SAT Vocabulary Lists 13-14

Altruistic

Thoughtful of the welfare of others

Ambiguous

Permitting more than one interpretation; not clearly defined

Chimerical

Absurd; wildly fanciful

Chronic

Lasting a long time; constant

Deter

To discourage; to keep someone from doing something

Devious

Not straightforward; lying; roundabout

Enhance

To add to; to make greater in value

Enigma

A puzzle; a baffling situation

Piety

Devotion and reverence, especially to god and family

Relic

A thing or part that remains from the past; something kept as sacred because it belonged to a saint

Scrupulous

Very honest and conscientious; careful about claimed expense

Temerity

Rashness; foolish or reckless boldness

Unimpeachable

Beyond doubt or reproach; unquestionable

Vicarious

Taking the place of another; experienced through sympathetic participation in the experience of another

Incontrovertible

Not able to be disputed or denied

Ambivalence

Condition of having conflicting attitudes

Ameliorate

To make better or more tolerable; to improve

Circumspect

Careful

Clairvoyant

Having exceptional insight

Devoid

Entirely without; lacking

Diatribe

A denunciation; bitter verbal attack

Ephemeral

Lasting for only a short time

Equanimity

Evenness of temper

Incorrigible

Too firmly fixed to be reformed or changed

Pique

To hurt the feelings of or make resentful; to arouse; to excite

Remorse

A deep feeling of sorrow or guilt over a wrong one has done

Scrutinize

To look at very carefully; to inspect minutely

Tenet

A principle, doctrine, or belief held as a truth by a group

Unobtrusive

Not readily noticeable; inconspicuous

Vilify

To defame; to slander; to cause a person to become vile