A lot of students immediately think of vocabulary when they hear the word SAT. But are SAT vocab words really that important for doing well on the test? Kind of. If you’re aiming for a high score, you’ll definitely want to spend some time learning key SAT words.
In this guide, we give you a comprehensive list of 262 of the most common SAT vocabulary words. We also explain how vocab is tested on the SAT, what types of questions you’ll see, and how to get the most out of your vocab prep.
How Is Vocabulary Tested on the SAT?
The SAT underwent a significant redesign in 2016, and since then vocabulary has become a far less important part of the test. This is because there are fewer vocabulary questions on the current SAT than there were on the old SAT.
That said, it’ll still benefit you to study vocab, especially if you’re aiming for a high or perfect score.
All SAT words are about medium difficulty and are tested in the context of reading passages, so you’ll get not just a sentence but an entire paragraph or passage to work with.
Context clues make memorizing SAT vocab words less important on the current SAT than it was on the old SAT, back when you had to memorize dozens of obscure words and answer questions that dealt with isolated sentences (these were called Sentence Completion problems). This made vocab questions particularly hard since you were given minimal context with which to solve them.
What Do SAT Vocabulary Questions Look Like?
Purely vocabulary-based questions don’t make up a large part of the SAT. Based on our analysis of official SAT practice tests, 13% of the Reading section (or about seven questions) ask you to match a word with its correct meaning. We call these Words in Context questions.
For these questions, you’ll need to know alternative meanings of relatively common words, such as “directly” and “hold.” While you might come across slightly more difficult SAT words, you generally shouldn’t see any as hard as those on the old SAT.
Here’s an example of a Reading vocabulary question (with the relevant part of the passage shown):
In addition to Words in Context questions, you’ll get questions that require you to pick a single word or phrase in order to paraphrase or clarify part of a passage. With these questions, you must understand what all the SAT vocab words mean so that you can choose the right answer.
Here are some examples of these questions:
In these examples, you’ll need to know the definitions of a variety of SAT vocabulary words, such as “substantiated,” “freewheeling,” and “scandalous,” so that you can select the right answer choice.
Are There Any Vocab Questions on SAT Writing?
Aside from the Reading section, are there any SAT vocab questions on the Writing and Language section? The quick answer is yes—you will see vocab questions on Writing and Language.
While most questions in this section focus on grammar, transitions, and tense, you’ll also get some vocab questions that ask you to replace SAT words in a passage; we call these Precision questions. In total, you’ll get three Precision questions, making up about 7% of the SAT Writing section.
Here’s an example of a Precision question (with the relevant part of the passage shown):
262 SAT Vocab Words You’re Bound to See on Test Day
Now that you know what kinds of vocab questions are on the SAT, let’s go over the 262 words and definitions we suggest memorizing if you want to get high scores on SAT Reading and Writing.
To compile this list, we dug through all official SAT practice tests, looking at both the Reading and Writing sections (and not just the questions but the answer choices and passages, too). We also looked at SAT words from other online vocab lists.
Though you don’t need to memorize all the words below, familiarizing yourself with most of them should help you better identify the tones of passages and make you more efficient at interpreting and answering questions correctly on SAT Reading and Writing.
Below, we give you each word, its part of speech, its definition, and an example sentence (or more if the word has multiple definitions/parts of speech). All words are listed in alphabetical order.
Word |
Definition |
Example Sentence |
Abate |
v. to become less active, less intense, or less in amount |
As I began my speech, my feelings of nervousness quickly abated. |
Abstract |
adj. existing purely in the mind; not representing actual reality |
Julie had trouble understanding the appeal of the abstract painting. |
Abysmal |
adj. extremely bad |
I got an abysmal grade on my research paper! |
Accordingly |
adv. in accordance with |
All students must behave accordingly. |
Acquisition |
n. the act of gaining a skill or possession of something |
Language acquisition is easier for kids than it is for adults. |
Adapt |
v. to make suit a new purpose v. to accommodate oneself to a new condition, setting, or situation |
The US has adapted many foreign foods to better suit the tastes of Americans. Dogs are known for their ability to quickly adapt to their environments. |
Adept |
adj. having knowledge or skill (usu. in a particular area) |
Beth loves playing the piano, but she’s especially adept at the violin. |
Adequate |
adj. having sufficient qualifications to meet a specific task or purpose |
Though his resume was adequate, the company doubted whether he’d be a good fit. |
Advent |
n. the arrival or creation of something (usu. historic) |
The world has never been the same since the advent of the light bulb. |
Adversarial |
adj. relating to hostile opposition |
An adversarial attitude will make you many enemies in life. |
Advocate |
n. someone who promotes or defends something v. to defend or promote something (usu. a belief, theory, opinion, etc.) |
I am an advocate for free higher education. Environmental protesters often advocate for cleaner energy practices. |
Aesthetic |
adj. relating to beauty or refined taste |
The aesthetic decorations at the wedding reception made you feel as if you were a character in a fairy tale. |
Afford |
v. to be able to buy v. to be able to spare |
He’s saving money so he can afford to buy a new car. I can’t afford to lose any more pencils! |
Agitate |
v. to promote something (usu. a cause) |
They’re agitating for better health care. |
Allow |
v. to permit or consent to |
US law allows citizens to speak freely. |
Allude |
v. to make a secretive mention of something |
She alluded to the problem at hand but didn’t say anything more about it. |
Altercation |
n. a noisy argument or confrontation |
Greg got into an altercation with a stranger at the bar. |
Ambiguous |
adj. unclear or vague in meaning |
Her ambiguous statement made me question whether she could be trusted. |
Ambitious |
adj. having a powerful desire for success or achievement |
Penny is so ambitious, she wants to be president someday. |
Ambivalence |
n. the state of being uncertain or stuck between two or more options |
His ambivalence prevented him from immediately signing the contract. |
Analogous |
adj. similar but not identical |
Green onions are considered analogous to spring onions. |
Annihilate |
v. to destroy or cause devastating destruction |
The dictator sent orders to annihilate the group of rebels. |
Anomaly |
n. something different from the norm |
This result is an anomaly and very rarely happens. |
Anticipate |
v. assume to be likely to happen |
The party was just as fun as I had anticipated it would be. |
Antipathy |
n. a strong feeling of dislike |
Her antipathy toward the professor was obvious: she rolled her eyes whenever he entered the classroom. |
Apex |
n. the highest point of something |
The spring play was the apex of our school year. |
Apprehension |
n. fearful expectation of something |
Her apprehension to leave her house resulted in her missing the train. |
Articulate |
v. to clearly express in words |
She articulated her opinion on the price of the house. |
Artificial |
adj. something made; not occurring naturally |
Many candies use artificial flavors to make them taste fruity. |
Assertion |
n. a strong declaration |
His assertion that sharks are mammals made everyone laugh. |
Austere |
adj. extremely plain adj. stern and forbidding adj. relating to self-denial |
He lived in a small, austere cabin in the middle of the woods. My boss had an austere expression on her face. An austere lifestyle, like that of monks, isn’t for everybody. |
Authenticity |
n. the quality of being real and true instead of fake and contrived |
The police officer doubted the authenticity of the suspect’s story. |
Avenue |
n. an intangible path or approach to something |
The company has decided to pursue other avenues. |
Avid |
adj. actively interested in or enthusiastic about something |
Gerald is an avid soccer fan. |
Basic |
adj. relating to the foundation or basis of something |
You have to start with basic Russian before you can move on to the advanced level. |
Bear |
v. to have as a characteristic v. to have (a child) v. to bring forth v. to put up with |
She bears a strong resemblance to your mother. Judy will bear her first child later this year. My garden is going to bear pumpkins this year. I can’t bear her complaining any longer! |
Benevolent |
adj. kind, generous |
Many cultures believe in benevolent spirits. |
Bias |
n. a preconception that prevents objectivity |
It’s important to avoid bias when investigating a crime. |
Bittersweet |
adj. tinged with a feeling of sadness |
The ending of the romance movie was bittersweet. |
Bolster |
v. to support, strengthen, or fortify |
If we work together, we should be able to lift and then bolster the couch. |
Boost |
n. an increase or growth v. to increase or make grow |
The boost in profits was a welcome change. In order to boost profits, you need to cater to your customers. |
Brawl |
n. an intense, loud fight v. to fight loudly and disruptively |
A brawl broke out at school today after one student accused another of cheating. The two students brawled for an hour. |
Brevity |
n. the quality of being brief or terse |
The brevity of their time together made it all the more romantic. |
Candid |
adj. direct, blunt |
Josh is candid about his desire to become an actor. |
Candor |
n. the trait of being honest and frank |
I admire her candor, especially when nobody else bothers to speak up. |
Capitalize |
v. to use to your advantage |
I’d like to capitalize on your math skills by having your work the cash register. |
Capture |
v. to trap or take possession of v. to successfully represent or imitate v. to captivate, mesmerize v. to catch or seize |
The spy was captured by the enemy. Your painting beautifully captures the ephemerality of life. I was captured by her beauty. The cops captured the criminal three days after the incident. |
Civic |
adj. relating to the city or citizens |
Voting is a civic duty. |
Clinical |
adj. emotionally unattached (usu. used in medical or scientific setting) |
Her clinical approach to situations allows her to handle them more effectively. |
Clout |
n. special advantage or power |
Children of rich and famous people often believe they have a lot of clout. |
Coarse |
adj. indicating a rough texture adj. lacking refinement or sophistication |
The horse’s mane was coarse, as if it had never been washed. The queen’s coarse way of speaking surprised the other members of royalty. |
Coincide |
v. to happen at the same time |
It wasn’t until after I booked my ticket that I realized the concert coincided with my finals. |
Commission |
n. the use of payment to request something (e.g., a service or product) |
This painting was commissioned by a rich merchant in 1589. |
Comparable |
adj. able to be compared |
This novel is comparable to Huckleberry Finn. |
Competent |
adj. sufficiently qualified |
We need to hire a competent web developer to create a good website for our company. |
Complacent |
adj. satisfied, with no desire to change or improve |
Though he had never won any awards or even been published, he was complacent with his life as a poet. |
Complement |
v. to make perfect or complete |
This wine perfectly complements this platter of gourmet cheese. |
Concede |
v. to be forced to agree or surrender v. to admit to a transgression |
With no chance of winning the battle, the army at last conceded. Dan conceded to pranking his sister. |
Conceive |
v. to imagine or come up with |
The plan to build the city was originally conceived in the early 1900s. |
Condone |
v. to overlook, approve, or allow |
She couldn’t condone her daughter’s rebellious behavior. |
Conducive |
adj. able to bring about or be suitable for |
The noisy students hardly made the campus library conducive to studying. |
Conduct |
v. to control or manage v. to behave a certain way |
The group conducted their research abroad last year. Be sure to conduct yourself accordingly. |
Confide |
v. to share something secretive with someone |
She confided all of her biggest secrets in her best friend. |
Confine |
v. to put limits on; to restrict |
We are going to confine the use of this drinking fountain. |
Consensus |
n. overall agreement |
After weeks of debating, the panel finally came to a consensus. |
Constitute |
v. to form or compose (part of) something |
The desire for equality constituted the civil rights movement. |
Contemplate |
v. to think deeply about |
She contemplated telling her teacher about the cheating student. |
Contend |
v. to maintain or assert (an opinion) |
The president contends that the US government will not negotiate with terrorists. |
Contradict |
v. to be in contrast with |
The camera footage contradicts his alibi. |
Controversial |
adj. highly debatable and causing contention |
Millions of viewers watched the controversial debate take place. |
Conventional |
adj. abiding by accepted standards |
She lives a conventional life in the suburbs. |
Convey |
v. to pass on or transfer (information) |
I have trouble conveying my thoughts in French. |
Conviction |
n. a firm belief in something |
Her religious convictions prevent her from eating meat. |
Corroborate |
v. to provide evidence for; to back up (a claim) |
The note signed by her father corroborates her claim that she was absent from class that day. |
Counteract |
v. to work in opposition to |
This ingredient seems to counteract the other ones. |
Counterargument |
n. an argument used to criticize or dismantle another argument |
Make sure to include a counterargument in your essay so that you can show you’ve considered the topic from all perspectives. |
Counterproductive |
adj. hindering the achievement of a goal |
Bill’s idea to take a shortcut was ultimately counterproductive: it took us twice as long to get to the train station. |
Culmination |
n. the final act or climax |
The culmination of the performance was unforgettable. |
Cultivate |
v. to foster the growth of |
Teachers don’t just pass on new information to students—they cultivate their academic potential. |
Decree |
v. to declare formally and with authority |
The president decreed that Halloween would henceforth be a national holiday. |
Deference |
n. respect; regard |
Her deference to the elderly makes her the perfect candidate for an internship at the retirement center. |
Deficient |
adj. not enough in degree or amount |
I feel as though the sources for my paper are deficient. |
Demonstrate |
v. to do as an example v. gives evidence for |
Could you demonstrate the dance move for me? This book’s use of words such as “grim” and “bleak” demonstrates the author’s mournful tone. |
Demur |
v. to object to |
She demurred at my request to transfer to a different department. |
Deplete |
v. to (over)use over time (usu. resources) |
The lost campers quickly depleted their supply of food. |
Desolate |
adj. bare, barren, empty |
The moon is one giant, desolate landscape. |
Devise |
v. to come up with (a plan) |
Lana devised a plan to make herself famous. |
Dilemma |
n. a problem, usually requiring a choice between two options |
The main dilemma is whether to pay for a commercial or not. |
Diligence |
n. conscientiousness; the quality of being committed to a task |
Diligence and confidence will get you far in life. |
Diminish |
v. to become smaller in scope or degree |
The itchiness of mosquito bites usually starts to diminish after a few days. |
Dire |
adj. hopeless and dangerous or fearful |
When the police didn’t explain what was happening right away, Jane knew that the situation must be dire. |
Discord |
n. disagreement |
Disputes over money caused intense discord in the family. |
Disdain |
n. a lack of respect and strong dislike (toward something or someone) |
He looked at me with such disdain that I immediately knew the job wouldn’t work out. |
Dismay |
n. hopelessness, stress, or consternation v. to fill with woe or apprehension |
To Nick’s dismay, he got an F on the test. Many were dismayed by the town’s implementation of metered parking. |
Disparage |
v. to belittle or speak down to |
A good boss is stern but never disparages his or her employees. |
Dispatch |
v. to send off a message or messenger |
The mother dispatched her daughter to their neighbor’s house. |
Diversification |
n. the act of becoming diverse |
Lately, there’s been noticeable diversification of students at higher institutions. |
Doctrine |
n. a principle, theory, or position, usu. advocated by a religion or gov’t |
Devoutly religious people often live their lives according to their doctrines. |
Dominion |
n. power and authority (usu. over a territory) n. a legal territory |
The country claimed to have dominion over parts of Russia. Puerto Rico is a dominion of the US. |
Dreary |
adj. sad, gloomy, dull |
The gray clouds in the sky made the day feel dreary. |
Dubious |
adj. doubtful, questionable |
The man’s claims to the throne were dubious since nobody knew where he’d come from. |
Eccentric |
adj. peculiar or odd; deviating from the norm |
She’s a little eccentric but still fun to be around. |
Egregious |
adj. extremely bad |
After cheating on the exam, Emily began to feel as though she’d made an egregious mistake. |
Eloquent |
adj. having refined or expressive communication skills (in speaking or writing) |
His speech was not only eloquent but also extremely compelling. |
Eminent |
adj. superior or distinguished; high in position or status |
Our town made news when the eminent magician came to perform at our local theater. |
Emit |
v. to discharge, give forth, or release |
Plants consume carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. |
Emphatic |
adj. very expressive; using emphasis |
Her emphatic smile told me she was excited to ride the roller coaster. |
Empirical |
adj. derived from experience, observation, or an experiment |
You need empirical evidence to support your claim. |
Endow |
v. to equip or bestow (usu. a quality or ability) |
According to the myth, the gods endowed him with the gift of healing. |
Endure |
v. to withstand, sustain, or hold out against |
I can’t endure this wait any longer. Will Stanford accept or reject me? |
Entail |
v. to involve or include |
A doctoral program entails long nights and a heavy workload. |
Entrenched |
adj. firmly established |
Her face will forever be entrenched in my memory. |
Enumerate |
v. to specify or count |
I can’t enumerate how many times I’ve had to remind my students when their papers are due. |
Envy |
n. excessive jealousy v. to admire and be jealous of |
His envy of her is quite obvious. She envies her coworker’s social skills. |
Erratic |
adj. having no fixed course; deviating from the norm |
The car became erratic after slipping on ice. |
Establish |
v. to enact v. to found (a business, group, school, etc.) |
They established a law that made it illegal to drive after drinking any amount of alcohol. Our group established a new branch in Chicago. |
Evoke |
v. to draw forth or call up |
Horror movies are great at evoking fear. |
Exacerbate |
v. to make worse or increase the severity of |
The doctor told me not to run as it can exacerbate my knee injury. |
Excel |
v. to do something extremely well or to be superior in |
She was a well-rounded student but excelled especially in science. |
Exert |
v. to put into use (usu. as effort) |
Don’t exert all of your energy at once. |
Exhilarating |
adj. invigorating, stimulating, or exciting |
The music playing at the club was catchy and exhilarating. |
Expend |
v. to use up (as in energy or money) |
Be careful not to expend all your energy in the first half of a marathon. |
Exploit |
v. to use selfishly or for profit |
The shoddy company exploited its workers by paying them extremely low wages. |
Facilitate |
v. to aid the progress of |
In grad school, advisors facilitate students’ research and offer constructive criticism. |
Feasibility |
n. the practicality or possibility of something |
The feasibility of her project was doubtful; she’d have to go all the way to Antarctica and back before the school year ended. |
Ferocity |
n. viciousness, violence |
The lion is just one wild animal known for its ferocity. |
Fiscal |
adj. related to (government) money |
Fiscal policy is how the government uses money to influence the economy. |
Flourish |
v. to prosper, grow, or make fast progress |
After one year, the tiny plants had flourished into a breathtaking garden. |
Fluctuate |
v. to be unstable; to rise and fall |
Stocks can fluctuate on a daily basis, making it difficult to determine when to buy or sell one. |
Foment |
v. to stir up |
The civilians accused their leader of fomenting political unrest. |
Foreseeable |
adj. capable of being predicted or anticipated |
I can’t imagine aliens visiting us in the foreseeable future. |
Frankly |
adv. directly, clearly |
I frankly don’t see the point in learning to drive. |
Freewheeling |
adj. carefree |
His freewheeling attitude often got him in trouble at work. |
Fundamental |
adj. the most essential or most basic part |
A thesis is arguably the most fundamental part of an essay. |
Galvanizing |
adj. thrilling, exciting, stimulating |
The galvanizing performance left everyone spellbound. |
Geriatric |
adj. relating to old age |
I became interested in geriatric medicine shortly after my grandfather passed away from cancer. |
Hostile |
adj. harmful, dangerous |
The voices around the corner sounded angry, hostile even. |
Hypothetical |
adj. supposed; related to a hypothesis |
For my physics homework, I must come up with a hypothetical situation. |
Ignominious |
adj. publicly shameful or humiliating |
The politician’s expensive campaign ultimately ended in ignominious defeat. |
Impart |
v. to transmit, bestow, or disclose |
Parents must impart common sense to their children. |
Impartiality |
n. the equal and objective treatment of opposing views |
To ensure impartiality, we require everyone to follow these general guidelines. |
Imposing |
adj. impressive (esp. in size or appearance) |
The old mansion was imposing in its huge size and gothic architecture. |
Imposition |
n. an unnecessary burden |
If it’s not too much of an imposition, could you proofread my paper? |
Imprudent |
adj. not cautious or prudent; rash |
Backpacking abroad can be fun, but don’t be imprudent about money. |
Incite |
v. to encourage or stir up |
Her hateful words incited anger in the crowd. |
Indifference |
n. apathy, emotional detachment |
The girl’s indifference toward her brother upset their parents. |
Indiscriminately |
adv. randomly; with little or no distinction |
Lottery winners are chosen indiscriminately. |
Indulge |
v. to give into; to satisfy or gratify |
My friend loves to indulge in cheesy romance movies. |
Infer |
v. to guess, conclude, or derive by reasoning |
You can infer from this quotation that the writer didn’t care for “pretty” language. |
Innovative |
adj. novel or new (esp. as an idea or invention) |
Her invention was incredibly innovative and won her multiple awards. |
Insatiable |
adj. can’t be satisfied |
A vampire’s thirst for blood is said to be insatiable. |
Inversion |
n. a reversal |
The culture’s norms were an inversion of our own. |
Invoke |
v. to call on; to appeal to (e.g., a higher power) |
The shaman attempted to invoke a demon. |
Irreconcilable |
adj. incapable of being in harmony or agreed upon |
The couple’s differences were ultimately irreconcilable, giving them no choice but to break up. |
Lament |
v. to feel sorrow for; to mourn |
Susan lamented her missed chance at going to Europe with her high school class. |
Locomotion |
n. movement |
Physics involves the study of locomotion. |
Lucrative |
adj. capable of making a lot of money; profitable |
Writing books isn’t a particularly lucrative career, unless you’re J.K. Rowling. |
Malicious |
adj. harmful, spiteful |
The malicious spirit drove out the inhabitants from their home. |
Malleable |
adj. capable of being molded or changed |
Children’s minds are malleable but only for so long. |
Materialistic |
adj. superficial; focus on material possessions |
Many people accuse Americans of being materialistic. |
Melodramatic |
adj. extravagant or exaggerated (as of a melodrama) |
The melodramatic play was well liked by the audience. |
Modest |
adj. simple and humble adj. small in size or amount |
They moved into a modest house in the countryside. I received a modest sum of money for my help at the company event. |
Modify |
v. to change, alter, or tweak |
Dr. Nguyen modified the gene so that it wouldn’t carry the disease. |
Momentous |
adj. historically significant |
Her win in the election was momentous. |
Novel |
adj. new, innovative |
We are looking for novel ways to approach the project. |
Nuance |
n. a subtle difference in meaning |
Body-language experts even understand the nuances of facial expressions. |
Null |
adj. legally void and ineffective |
The government declared their marriage null. |
Objectivity |
n. judgment based on observations instead of emotions or opinions |
In scientific research, objectivity is of utmost importance. |
Obsolete |
adj. no longer used; rare or uncommon |
Historians assumed record players would be obsolete by now, but in fact they’re making a huge comeback. |
Omnipotent |
adj. almighty and all powerful |
Gods are omnipotent beings who can control human destiny. |
Onset |
n. the beginning or early stages |
At the onset of her career as a lawyer, things were looking up. |
Opine |
v. to openly express an opinion |
The new employee opined at the company meeting. |
Ornate |
adj. highly detailed and decorated |
That ornate silverware must be worth thousands of dollars! |
Oust |
v. to remove or force out of (usu. a position or office) |
Sick and tired of putting up with his bad moods, the pirates ousted their captain. |
Paramount |
adj. predominant, superior, most important |
Our paramount concern is the safety of our employees. |
Peculiar |
adj. strange, bizarre |
Upon entering the abandoned house, Kate experienced a peculiar feeling, as if someone was watching her. |
Perish |
v. to die; to pass away |
According to the news, nobody perished in the fire. |
Persecute |
v. to cause suffering to |
They will persecute anyone who doesn’t agree with their views of the world. |
Petulant |
adj. cranky, pouty, irritable |
Petulant children are especially difficult to care for. |
Pinnacle |
n. highest level or degree |
Many believe that composers such as Beethoven and Mozart represent the pinnacle of classical music. |
Pitiable |
adj. deserving pity |
The frail-looking dog was pitiable, so I gave it some food and took it inside to care for it. |
Plausible |
adj. reasonable and possibly true |
Her story is plausible, but that doesn’t mean she’s telling the truth. |
Postulate |
v. to assert |
The literary critic postulates that romanticism and naturalism are actually interconnected. |
Potent |
adj. having great influence adj. having a strong, chemical effect |
The bald eagle is a potent symbol of the US. The potion was definitely potent—it healed my wounds immediately! |
Pragmatic |
adj. practical, useful |
It’s not necessarily more pragmatic to study engineering than it is to study philosophy. |
Precedent |
n. an example or subject from earlier in time |
This change in law is without historical precedent. |
Predecessor |
n. someone who comes before you (usu. in position or office) |
My predecessor gave me many tips for running the office. |
Prescribe |
v. to command orders v. to issue authorization for medications |
The directions for our essay prescribe a length of at least ten pages. A doctor must prescribe you this medication before you can begin taking it. |
Principle |
n. basic truth, assumption, or rule |
Remember the universal principle: treat others as you want them to treat you. |
Prohibit |
v. to command against, to outlaw |
Alcohol was prohibited in the US in the 1920s. |
Prompt |
adj. punctual, on time n. a cue to begin something; instructions v. to incite, propel, or cause to act |
She is always prompt when it comes to turning in her homework. I had to write an essay based on a prompt. The possibility of a scholarship prompted him to apply to Harvard. |
Promulgate |
v. to put into law or formally declare |
The ruler will at last promulgate an amnesty with the neighboring countries. |
Prosecute |
v. to bring criminal action against someone (in a trial) |
The suspect was prosecuted yesterday. |
Provocative |
adj. intending to provoke, inspire, or arouse |
Her nude paintings are considered quite provocative. |
Qualitative |
adj. involving qualities of something (features and content) |
I noticed a qualitative change in her paintings. |
Quantitative |
adj. involving quantities (numbers and amounts) |
We must conduct a quantitative analysis. |
Quirk |
n. a strange habit |
His biggest quirk is his love of old marbles. |
Ramify |
v. to split into two or more branches |
Cars ramified throughout the world in the twentieth century. |
Rash |
adj. without attention to danger or risk |
Her rash decision to pass the car nearly resulted in a crash. |
Raw |
adj. unrefined adj. not processed; uncooked (as in food) |
He’s got raw talent as a singer, but he needs to work on his performance skills. In some countries, such as Japan, it is normal to eat raw fish. |
Readily |
adv. right away and without difficulty |
Water was readily available at different points in the race. |
Reconsideration |
n. thinking again about a previously made choice |
The judges’ reconsideration of her performance resulted in her victory. |
Reform |
n. a change for the better; improvement v. to improve via change |
The reform made it so that only those 18 and older can legally drive. The government reformed its vague policies on marijuana use. |
Refute |
v. to prove to be untrue, unfounded, or incorrect |
The student refuted the professor’s claim in class. |
Reinforce |
v. to strengthen or add support to |
We can use these pipes to reinforce the structure. |
Reluctantly |
adv. somewhat unwillingly |
Max reluctantly agreed to see the horror movie with his friends. |
Renounce |
v. to give up (usu. power or a position) v. to cast off |
Our CEO renounced her position yesterday. He renounced his friend after he caught her stealing money from him. |
Reproach |
v. to criticize |
The mother reproached her daughter’s school for making students come in during a blizzard. |
Repudiate |
v. to refuse to recognize as true v. to cast off |
The father repudiated his son’s marriage. She repudiated her son once she found out he’d married someone without telling her. |
Retention |
n. the act of keeping something |
Water retention can make you weigh more on certain days. |
Satiated |
adj. satisfied (usu. in hunger) |
I felt satiated after eating a snack. |
Savvy |
adj. having practical intelligence or knowledge |
My brother is not very savvy when it comes to using public transportation. |
Scandalous |
adj. morally offensive, often causing damage to one’s reputation |
The scandalous politician decided it was best to resign from office. |
Scorn |
v. to look down on with disdain |
It’s difficult for me not to scorn those who use improper grammar. |
Scrupulous |
adj. paying great attention to detail |
I am a scrupulous proofreader and never miss an error. |
Scrutinize |
v. to examine carefully and critically |
The teacher scrutinized her students’ essays. |
Secrete |
v. to produce or release (a substance) |
Trees secrete a sticky substance called sap. |
Sentiment |
n. opinion n. a tender or moving gesture |
I am of the sentiment that you should never give out your passwords to anyone. Even though I’m not a big fan of porcelain dolls, I appreciated the sentiment. |
Sheer |
adj. so thin that light can shine through |
The curtains on the window were so sheer you could clearly see inside the house. |
Simple |
adj. easy; not complex adj. undecorated |
This math problem is so simple even a first grader can solve it. The simple beauty of the ocean is what makes it memorable. |
Sinister |
adj. ominous, evil |
Medieval peasants believed sinister demons could harm humans. |
Solidarity |
n. the joining of commonalities or common purposes among a group |
I stood in solidarity with other female students by refusing to wear the school’s sexist uniform. |
Sparingly |
adv. insufficiently, meagerly, or in a restricted manner |
Due to my condition, I must eat salt sparingly. |
Spawn |
v. to release eggs v. to call forth or generate |
Frogs typically spawn in ponds. The topic spawned an ongoing debate among his family members. |
Spur |
v. to stimulate or incite |
Her bravery spurred others to act. |
Squalid |
adj. run-down, sordid, or sleazy |
The squalid cabin needed a new roof and an exterminator. |
Stark |
adj. very plain; devoid of any details or features |
Looking out at the stark landscape, I felt a keen sense of isolation. |
Static |
adj. motionless adj. changeless |
The ball is static. Her life has been static for the past three years. |
Subordinate |
adj. lower in rank n. someone lower in rank v. to make dependent on or put at a lower rank |
The subordinate officers work every day. My subordinate will check you in. You aren’t my boss—you can’t subordinate me to the role of receptionist! |
Subsequently |
adv. happening later or after something |
I subsequently went home. |
Substantial |
adj. very large in amount or degree |
I was shocked to find a substantial amount of money beneath the park bench. |
Substantiate |
v. to strengthen with new evidence or facts |
It is important for scientists to substantiate their theories whenever possible. |
Subtle |
adj. hard to detect or analyze |
I detected in her expression a subtle hint of irritation. |
Sufficient |
adj. enough; just meeting a requirement |
These boxes should be sufficient for our move. |
Surly |
adj. unfriendly; inclined to anger |
The bartender was a surly fellow who wasn’t afraid to start a fight. |
Surmount |
v. to get on top of or overcome |
They managed to surmount the language barrier by using a translation app. |
Susceptible |
adj. to be vulnerable (to something) |
Children are more susceptible to certain illnesses than adults are. |
Tactful |
adj. skilled at dealing with people |
Her tactful attitude toward our class made her one of my favorite teachers. |
Taut |
adj. pulled tight |
The rubberband was taut and ready to be fired. |
Teeming |
adj. abundantly filled (usu. with living organisms) |
Doorknobs are not as clean as they look and are often teeming with germs. |
Temperament |
n. usual mood or feelings |
She had a hostile temperament, making her intimidating to most people. |
Tentative |
adj. not yet finalized |
We haven’t made any official arrangements yet, but the tentative location for our wedding is Hawaii. |
Transparent |
adj. see-through; so thin that light can shine through adj. truthful or easy to perceive |
Stained window glass isn’t as transparent as regular window glass is. She was transparent about her plans to end her marriage. |
Treacherous |
adj. dangerous and unstable |
The journey was becoming treacherous, but they continued on regardless. |
Tremendous |
adj. very large, good, or bad in degree or size |
Tremendous news! You don’t have to repay your loans! |
Ubiquitous |
adj. being everywhere at once |
Cell phones are ubiquitous these days. |
Unadorned |
adj. undecorated, plain |
Though the dress was cheap and unadorned, it was by far her favorite one on the rack. |
Undermine |
v. to weaken or subvert (usu. gradually or secretly) |
Parents should take care not to constantly undermine their children. |
Underscore |
v. to emphasize or give additional weight to |
This sentence seems to underscore the overall meaning of the passage. |
Undulate |
v. to move as ripples or in a wavy pattern |
Belly dancers are known for their ability to skillfully undulate their stomachs. |
Unilateral |
adj. one-sided |
The unilateral decision was deemed unfair by the other party involved. |
Unjust |
adj. unfair; not justified |
The court’s decision is unjust—he should not go free. |
Unmitigated |
adj. downright, utter, total |
My speech was an unmitigated disaster! |
Unprecedented |
adj. completely new and never having happened before; historic |
The number of protestors was unprecedented. |
Unveil |
v. to make visible; to reveal |
We plan to unveil our plans for the new company project on Sunday. |
Urge |
n. desire or impulse v. to encourage or persuade |
He had the urge to tell his parents about his acceptance to Columbia but decided against it. She urged her sister to apply to Stanford. |
Validate |
v. to prove or declare valid |
Your selfish actions do not validate your feelings for me. |
Viability |
n. ability to be done in a practical or useful way |
The viability of the solution is questionable. |
Vital |
adj. urgently necessary |
It is vital that you respond by the deadline. |
Vow |
v. to promise |
My brother quickly broke his vow to never eat chocolate again. |
Warrant |
v. to prove to be reasonable |
Wanting to look cool in front of your friends doesn’t warrant breaking the law. |
Yield |
n. production of an amount v. to give way to or surrender to v. to produce or supply |
The farmer’s annual pumpkin yield exceeded 10,000. Cars turning right on red must yield to oncoming traffic. Our experiment yielded many unique-looking vegetables. |
How to Study SAT Words Effectively: 3 Essential Tips
Now that you’ve got a huge list of SAT vocabulary words you can work with, what’s the best way to study them? Here are three key tips to help you get the most out of your SAT vocab studies.
#1: Make Flashcards and Use the Waterfall Method
One of the absolute best ways to study SAT vocab words is to make flashcards. This lets you control which SAT words you study and even randomizes them so that you don’t accidentally memorize words in a predetermined order.
We recommend using the waterfall method to study your flashcards. With this method, you’ll get to see all the words in your deck, going over the most challenging words more often than the ones you already know or sort of know.
Here’s how to use the waterfall method:
Once you’ve made your flashcards, split them up into decks (you can put whatever words you want in these decks) of about 30-50 cards each. Choose one deck to be your Starting Stack.
Go through your Starting Stack, looking at each and every card. For the words you know, put them in a Know It pile. For the words you don’t know, put them in a separate Struggled pile as so:
Now, pick up your Struggled pile and go through each card in it (leave your Know It pile where it is). Put the cards you know in a second Know It pile and the ones you don’t know in a Struggled pile.
You should now have two Know It piles and one Struggled pile:
Repeat this process of picking up your Struggled pile and going through each card until you’re left with about one to five cards in your Struggled pile:
By now you should know most, if not all, cards in your deck. But it isn’t enough to just go through them once—you also have to work back up your “waterfall” of cards.
To do this, combine your Struggled pile with your last Know It pile (the pile closest to the Struggled pile). This will be your Working pile. Go through all the cards in this pile. If there are any words you forgot, go through the entire pile again and again until you’ve learned all the definitions in it.
Continue this pattern by combining your current Working pile with the next Know It pile. Go through all these cards until you know each one.
At the end, you should have made your way all the back to your original Starting Stack. You now know all the SAT words and their meanings in your deck! Repeat this waterfall method with the other decks you make so that you can learn even more critical SAT vocab words.
#2: Focus On Words You Don’t Know
If you don’t have time to study the entire list above or only want to learn some SAT words, use our list to make a new vocab list containing only the words you don’t know. So if you know a word or are fairly sure you’ll be able to recognize it on test day, skip it and instead focus on the words you’ll have the most trouble remembering. Once you have your list, use the waterfall method to study it.
If you’re not a fan of paper flashcards, you can opt for digital flashcards. Anki is a free software you can download and use to make your own flashcards. The program uses spaced-repetition software (SRS) to show you difficult cards more often than those you know (basically, a digital version of the waterfall method).
#3: Take Official SAT Practice Tests
Since the majority of the words in our list above come from official SAT practice tests, once you’ve studied these SAT words, you can put your knowledge to the test by taking a practice test. This lets you see whether you truly know the meanings of the words and whether you’ll be able to get the right answers in the context of a full-length, timed test—just like the real SAT.
If you miss any questions because you forgot the meaning of a word, go back over our SAT vocab words list using your flashcards and the waterfall method.
The Best SAT Vocab Flashcards
If you plan to make your own SAT vocab flashcards from our list, you’ll need at least 300 blank index cards and a system to keep them organized. These basic cards are an affordable option that are also available in fun colors. You can keep them organized with plastic baggies or rubber bands, or you can get an organizer. Alternatively, try these easy-flip flashcards that include binder clips.
Though we strongly recommend making your own flashcards, you can also buy pre-made ones. There aren’t a lot of options for the new SAT. We’d recommend going with Barron’s 1100 Words You Need to Know, a series of exercises to master key words and idioms, or Manhattan’s GRE flashcards if you’re looking for a challenge.
Conclusion: The Importance of Studying SAT Vocabulary
Overall, vocabulary words don’t play a huge part on the SAT. That said, you’ll definitely have some questions on both the Reading and Writing sections that test your knowledge of SAT words, so it’s important to study those most likely to appear on test day.
The best way to study SAT vocabulary is to make flashcards and use the waterfall method. This ensures you know all the words in your deck and aren’t glossing over any difficult ones.
If you don’t want to make flashcards or don’t have time to study the whole list, however, it’s a good idea to pick out the words you don’t know and study just those. With these, you can either make a smaller deck of paper flashcards or opt for digital flashcards.
No matter how you choose to study SAT vocab words, be sure to test out what you’ve learned in the context of full-length practice tests. Nearly all the words in our list above come from official SAT practice tests, so you’re guaranteed to come across them in some form!
What’s Next?
Want more tips on how to study SAT vocabulary words? Check out our expert tips for memorizing SAT words fast and learn why the waterfall method works so well.
Aiming for a high SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score? Take a peek at our in-depth guides to getting a perfect Reading score and learning how to read SAT passages.
Taking the ACT instead? Then you’ll need to know vocab for that test, too. Learn what words to expect on the ACT and how to study them.
Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points?
Check out our best-in-class online SAT prep classes. We guarantee your money back if you don’t improve your SAT score by 160 points or more.
Our classes are entirely online, and they’re taught by SAT experts. If you liked this article, you’ll love our classes. Along with expert-led classes, you’ll get personalized homework with thousands of practice problems organized by individual skills so you learn most effectively. We’ll also give you a step-by-step, custom program to follow so you’ll never be confused about what to study next.
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3000 Common SAT Vocabulary Words |
1 Overview:
3000 Common SAT Vocabulary Words is a middle-level list for test-takers to warm up known words and learn new words. Usually, students need three or more months to finish it. If you aim to good-rank universities, the list is a solid start to challenge harder SAT vocabulary.
The vocabulary consists of 3000+ SAT words that high school students, especially in 12th grade, should master before SAT exam. These words are mainly from recent SAT papers and the College Board’s official practice materials.
In addition to definitions and explanations, the vocabulary includes interactive exercises, such as meaning matching and spelling. These exercises, available for each word, can be launched with a few clicks. For those who prefer to study SAT vocabulary offline or traditionally, the vocabulary offers printable flashcards and PDF files.
If you want a better SAT score, you must own a strong SAT vocabulary that impacts all test modules. It means that you will spend more time studying SAT words. This list is a good candidate if you schedule 3 months or more. Try some content quickly; you can know if it matches your current vocabulary level and helps to up vocabulary skills efficiently.
Does this SAT Vocabulary List meet your case? We divide the words into three levels; each consists of 4 groups. Want to view them quickly? Watch them here.
Last but not least, SAT Official Website is the right place to solve problems related to the SAT. If any doubts or questions about SAT vocabulary may impact your preparation and even your final score, don’t hesitate to get there and clarify them.
2 Alternative SAT vocabularies:
We know one words list cannot cover all SAT takers’ requirements. If you think the 3000 Common SAT Vocabulary List doesn’t match your circumstance, please try other lists on the website.
However, if you are serious about preparing for SAT, smaller or easier lists shouldn’t be an option unless you use them as a supplement. For example, we recommend the following two vocabularies to supplement 3000 common SAT vocabulary. They are very useful for enhancing reading and writing words, especially for high score hunters.
3 Words’ EBook, PDF, and Cards:
SAT Vocabulary EBook
We have published an ebook that matches the 3000 Common SAT Vocabulary List. Students can buy from leading ebook distributors.
SAT Vocabulary PDF List
Some students like using PDF lists to learn and review words. We do offer a handy feature to make SAT PDF word list for each group. Below are demos of Level 1’s first group, including nine non-English explanations.
If you have a VIP account, you can print all groups’ word list on the website; the details are in:
SAT Vocabulary Cards
Cards are helpful tools for some students to study new words. We offer two buttons to make SAT one-side and two-side flashcards for each group. Below are one-side cards for Level 1’s first group, including 9 non-English explanations.
If you have a VIP account, you can print all groups’ cards, either one-side or two-side; the details are in:
DIY — PDF files
Some students need PDF files to study English words. We did publish some SAT vocabulary lists in PDF. However, we encourage our visitors to create customized files based on our SAT vocabulary lists.
We have provided a web app to customize PDF through various vocabularies, which can be directly run from Print Vocabulary in PDF. It can load all vocabularies of this website; the 3000 Common SAT Vocabulary List is one of them.
If you need more flexible solutions, e.g., you plan to include non-English definitions, we suggest following Download SAT Vocabulary PDF. In addition to printing the whole group’s words, it tells you how to leverage other free Internet PDF tools to produce a PDF file based on this website’s vocabulary lists in a few minutes.
4 Manage Word Status:
There are two ways: the Note page or the Panel page to manage words’ statuses. To speed up your studying, you can manage the words by marking them as New, Known, and Review status. You can also save the statuses to the cloud and sync back if your device has trouble or want to switch to other devices.
Word status works for all vocabularies on the website, including 3000 SAT Words. It is a handy flag to skip known words and focus on new and half-familiar words.
By Note
By Panel
5 View all words by groups:
Go to Word List by Group:
Select Vocabulary Group:
Words of Group 1: (Part of words, select list to view all.)
abandon
abduction
abject
abrasive
absolute
absolve
absorb
abstinence
abstract
abusive
abyss
academic
accelerate
accessible
accessory
accommodate
accomplice
accord
acknowledge
acme
acquire
acquittal
acute
adage
adamant
adapt
addiction
address
adept
adhere
adjacent
administration
adolescence
adversary
adverse
adversity
…
6 Demonstrate word list style:
coincidence
n. two or more things occurring at the same time by chance
Was it just a coincidence that she and John had chanced to meet at the market, or was he deliberately trying to seek her out?
Show examples and contexts
collateral
n. security pledged for repayment of loan
The sum you wish to borrow is so large that it must be secured by collateral.
Show examples and contexts
comatose
a. in coma; extremely sleepy; unconscious
We would expect a reasonable adult, if a kid is in comatose, to call an ambulance.
Show examples and contexts
communal
a. held in common; of a group of people
When they were divorced, they had trouble dividing their communal property.
Show examples and contexts
compact
n. small and economical car; small cosmetics case
I decide to buy a compact because a small car helps to save gas.
Show examples and contexts
compelling
a. overpowering; drivingly forceful; urgently requiring attention
They had better not succeed in compelling anyone to work the proposed shift to midnight.
Show examples and contexts
7 Word meaning matching — Test words you know:
absolve |
declare or state with confidence; put oneself forward boldly |
|
pronounce clear of guilt or blame; grant remission of sin to; acquit |
|
randomly chosen; determined by chance or impulse, and not by reason or principle |
|
overpowering; drivingly forceful; urgently requiring attention |
accelerate |
sudden, unexpected fancy; impulsive change of mind |
|
sudden downfall; complete disaster |
|
a group of parts that work together to perform a given function; appliance, or device for a particular purpose |
|
move faster; cause to develop or progress more quickly; occur sooner than expected |
adage |
cause to become unfriendly or hostile; transfer property or ownership; isolate or dissociate emotionally |
|
sudden, unexpected fancy; impulsive change of mind |
|
covered passageway, usually lined with shops; simple arched opening in a wall; vault or vaulted place |
|
wise saying; brief familiar proverb; expression of popular wisdom |
adjacent |
adjoining; neighboring; close to; lying near |
|
of extraordinary size; huge; gigantic |
|
sudden, unexpected fancy; impulsive change of mind |
|
settlement or compromise of conflicting opinions; written agreement between two states |
adverse |
randomly chosen; determined by chance or impulse, and not by reason or principle |
|
in opposing direction; harmful or unfavorable; acting or serving to oppose |
|
find out for certain; discover with certainty; make sure of |
|
disagreeably damp or humid; cold moisture; unpleasant humidity |
anemia |
having no name; having an unknown or unacknowledged name |
|
the opponent in a contest; someone who offers opposition |
|
disagreeably damp or humid; cold moisture; unpleasant humidity |
|
condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles; deficiency of red blood cells; lack of vitality |
8 Interactive spelling — Check your spelling skill online:
[Esc]
n. the opponent in a contest; someone who offers opposition
[Esc]
n. written statement made under oath
[Esc]
n. partnership; alliance; association in the same family or society
[Esc]
n. assumed name; another name; a name that has been assumed temporarily
[Esc]
n. condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles; deficiency of red blood cells; lack of vitality
[Esc]
a. arising from feeling or assumption of one’s superiority toward others
Many students relate the phrase “SAT” with vocabulary. But is good language important to pass the examination? In a way, yes. It can help the candidates get good marks in the SAT exam. Thus, investing some time in vocab learning is important for better academic communication. There are many vocabulary words in the dictionary. But here is a list of top SAT vocabulary words that candidates can refer to.
Words | Meaning |
Abandon | Give Up |
Abate | Less Intense |
Abet | Encourage |
Accede | Agreeing On A Demand |
Adapt | Adjust |
Adequate | Enough |
Ambivalence | Uncertainty |
Analogous | Parallel |
Anomaly | Oddity |
Expect | Predict |
Antipathy | Hostility |
Apex | Tip |
Apprehension | Anxiety |
Articulate | Fluent |
Artificial | False |
Assertion | Declaration |
Authenticity | Genuine |
Avenue | Path |
Basic | Fundamental |
Bear | Support |
Berate | Scold |
Bias | Partiality |
Bittersweet | Partly bitter or sweet |
Boost | Increase |
Bovine | Relating To Cattle |
Braggart | A Person Who Boasts About Achievements |
Brawl | Fight |
Brevity | Shortness |
Burnish | Polish |
Cacophony | Harsh Mixture Of Sounds |
Candid | Frank |
Capture | Catch |
Catalyst | Substance That Leads To Chemical Reaction Increase |
Cache | Collection Of Similar Items |
Censorious | Critical Of Others |
Clout | Smack |
Coincide | Occur |
Commission | An Offer |
Comparable | Similar |
Competent | Capable |
Complacent | Self-satisfied |
Concede | Admit |
Conceive | To Produce Something |
Conduct | Manage |
Constitute | Compose |
Course | Route |
Culmination | Climax |
Dearth | Lack |
Deference | Respect |
Demagogue | Rabble-rouser |
Demur | To Object To |
Deplete | Use Over Time |
Desolate | Empty |
Devise | To Come Up With |
Dilemma | Confusion |
Diluvial | Biblical Flood |
Diminish | To Become Small |
Dire | Hopeless |
Disdain | Lack Of Respect |
Dispassionate | No Strong Interest |
Doctrine | Belief |
Effluvia | Harmful Odor |
Eloquent | Expressive Communication Skills |
Eminent | High Position |
Emulate | Match |
Endure | To Withstand |
Entail | To Invoice |
Specify | State |
Epochal | Significant |
Erratic | Deviating From The Norm |
Establish | To Found |
Excel | To Top |
Exploit | To Use For-Profit |
Expound | Present |
Ferocity | Violence |
Flourish | Prosper |
Forcible | Forceful |
Frankly | Directly |
Fundamental | Basic |
Galvanizing | Shock |
Geriatric | Relating To Old People |
Hostile | Aggressive |
Hubris | Excessive Pride |
Impart | Spread |
Impartiality | Unfairness |
Imposition | Forcing |
Indifference | Lack Of Interest |
Indulge | Give Away To |
Importunate | Persistent |
Innovative | Original |
Inversion | Reverse |
Lament | Groan |
Locomotion | Movement |
Malicious | Bitter |
Materialistic | Worldly |
Modest | Humble |
Mawkish | Sentimental |
Novel | Book |
Null | Invalid |
Objectify | Degrade To A Status |
Omnipotent | Supreme |
Onset | Beginning |
Opine | Suggest |
Oust | Expel |
Pandemic | Widespread |
Paramount | Most Important |
Patrician | Aristocrat |
Peculiar | Strange |
Potent | Powerful |
Perish | Fall |
Persecute | Oppress |
Petulant | Peevish |
Pinnacle | Peak |
Pitiable | Deserving Pity |
Plausible | Credible |
Prompt | Give Rise To |
Polyglot | Writing Or Speaking In Many Languages |
Provocative | Infuriating |
Prescribe | Order |
Prestidigitation | Sleight Of Hand |
Prohibit | Banning |
Placid | Tranquil |
Prosecute | Criminal Proceedings Against A Person |
Quantitative | Expressible Amount |
Quirk | Oddity |
Quarry | Mine For Stone |
Ramify | To Split Up Into Branches |
Rancor | Bitterness |
Rarefy | Become Less Solid |
Rash | Reckless |
Raw | Uncooked |
Reapproach | To approach anew |
Reform | Improve |
Refute | Disprove |
Reinforce | Strengthen |
Resilient | Strong |
Revile | Criticize |
Rife | Widespread |
Sanctimonious | Pious |
Satiated | To excess |
Savvy | Sharpness |
Scandalous | Disreputable |
Scorn | Contempt |
Sagacious | Wise |
Scrupulous | Careful |
Sedition | Agitation |
Sacrosanct | Very Holy |
Sentiment | Emotion |
Sheer | Utter |
Sallow | Yellowish |
Simple | Easy |
Sinecure | Soft Option |
Spawn | Offspring In Great Numbers |
Spur | Incentive |
Subordinate | Junior |
Stroke | Strengthen |
Significant | Important |
Subtle | Fine |
Ample | Many |
Surly | Grumpy |
Surmount | Overcome |
Sybarite | Sensualist |
Tactful | Considerate |
Taut | Tight |
Teeming | Be full of |
Temperament | Nature |
Tentative | Approximate |
Terse | Abrupt |
Transparent | Clear |
Tremendous | Extreme |
Trounce | Beat Hollow |
Ubiquitous | Everywhere |
Unadorned | Undecorated |
Undermine | Wear Away |
Unwitting | Unconscious |
Underscore | Line Drawn Under A Word |
Undulate | Surge |
Unilateral | Involving Only One Group Or Community |
Upbraid | Scold |
Unjust | Unfair |
Uproarious | Very funny |
Unmitigated | Absolute |
Unprecedented | Unmatched |
Unveil | Reveal |
Urge | Desire |
Upshot | Outcome |
Usury | Lending Money |
Validate | Prove |
Viability | State Of Being Viable |
Vital | Important |
Venal | Corrupt |
Vow | Oath |
Vital | Essential |
Warrant | Authorization |
Winsome | Appealing |
Wry | Ironic |
Yeoman | Attendant |
Yield | Surrender |
Yowl | Making A Loud Cry |
Zenith | High Point |
How Is Vocabulary Accessed On The SAT?
The SAT question paper has undergone many changes. Before, many questions used to come from the vocabulary. Today, only fewer vocabulary questions appear in the examination. But, learning the SAT vocabulary word list PDF can help the candidate come out with good results.
All SAT terms are tricky and examiners access them in the context of reading passages. Thus, candidates will have to solve more sentences. It is not a compulsion to memorize all the SAT vocabulary words in the PDF. But students can learn from the SAT vocabulary word list PDF to get good results. They can get better results than other students by going through the list.
What Is The Format Of SAT Vocabulary Question?
Few questions will come from the Vocabulary Cartoons II SAT word power PDF. Yet, you can expect roughly seven questions from the Reading section. Candidates will have to match a word with its correct definition. To solve this section, students need to learn the synonyms of words such as “directly”, “hold”, etc. They might also have to pick a word or phrase to clarify the passage. So, read the synonyms of the words mentioned in the Vocabulary Cartoons II SAT word power PDF. This will make your SAT vocabulary words practice more efficient. Also, it will help you get good grades in the section.
Is There Any Vocabulary on the SAT Writing?
Yes, some questions appear from vocabulary on the SAT writing. You will also find vocab questions in the Language and Writing section. This sub-section focuses on transitions, grammar, and tense. But you can also expect to get Precision questions. Only three precision questions appear in the paper. Here, you have to replace SAT vocabulary words with the words in the passage.
What are the 3 Essential Tips To Study SAT Words?
Now that you have a list, you must be wondering how to learn SAT vocabulary words in easy steps. We have mentioned three essential tips to help you understand the SAT vocabulary words.
- Study The Flash Cards Using The Waterfall Method
This is one of the best SAT vocabulary words practice. For this method, make flashcards, i.e., write each word on a card and create a deck. For example, you can write all the Vocabulary Cartoons II SAT word power PDF words and build a separate deck. Now split the deck into 30-50 cards each. Now choose a deck randomly and look at each card. You can create a different pile for “Know” and “Don’t Know” stacks.
Whichever SAT vocabulary words you learn in the process, put them in the “Know” file. Put the others in the “Don’t Know” pile. Repeat this process until all your cards in the “Don’t Know” pile shift to the “Know” pile. Then, repeat the same process before your examination. With this pattern, you will have the best SAT vocabulary words practice. Besides, you will beat the tough questions like a pro.
- Pay More Attention To Unknown Words
Suppose you don’t have enough time to revise the complete Vocabulary Cartoons II SAT word power PDF. You can use our inventory to create a new vocab list with unknown words. You can skip the simpler terms. Concentrate on the ones you’ll have the most trouble remembering. Once you’ve compiled your list, review it using the waterfall approach.
If you don’t like paper flashcards, you can use digital flashcards instead. Several free programs use spaced-repetition software (SRS) to display more challenging cards. So, you can prepare these from online platforms. This will broaden your vocabulary.
- Take SAT Practice Tests
The majority of the SAT vocabulary word list PDF words are from actual SAT practice exams. So, you may put your learning into practice by taking mock tests. After you have studied the SAT vocabulary word list PDF, take the mock test to prepare better. This allows you to check if you understand the meanings of the words. Besides, it will also help you know if you’ll answer the questions in the timed test setting. This way, you can prepare for the actual SAT examination.
How To Make The Best SAT Vocab Flashcards?
You can make your flashcards. For this, you will need 300 blank index cards. You can buy them in various colors at low prices. You can use elastic bands to keep them together. Besides, you can also use binder-clipped flash cards. These flashcards are available in ready-made versions on the market.
Conclusion
To sum up, these are some easy tips on learning SAT vocabulary words and memorizing them all. Vocabulary words don’t play a significant role in the SAT. Yet you’ll almost have some SAT word questions in the Reading and Writing sections. Thus, the SAT vocabulary word practice is essential to pass the exam with good results.
Making flashcards and the waterfall approach is the best SAT vocabulary word practice method. This ensures that you are familiar with the terms in your deck and not skipping any tough ones. But, if you don’t want to create flashcards, there is another way too. You can pick the difficult words and study them. No matter what method you choose, try to cover all the words. This is because all the words from the pdf come from SAT practice tests.
Получить 1500 слов для экзаменов
GMAT, GRE, SAT, ACT, SSAT
Посмотреть список слов
В заданиях экзаменов SAT и ACT встречаются незнакомые слова, которые усложняют понимание текста или вопросов. Не зная значение проверяемых слов, выбрать правильный ответ практически невозможно. Не секрет, что даже носители языка специально учат редкие слова при подготовке к образовательным экзаменам. Мы предлагаем вам уникальный ресурс — список 1500 слов, знание которых поможет вам лучше подготовиться к экзаменам.
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Повысьте ваши шансы сдать экзамен на высокий балл за счет хорошего знания продвинутой академической лексики
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Не тратьте время на поиск нужных слов в разных учебниках и словарях — мы проделали эту работу за вас!
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Узнайте произношение слова, его значение и перевод — наш список содержит всю нужную информацию
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Не отвлекайтесь на слова, которые имеют аналоги в русском языке — в этом списке их нет!
Пример из экзамена SAT
The author’s attitude toward pharming is best described as one of
(A) apprehension
(B) ambivalence
(C) appreciation
(D) astonishment
(The Official SAT Study Book, page 638)
Vocabulary List
Как учить новые слова?
Традиционный способ заучивания слов – зубрежка – малоэффективен. Мы предлагаем другой подход, основанный на методе ассоциативного запоминания. При таком подходе вы представляете ситуацию с новым словом, стоите ассоциацию. Для того, чтобы добиться этого эффекта, предлагаем вам запоминать не отдельное слово, а фразу из двух слов. Например, слово venom (яд) гораздо легче запомнить в фразе deadly venom (смертельный яд). Узнайте подробнее о том, как работает эта методика.
Нужные слова для экзаменов в одном списке
Получите один компактный удобный список нужных слов, а не несколько дорогих и громоздких учебников. Наш список составлен на основе лучших учебных пособий ведущих американских издательств (Kaplan, Barrons, Princeton Review, Manhattan Prep)
Зачем смотреть каждое слово в словаре? Теперь самые нужные слова для подготовки к экзаменам вместе с транскрипцией, значением на английском языке и переводом на русский язык.
В нашем списке только действительно редкие и нужные слова для подготовки к экзаменам. Мы внимательно отсортировали список, удалив из него те слова, которые имеют аналоги в русском языке. Наш уникальный список специально адаптирован для русскоязычных студентов.
Список 1500 слов можно использовать вместе с методикой развития лексики, разработанной в TestVerbal. Знание редких слов даст вам уверенности на экзамене. Многие задания SAT и ACT содержат сложную лексику. Подготовьтесь к экзамену с сдайте его на высокий балл!
Looking to build your vocabulary? Then practice this list of 100 «top words» — the kind that used to be tested on the SAT before 2016. If you’re a high school student prepping for the SAT, check out Vocabulary.com’s
Roadmap to the SAT, which focuses on the vocabulary you’ll need to ace today’s SAT test.
100 words
60,308 learners
Learn words with Flashcards and other activities
Other learning activities
Full list of words from this list:
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abate
become less in amount or intensity
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abdicate
give up power, duties, or obligations
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aberration
a state or condition markedly different from the norm
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abstain
refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something
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adversity
a state of misfortune or affliction
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aesthetic
characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste
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amicable
characterized by friendship and good will
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anachronistic
chronologically misplaced
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arid
lacking sufficient water or rainfall
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asylum
a shelter from danger or hardship
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benevolent
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding
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bias
a partiality preventing objective consideration of an issue
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boisterous
marked by exuberance and high spirits
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brazen
unrestrained by convention or propriety
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brusque
rudely abrupt or blunt in speech or manner
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camaraderie
the quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability
-
canny
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
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capacious
large in the amount that can be contained
-
capitulate
surrender under agreed conditions
-
clairvoyant
someone who can perceive things not present to the senses
-
collaborate
work together on a common enterprise or project
-
compassion
a deep awareness of and sympathy for another’s suffering
-
compromise
an accommodation in which both sides make concessions
-
condescending
characteristic of those who treat others with arrogance
-
conditional
imposing or depending on or containing an assumption
-
conformist
someone who follows established standards of conduct
-
conundrum
a difficult problem
-
convergence
the act of coming closer
-
deleterious
harmful to living things
-
demagogue
a leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions
-
digression
a message that departs from the main subject
-
diligent
quietly and steadily persevering in detail or exactness
-
discredit
the state of being held in low esteem
-
disdain
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
-
divergent
tending to move apart in different directions
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empathy
understanding and entering into another’s feelings
-
emulate
strive to equal or match, especially by imitating
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enervating
causing weakness or debilitation
-
ephemeral
anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day
-
evanescent
short-lived; tending to vanish or disappear
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exemplary
worthy of imitation
-
extenuating
partially excusing or justifying
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florid
elaborately or excessively ornamented
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forbearance
a delay in enforcing rights or claims or privileges
-
fortitude
strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity
-
fortuitous
lucky; occurring by happy chance
-
foster
providing nurture though not related by blood or legal ties
-
fraught
filled with or attended with
-
frugal
avoiding waste
-
hackneyed
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
-
haughty
having or showing arrogant superiority
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hedonist
someone motivated by desires for sensual pleasures
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hypothesis
a tentative insight that is not yet verified or tested
-
impetuous
characterized by undue haste and lack of thought
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impute
attribute or credit to
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inconsequential
lacking worth or importance
-
inevitable
incapable of being avoided or prevented
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intrepid
invulnerable to fear or intimidation
-
intuitive
spontaneously derived from or prompted by a natural tendency
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jubilation
a feeling of extreme joy
-
lobbyist
someone who is employed to persuade how legislators vote
-
longevity
the property of having lived for a considerable time
-
mundane
found in the ordinary course of events
-
nonchalant
marked by casual unconcern or indifference
-
opulent
rich and superior in quality
-
orator
a person who delivers a speech
-
ostentatious
intended to attract notice and impress others
-
parched
extremely thirsty
-
perfidious
tending to betray
-
pragmatic
concerned with practical matters
-
precocious
characterized by exceptionally early development
-
pretentious
creating an appearance of importance or distinction
-
procrastinate
postpone doing what one should be doing
-
prosaic
lacking wit or imagination
-
prosperity
the condition of having good fortune
-
provocative
serving or tending to excite or stimulate
-
prudent
marked by sound judgment
-
querulous
habitually complaining
-
rancorous
showing deep-seated resentment
-
reclusive
withdrawn from society; seeking solitude
-
reconciliation
the reestablishment of cordial relations
-
renovation
the act of improving by renewing and restoring
-
restrained
under control
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reverence
a feeling of profound respect for someone or something
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sagacity
the trait of having wisdom and good judgment
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scrutinize
examine carefully for accuracy
-
spontaneous
said or done without having been planned in advance
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spurious
plausible but false
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submissive
inclined or willing to give in to orders or wishes of others
-
substantiate
establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
-
subtle
difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
-
superficial
of, affecting, or being on or near the surface
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superfluous
more than is needed, desired, or required
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surreptitious
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy
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tactful
having a sense of what is considerate in dealing with others
-
tenacious
stubbornly unyielding
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transient
lasting a very short time
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venerable
profoundly honored
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vindicate
show to be right by providing justification or proof
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wary
marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
Created on December 23, 2009
(updated August 18, 2021)
250+ SAT Vocabulary Words Every High School Student Should Know
The SAT is one of the most popular college-preparatory tests administered by the College Board. Millions of high school students decide between the equally popular ACT or the SAT (some even take both) to improve their chances of gaining admittance into their dream colleges. While both tests are designed to determine how ready a student is to take on college-level material and subjects, there are slight differences between the two. One of the primary differences between the SAT and ACT is that the latter seems to favor students who have strong writing and reading skills, leading many to incorrectly assume that the former doesn’t touch much on SAT vocabulary words.
When searching for study tools and resources, it can be difficult to know what areas on which to focus. AdmissionSight encourages students to break down their preparation into different areas. For example, since a good portion of the SAT focuses on your ability to recall the definition of words and/or pull meanings from context, it’s helpful to dedicate a portion of your preparation to vocab specifically. While it’s not plausible (one of the SAT vocabulary words!) to study EVERY word that might appear on the test, we’ve narrowed down more than 250 of the most common and popular SAT vocabulary words to better help you prepare.
How does the SAT test vocabulary?
In 2016, the SAT test underwent some significant changes. Ever since these modifications, vocabulary has been treated with less importance. The most obvious manifestation of this change is that the newer version of the SAT has fewer vocabulary-related questions than the older version.
While some students might be making a dramatic gesture of success with their fists, this lack of stress on vocabulary doesn’t mean you can go without preparing for vocabulary for the SAT. If you’re aiming for a high or even a perfect score, studying common vocab words will still be an important part of preparing for the SAT.
In general, most of the vocabulary words found on the SAT vocabulary words test are medium in difficulty. They’re tested within the context of passages, assessing the ability of students to pick out the meaning with a certain context. While this makes it easier to remember a meaning than just being prompted with a word, you’ll still have to harbor an understanding of the various nuances of a particular word to perform well.
Context clues are more common in the current SAT, making pure memorization not as important. In the past, you would have to remember more difficult words and remember definitions with only a short sentence as a prompt. This minimal context really made vocabulary a difficult portion of the SAT. Fortunately, the current version offers students much more context and clarity as to the use of the words.
What words should I study for the SAT?
While it’s impossible to know all of the words you’ll come across on the test, there have been enough iterations of the test for the public to get an accurate grasp on the types of words being used and the accompanying level of difficulty. Although students will undoubtedly find some words easier than others, the SAT vocabulary words don’t really jump around in terms of difficulty. While reading SAT-related material, practicing with official study guides, and taking previously administered tests is helpful for preparing for SAT vocabulary, the best practice is to simply read through common questions and their definitions. Below, we’ve provided you with over 250 SAT vocabulary words that every high school student should know.
Term | Definition |
Abate | to become less intense or widespread |
Abstract | existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence |
Abysmal | very bad |
Accordingly | to be in accordance with |
Acquisition | the process of gaining possession of something |
Adapt | to make (something) suitable for a new use or purpose; modify |
Adept | having skill in a particular area |
Adequate | satisfactory or acceptable in quality or quantity. |
Advent | the arrival of a notable person or thing. |
Adversarial | involving or characterized by conflict or opposition. |
Advocate | a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy. |
Aesthetic | concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty. |
Afford | have enough money to pay for. |
Agitate | campaign to arouse public concern about an issue in the hope of prompting action. |
Allow | let (someone) have or do something. |
Allude | suggest or call attention to indirectly; hint at. |
Altercation | a noisy argument or disagreement, especially in public. |
Ambiguous | open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning. |
Ambitious | having or showing a strong desire and determination to succeed. |
Ambivalence | the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone. |
Analogous | comparable in certain respects, typically in a way that makes clearer the nature of the things compared. |
Annihilate | destroy utterly; obliterate. |
Anomaly | something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected. |
Anticipate | regard as probable; expect or predict. |
Antipathy | a deep-seated feeling of aversion. |
Apex | the top or highest part of something, especially one forming a point |
Apprehension | anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen. |
Articulate | having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently. |
Artificial | made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally, especially as a copy of something natural. |
Assertion | a confident and forceful statement of fact or belief. |
Austere | severe or strict in manner or attitude. |
Authenticity | the quality of being authentic. |
Avenue | a way of approaching a problem |
Avid | having an eager desire for |
Basic | forming an essential foundation or starting point; fundamental. |
Bear | carry or conduct oneself in a specified manner |
Benevolent | well-meaning and kindly. |
Bias | inclination or prejudice for or against one person or group, especially in a way considered to be unfair. |
Bittersweet | arousing pleasure tinged with sadness or pain. |
Bolster | support or strengthen. |
Boost | encourage (something) to increase or improve |
Brawl | a rough or noisy fight or quarrel. |
Brevity | the concise and exact use of words in writing or speech. |
Candid | truthful and straightforward; frank. |
Candor | the characteristic of being honest |
Capitalize | to take advantage of |
Capture | to take possession of |
Civic | relating to citizens or a city |
Clinical | emotionally attached |
Clout | special power or advantage |
Coarse | lacking sophistication or refinement |
Coincide | to occur simultaneously |
Commission | an instruction, command, or role given to a person or group. |
Comparable | ability to be compared |
Competent | efficient and qualified |
Complacent | satisfied; no desire to improve |
Complement | to make complete or perfect |
Concede | surrender or yield |
Conceive | to come up with |
Condone | to allow or overlook |
Conducive | to be suitable to bring something about |
Conduct | to manage or control; to behave in a particular way |
Confide | to trust someone with secrets |
Confine | to limit something |
Consensus | a majority agreement |
Constitute | to make up parts of something |
Contemplate | think deeply and at length |
Contend | to assert or maintain an opinion |
Contradict | to be in contrast with |
Controversial | giving rise or likely to give rise to controversy or public disagreement. |
Conventional | following accepted standards |
Convey | to transfer information |
Conviction | believing firmly in something |
Corroborate | to provide evidence for a claim |
Counteract | to work against |
Counterargument | an argument used to diminish another |
Counterproductive | having the opposite of the desired effect. |
Culmination | the climax |
Cultivate | to foster |
Decree | to declare something formally |
Deference | regard; respect |
Deficient | not a sufficient amount |
Demonstrate | to provide evidence for something |
Demur | raise objections or show reluctance. |
Deplete | to use something over time |
Desolate | empty, barren |
Devise | to develop a plan |
Dilemma | a problem |
Diligence | careful and persistent work or effort. |
Diminish | make or become less |
Dire | extremely serious or urgent |
Discord | disagreement |
Disdain | strong dislike |
Dismay | stress, hopelessness |
Disparage | to talk down to |
Dispatch | to send a messenger or message |
Diversification | the process of becoming diverse |
Doctrine | a position or theory |
Dominion | authority and power |
Dreary | dull, sad |
Dubious | questionable, doubtful |
Eccentric | odd or peculiar |
Egregious | very bad |
Eloquent | fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing. |
Eminent | distinguished or superior |
Emit | to release, discharge |
Emphatic | using emphasis, expressive |
Empirical | based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic |
Endow | to bestow or equip |
Endure | to sustain or withstand against |
Entail | to include or involve |
Entrenched | firmly established and difficult or unlikely to change |
Enumerate | to count |
Envy | jealousy to an excessive degree |
Erratic | not even or regular in pattern or movement; unpredictable. |
Establish | to enact or to found |
Evoke | bring or recall (a feeling, memory, or image) to the conscious mind. |
Exacerbate | to make something worse |
Excel | to be successful at something |
Exert | to put something into use |
Exhilarating | exciting, stimulating |
Expend | to use up |
Exploit | make full use of and derive benefit from |
Facilitate | to make a process easier |
Feasibility | the possibility of something |
Ferocity | violence, viciousness |
Fiscal | of or relating to money |
Flourish | to grow, prosper (esp quickly) |
Fluctuate | to rise and fall in an irregular pattern |
Foment | to stir up or instigate |
Foreseeable | capable of being anticipated |
Frankly | clearly, directly |
Freewheeling | carefree |
Fundamental | the most basic component |
Galvanizing | stimulating, exciting |
Geriatric | relating to old people, especially with regard to their healthcare. |
Hostile | dangerous, harmful |
Hypothetical | supposed |
Ignominious | deserving or causing public disgrace or shame. |
Impart | to bestow or transmit |
Impartiality | treating all rivals equally |
Imposing | impressive in size or appearance |
Imposition | an unwelcome and unfair burden |
Imprudent | rash, not cautious |
Incite | to stir up or excite |
Indifference | emotional detachment |
Indiscriminately | randomly |
Indulge | to give into something |
Infer | to guess through reasoning |
Innovative | new or novel |
Insatiable | unable to be satisfied |
Inversion | the reversal of something |
Invoke | to appeal to or call upon |
Irreconcilable | incapable of being resolved |
Lament | to mourn |
Locomotion | movement |
Lucrative | profitable |
Malicious | spiteful, harmful |
Malleable | capable of being changed |
Materialistic | superficial |
Melodramatic | exaggerated or extravagant |
Modest | humble and simple |
Modify | to alter, tweak, or change |
Momentous | significant in a historical context |
Novel | innovative, new |
Nuance | a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound. |
Null | ineffective, legally void |
Objectivity | the quality of being objective; impartial |
Obsolete | uncommon or rare |
Omnipotent | all-powerful |
Onset | the early stages of something |
Opine | to formally state an opinion |
Ornate | highly decorated |
Oust | to force out of |
Paramount | most important, superior |
Peculiar | bizarre, strange |
Perish | to pass away; to die |
Persecute | harass or annoy persistently. |
Petulant | irritable, pouty |
Pinnacle | highest degree |
Pitiable | arousing pity |
Plausible | possibly true |
Postulate | to assert |
Potent | having a strong influence |
Pragmatic | useful, practical |
Precedent | an example from the previous time |
Predecessor | a person or thing that comes before another |
Prescribe | to command orders |
Principle | n. basic truth, assumption, or rule |
Prohibit | to ban |
Prompt | punctual |
Promulgate | formally declare |
Prosecute | to put on trial |
Provocative | arouse, inspire |
Qualitative | measuring the quality of something |
Quantitative | measuring the amount of something |
Quirk | a strange trait or characteristic |
Ramify | to form branches |
Rash | done without regard to consequences |
Raw | unrefined |
Readily | without delay |
Reconsideration | thinking again |
Reform | an improvement |
Refute | to prove to be incorrect |
Reinforce | to support |
Reluctantly | somewhat unwillingly |
Renounce | to give up |
Reproach | to critique |
Repudiate | to refuse to acknowledge as true |
Retention | the continued control or possession of something |
Satiated | satisfied |
Savvy | practical knowledge |
Scandalous | morally offensive |
Scorn | a feeling of disdain |
Scrupulous | careful, thorough |
Scrutinize | to examine critically |
Secrete | to release or produce |
Sentiment | opinion |
Sheer | very thin |
Simple | not complex |
Sinister | evil, ominous |
Solidarity | common purpose amongst a group |
Sparingly | in a restricted manner |
Spawn | to generate |
Spur | to incite |
Squalid | sordid, run-down |
Stark | very plain |
Static | changeless; motionless |
Subordinate | to be lower in rank |
Subsequently | happening after something |
Substantial | very large in degree or amount |
Substantiate | to make stronger with evidence |
Subtle | difficult to detect |
Sufficient | enough |
Surly | unfriendly |
Surmount | to overcome |
Susceptible | to be vulnerable |
Tactful | capable of dealing with people |
Taut | pulled tight |
Teeming | to be full of |
Temperament | usual feelings or mood |
Tentative | not certain or fixed |
Transparent | easy to perceive; see-through |
Treacherous | unstable and dangerous |
Tremendous | very great in amount, scale, or intensity |
Ubiquitous | found everywhere |
Unadorned | plain, undecorated |
Undermine | to weaken gradually |
Underscore | to emphasize |
Undulate | to move in a wavy pattern |
Unilateral | one-sided |
Unjust | not justified |
Unmitigated | total, utter |
Unprecedented | entirely new |
Unveil | to reveal |
Urge | try earnestly or persistently to persuade (someone) to do something |
Validate | check or prove the validity or accuracy of |
Viability | ability to work successfully |
Vital | absolutely necessary; essential |
Vow | a solemn promise |
Warrant | justification or authority for an action, belief, or feeling |
Yield | produce or generate (a result, gain, or financial return). |
Tips for studying and memorizing SAT vocabulary words
1. Rehearse with flashcards – Flashcards are an incredibly effective way of studying and memorizing vocabulary. Not only does this method make it easy to keep the material organized, but it’s also a convenient way to study on the go and for any length of time. While writing out your own flashcards could be a helpful exercise, many students will opt to use online resources like Quizlet to organize SAT vocabulary words. You can even download apps to study this content on your phone.
2. Practice with friends – If practicing on your own gets too tedious, meet up with some friends or hop on the phone to quiz each other. You can help each other with new memorization techniques and encourage each other to study more. The extra competition will light a spark of enthusiasm too.
3. Use SAT study guides – There are countless SAT study guides designed to help students prepare for the exam and learn SAT vocabulary words. These resources can be found both online and offline and for free or by payment. When using these guides, just make sure they’re up-to-date to reflect the most recent changes made to the SAT.
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Changes to the SAT in recent years have some students thinking they no longer need to study vocabulary in order to earn an impressive score. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. According to a Princeton Review article, the SAT contains around 10 to 15 words that are unfamiliar to the average student. Moreover, students with strong vocabularies tend to earn higher scores than those with average or middling skills in this area. Read on to discover why vocabulary remains an important factor in SAT prep, along with the 100 words you should know to raise your scores.
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Top 100 Vocabulary Words to Study for the SAT
Reading plenty of fiction and non-fiction is the best way to improve a lackluster vocabulary over time. However, if you’re looking to raise your SAT Reading score quickly, you might want to devote some time to studying vocab. Here is a list of the top 100 SAT vocabulary words of all time, courtesy of Kaplan and the Washington Post:
- abbreviate: (v) to shorten, abridge
- Abstinence: (n) the act of refraining from pleasurable activity, e.g., eating or drinking
- adulation: (n) high praise
- adversity: (n) misfortune, an unfavorable turn of events
- aesthetic: (adj) pertaining to beauty or the arts
- amicable: (adj) friendly, agreeable
- anachronistic: (adj) out-of-date, not attributed to the correct historical period
- anecdote: (n) short, usually funny account of an event
- anonymous: (adj) nameless, without a disclosed identity
- antagonist: (n) foe, opponent, adversary
- arid: (adj) extremely dry or deathly boring
- assiduous: (adj) persistent, hard-working
- asylum: (n) sanctuary, shelter, place of refuge
- benevolent: (adj) friendly and helpful
- camaraderie: (n) trust, sociability amongst friends
- censure: (v) to criticize harshly
- circuitous: (adj) indirect, taking the longest route
- clairvoyant: (adj) exceptionally insightful, able to foresee the future
- collaborate: (v) to cooperate, work together
- compassion: (n) sympathy, helpfulness or mercy
- compromise: (v) to settle a dispute by terms agreeable to both sides
- condescending: (adj) possessing an attitude of superiority, patronizing
- conditional: (adj) depending on a condition, e.g., in a contract
- conformist: (n) person who complies with accepted rules and customs
- congregation: (n) a crowd of people, an assembly
- convergence: (n) the state of separate elements joining or coming together
- deleterious: (adj) harmful, destructive, detrimental
- demagogue: (n) leader, rabble-rouser, usually appealing to emotion or prejudice
- digression: (n) the act of turning aside, straying from the main point, esp. in a speech or argument
- diligent: (adj) careful and hard-working
- discredit: (v) to harm the reputation of, dishonor or disgrace
- disdain: (v) to regard with scorn or contempt
- divergent: (adj) separating, moving in different directions from a particular point
- empathy: (n) identification with the feelings of others
- emulate: (v) to imitate, follow an example
- enervating: (adj) weakening, tiring
- enhance: (v) to improve, bring to a greater level of intensity
- ephemeral: (adj) momentary, transient, fleeting
- evanescent: (adj) quickly fading, short-lived, esp. an image
- exasperation: (n) irritation, frustration
- exemplary: (adj) outstanding, an example to others
- extenuating: (adj) excusing, lessening the seriousness of guilt or crime, e.g., of mitigating factors
- florid: (adj) red-colored, flushed; gaudy, ornate
- fortuitous: (adj) happening by luck, fortunate
- frugal: (adj) thrifty, cheap
- hackneyed:(adj) cliched, worn out by overuse
- haughty: (adj) arrogant and condescending
- hedonist: (n) person who pursues pleasure as a goal
- hypothesis: (n) assumption, theory requiring proof
- impetuous: (adj) rash, impulsive, acting without thinking
- impute: (v) to attribute an action to particular person or group
- incompatible: (adj) opposed in nature, not able to live or work together
- inconsequential: (adj) unimportant, trivial
- inevitable: (adj) certain, unavoidable
- integrity: (n) decency, honesty, wholeness
- intrepid: (adj) fearless, adventurous
- intuitive: (adj) instinctive, untaught
- jubilation: (n) joy, celebration, exultation
- lobbyist: (n) person who seeks to influence political events
- longevity: (n) long life
- mundane: (adj) ordinary, commonplace
- nonchalant: (adj) calm, casual, seeming unexcited
- novice: (n) apprentice, beginner
- opulent: (adj) wealthy
- orator: (n) lecturer, speaker
- ostentatious: (adj) showy, displaying wealth
- parched: (adj) dried up, shriveled
- perfidious: (adj) faithless, disloyal, untrustworthy
- precocious: (adj) unusually advanced or talented at an early age
- pretentious: (adj) pretending to be important, intelligent or cultured
- procrastinate: (v) to unnecessarily delay, postpone, put off
- prosaic: (adj) relating to prose; dull, commonplace
- prosperity: (n) wealth or success
- provocative: (adj) tending to provoke a response, e.g., anger or disagreement
- prudent: (adj) careful, cautious
- querulous: (adj) complaining, irritable
- rancorous: (adj) bitter, hateful
- reclusive: (adj) preferring to live in isolation
- reconciliation: (n) the act of agreement after a quarrel, the resolution of a dispute
- renovation: (n) repair, making something new again
- resilient: (adj) quick to recover, bounce back
- restrained: (adj) controlled, repressed, restricted
- reverence: (n) worship, profound respect
- sagacity: (n) wisdom
- scrutinize: (v) to observe carefully
- spontaneity: (n) impulsive action, unplanned events
- spurious: (adj) lacking authenticity, false
- submissive: (adj) tending to meekness, to submit to the will of others
- substantiate: (v) to verify, confirm, provide supporting evidence
- subtle: (adj) hard to detect or describe; perceptive
- superficial: (adj) shallow, lacking in depth
- superfluous: (adj) extra, more than enough, redundant
- suppress: (v) to end an activity, e.g., to prevent the dissemination of information
- surreptitious: (adj) secret, stealthy
- tactful: (adj) considerate, skillful in acting to avoid offense to others
- tenacious: (adj) determined, keeping a firm grip on
- transient: (adj) temporary, short-lived, fleeting
- venerable: (adj) respected because of age
- vindicate: (v) to clear from blame or suspicion
- wary: (adj) careful, cautious
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A graduate of the Master of Professional Writing program at USC, April Maguire taught freshman composition while earning her degree. Over the years, she has worked as a writer, editor, tutor, and content manager. Currently, she operates a freelance writing business and lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their three rowdy cats.