annul, bemuse, absolve, loiter, accost: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 3 set 41. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. annul · verb/əˈnʌl/

   to declare invalid or nullify a legal contract or marriage

   The court decided to annul the marriage after discovering that the couple had not obtained the necessary licenses.

   Synonyms: nullify, invalidate, revoke

   Origin: from Latin 'annullare', meaning 'to make void'

2. bemuse · verb/bɪˈmjuːz/

   to bewilder or confuse someone

   Her unexpected change of plans seemed to bemuse everyone at the meeting.

   Synonyms: bewilder, confuse, mystify

   Origin: The word 'bemuse' is derived from the prefix 'be-' meaning 'to make' and 'muse', which originates from the Old French 'muser' meaning 'to ponder'.

3. absolve · verb/əbˈzɑlv/

   to free from guilt or blame

   The judge decided to absolve the defendant of all charges after new evidence surfaced.

   Synonyms: exonerate, acquit, pardon

   Origin: from Latin 'absolvere', meaning 'to set free, to complete, to finish'

4. loiter · verb/ˈlɔɪtər/

   to spend time idly or purposelessly

   Teenagers often loiter around shopping malls after school, looking for something to do.

   Synonyms: linger, dawdle, tarry

   Origin: Middle English 'loiteren', of uncertain origin, possibly from 'loit', meaning to spend time in an aimless manner.

5. accost · verb/əˈkɔst/

   to approach and speak to someone boldly or aggressively

   As I was walking through the park, a stranger accosted me, demanding to know my name and where I was headed.

   Synonyms: approach, confront, address

   Origin: From Middle French 'acoster', from 'a' (to) + 'coster' (to lie or place beside).