌluːt/
uncertain or hesitant in making decisions
Despite his talent, he remained **irresolute** about pursuing a career in music, torn between his passion and the security of a stable job.
Synonyms: uncertain, indecisive, hesitant
Origin: Originating in the early 19th century, the word 'irresolute' comes from the Latin 'irresolutus,' where 'in-' means 'not' and 'resolutus' means 'resolved' (from 'resolvere' meaning 'to loosen').
sanctimonious · adjective/ˌsæŋk.tɪˈmoʊ.ni.əs/
making a show of being morally superior to others
His sanctimonious attitude during the meeting made it difficult for others to voice their opinions without feeling judged.