Must-know SAT words

Non-negotiable vocabulary for the exam: 383 words with definitions, examples, and difficulty tags.

Show in list:

Abate
Medium
Definition
to become less active, less intense, or less in amount
Example
“As I began my speech, my feelings of nervousness quickly abated.”
Abrupt
Easy
Definition
Sudden and unexpected.
Example
“His abrupt departure surprised everyone.”
Abstract
Medium
Definition
existing purely in the mind; not representing actual reality
Example
“Julie had trouble understanding the appeal of the abstract painting.”
Abysmal
Medium
Definition
extremely bad
Example
“I got an abysmal grade on my research paper!”
Acceptable
Easy
Definition
Satisfactory or permissible.
Example
“The teacher deemed Sara's late assignment acceptable.”
Accidental
Easy
Definition
Happening by chance.
Example
“The oil spill was purely accidental.”
Accommodate
Medium
Definition
To provide space or make adjustments.
Example
“The Grand Hotel can accommodate up to 500 guests.”
Accuracy
Medium
Definition
The quality of being correct or precise.
Example
“The accuracy of the intern's report was impressive.”
Acknowledge
Medium
Definition
To recognize or admit the truth.
Example
“She refused to acknowledge her mistake.”
Acquired
Medium
Definition
Gained through effort or experience.
Example
“Edmund had acquired a taste for fine wine.”
Adapt
Medium
Definition
To adjust to new conditions.
Example
“Newly-released animals generally adapt to their environments over time.”
Adept
Medium
Definition
having knowledge or skill (usu. in a particular area)
Example
“Beth loves playing the piano, but she’s especially adept at the violin.”
Adequate
Medium
Definition
having sufficient qualifications to meet a specific task or purpose
Example
“Though his resume was adequate, the company doubted whether he’d be a good fit.”
Adhere
Medium
Definition
To stick to or follow closely.
Example
“You must adhere to the rules if you don't want to get in trouble.”
Adjust
Easy
Definition
To modify or change slightly.
Example
“He had to adjust his seat for comfort.”
Admire
Medium
Definition
To respect or look up to.
Example
“I admire my mother's dedication to her work.”
Advantageous
Medium
Definition
Beneficial or useful.
Example
“Speaking multiple languages is advantageous.”
Advent
Medium
Definition
the arrival or creation of something
Example
“The world has never been the same since the advent of the light bulb.”
Advise
Medium
Definition
To recommend or give guidance.
Example
“I advise you to study for the exam.”
Aggravate
Medium
Definition
To worsen or intensify.
Example
“Scratching the rash will only aggravate it.”
Aggressive
Medium
Definition
Forceful or overly assertive.
Example
“The man's aggressive tone made everyone uneasy.”
Allude
Medium
Definition
to make a secretive mention of something
Example
“She alluded to the problem at hand but didn’t say anything more about it.”
Ambiguity
Medium
Definition
Uncertainty or multiple interpretations.
Example
“The ambiguity in his vague statement caused confusion.”
Ambivalence
Medium
Definition
Mixed or conflicting feelings.
Example
“Jessie felt ambivalence about moving to a new city.”
Ameliorate
Hard
Definition
To improve or make better.
Example
“The new policy aims to ameliorate working conditions for all employees.”
Amplify
Medium
Definition
To increase in size or effect.
Example
“The microphone will amplify your voice.”
Amusing
Easy
Definition
Entertaining or humorous.
Example
“Jason's joke was quite amusing.”
Analogous
Medium
Definition
similar but not identical
Example
“Green onions are considered analogous to spring onions.”
Annotate
Medium
Definition
To add notes or comments.
Example
“Please annotate the medical text with your observations.”
Announce
Easy
Definition
To make a public statement.
Example
“The CEO will announce the new policy tomorrow.”
Anomaly
Medium
Definition
something different from the norm
Example
“This result is an anomaly and very rarely happens.”
Antagonistic
Medium
Definition
Showing hostility or opposition.
Example
“His antagonistic behavior created tension at work.”
Antecedent
Hard
Definition
A preceding event or condition.
Example
“The antecedent to the war was political unrest.”
Anticipate
Medium
Definition
To expect or predict.
Example
“Does the weatherman anticipate a rise in temperatures next week?”
Antipathy
Medium
Definition
a strong feeling of dislike
Example
“Her antipathy toward the professor was obvious: she rolled her eyes whenever he entered the classroom.”
Apex
Medium
Definition
the highest point of something
Example
“The spring play was the apex of our school year.”
Appropriate
Easy
Definition
Suitable for a specific situation.
Example
“Lily's velvet dress was appropriate for the formal occasion.”
Approximate
Easy
Definition
Nearly accurate or close to.
Example
“The approximate cost is $50.”
Arcane
Hard
Definition
Mysterious or known by few.
Example
“The ancient book contained arcane knowledge.”
Arduous
Medium
Definition
Difficult and requiring effort.
Example
“The steep hike up the mountain was arduous.”
Assemble
Easy
Definition
To gather or put together.
Example
“We need to assemble the bed if we want a place to sleep tonight.”
Austere
Medium
Definition
extremely plain
Example
“He lived in a small, austere cabin in the middle of the woods.”
Austere
Medium
Definition
stern and forbidding
Example
“My boss had an austere expression on her face.”
Austere
Medium
Definition
relating to self-denial
Example
“An austere lifestyle, like that of monks, isn’t for everybody.”
Avoid
Easy
Definition
To stay away from or prevent.
Example
“Mara hates fighting, so she always tries to avoid conflict.”
Beneficial
Medium
Definition
Producing good results.
Example
“A balanced diet is beneficial to your health.”
Benevolent
Medium
Definition
kind, generous
Example
“Many cultures believe in benevolent spirits.”
Bold
Easy
Definition
Courageous or striking.
Example
“Elsie made a bold move by quitting her job.”
Borrow
Easy
Definition
To take temporarily.
Example
“Libraries will let you borrow books for several weeks.”
Buttress
Medium
Definition
To support or strengthen.
Example
“The evidence will buttress his argument.”
Bypass
Medium
Definition
To go around or avoid.
Example
“We took a shortcut to bypass traffic.”
Calibrate
Hard
Definition
To adjust for precision.
Example
“The scientist had to calibrate the instrument to ensure his measurements were accurate.”
Candid
Medium
Definition
direct, blunt
Example
“Josh is candid about his desire to become an actor.”
Carelessly
Easy
Definition
Without caution.
Example
“He carelessly left his keys on the bus.”
Catastrophic
Medium
Definition
Disastrous or causing great damage.
Example
“The catastrophic hurricane destroyed dozens of homes.”
Cause
Easy
Definition
A reason for an action or event.
Example
“The fire's cause is still unknown.”
Characterization
Medium
Definition
The way a character is described.
Example
“The novel's characterization was deep and complex.”
Circumvent
Medium
Definition
To find a way around.
Example
“They found a loophole to circumvent the rule.”
Coincidence
Easy
Definition
A surprising and unexpected event.
Example
“Meeting my neighbor at the airport was a coincidence.”
Collaboration
Medium
Definition
Working together on a task.
Example
“The scientists' collaboration led to a breakthrough.”
Commercialization
Medium
Definition
The process of making something a business.
Example
“The commercialization of the product increased sales.”
Committed
Medium
Definition
Dedicated to a cause or task.
Example
“Ava is committed to her studies and always wants top grades.”
Common
Easy
Definition
Occurring frequently or shared.
Example
“It's very common for students to feel stressed before exams.”
Compelling
Medium
Definition
Captivating or persuasive.
Example
“The debater gave a compelling argument.”
Competent
Medium
Definition
Having the necessary ability or skill.
Example
“Noah has worked at this job for a long time and is a competent engineer.”
Complementary
Medium
Definition
Enhancing or completing another.
Example
“The artist and the engineer have skills that are complementary in the project.”
Complexity
Medium
Definition
The state of being intricate or complicated.
Example
“The complexity of the 1,000 piece puzzle made it challenging.”
Compose
Medium
Definition
To create or write.
Example
“Jordan plans to compose a new symphony.”
Compound
Medium
Definition
To intensify or combine.
Example
“The traffic was compounded by bad weather.”
Comprise
Medium
Definition
To consist of or include.
Example
“The book comprises ten chapters.”
Conceal
Medium
Definition
To hide or keep secret.
Example
“Luca tried to conceal his disappointment.”
Concede
Medium
Definition
To admit or yield.
Example
“She conceded that she was wrong during the argument.”
Conceptualize
Hard
Definition
To form an idea or concept.
Example
“In this lab, scientists conceptualize new theories on viruses.”
Concerning
Easy
Definition
Causing worry or distress.
Example
“The news about the approaching hurricane is quite concerning.”
Condition
Easy
Definition
The state of something.
Example
“The car I bought is in excellent condition.”
Confident
Easy
Definition
Feeling sure or self-assured.
Example
“Michael Jordan is confident in his abilities as a basketball player.”
Conflated
Hard
Definition
Combined in a misleading way.
Example
“The two issues were conflated in the argument.”
Conform
Medium
Definition
To comply with rules or expectations.
Example
“The alternative rocker refuses to conform to societal norms.”
Consensus
Medium
Definition
General agreement.
Example
“The team finally reached a consensus on the decision.”
Consistent
Medium
Definition
Acting in the same way over time.
Example
“My grandmother's knitting is always consistent in quality.”
Conspicuous
Medium
Definition
Easily noticed or standing out.
Example
“Veronica's red dress was conspicuous in the crowd.”
Constant
Easy
Definition
Occurring continuously.
Example
“The criminal lived in constant fear that he'd be found out.”
Contentious
Medium
Definition
Causing disagreement or debate.
Example
“Politics are highly contentious these days.”
Contingent
Medium
Definition
Dependent on something else.
Example
“Our family ski trip is contingent on the weather.”
Contradict
Medium
Definition
to be in contrast with
Example
“The camera footage contradicts his alibi.”
Contrived
Medium
Definition
Artificial or overly planned.
Example
“The movie's plot felt contrived and unrealistic.”
Controversial
Medium
Definition
Causing public disagreement.
Example
“The judge's decision to free the criminal was highly controversial.”
Cordially
Easy
Definition
In a warm or friendly manner.
Example
“The two old friends greeted each other cordially.”
Corroborate
Hard
Definition
to provide evidence for; to back up (a claim)
Example
“The note signed by her father corroborates her claim that she was absent from class that day.”
Costly
Medium
Definition
Expensive or requiring sacrifice.
Example
“The mistake was a costly one and caused the company to go bankrupt.”
Counteract
Medium
Definition
to work in opposition to
Example
“This ingredient seems to counteract the other ones.”
Critical
Easy
Definition
Expressing analysis or judgment.
Example
“The review was highly critical of the film.”
Criticize
Easy
Definition
To express disapproval.
Example
“My father tends to criticize others harshly.”
Deceptive
Medium
Definition
Misleading or dishonest.
Example
“The advertisement was deceptive in its claims of weight loss.”
Deciding
Medium
Definition
Determining or influencing an outcome.
Example
“The final goal was the deciding factor in the match.”
Decisive
Medium
Definition
Conclusive or firm.
Example
“My boss's decisive leadership helped solve our company's crisis.”
Deficient
Medium
Definition
not enough in degree or amount
Example
“I feel as though the sources for my paper are deficient.”
Defunct
Medium
Definition
No longer existing or functional.
Example
“After people stopped using fax machines, the fax company became defunct.”
Delegate
Medium
Definition
To assign tasks or authority to others.
Example
“A good leader knows how to delegate responsibilities.”
Deliberation
Medium
Definition
Careful consideration or discussion.
Example
“After much deliberation, they made their decision.”
Delicate
Easy
Definition
Fragile or requiring careful handling.
Example
“The delicate glass sculpture broke easily.”
Demarcate
Hard
Definition
To set boundaries or distinguish.
Example
“The Tornio river demarcates the border between Sweden and Finland.”
Derived
Medium
Definition
Obtained or developed from a source.
Example
“The word "aqua" is derived from Latin.”
Despise
Medium
Definition
To strongly dislike or look down upon.
Example
“The judge despises dishonesty.”
Desultory
Hard
Definition
Lacking a clear plan or enthusiasm.
Example
“The tired boy's desultory efforts did not impress the coach.”
Determine
Easy
Definition
To establish or decide.
Example
“The final exam will determine your grade.”
Deviate
Medium
Definition
To move away from a set path or norm.
Example
“When the new evidence was uncovered the lawyer deviated from the original plan.”
Devise
Medium
Definition
to come up with (a plan)
Example
“Lana devised a plan to make herself famous.”
Diminish
Medium
Definition
To decrease in size or importance.
Example
“The politician's influence has diminished over time.”
Directed
Easy
Definition
Managed or guided.
Example
“This new film was directed by a renowned artist.”
Disagreement
Easy
Definition
A difference of opinion.
Example
“An intense disagreement arose over the contract terms.”
Disastrous
Medium
Definition
Causing great harm or failure.
Example
“The earthquake had disastrous consequences for the island.”
Disconcerting
Medium
Definition
Causing discomfort or confusion.
Example
“My girlfriend's sudden change in behavior is disconcerting.”
Discord
Medium
Definition
disagreement
Example
“Disputes over money caused intense discord in the family.”
Discount
Medium
Definition
To disregard or reduce in value.
Example
“The teacher discounted his students' concerns.”
Discourage
Medium
Definition
To dissuade or deter.
Example
“Luna tried to discourage her brother from moving out of the house.”
Discretion
Medium
Definition
The ability to make responsible choices.
Example
“The detective handled the matter with great discretion.”
Disengage
Medium
Definition
To separate or withdraw.
Example
“I was exhausted, so I tried to disengage from the argument.”
Dismiss
Easy
Definition
To reject or send away.
Example
“The teacher dismissed the idea to end class early.”
Disorienting
Medium
Definition
Causing confusion or loss of direction.
Example
“The vast corn maze was disorienting.”
Disparage
Medium
Definition
To belittle or speak negatively about.
Example
“The politician disparaged his opponent's ideas on tax cuts.”
Disparate
Medium
Definition
Essentially different or unconnected.
Example
“Many European countries have disparate Christmas traditions.”
Dispute
Easy
Definition
A disagreement or argument.
Example
“The neighbors had a dispute over the new fence.”
Distinct
Easy
Definition
Clearly different or separate.
Example
“My twin sons have distinct personalities.”
Distract
Easy
Definition
To divert attention.
Example
“The rattling noise distracted Javi from his work.”
Distressed
Medium
Definition
Suffering from anxiety or pain.
Example
“The woman looked distressed after the doctor's call.”
Diverge
Medium
Definition
To move apart or differ.
Example
“My parents' opinions on politics began to diverge as they grew older.”
Diverse
Easy
Definition
Showing variety or differences.
Example
“New York City has a diverse population.”
Dominance
Medium
Definition
The state of being in control or superior.
Example
“The company's dominance in the market is evident.”
Dormant
Medium
Definition
Inactive but capable of becoming active.
Example
“The volcano beneath Mount Fuji has been dormant for centuries.”
Dynamic
Medium
Definition
Constantly changing or energetic.
Example
“My coworker is a dynamic speaker who commands attention wherever she goes.”
Earnest
Medium
Definition
Serious and sincere.
Example
“He felt terrible about breaking the mirror and made an earnest apology.”
Eclipse
Medium
Definition
To overshadow or surpass.
Example
“The headliner's performance eclipsed all others in the concert.”
Eloquent
Medium
Definition
having refined or expressive communication skills (in speaking or writing)
Example
“His speech was not only eloquent but also extremely compelling.”
Elusive
Medium
Definition
Hard to find or understand.
Example
“Nothing became clearer, and the answer remained elusive.”
Encompass
Medium
Definition
To include or surround.
Example
“The project encompasses multiple disciplines.”
Encounter
Easy
Definition
To meet or face unexpectedly.
Example
“She encountered an old friend at the store.”
Encourage
Easy
Definition
To support or inspire.
Example
“Teachers often encourage students to ask questions.”
Enduring
Medium
Definition
Lasting over time.
Example
“Their 50-year friendship is enduring.”
Evidence
Easy
Definition
Information that supports a conclusion.
Example
“There is strong evidence to support the theory.”
Evoke
Medium
Definition
to draw forth or call up
Example
“Horror movies are great at evoking fear.”
Exacerbate
Medium
Definition
To make a problem worse.
Example
“His rude comments only exacerbated the tense situation.”
Exactitude
Hard
Definition
The quality of being precise or accurate.
Example
“The scientist's exactitude ensured reliable results.”
Exaggerate
Medium
Definition
To overstate or magnify beyond the truth.
Example
“My cousin tends to exaggerate his achievements.”
Exceed
Easy
Definition
To go beyond a limit.
Example
“The driver exceeded the speed limit by nearly 30 miles an hour.”
Exemplify
Medium
Definition
To serve as a typical example of something.
Example
“The woman's kindness to her neighbors exemplifies true generosity.”
Exhaustive
Medium
Definition
Thorough and complete.
Example
“The 300-page report provided an exhaustive analysis.”
Expansion
Medium
Definition
The act of increasing in size or scope.
Example
“The company's expansion into international markets has been successful so far.”
Expensive
Easy
Definition
Costing a lot of money.
Example
“My sister's diamond ring was extremely expensive.”
Experiment
Easy
Definition
A test to discover something new.
Example
“The scientist conducted an experiment to test the theory.”
Explicable
Medium
Definition
Able to be explained.
Example
“Once I knew the full story, my boyfriend's actions were explicable given the circumstances.”
Exploit
Medium
Definition
To take advantage of something unfairly.
Example
“The mining company was accused of exploiting workers.”
Extensive
Medium
Definition
Covering a large area or scope.
Example
“The Art Institute of Chicago has an extensive Impressionist collection.”
Extraneous
Medium
Definition
Unrelated or unnecessary.
Example
“The report contained too much extraneous information that didn't matter to the trial.”
Fabricate
Medium
Definition
To invent or create, often dishonestly.
Example
“The criminal fabricated evidence to support his bogus claim.”
Foretell
Medium
Definition
To predict or anticipate.
Example
“Ancient prophecies foretold the end of the world.”
Foster
Medium
Definition
To encourage or promote development.
Example
“Teachers should strive to foster creativity in students.”
Fragile
Easy
Definition
Easily broken or delicate.
Example
“The glass vase is very fragile.”
Fruitless
Medium
Definition
Failing to achieve desired results.
Example
“Their search for survivors was fruitless.”
Genuine
Easy
Definition
Authentic or real.
Example
“His apology seemed genuine.”
Grapple
Medium
Definition
To struggle or wrestle with something.
Example
“The country is grappling with economic issues.”
Habitual
Medium
Definition
Done regularly or repeatedly.
Example
“His habitual lateness annoyed his coworkers.”
Haphazard
Medium
Definition
Lacking organization or planning.
Example
“The project was completed in a haphazard manner.”
Hibernation
Medium
Definition
A state of dormancy or deep sleep.
Example
“Many bear species go into hibernation during the winter.”
Highlight
Easy
Definition
To emphasize or make noticeable.
Example
“The article highlights key points of the debate.”
Hinder
Medium
Definition
To obstruct or slow progress.
Example
“The heavy traffic hindered our journey.”
Hoard
Medium
Definition
To accumulate and store excessively.
Example
“He hoarded food supplies and toilet paper during the pandemic.”
Homogeneous
Medium
Definition
Uniform or similar throughout.
Example
“The population of the village is homogeneous.”
Hypothesize
Medium
Definition
To form a theory or assumption.
Example
“Scientists hypothesize about the origin of the universe.”
Imaginative
Easy
Definition
Creative and full of new ideas.
Example
“The artist's work is highly imaginative.”
Imitation
Easy
Definition
A copy or replica of something.
Example
“The purse was an imitation of a designer brand.”
Imminent
Medium
Definition
About to happen soon.
Example
“A storm is imminent according to the forecast.”
Immune
Medium
Definition
Resistant to disease or harm.
Example
“He's immune to the virus due to vaccination.”
Impartial
Medium
Definition
Fair and not biased.
Example
“Judges must always remain impartial during a trial.”
Impending
Medium
Definition
Approaching or about to happen.
Example
“They prepared for the impending storm by boarding up windows.”
Impenetrable
Medium
Definition
Impossible to pass through.
Example
“The fortress was impenetrable to enemy attack.”
Imperceptible
Medium
Definition
Very slight or difficult to notice.
Example
“Alex's reaction was imperceptible, so I couldn't tell what he was thinking.”
Implement
Medium
Definition
To put into effect or execute.
Example
“The business will implement new rules to comply with the change in laws.”
Implication
Medium
Definition
A possible consequence or meaning.
Example
“The policy change has serious implications for lobbyists.”
Implicit
Medium
Definition
Implied rather than stated directly.
Example
“His approval was implicit in his silence.”
Impractical
Medium
Definition
Not sensible or realistic.
Example
“The dress design was too impractical to actually wear.”
Improvise
Medium
Definition
To create or perform spontaneously.
Example
“The actor had to improvise when he forgot his lines.”
Inactive
Easy
Definition
Not engaged in movement or activity.
Example
“The volcano has been inactive for decades.”
Inadequate
Medium
Definition
Insufficient or lacking.
Example
“I felt inadequate when I didn't make the final shot during the basketball game.”
Inadvertently
Medium
Definition
Unintentionally or by accident.
Example
“The new worker caused a ruckus when he inadvertently deleted an important file.”
Incite
Medium
Definition
to encourage or stir up
Example
“Her hateful words incited anger in the crowd.”
Inconspicuous
Medium
Definition
Not being easily seen or noticed.
Example
“The spy was inconspicuous as he moved through the crowd.”
Indecipherable
Medium
Definition
Impossible to understand or read.
Example
“His messy handwriting was indecipherable.”
Indicate
Easy
Definition
To point out or show.
Example
“The results indicate a positive trend.”
Indifference
Medium
Definition
Lack of interest or concern.
Example
“Natalia's indifference to the situation frustrated her sisters.”
Indisputable
Medium
Definition
Unable to be challenged or denied.
Example
“Because the evidence was indisputable, the lawyer was certain his client would go free.”
Indistinct
Medium
Definition
Not clear or sharply defined.
Example
“The figure in the distance was blurry and indistinct.”
Indulge
Medium
Definition
To allow oneself to enjoy.
Example
“After a long day of work, Jane decided to indulge in a piece of cake.”
Ineffectual
Medium
Definition
Not producing the desired effect.
Example
“The mayor's efforts to change the city's parking rules were ineffectual.”
Inevitable
Medium
Definition
Certain to happen; unavoidable.
Example
“You must accept that change is inevitable in life.”
Inexpensive
Easy
Definition
Not costly.
Example
“The new Vietnamese restaurant down the street serves inexpensive but delicious meals.”
Inexplicable
Medium
Definition
Unable to be explained.
Example
“My uncle's sudden departure from the family reunion was inexplicable.”
Influence
Easy
Definition
The power to affect others.
Example
“The pastor's speech had a strong influence on the audience.”
Infrequent
Medium
Definition
Not occurring often.
Example
“Rain is infrequent in the Atacama Desert.”
Inhibit
Medium
Definition
To hinder or restrain.
Example
“Fear of failure can inhibit creativity.”
Innocuous
Medium
Definition
Harmless or inoffensive.
Example
“The comment seemed innocuous, but it upset him.”
Insensible
Medium
Definition
Unaware or indifferent.
Example
“The father was insensible to his children's boredom.”
Insignificant
Easy
Definition
Too small or unimportant to matter.
Example
“The difference in price between the two ice creams was insignificant.”
Inspect
Easy
Definition
To examine closely.
Example
“The contractor will inspect the building for safety.”
Inspirational
Medium
Definition
Providing motivation or encouragement.
Example
“Evan's story of recovering from a severe car accident was inspirational to many.”
Intangible
Medium
Definition
Not able to be touched or measured.
Example
“Love is an intangible concept.”
Intentional
Medium
Definition
Done on purpose.
Example
“By reading the evidence, I could tell the man's actions were intentional.”
Interchangeable
Medium
Definition
Able to be substituted for each other.
Example
“These parts are interchangeable so it doesn't matter which one you use.”
Interject
Medium
Definition
To insert a comment abruptly.
Example
“My brother interjected with a sarcastic remark.”
Interpret
Easy
Definition
To explain the meaning of something.
Example
“I don't understand this poem; can you interpret it for met?”
Intersect
Medium
Definition
To cross or meet at a point.
Example
“The two streets intersect downtown.”
Intricate
Medium
Definition
Very detailed or complicated.
Example
“The artist created an intricate design on the fabric.”
Intriguing
Medium
Definition
Arousing curiosity or interest.
Example
“The mystery novel was intriguing because I couldn't figure out who the murderer was.”
Invalidate
Medium
Definition
To make something void or null.
Example
“The new evidence invalidated his argument.”
Invent
Easy
Definition
To create something new.
Example
“Thomas Edison invented the incandescent light bulb.”
Investigation
Medium
Definition
Systematic inquiries to uncover facts.
Example
“The police conducted a thorough investigation of the crime scene.”
Involuntarily
Medium
Definition
Done without conscious control.
Example
“She involuntarily gasped in surprise.”
Irrelevant
Easy
Definition
Not related or applicable.
Example
“His comment was irrelevant to the discussion.”
Isolate
Easy
Definition
To separate from others.
Example
“We need to isolate the patient with the very contagious disease.”
Lacking
Easy
Definition
Not having enough of something.
Example
“The short essay was lacking in detail.”
Latent
Medium
Definition
Present but not active.
Example
“He had a latent talent for music.”
Legitimate
Medium
Definition
Lawful or valid.
Example
“Because he was named in the will, John's claim to the property was legitimate.”
Localized
Medium
Definition
Restricted to a particular area.
Example
“The disease was localized to one region.”
Manageable
Medium
Definition
Able to be controlled or handled.
Example
“I'm lucky that my workload is manageable today, so I'll be home in time for dinner.”
Mandatory
Medium
Definition
Required or obligatory.
Example
“Attendance at the meeting is mandatory for all employees.”
Mimic
Easy
Definition
To imitate.
Example
“Parrots can mimic human speech.”
Misanthropic
Hard
Definition
Disliking people or society.
Example
“The old man was known for his misanthropic views.”
Misrepresent
Medium
Definition
To give a false impression.
Example
“The article misrepresented the facts.”
Moderate
Easy
Definition
Not extreme; average.
Example
“He never has strong opinions, and most of his views are moderate.”
Multifaceted
Medium
Definition
Having many aspects or features.
Example
“The housing problem is multifaceted and will take multiple solutions to solve.”
Neglect
Medium
Definition
To fail to care for properly.
Example
“He neglected his responsibilities when he decided to play video games instead of clean the house.”
Neutrality
Medium
Definition
The state of not taking sides.
Example
“Switzerland maintained neutrality during World War II.”
Newfound
Medium
Definition
Recently discovered or developed.
Example
“The recently-released prisoner enjoyed his newfound freedom.”
Notional
Medium
Definition
Existing only in theory.
Example
“Because we hadn't started it, the plan was still notional.”
Novel
Medium
Definition
New or original.
Example
“The doctor introduced a novel approach to hip surgery.”
Nuanced
Medium
Definition
Having subtle differences.
Example
“His argument was well-developed and nuanced.”
Obligate
Medium
Definition
To compel or require.
Example
“The contract obligates him to pay.”
Obscure
Medium
Definition
Not easily understood or seen.
Example
“The meaning of the letter was obscure and I didn't know what to make of it.”
Observable
Medium
Definition
Able to be seen or noticed.
Example
“The rings of Saturn were observable through the telescope.”
Observant
Medium
Definition
Quick to notice things.
Example
“The detective is very observant of small details.”
Obsolete
Medium
Definition
no longer used; rare or uncommon
Example
“Historians assumed record players would be obsolete by now, but in fact they’re making a huge comeback.”
Obstructed
Medium
Definition
Blocked or hindered.
Example
“We couldn't leave town because the road was obstructed by fallen trees.”
Occupy
Easy
Definition
To take up space or time.
Example
“The kids occupied themselves with games.”
Oddity
Medium
Definition
Something unusual or strange.
Example
“The museum displayed an interesting oddity.”
Offhand
Medium
Definition
Done without preparation or thought.
Example
“His offhand remark surprised everyone.”
Omnipotent
Hard
Definition
almighty and all powerful
Example
“Gods are omnipotent beings who can control human destiny.”
Onset
Medium
Definition
the beginning or early stages
Example
“At the onset of her career as a lawyer, things were looking up.”
Operative
Medium
Definition
Functioning or having effect.
Example
“The new policy is now operative so be sure to follow it.”
Ornamental
Medium
Definition
Decorative rather than functional.
Example
“The garden was filled with ornamental plants that helped beautify the space.”
Oust
Medium
Definition
to remove or force out of (usu. a position or office)
Example
“Sick and tired of putting up with his bad moods, the pirates ousted their captain.”
Outstrip
Medium
Definition
To surpass or exceed.
Example
“Sales of my new novel outstripped all expectations.”
Overcome
Easy
Definition
To succeed in dealing with a problem.
Example
“She overcame her fear of public speaking and was able to deliver her remarks.”
Overlook
Easy
Definition
To fail to notice or consider.
Example
“The officer overlooked an important detail that would have helped solve the crime.”
Overreact
Medium
Definition
To respond too strongly.
Example
“My sister overreacted to our parents' criticism of her outfit.”
Overshadow
Medium
Definition
To be more important than something else.
Example
“His success overshadowed his past failures.”
Overtly
Medium
Definition
Openly and clearly.
Example
“He overtly expressed his disapproval by telling me what he thought.”
Overwhelmed
Medium
Definition
Feeling excessive stress or emotion.
Example
“Agatha felt overwhelmed by her workload and had no idea how she'd finish it all in time.”
Paramount
Medium
Definition
predominant, superior, most important
Example
“Our paramount concern is the safety of our employees.”
Paucity
Medium
Definition
A scarcity or lack.
Example
“The crime will be difficult to solve because there is a paucity of evidence.”
Perceive
Medium
Definition
To become aware of something.
Example
“She perceived a hint of sadness in his voice.”
Peripheral
Medium
Definition
On the edge or outer part of something.
Example
“My involvement was peripheral to the project because I didn't do much.”
Permanent
Easy
Definition
Lasting indefinitely.
Example
“The marker left a permanent stain on my favorite shirt that I won't be able ot get out.”
Perpetual
Medium
Definition
Continuing forever or indefinitely.
Example
“The con artist lived in perpetual fear of being arrested.”
Persistent
Medium
Definition
Continuing despite difficulty.
Example
“After fifty years of buying lottery tickets, persistent efforts paid off when he won the jackpot.”
Popularize
Medium
Definition
To make widely known.
Example
“The internet popularized online shopping.”
Postulate
Hard
Definition
To assume or propose a theory.
Example
“Scientists postulated a new hypothesis for the origin of the universe.”
Pragmatic
Medium
Definition
Practical and realistic.
Example
“Elliot put his emotions aside and took a pragmatic approach to problem-solving.”
Praise
Easy
Definition
To express approval or admiration.
Example
“The teacher praised the students’ hard work.”
Precarious
Medium
Definition
Uncertain or unstable.
Example
“The goat was perched on a precarious edge of the cliff.”
Preclude
Medium
Definition
To prevent from happening.
Example
“Dylan's injury precluded him from playing in the soccer match.”
Predatory
Medium
Definition
Exploiting others for personal gain.
Example
“The credit company engaged in predatory lending practices.”
Predetermined
Medium
Definition
Decided in advance.
Example
“The outcome seemed predetermined and that we could do nothing to change it.”
Predict
Easy
Definition
To say what will happen in the future.
Example
“Meteorologists predict rain tomorrow.”
Premeditated
Medium
Definition
Planned beforehand.
Example
“Because the man had planned the theft for weeks, it was obvious the crime was premeditated.”
Prescribe
Medium
Definition
To recommend or order a treatment.
Example
“The doctor prescribed antibiotics when I had an ear infection.”
Preserve
Medium
Definition
To keep something in its original state.
Example
“The builders worked to preserve the house's original decorations.”
Presume
Medium
Definition
To assume something to be true.
Example
“I presume he will be late to the party.”
Prevail
Medium
Definition
To win or be more powerful.
Example
“Justice will always prevail.”
Preventable
Medium
Definition
Able to be avoided.
Example
“Many diseases are preventable with vaccines.”
Probability
Medium
Definition
Likelihood of something happening.
Example
“When you live in the desert, there's almost always a low probability of rain.”
Proclaim
Medium
Definition
To announce officially.
Example
“The king proclaimed a new law.”
Produce
Easy
Definition
To create or generate something.
Example
“The Ford factory produces thousands of cars each year.”
Profusion
Medium
Definition
A large quantity of something.
Example
“The garden had a profusion of flowers every spring.”
Prolong
Medium
Definition
To extend in duration.
Example
“He tried to prolong the meeting from one hour to two.”
Prominent
Medium
Definition
Important or well-known.
Example
“Marie Curie was a prominent scientist who won many awards.”
Proponent
Medium
Definition
A supporter of a cause or idea.
Example
“The environmentalist was a proponent of renewable energy.”
Provoke
Easy
Definition
To stir up or incite.
Example
“Miriam's rude words provoked an argument.”
Prudently
Medium
Definition
In a wise or careful manner.
Example
“My grandmother always prudently saved money for emergencies.”
Quantity
Easy
Definition
An amount or number.
Example
“The pudding recipe requires a small quantity of sugar.”
Quarrel
Easy
Definition
An angry argument or dispute.
Example
“The couple had a loud quarrel over money.”
Questionable
Medium
Definition
Doubtful or uncertain.
Example
“Despite claiming to want to help people, the politician's motives were questionable.”
Ramify
Hard
Definition
to split into two or more branches
Example
“Cars ramified throughout the world in the twentieth century.”
Rarely
Easy
Definition
Infrequently or seldom.
Example
“My sister rarely eats fast food.”
Rationalize
Medium
Definition
To justify an action with reasoning.
Example
“He tried to rationalize his mistake by explaining his thought process.”
Rebellion
Medium
Definition
An act of resistance against authority.
Example
“The peasants led a rebellion against the king.”
Recalcitrant
Hard
Definition
Stubbornly resistant to authority.
Example
“The recalcitrant student refused to obey.”
Recant
Medium
Definition
To take back a previous statement.
Example
“He was forced to recant his confession.”
Receptive
Medium
Definition
Open to new ideas.
Example
“The new dancer was receptive to feedback.”
Reciprocate
Medium
Definition
To give in return.
Example
“I reciprocated my brother's kindness by buying him dinner.”
Recognizable
Easy
Definition
Easily identified.
Example
“The Nike logo is instantly recognizable.”
Rectify
Medium
Definition
To correct or fix something.
Example
“She tried to rectify her mistake with an apology.”
Redefine
Medium
Definition
To change the meaning of something.
Example
“The company redefined its mission.”
Redress
Medium
Definition
To set right or remedy.
Example
“They sought to redress past injustices.”
Reform
Medium
Definition
To improve by making changes.
Example
“The government promised to reform the healthcare system.”
Refuse
Easy
Definition
To decline or reject.
Example
“Emilia refused the job offer.”
Refute
Medium
Definition
To prove false or incorrect.
Example
“The scientist refuted the claim that the Earth was flat.”
Regrettable
Medium
Definition
Causing sorrow or disappointment.
Example
“Forgetting my boyfriend's birthday was a regrettable mistake.”
Regulate
Medium
Definition
To control or manage.
Example
“The government regulates nuclear energy facilities.”
Reject
Easy
Definition
To dismiss or refuse to accept.
Example
“She rejected her boyfriend's proposal.”
Relocate
Easy
Definition
To move to a new place.
Example
“The dentist relocated to a bigger office.”
Renounce
Medium
Definition
To give up or reject formally.
Example
“He renounced his citizenship after moving to a new country.”
Replenish
Medium
Definition
To refill or restore.
Example
“After we finished the lemonade, the hostess replenished the pitcher.”
Replicable
Medium
Definition
Able to be copied or repeated.
Example
“The experiment's results were replicable.”
Representative
Medium
Definition
A person acting on behalf of others.
Example
“The company's representative spoke at the meeting.”
Repress
Medium
Definition
To suppress or hold back.
Example
“Although devastated, Jalen repressed his emotions.”
Reprieve
Medium
Definition
A temporary relief or delay.
Example
“Because the defendant needed surgery, the judge granted a reprieve.”
Repudiate
Medium
Definition
To reject or disown.
Example
“She repudiated the accusation that she'd stolen money from the company.”
Resilient
Medium
Definition
Able to recover quickly.
Example
“Even after setbacks, the patient is very resilient.”
Resolve
Easy
Definition
To find a solution.
Example
“The warring siblings eventually resolved their differences.”
Responsive
Medium
Definition
Reacting quickly or positively.
Example
“The team wanted to improve and was very responsive to feedback.”
Restore
Easy
Definition
To bring back to original condition.
Example
“The architecture team carefully restored the old house.”
Restrain
Medium
Definition
To hold back or limit.
Example
“Even though Tom was furious, he restrained his anger.”
Retain
Medium
Definition
To keep or hold onto.
Example
“I use this pitcher to retain water for my herb garden.”
Retaliate
Medium
Definition
To respond to an attack.
Example
“After Celia yelled at Dom, he retaliated with a counterattack.”
Rousing
Medium
Definition
Exciting or stirring.
Example
“The speaker gave a rousing speech that brought the audience to its feet.”
Rudimentary
Medium
Definition
Basic or simple.
Example
“The little boy only has a rudimentary understanding of math.”
Sanction
Medium
Definition
To authorize or approve.
Example
“The government sanctioned the project so construction will start soon.”
Sanguine
Medium
Definition
Optimistic or hopeful.
Example
“He remained sanguine despite repeated setbacks.”
Saturate
Medium
Definition
To soak or fill completely.
Example
“The sponge was saturated with water.”
Scorn
Medium
Definition
to look down on with disdain
Example
“It’s difficult for me not to scorn those who use improper grammar.”
Scrutinize
Medium
Definition
To examine closely.
Example
“I'm going to have my lawyer scrutinize the contract.”
Secretive
Easy
Definition
Keeping things hidden.
Example
“He was secretive about his plans for Valentine's Day.”
Sensitive
Easy
Definition
Easily affected or aware.
Example
“She is very sensitive to criticism.”
Simulate
Medium
Definition
To imitate or replicate.
Example
“The pilot simulated an emergency landing.”
Sincerity
Medium
Definition
The quality of being genuine.
Example
“His sincerity was evident in his speech.”
Skeptical
Medium
Definition
Doubtful or questioning.
Example
“The teacher was skeptical of the student's claim that the dog ate her homework.”
Sophisticated
Medium
Definition
Complex or refined.
Example
“The building's design was intricate and sophisticated.”
Span
Easy
Definition
The extent or length of something.
Example
“The Golden Gate Bridge has a long span.”
Sparingly
Medium
Definition
insufficiently, meagerly, or in a restricted manner
Example
“Due to my blood pressure, I must eat salt sparingly.”
Speculate
Medium
Definition
To guess or theorize.
Example
“He speculated about the outcome of the soccer match.”
Spurious
Medium
Definition
False or deceptive.
Example
“The claims were spurious and therefore thrown out in court.”
Stark
Medium
Definition
Very plain; devoid of any details or features
Example
“Looking out at the stark landscape, I felt a keen sense of isolation.”
Strenuously
Medium
Definition
With great effort.
Example
“She strenuously denied the accusations against her.”
Sturdily
Medium
Definition
Strongly or solidly.
Example
“The chair was sturdily built and had no chance of breaking.”
Stymie
Medium
Definition
To hinder or block.
Example
“The restoration project was stymied by a lack of funds.”
Substantial
Medium
Definition
Large or important.
Example
“Jackie made a substantial donation to her alma mater.”
Subtle
Medium
Definition
Hard to detect or analyze
Example
“The author gave a subtle hint as to who the murderer was.”
Succumb
Medium
Definition
To give in or surrender.
Example
“He succumbed to the temptation to eat the entire bag of gummy bears.”
Superficial
Medium
Definition
Shallow or lacking depth.
Example
“The candidate struggled to answer questions about policy because his knowledge was superficial.”
Supplement
Medium
Definition
To add to something.
Example
“She supplemented her income by starting a side hustle.”
Surmise
Medium
Definition
To infer or guess.
Example
“He surmised the answer based on context clues.”
Surpass
Medium
Definition
To exceed or go beyond.
Example
“She surpassed expectations by winning the national spelling bee.”
Surrender
Easy
Definition
To give up or yield.
Example
“The weakened army surrendered to the enemy.”
Susceptible
Medium
Definition
Easily influenced or affected.
Example
“With his weakened immune system, Marcelo is susceptible to illness.”
Synchronization
Medium
Definition
The process of coordinating events.
Example
“The synchronization of lights helped traffic flow.”
Tentative
Medium
Definition
Uncertain or not fully decided.
Example
“Our plans are tentative and may change.”
Tenuous
Medium
Definition
Weak or insubstantial.
Example
“His argument was tenuous at best.”
Theoretical
Medium
Definition
Based on theory rather than practice.
Example
“The idea remains theoretical until tested.”
Theory
Easy
Definition
A system of ideas intended to explain something.
Example
“Einstein's theory of relativity changed physics.”
Thoughtfulness
Medium
Definition
Consideration for others.
Example
“Her thoughtfulness made her a great friend.”
Tranquil
Easy
Definition
Peaceful and calm.
Example
“The lake was tranquil at sunset.”
Transform
Easy
Definition
To change in form or appearance.
Example
“The caterpillar transformed into a butterfly.”
Ubiquitous
Medium
Definition
Present everywhere.
Example
“Smartphones have become ubiquitous in society.”
Uncontroversial
Medium
Definition
Not likely to cause disagreement.
Example
“The decision was uncontroversial and widely accepted.”
Undeniable
Medium
Definition
Cannot be disputed.
Example
“Simone Biles' talent as a gymnast is undeniable.”
Underscore
Medium
Definition
To emphasize.
Example
“The report underscored the importance of safety.”
Unimportant
Easy
Definition
Not significant.
Example
“The details were unimportant to the main issue.”
Unintended
Medium
Definition
Not planned or meant.
Example
“The side effects of the medication were unintended.”
Universal
Medium
Definition
Common to all.
Example
“The desire for love is universal.”
Unmistakable
Medium
Definition
Clearly recognizable.
Example
“Morgan Freeman's voice is unmistakable.”
Unobtrusive
Medium
Definition
Not attracting attention.
Example
“The waitress did her best to be unobtrusive while clearing the table.”
Unoriginal
Medium
Definition
Lacking originality.
Example
“His speech was unoriginal and predictable.”
Unpredictable
Medium
Definition
Difficult to foresee.
Example
“The weather in winter can often be unpredictable.”
Validate
Medium
Definition
To confirm the accuracy of something.
Example
“The test results validated his hypothesis.”
Variable
Easy
Definition
Likely to change.
Example
“The weather is highly variable in spring.”
Verisimilitude
Hard
Definition
The appearance of being true or real.
Example
“The novel’s verisimilitude made it compelling.”
Veritable
Medium
Definition
Used to emphasize truth.
Example
“Einstein was a veritable genius.”
Vigilance
Medium
Definition
The action of keeping careful watch.
Example
“Constant vigilance is needed for security.”
Vital
Medium
Definition
Urgently necessary
Example
“It is vital that you respond by the deadline.”
Waive
Medium
Definition
To give up a right or claim voluntarily.
Example
“He waived his right to an attorney.”
Warranted
Medium
Definition
Justified or necessary.
Example
“The decision was warranted by the evidence.”
Widespread
Medium
Definition
Found or occurring over a large area.
Example
“The disease became widespread.”
Withdraw
Easy
Definition
To remove or retreat.
Example
“She withdrew from the competition.”

Solidify must-know words

Use flashcards daily, then apply them in full SAT English practice.

Start practice tests More resources

Filter word list by difficulty

Vocabulary list

Solidify must-know words