SAT Vocabulary

adulterate (v.)

To corrupt, make worse by the addition of something of lesser value

SYNONYMS: contaminate, pollute, sully

ANTONYMS: purify, purge, expurgate

ambidextrous (adj.)

Able to use both hands equally well; very skillful; deceitful, hypocritical

SYNONYMS: versatile, facile

ANTONYMS: clumsy, all thumbs, maladroit

augment (v.)

To make larger, increase

SYNONYMS: enlarge, supplement, amplify

ANTONYMS: decrease, diminish

bereft (adj., part.)

Deprived of; made unhappy through a loss

SYNONYM: bereaved

ANTONYMS: replete, well provided

deploy (v.)

To position or arrange; to utilize; to form up

SYNONYMS: station, organize

dour (adj.)

Stern, unyielding, gloomy, ill-humored

SYNONYMS: harsh, bleak, forbidding, saturnine

ANTONYMS: cheery, inviting, genial

fortitude (n.)

Courage in facing difficulties

SYNONYMS: resolve, steadfastness, mettle

ANTONYMS: fearfulness, timidity, faintheartedness

gape (v)

To stare with open mouth; to open the mouth wide; to open wide

SYNONYMS: gawk, ogle

gibe (v)

To utter taunting words; (n.) an expression of scorn

SYNONYMS: (v.) ridicule, mock, deride, jeer

ANTONYMS: (v.) compliment, praise

guise (n.)

An external appearance, cover, mask

SYNONYMS: costume, semblance, pretense

insidious (adj.)

Intended to deceive or entrap; sly, treacherous

SYNONYMS: cunning, underhanded, perfidious

ANTONYMS: frank, ingenuous. aboveboard

intimation (n.)

A hint, indirect suggestion

SYNONYMS: clue, indication, inkling

opulent (adj.)

Wealthy, luxurious; ample; grandiose

SYNONYMS: rich, lavish, plentiful, abundant

ANTONYMS: poverty-stricken, wretched, destitute

pliable (adj.)

Easily bent, flexible; easily influenced

SYNONYMS: supple, adaptable, resilient

ANTONYMS: rigid, inflexible, recalcitrant

reiterate (v)

To say again, repeat

SYNONYMS: restate, rehash, recapitulate

stolid (adj.)

Not easily moved mentally or emotionally; dull, unresponsive

SYNONYMS: impassive, phlegmatic

ANTONYMS: emotional, oversensitive, high-strung

tentative (adj.)

Experimental in nature; uncertain, hesitant

SYNONYMS: provisional, inconclusive

ANTONYMS: definite, conclusive, confirmed

unkempt (adj.)

Not combed; untidy; not properly maintained; unpolished, rude

SYNONYMS: sloppy, disheveled, disordered, rough

ANTONYMS: well-groomed, tidy, neat, natty

verbatim (adj., adv.)

Word for word; exactly as written or spoken

SYNONYM: (adj.) exact; (adv.) precisely

ANTONYM: (adj.) paraphrased

warily (adv.)

Cautiously, with great care

SYNONYMS: carefully, prudently, gingerly

ANTONYMS: recklessly, heedlessly, incautiously