DSAT Vocabulary

To practice unfamiliar vocabulary words that may appear in the DSAT

Allude

to suggest / call attention to / hint at

ambivalence

the state of having mixed feelings / contradictory ideas

Analogous

comparable in certain respects, typically in a way that makes clearer the nature of the things compared

Apprehensive

anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

Anecdote

a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.

Arbitrary

based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.

Buttress (verb)

Increase the justification of

Adhere

to stick to something or to remain loyal to

Feeble

Weak

corroborate

To confirm or give support to a statement, theory, or finding.

adept

Highly skilled or proficient at something.

convoluted

Something that is extremely complex and difficult to follow.

scrutiny

Critical observation or examination.

obsolete

No longer produced or used; out of date.

novel

A newly coined or unusual idea; also can refer to a work of fiction.

pervasive

Spread throughout and existing in all parts.

conjecture

An opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.

implicit

Implied though not directly expressed.

posit

To assume a fact or a principle as a basis for argument or action.

conform

To comply with rules, standards, or laws.

titular

Existing in title only; holding a title without the responsibilities or functions.

tenuous

Very weak or slight; lacking a sound basis.

efficacy

The ability to produce a desired or intended result.

innocuous

Not harmful or offensive.

coherence

The quality of being logical and consistent.

facade

An outward appearance that is maintained to conceal a less pleasant reality.

brevity

Conciseness in speech or writing.

paucity

The presence of something in insufficient quantity.

surmised

To suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it.

haphazard

Lacking any obvious principle of organization; random.

verisimilitude

The appearance of being true or real.

fruitless

Failing to achieve the desired results; unproductive.

rudimentary

Involving or limited to basic principles; elementary.

contrived

Deliberately created rather than arising naturally.

profusion

An abundance or large quantity of something.

Ludicrous

Something that is so foolish, unreasonable, or out of place that it is amusing.

Eloquent

Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.

Harmonious

A state of compatibility or agreement, often in a pleasant or balanced way.

Jarring

Shocking or clashing in a way that is disturbing or unpleasant.

Dissension

A strong disagreement that leads to quarrel

Auspicious

Favorable or conducive to success.

Renounce

To formally declare one's abandonment of a claim, right, or possession.

Denounce

To publicly declare something as wrong.

dormant

Inactive or in a state of rest or inactivity.

ambiguous

Open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning.

dogmatic

Asserting opinions in a doctrinaire or arrogant manner; expressing beliefs in an uncompromising way.

subsumed

To include or absorb something into a more comprehensive category.

notwithstanding

In spite of;

impede

To delay or prevent someone or something from making progress.

Reciprocate

To return or respond to a gesture or action in kind.

Deference

Respectful submission or yielding to the judgment, opinion, or will of another.

Invoke

To call something or someone for help/backup

Imminent

About to happen; impending.

Viable

Capable of working successfully or feasible.

Evoke

To summon or call forth (memories, feelings, etc.)

Oppressive

Feeling harsh or unfair towards a certain group often leading to suffering and injustice.

Dubious

Hesitating or doubting.

Conspicuous

Easily seen or noticed; attracting attention.

Inadvertently

Without intention; accidentally.

Exacerbate

To make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse.

Speculative

Based on conjecture rather than firm knowledge.

Discrepency

A difference; failure to correspond

Waive

To give up something like a right on purpose

Nuance

A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound

Innate

Something you are born with

candid

Truthful and straightforward; frank.

inherent

naturally part of something

contend

argue / face something difficult

proliferation

Rapid increase in numbers.

interject

Say (something) abruptly, especially as an aside or interruption.

precarious

Dependent on chance circumstances, unknown conditions, or uncertain developments.

negate

To nullify or invalidate (something).

Erroneous

Incorrect or wrong.

Explicitly

Very clear and direct.

Maverick

Independent-minded person.

Obstinate

Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion.

Ingenuous

Innocent and unsuspecting.

Delegate

To entrust a task to someone.

Hegemonic

Dominating influence.

Berate

To scold or criticize.

Unwarranted

Not justified or authorized.

Caliberate

To adjust or standardize something so it works properly

Canny

Shrewd, good judgement.

Futile

Incapable of producing any result; pointless.