Elite SAT Confusing Vocab ONLY (201-300)

Confusing vocab words only

Abate (verb)

Ex: The brutal August heat lasted for eight days before it finally abated

To lessen in amount, intensity or strength

Decorum (noun)

Ex: Jamie’s lack of decorum at the funeral was especially evident when he belched loudly during the eulogy

Polite behavior

Homely (adj)

Ex: From a somewhat homely child, Arabel grew into a stunningly attractive young lady

Unattractive, plain looking

Visceral (adj)

Ex: My reaction to the plan was more visceral than thoughtful; I instinctively liked the idea based on nothing more than my gut reaction

Instinctive, relating to the internal organs

Meritocracy (noun)

Ex: The founders of the company envisioned a meritocracy in which the most talented employees were rewarded with raises and bonuses

A system in which promotion is based on individual ability or achievement

Inveigle (verb)

Ex: Trying to inveigle an A, Justin flattered his teacher excessively, but she was immune to the attempts and gave Justin the D that he rightfully earned

To obtain by flattery

Behoove (verb)

Ex: Just as children owe respect to their parents, it behooves parents to honor their children as individuals

To be necessary or proper for

Austere (adj)

Ex: Despite his wealth, Henry still practices the same austere lifestyle he developed before becoming a CEO of a booming company

Stern or severe in appearance; without luxury

Sully (verb)

Ex: “Don’t you dare sully my reputation, you insolent little child!”

To dirty or tarnish, especially by disgracing

Anachronism (noun)

Ex: I think you’re an anachronism, you’re too precious and sweet to belong to this brutal world

Something not belonging to a certain time period

Malady (noun)

Ex: Several employees took suddenly ill when a mysterious malady swept through the factory

A disease, illness, sickness

Antithesis (noun)

Ex: Hope is the antithesis of despair

Direct contrast, opposition

Exact (verb)

Ex: After conquering the country, the king exacted a high tribute a high tribute from the subjugated people

To demand and obtain by force

Inclement (adj)

Ex: Your new mud home should work out fine when it’s sunny, but don’t expect it to hold up well in inclement weather

Harsh, severe (usually of weather)

Vehement (adj)

Ex: No one ever doubted his guilt, despite his loud and vehement claims of innocence

Forceful, furious

Eddy (noun)

Ex: As Helen tried to navigate her boat through the rapids, an eddy caught her canoe and smashed it into a rock, killing her on the spot :)

A current (water/air) moving contrary to the direction of the main current (especially in a circular motion)

Hamper (verb)

Ex: The iron shackles are there to hamper any attempt to escape from your desk

To keep from moving or acting freely

Ramification (noun)

Ex: Before you publicly make such a controversial suggestion, I hope you will consider the possible ramifications

A development or consequence resulting from a course of action

Antediluvian (adj)

Ex: My grandmother’s cuckoo clock could be considered antediluvian by many, but I love how vintage it is

Very old, outdated

Jar (verb)

Ex: It took a 13% on his physics exam to jar Ian out of his conviction that he was the smartest student at his school

To make a harsh sound, to shake by sudden impact

Subjugate (verb)

Ex: After the king won the battle that gave him the kingdom, it still took him several years to fully subjugate the country

To bring under control, to conquer

Draconian (adj)

Ex: The night watch severely enforces draconian curfews for the prisoners

Extremely harsh and severe

Vernacular (noun)

Ex: Studying a language in school is great, but doing so may not prepare for the vernacular, the forms of the language spoken regionally

Informal speech, native language

Duplicity (noun)

Ex: Most people hold elected officials in such low esteem that reports of a politician’s duplicity are frequently received with no surprise at all.

Deception, deceitfulness

Disabuse (verb)

Ex: In order to disabuse William of the idea that the earth is flat, I tried to explain that many pieces of scientific evidence that lets us know for sure the earth is NOT flat

To free from falsehood/error

Staunch (adj)

Ex: The US president has some of the most idiotic, insane, staunch supporters I have ever seen

Strongly loyal

Illicit (adj)

Ex: The corporation, which had made billions by charging illegally high interest rates, how to repay its illicit gains after thorough investigation

Unlawful, improper

Scrupulous (adj)

Ex: The scientist was scrupulous about checking measurements twice as a single error could be deadly

Conscientious and exact, having principles

Lineaments (noun)

Ex: After 15 long years at war, the lineaments of his face had changed, and the spark of innocent youth in his eyes was gone.

Any of the features of the body, usually the face

Derelict (adj)

Ex: The many empty, derelict buildings near the waterfront attest to the decline that part of the town has undergone in the last decade

Deserted, abandoned

Ingrate (noun)

Ex: I realized that I had acted like an ingrate when I was disappointed after receiving a gift from my grandparents and failing to thank them

An ungrateful person

Caveat (noun)

Ex: When I went to college, my mom warned me to stay away from the night clubs, and this caveat saved me after a girl was taken to the hospital from drinking too much

A warning

Compound (noun)

Ex: Each day, the prisoners were allowed to exercise within the compound under the watchful eyes of armed guards

A building/group of buildings enclosed by a barrier

Banal (adj)

Ex: What was supposed to be a vivid and innovative presentation turned out to be banal and monotone

Dull or stale, a commonplace