SSAT Upper Level Vocabulary A-C Words

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extremely old or outdated; belonging to prehistoric time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