A-C Words SSAT Upper Level Vocabulary

Words from the SSAT Upper Level Preparation Book

Abjure

to formally renounce a belief or cause, often under pressure or threat. It indicates a strong rejection or disavowal.

Abrogate

to repeal or do away with a law, right, or formal agreement. It suggests a cancellation or nullification of a rule or obligation.

Accost

to approach and speak to someone boldly or aggressively, often in a confrontational manner.

Adulterate

to make something poorer in quality by adding another substance, typically an inferior one. It often refers to the process of contaminating or degrading a product.

Adumbrate

to foreshadow or suggest something in an indirect way; to give a hint or outline without providing full details.

Alacrity

brisk and cheerful readiness’ promptness or eagerness in response

Alias

A false or assumed name used to hide one’s identity; another name or title by which a person or thing is know

Anachronistic

belonging to a different time period than the one in which something exists or is placed; out of chronological order

Anathema

something or someone that is intensely disliked or loathed

Antediluvian

extremely old or outdated; belonging to prehistoric time

Avid

eager, enthusiastic, or greedy

Antithesis

direct opposite, contrast; a rhetorical device or figure of speech that expresses contrasting ideas in parallel form

Apocalypse

a catastrophic event that causes great destruction or the end of the world, a revelation or prophetic disclosure, typically in religious or mystical contexts

Approbation

approval or commendation, especially formal approval; an official endorsement or favorable opinion

Arcane

known or understood by few; mysterious or obscure; esoteric

Ardent

enthusiastic or passionate; intensely devoted or eager

Artifice

artful deception or trickery; clever or cunning devices, often used to trick or deceive others; skillful or ingenious craftsmanship

Ascetic

severely self-disciplined and abstaining from indulgence; one who practices sever self-discipline and abstention, often for religious reasons

Attenuate

to reduce the force, effect, or value of something; to make something week; weakened or diminished

Austerity

sternness or severity of manner or attitude; extreme plainness and simplicity; especially of a lifestyle or in the design of something

Balk

To hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking; to abruptly stop and refuse to go on

Bedlam

A state of uproar and confusion; a scene of noisy and wild disorder; chaos

Beguile

To charm or enchant someone; to attract or divert someone’s attention

Bilious

Having an irritable disposition; ill-tempered; suffering from liver dysfunction or bile

Bogus

not true or genuine; counterfeit or fake

Boor

A rude, unmannered, or insensitive person; someone lacking refinement or social graces

Brusque

abrupt or blunt in manner or speech

Bulwark

a defensive wall or barrier; something that provides protection or support; a person, institution, or principle that defends or upholds something

burgeon

to grow or develop rapidly; to flourish; to expand or increase

Buttress

something that provides support or reinforcement, literally and figuratively

Cacophony

a harsh mixture of sounds; a loud, chaotic, and unpleasant noise

Callow

inexperienced and immature; lacking sophistication or judgement

Calumny

misrepresentation of someone through false and defamatory statements in order to damage their reputation

Capricious

prone to sudden and inexplicable changes of mood or behavior

Carp

A freshwater fish, to complain or continually find fault, a trivial complaint

Chagrin

Distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated; annoyance or disappointment

Chimera

something that is hoped or wished for but is actually impossible to achieve; an unrealistic or improbable fantasy

Circumvent

To find a way around an obstacle; to overcome a problem or challenge, typically in a clever or secretive way.

Cogent

clear, logical and convincing; persuasive

cognizant

having knowledge or awareness; aware

Comely

having a pleasant appearance; attractive

Commodious

spacious and roomy

Concoction

a mixture of various ingredients or elements; an elaborate story, often one that is false

Concomitant

occurring or existing at the same time as something else; naturally accompanying or associated with something

Connive

to secretly plot or scheme, usually to achieve an unlawful or harmful end; to conspire; to secretly allow something, usually unlawful, to occur without interfering or stopping it.

Consternation

feelings of anxiety, dismay or confusion

Construe

to interpret or understand the meaning of something in a particular way; to deduce the intention behind someon’es actions or words

Contravene

to violate or go against a law; to disobey or disregard

Contrite

feeling or expressing remorse or penitence

Copious

large in number or amount; abundant in supply or quantity

Corpulent

having a large, bulky body; fat; obese

Coterie

a small group of people who have shared interests or tastes

Coup

a sudden, successful, and usually unexpected action or achievement

Cupidity

greed for money or possessions; avarice

Conciliate

to stop someone from being angry