SAT Vocab 2

Spurious

Appearing to be true or genuine but actually false, misleading, or not based on facts

Palpable

So obvious, strong, or intense that it can almost be touched or physically felt

Eclipsed

Became more successful, famous, or important than someone or something else, causing it to receive less attention

Understated

Expressed or presented in a calm, modest, or restrained way without exaggerating its importance

Appraise

To carefully examine and judge the value, quality, or importance of something

Conspicuous

Easy to see or notice because it stands out from its surroundings

Adulations

Excessive praise or admiration, often more than is deserved

Belies

Gives a false impression of something or contradicts what appears to be true

Insurmountable

Too difficult or impossible to overcome

Extraneous

Not related to the subject; unnecessary or irrelevant

Arcane

Known or understood by only a few people because it is mysterious or specialized

Defunct

No longer existing, operating, or functioning

Distinctive

Having qualities that make someone or something easy to recognize

Convoluted

Extremely complicated and difficult to understand

Precipitating

Causing an event or situation to happen suddenly or earlier than expected

Subverted

Undermined or weakened the authority, system, or intended purpose of something

Extricated

Freed someone or something from a difficult, dangerous, or complicated situation

Fraudulent

Intended to deceive or involving dishonesty for personal gain

Vigilance

The state of being watchful, alert, and careful to notice possible dangers or problems

Indoctrined

Taught to accept a set of beliefs or ideas without questioning them

Confounded

Completely confused or surprised; or proved to be wrong

Appeased

Made someone less angry, upset, or dissatisfied by giving them what they wanted

Pervasive

Existing or spreading throughout every part of a place or thing

Stymie

To prevent or make it difficult for someone to achieve something

Vaccilating

Unable to decide because of constantly changing opinions or feelings

Dogmatic

Expressing opinions as if they are certainly correct without accepting other viewpoints

Disingenuous

Pretending to be honest or sincere when actually being dishonest or misleading

Portent

A sign or warning that something important or bad is likely to happen

Paragon

A perfect example of a particular quality or characteristic

Approbation

Official or public approval and praise

Circumvent

To avoid or get around a rule, problem, or obstacle in a clever way

Partition

To divide something into separate parts, sections, or areas

Resolutions

Firm decisions, formal agreements, or solutions to problems

Sanction

Official approval or permission; or a penalty imposed for breaking a rule (depends on context)

Amorphous

Having no definite shape, structure, or clear form

Customary

Usual or traditional; commonly practiced

Evince

To clearly show or express a feeling, quality, or intention

Prudence

The ability to make careful, wise decisions by thinking about possible risks and consequences

Cynical

Believing that people are motivated mainly by selfishness and not trusting their sincerity

Retroactively

Taking effect from a date in the past rather than the present

Precursors

People, events, or things that come before and indicate or lead to something else

Detractors

People who criticize or speak negatively about someone or something

Protractors

People or things that make something last longer than necessary

Repudiate

To refuse to accept or recognize something as true or valid

Misconstrued

Understood or interpreted incorrectly

Desultory

Lacking a clear plan, purpose, or consistency; moving from one thing to another without direction

Notional

Existing as an idea or concept rather than in reality

Sporadically

Happening occasionally and irregularly, without a clear pattern

Postulate

To suggest or assume that something is true as the basis for reasoning or discussion

Sanguine

Optimistic and confident that things will turn out well

Misanthropic

Disliking or distrusting people in general

Venerate

To respect or admire someone or something deeply

Substantiated

Supported or confirmed with evidence or proof

Soliciting

Asking for or seeking something such as help, information, support, or money

Ineluctible

Impossible to avoid, prevent, or escape

Irreproachable

So good, honest, or perfect that no criticism is justified

Insuperable

Impossible to overcome or solve