SAT vocab words

ambivalence

• part of speech: noun

• definition: the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

arbitrary

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system

buttress

• part of speech: verb

• definition: to increase the strength of or justification for; to reinforce

circumvent

• part of speech: verb

• definition: to find a way around

congenial

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: pleasant, friendly, or agreeable

concede

• part of speech: verb

• definition: to admit that something is true or valid after first denying or resisting it

culpable

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: guilty or worth of blame

curtail

• part of speech: verb

• definition: to reduce in extent or quantity

deference

• part of speech: noun

• definition: humble submission and respect

divergent

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: tending to be different or develop in different directions

epitome

• part of speech: noun

• definition: a perfect example of something

evince

• part of speech: verb

• definition: to reveal the presence of a quality or feeling

implicit

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: implied but not plainly expressed

latent

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: existing but not yet developed or manifest

palpable

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: easily noticeable

pervasive

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people, especially in an unpleasant way

repudiate

• part of speech: verb

• definition: to refuse to accept or be associated with

subsumed

• part of speech: verb

• definition: included or absorbed into something else

tenuous

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: very weak or slight

underscore

• part of speech: verb

• definition: to emphasize or draw attention to

verisimilitude

• part of speech: noun

• definition: the appearance of being true or real

vexation

• part of speech: noun

• definition: the state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried

vindicate

• part of speech: verb

• definition: to clear someone of blame or suspicion

innocuous

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: not harmful or offensive

novel

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: new or unusual in an interesting way

paucity

• part of speech: noun

• definition: the presence of something only in small or insufficient quantities or amounts; scarcity

profusion

• part of speech: noun

• definition: an abundance or large quantity of something

contentious

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial

conspicious

• part of speech: noun

• definition: standing out so as to be clearly visible; obvious

sumptuous

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: rich, luxurious, or elaborate in a way that seems expensive

affluent

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: having a great deal of money; wealthy

vestigial

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: forming a very small remnant of something that was once much larger or more noticeable

salient

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: most noticeable or important

fortuitous

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: happening by chance or accident

audacious

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks

dispassionate

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: not influenced by emotion; analytical; objective

covert

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: not openly acknowledged or displayed

prevalent

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: widespread in a particular area or particular time; common

ostentatious

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: designed to impress or attract notice; showy

prosaic

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: dull, ordinary, or lacking imagination

frivolous

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: not having any serious purpose or value

antecedent

• part of speech: noun

• definition: a thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another

transpose

• part of speech: verb

• definition #1: cause (two or more things) to change places with each other

• definition #2: transfer to a different place or context

spurious

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: something that is not genuine/authentic/true; false or fake

facile

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: ignoring the true complexities of an issue; superficial or simplistic

abjure

• part of speech: verb

• definition: to formally renounce or reject

qualify

• part of speech: verb

• definition: to limit or modify a claim by adding conditions

ossify

• part of speech: verb

• definition: to become rigid or inflexible

iniquitous

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: grossly unfair and morally wrong

punctilious

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: showing great attention to detail or correct behavior

officious

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: someone who is annoyingly intrusive in offering unwanted advice or services

unassuming

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: modest, simple, ordinary, unremarkable

shrewd

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: clever or astute (street smart)

incongruous

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: something unsuitable for its surroundings/inconsistent internally

ubiquity

• part of speech: noun

• definition: widespread presence or commonness

expediency

• part of speech: noun

• definition: convenience or practicality

fecundity

• part of speech: noun

• definition #1: fertility (ability to produce offspring)

• definition #2: ability to produce many new ideas

burnished

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: polished by rubbing (especially for metal)

adversity

• part of speech: noun

• definition: difficulties; misfortune

indurate

• part of speech: verb

• definition: harden

salutary

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: something that is beneficial/helpful (even if it’s difficult or unpleasant at first)

transient

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: temporary/lasting only for a short time

averse

• part of speech: adjective

• definition: having a strong dislike or opposition to something

circumscribe

• part of speech: verb

• definition: to restrict something within limits/to define the boundaries of

sanction

• part of speech: verb

• definition #1: to give official approval

• definition #2: to impose a penalty/restriction

expiate

• part of speech: verb

• definition: make amends/reparations for guilt/sin

dearth

• part of speech: noun

• definition: a scarcity or lack of something

surfeit

• part of speech: noun

• definition: an excessive amount of something

vacillation

• part of speech: noun

• definition: indecision or the inability to decide between opinions