SAT Vocab

Abate

(v)to become less active, less intense, or less in amount

Abstract

(adj)existing purely in the mind; not representing actual reality

Abysmal

(adj)extremely bad

Accordingly

(adj)in accordance with

Acquisition

(n)the act of gaining a skill or possession of something

Adapt

(v)to make suit a new purpose; to accommodate oneself to a new condition

Adept

(adj)having knowledge or skill (usu. in a particular area)

Adequate

(adj)having sufficient qualifications to meet a specific task or purpose

Advent

(n)the arrival or creation of something (usu. historic)

Adversarial

(adj)relating to hostile opposition

Advocate

(n/adj)someone who promotes or defends something; to defend or promote something

Aesthetic

(adj)relating to beauty or refined taste

Afford

(v)to be able to buy; to be able to spare

Agitate

(v)to promote something (usu. a cause)

Allow

(v)to permit or consent to

Allude

(v)to make a secretive mention of something

Altercation

(n)a noisy argument or confrontation

Ambiguous

(adj)unclear or vague in meaning

Ambitious

(adj)having a powerful desire for success or achievement

Ambivalence

(n)the state of being uncertain or stuck between two or more options

Analogous

(adj)similar but not identical

Annihilate

(v)to destroy or cause devastating destruction

Anomaly

(n)something different from the norm

Anticipate

(v)assume to be likely to happen

Antipathy

(n)a strong feeling of dislike

Apex

(n)the highest point of something

Apprehension

(n)fearful expectation of something

Articulate

(v)to clearly express in words

Artificial

(adj)something made; not occurring naturally

Assertion

(n)a strong declaration

Austere

(adj)extremely plain; stern and forbidding; relating to self-denial

Authenticity

(n)the quality of being real and true instead of fake and contrived

Avenue

(n)an intangible path or approach to something

Avid

(adj)actively interested in or enthusiastic about something

Basic

relating to the foundation or basis of something

Bear

to have as a characteristic; to have (a child); to bring forth; to put up with

Benevolent

kind, generous

Bias

a preconception that prevents objectivity

Bittersweet

tinged with a feeling of sadness

Bolster

to support, strengthen, or fortify

Boost

an increase or growth; to increase or make grow

Brawl

an intense, loud fight; to fight loudly and disruptively

Brevity

the quality of being brief or terse

Candid

direct, blunt

Candor

the trait of being honest and frank

Capitalize

to use to your advantage

Capture

to trap or take possession of; to successfully represent or imitate; to captivate, mesmerize; to catch or seize

Civic

relating to the city or citizens

Clinical

emotionally unattached (usu. used in medical or scientific setting)

Clout

special advantage or power

Coarse

indicating a rough texture; lacking refinement or sophistication

Coincide

to happen at the same time

Commission

the use of payment to request something (e.g., a service or product)

Comparable

able to be compared

Competent

sufficiently qualified

Complacent

satisfied, with no desire to change or improve

Complement

to make perfect or complete

Concede

to be forced to agree or surrender; to admit to a transgression

Conceive

to imagine or come up with

Condone

to overlook, approve, or allow

Conducive

able to bring about or be suitable for

Conduct

to control or manage; to behave a certain way

Confide

to share something secretive with someone

Confine

to put limits on; to restrict

Consensus

overall agreement

Constitute

to form or compose (part of) something

Contemplate

to think deeply about

Contend

to maintain or assert (an opinion)

Contradict

to be in contrast with

Controversial

highly debatable and causing contention

Conventional

abiding by accepted standards

Convey

to pass on or transfer (information)

Conviction

a firm belief in something

Corroborate:

(v) to provide evidence for/ back something up

Contrived

(v)created through trickery

surmised

(v) formed an idea or assumption with little evidence