Upper Level SSAT Words pt. 2

Indescribable (adj.)

beyond words, unspeakable, sublime

Indigenous (adj.)

native, inborn, homegrown

Inference (noun)

conclusion, deduction, reasoning

Initial (adj.)

beginning, primary,

Innate (adj.)

native, inborn, intrinsic

Insolent (adj.)

disrespectful, discourteous, contemptuous

Instigate (verb)

provoke, incite, initiate

Inundate (verb)

drown, overwhelm, engulf

Intimidate (verb)

alarm, frighten, threaten

Intricate (adj.)

complicated, elaborate, complex

Introspection (noun)

self-analysis, contemplation, reflection

Irate (adj.)

very annoyed, angry, furious

Jeer (verb)

ridicule, scoff, sneer

Jocular (adj.)

funny, cheerful, playful

Jovial (adj.)

happy, lighthearted, cheerful

Keen (adj.)

piercing, eager, intense

Kinship (noun)

family, kindred, relation

Labyrinth (noun)

tangle, maze, complication

Lackluster (adj.)

dull, lifeless, boring

Laconic (adj.)

brief, terse, to the point

Languid (adj.)

drooping, dull, lethargic

Lament (verb)

mourn, grieve, regret

Lavish (adj.)

splendid, bountiful, generous

Lenient (adj.)

permissive, tolerant, forgiving

Lichen (noun)

moss, swamp

Listless (adj.)

drowsy, dull, sleepy

Lofty (adj.)

elevated, soaring, towering

Maneuver (verb)

plan, scheme, navigate

Mediocre (adj.)

average, commonplace, decent

Medley (noun)

assortment, combo, variety

Meticulous (adj.)

accurate, detailed, perfectionistic

Minuscule (adj.)

tiny, very small, small-scale

Mosaic (noun)

collage, patchwork, montage

Motley (adj.)

mixed, varied, mingled

Mundane (adj.)

ordinary, everyday, commonplace

Mutation (noun)

alteration, variation, change

Naïve (adj.)

childlike, innocent, trusting

Nemesis (noun)

adversary, opponent, rival

Nocturnal (adj.)

nightly, after dark, late

Nostalgia (noun)

longing, remorse, sentimentality

Novel (adj; not the book!)

new, original, unique

Nuance (noun)

slight difference, implication, distinction

Neutral (adj.)

indifferent, noncommittal, undecided

Nuisance (noun)

annoyance, irritant, problem

Obedience (noun)

submissiveness, compliance, good behavior

Obdurate (adj.)

stubborn, callous, inflexible

Obsolete (adj.)

outdated, ancient, antique

Obstinate (adj.)

stubborn, determined, headstrong

Omnivore (noun)

consumer, devourer, diner

Ornate (adj.)

fancy, elaborate, elegant

Opaque (adj.)

cloudy, murky, hazy

Pacify (verb)

appease, placate, smooth over

Palpate (verb)

touch, massage, examine

Paradox (noun)

contradiction, absurdity, inconsistency

Parasite (noun)

hanger-on, barnacle, leech

Parole (verb)

liberate, pardon, release

Perceptive (adj.)

alert, knowing, insightful

Perpetuate (verb)

maintain, preserve, bolster

Persevere (verb)

work hard, keep going, persue

Pester (verb)

bother, harass, annoy

Petite (adj.)

dainty, small, miniature

Plateau (noun)

highland, plain, flat land

Ponder (verb)

consider, contemplate, think about

Pragmatic (adj.)

practical, matter-of-fact, realistic

Precaution (noun)

carefulness, safety measure, protection

Preclude (verb)

cease, hinder, prevent

Precocious (adj.)

developed, ahead of time, mature

Prolific (adj.)

fruitful, productive, abundant

Prose (noun)

essay, speech, written text

Prosperous (adj.)

successful, thriving, wealthy

Protagonist (noun)

hero, central figure, lead role

Provoke (verb)

make angry, aggravate, irritate

Proximity (noun)

nearness, closeness, immediacy

Pulverize (verb)

shatter, crush, break up

Quandary (noun)

difficulty, dilemma, predicament (difficult situation)

Quarantine (verb)

isolate, seclude, separate

Query (noun)

question, inquiry, objection

Quota (noun)

allotment, allowance, portion

Ravenous (adj.)

very hungry, greedy, desirous

Recede (verb)

withdraw, diminish, decrease

Rectify (verb)

correct, improve, revise

Renaissance (noun)

renewal, rebirth, awakening

Repeal (verb)

abolish, cancel, dismantle

Replenish (verb)

refill, refresh, restock

Repose (noun)

restfulness, inactivity, calm

Resilience (noun)

flexibility, stamina, endurance

Resolute (adj.)

determined, strong-willed, persistent

Respective (adj.)

particular, specific, individual

Restore (verb)

fix, make new, improve

Resurrect (verb)

revive, renew, revitalize

Revere (verb)

admire, adore, worship

Rouse (verb)

wake up, stir, excite

Sacrifice (verb)

give up, surrender, lose

Sanctuary (noun)

holy place, shrine, altar

Sentimental (adj.)

emotional, affectionate, tender

Serene (adj.)

calm, undisturbed, easygoing

Sever (verb)

cut apart, detach, separate

Scarce (adj.)

insufficient, limited, sparse

Silhouette (noun)

outline, shadow, shape

Simulate (verb)

pretend, imitate, mimic