SAT Words in Context - Simple Meanings

abrupt

Sudden and unexpected in nature, typically causing surprise or disruption.

adhere to

To stick firmly to a surface or to follow a rule or guideline faithfully.

adorn

To decorate or enhance the appearance of something; to add beauty.

affinity

A natural attraction, connection, or feeling of kinship towards something or someone.

aggravate

To make a situation or condition worse, or to irritate.

ambiguity

The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; uncertainty.

ambiguous

Open to multiple interpretations; not clear or definite.

ambivalence toward

Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about a person or situation.

amplify

To increase the volume, strength, or intensity of something.

analogous

Similar in some way; comparable or equivalent in certain respects.

analogy

A comparison made between two things to highlight some form of similarity.

animosities toward

Strong feelings of dislike or hostility directed towards someone or something.

annotate

To add explanatory notes or comments to a text or diagram.

antecedent

Something that precedes or comes before something else.

antecedent to

Existing or occurring before something else.

anticipate

To expect or predict something; to look forward to an event.

anticipated

Regarded as likely to happen; predicted.

anticipating

Expecting something to occur in the future.

application to

The act of putting something into practical use or context.

apprised of

Informed or made aware of certain information.

arbitrary

Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.

arcane

Known or understood by only a few; mysterious or secretive.

arduous

Involving a lot of effort and difficult to achieve.

asserted

Declared or stated confidently.

awkward

Lacking grace or skill in movement or behavior; uncomfortable.

bland

Lacking strong features or characteristics; uninteresting.

blemish

A flaw or imperfection that spoils the appearance of something.

burdensome

Causing difficulty or requiring more effort to manage.

buttress

To support or strengthen something, particularly an argument.

calibrations with

Careful adjustments made for a specific purpose.

catalog

To systematically record items or information for reference.

circumvent

To find a way around or to bypass an obstacle.

circumvents

Avoids or gets around challenges or obstacles.

cited in

Mentioned or referred to as a source of information.

clinging to

Sticking or holding onto something tightly.

cohesion

Unity or togetherness that fosters a strong group relationship.

compelling

Attracting interest, attention, or admiration in a powerful way.

competent

Possessing the necessary skills or knowledge to perform well.

complementary

Serving to complete or enhance another thing.

complexity

The state of being intricate or complicated, comprising many interconnected elements.

compliance with

Acting according to a specific directive or rule.

compose

To put together or create, particularly in artistic or literary contexts.

compound

To increase or intensify by bringing together multiple elements.

comprises

Consists of; includes or contains as parts.

confined to

Restricted to a particular area, group, or situation.

conflated with

Combined or merged with something else, often inappropriately.

conform to

To act in accordance with established guidelines or standards.

consensus

General agreement among a group.

contentious

Causing or likely to cause disagreement or controversy.

contingent on

Dependent on certain conditions or circumstances.

contradicted

Asserted the opposite; denied the truth of something.

contradiction

A situation where two or more ideas, beliefs, or statements are incompatible.

contrived

Brought about through artificial means; not natural or spontaneous.

controversy

A prolonged public dispute or debate.

cordially

Warmly and politely; in an inviting manner.

corroborate

Provide support or evidence for a claim.

corroboration

Evidence that confirms or supports a statement or theory.

counteract

To act against something to reduce its force.

criteria for

Standards or principles used to judge or assess something.

curtailed

Reduced or limited in extent or quantity.

deceptive

Misleading or giving a false impression.

definite

Clearly defined or determined; certain.

defunct

No longer in existence or functioning.

delegate

To assign authority or responsibility to someone else.

deliberation

Careful consideration or discussion.

demarcated from

Set apart or defined as separate from something else.

denigrate

To criticize unfairly or disparagingly.

desultory

Lacking a plan or purpose; random in nature.

deviates

Moves away from an expected path or standard.

dictate

To state or order something that must be followed.

directed

Guided or managed according to a plan.

discern

To perceive or recognize something, especially when not immediately obvious.

discernible

Capable of being perceived or recognized.

disconcerting

Causing one to feel unsettled or disturbed.

discounted

Diminished in worth or significance; ignored.

discretion

The ability to make responsible decisions; freedom of judgment.

disorienting

Making one confused or feeling lost.

disparage

To belittle or speak poorly of.

disparate

Essentially different or distinct; not allowing for comparison.

dispersed

Scattered or spread out over an area.

dispute

To argue or debate against something.

disregarded

Ignored or paid no attention to.

disseminate

To spread or distribute information widely.

distort

To misrepresent or give a false account of something.

dogmatic

Insisting on principles or beliefs with a lack of consideration for others.

dormant

Inactive or in a state of rest.

dwindling

Gradually decreasing in size, quantity, or strength.

dynamic

Characterized by constant change, activity, or progress.

earnest

Serious and sincere in intentions.

eclipses

Overshadows or surpasses in significance.

elasticity

The ability to stretch and return to original shape; adaptability.

elusive

Difficult to find, catch, or achieve.

empirical

Based on observation or experience rather than theory.

enact

To make something into law or establish formally.

encompass

To include or contain within a whole.

endorse

To approve openly; support or recommend.

engendering

Causing or bringing something into existence.

engulfs

Surrounds completely or overwhelms.

ensured

Made certain; guaranteed that something occurs.

ensuring

Taking measures to guarantee a certain outcome.