SAT vocabulary 9-10

Aberration

something unusual or unexpected that is different from what normally happens.

• The sudden drop in temperature was an aberration for the region.

Accumulates

Gradually increases over time.

• dust accumulates quickly in unused rooms.

Acquaint

To make familiar with

•The guide helped acquaint visitors with the museum’s layout.

•Please acquaint yourself with the rules before the exam.

Ambiguous

Having more than one meaning

• the instructions were ambiguous and confused readers.

Annul

To officially cancel / declare invalid.

• the court annulled the agreement.

Astonish

To greatly surprise

• the results astonished researchers.

Belittle

Make something seem less important

• the critic belittled artists early work

Conceivable

Possible to imagine/believe(possible;plausible)

It is conceivable that conditions will improve.

Depleted

Used up or reduced

• the soil was depleted of nutrients.

Quarreling with

Arguing / disagreeing with

• he was quarreling with his colleague.

Unfeasible

Unfeasible = impossible or impractical.

(Feasible = possible and practical.)

• It would be unfeasible to walk from Georgia to Italy.

Convey

to communicate, express, or make an idea, feeling, or message understood.

• Her smile conveyed happiness.
→ Her smile showed she was happy.

• The author’s tone conveys frustration.
  → The author’s tone expresses frustration.

• This graph conveys the main trend clearly.
  → The graph communicates the main trend.

Anterior to

Before something else

• The invention of the telephone was anterior to the invention of the smartphone.

Anticipating

Expecting / predicting something (before it happens)

• I brought a jacket, anticipating cold weather.

Contingent upon

Dependent on a specific condition being met

• funding is contingent upon final approval by the board.

Continuity

The state of remaining consistent or uninterrupted

• the sequel lacked the continuity of the original narrative.

Deceptive

Intended to mislead / give false impression.

• The graph was deceptive, exaggerating minor differences.

Denounce

Publicly criticize (announce criticism)

The senator denounced the policy as ineffective.

Embellish

To add decorative / exaggerated details.

The speaker embellished the story to make it more engaging.

Govern

Control / regulate/ direct.

• Clear rules govern the use of laboratory equipment.

Leverage

To use something strategically for max advantage.

• The company leveraged its reputation to expand globally.

Neutralize

cancel out, or make ineffective.
• The medication helped neutralize harmful bacteria.

Perilous

dangerous / risky

• The explorers faced a perilous journey through the mountains.

Preoccupations with

concerns / worries about something

• His preoccupation with grades made him study all day.