Hot SAT Words Lessons 11-20
LESSON # 12 Criticizing Disapproving Scolding You should NOT have done that!
BERATE Vb. To rebuke or scold in a harsh tone
BERATE Her parents often BERATED her, but when the scoldings took place in front of her friends, Lulu was humiliated!
CASTIGATE Vb. To scold or punish severely
CASTIGATE The policeman not only issued him a ticket, but CASTIGATED him for passing a stopped school bus.
Don’t confuse “CASTIGATE” with…
CENSURE Vb. To criticize strongly
CENSURE For harassing his secretary, Mr. Packwood was CENSURED, but not fired, from his job.
“CENSURED” NOT to be confused with “CENSORED”
This example is
CHASTISE Vb. To punish or scold harshly.
CHASTISE I was CHASTISED for driving the car across the golf course.
DEPRECATE Vb. To show mild disapproval
DEPRECATE Although I tried very hard this semester, Mrs. Shivers didn’t think I tried hard enough and DEPRECATED my efforts to improve.
IMPUGN Vb. To oppose or attack someone or something as false or refutable
IMPUGN The scandal IMPUGNED the reputation of the judge.
This sign IMPUGNS your intelligence
REBUFF Vb. To snub; to bluntly refuse
REBUFF Grant’s initial request for a raise was. However, he got the money the second time he asked.
REBUKE Vb. To reprimand sharply; N. a sharp reprimand
REBUKE Sarah continued to bite her nails in spite of her mother’s repeated REBUKES.
REPROVE Vb. To speak in a disapproving manner; to scold
REPROVE Mrs. Shivers said REPROVINGLY, “You may have a great explanation, but there IS no excuse for failing to do your work!”
UPBRAID Vb. To chide; to scold bitterly
UPBRAID Vb. Mrs. Shivers UPBRAIDED the class for scoring poorly on the practice PSAT test.