SAT 2026 Words

Unctuous

Flattering in an unnecessary and over-the-top manner

Elicit

To educe or extract gradually

Caveat

An expression of caution regarding the conditions of something.

Fortuitous

Fortunate; occurring by happenstance

Adamant

Uncompromising; insistent

Panacea

A remedy to end all diseases; a cure-all

Ornate

Elaborate or embellished

Bane

Something that harms to a severe degree

Destitute

In a state of poverty; lacking

Keen

Sharp and discerning

Merit

A standard of excellence and worthiness

Altercation

An often public display of disagreement

Paradox

An extreme contradiction

Surreptitious

Secretive or concealed

Disavow

To deny or disown something

Gregarious

Social and outgoing

Rapacioius

Greedy and predatory

Garrulous

Obnoxiously talkative

Magnanimous

Benevolent and charitable toward one’s opponent or the “underdog”

Trepidation

Nervousness or apprehension

Capricious

Inconsistent or impulsive

Diverge

To separate from the main path

Complacent

Self-satisfied or smug; disinclined to exert effor or change

Peculiar

Bizarre or out of the ordinary

Foment

To provoke or incite action or violence

Opine

To give an opinion

Wry

Ironic or sarcastic

Condone

To tolerate or accept a certain undesirable behavior

Vacuous

Showing a lack of thought

Ascertain

To seek out the certainty or credibility of information or event

Gregarious

Social and outgoing

Capricious

Inconsistent or impulsive

Lament

To grieve or mourn

Pervasive

Widespread or influential

Caustic

Corrosive or bitingly sarcastic

Paramount

Ranked highest in importance

Affirmation

Agreement and emotional encouragement

Prudent

Careful or cautious

Idiosyncratic

Distinct; abnormal

Lucrative

Highly profitable

Exacerbate

To increase the intensity of an unpleasant situation or problem

Aloof

Indifferent, distant, or reserved

Abhor

To view something with disgust

Acquiesce

To reluctantly accept or agree to something

Fervent

With passion

Bequeath

To pass on something of significance to a person or even a community

Modicum

A fragment of an object

Heterogeneous

Different; not the same

Linchpin

The most important component or person that holds everything together.

Construe

To interpret or understand in a particular manner

Impervious

Impenetrable

Superfluous

Excessive and redundant

Onerous

Extremely inconvenient or burdensome

Obdurate

Stubborn or obstinate; unwilling to change one’s mind

Curtail

To decrease or restrict something or someone

Vicarious

Experienced through another person

Vehemntly

Forceful and with passion

Atrophy

To deteriorate or degenerate due to lack of use or practice

Disdain

Disappointment or contempt

Tenable

Defensible or justifiable

Intuitive

Showing an innate or inherent understanding

Melodramatic

Overdramatic and exaggerated

Scrupulous

Excessively careful and thoroughly aware of details

Analogous

Comparable

Enumerate

To list or catalog something

Ubiquitous

Being present everywhere

Abstain

To withhold from something; refrain

Cohesion

A sense of togetherness or solidarity

Quell

To stop or end something, whether by force or gentle coaxing

Veracity

Truthfulness and exactness

Exasperate

To annoy or frustrate someone

Apathetic

Uninterested or unconcerned

Abdicate

To give up one’s power or position

Subordinate

Inferior or lesser

Jubilant

Overjoyed

Abridge

To shorten

Callous

Unfeeling; showing no sympathy

Dire

Horrible or severely negative

Indignation

Anger caused by an unjust or unfair situation

Potent

Strong and formidable

Anecdote

A short narrative that is usually meant to entertain or add color

Ignominious

Worthy or embarrassment or shame

Geriatric

Elderly

Cacophony

A harsh disharmonious combination of sounds

Tantamount

Equal to

Opulent

Excessively deluxe or lavish

Torrid

Scorching

Epitome

The perfect example or embodiment of a specific characteristic

Prosaic

Lacking imagination

Flout

To disobey a law or convention, often in an ostentatious manner

Cursory

Superficial and lacking in detail or depth

Surmise

To make a guess

Virtuous

Righteous and ethical morality

Avarice

A passion for getting and keeping riches; greed

Facile

Easy; oversimplified

Wallow

To revel or indulge in something

Adept

Competent

Diffident

Lacking self-assurance; reserved

Antithesis

The precise opposite of something or someone

Calamity

A catastrophe