PSAT Vocabulary

Hi! I'm Olubanke! This is my list of important PSAT vocabulary words.

Abeyance

temporary suspension or postponement

Abdicate

to renounce, resign, or relinquish a position or power

Aesthetic

principles guiding an artistic movement; concerned with beauty and taste

Ambiguous

unclear, open to interpretation, having a double meaning

Ambivalent

having mixed feelings, uncertain, indecisive

Amicable

friendly, likable, showing goodwill

Anachronistic

outdated, belonging to an earlier period, antiquated

Apathetic

uninterested, unconcerned, indifferent

Autonomous

self-governing, independent, having self-rule

Benevolent

kind, caring, showing goodwill

Benign

kind, friendly, gentle, not harmful

Blithe

indifferent, unconcerned, showing a casual and cheerful indifference

Callow

inexperienced, immature, naive

Capricious

unpredictable, subject to whim, volatile

Contentious

controversial, causing heated arguments or disagreements

Cumbersome

awkward, unmanageable, difficult to handle or carry

Digress

to deviate or go off subject, especially in speech or writing

Divergent

differing, varying, moving or extending in different directions

Dogmatic

opinionated, unyielding, asserting opinions as if they are facts

Eminent

respected and famous, distinguished, prominent

Empathy

the ability to understand and share the feelings of others

Ephemeral

fleeting, brief, lasting for a very short time

Esoteric

specialized, obscure, intended for a small audience

Evanescent

quickly disappearing, temporary, fleeting

Frugal

cheap, thrifty, economical, avoiding waste or luxury

Garrulous

talkative, chatty, excessively verbose

Haughty

arrogant, snobbish, showing excessive pride

Hedonistic

pleasure-seeking, self-indulgent, pursuing pleasure as a goal

Ignominious

deserving shame, embarrassing, humiliating

Impecunious

poor, indigent, lacking money

Impetuous

impulsive, rash, acting without thinking

Impudent

disrespectful, impertinent, showing a lack of respect

Indifferent

unconcerned, uninterested, showing no care or interest

Intrepid

fearless, adventurous, showing courage and bravery

Intrinsic

inherent, essential, belonging naturally

Magnanimous

generous, forgiving, showing a noble and generous spirit

Meticulous

extremely careful, precise, showing great attention to detail

Mundane

ordinary, commonplace, lacking interest or excitement

Nonchalant

coolly unconcerned, indifferent, appearing casually calm and relaxed

Novice

a beginner, someone new to a field or activity

Obsolete

out-of-date, no longer in use, antiquated

Ostentatious

showy, pretentious, displaying wealth or knowledge in a vulgar way

Paradox

a statement that seems contradictory but may be true

Parched

dried out, thirsty, extremely dry from heat or lack of moisture

Perfidious

deceitful, untrustworthy, treacherous

Pragmatic

practical, dealing with things sensibly and realistically

Precocious

exhibiting mature qualities at an unusually early age

Prosaic

dull, lacking imagination, commonplace

Querulous

complaining, grumbling, showing discontent

Rancorous

bitter, hateful, showing deep-seated resentment or malice