Practice for SAT words

Abate

• Easy definition: To become less strong or decrease.

• Sentence: The heavy storm began to ___, allowing the rescue team to safely head outside.

Abstain

• Easy definition: To choose not to do something.

• Sentence: Because he was training for a marathon, Marcus decided to ___ from eating sugary desserts.

Abstract

• Easy definition: Existing as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.

• Sentence: Truth and beauty are ___ concepts that are difficult to define.

Coalesce

• Easy definition: To come together to form one single mass or whole.

• Sentence: Over time, the small neighborhoods began to ______ into a thriving, unified city.

Conformist

• Easy definition: A person who uncritically adopts the behavior, styles, or attitudes of a group.

• Sentence: As a strict ____, Leo always wore the exact same brand of clothes as his peers to blend in.

Defunct

• Easy definition: No longer existing, living, or functioning.

• Sentence: The old factory lay abandoned, a quiet monument to a once-thriving but now ___ local industry.

Ubiquitous

• Easy definition: Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.

• Sentence: In the modern digital age, wireless internet access has become virtually _____ in public spaces.

Exacerbate

• Easy definition: To make a bad situation, problem, or feeling even worse.

• Sentence: Scratching a mosquito bite will only ____ the itch and potentially cause an infection.

Juxtapose

• Easy definition: To place two completely different things side-by-side to highlight their contrast.

• Sentence: The museum exhibit was designed to ____ ancient stone sculptures with sleek, modern digital art.

Preclude

• Easy definition: To prevent something from happening; to make impossible.

• Sentence: Bad weather conditions will ___ the rocket launch from taking place today.

Contentious

• Easy definition: Causing or likely to cause a fierce argument or disagreement.

• Sentence: The decision to build a new highway through the historic park became a highly ____ issue among residents.

Scrutiny

• Easy definition: Very careful and detailed examination.

• SAT Context: Usually used in science passages when researchers inspect data, or in history passages when a policy is closely examined.

• Memory Trick: Think of a detective using a magnifying glass to _____ a clue.

Blemish

A small mark, flaw, or imperfection that spoils the appearance, quality, or perfection of something.

Impending

• Easy definition: About to happen very soon (usually used for something threatening or negative).

• SAT Context: Used in passages describing natural disasters, economic crashes, or political shifts (e.g., "the impending storm").

• Memory Trick: Think of something hanging over your head, about to drop.

Postulate

• Easy definition: To suggest or assume something as a fact or starting point for an argument.

• SAT Context: A staple word in science passages. Scientists ___ a theory before they have the final data to prove it.

Former

The first thing mentioned. Example: I bought a dog and a cat. The former barks, but the latter meows.

Latter

The second or last thing mentioned. Example: I bought a dog and a cat. The former barks, but the latter meows.

Equivocal

• Easy definition: Ambiguous, vague, or open to multiple interpretations; undecided.

• Sentence: The politician gave an _____ answer to avoid taking a clear side on the controversial issue.

Lucid

• Easy definition: Clear, easy to understand, or bright.

• Sentence: The math textbook was praised for its lucid explanations of complex algebraic formulas.

Anomaly

• Easy definition: Something that is unusual, strange, or abnormal.

• Sentence: The scientists were confused by the temperature spike, which was a complete anomaly in their winter data.

Reverence

• Easy definition: Deep respect or awe for someone or something.

• Sentence: The tourists walked through the ancient temple with quiet reverence.

Pragmatic

• Easy definition: Practical and realistic rather than theoretical.

• Sentence: Instead of dreaming about an expensive vacation, they took a _____ approach and camped nearby.

Inconsequential

Adj. Something lacking importance, significance, or relevance. Example: The budget error was entirely ___________ and did not affect the project's final outcome.

Arcane

adj. Mysterious or known by few. Ex: The ancient book contained ____ knowledge.

Arduous

adj. Difficult and requiring effort. The steep hike up the mountain was _______.

Tentative

adj. This is something that is not certain or final or subject to change. Example: She gave ____ smile.

Dogmatic

A person or belief that asserts opinions as undeniable, unchallengeable facts. Ex: A _______ person is typically unyielding, unwilling to consider opposing views, and expects others to accept their principles without question.

Pretentious

Someone or something attempting to appear more important, intelligent, or cultured than they actually are. It often implies a showy, exaggerated effort to impress others or mask a lack of genuine substance. Synonym: fake

Antecedent

A thing, event, or word that comes before another.

Transpose

To change the relative position, order, or sequence of things by swapping them around. Can be interchangeable

Insuperable

Impossible to overcome

Unequivocal

adj. Leaving no doubt or room for misunderstanding

Vindicate

To be free from blame

Circumvent

To find a way around

Desultory

Lacking a clear plan or enthusiasm.

Inadvertently

Unintentionally or by accident.

Rudimentary

Very basic

Buttress

To provide support.

Austerity

Financial policy to reduce excess spending on luxury or non-essential items

Multifaceted

adj. Having many aspects or features. Ex: The housing problem is ______ and will take multiple solutions to solve.

Notional

adj. Existing only in theory. Ex: Because we hadn't started it, the plan was still ________.

Paramount

adj. predominant, superior, most important. Our _____ concern is the safety of our employees.

Marginal

Unimportant

Spurious

Something not genuine, authentic, or true. Fake

Veritable

True, genuine, or actual

Repudiates

To formally reject, deny, or refuse to accept or be associated with something

Recants

to publicly take back, withdraw, or renounce a previously stated belief, opinion, or sworn testimony.

Surmised

It means to guess, infer, or form an opinion about something using available evidence, but without having definitive proof or absolute certainty.

Contrived

Something that is artificially planned, forced, or unnatural. It usually refers to things that feel overly designed or manipulated to produce a specific result, making them seem fake or hard to believe

Beguiling

Something charming, attractive or fascinating often in a deceptive way.

Bellicose

eager to fight, aggressively hostile, or inclined to start a war or argument.

Subsumed

To absorb or include something specific into a larger, more comprehensive category or whole.

Decoupled

To separate, disconnect, or server the connection between 2 or more things that were previously linked.

Stymie

To hinder, block, or completely thwart progress.

Disparage

To criticize, belittle, or speak slightingly of someone or something.

Innocuous

This is something completely harmless, producing no injury or unlikely to offend feelings.

Substantiated

A claim, accusation, or theory has been proven true or supported by adequate evidence

Paucity

A scarcity or lack.

Outstrip

To surpass, exceed, or go further than someone or something in degree, amount, or success.

Perceptible

Something that is capable of being seen, heard, felt, or otherwise noticed by the senses or the mind, even if it is slight

Animosity

A deep-seated feeling of strong dislike, ill will, or enmity that frequently manifests as active hostility or antagonism

Precursor

Anything that comes before, paves the way for, or leads to the development of something else

Commonality

the state of sharing features, attributes, or interests

Succumb

To yield, surrender, or give in to an overpowering force, desire, or irresistible pressure

Verisimilitude

The appearance of being true or real

Situated

To be in a particular spot, position, or specific set of circumstances.

Disparate

Fundamentally different, distinct in kind, or entirely dissimilar. Describes unlike things

Complementary

Two or more distinct things that combine to enhance, complete, or bring out the best in each other. They work together.

Profusion

An extremely large amount, lavish abundance, or overabundance of something

Entrench

To establish something—like an idea, habit, or defensive position—so firmly that it becomes very difficult to change or remove

Negate

To nullify, invalidate, or cancel out the effect of something.

Prefigure

To foreshadow, suggest, or represent something beforehand.

Fecundity

The biological capacity of an organism or population to reproduce. A.k.a. Fertility

Capacious

Having a lot of space inside; roomy, spacious, or able to hold a large amount.

Obviated

To anticipate, prevent, or eliminate a need or difficulty = make unnecessary

Cordially

To act in a warm, friendly, and sincere manner.

Benign

Gentle, harmless, or favorable

Supposition

An idea or belief assumed to be true without concrete evidence

Expediency

Choosing an action that is practical, beneficial, or convenient.

Curtailed

To cut short, reduce, or place restrictions on something

Protract

To lengthen, stretch out, or draw out in time.

Latent

Something that is present in a concealed state but has potential to become active, visible under right conditions.

Recalcitrant

Someone or something that is resistant to authority, control, or guidiance.

Misanthropic

Someone or something with a hatred, distrust, or contempt for humankind

Sanguine

Cheerful, optimistic, or hopeful

Earnest

Showing deep, sincere, or serious intention. Or being eager.

Conspicuous

Easily seen, noticeable, or attracting attention

Exultant

A feeling of extreme happiness mostly because of a victory or success.

Ambivalence

Having contradictory or conflicting feelings toward the same person, object or idea (positive and negative reactions)

Repulse

To repel something or to have a strong feeling of digust

Tenuous

Something that is very weak or lacks a solid foundation.

Altruistically

Unselfishly prioritizing the needs of others without expecting anything in return

Obscurity

Unknown, not seen, or difficult to understand

Dormant

To be temporarily inactive or asleep with the potential of becoming active again

Elicit

to evoke or draw out a reaction, answer, or fact from someone

Capricious

Something prone to sudden, unpredictable changes in mood or behavior.

Ephemeral

Lasting for a very short time

Augment

To make something greater by adding to it

Bolster

To support, strengthen, or prop up an argument or claim

Cryptic

Mysterious, hidden