SAT Vocabulary: The 1000 Most Common Words

Fill-in-the-blank practice flashcards covering high-frequency words, definitions, and usage from the SAT vocabulary lecture notes.

To humiliate or degrade someone is to __________ them.

abase

To give up a position, usually one of leadership, is to __________.

abdicate

An event or occurrence that differs from the norm is defined as an __________.

aberration

An individual who is impervious, immovable, or unyielding is described as __________.

adamant

Behavior that is excessively bold or brash is called __________.

brazen

To coax someone by using flattery is to __________.

blandish

An attempt to spoil someone else's reputation by spreading lies is called __________.

calumny

Speaking in indirect and wordy language is known as __________.

circumlocution

A leader who appeals to a people's prejudices is known as a __________.

demagogue

A strategy or action tending to delay or causing delay is described as __________.

dilatory

Something that is fleeting or momentary is __________.

evanescent

To correct or revise a written text is to __________ it.

emend

Land or a tree that is fruitful or fertile is considered __________.

fecund

Taking action to prevent, thwart, or delay something is to __________ it.

forestall

Speech characterized by lofty, pompous language is described as __________.

grandiloquence

An act that is shockingly wicked or repugnant is regarded as __________.

heinous

A person who attacks common beliefs or institutions is an __________.

iconoclast

Something that is unformed, formless, or in a beginning stage is __________.

inchoate

The solemn sound of a bell, often indicating a death, is a __________.

knell

An act of deception or slight-of-hand is called __________.

legerdemain

Art or writing characterized by sick sentimentality is described as __________.

mawkish

A personality characterized by rapid change or temperamentality is considered __________.

mercurial

The lowest point of something is called the __________.

nadir

To render something incomprehensible is to __________ it.

obfuscate

A person rejected or excluded from society is an outcast, or a __________.

pariah

A very small amount, especially relating to money or payment, is a __________.

pittance

A child who is advanced and developing ahead of time is considered __________.

precocious

A desire or pursuit that is idealistic and impractical is described as __________.

quixotic

Deep, bitter resentment between people is known as __________.

rancor

Possessing shrewdness and soundness of perspective denotes great __________.

sagacity

An individual holding the belief that oneself is all that exists has a __________ attitude.

solipsistic

Acting with audacity or recklessness demonstrates __________.

temerity

A long speech marked by harsh or biting language is known as a __________.

tirade

A technology or phenomenon existing everywhere and widespread is considered __________.

ubiquitous

A person or manner that is smooth or greasy in texture, appearance, or demeanor is __________.

unctuous

To hesitate or fluctuate between multiple choices is to __________.

vacillate

Being full of yearning or musingly sad is described as being __________.

wistful

The highest point or culminating point of a career is its __________.

zenith