Amalgamation: meaning and SAT practice

Amalgamation (noun) means: The act of combining different things into one unified whole.

Amalgamation in a sentence

The merger resulted in an amalgamation of two successful companies into a larger organization.

Similar: blend, mixture, combination, fusion, union. Opposite: separation, division.

SAT-style practice: what does “amalgamation” most nearly mean?

The merger resulted in an amalgamation of two successful companies into a larger organization.

As used in the sentence, “amalgamation” most nearly means

  1. betrayal
  2. master
  3. blend
  4. enhancement
Show the answer

Answer: C. “amalgamation” means: The act of combining different things into one unified whole. “blend” is the closest match in this sentence. The other choices are real SAT-level words, but none of them carries that meaning here.

On the digital SAT this is the “Words in Context” skill, about 7 of the 54 Reading and Writing questions. The test asks what a word means as used in the passage, so a word’s most common meaning is not always the answer. More of these, with full explanations, are on SAT Words in Context practice questions.

  • contumely: Insulting or disrespectful treatment that causes shame or humiliation.
  • animadversion: A critical remark or expression of disapproval about someone or something.
  • repose: A state of rest or tranquility, freedom from activity.
  • alleviation: The act of making something less severe or more bearable.
  • deference: Respectful submission to another person's opinion or wishes.
  • chicanery: Deception or trickery, especially through clever but dishonest means.

← alleviation · All 701 SAT words · animadversion →

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