BARRON SAT WORDS - 2

allay

To diminish or put at rest a fear, suspicion, or worry.

allege

To claim that someone has done something wrong, typically without proof.

allegiance

Loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior or individual.

allegory

A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning.

alleviate

To make physical suffering or a problem less severe.

alliteration

The repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of words.

allocate

To distribute resources or duties for a particular purpose.

alloy

A mixture of two or more metals.

allude

To suggest or hint at something indirectly.

allure

The quality of being powerfully and mysteriously attractive or fascinating.

allusion

An indirect or passing reference to something or someone.

aloft

Up in or into the air; overhead.

aloof

Cool and distant; not friendly or forthcoming.

altercation

A noisy argument or disagreement, especially in public.

altruistic

Showing a disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.

amalgamate

To combine or unite to form one organization or structure.

amass

To collect or gather together a large amount over time.

ambidextrous

Able to use both the right and left hands equally well.

ambience

The character and atmosphere of a place.

ambiguous

Open to more than one interpretation; not clear.

ambivalence

The state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.

amble

To walk or move at a slow, relaxed pace.

ambulatory

Related to or capable of walking.

ameliorate

To make something bad or unsatisfactory better.

amenable

Open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled.

amend

To make minor changes in a text in order to make it fairer or more accurate.

amenities

Desirable or useful features of a building or place.

amiable

Having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.

amicable

Characterized by friendliness and absence of discord.

amiss

Not quite right, inappropriate, or out of place.

amity

A state of friendship and peaceful relations.

amnesia

A partial or total loss of memory.

amnesty

An official pardon for people who have been convicted of political offenses.

amoral

Lacking a moral sense; unconcerned with the rightness or wrongness of something.

amorous

Showing, feeling, or relating to sexual desire or romantic love.

amorphous

Without a clearly defined shape or form.

amphibian

An animal that can live both on land and in water.

amphitheater

An open-air venue used for entertainment, performances, and sports.

ample

More than enough in size, scope, or capacity.

amplify

To make something larger, louder, or more powerful.

amputate

To cut off a limb or digit by surgical operation.

amulet

An ornament or small piece of jewelry thought to give protection against evil or danger.

anachronistic

Belonging to a period other than that in which it exists; out of date.

analgesic

A drug or substance acting to relieve pain.

analogous

Comparable in certain respects, typically in a way which makes clearer the nature of the things compared.

analogy

A comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.

anarchist

A person who believes in or tries to bring about a state of lawlessness.

anarchy

A state of disorder due to absence or nonrecognition of authority.

anathema

Something or someone that one vehemently dislikes or a formal curse by a council of the Church.

ancestry

The lineage or family descent of a person.

anchor

A heavy object used to hold something in place.

ancillary

Providing necessary support to the primary activities.

anecdote

A short, interesting story about a real person or event.

anemia

A condition marked by a deficiency of red blood cells.

anesthetic

A substance that causes insensitivity to pain or loss of consciousness.

anguish

Severe mental or physical pain or suffering.

angular

Having angles or sharp corners; lean and bony.

animated

Full of life or excitement; lively.

animosity

Strong hostility or ill will toward someone or something.

animus

A feeling of ill will, animosity, or strong dislike; motivation or guiding spirit.

annals

A chronological record of historical events, often kept year by year.

annex

To add or attach as a subordinate part; to take territory by force or legal act.

annihilate

To destroy utterly; to reduce to nonexistence.

annotate

To add explanatory notes or comments to a text.

annuity

A fixed sum of money paid to someone each year.

annul

To declare invalid; to cancel or abolish.

anoint

To smear or rub with oil, typically as part of a religious ceremony.

anomalous

Deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected.

anomaly

Something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.

anonymity

The condition of being unknown or unacknowledged.

anonymous

Not identified by name; of unknown authorship.

antagonism

Active hostility or opposition between unfriendly beliefs or people.

antecede

To go before in time, order, or rank.

antecedents

Preceding events or ancestors that influence later developments.

antediluvian

Extremely old-fashioned or belonging to the time before the biblical flood.

anthem

A song of praise, loyalty, or celebration, often for a country.

anthology

A published collection of poems, stories, or other musical pieces.

anthropocentric

Regarding humankind as the central or most important element of existence.

anthropoid

Resembling a human in form; relating to apes that are similar to humans.

anthropologist

An expert in or student of the study of human societies and cultures.

anthropomorphic

Having human characteristics or behavior applied to a god, animal, or object.

anticlimax

A disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events.

antidote

A medicine or remedy that counteracts a poison or something harmful.

antipathy

A deep-seated feeling of dislike or aversion.

antiquated

Old-fashioned or outdated and no longer suitable for modern use.

antiseptic

Scrupulously clean or preventing the growth of disease-causing microorganisms.

antithesis

A person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.

apathy

Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern about something.

ape

To imitate or mimic someone's behavior or style, often clumsily.

aperture

An opening, hole, or gap through which light or liquid travels.

apex

The top or highest part of something, especially one forming a point.

aphasia

A medical condition causing the loss of ability to understand or express speech.

aphorism

A concise statement of a scientific principle or observation; a pithy observation.

apiary

A place where bees are kept; a collection of beehives.

aplomb

Self-confidence or assurance, especially when in a demanding situation.

apocalyptic

Describing or prophesying the complete destruction of the world.

apocryphal

Of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true.

apogee

The highest point in the development of something; a climax or culmination.

apolitical

Not interested or involved in politics.

apologist

A person who defends or justifies a particular policy, doctrine, or belief system.