SAT Vocabulary

Visage

the face, usually with reference to shape, features, expression, etc.

Profane

to treat (something sacred) with irreverence or disrespect

Mutiny

rebellion against any kind of authority

Assail

to attack vigorously or violently, to assault

Mar

to damage or spoil to a certain extent

Semblance

outward aspect or appearance

Trifle

a thing of very little value

Inconstant

frequently changing, variable or irregular

Temper

to soften or to tone down

Consort

to associate, or keep company

Idolatry

excessive or blind adoration, reverence, or devotion

Hoarse

(of a person's voice) sounding rough and harsh

Dexterity

skill, cleverness, agility

Boisterous

(of a person or event) noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy

Chide

to express disapproval of; scold; reproach

Rancor

bitter resentment of ill will; hatred

Lamentable

regrettable, unfortunate

Vex

to make someone feel annoyed, worried, or frustrated, especially with trivial matters

Addle

to make or become confused

Fray

a fight, battle, or skirmish

Strife

angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict

Valiant

possessing or showing courage or determination

Tyrant

a cruel or oppressive ruler

Posterity

all future generations of people

Gallant

(of a person or behavior) brave, heroic

Calamity

a great misfortune or disaster

Perjury

the willful giving of false testimony under oath

Sojourn

a temporary stay

Beseech

to implore urgently; to beg eagerly for

Fickle

likely to change, especially due to instability

Prate

to talk excessively; to babble

Vile

highly offensive, unpleasant, or objectionable

Fiend

a diabolically cruel or wicked person

Beguile

to charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way

Dote

to be extremely fond and uncritical of

Woe

a great sorrow or distress (often used hyperbolically)

Tedious

too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous

Contrary

opposite in nature, direction, or meaning

Adversity

difficulties or misfortune

Ebb and flow

a recurrent or rhythmical pattern of coming and going or decline and regrowth

Acrid

having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell

Ruse

an action intended to deceive someone; a trick

Vehemence

the display of strong feeling; passion

Forage

(of a person or animal) search widely for food or provisions

Covenant

an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not do something specified

Revere

to regard with respect tinged with awe

Insolent

boldly rude or disrespectful

Chasm

a deep cleft in the earth's surface; gorge

Engulf

(of a natural force) sweep over (something) so as to surround or cover it completely

Regal

of, resembling, or fit for a monarch, especially in being magnificent or dignified

Presumptuous

(of a person or their behavior) failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate.

Stagnant

showing no activity; dull and sluggish

Elude

to evade or escape from (a danger, enemy, or pursuer) typically in a skillful or cunning way

Chastise

to rebuke or reprimand severely

Verbatim

in exactly the same words as were used originally

Scurry

(of a person or animal) move hurriedly with short quick steps

Irrevocable

not able to be changed, reversed, recovered

Drab

lacking brightness or interest; drarily dull

Pristine

in its original condition; unspoiled

Sentinel

a soldier or guard whose job is to stand and keep watch

Wispy

(of hair, clouds, etc) fine, feathery

Auspicious

favorable, conducive to success

Sulk

to be moodily silent

Bloated

(of a part of the body) swollen with fluid or gas

Cultivate

try to acquire or develop (a quality or skill)

Vain

having or showing an excessively high opinion of oneself (appearance, abilities, or worth)

Relevant

closely connected or appropriate to what is being done or considered

Cunning

having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion

Shabby

in poor condition through long or hard use or lack of care

Smirk

to smile in an irritatingly smug, conceited, or silly way

Taut

stretched or pulled tight

Devious

showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals

Inevitable

certain to happen, unavoidable

Benevolent

well meaning and kindly

Uncanny

strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way

Trivial

of little value or importance

Extravagant

exceeding what is reasonable or appropriate, often connected with cost

Wane

decrease in vigor, power, or extent; become weaker

Somber

dark or dull in color or tone; gloomy

Adversary

an enemy or opponent

Taciturn

(of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little

Specious

superficial, plausible, but actually wrong

Vicissitudes

a change of circumstance or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant

Contrite

feeling or showing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt

Torrid

very hot and dry; full of passion or charged emotions arising from sexual love

Prodigal

wastefully extravagant; spends money recklessly

Impervious

unable to be affected by

Bravado

a bold manner or a show of boldness in order to impress or intimidate

Callow

(of a young person) inexperienced and immature with negative connotation

Pristine

in its original condition; unspoiled

Imprudent

not caring about the consequences of an action; rash

Oblige

to do as someone asks or desires in order to help or please them

Implore

to beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something

Frivolity

lack of seriousness; lightheartedness

Assent

to express agreement or approval

Contrived

deliberately created rather than arising naturally or spontaneously; artificial; strained

Trite

(of a remark, opinion, or idea) overused; lacking originality or freshness

Minutiae

the small, precise, or trivial details of something

Al fresco

(especially with reference to eating) in the open air

Intrepid

fearless, adventurous; daring