polemical, deadpan, brusque, plaintive, tantamount: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 3 set 294. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. polemical · adjective/pəˈlɛmɪkəl/

   relating to or involving strong critical controversy or argument

   The author wrote a polemical article that challenged the prevailing opinions on climate change, sparking heated debates among readers.

   Synonyms: controversial, argumentative, combative

   Origin: The word 'polemical' comes from the Greek 'polemikos', meaning 'of war, hostile', from 'polemos', meaning 'war'.

2. deadpan · adjective/ˈdɛd.pæn/

   delivering a joke or humorous remark without any expression or emotion

   Despite the hilarious nature of his jokes, he delivered them with a deadpan expression that left the audience in stitches.

   Synonyms: expressionless, impassive, straight-faced

   Origin: The term 'deadpan' is a blend of 'dead' and 'pan,' where 'pan' refers to the face or expression, suggesting a face that is devoid of expression or humor.

3. brusque · adjective/brʌsk/

   abrupt or offhand in manner or speech often to the point of ungraciousness

   Her brusque response caught everyone off guard during the meeting.

   Synonyms: blunt, curt, terse

   Origin: From French 'brusque', from Italian 'brusco' meaning 'rough, harsh'

4. plaintive · adjective/ˈpleɪn.tɪv/

   expressing sorrow or melancholy

   The plaintive cry of the lost puppy echoed through the empty streets, tugging at the hearts of all who heard it.

   Synonyms: mournful, sorrowful, melancholy

   Origin: from Middle French 'plaintif', meaning 'complaining, lamenting', from 'plaint', which means 'lamentation'.

5. tantamount · adjective/ˈtæntəmaʊnt/

   equivalent in value, meaning, or effect

   The CEO's refusal to accept responsibility was tantamount to admitting failure.

   Synonyms: equal, comparable, synonymous

   Origin: from Latin 'tantus' meaning 'so great' and 'ad' meaning 'to', combined to imply 'amounting to the same thing'