SAT Vocab: Understanding and Using ‘Deject’
Learn about the verb ‘deject’, its meaning, origin, and usage. This video covers synonyms, antonyms, example sentences, and common errors to avoid. Perfect for SAT prep and improving your vocabulary.
Imagine walking into a room full of friends, excited to share some news, only to be met with complete silence and disinterest.
How would that make you feel? Chances are, you’d feel pretty dejected. Today, we’re exploring the word deject, an important vocabulary term for your SAT preparation.
Word type: Deject is a verb.
Meaning: To deject means to make someone lose their spirits or feel dispirited.
It’s about causing someone to feel sad, discouraged, or low in spirits.
Word history: The word deject comes from the Latin word dejectus, which is the past participle of deicere, meaning to throw down.
This origin gives us a vivid image of someone’s spirits being cast downward.
Synonyms: Some words with similar meanings include dishearten, discourage, dispirit, and depress.
Antonyms: On the flip side, words that mean the opposite of deject include encourage, hearten, cheer, and uplift.
Examples use in sentences: Let’s look at how we can use deject in different contexts. The team’s unexpected loss in the final match dejected both the players and their loyal fans.
Her harsh criticism dejected the young artist, making him doubt his abilities. The constant rejections from potential employers dejected the job seeker, but she refused to give up.
Common errors in use: One common mistake is confusing deject with reject. While reject means to refuse to accept or consider something, deject refers specifically to lowering someone’s spirits.
Another error is using deject as an adjective. Remember, dejected is the adjective form, as in He looked dejected after receiving the bad news.
To wrap up, deject is a powerful verb that describes the act of making someone lose their spirits or feel discouraged.
By understanding its meaning, origin, and proper usage, you’re not only expanding your vocabulary but also enhancing your ability to express complex emotional states.
As you prepare for the SAT, remember that mastering words like deject can help you both in the verbal section and in your essay writing.
Keep practicing, and don’t let challenging words deject you in your studies!

