SAT vocab (A)
abolish (verb) – to officially end or stop (something, such as a law); to completely do away with (something).
Example: The government abolished slavery in 1865.
Related: abolition (noun), abolitionism (noun)
abrupt (adjective) – sudden and unexpected.
Example: The car came to an abrupt stop.
Related: abruptly (adv.), abruptness (noun)
abundant (adjective) – existing or available in large quantities.
Example: There is abundant evidence to support the claim.
Related: abundance (noun)
accessible (adjective) – easy to reach or get to.
Example: The library is accessible to all members of the community.
Related: access (verb), accessibility (noun)
accommodate (verb) – provide a place or means of living for.
Example: The hotel can accommodate 200 guests.
Related: accomodations (noun), accomodating (adj.)
accumulate (verb) – gather or collect over time.
Example: The snow accumulated on the ground.
Related: accumulation (noun), cumulative (adj.)
accustomed (adjective) – used to or familiar with something.
Example: I am accustomed to getting up early.
acknowledge (verb) – admit the truth or existence of something.
Example: The teacher acknowledged that the student was correct.
Related: acknowledgment (noun)
acquire (verb) – get or obtain (something) as one’s own.
Example: The company acquired a new subsidiary.
Related: acquisition (noun), acquisitive (adj.)
adamant (adjective) – not able to be persuaded or moved.
Example: The president was adamant about his decision.
adequate (adjective) – sufficient or enough.
Example: The food was adequate, but not particularly good.
Related: adequacy (noun), inadequate (adj.)
adhere (verb) – stick to or follow closely.
Example: The students adhered to the rules of the classroom.
Related: adhesion (noun), adhesive (noun and adj.)
adjacent (adjective) – next to or close to something else.
Example: The two houses are adjacent to each other.
Related: adjacency (noun)
adverse (adjective) – unfavorable or harmful.
Example: The weather conditions were adverse, and the flight was cancelled.
advocate (verb) – speak or write in favor of something.
Example: The lawyer advocated for the rights of the accused.
Related: advocate (noun), advocacy (noun)
affinity (noun) – a natural liking or attraction for someone or something.
Example: There is an affinity between the two countries.
aggravate (verb) – make (something bad) worse.
Example: The noise from the construction site aggravated her headache.
Related: aggravation (noun), aggravating (adj.)
agitation (noun) – a state of excitement or disturbance.
Example: The crowd was in a state of agitation after the news of the terrorist attack.
Related: agitated (adj.)
allocate (verb) – distribute or apportion (something) to a particular person or purpose.
Example: The government allocated funds for education.
Related: allocation (noun)
alteration (noun) – a change or modification.
Example: The dress needed some alterations before it could be worn.
Related: alter (verb), altered (adj.)
ambiguous (adjective) – having two or more possible meanings and therefore open to interpretation.
Example: The ambiguous statement left the audience confused.
Related: ambiguity (noun)
ambitious (adjective) – having a strong desire to achieve success.
Example: The ambitious young executive was determined to make a name for herself.
Related: ambition (noun)
ambivalent (adjective) – having mixed feelings or contradictory emotions about something.
Example: The politician was ambivalent about the proposed legislation.
Related: ambivalence (adj.)
ameliorate (verb) –
amend (verb) – make changes to (a document or text) in order to correct errors or improve it.
Example: The constitution was amended to include the right to vote for women.
Related: amendment (noun), amends (noun, as in “make amends”)
ample (adjective) – more than enough.
Example: The company has ample resources to continue its operations.
animosity (noun) – strong or bitter hatred or hostility.
Example: The two countries have a long history of animosity.
Related: animus (noun)
annotate (verb) – provide (a text) with notes or comments.
Example: The professor annotated the student’s paper with suggestions for improvement.
Related: annotation (noun)
annual (adjective) – happening or done once a year.
Example: The company’s annual report was released yesterday.
Related: annualize (verb)
anomaly (noun) – something that is abnormal or unusual.
Example: The weather anomaly caused widespread flooding.
Related: anomalous (adj.)
Root: nom- (“law or rule”)
antagonize (verb) – deliberately provoke or annoy (someone).
Example: The politician’s comments
Related: antagonism (noun)
antecedent (noun) –
antipathy (noun) – a strong dislike or aversion.
Example: The teacher had an antipathy towards the student.
Related: sympathy, empathy, etc.
Root: path- (“feeling”)
apathetic (adjective) – showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
Example: The apathetic audience didn’t even applaud after the performance.
Related: apathy (noun)
Root: path- (“feeling”)
apex (noun) – the highest point or summit.
Example: The mountain’s apex was covered in snow.
Related: apical (adj.)
apprehensive (adjective) – feeling or showing worry or anxiety.
Example: The student was apprehensive about taking the test.
Related: apprehension (noun)
arbitrary (adjective) – based on or determined by individual judgment or preference, rather than by any reason or system.
Example: The teacher’s grading was arbitrary, and the students were never sure how they were doing.
Related: arbitrate (verb)
arcane (adjective) – known or understood by only a few people.
Example: The ancient texts were arcane, and the scholars struggled to decipher them.
Related: arcana (noun)
arduous (adjective) – requiring great physical or mental effort.
Example: The climb up the mountain was arduous, and the hikers were exhausted by the time they reached the top.
aromatic (adjective) – having a pleasant or strong smell.
Example: The aromatic candles filled the room with a sweet scent.
Related: aroma (noun)
assuage (verb) – to make (an unpleasant feeling or situation) less severe or intense.
Example: The doctor gave the patient medication to assuage her pain.
attribute (verb) – regard (something) as being caused by (someone or something).
Example: The police attributed the crime to a gang of teenagers.
Related: attribute (noun), attribution (noun)
atypical (adjective) – not typical or normal.
Example: The patient’s symptoms were atypical, and the doctors were unable to diagnose her.
augment (verb) – increase or add to (something).
Example: The company augmented its workforce by hiring 100 new employees.
Related: augmentation (noun)
austere (adjective) – severe or strict in manner or appearance.
Example: The monk’s life was austere, and he lived on a very simple diet.
Related: austerity (noun)
autonomous (adjective) – able to operate independently or without outside control.
Example: The autonomous car was able to navigate the streets without human input.
Related: autonomy (noun)