SSAT Upper Level Vocabulary Words

Abandon

Desert or leave someone/something

Antipathy

Hatred

Cascade

To fall heavily

Dawdle

Linger or waste time

Dubious

Hesitating or doubting

Flourish

To grow well or thrive

Illustrate

Explain or to decorate

Liberate

To set something free

Optimistic

Hopeful

Recalcitrant

Uncooperative

Robust

Strong and healthy

Taper

Narrow or thin

Abbreviation

The shortened form of a word

Anxious

Worried or nervous

Cater

To provide for

Debate

To discuss something (verb) or a discussion (noun)

Duration

How long something will take

Fluctuate

An irregular rise and fall in a number or amount

Immaculate

Very clean or spotless

Limber

To warm up

Opulent

Very rich, luxurious or lavish

Reckless

Doing something carelessly or without thinking

Rouse

To stir up or excite someone

Task

A piece of work to be done

Abdicate

To renounce someone's throne

Apprehension

Anxiety or fear that something bad will happen

Cautious

Careful

Debt

Money that is owe or due

Eager

wanting to do something very much

Foolhardy

recklessly bold or rash

Impasse

a situation in which no progress is possible

Linger

wait around

Ostentatious

trying to impress or attract attention

Refute

disprove or prove wrong

Routine

procedure

Taunt

a remark made in order to anger, wound, or provoke someone

Abhor

hate

Approximate

estimate or guess

Censor

to cut out unacceptable parts of something

Deceive

to trick someone

Economize

to save money

Foreseen

to predict

Imply

insinutate

Lofty

tall/high

Overbearing

dominating

Reject

to turn down or refuse something

Rue

regret

Tenacious

to keep a firm hold on something

Abrupt

a sudden action

Arbitrary

random

Chagrin

distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated

Decline

a decrease in something

Egotist

a person who is excessively conceited or self-absorbed

Forge

falsify

Impulsive

acting or done without forethought

Lucrative

producing a great deal of profit

Overt

done or shown openly

Reluctant

unwilling and hesitant

Ruminate

think deeply about something

Terse

abrupt

Abundant

existing or available in large quantities

Arid

having little or no rain or lacking in interest, excitement, or meaning

Chasm

a profound difference between people, viewpoints, feelings, etc.

Decree

an official order issued by a legal authority

Egress

exit

Formulae

a method, statement, or procedure for achieving something

Inane

silly, stupid

Luminous

full of or shedding light; bright or shining

Pacify

to quell anger, agitation, or excitement

Reminisce

to remember

Ruse

an action intended to deceive someone

Testify to

give evidence as a witness in a law court

Adept

skillful

Plight

a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation

Tact

thoughtfulness, consideration

Euphemism

a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing

Pinnacle

peak

Belligerent

hostile and aggressive

Utilitarian

designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive

Ephemeral

lasting for a very short time

Smite

hit

Corral

enclosure

Jaunty

cheerful

Fiendish

extremely cruel

Ample

enough or more that enough

Deficient

not having enough

Milliner

a person who makes or sells women's hats

Apiary

a place where bees are kept

Divulge

to make something known or to reveal

Perplexed

Very puzzled

Pragmatic

dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations

Consensus

general agreement

Gratified

give someone pleasure or satisfaction

Condone

accept or allow something that is usually considered wrong or offensive

Haphazard

lacking any principle of organization

Articulate

having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently

Innocuous

not harmful or offensive

Repudiate

refuse to accept or be associated with

Integrate

combine 2 things together

Vivacious

attractively lively and animated