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 defunct 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 contentious 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 scrutinize 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 pragmatic 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

Paucity

A scarcity or lack.

Outstrip

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