SAT Words I don't Know

Abate	v. to become less active, less intense, or less in amount
Adept	adj. having knowledge or skill (usu. in a particular area)
Advent	n. the arrival or creation of something
Aggravate	v. To worsen or intensify.
Ameliorate	v. To improve or make better.
Analogous	adj. similar but not identical
Antecedent	n. A preceding event or condition.
Antipathy	n. a strong feeling of dislike
Austere	adj. extremely plain adj. stern and forbidding adj. relating to self-denial
Buttress	v. To support or strengthen.
Candid	adj. direct, blunt
Circumvent	v. To find a way around.
Concede	v. To admit or yield.
Conflated	adj. Combined in a misleading way.
Conspicuous	adj. Easily noticed or standing out.
Contentious	adj. Causing disagreement or debate.
Contingent	adj. Dependent on something else.
Contrived	adj. Artificial or overly planned.
Controversial	adj. Causing public disagreement.
Cordially	adv. In a warm or friendly manner.
Corroborate	v. to provide evidence for; to back up (a claim)
Deliberation	n. Careful consideration or discussion.
Demarcate	v. To set boundaries or distinguish.
Desultory	adj. Lacking a clear plan or enthusiasm.
Deviate	v. To move away from a set path or norm.
Disconcerting	adj. Causing discomfort or confusion.
Disparage	v. To belittle or speak negatively about.
Dynamic	adj. Constantly changing or energetic.
Earnest	adj. Serious and sincere.
Eclipse	v. To overshadow or surpass.
Eloquent	adj. having refined or expressive communication skills (in speaking or writing)
Elusive	adj. Hard to find or understand.
Exacerbate	v. To make a problem worse.
Exactitude	n. The quality of being precise or accurate.
Explicable	adj. Able to be explained.
Fruitless	adj. Failing to achieve desired results.
Grapple	v. To struggle or wrestle with something.
Haphazard	adj. Lacking organization or planning.
Imperceptible	adj. Very slight or difficult to notice.
Inadequate	adj. Insufficient or lacking.
Inadvertently	adv. Unintentionally or by accident.
Incite	v. to encourage or stir up
Inconspicuous	adj. Not being easily seen or noticed.
Indecipherable	adj. Impossible to understand or read.
Ineffectual	adj. Not producing the desired effect.
Inexplicable	adj. Unable to be explained.
Innocuous	adj. Harmless or inoffensive.
Insensible	adj. Unaware or indifferent.
Latent	adj. Present but not active.
Misanthropic	adj. Disliking people or society.
Notional	adj. Existing only in theory.
Novel	adj. New or original.
Nuanced	adj. Having subtle differences.
Obligate	v. To compel or require.
Offhand	adj. Done without preparation or thought.
Omnipotent	adj. almighty and all powerful
Onset	n. the beginning or early stages
Ornamental	adj. Decorative rather than functional.
Oust	v. to remove or force out of (usu. a position or office)
Outstrip	v. To surpass or exceed.
Overtly	adv. Openly and clearly.
Paramount	adj. predominant, superior, most important
Paucity	n. A scarcity or lack.
Peripheral	adj. On the edge or outer part of something.
Perpetual	adj. Continuing forever or indefinitely.
Postulate	v. To assume or propose a theory.
Pragmatic	adj. Practical and realistic.
Precarious	adj. Uncertain or unstable.
Preclude	v. To prevent from happening.
Profusion	n. A large quantity of something.
Prudently	adv. In a wise or careful manner.
Ramify	v. to split into two or more branches
Recalcitrant	adj. Stubbornly resistant to authority.
Recant	v. To take back a previous statement.
Rectify	v. To correct or fix something.
Reprieve	n. A temporary relief or delay.
Repudiate	v. To reject or disown.
Reticent	adj. Reluctant to share one's thoughts or feelings; reserved
Rousing	adj. Exciting or stirring.
Rudimentary	adj. Basic or simple.
Sanguine	adj. Optimistic or hopeful.
Scorn	v. to look down on with disdain
Spurious	adj. False or deceptive.
Stark	adj. Very plain; devoid of any details or features
Stymie	v. To hinder or block.
Superficial	adj. Shallow or lacking depth.
Surmise	v. To infer or guess.
Tentative	adj. Uncertain or not fully decided.
Tenuous	adj. Weak or insubstantial.
Ubiquitous	adj. Present everywhere.
Underscore	v. To emphasize.
Unmistakable	adj. Clearly recognizable.
Unobtrusive	adj. Not attracting attention.
Verisimilitude	n. The appearance of being true or real.
Veritable	adj. Used to emphasize truth.
Volatile	adj. Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably; easily evaporated (in scientific contexts)