[BARRON'S] VOCABULARY (3)

Vocabulary for SAT Reading

1. Abject

Definition: Abject is often used to describe negative things, heightening the negativity. It depicts the extreme level of loneliness, poverty, or sadness a person could experience.
Example Sentence: Having lost his wife to the bubonic plague, the young man fell into abject sadness that did not lift until life provided him with a new companion some 25 years later.

2. Abode

Definition: An abode is a place where people live. It can range from a house to a cave, an apartment, or a van; anything where humans take shelter.
Example Sentence: “Welcome to my humble abode,” said the nomad, as he lifted a flap to allow me entrance to his colorfully furnished canvas home.

3. Abstract

Definition: Something abstract is not concrete or tangible. It may exist only as an idea (e.g., the concept of gravity) or represent feelings in a non-literal way (e.g., abstract art).
Example Sentence: She soon realized that while they often had long talks about the future, they were not concrete discussions. Rather, he discussed the future abstractly, as something he couldn’t really see.

4. Acknowledge

Definition: To acknowledge someone or something means to notice it and ensure it is aware of that recognition.
Example Sentence: After training longer and harder than any of his teammates, the new tennis player was proud to receive the “most improved” award as an acknowledgment of all his hard work.

5. Adapt

Definition: To adapt means to change in order to fit a new situation or environment.
Example Sentence: The sudden change of rules was very upsetting for the mock trial team, but soon they were hard at work adapting their strategy in order to best take advantage of the new situation.

6. Admonition

Definition: An admonition is a scolding or reprimand received after doing something wrong.
Example Sentence: Having been caught with her hand in the cookie jar, the little girl hung her head and waited for the admonition she was sure she would receive from her parent.

7. Affluent

Definition: To be affluent means to be very well-off financially, representing a luxurious lifestyle.
Example Sentence: Having grown up in an affluent home, John Smith was well accustomed to all the luxuries and sophistication of upper-class life.

8. Agitate

Definition: To agitate means to disturb or work up. It may refer to stirring physically (e.g., in a washing machine) or emotionally (e.g., annoying someone).
Example Sentence: As the baby’s cries grew louder and louder, the other theatergoers became more and more agitated until someone was finally so fed up that he asked the parents to take the baby outside.

9. Aggrandize

Definition: To aggrandize something means to make it appear grander or more significant, often above reality.
Example Sentence: Since they lived in different states, the young couple had spent a lot of time apart. When they finally saw each other again, they realized that they had each aggrandized the other, and were disappointed in the real person in front of them.

10. Aggregate

Definition: The term 'aggregate' as a noun refers to the whole comprised of parts; as a verb, it means to collect and compile parts into a whole.
Example Sentence: I’ve been very busy at work since my superior asked that I aggregate all the available data on consumer habits and present it as a complete report to the CEO.

11. Alternation

Definition: Alternation refers to the act of taking turns in a repetitive pattern.
Example Sentence: The alternation of quarterbacks from one play to the next confused the opposing team and caused them to misread several plays, leading to our team scoring a touchdown.

12. Amicable

Definition: To be amicable means to be friendly and pleasant in relationships, especially in a professional or neighborly context.
Example Sentence: After the hubbub from the move settled down, the roommates forged an amicable relationship. While never becoming close friends, they were more than happy to bring in the other’s mail and to live in relative peace and harmony.

13. Analogous

Definition: When two things are analogous, they share a similar comparison that clarifies or illustrates something about one of them.
Example Sentence: Finding my missing phone was analogous to trying to find a needle in a haystack—it was pretty hopeless.

14. Analogy

Definition: An analogy is a comparison made between two different items, often using "like" or "as".
Example Analogy: The young boy’s jealousy grew inside him like a little green monster, waiting to escape.

15. Anomaly

Definition: An anomaly is an occurrence that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.
Example Sentence: The scientist assured the worried townspeople that the strange lights at night were merely a meteorological anomaly and not the signals of arriving aliens.

16. Antipathy

Definition: Antipathy refers to a deep-seated feeling of aversion or hostility toward someone or something.
Example Sentence: While he loved his wife very much, he felt nothing but antipathy toward his in-laws, which put a definite strain on their marriage.

17. Apparition

Definition: An apparition is a ghostly figure or something that appears suddenly.
Example Sentence: The youth quaked as they heard a strange sound; they should have never broken into the abandoned house, which was full of apparitions.

18. Arbitrary

Definition: Arbitrary is a term often used to describe something random or based on personal whim, rather than any reason or system.
Example Sentence: The seating chart had previously been arbitrary, but the teacher had to be more deliberate in assigning seats during the second quarter to prevent cheating.

19. Ascertain

Definition: To ascertain means to discover or establish something with certainty.
Example Sentence: The town waited with bated breath as the counters worked to ascertain the winner of the mayoral election.

20. Aspire

Definition: Aspiring refers to having a strong desire or ambition to achieve something lofty or significant.
Example Sentence: Though I’m only a yellow belt at the moment, I aspire to be a black belt in a few years.

21. Autocratic

Definition: Autocratic describes a style of leadership or government where one individual holds absolute power and authority.
Example Sentence: Mrs. Nafziger is a very strict teacher and is quite autocratic in the way she runs her history classes.

22. Automated

Definition: Automated refers to technology that is operated automatically by machines, reducing the need for human intervention.
Example Sentence: The factory workers were very concerned about losing their jobs as more and more tasks around the plant were automated.

23. Beget

Definition: To beget is to bring something into existence; it can also imply the cause of something.
Example Sentence: Planting seeds in the spring is the only way to beget a harvest in the fall.

24. Benevolent

Definition: Benevolent means well-meaning and kindly or charitable towards others.
Example Sentence: When hard times hit the community, many people turned to the benevolent philanthropist who lived just outside of town. It was well known that he would help everyone he could.

25. Bestow

Definition: To bestow means to give something as a gift, often used in the context of formal honors or titles.
Example Sentence: After his heroic actions on the battlefield left him with grave injuries, the government bestowed upon the soldier the Purple Heart medal.

26. Biological

Definition: Biological relates to life and living organisms, often describing phenomena at the cellular or systemic level.
Example Sentence: When I broke my leg, my doctor explained the biological process my body would go through to bring about healing; it was really neat to learn!

27. Calibrate

Definition: To calibrate is to adjust a device or tool to ensure accuracy in its measurements.
Example Sentence: The old oven was in bad shape. When we set it to 350, it only reached 200. We called a repair person to calibrate the dial, and that fixed the problem.

28. Calisthenics

Definition: Calisthenics are exercises that utilize body weight for resistance, requiring no equipment.
Example Sentence: While the elderly man was past the point where he could lift heavy weights, he still stuck to the daily calisthenics routine that he had in the Army some 50 years earlier.

29. Capacity

Definition: The capacity of something is a measurable ability or potential, often referring to how much it can hold or manage.
Example Sentence: What the president was asking the man to do was far beyond his capacity; he would need to request backup.

30. Celestial

Definition: Celestial refers to anything related to outer space or the heavens.
Example Sentence: When studying astronomy, it is helpful to have a celestial map for reference.

31. Censure

Definition: To censure someone is to administer a formal expression of disapproval or reprimand.
Example Sentence: The young representative received a censure after his foolish and dangerous antics were published by a respectable newspaper.

32. Circulation

Definition: Circulation refers to the continuous movement of something through a system, often associated with blood flow in medical terms but could also refer to other movements.
Example Sentence: The circulation of rumors can be quite detrimental to a person’s reputation.

33. Coerce

Definition: To coerce means to compel someone to act in a certain way by the use of force or intimidation.
Example Sentence: When asking nicely fails to work, bad people often turn to coercion to get what they want.

34. Cognition

Definition: Cognition refers to the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.
Example Sentence: Getting plenty of sleep is instrumental in increasing one’s cognition.

35. Colloquial

Definition: Colloquial describes language that is used in everyday conversation rather than formal speech.
Example Sentence: When my turn came to speak to the foreign dignitary, I did my best to speak formally and avoid using colloquial language.

36. Commercial

Definition: Commercial pertains to trade or commerce, particularly in relation to the buying and selling of goods.
Example Sentence: Many companies now use overnight delivery to get their commercial goods to the customers who have ordered them.

37. Complementary

Definition: Complementary refers to items that go well with or enhance each other when paired together.
Example Sentence: Milk and cookies are complementary foods that I greatly enjoy eating simultaneously.

38. Complimentary

Definition: Complimentary refers to something that is provided free of charge or can also indicate a flattering remark.
Example Sentence: Compliments about your excellent work cost the teacher nothing—they are complimentary.

39. Conflate

Definition: To conflate means to mix or confuse two or more ideas or concepts, leading to misrepresented connections.
Example Sentence: Be careful not to conflate infatuation and love. That is a surefire way to end up with a broken heart.

40. Conjure

Definition: To conjure means to bring something to mind or to summon, often used in a mystical or magical context.
Example Sentence: If a small child demands candy when you have none, you might reply, “I’m afraid I can’t conjure up sweets out of thin air just because you want them.”

41. Consensus

Definition: A consensus is a general agreement among a group of people.
Example Sentence: In government, rarely is there a consensus; rather, there are a multitude of opinions vying to be heard.

42. Consequence

Definition: Consequences are the outcomes or repercussions of actions taken, which can be either positive or negative.
Example Sentence: If you fail to show up at practice, the consequence is that you don’t get to play.

43. Conservator

Definition: A conservator is an individual responsible for the preservation or protection of something, often in relation to art or cultural heritage.
Example Sentence: The art collection had a marvelous conservator who did all she could to ensure that the art would be enjoyed for many generations to come.

44. Constitution

Definition: The term constitution can refer to a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed; it can also describe an individual's physical state or health.
Example Sentences: The constitution of the carriage was not very sturdy, resulting in an accident. The delegate had a strong personal constitution, and he recovered easily in just a few days.

45. Contingent

Definition: Contingent describes something conditional or dependent upon certain criteria.
Example Sentence: I am planning on traveling to the capital to watch the soccer team play for the state title. That is contingent, of course, on us winning this last playoff game.

46. Conventional

Definition: Conventional means adhering to traditional standards or practices, often in a specific context.
Example Sentence: My family tends to be very conventional at Thanksgiving, always eating turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie.

47. Convey

Definition: To convey means to communicate or make an idea understood.
Example Sentence: Try as he might, the student teacher continually failed to convey his expectations to the class, resulting in a rather disorderly classroom experience.

48. Convoke

Definition: To convoke means to call a meeting or assembly.
Example Sentence: Convoke the leaders of the nations; we must come together or we shall surely perish.

49. Convulsion

Definition: A convulsion refers to a sudden violent movement or series of movements, often associated with seizures or spasms.
Example Sentence: The audience stared in amazement as the snake charmer’s snake exited the basket, its body racked with convulsions as it heard the mesmerizing music.

50. Cooperatively

Definition: Cooperatively means working together in a joint effort.
Example Sentence: During times of international crisis, it is best for governments to work cooperatively with one another.

51. Cultivate

Definition: To cultivate means to develop or foster growth in someone or something, such as skills, crops, or relationships.
Example Sentence: Holidays like the 4th of July and Labor Day cultivate a sense of patriotism in the population.

52. Dawdle

Definition: To dawdle means to waste time or move slowly without purpose.
Example Sentence: “Don’t dawdle or you’ll miss the school bus,” the grandfather called, as he turned around to see what was taking his grandchild so long.

53. Decipher

Definition: To decipher means to make sense of something that is difficult to understand or interpret, often used with codes or obscure texts.
Example Sentence: The store clerk looked puzzled as he tried to decipher why the customer in front of him was so upset.

54. Deficient

Definition: Deficient refers to a lack or absence of something necessary.
Example Sentence: The young man, while highly educated, had no work ethic. Due to this deficiency, he was nearly unemployable.

55. Degrade

Definition: To degrade means to break down or diminish in quality over time.
Example Sentence: While the engine was still sound, the body of the car had degraded to the point where it was no longer safe to drive.

56. Demur

Definition: To demur means to object or show reluctance to do something, often in a polite manner.
Example Sentence: When offered a second helping of food, the man politely demurred since he already felt full.

57. Desolation

Definition: Desolation describes a state of complete emptiness or destruction, often following devastation.
Example Sentence: War seemed more imminent each day, and families quickly began fleeing the city, worried at what seemed to be the certain desolation to come.

58. Despoil

Definition: To despoil means to steal or remove valuable items, often used in the context of war or invasion.
Example Sentence: The greedy criminals broke into the historic mansion to despoil it.

59. Deter

Definition: To deter means to discourage someone from taking an action, often through fear of negative consequences.
Example Sentence: The would-be bank robbers were deterred when they saw that security had been increased dramatically.

60. Disenfranchise

Definition: To disenfranchise means to deprive someone of a right or privilege, especially to vote.
Example Sentence: For most of human history, women were disenfranchised.

61. Disparity

Definition: Disparity refers to a great difference or inequality between two or more things.
Example Sentence: Small children are quick to point out any disparity between the dessert they receive and the dessert their brother or sister receives.

62. Disseminate

Definition: To disseminate means to spread or distribute something, often used in relation to information or knowledge.
Example Sentence: At the end of the security meeting, the participants were asked not to disseminate the knowledge that they had acquired, as doing so could put people in harm’s way.

63. Dissimilar

Definition: Dissimilar means not the same; different.
Example Sentence: While they had grown up in the same house, at the same time, with the same parents, the twins were quite dissimilar.

64. Diverge

Definition: To diverge means to move or extend in different directions or become different from a standard.
Example Sentence: Quite often, when students graduate, they diverge from their friends and move on with life.

65. Doctrine

Definition: A doctrine is a set of beliefs or principles held and taught by a group, often of religious or political nature.
Example Sentence: Some people do not stand for the pledge as it goes against their religious doctrine—this is their right under the First Amendment.

66. Doldrums

Definition: Doldrums describe a period marked by inactivity or stagnation, can also denote a state of sadness or depression.
Example Sentence: After his breakup, he entered a period of doldrums which lasted for several weeks.

67. Domestic

Definition: Domestic relates to home life or household affairs.
Example Sentence: Compared to the other families of 1900, their marriage was unconventional, with her working and bringing home a paycheck while he stayed home to attend to domestic matters.

68. Dominion

Definition: Dominion refers to controlling power or authority over someone or something.
Example Sentence: The king frequently exercised his dominion over the serfs to extract more and more work from them in less and less time.

69. Dubious

Definition: Dubious means doubtful or hesitating in opinion.
Example Sentence: While my friend was eager to explore the cave, I was much more dubious about doing so.

70. Earnest

Definition: To be earnest means to be serious in intention or effort; sincerely zealous.
Example Sentence: The young man spoke earnestly as he told her of his feelings and tried to convince her to accept his proposal.

71. Eddy

Definition: An eddy is a circular movement of water or air, often creating a small whirlpool.
Example Sentence: The boat, caught in a persistent eddy, appeared to be lost forever.

72. Effectual

Definition: Effectual means producing the desired result; effective.
Example Sentence: I have found that asking for help is far more effectual than simply waiting for someone to offer.

73. Efficacy

Definition: The efficacy of something relates to its capacity to produce a desired effect.
Example Sentence: The efficacy of the treatment came into question when the wound became infected instead of healing.

74. Efficient

Definition: Efficient describes a method or process that achieves maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.
Example Sentence: Jennifer completed her errands quite efficiently and was back at home just an hour after she had left.

75. Embellish

Definition: To embellish means to make something more attractive by adding decorative details or features.
Example Sentence: The seamstress told embellished tales of her youth while embellishing the wedding dress with thousands of tiny pearl beads.

76. Emit

Definition: Emit means to give off or release a substance, usually a gas or light.
Example Sentence: After having been sprayed by a skunk, the puppy emitted a horrid smell for several days to come.

77. Empathize

Definition: To empathize means to understand and share the feelings of another.
Example Sentence: The storm damage to the home caused an outpouring of support from their neighbors, who empathized with the now-struggling family.

78. Endearing

Definition: Endearing refers to qualities that inspire affection or warm feelings.
Example Sentence: When I joined my new school, I was seated next to a small girl with pigtails. She had the most endearing personality, and we soon became great friends.

79. Endeavor

Definition: To endeavor means to try hard to achieve something. It can also refer to an attempt or effort.
Example Sentence: Once the rain stops, we will endeavor to get the garden planted.

80. Endow

Definition: To endow means to provide or give qualities or characteristics, often used in the context of grants or gifts.
Example Sentence: (From the Declaration of Independence) "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

81. Enhance

Definition: To enhance means to improve or augment, particularly in quality, value, or extent.
Example Sentence: The coach added a few trick plays to the book in order to enhance our chances of success.

82. Enterprise

Definition: An enterprise refers to a project or venture, especially one that is ambitious or challenging.
Example Sentence: The process of building and moving to a whole new school in just a year was quite a difficult enterprise; however, the school board was committed to it as it was seen as the best option for student education.

83. Entice

Definition: To entice means to attract someone by offering something appealing.
Example Sentence: When the workers dragged their feet getting a project done, the manager enticed them to finish by promising an extra vacation day to whoever completed their portion first.

84. Entrenched

Definition: Entrenched means to be firmly established and difficult to change, especially in attitudes or beliefs.
Example Sentence: Some people believe debates are essentially useless since both parties often begin the debate already so entrenched in their ideas that they won’t even listen to the other debater.

85. Ephemeral

Definition: Ephemeral describes something transitory, lasting for a very short time.
Example Sentence: The rainbow—one of the most beautiful natural phenomena—is quite ephemeral and generally disappears within just a few short minutes.

86. Evince

Definition: To evince means to express or reveal clearly.
Example Sentence: The actions of the government as it tries and fails to help time and again evince anger and frustration.

87. Expenditure

Definition: An expenditure refers to the act of spending money or resources.
Example Sentence: Buying all new china was an extravagant expenditure, but the noble felt it was necessary since he would be entertaining a duchess.

88. Explanatory

Definition: Explanatory means intended to explain something or provide clarity.
Example Sentence: Quite often, students skip over explanatory examples and jump straight to the work; this is generally a mistake.

89. Extensive

Definition: Extensive indicates something far-reaching, widespread, or thorough.
Example Sentence: Due to extensive cheating, the teacher shredded the tests and instead made each student meet with her for an oral examination of their knowledge.

90. Feature

Definition: A feature is a distinctive attribute or aspect of something; it can refer to a characteristic of a product or service.
Example Sentence: I was excited to check out all of the new features on my phone upgrade.

91. Feeble

Definition: To be feeble means to be weak or lacking strength.
Example Sentence: The feeble elderly couple often needed their neighbors’ help with the landscaping.

92. Fetter

Definition: To fetter means to restrain or restrict someone or something from achieving their goals.
Example Sentence: While I love my parents, living under their rules often leaves me