SAT Vocabulary

Abstruse

a theory that is difficult to understand, complex, obscure, often requiring specialized knowledge

acrimony

bitterness or sharpness of manner, ill-will or harsh speech

Amorphous

having no definite form, shapeless

Ambivalent

having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

Anachronism

an error in chronology, or something out of place in time.

antithesis

a direct contrast or opposition to something, often used in rhetoric to highlight differences.

anthropomorphic

attributing human traits or emotions to non-human entities.

bifurcated

divided into two branches or parts.

circumlocution

the use of many words to express an idea that could be stated more directly.

complacent

self-satisfied, often to a fault, showing a lack of concern for potential dangers or deficiencies.

confluence

the act of flowing together, gathering

credulous

having a tendency to be too ready to believe things, often without sufficient evidence.

dictum

a formal saying or authoritative statement.

Disingenuous

not being straightforward or honest, often pretending to be unaware or less knowledgeable.

exacerbate

to make a problem, situation, or feeling worse; to intensify.

extemporaneous

made or delivered on the spur of the moment without preparation or planning.

hypothetical

based on or serving as a hypothesis; supposed or imagined

Intercede

to intervene on behalf of someone else

levity

the treatment of a serious matter with humor or a lack of due respect

misanthrope

a person who dislikes or distrusts humankind

omniscient

having unlimited knowledge or understanding

perennial

lasting or existing for a long time, enduring

posthumous

occurring or awarded after someone passes

proclivity

a natural inclination or tendency toward something

propensity

a natural tendency to believe a certain thing or think a certain way

protracted

extended in duration or time

punctilious

showing great attention to detail or correct behavior

synthesis

the combination of ideas to form a theory or systems

transitory

lasting for a short time, temporary

unilateral

relating to a decision or action undertaken by one side or party, often without asking the other