SAT General Vocabulary - Mometrix Test Preparation

A collection of general vocabulary terms identified for SAT preparation to aid in passage decoding and essay writing.

Abate

to decrease in force, intensity, or violence

Abstract

relating to general ideas or qualities rather than an actual object or person

Adversary

one that contends with, opposes, or resists

Advocate (verb)

to support or argue for a cause, policy, etc.

Advocate (noun)

one who supports the interests of another

Alleviate

to make something such as pain or suffering more bearable

Ambivalent

having or showing contradictory feelings toward something

Benevolent

marked by kindness or generosity

Bolster

to give a strong support or foundation to; to boost

Candid

expressing opinions in an open, honest, and sincere way

Coherent

logically ordered; having clarity

Complacent

showing little or no care or interest, especially in regard to a serious matter

Condone

to treat something bad as acceptable or harmless

Convoluted

complicated and involved; intricate

Deference

respect and esteem owed to a superior or an elder

Despot

a ruler with absolute power and authority

Diligent

characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort

Disdain

a feeling of dislike for something

Eloquent

marked by forceful and fluent expression

Elusive

hard to pin down, isolate, or identify

Embellish

to make beautiful with decoration

Empathy

the act of being sensitive to the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of others

Ephemeral

lasting a very short time; temporary

Equivocal

of uncertain nature or classification; undecided

Exacerbate

to make something bad or unpleasant worse

Fastidious

extremely or excessively careful or detailed

Florid

very flowery in style; elaborately decorated

Grandeur

the quality or state of being grand

Incite

to move someone to action; urge on

Indifferent

marked by a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern