All SAT Lists

obscure (adjective)

unclear; clouded; partially hidden; hard to understand

subtle (adjective)

not obvious

discern (verb)

to distinguish one thing from another

hypocritical (adjective)

insincere

disdain (noun)

contempt; intense dislike

indifferent (adjective)

not caring one way or the other; lacking a preference, neutral

apathy (noun)

lack of emotion or interest

ambiguous (adjective)

unclear in meaning

impartial (adjective)

unbiased; neutral

objective (adjective)

without bias (as opposed to subjective)

revere (verb)

to worship; to honor (think of a reverend)

discriminate (verb)

to differentiate; to make a clear distinction; to see the difference

denounce (verb)

to speak out against; to condemn

innovate (verb)

to be creative; to introduce something new

relevant (adjective)

important; pertinent

candid (adjective)

honest; frank

abstract (adjective)

theoretical; lacking substance (the opposite of concrete)

temper (verb)

to moderate; to soften

enigma (noun)

mystery

inevitable (adjective)

unavoidable; bound to happen

eccentric (adjective)

odd; unusual; quirky

provincial (adjective)

narrow-minded; unsophisticated

futile (adjective)

hopeless; without effect

diverse (adjective)

varied

benevolent (adjective)

kind; good-hearted; generous

pious (adjective)

deeply religious

conciliate (verb)

to soothe; to end a dispute; to reconcile

resignation (noun)

acceptance of the situation (secondary meaning)

resolution (noun)

determination (also, the solution of a problem)

servile (adjective)

overly submissive; cringing; like a servant

acute (adjective)

sharp; intelligent

reticent (adjective)

restrained; uncommunicative

anarchy (noun)

lack of government; chaos

virulent (adjective)

very harmful (like a virus)

scrutinize (verb)

to examine closely

discord (noun)

disagreement (the opposite of concord)

repudiate (verb)

to reject; to deny

diligent (adjective)

hard working

superficial (adjective)

on the surface; shallow

contempt (noun)

reproachful disdain

lucid (adjective)

clear; easy to understand

aesthetic (adjective)

having to do with art or beauty (not to be confused with ascetic)

prodigal (adjective)

extravagant; wasteful

augment (verb)

to add to; to increase; to make bigger

assess (verb)

to estimate the value of; to measure

complacent (adjective)

smug; self-satisfied

eloquent (adjective)

fluent and graceful in speech

guile (noun)

cunning; deceitfulness

trivial (adjective)

unimportant

squander (verb)

to waste

incessant (adjective)

unceasing; never-ending

laud (verb)

to praise

deter (verb)

to prevent; to stop; to keep from doing something

redundant (adjective)

repetitive; extra; unnecessary

infamous (adjective)

famous in a bad way; famous for being bad

provocative (adjective)

exciting; attracting attention

depravity (noun)

moral corruption

gravity (noun)

seriousness (secondary meaning)

banal (adjective)

common; dull; ordinary

extol (verb)

to praise

euphony (noun)

pleasant sound (the opposite of cacophony)

deride (verb)

to ridicule; to make fun of

insipid (adjective)

bland; boring; stupid

austere (adjective)

severe; without frills

expedite (verb)

to make faster or easier

heresy (noun)

an opinion violently opposed to established beliefs

novel (adjective)

new; unusual

philanthropy (noun)

love of humankind; donation to charity

tentative (adjective)

not final

deference (noun)

a show of respect

vacillate (verb)

to waver between choices

fervor (noun)

passion

dispassionate (adjective)

without passion; objective; neutral

pragmatic (adjective)

practical

rigor (noun)

strength; diligence; throroughness

solemn (adjective)

serious; grave

alleviate (verb)

to lessen something bad

negligence (noun)

carelessness

conspicuous (adjective)

easily seen; out in the open

advocate (verb)

to speak in favor of; to support

ascetic (adjective)

without luxuries; austere

profound (adjective)

deep; insightful (the opposite of superficial)

ironic(adjective)

unexpected

dogmatic (adjective)

stubbornly opinionated

condone (verb)

to forgive; to overlook

dissent (noun)

disagreement

voluntary (adjective)

willing; unforced

didactic (adjective)

instructive; intended to instruct

disparity (noun)

inequality

disparage (verb)

to speak badly of

ephemeral (adjective)

short-lived; fleeting; not lasting

comply (verb)

to go along with; to obey

prosaic (adjective)

uninspired; dull; banal

profuse (adjective)

flowing

fastidious (adjective)

finicky; overly critical

maudlin (adjective)

sentimental in a weak, silly way

belligerent (adjective)

argumentative; combative

astute (adjective)

perceptive; intelligent

languid (adjective)

slow; tired

censure (verb)

to blame; to criticize (not to be confused with censor)