insider's complete guide to sat vocabulary: the essential 500 words

aesthetic

characterized by a sensitivity to beauty in art and taste

conventional

customary; conforming to established practices

mitigate

to make less severe or harsh; to moderate; to lessen; to relieve

pragmatic

practical; realistic; down to earth

altruistic

characterized by unselfish concern for the welfare of others; not egotistical

diffident

timid; lacking self-confidence; shy and reserved, especially in social gatherings; self-effacing

frank

open and honest; candid

revere

to show great respect for a person, idea, or symbol; to venerate

subtle

gradual and therefore not obvious

reticent

reluctant to publicly discuss one's thoughts, feelings, and personal affairs; restrained and reserved in style; not outspoken

antithetical

characterized by an extreme contrast or polar opposite

prescient

perceiving the significance of events before they occur; showing foresight

nostalgia

a bittersweet longing for something in the past

beguile

to trick or captivate someone, either with deception or with irresistible charm

ominous

menacing and threatening; foreshadowing ill-fortune

succinct

brief and to the point; concise

discerning

demonstrating keen insight and good judgment; able to distinguish good from bad

belie

to give a false impression; to misrepresent

anomaly

a deviation from a common pattern; a departure from the norm; something that is atypical and thus aberrant

peremptory

an order or command that does not allow discussion or refusal; an arbitrary order

anecdote

a short story told to illustrate a point

vignette

a brief literary sketch

simile

a figure of speech in which two essentially unlike things are compared, often in a phrase introduced by "like" or "as"

metaphor

a figure of speech in which two unrelated objects are compared

personification

a figure of speech in which inanimate objects are endowed with human characteristics

paradox

a seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true

verbal irony

saying one thing and implying something else, usually with the opposite of the expressed meaning

situational irony

an inconsistency between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs

parallel structure

the repetition of words, phrases, or sentences that are similar in meaning and structure

understatement

a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it is

hyperbole

the use of exaggerated language for the purpose of emphasis or heightened effect

allusion

a reference to a person, place, or thing, historical or literary, that adds to the reader's understanding of the subject

parenthetical expression

an expression inserted into the flow of thought and set off by parantheses

satire

the use of wit, irony, and sarcasm to make fun of human follies

analogy

a comparison of an unfamiliar idea or object to a familiar one

analogous

characterized by a parallel similarity that permits the drawing of an analogy

lampoon

to ridicule with satire

eulogize

to praise with eloquent words

euphemism

a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept

qualify

to limit, modify, or restrict

concede

to acknowledge or admit; to make concessions

rebut

to attempt to prove that an accusation or theory is false

refute

to disprove an accusation or theory

undermine

to weaken; subvert; hinder

underscore

to emphasize; to draw special attention to a fact, idea, or situation

coherent

marked by an orderly, logical, and clear relationship

bias

a mental tendency or inclination; especially an unfair preference for a person or group; not objective and therefore partisan

criterion

a standard of judging something

conjecture

a hypothesis formed from incomplete evidence; a deduction

sanguine

confidently optimistic and cheerful

exuberant

really happy and enthusiastic; joyously unrestrained

didactic

designed or intended to teach and instruct; serving to enlighten and inform

emphatic

marked by great conviction; forceful and clear; unambiguous

earnest

marked by deep sincerity and serious intent

fervent

very enthusiastic; having or showing great intensity of spirit

jovial

describes people who display high-spirited merriment; full of joy; jocular

scholarly

describes a tone that is academic, learned, and studious

lighthearted

describes an attitude or mood that is carefree and cheerful

exhilarated

filled with excitement and enthusiasm; thrilled

indignant

characterized by outrage caused by something perceived as unjust or wrong

sardonic

very sarcastic; scornful, mocking, and derisive

flippant

characterized by a casual disrespectful attitude, especially in situations that call for a serious response

skeptical

characterized by an attitude of doubt and distrust; dubious; cynical

nonchalant

marked by an air of casual unconcern

disdain

a feeling of intense dislike and great scorn; contempt

vehement

characterized by strong emotions or convictions; very emphatic

caustic

characterized by a critical tone and biting words that cause hurt feelings

wary

marked by caution; a watchful concern that is alert to danger or deception

pompous

characterized by an excessive and elevated sense of self-importance; arrogant and pretentious

ambivalent

characterized by mixed feelings about a person, object, or course of action

indifferent

characterized by a lack of interest or concern; apathetic

wistful

sadly thoughtful; pensively reflective

whimsical

spontaneously fanciful or playful; given to chance or whims

evenhanded

marked by impartiality; fair to all sides

prudent

characterized by a watchful and careful consideration of all potential consequences; cautious and sensible; circumspect

reflective

taking time to think carefully about things; thoughtful

conversational

characterized by an informal exchange or presentation of thoughts and feelings

objective

looking at issues in a detached and impartial manner

measured

the quality of being calm and restrained; unhurried and deliberate

hedonist

a person who is devoted to seeking sensual pleasure

reprobate

a person who is depraved, unprincipled, and wicked

interloper

a person who intrudes where he or she is not wanted; an uninvited guest

acolyte

a person who is a devoted fan or follower of someone famous

iconoclast

a person who attacks cherished ideas, traditions, and institutions

mentor

a person who acts as a wise and trusted advisor

benefactor

a person who helps people or institutions

innovator

a person who creates new inventions, ideas, or ways of doing things

proponent

a person who fights for a cause, idea, or movement; a champion

sage

a person who is renowned for his or her wisdom and sagacity

philanthropist

a person who gives money or gifts to charities; a wealthy person with a generous nature and concern for human welfare

misanthrope

a person who distrusts and is contemptuous of other people

connoisseur

a person who, through study and interest, has a fine appreciation for something

neophyte

a person who is new at an occupation or task; a beginner; a novice

dilettante

an amateur who dilly-dallies or engages in an activity without serious intensions; a dabbler

demagogue

a political leader who inflames popular emotions and passions

pundit

a knowledgeable commentator who offers informed opinions on a topic

heretic

a person who opposes accepted and established beliefs

progenitor

a person who was an originator or major contributor to an artistic style or trend

zealot

a person who is full of enthusiasm and zeal for a cause

deleterious

harmful, dangerous, destructive