SAT Level 3 Vocabulary

abet

to aide, act as an accomplice

abhor

to detest or loathe

verisimilitude

the appearance of being true or real

conspicuous

standing out so as to be clearly visible

ameliorate

to make better or more tolerable

amorphous

having no definite form or character

engender

to cause or give rise to a feeling, situation, or condition

tertiary

of the third order, rank, stage, formation; less important

austere

severe or strict in manner, attitude or appearance; lacking any excess

citadel

a stronghold or fortress

coalesce

to grow together

equivocal

subject to two or more interpretations; of uncertain nature or classification

repine

to feel or express discontent

repudiate

to deny the truth or validity of

evince

to reveal the presence of a quality or feeling

insuperable

impossible to overcome or surpass, insurmountable

nebulous

unclear, vague, or hazy, lacking definite form or boundaries

demagogue

a person who appeals to the emotions or prejudices of the people

neophyte

a beginner or novice

cogent

persuasive or forceful

laconic

using few words

ineluctable

inevitable, unable to be avoided or escaped

denigrate

ridicule; belittle

gratuitous

unnecessary, uncalled for

mirth

merriment, joy

demur

to object

superfluous

exceeding what is necessary or required; unnecessary

equivocate

to be ambiguous, not upfront

altruistic

selflessness; unselfish concern for the welfare of others

partisan

a strong supporter of a cause, person, or party

fastidious

very attentive to detail

adulation

high praise

guile

deception or skillful deceit

induce

to bring about or cause a particular response or action

prodigious

causing amazement or wonder; enormous

magnanimous

noble, generous

hedonism

the pursuit of pleasure

demure

modest and reserved, falsely so

scrupulous

diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details

terse

brief

clamor

noise, a mixture of disagreeable sounds

colloquial

informal

acquiesce

to agree; submit passively

irreproachable

beyond criticism or fault, perfect or faultless in behavior or actions

loquacious

talkative

haughty

arrogant; snobbish

adept

skilled

idiosyncratic

peculiar or unique to an individual; having distinctive characteristics

bereft

lacking; missing

curt

short in response, commonly used when someone is being rude

perfunctory

done routinely with little care

rancor

bitterness; spitefulness

belligerent

aggressive; hostile

contrite

affected by guilt

omniscient

all knowing

untenable

indefensible

orthodox

adhering to established beliefs, customs, or practices

decorous

marked by good behavior

pertinent

relevant

banal

commonplace

allay

to lessen, ease, or soothe

spurious

false or not genuine; lacking authenticity

surreptitious

secret and stealthy

bilk

to swindle or cheat

egregious

obviously bad or offensive

antipathy

extreme dislike

incongruous

out of place

acrimony

bitterness or hostility

disparage

belittle; to speak down to someone

fervent

passionate or zealous

dubious

doubtful

venerable

worthy of respect

curmudgeon

a rude person

convivial

sociable; festive

extol

to commend or praise

admonish

to caution or reprimand; to warn

partition

divided into parts

capricious

impulsive; whimsical

dogmatic

inflexible; rigid in one’s beliefs

accretion

gradual build up or growth by addition

omnipresent

present everywhere at the same time

extemporaneous

improvised or spontaneous

inviolable

not to be broken; sacred

untoward

unfavorable, inappropriate, or inconvenient

assent

to agree

taciturn

reserved or quiet

trite

overused, commonplace, having no freshness or appeal

hew

to cut or shape

profligate

wasteful

ubiquitous

universal

adroit

skillful; accomplished; highly competent

abhor

to detest or loathe

castigate

to punish severely

brusque

rudely concise

secular

worldly, not spiritual

pious

very observant of religious practices

amenable

agreeable or cooperative

furtive

sneaky or sly

edify

to instruct or enlighten

assiduous

diligent; hard working