SAT Words

Abate

To become less active, less intense, or less in amount.

Abstract

Existing purely in the mind; not representing actual reality.

Abysmal

Extremely bad.

Accordingly

In accordance with.

Acquisition

The act of gaining a skill or possession of something.

Adapt

To make suit a new purpose or to accommodate oneself to a new condition.

Adept

Having knowledge or skill (usually in a particular area).

Adequate

Having sufficient qualifications to meet a specific task or purpose.

Advent

The arrival or creation of something (usually historic).

Adversarial

Relating to hostile opposition.

Advocate

Someone who promotes or defends something.

Aesthetic

Relating to beauty or refined taste.

Afford

To be able to buy or to be able to spare.

Agitate

To promote something (usually a cause).

Allow

To permit or consent to.

Allude

To make a secretive mention of something.

Altercation

A noisy argument or confrontation.

Ambiguous

Unclear or vague in meaning.

Ambitious

Having a powerful desire for success or achievement.

Ambivalence

The state of being uncertain or stuck between two or more options.

Analogous

Similar but not identical.

Annihilate

To destroy or cause devastating destruction.

Anomaly

Something different from the norm.

Anticipate

Assume to be likely to happen.

Antipathy

A strong feeling of dislike.

Apex

The highest point of something.

Apprehension

Fearful expectation of something.

Articulate

To clearly express in words.

Artificial

Something made; not occurring naturally.

Assertion

A strong declaration.

Austere

Extremely plain; stern and forbidding; relating to self-denial.

Authenticity

The quality of being real and true instead of fake.

Avenue

An intangible path or approach to something.

Avid

Actively interested in or enthusiastic about something.

Basic

Relating to the foundation or basis of something.

Bear

To have as a characteristic; to have (a child); to bring forth; to put up with.

Benevolent

Kind, generous.

Bias

A preconception that prevents objectivity.

Bittersweet

Tinged with a feeling of sadness.

Bolster

To support, strengthen, or fortify.

Boost

An increase or growth; to increase or make grow.

Brawl

An intense, loud fight.

Brevity

The quality of being brief or terse.

Camaraderie

mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together

Candid

Direct, blunt.

Candor

The trait of being honest and frank.

Capitalize

To use to your advantage.

Capture

To trap or take possession of; to successfully represent or imitate.

Civic

Relating to the city or citizens.

Clinical

Emotionally unattached, usually in medical or scientific settings.

Clout

Special advantage or power.

Coarse

Indicating a rough texture; lacking refinement or sophistication.

Coincide

To happen at the same time.

Commission

The use of payment to request something.

Comparable

Able to be compared.

Competent

Sufficiently qualified.

Complacent

Satisfied, with no desire to change or improve.

Complement

To make perfect or complete.

Concede

To be forced to agree or surrender.

Conceive

To imagine or come up with.

Condone

To overlook, approve, or allow.

Conducive

Able to bring about or be suitable for.

Conduct

To control or manage; to behave a certain way.

Confide

To share something secretive with someone.

Confine

To put limits on; to restrict.

Consensus

Overall agreement.

Constitute

To form or compose (part of) something.

Contemplate

To think deeply about.

Contend

To maintain or assert (an opinion).

Contradict

To be in contrast with.

Controversial

Highly debatable and causing contention.

Conventional

Abiding by accepted standards.

Convey

To pass on or transfer (information).

Conviction

A firm belief in something.

Corroborate

To provide evidence for; to back up (a claim).

Counteract

To work in opposition to.

Counterargument

An argument used to criticize or dismantle another argument.

Counterproductive

Hindering the achievement of a goal.

Culmination

The final act or climax.

Cultivate

To foster the growth of.

Decree

To declare formally and with authority.

Deference

Respect; regard.

Deficient

Not enough in degree or amount.

Demonstrate

To do as an example or give evidence for.

Demur

To object to.

Deplete

To (over)use over time (usually resources).

Desolate

Bare, barren, empty.

Devise

To come up with (a plan).

Dilemma

A problem, usually requiring a choice between two options.

Diligence

Conscientiousness; the quality of being committed to a task.

Diminish

To become smaller in scope or degree.

Dire

Hopeless and dangerous or fearful.

Discord

Disagreement.

Disdain

A lack of respect and strong dislike.

Dismay

Hopelessness or consternation.

Disparage

To belittle or speak down to.

Dispatch

To send off a message or messenger.

Diversification

The act of becoming diverse.

Doctrine

A principle, theory, or position, usually advocated by a religion or government.

Dominion

Power and authority (usually over a territory).