English SAT Words

Key Vocab to learn

Prevalent

Widespread (in a particular area or time)

Illusory

Based on illusion

Engender

To cause or give rise (to a feeling, condition or situation)

Repudiate

Refuse to accept or be associated with

Assuage

Make an unpleasant feeling less intense

Precedent

A previous situation to be considered as an example in similar circumstances

Preclude

Prevent from happening

Ubiquitous

Found everywhere

Altruistic

Unselfish

Innocuous

Not harmful or offensive

Reticent

Not revealing one’s thoughts and feelings readily (Reserved)

Taciturn

Reserved (silent)

Dogmatic

Opinionated, aggressive

Abstruse

Difficult to understand

Eloquent

Fluent in speaking or writing (Articulate)

Apathy

Lack of enthusiasm, interest or concern (Indifference)

Enigma

A person or thing that is difficult to understand

Laudable

Deserving praise (Admirable)

Scrupulous

Careful, thorough and extremely attentive to detail (Meticulous)

Venerate

Regard with great respect (Revere)

Appease

Pacify or placate someone by agreeing to their demands (Mollify)

Catalyst

A person or thing that accelerates an event or change

Concession

A compromise or trade-off

Gratify

Give someone pleasure or satisfaction (please or delight)

Proclivity

A tendency to choose or do something regularly (Inclination)

Acrimony

Bitterness or ill- feeling

Deride

Ridicule (Mock or scorn)

Impetuous

Acting or done quickly without thought or care (Impulsive

Vacillate

Alternate between different opinions or actions (be indecisive)

Adamant

Refusing to change one’s mind (inflexible)

Conciliate

Stop someone from being angry (Appease)

Dissonance

Lack of harmony (Strife)

Obstinate

Stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or chosen course of action

Capricious

Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behaviour

Disparage

Regard or represent as being of little worth (Belittle)

Equivocate

Use ambiguous language to conceal the truth

Impede

Delay