sate, chide, repudiate, exculpate, despoil: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 3 set 254. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. sate · verb/seɪt/

   to satisfy fully or to excess

   After a long day of hiking, nothing could sate my hunger like a hearty meal.

   Synonyms: satisfy, fulfill, quench

   Origin: Middle English 'saten', from Old English 'sætan', meaning to satisfy or fulfill.

2. chide · verb/tʃaɪd/

   to scold or rebuke mildly

   She decided to chide her son gently for not finishing his homework on time.

   Synonyms: rebuke, reprimand, reproach

   Origin: Middle English 'chiden', from Old English 'cīðan', meaning to scold or express disapproval.

3. repudiate · verb/rɪˈpjuːdiˌeɪt/

   to refuse to accept or be associated with

   The politician decided to repudiate the controversial statements made by his advisor during the press conference.

   Synonyms: reject, disown, renounce

   Origin: from Latin 'repudiare', which means to refuse or to cast off

4. exculpate · verb/ˈɛks.kəl.peɪt/

   to clear from guilt or blame

   The evidence presented in court was sufficient to exculpate the defendant from all charges.

   Synonyms: absolve, exonerate, clear

   Origin: Late Latin 'exculpatus', from 'ex-' meaning 'out of' + 'culpa' meaning 'blame or fault'

5. despoil · verb/dɪˈspɔɪl/

   to strip of belongings or valuables

   The invaders sought to despoil the village of its treasures and valuables during their raid.

   Synonyms: plunder, pillage, loot

   Origin: from Middle English 'despoilen', from Old French 'despoillier', based on Latin 'despoliare', meaning 'to strip off the skin'.