sat word bank - a

arcane

known or understood by very few people

avarice

excessive greed

austere

very bare, bleak

augment

to add, expand

atrophy

to wither away

astute

very clever, crafty

assiduous

hard-working, diligent

assail

to attack someone/something (violently) or criticize them

aspersion

a curse, expression of ill-will (attacking someone’s character/reputation)

arrogate

to take without justification

arid

excessively dry

approbation

official/formal praise

antiquated

old, out of date (no longer needed today)

antediluvian

ancient

antecedent

something that came before

antagonism

hostility

anathema

cursed, detested person

analgesic

something that reduces pain

amenable

willing, compliant

ameliorate

to improve (in negative situations)

alacrity

eagerness, speed (to do something)

aggrandize

to increase or make greater (power)

adumbrate

to sketch out in a vague way

adroit

skillful, dexterous, nimble

acrimony

bitterness, discord (in speech or behavior)

acumen

keen insight

acerbic

sarcastic, ironic (tone, temper)

accretion

slow growth in size or amount

abstruse

hard to comprehend

absolution

freedom from blame, guilt

abnegation

denial of comfort to oneself

abjure

to reject, renounce

aberration

something that differs from the norm