SAT vocab by LA

adept

(adj) very good at doing something that is not easy

(syn) proficient, expert

acumen

(n) the ability to think clearly and make good decisions

(syn) shrewdness

adroit

(adj) very clever or skillful

(syn) adept, apt, deft, clever, skillful

adamant

(adj not willing to change an opinion or decision; very determined

(syn) uncompromising, rigid, inflexible

affected

(adj) not natural or genuine

(syn) fake, phony

accost

(v) to approach and speak to sm1, often in an angry, aggressive, or unwanted way

(syn) confront

acrimony

(n) angry and bitter feelings

(syn) bitterness, spite, asperity, animosity, spitefulness

abhorrence

(n) a feeling of extreme repugnance, aversion, or hate; utter loathing abomination

(syn) detestation, execration

abhor

(v) to dislike very much

(syn) hate, loathe, despise

abstruse

(adj) hard to understand

(syn) arcane, unfathomable, incomprehensible

antediluvian

(adj) very old or old fashioned

(syn) ancient, antique, old, primitive

altruistic

(adj) unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others

(syn) charitable, humanitarian, magnanimous, philanthropic

amiable

(adj) friendly and pleasant

(syn) affable, amicable, charming, cheerful, cordial, delightful, engaging, mellow, genial, sociable, good humored, lovable

amicable

(adj) showing a polite and friendly desire to avoid disagreement and argument

(syn) amiable, civil, cordial, courteous, harmonious, polite

altruism

(n) feelings and behavior that show a desire to help other ppl and a lack of selfishness

(syn) benevolence, humanitarianism, selflessness

abate

(v) to become weaker or to decrease in strength

(syn) decrease, diminish, dwindle, ebb, recede, slacken, subside, taper, taper off, wane

allocate

(v) to divide and give out (smth) for a special reason to particular ppl, companies, etc.

(syn) allot, apportion, appropriate, designate, earmark, give, set aside

alacrity

(n) A quick and cheerful readiness to do smth

(syn) avidity, cheerfulness, dispatch, eagerness, enthusiasm, expedition, fervor, promptitude, promptness

aberration

(n) smth that is unusual or unexpected

(syn) additional, peculiarity, quirk

amenable

(adj) willing to agree or to accept smth that is wanted or asked for

(syn) agreeable, responsive, susceptible

anthropology

(n) study of humans

antipathy

(n) strong dislike

apathetic

(adj) showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm or concern

apathy

(n) lack of interest or emotion

apt

(adj) appropriate; having a natural tendency, talent

arcane

(adj) understood by few; mysterious or secret

ascendancy

(n) controlling influence; domination

ascetic

(adj) one who leads a life of self denial and contemplation; absent of luxury

asceticism

(n) severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.

aspire

(v) to strive for

assail

v. to impinge upon; make an impact on; beset

atrophy

n. degeneration, decline, or decrease, as from disuse

attenuate

v. to weaken or reduce in force, intensity, effect, quantity, or value

august

adj. inspiring reverence or admiration; of Supreme dignity or grandeur

aura

n. a distinctive and pervasive quality or character; air; atmosphere

auspicious

adj. promising success; propitious; opportune; favorable

autocrat

n. an absolute ruler

autocratic

adj. tyrannical; despotic; domineering

automaton

n. a person or animal that acts in a monotonous, routine manner, without active intelligence; robot

avarice

n. insatiable greed for riches; inordinate, miserly desire to gain and hoard wealth