Hard Vocab

abet to aide, act as an accomplice

abhor to detest or loathe

verisimilitude* the appearance of being true or real

conspicuous* standing out so as to be clearly visible

ameliorate* to make beCer or more tolerable

amorphous* having no definite form or character

engender* cause or give rise to a feeling, situa=on, or condi=on

ter=ary of the third order, rank, stage, forma=on; less important

austere* severe or strict in manner, aÇtude or appearance; lacking any excess

citadel a stronghold or fortress

coalesce to grow together

equivocal* subject to two or more interpreta=ons; of uncertain nature or classifica=on

repine to feel or express discontent

repudiate* to deny the truth or validity of

evince* to reveal the presence of a quality or feeling

insuperable* impossible to overcome or surpass, insurmountable

nebulous* unclear, vague, or hazy, lacking definite form or boundaries

demagogue a person who appeals to the emo=ons or prejudices of the people

neophyte a beginner or novice

cogent persuasive or forceful

laconic using few words

ineluctable* inevitable, unable to be avoided or escaped

denigrate ridicule; beliCle

gratuitous unnecessary, uncalled for

mirth merriment, joy

demur to object

superfluous* exceeding what is necessary or required; unnecessary

equivocate to be ambiguous, not upfront

altruis=c selflessness; unselfish concern for the welfare of others

par=san a strong supporter of a cause, person, or party

fas=dious very aCen=ve to detail

adula=on high praise

guile decep=on or skillful deceit

induce* to bring about or cause a par=cular response or ac=on

prodigious causing amazement or wonder; enormous

magnanimous noble, generous

hedonism the pursuit of pleasure

demure modest and reserved, falsely so

scrupulous* a person or process that is diligent, thorough, and extremely aCen=ve to details

PrepPros SAT Reading Course

terse brief

clamor noise, a mixture of disagreeable sounds

colloquial informal

acquiesce to agree; submit passively

irreproachable* beyond cri=cism or fault, perfect or faultless in behavior or ac=ons

loquacious talka=ve

haughty arrogant; snobbish

des skilled

idiosyncra=c* peculiar or unique to an individual; having dis=nc=ve characteris=cs

beres lacking; missing

curt short in response, commonly used when someone is being rude

perfunctory done rou=nely with liCle care

rancor biCerness; spitefulness

coalesce* to come together to form a single group or mass

belligerent aggressive; hos=le

contrite affected by guilt

omniscient all knowing

untenable indefensible

orthodox* adhering to established beliefs, customs, or prac=ces

decorous marked by good behavior

per=nent relevant

banal commonplace

allay to lessen, ease, or soothe

spurious* false or not genuine; lacking authen=city

surrep==ous secret and stealthy

bilk to swindle or cheat

egregious obviously bad or offensive

an=pathy extreme dislike

incongruous* out of place

acrimony biCerness or hos=lity

disparage beliCle; to speak down to someone

fervent passionate or zealous

dubious doubzul

venerable* worthy of respect

curmudgeon a rude person

convivial sociable; fes=ve

extol to commend or praise

admonish to cau=on or reprimand; to warn

par=te* divided into parts

capricious impulsive; whimsical

dogma=c inflexible; rigid in one’s beliefs

accre=on gradual build up or growth by addi=on

omnipresent* present everywhere at the same =me

extemporaneous improvised or spontaneous

abet to aid

inviolable not to be broken; sacred

untoward* unfavorable, inappropriate, or inconvenient

assent to agree

PrepPros SAT Reading Course

taciturn reserved or quiet

trite overused, commonplace, having no freshness or appeal

hew* to cut or shape

profligate wasteful

ubiquitous universal

adroit skillful; accomplished; highly competent

abhor to detest or loathe

cas=gate to punish severely

brusque rudely concise

secular worldly, not spiritual

pious very observant of religious prac=ces

amenable agreeable or coopera=ve

fur=ve sneaky or sly

edify to instruct or enlighten

assiduous diligent; hard working

admonish to cau=on or advise against

here=c a person holding untradi=onal or blasphemous opinions

incorrigible incapable of being corrected or reformed

auspicious favorable; promising

avarice greed

egalitarian equal for all

circumspect careful to consider all circumstances and consequences

byzan=ne very complicated or intricate

arcane known or understood by only a few

feckless weak; ineffec=ve; incompetent

ardent passionate

expedient suitable for achieving a par=cular end

asce=c self-denying; depriving oneself of something

onerous burdensome or oppressive

sagacious wise

indelible making marks or an impression that cannot be removed or lost

aspersion a false rumor or damaging report

innocuous harmless

impious irreverent; disrespeczul

assuage to soother or pacify

perspicacious very percep=ve or discerning

abstruse complex; hard to understand

petulant childish; irritable

abase to humble or degrade

latent undeveloped or dormant

abdicate to formally relinquish

obstreperous noisy; unruly

harbinger forerunner or omen

beguile to deceive

irreverent lacking respect

parity state of being equivalent

callow inexperienced; immature

perfunctory rou=ne; done without care

PrepPros SAT Reading Course

dearth a lack or deficiency

enigma something or someone puzzling or hard to understand

amiable friendly and good

eminent prominent; dis=nguished

pragma=c prac=cal

iconoclast one who aCacks tradi=onal ideas or ins=tu=ons

an=pathy a deep dislike or aversion

penitent remorseful

magnate a powerful or influen=al person

gregarious sociable; enjoying the company of others

languid exhausted

affable friendly

hapless ill fated; unlucky

palliate to soothe or mi=gate