INTO Prep SAT Vocab

abase

to humiliate, degrade

abasement

humiliation; degradation

abjure

to reject

abrogate

to abolish

absolution

forgiveness; pardon; release

abstain

to choose not to do something

abstemious

(adj.) moderate, sparing (as in eating and drinking); characterized by abstinence and self-discipline

accede

to yield to; to assume an office or dignity

acclaim

praise

accompany

To go along with; to be together

acerbic

biting, bitter in tone or taste

acquiesce

(v.) to accept without protest; to agree or submit

acrid

harsh in taste or odor; sharp in manner or temper

acrimony

bitterness

acuity

(n.) sharpness (particularly of the mind or senses)

acumen

keen insight

adamant

unyielding; firm in opinion

adriot

skillful, expert in the use of the hands or mind

adualtion

excessive praise or admiration

adumbrate

to sketch out in a vague way

affable

friendly

alacrity

brisk and cheerful readiness

allay

(v.) to calm or pacify, set to rest; to lessen or relieve

alleviate

to relieve, make more bearable

altrusim

unselfish regard for the welfare of others

amalgam

a combination of diverse elements; a mixture

ambivalence

the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes

ameliorate

to improve

amenable

agreeable

amiable

friendly

anachronistic

out of date

anathema

(n.) an object of intense dislike; a curse or strong denunciation (often used adjectivally without the article)

anecdote

(n.) an object of intense dislike; a curse or strong denunciation (often used adjectivally without the article)

animosity

strong dislike; bitter hostility

anomalous

abnormal, irregular, departing from the usual

antipathy

strong dislike

apathetic

feeling or showing little emotion

apprehensive

fearful or anxious, especially about the future

approbation

(n.) the expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise; official approval

arboreal

living in trees

arcane

known or understood by only a few

arrogate

to claim or take without right

ascertain

to find out

ascetic

One who leads a life of self-denial and contemplation; absent of luxury

aspersion

(n.) a damaging or derogatory statement; the act of slandering or defaming

assail

attack

assiduous

persistent, attentive, diligent

assimilate

(v.) to absorb fully or make one's own; to adopt as one's own; to adapt fully

assuage

(v.) to make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet, calm; to put an end to, appease, satisfy, quench

astute

(adj.) shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom

atrophy

to waste away

atypical

not typical

augment

to make larger, increase

aural

pertaining to the ear

auspicious

favorable

austere

(adj.) severe or stern in manner; without adornment or luxury, simple, plain; harsh or sour in flavor

autonomy

(n.) self-government, political control

aversion

strong dislike

befall

(v.) to happen, occur; to happen to

belie

contradict; give a false impression

belligerent

hostile and aggressive

benevolent

benign

harmless

bigot

narrow-minded, prejudiced person

bilk

cheat; defraud

billowing

swelling; fluttering; waving

blandish

to coax by using flattery

blasphemy

an act, utterance, or writing showing contempt for something sacred

blithe

cheerful, lighthearted; casual, unconcerned

blunderbuss

1. ancient weapon (type of gun); 2. a clumsy person

bog

marsh, swamp

bolster

to support

bombastic

(adj.) pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas

boon

a gift or blessing

boorish

rude; insensitive

bourgeios

middle class

braggart

someone who boasts

brawny

strong, muscular

brevity

shortness

bristle

stiffen with fear or anger

broach

to bring up a subject for discussion

brusque

(adj.) abrupt, blunt, with no formalities

buffet

(v.) to slap or cuff; to strike repeatedly; to drive or force with blows; to force one's way with difficulty; (n.) a slap, blow

bulwark

a defensive wall

buoyant

(adj.) able to float easily; able to hold things up; cheerful, hopeful

bureaucracy

A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials

burgeon

to grow and flourish

burnish

(v.) to make smooth or glossy by rubbing, polish; (n.) gloss, brightness, luster

buttress

(v.) to support, prop up, strengthen; (n.) a supporting structure

byline

the line that tells you who wrote an article

byzantine

extremely intricate or complicated in structure.

cacophony

A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds

cajole

(v.) to coax, persuade through flattery or artifice; to deceive with soothing thoughts or false promises

caldron

huge cooking pot

callous

emotionally hardened, unfeeling

callow

(adj.) without experience; immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise; without feathers

calummy

a false and malicious accusation

candid

(adj.) frank, sincere; impartial; unposed

cantankerous

bad-tempered; quarrelsome

capricious

impulsive and unpredictable