SAT vocab ultimate guide

deference

yielding an opinion, desire, or position to another out of respect

salient

important, prominent, most noticeable

unseemly

not decent or proper

remorse

sadness or regret for what one has done

mercenary

greedy; motivated by desire for money

fetid

having a bad odor

drab

dull or dreary; monotonous

prodigal

exceedingly or recklessly wasteful

patronize

to sponsor or support; to be kind or helpful in a snobbish way, as if dealing with an inferior

plausible

appearing worthy of belief or trust

allure

the power to attract with something desir-

lenient

inclined not to be strict

pertinent

relevant

serene

calm and peaceful

indubitable

certain; indisputable (literally 'not doubtable')

inaugurate

to formally bring into office at the beginning of a term

covert

concealed or disguised; not openly practiced

solace

comfort in a time of distress

insidious

subtly harmful; stealthy, sneaky

atrophy

a wasting away, esp. of body tissue

altercation

a heated or noisy argument

foment

to stir up negative feelings, esp, those that lead to violent action

purloin

to steal, oft. in violation of a trust

caesura

a break or pause

acquiesce

to agree without protest

conscientious

showing care and precision; painstaking

crass

dull-witted; unrefined

impart

to give a portion of; to make known

spendthrift

one who spends money wastefully

tabulate

to count

adroit

naturally skillful, esp, dealing with difficult circumstances

dexterous

skillful with the hands or mind

redolent

aromatic; fragrant; suggestive

foreboding

a sense of impending evil, esp.

denouement

conclusion; resolution; the falling action of a story after its climax

subsidy

monetary assistance

prevalent

dominant; widespread

incumbent

necessary or obligatory; n. a person who currently holds a particular position

mimic

to copy closely, esp. with intent to ridicule

beacon

a signaling light; a source of guidance or inspiration

supplant

to take the place of

scythe

a long-handled, bladed instrument used for harvesting crops

shard

a fragment of a brittle substance, e.g., glass or pottery; a small piece of something

wayward

stubbornly going against what is expected or required in order to satisfy one's own desires

effrontery

bold and insulting behavior

vagary

an erratic notion or action

agile

quick and easy in movement; mentally alert

glut

an oversupply

cursory

superficially done; performed rapidly

spurn

to push or drive away contemptuously with or as with the foot

comply

to yield or act in accordance with requests, conditions, etc.

peccadillo

a minor sin

incendiary

causing or capable of causing fire; stirring up trouble

impunity

exemption from punishment or harm

proficient

very skillful, esp. through training

precede

to come before something in time, order, or position

benefactor

one who helps and supports others.

flout

to intentionally and obviously disobey.

erode

to wear away slowly.

spate

a large number or amount of something, esp. in a brief time.

imbue

to inspire; to permeate; to fill with a mood or tone.

credulous

tending to believe too easily.

bravura

a showy display.

omniscient

all-knowing.

untenable

indefensible, or impossible to maintain.

veneer

an attractive, ultimately misleading outward show; thin layer.

legible

capable of being read or deciphered.

recount

to tell in detail.

prevaricate

to speak or write evasively in order to avoid telling the truth.

sedentary

sitting down most of the time.

veracious

honest; truthful.

venerate

to look upon with respect and honor.

raconteur

one who tells stories with skill.

leaning

a preference or inclination.

premature

happening, done, arriving, or existing before the proper time.

vicarious

felt as if one were taking part in the experiences of another.

pique

to arouse (interest, curiosity, etc.); to irritate.

abate

maternal

characteristic of a mother

decorum

polite behavior

pretentious

claiming dignity or importance, esp. when undeserved

unwieldy

hard to handle or manage, esp. because of size or weight

homely

unattractive, plain looking

impromptu

without preparation

visceral

instinctive; relating to the internal organs

staccato

composed of abrupt, disconnected parts or sounds

rue

to regret

meritocracy

a system in which promotion is based on individual ability or achievement

inveigle

to obtain by flattery

behoove

to be necessary or proper for

austere

stern or severe in appearance; without luxury

inert

unable to move or respond; sluggish

mnemonic

pertaining to or assisting the memory

censor

to prevent from becoming known or circulated; an official editor of material

imposing

impressive by virtue of size, power, or manner

hectic

characterized by intense activity

sully

to dirty or tarnish, esp. by disgracing

insipid

uninteresting; having no flavor

anachronism

something that is out of its proper time period

malady

a disease; illness; sickness