SSAT Vocab

Alacrity

Eagerness; speed

Ameliorate

To make better; improve

Animosity

Strong dislike; hostility

Ascetic

One who practices self-denial

Abate

(v.) to make less in amount, degree, etc.; to subside, become less; to nullify; to deduct, omit

Abdicate

to give up a position, right, or power

Aberration

a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome

Abet

to assist or encourage, especially in wrongdoing

Abhor

to regard with horror or loathing; to hate deeply

Abide

to put up with, to tolerate

Abject

Lowly, miserable and wretched

Abjure

renounce

Ablaze

burning fiercely

Abominable

causing moral revulsion

Abound

to exist in great numbers

Abrasive

Harsh; rough

Abridge

to shorten or condense

Abrupt

sudden and unexpected

Absolve

to clear of guilt or blame

Abstain

restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something

Abstemious

self denying; refraining from indulging

Abstract

existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.

Abstruse

difficult to understand

Abundant

more than enough; plentiful

Abysmal

extremely bad

Accede

to agree

Accentuate

make more noticeable or prominent

Acclaim

praise

Acclimate

to adapt to a new climate, environment, or situation

Accolade

award of merit

Accord

give or grant someone (power, status, or recognition).

Accost

to approach and speak to first; to confront in a challenging or aggressive way

Accrue

accumulate or receive (such payments or benefits).

Acerbic

bitter, sharp in taste or temper

Acquiesce

accept something reluctantly but without protest

Acrid

having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell

Acrimonious

(adj.) stinging, bitter in temper or tone

Acumen

the ability to make good judgements and quick decisions

Acute

sharp

Adamant

refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind

Adhere

to stick to something

Adherent

supporter

Adjunct

an added part not essential to the whole

Admonish

warn or reprimand someone firmly

Adorn

make more beautiful or attractive

Adroit

skillful

Adulation

high praise

Adulterate

to corrupt, make worse by the addition of something of lesser value

Adversary

opponent

Adverse

(adj) unfavorable, negative; working against, hostile

Affable

friendly

Affectation

behavior, speech, or writing that is artificial and designed to impress

Affinity

an attraction to

Afflict

to cause pain or suffering

Atypical

not typical, abnormal

Rudimentary

basic

Vehement

(adj.) intense, forceful, powerful

Philanthropic

humanitarian; benevolent; relating to monetary generosity

Usurp

to take over; to seize power

Corroborate

to support with evidence

Intermittent

occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady

Surly

bad-tempered and unfriendly

Reprieve

(n) a temporary relief or delay; (v) to grant a postponement

Arcane

known or understood by only a few

Fitful

irregular

Anathema

(n.) an object of intense dislike; a curse or strong denunciation (often used adjectivally without the article)

Laudable

worthy of praise

Perpetual

Continuing forever

Astute

shrewd; clever

Belie

to contradict

Diffident

lacking self-confidence

Negligible

unimportant; insignificant

Facetious

(adj.) humorous, not meant seriously

Flippant

(adj.) lacking in seriousness; disrespectful, saucy

Prodigious

(adj.) immense; extraordinary in bulk, size, or degree

Remuneration

payment for work done

Obsolescence

process of wearing out

Incessant

never stopping, going on all the time

Latent

hidden

Flaunted

showed off

Blithe

carefree

Obstreperous

noisy; unruly, disorderly

Culpable

deserving blame

Repugnant

offensive

Gaunt

thin and bony

Plump

pleasantly fat; nicely rounded

Gauntlet

an armored or protective glove; a challenge

Smolder

to burn slowly without bursting into flames

Maligner

To pretend to be sick in order to avoid something

Slander

the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.

Sequester

to isolate

Palpable

capable of being touched or felt

Vestigal

relating to visible traces left by something that no longer exists

Unconscionable

unscrupulous; shockingly unfair or unjust

Appalling

causing dismay or horror

Murky

dark and gloomy

Eviscerate

to remove the inner organs of a body

Talisman

lucky charm

Abhorrence

a feeling of repulsion; disgusted loathing

Candid

truthful and straightforward