SAT Words to Know
abrupt: sudden or unexpected.
absorbed: deeply interested or involved; preoccupied.
accelerator: a device that increases the speed of a vehicle or a process.
acceptable: able to be agreed on; suitable.
accommodate: to provide space or to adjust for someone or something.
accomplishment: something that has been achieved successfully.
acknowledged: recognized as being good or important.
acquired: obtained or received by effort or learning.
adhere: to stick firmly to something.
advantageous: creating favorable circumstances that increase the chances of success.
advocacy: public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy.
aerial: existing, happening, or operating in the air.
aesthetic: concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty.
aggravate: to make a problem, injury, or offense worse or more serious.
alleviate: to make suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe.
ambivalence: having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.
annotate: to add notes or comments to a text or diagram for explanation or criticism.
anon: soon; shortly.
anticipating: expecting or predicting something.
appropriate: suitable or proper in the circumstances.
approximate: close to the actual, but not completely accurate or exact.
acquisition: an asset or object bought or obtained, typically by a library or museum.
argue: to give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory.
attribute (v): to regard something as being caused by someone or something.
authenticity: the quality of being authentic or genuine.
beneficial: producing good or helpful results; advantageous.
beneficiary: a person who derives advantage from something, especially a trust, will, or life insurance policy.
benign: gentle, kindly; not harmful in effect.
binary: relating to, composed of, or involving two things.
bureaucratic: relating to the business of running an organization, or government.
buttress: a structure built against a wall to support or strengthen it.
bystander: a person who is present at an event or incident but does not take part.
careful: making sure to avoid potential danger, mishap, or harm.
catastrophic: involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering.
challenged: faced with a difficult task or situation.
characteristic: a feature or quality belonging typically to a person, place, or thing and serving to identify it.
circumvent: to find a way around an obstacle.
civilian: a person not in the armed services or the police force.
coincide: to occur at or during the same time.
collaborate: to work jointly on an activity or project.
collected with: gathered together with something else.
commissioned: given an official assignment or task.
committed: dedicated to a cause, activity, or relationship.
common: occurring, found, or done often; prevalent.
comparable to: able to be likened to another; similar.
compelling: evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way.
complementary: combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize the qualities of each other or another.
compose: to write or create a work of art, especially music or poetry.
comprises: consists of; is made up of.
concealed: kept secret; hidden.
concede: to admit that something is true or valid after first denying or resisting it.
conceptualize: to form a concept or idea of something in the mind.
concern about: a feeling of worry or anxiety about something.
concerning: on the subject of or in connection with; about.
conditions: the circumstances affecting the way in which people live or work.
confident: feeling or showing confidence in oneself or one's abilities.
confined to: restricted or limited to a particular space or area.
conflicted: having or showing confused and mutually inconsistent feelings.
conform to: to comply with rules, standards, or laws.
conjecture: an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.
consistent with: in agreement with something.
contemporary: belonging to or occurring in the present.
contrive: to create or bring about an object or a situation by deliberate use of skill and artifice.
controversial: giving rise or likely to give rise to public disagreement.
convey: to communicate or express something.
corollary: a proposition that follows from one already proved; a natural consequence.
counterintuitive: contrary to what one would intuitively expect.
created: brought something into existence.
credited: attributed to someone or something.
critical: expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgments.
decentralized: transferred from central to local government or other central authority.
deceptive: giving an appearance or impression different from the true one; misleading.
deciding: resolving or determining a course of action.
decisive: settling an issue; producing a definite result.
defends: protects from harm or danger.
delegate: to entrust a task or responsibility to another person.
delve: to investigate or research deeply.
demands: requests urgently and forcefully.
demonstrative: tending to show feelings, especially of affection, openly.
denied: refused to give or grant something requested or desired.
derived from: obtained something from a specific source.
deviates: departs from an established course.
discernible: able to be perceived or recognized.
disconcerting: causing one to feel unsettled.
discourage: to cause someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm.
disengage: to release from an attachment or connection.
disorienting: making someone feel confused or lost.
disparate: essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison.
dispute: a disagreement, argument, or debate.
distraction: something that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else.
ditty: a short, simple song.
diverge: to separate from another route and go in a different direction.
diversification: the action of diversifying something or the fact of becoming more diverse.
dormant: temporarily inactive or inoperative.
doth: an archaic third-person singular form of "do."
doubts: feelings of uncertainty or lack of conviction.
drafting: preparing a preliminary version of a text or design.
dulcet: sweet and soothing, often used ironically.
dynamic: characterized by constant change, activity, or progress.
eclipse: to obscure the light from or to another celestial body.
edifice: a large, imposing building.
Elizabethan: relating to or characteristic of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
elusive: difficult to find, catch, or achieve.
emigrate: to leave one's own country to settle permanently in another.
encourage: to give support, confidence, or hope to someone.
engulfs: to sweep over something so as to surround or cover it completely.
enhance: to intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of something.
ensure: to make certain that something shall occur or be the case.
enthusiasm for: intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.
epitomizing: being a perfect example of something.
equanimity: mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.
establishes: sets up on a firm or permanent basis.
etched: engraved into a surface.
evaluate: to assess the value or impact of something.
evolving: developing gradually, especially from a simple to a more complex form.
exalt: to hold someone or something in very high regard.
exemplified: to be a typical example of something.
experiment with: to try out new ideas or methods.
explains: makes an idea, situation, or problem clear to someone by describing it in more detail.
exquisite: extremely beautiful and delicate.
extensive: covering or affecting a large area.
fabricate: to invent or concoct something, typically with deceitful intent.
fanciful: overimaginative and unrealistic.
dignity: the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect.
fluctuate: to rise and fall irregularly in number or amount.
foreground: the part of a view that is nearest to the observer.
foretells: predicts or foretells an event in the future.
forge: to create or form something, especially through great effort.
fortify: to strengthen a place with defensive works so as to protect it against attack.
foster: to encourage the development of something, especially something desirable.
fruitless: failing to achieve the desired results; unproductive.
fulfills: to bring to completion or reality; to achieve or realize something desired or promised.
germinate: to begin to grow and develop.
grapple: to engage in a close fight or struggle without weapons.
guild: an association of people for mutual aid or the pursuit of a common goal.
handmade from: made by hand, not by machine, typically with care or skill.
haphazard: lacking any obvious principle of organization.
hast: an archaic second-person singular present form of "have."
healthy: in good health; physically and mentally sound.
hibernation: a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in endotherms.
hierarchical: arranged in order of rank or authority.
hinder: to create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in delay or obstruction.
hypothesize: to propose a hypothesis or explanation based on limited evidence.
illustrate: to explain or make something clear by using examples, charts, or pictures.
imitated: copied or reproduced from something else.
imminent: about to happen.
impartial: treating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and just.
impenetrable: impossible to pass through or enter.
imperceptible: so slight, gradual, or subtle as not to be perceived.
implement: to put a decision, plan, or agreement into effect.
important: of great significance or value.
imposing: grand and impressive in appearance.
impractical: not adapted for use or action; not sensible or realistic.
improve on: to make or become better than something previously.
improvise: to create and perform spontaneously or without preparation.
inadequate: lacking the quality or quantity required; insufficient for a purpose.
inauguration: the formal admission of someone to office.
indecipherable: not able to be read or understood.
independent of: free from outside control; not subject to another's authority.
indicated by: pointed out or suggested by someone or something.
indifference: lack of interest, concern, or sympathy.
indigenous: originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.
inexplicable: unable to be explained or accounted for.
infrequent: not occurring often; rare.
inherent: existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute.
innocuous: not harmful or offensive.
inspecting: carefully examining or checking something.
inspirational: providing or showing creative or spiritual inspiration.
interchangeable: able to be exchanged with each other without making a difference.
interjected: said something abruptly, especially as an aside or interruption.
interminable: endless or apparently endless.
interpret: to explain the meaning of something.
intertribal: existing or occurring between different tribes.
intricate: very complicated or detailed.
intriguing: arousing one's curiosity or interest; fascinating.
intuitive: based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning; instinctive.
invalidate: to make an argument, statement, or theory unsound or erroneous.
inventive: having the ability to create or design new things or to think originally.
invertebrate: an animal lacking a backbone.
involuntarily: done without conscious control or will.
iridescent: showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.
irrelevant to: not connected with or relevant to something.
jarring: incongruous in a striking or shocking way; clashing.
juvenile: for or relating to young people.
laced: interwoven or entwined.
lacking: not available or in short supply.
languish: to lose or lack vitality; grow weak.
latent: existing but not yet developed or manifest; hidden or concealed.
legitimacy: conformity to the law or to rules.
legitimate: conforming to the law or to rules; legal.
likewise: in the same way; also.
localized: restricted to a particular place.
mandates: official orders or commissions to do something.
mandatory: required by law or rules; compulsory.
manifesto: a public declaration of policy and aims, especially one issued before an election by a political party or candidate.
mastery over: complete control or knowledge of a subject or skill.
melancholy: a feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.
melodic: having or producing melody.
methodology: a system of methods used in a particular area of study or activity.
mimic: to imitate someone or something.
mirth: amusement, especially as expressed in laughter.
misrepresent: to give a false or misleading account of the nature of something.
moderation: the avoidance of excess or extremes.
monarch: a sovereign head of state, especially a king, queen, or emperor.
moreover: in addition to what has been said; besides.
mutation: the changing of the structure of a gene, resulting in a variant form.
mystifying: perplexing and mysterious.
nanotubes: cylindrical molecules with novel properties that make them potentially useful in a wide variety of applications.
neglect: to fail to care for properly.
nondescript: lacking distinctive or interesting features or characteristics.
novel: new or unusual in an interesting way.
nuanced: characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression.
obscure: not discovered or known about; uncertain.
observant: quick to notice or perceive things.
obtained from: acquired, secured, or collected from a source.
offhand: ungraciously or offensively nonchalant or cool in manner.
operative: functioning or having effect.
ordinary: with no special or distinctive features; normal.
originates: has a specified beginning.
ornamental: serving or intended as an ornament; decorative.
overcome: succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty.
overreacts: responds more emotionally or forcibly than is justified.
overshadowed by: to appear more important or larger than something else.
paleobiologist: a scientist who studies the biology of fossil organisms.
parasitic: living as a parasite.
participatory: involving or characterized by participation.
paucity: the presence of something in only small or insufficient quantities.
payload: the part of a vehicle's load, especially an aircraft's, from which revenue is derived.
perceive: to become aware or conscious of something.
peripheral: relating to or situated on the edge or periphery of something.
persist: to continue firmly or obstinately in an opinion or course of action despite difficulty or opposition.
persistent: continuing to exist or endure over a prolonged period.
personal: belonging to or affecting a particular person rather than anyone else.
pondering: thinking about something carefully, especially before making a decision.
porous: having minute spaces or holes through which liquid or air may pass.
portal: a doorway, gate, or other entrance, especially a large and imposing one.
portraiture: the art of creating portraits.
posit: to assume as a fact; put forward as a basis of argument.
pragmatic: dealing with things sensibly and realistically.
predation: the preying of one animal on others.
predatory: seeking to exploit or oppress others.
predecessor: a person who held a job or office before the current holder.
predetermined: established or decided in advance.
predicted: said or estimated that something will happen in the future.
premeditated: thought out or planned beforehand.
preponderance: the quality or fact of being greater in number, quantity, or importance.
prescribed: recommended as something beneficial.
prestige: widespread respect and admiration felt for someone or something based on a perception of their achievements or quality.
presume: to suppose that something is the case based on probability.
presupposes: requires as a precondition of possibility or coherence.
prevail: to prove more powerful than opposing forces; be victorious.
prevalent: widespread in a particular area at a particular time.
preventable: able to be prevented or avoided.
proclaims: announces officially or publicly.
produced: made or manufactured from components or raw materials.
profound: very great or intense.
profusion: an abundance or large quantity of something.
prominently: with an important role; to a large extent.
proponent: a person who advocates a theory, proposal, or project.
prosocial: relating to or denoting behavior that is positive, helpful, and intended to promote social acceptance and friendship.
provokes: stimulates or incites someone to do or feel something.
quarrel about: an angry argument or disagreement.
question: to ask questions of someone, especially in an official context.
questioned: raised doubt or uncertainty about something.
react to: respond or behave in a particular way in response to something.
rebut: claim or prove that evidence or an accusation is false.
recant: say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief.
receive: be given, presented with, or paid something.
receptor: an organ or cell able to respond to light, heat, or other external stimuli.
reciprocate: respond to a gesture or action by making a corresponding one.
recognizable: easily identified or acknowledged.
recount: tell someone about something; give an account of an event or experience.
reflect: think deeply or carefully about something.
refute: prove a statement or theory to be wrong or false.
regret: feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over something.
reinforcing: strengthening or supporting something.
relate: to make or show a connection between.
relentless: oppressively constant; incessant.
remember: have in or be able to bring to one's mind an awareness of someone or something.
renounce: formally declare one's abandonment of a claim, right, or possession.
replenishes: fills something up again.
replicable: able to be reproduced or copied.
representative: typical of a class, group, or body of opinion.
repressed by: kept suppressed or held back by someone or something.
reprise: a repeated passage in music or performance.
repudiate: refuse to accept or be associated with.
repulsed: driven back by force.
require: need for a particular purpose.
resilient: able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
respectively: separately or individually and in the order already mentioned.
responsiveness to: reacting quickly and positively.
restored: brought back to a former or original condition.
restrained: characterized by reserve or moderation.
retaliates: makes an attack or assault in return for a similar attack.
revitalization: the action of imbuing something with new life and vitality.
ricocheting: rebounding one or more times off a surface.
Rosetta Stone: an ancient Egyptian stone inscribed with three languages, leading to the modern understanding of Egyptian hieroglyphs.
rotunda: a building with a circular ground plan and a dome.
rudimentary: involving or limited to basic principles.
sampler: a person or device that takes or tastes a sample.
satisfactory: fulfilling expectations or needs; acceptable, though not outstanding.
satisfying: giving fulfillment or the pleasure associated with this.
scholarly: involving or relating to serious academic study.
secretive: inclined to conceal feelings and intentions or not to disclose information.
selects: carefully chooses as being the best or most suitable.
shortcomings: a fault or failure to meet a certain standard.
significant: sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention.
simple: easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty.
situate: fix or build something in a certain place or position.
skeptical: not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations.
smoothly: in a smooth way; without difficulty.
speculate: form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence.
standard: a level of quality or attainment.
strenuously: in a way that requires great effort and energy.
struggling: striving to achieve or attain something in the face of difficulty or resistance.
study: the devotion of time and attention to acquiring knowledge.
subsequent: coming after something in time; following.
subsist: to maintain or support oneself, especially at a minimal level.
subsistence: the action or fact of maintaining or supporting oneself at a minimal level.
substantial: of considerable importance, size, or worth.
succumb: fail to resist pressure, temptation, or some other negative force.
supplement: something that completes or enhances something else when added to it.
supposition: an uncertain belief.
surmise: suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it.
surpassed by: to be exceeded or overtaken by something else.
surprise at: a feeling of mild astonishment or shock caused by something unexpected.
synchronization: the operation or activity of two or more things at the same time or rate.
tenuous: very weak or slight.
tenure: the holding of an office.
thrive: to grow or develop well or vigorously.
tolerate: allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of something without interference.
tranquilly: in a calm or peaceful manner.
transcending: going beyond the limits of something.
unanimity: agreement by all people involved.
undeniable: unable to be denied or disputed.
underestimated: to estimate something as being smaller or less important than it actually is.
underscore: to emphasize or give additional weight to something.
ungainliness: awkwardness or clumsiness.
unimportant: lacking in importance or significance.
unintended: not planned or meant.
universal: relating to or affecting all people or things in the world or in a particular group.
unknown: not known or familiar.
unobtrusive: not conspicuous or attracting attention.
unoriginal: lacking originality; derivative.
unpredictable: not able to be predicted.
useful: able to be used for a practical purpose or in several ways.
validate: check or prove the validity or accuracy of something.
variable: not consistent or having a fixed pattern; liable to change.
verisimilitude: the appearance of being true or real.
veteran: a person who has had long experience in a particular field.
vigor: physical strength and good health.
waive: refrain from insisting on or using a right or claim.
wayward: difficult to control or predict because of unusual or perverse behavior.
widespread: found or distributed over a large area or number of people.
withdraw: remove or take away something from a particular place or position.
worried: anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems.
abrupt: sudden or unexpected.
absorbed: deeply interested or involved; preoccupied.
accelerator: a device that increases the speed of a vehicle or a process.
acceptable: able to be agreed on; suitable.
accommodate: to provide space or to adjust for someone or something.
accomplishment: something that has been achieved successfully.
acknowledged: recognized as being good or important.
acquired: obtained or received by effort or learning.
adhere: to stick firmly to something.
advantageous: creating favorable circumstances that increase the chances of success.
advocacy: public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy.
aerial: existing, happening, or operating in the air.
aesthetic: concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty.
aggravate: to make a problem, injury, or offense worse or more serious.
alleviate: to make suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe.
ambivalence: having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.
annotate: to add notes or comments to a text or diagram for explanation or criticism.
anon: soon; shortly.
anticipating: expecting or predicting something.
appropriate: suitable or proper in the circumstances.
approximate: close to the actual, but not completely accurate or exact.
acquisition: an asset or object bought or obtained, typically by a library or museum.
argue: to give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory.
attribute (v): to regard something as being caused by someone or something.
authenticity: the quality of being authentic or genuine.
beneficial: producing good or helpful results; advantageous.
beneficiary: a person who derives advantage from something, especially a trust, will, or life insurance policy.
benign: gentle, kindly; not harmful in effect.
binary: relating to, composed of, or involving two things.
bureaucratic: relating to the business of running an organization, or government.
buttress: a structure built against a wall to support or strengthen it.
bystander: a person who is present at an event or incident but does not take part.
careful: making sure to avoid potential danger, mishap, or harm.
catastrophic: involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering.
challenged: faced with a difficult task or situation.
characteristic: a feature or quality belonging typically to a person, place, or thing and serving to identify it.
circumvent: to find a way around an obstacle.
civilian: a person not in the armed services or the police force.
coincide: to occur at or during the same time.
collaborate: to work jointly on an activity or project.
collected with: gathered together with something else.
commissioned: given an official assignment or task.
committed: dedicated to a cause, activity, or relationship.
common: occurring, found, or done often; prevalent.
comparable to: able to be likened to another; similar.
compelling: evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way.
complementary: combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize the qualities of each other or another.
compose: to write or create a work of art, especially music or poetry.
comprises: consists of; is made up of.
concealed: kept secret; hidden.
concede: to admit that something is true or valid after first denying or resisting it.
conceptualize: to form a concept or idea of something in the mind.
concern about: a feeling of worry or anxiety about something.
concerning: on the subject of or in connection with; about.
conditions: the circumstances affecting the way in which people live or work.
confident: feeling or showing confidence in oneself or one's abilities.
confined to: restricted or limited to a particular space or area.
conflicted: having or showing confused and mutually inconsistent feelings.
conform to: to comply with rules, standards, or laws.
conjecture: an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.
consistent with: in agreement with something.
contemporary: belonging to or occurring in the present.
contrive: to create or bring about an object or a situation by deliberate use of skill and artifice.
controversial: giving rise or likely to give rise to public disagreement.
convey: to communicate or express something.
corollary: a proposition that follows from one already proved; a natural consequence.
counterintuitive: contrary to what one would intuitively expect.
created: brought something into existence.
credited: attributed to someone or something.
critical: expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgments.
decentralized: transferred from central to local government or other central authority.
deceptive: giving an appearance or impression different from the true one; misleading.
deciding: resolving or determining a course of action.
decisive: settling an issue; producing a definite result.
defends: protects from harm or danger.
delegate: to entrust a task or responsibility to another person.
delve: to investigate or research deeply.
demands: requests urgently and forcefully.
demonstrative: tending to show feelings, especially of affection, openly.
denied: refused to give or grant something requested or desired.
derived from: obtained something from a specific source.
deviates: departs from an established course.
discernible: able to be perceived or recognized.
disconcerting: causing one to feel unsettled.
discourage: to cause someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm.
disengage: to release from an attachment or connection.
disorienting: making someone feel confused or lost.
disparate: essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison.
dispute: a disagreement, argument, or debate.
distraction: something that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else.
ditty: a short, simple song.
diverge: to separate from another route and go in a different direction.
diversification: the action of diversifying something or the fact of becoming more diverse.
dormant: temporarily inactive or inoperative.
doth: an archaic third-person singular form of "do."
doubts: feelings of uncertainty or lack of conviction.
drafting: preparing a preliminary version of a text or design.
dulcet: sweet and soothing, often used ironically.
dynamic: characterized by constant change, activity, or progress.
eclipse: to obscure the light from or to another celestial body.
edifice: a large, imposing building.
Elizabethan: relating to or characteristic of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
elusive: difficult to find, catch, or achieve.
emigrate: to leave one's own country to settle permanently in another.
encourage: to give support, confidence, or hope to someone.
engulfs: to sweep over something so as to surround or cover it completely.
enhance: to intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of something.
ensure: to make certain that something shall occur or be the case.
enthusiasm for: intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.
epitomizing: being a perfect example of something.
equanimity: mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.
establishes: sets up on a firm or permanent basis.
etched: engraved into a surface.
evaluate: to assess the value or impact of something.
evolving: developing gradually, especially from a simple to a more complex form.
exalt: to hold someone or something in very high regard.
exemplified: to be a typical example of something.
experiment with: to try out new ideas or methods.
explains: makes an idea, situation, or problem clear to someone by describing it in more detail.
exquisite: extremely beautiful and delicate.
extensive: covering or affecting a large area.
fabricate: to invent or concoct something, typically with deceitful intent.
fanciful: overimaginative and unrealistic.
dignity: the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect.
fluctuate: to rise and fall irregularly in number or amount.
foreground: the part of a view that is nearest to the observer.
foretells: predicts or foretells an event in the future.
forge: to create or form something, especially through great effort.
fortify: to strengthen a place with defensive works so as to protect it against attack.
foster: to encourage the development of something, especially something desirable.
fruitless: failing to achieve the desired results; unproductive.
fulfills: to bring to completion or reality; to achieve or realize something desired or promised.
germinate: to begin to grow and develop.
grapple: to engage in a close fight or struggle without weapons.
guild: an association of people for mutual aid or the pursuit of a common goal.
handmade from: made by hand, not by machine, typically with care or skill.
haphazard: lacking any obvious principle of organization.
hast: an archaic second-person singular present form of "have."
healthy: in good health; physically and mentally sound.
hibernation: a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in endotherms.
hierarchical: arranged in order of rank or authority.
hinder: to create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in delay or obstruction.
hypothesize: to propose a hypothesis or explanation based on limited evidence.
illustrate: to explain or make something clear by using examples, charts, or pictures.
imitated: copied or reproduced from something else.
imminent: about to happen.
impartial: treating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and just.
impenetrable: impossible to pass through or enter.
imperceptible: so slight, gradual, or subtle as not to be perceived.
implement: to put a decision, plan, or agreement into effect.
important: of great significance or value.
imposing: grand and impressive in appearance.
impractical: not adapted for use or action; not sensible or realistic.
improve on: to make or become better than something previously.
improvise: to create and perform spontaneously or without preparation.
inadequate: lacking the quality or quantity required; insufficient for a purpose.
inauguration: the formal admission of someone to office.
indecipherable: not able to be read or understood.
independent of: free from outside control; not subject to another's authority.
indicated by: pointed out or suggested by someone or something.
indifference: lack of interest, concern, or sympathy.
indigenous: originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.
inexplicable: unable to be explained or accounted for.
infrequent: not occurring often; rare.
inherent: existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute.
innocuous: not harmful or offensive.
inspecting: carefully examining or checking something.
inspirational: providing or showing creative or spiritual inspiration.
interchangeable: able to be exchanged with each other without making a difference.
interjected: said something abruptly, especially as an aside or interruption.
interminable: endless or apparently endless.
interpret: to explain the meaning of something.
intertribal: existing or occurring between different tribes.
intricate: very complicated or detailed.
intriguing: arousing one's curiosity or interest; fascinating.
intuitive: based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning; instinctive.
invalidate: to make an argument, statement, or theory unsound or erroneous.
inventive: having the ability to create or design new things or to think originally.
invertebrate: an animal lacking a backbone.
involuntarily: done without conscious control or will.
iridescent: showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.
irrelevant to: not connected with or relevant to something.
jarring: incongruous in a striking or shocking way; clashing.
juvenile: for or relating to young people.
laced: interwoven or entwined.
lacking: not available or in short supply.
languish: to lose or lack vitality; grow weak.
latent: existing but not yet developed or manifest; hidden or concealed.
legitimacy: conformity to the law or to rules.
legitimate: conforming to the law or to rules; legal.
likewise: in the same way; also.
localized: restricted to a particular place.
mandates: official orders or commissions to do something.
mandatory: required by law or rules; compulsory.
manifesto: a public declaration of policy and aims, especially one issued before an election by a political party or candidate.
mastery over: complete control or knowledge of a subject or skill.
melancholy: a feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.
melodic: having or producing melody.
methodology: a system of methods used in a particular area of study or activity.
mimic: to imitate someone or something.
mirth: amusement, especially as expressed in laughter.
misrepresent: to give a false or misleading account of the nature of something.
moderation: the avoidance of excess or extremes.
monarch: a sovereign head of state, especially a king, queen, or emperor.
moreover: in addition to what has been said; besides.
mutation: the changing of the structure of a gene, resulting in a variant form.
mystifying: perplexing and mysterious.
nanotubes: cylindrical molecules with novel properties that make them potentially useful in a wide variety of applications.
neglect: to fail to care for properly.
nondescript: lacking distinctive or interesting features or characteristics.
novel: new or unusual in an interesting way.
nuanced: characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression.
obscure: not discovered or known about; uncertain.
observant: quick to notice or perceive things.
obtained from: acquired, secured, or collected from a source.
offhand: ungraciously or offensively nonchalant or cool in manner.
operative: functioning or having effect.
ordinary: with no special or distinctive features; normal.
originates: has a specified beginning.
ornamental: serving or intended as an ornament; decorative.
overcome: succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty.
overreacts: responds more emotionally or forcibly than is justified.
overshadowed by: to appear more important or larger than something else.
paleobiologist: a scientist who studies the biology of fossil organisms.
parasitic: living as a parasite.
participatory: involving or characterized by participation.
paucity: the presence of something in only small or insufficient quantities.
payload: the part of a vehicle's load, especially an aircraft's, from which revenue is derived.
perceive: to become aware or conscious of something.
peripheral: relating to or situated on the edge or periphery of something.
persist: to continue firmly or obstinately in an opinion or course of action despite difficulty or opposition.
persistent: continuing to exist or endure over a prolonged period.
personal: belonging to or affecting a particular person rather than anyone else.
pondering: thinking about something carefully, especially before making a decision.
porous: having minute spaces or holes through which liquid or air may pass.
portal: a doorway, gate, or other entrance, especially a large and imposing one.
portraiture: the art of creating portraits.
posit: to assume as a fact; put forward as a basis of argument.
pragmatic: dealing with things sensibly and realistically.
predation: the preying of one animal on others.
predatory: seeking to exploit or oppress others.
predecessor: a person who held a job or office before the current holder.
predetermined: established or decided in advance.
predicted: said or estimated that something will happen in the future.
premeditated: thought out or planned beforehand.
preponderance: the quality or fact of being greater in number, quantity, or importance.
prescribed: recommended as something beneficial.
prestige: widespread respect and admiration felt for someone or something based on a perception of their achievements or quality.
presume: to suppose that something is the case based on probability.
presupposes: requires as a precondition of possibility or coherence.
prevail: to prove more powerful than opposing forces; be victorious.
prevalent: widespread in a particular area at a particular time.
preventable: able to be prevented or avoided.
proclaims: announces officially or publicly.
produced: made or manufactured from components or raw materials.
profound: very great or intense.
profusion: an abundance or large quantity of something.
prominently: with an important role; to a large extent.
proponent: a person who advocates a theory, proposal, or project.
prosocial: relating to or denoting behavior that is positive, helpful, and intended to promote social acceptance and friendship.
provokes: stimulates or incites someone to do or feel something.
quarrel about: an angry argument or disagreement.
question: to ask questions of someone, especially in an official context.
questioned: raised doubt or uncertainty about something.
react to: respond or behave in a particular way in response to something.
rebut: claim or prove that evidence or an accusation is false.
recant: say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief.
receive: be given, presented with, or paid something.
receptor: an organ or cell able to respond to light, heat, or other external stimuli.
reciprocate: respond to a gesture or action by making a corresponding one.
recognizable: easily identified or acknowledged.
recount: tell someone about something; give an account of an event or experience.
reflect: think deeply or carefully about something.
refute: prove a statement or theory to be wrong or false.
regret: feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over something.
reinforcing: strengthening or supporting something.
relate: to make or show a connection between.
relentless: oppressively constant; incessant.
remember: have in or be able to bring to one's mind an awareness of someone or something.
renounce: formally declare one's abandonment of a claim, right, or possession.
replenishes: fills something up again.
replicable: able to be reproduced or copied.
representative: typical of a class, group, or body of opinion.
repressed by: kept suppressed or held back by someone or something.
reprise: a repeated passage in music or performance.
repudiate: refuse to accept or be associated with.
repulsed: driven back by force.
require: need for a particular purpose.
resilient: able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
respectively: separately or individually and in the order already mentioned.
responsiveness to: reacting quickly and positively.
restored: brought back to a former or original condition.
restrained: characterized by reserve or moderation.
retaliates: makes an attack or assault in return for a similar attack.
revitalization: the action of imbuing something with new life and vitality.
ricocheting: rebounding one or more times off a surface.
Rosetta Stone: an ancient Egyptian stone inscribed with three languages, leading to the modern understanding of Egyptian hieroglyphs.
rotunda: a building with a circular ground plan and a dome.
rudimentary: involving or limited to basic principles.
sampler: a person or device that takes or tastes a sample.
satisfactory: fulfilling expectations or needs; acceptable, though not outstanding.
satisfying: giving fulfillment or the pleasure associated with this.
scholarly: involving or relating to serious academic study.
secretive: inclined to conceal feelings and intentions or not to disclose information.
selects: carefully chooses as being the best or most suitable.
shortcomings: a fault or failure to meet a certain standard.
significant: sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention.
simple: easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty.
situate: fix or build something in a certain place or position.
skeptical: not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations.
smoothly: in a smooth way; without difficulty.
speculate: form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence.
standard: a level of quality or attainment.
strenuously: in a way that requires great effort and energy.
struggling: striving to achieve or attain something in the face of difficulty or resistance.
study: the devotion of time and attention to acquiring knowledge.
subsequent: coming after something in time; following.
subsist: to maintain or support oneself, especially at a minimal level.
subsistence: the action or fact of maintaining or supporting oneself at a minimal level.
substantial: of considerable importance, size, or worth.
succumb: fail to resist pressure, temptation, or some other negative force.
supplement: something that completes or enhances something else when added to it.
supposition: an uncertain belief.
surmise: suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it.
surpassed by: to be exceeded or overtaken by something else.
surprise at: a feeling of mild astonishment or shock caused by something unexpected.
synchronization: the operation or activity of two or more things at the same time or rate.
tenuous: very weak or slight.
tenure: the holding of an office.
thrive: to grow or develop well or vigorously.
tolerate: allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of something without interference.
tranquilly: in a calm or peaceful manner.
transcending: going beyond the limits of something.
unanimity: agreement by all people involved.
undeniable: unable to be denied or disputed.
underestimated: to estimate something as being smaller or less important than it actually is.
underscore: to emphasize or give additional weight to something.
ungainliness: awkwardness or clumsiness.
unimportant: lacking in importance or significance.
unintended: not planned or meant.
universal: relating to or affecting all people or things in the world or in a particular group.
unknown: not known or familiar.
unobtrusive: not conspicuous or attracting attention.
unoriginal: lacking originality; derivative.
unpredictable: not able to be predicted.
useful: able to be used for a practical purpose or in several ways.
validate: check or prove the validity or accuracy of something.
variable: not consistent or having a fixed pattern; liable to change.
verisimilitude: the appearance of being true or real.
veteran: a person who has had long experience in a particular field.
vigor: physical strength and good health.
waive: refrain from insisting on or using a right or claim.
wayward: difficult to control or predict because of unusual or perverse behavior.
widespread: found or distributed over a large area or number of people.
withdraw: remove or take away something from a particular place or position.
worried: anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems.