SAT Vocabulary List

FYI- (FORM) is an alternative ending for the given word; [ANT] is an antonym.

ABASH

embarrass

ABDICATE

give up, relinquish, esp. a throne

ABDUCT

take away, kidnap (duct lead), lead away

ABET

help, assist

ABSTAIN

refrain, not do something (abstinence, abstemious)

ACERBIC

sharp, bitter in taste or wit

ACQUIESCE

go along with, accept

ACRID

bitter

ACUTE, ACUITY

sharp, intense, perceptive

ADAMANT

stubborn, unyielding, uncompromising

ADROIT

skillful

ADULTERATE

water down, corrupt, dilute, make impure

ADVERSE

hostile, opposed to, difficult. Adverse circumstances.

AESTHETIC

related to beauty (NOT ascetic)

AFFECTED

fake (think: a-FAKE-ted) or--as a verb form-- influenced

AFFINITY

a natural liking toward something or someone

AFFLUENT

wealthy, rich

ALACRITY

speed, cheerful speed

ALLAY

soothe, alleviate, relieve fears

ALLUDE

refer to (allusion: reference)

ALTRUISTIC

unselfish

AMALGAM

combination (combine, unify)

AMASS

collect, gather (a mass of)

AMBIGUOUS

having two possible meanings; unclear, obscure

AMBIVALENT

uncertain, having mixed feelings, leaning both ways

AMELIORATE

improve, make better

AMENABLE

agreeable, consenting

AMIABLE

friendly, pleasant, agreeable

ANARCHY

chaos, disorder

ANIMOSITY

hostility

ANOMALY

out of place (learn noun "anomaly," too)

ANTIPATHY

dislike, ill will

APEX

peak, tip, acme

APPEASE

soothe, placate, assuage (give 'em what they want)

ARID

dry, desiccated

ARCANE

understood by few, mysterious

ARDUOUS

difficult

ASCETIC

tough, austere, without luxuries, hermit-like, self-denying

ASSIDUOUS

determined, diligent

ASSUAGE

calm, make better

ASTUTE

perceptive, intelligent

ASYLUM

place of refuge, a safe place--"to seek asylum"

ATONE

make up for, apologize

ATROPHY

wither, waste away from lack of use

ATYPICAL

unusual

AUDACITY

boldness, brashness

AUGMENT

add to, increase, make bigger

AUGUST

venerable, awe-inspiring, noble

AUSPICIOUS

good, positive

AUSTERE

stern, harsh

AVARICE

greed

AVERT

avoid

BALK

hesitate, refuse to move, resist

BANAL

common, ordinary, dull, prosaic, pedestrian

BANE

something that harms, poison (the bane of my existence)

BASE

low, vile

BAWDY

obscene, indecent (a bawdy joke)

BELLIGERENT

eager to fight

BENEFACTOR

helper, generous person

BENEVOLENT

kind, generous

BENIGN

good, kindly

BIASED

prejudiced, unfair

BLAND

too plain, inoffensive

BLASPHEMOUS

insulting to religion or God, irreverent, heretical

BLIGHTED

sick, damaged, ruined

BLITHE

happy, cheerful

BOGUS

fake, worthless

BRAVADO

false bravery, loud bragging

BRAZEN

shameless, loud, inappropriately bold

BRUSQUE

brief, curt, gruff, discourteous

BURNISH

polish, shine

BUTTRESS

support

CACOPHONY

discordant, harsh-sounding

CAJOLE

persuade, urge

CALLOW

young, naive, innocent, unfledged, inexperienced

CANDID

honest, frank

CAPITULATE

give up, give in

CAPRICIOUS

flighty, jumpy, moody, fickle

CARNAL

of the flesh, sexual

CASTIGATE

admonish, punish, scold

CAUSTIC

biting, acidic, burning like acid or a sharp wit

CELIBATE

unmarried, refraining from sex

CENSOR

ban, take out, remove harmful passages

CENSURE

reprimand, criticize, blame

CHAGRIN

shame, embarrassment, regret

CHARLATAN

fake, quack, fraud, a snake-oil salesman

CHASTE

pure, unspoiled, like a virgin

CHASTEN

punish, subdue, make feel guilty

CHASTISE

scold, punish

CIRCUMSPECT

careful, cautious

CIRCUMVENT

find a way around

CLANDESTINE

hidden, secret, covert

CLEMENCY

mercy

COAGULATE

thicken, stick together, congeal

COGENT

makes sense, is reasonable, thoughtful

COMMEND

praise

COMPETENT

capable, able to do it

COMPLACENT

self-satisfied, smug

COMPLY

go along with, obey (compliance, n.)

COMPOUND

increase, mixture