SSAT Upper Level Vocabulary Words

Antipathy

Hatred

Cascade

To fall heavily

Dawdle

Linger or waste time

Dubious

Hesitating or doubting

Liberate

To set something free

Recalcitrant

Uncooperative

Robust

Strong and healthy

Taper

Narrow or thin

Cater

To provide for

Immaculate

Very clean or spotless

Limber

To warm up

Opulent

Very rich, luxurious or lavish

Rouse

To stir up or excite someone

Apprehension

Anxiety or fear that something bad will happen

Eager

wanting to do something very much

Foolhardy

recklessly bold or rash

Impasse

a situation in which no progress is possible

Linger

wait around

Ostentatious

trying to impress or attract attention

Refute

disprove or prove wrong

Taunt

a remark made in order to anger, wound, or provoke someone

Abhor

hate

Economize

to save money

Foreseen

to predict

Insinutate

imply

Lofty

tall/high

Overbearing

dominating

Rue

regret

Tenacious

to keep a firm hold on something

Abrupt

a sudden action

Arbitrary

random

Chagrin

distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated

Egotist

a person who is excessively conceited or self-absorbed

Forge

falsify

Impulsive

acting or done without forethought

Lucrative

producing a great deal of profit

Overt

done or shown openly

Reluctant

unwilling and hesitant

Ruminate

think deeply about something

Terse

abrupt

Abundant

existing or available in large quantities

Arid

having little or no rain or lacking in interest, excitement, or meaning

Chasm

a profound difference between people, viewpoints, feelings, etc.

Decree

an official order issued by a legal authority

Egress

exit

Formulae

a method, statement, or procedure for achieving something

Inane

silly, stupid

Luminous

full of or shedding light; bright or shining

Pacify

to quell anger, agitation, or excitement

Reminisce

to remember

Ruse

an action intended to deceive someone

Testify to

give evidence as a witness in a law court

Adept

skillful

Plight

a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation

Tact

thoughtfulness, consideration

Euphemism

a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing

Pinnacle

peak

Belligerent

hostile and aggressive

Utilitarian

designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive

Ephemeral

lasting for a very short time

Smite

hit

Corral

enclosure

Jaunty

cheerful

Fiendish

extremely cruel

Ample

enough or more that enough

Milliner

a person who makes or sells women's hats

Apiary

a place where bees are kept

Divulge

to make something known or to reveal

Perplexed

Very puzzled

Pragmatic

dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations

Consensus

general agreement

Gratified

give someone pleasure or satisfaction

Condone

accept or allow something that is usually considered wrong or offensive

Haphazard

lacking any principle of organization

Articulate

having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently

Innocuous

not harmful or offensive

Repudiate

refuse to accept or be associated with

Vivacious

attractively lively and animated

Babble

talk rapidly and continuously in a foolish, excited, or incomprehensible way

Intractable

hard to control or deal with

Yield

produce or give into something

Barren

unproductive or worthless

Vindicate

to clear someone of blame or suspicion

Venture

a risky or daring journey or undertaking

Trite

overused and consequently of little import; lacking originality

Altruistic

selfless

Vilified

speak or write about in an abusively derogatory manner

Enigma

a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand

Hasten

be quick to do something

Germane

relevant

Mundane

dull or boring

Voracious

wanting or devouring great quantities of food

Meticulous

showing great attention to detail

Capricious

given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior (fickle)

Impoverished

to make something poor

Parsimonious

unwilling to spend money

Banal

so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring

Benign

gentle; kindly

Mirage

optical illusion

Feisty

lively, spirited