SAT Vocabulary

Abate

To reduce in intensity, amount, or degree.

Similar definitions: diminish, subside, wane

Example: "The storm finally began to         , and the residents emerged from their shelters."

Abhor

To regard with disgust or hatred; to detest.

Similar definitions: loathe, despise, detest

Example: "She         ed dishonesty and refused to work with anyone who had lied to her."

Abstain

To restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something.

Similar definitions: refrain, forgo, desist

Example: "Members of the committee chose to          from voting on the controversial proposal."

Acerbic

Sharp and direct in tone or style; biting and critical.

Similar definitions: caustic, cutting, sardonic

Example: "The critic's          review left the playwright feeling demoralized."

Acumen

The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions; keen insight.

Similar definitions: shrewdness, astuteness, discernment

Example: "Her financial          allowed the startup to become profitable within its first year."

Adamant

Refusing to change one's mind; stubbornly unyielding.

Similar definitions: resolute, inflexible, intransigent

Example: "Despite the pressure from his colleagues, he remained          in his opposition to the new policy."

Admonish

To caution or warn someone; to express disapproval firmly but not harshly.

Similar definitions: reprimand, rebuke, chide

Example: "The teacher         ed the students not to plagiarize their essays."

Advocate

To publicly recommend or support a cause or policy; one who does so.

Similar definitions: champion, promote, support

Example: "The organization         d for stricter environmental protections at the legislative hearing."

Aesthetic

Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty; a set of principles relating to art.

Similar definitions: artistic, visual, tasteful

Example: "The architect's minimalist          was evident in every room of the building."

Affable

Friendly, easy to talk to, and good-natured.

Similar definitions: amiable, genial, personable

Example: "The new principal was so          that students felt comfortable approaching him with concerns."

Affinity

A natural attraction or liking for someone or something; a close connection.

Similar definitions: inclination, fondness, kinship

Example: "She had always felt a strong          for mathematics and chose it as her major."

Aggravate

To make a problem, injury, or offense worse or more serious.

Similar definitions: exacerbate, worsen, intensify

Example: "Running on the injured leg only served to          the condition."

Alleviate

To make suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe.

Similar definitions: relieve, ease, mitigate

Example: "The new medication was designed to          chronic pain without causing dependency."

Ambiguous

Open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning.

Similar definitions: vague, unclear, equivocal

Example: "The contract's          wording led to a lengthy dispute between the two parties."

Ambivalent

Having mixed or contradictory feelings about something or someone.

Similar definitions: conflicted, uncertain, undecided

Example: "She felt          about accepting the promotion, since it would require relocating her family."

Amiable

Having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.

Similar definitions: affable, cordial, congenial

Example: "The          host made every guest feel welcome at the reception."

Anomaly

Something that deviates from the standard or expected; an irregularity.

Similar definitions: irregularity, aberration, deviation

Example: "The scientist noted the temperature reading as an          requiring further investigation."

Antagonize

To cause someone to become hostile; to provoke opposition.

Similar definitions: provoke, irritate, alienate

Example: "His dismissive comments only served to          the very voters he needed to win."

Antipathy

A deep-seated feeling of aversion or dislike toward something.

Similar definitions: hostility, aversion, animosity

Example: "Her long-standing          toward bureaucracy made her reluctant to apply for government grants."

Apathetic

Showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

Similar definitions: indifferent, disinterested, listless

Example: "Voters were          about the election, with turnout reaching a historic low."

Apprehensive

Anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

Similar definitions: anxious, uneasy, worried

Example: "She was          about her first day at the new school, unsure how her classmates would receive her."

Arbitrary

Based on random choice or personal whim rather than reason or system.

Similar definitions: random, capricious, inconsistent

Example: "The students found the grading system          because similar essays received very different scores."

Arcane

Understood by only a few; mysterious or obscure.

Similar definitions: esoteric, mysterious, cryptic

Example: "The professor specialized in          medieval manuscripts that very few scholars could interpret."

Arduous

Involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.

Similar definitions: strenuous, laborious, grueling

Example: "The          climb to the summit took the hikers nearly ten hours."

Assert

To state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully; to claim or maintain.

Similar definitions: declare, maintain, contend

Example: "The researcher         ed that the new findings challenged decades of accepted theory."

Augment

To make something greater by adding to it; to increase.

Similar definitions: supplement, enhance, enlarge

Example: "She took a part-time job to          her income while finishing graduate school."

Austere

Having an extremely plain and simple style; stern and severe in manner.

Similar definitions: stark, ascetic, spartan

Example: "The monastery's          interior reflected the monks' dedication to a life without material comfort."

Autonomous

Having the freedom to act independently; self-governing.

Similar definitions: independent, self-sufficient, sovereign

Example: "The department preferred to remain         , resisting attempts by central management to oversee its decisions."

Banal

So lacking in originality as to be boring; trite.

Similar definitions: trite, clichéd, hackneyed

Example: "The film's          plot disappointed critics who had expected something more inventive from the director."

Belligerent

Hostile and aggressive; inclined or eager to fight.

Similar definitions: aggressive, combative, antagonistic

Example: "The          customer refused to leave the store and threatened the employees."

Benevolent

Well-meaning and kindly; characterized by generosity and goodwill.

Similar definitions: charitable, generous, philanthropic

Example: "The          donor contributed millions to fund scholarships for underprivileged students."

Bias

A tendency to favor one side unfairly; prejudice for or against something.

Similar definitions: prejudice, partiality, predisposition

Example: "The study was criticized for researcher         , as the scientists had a financial interest in the outcome."

Bolster

To support or strengthen; to prop up.

Similar definitions: reinforce, buttress, fortify

Example: "Additional research findings helped to          the team's central argument."

Bombastic

High-sounding but with little meaning; using inflated language to impress.

Similar definitions: pompous, grandiose, pretentious

Example: "The politician's          speech drew applause but offered no specific policy proposals."

Brevity

Concise and exact use of words; shortness of time.

Similar definitions: conciseness, succinctness, terseness

Example: "The editor praised the author's         , noting that every sentence carried its weight."

Callous

Showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others.

Similar definitions: unfeeling, heartless, indifferent

Example: "The manager's          response to the employee's hardship shocked the rest of the team."

Candor

The quality of being open and honest; frankness.

Similar definitions: honesty, frankness, transparency

Example: "She appreciated her mentor's          in pointing out the flaws in her business plan."

Capricious

Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior; unpredictable.

Similar definitions: whimsical, fickle, erratic

Example: "The          nature of the weather made it impossible to plan an outdoor event."

Catalyst

A person or thing that precipitates an event or change; something that speeds up a process.

Similar definitions: stimulus, impetus, trigger

Example: "The publication of that exposé served as a          for sweeping legislative reforms."

Censure

To express severe disapproval of someone or something, usually formally.

Similar definitions: condemn, reprimand, criticize

Example: "The board voted to          the official for misusing public funds."

Circumspect

Wary and unwilling to take risks; careful about all circumstances.

Similar definitions: cautious, prudent, guarded

Example: "A good investor must be         , weighing every potential risk before committing capital."

Coalesce

To come together to form one mass or whole; to unite.

Similar definitions: converge, merge, combine

Example: "Several smaller activist groups began to          into a unified movement demanding policy change."

Coerce

To persuade someone to do something by using force or threats.

Similar definitions: compel, intimidate, pressure

Example: "The defendant claimed that he had been         d into signing the contract against his will."

Cognizant

Having knowledge or awareness of something.

Similar definitions: aware, conscious, mindful

Example: "The surgeon was fully          of the risks involved before proceeding with the operation."

Coherent

Logical and consistent; clearly expressed and easy to understand.

Similar definitions: logical, consistent, intelligible

Example: "The essay lacked a          argument, jumping between unrelated ideas without clear transitions."

Compound

To make a problem or difficulty worse; to add to or increase.

Similar definitions: exacerbate, worsen, aggravate

Example: "The miscommunication only         ed the confusion, leaving everyone more uncertain than before."

Concise

Giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words; brief but comprehensive.

Similar definitions: succinct, terse, laconic

Example: "The professor demanded          answers that demonstrated understanding without unnecessary elaboration."

Contentious

Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.

Similar definitions: controversial, disputed, debatable

Example: "Immigration policy remains a          topic that divides voters along ideological lines."

Conventional

Based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed; traditional.

Similar definitions: traditional, orthodox, standard

Example: "The artist rejected          techniques, preferring to experiment with unusual materials."

Copious

Abundant in supply or quantity; plentiful.

Similar definitions: abundant, ample, profuse

Example: "She took          notes during the lecture, filling three pages in under an hour."

Corroborate

To confirm or give support to a statement, theory, or finding.

Similar definitions: confirm, substantiate, verify

Example: "The witness's testimony helped to          the defendant's alibi."

Credible

Able to be believed; convincing and trustworthy.

Similar definitions: believable, plausible, reliable

Example: "The committee found the witness's account          and consistent with the physical evidence."

Culmination

The highest or climactic point of something, especially as attained after a long time.

Similar definitions: apex, pinnacle, climax

Example: "Winning the championship was the          of years of dedication and sacrifice."

Curtail

To reduce in extent or quantity; to impose a restriction on.

Similar definitions: reduce, limit, restrict

Example: "Budget shortfalls forced the city to          spending on public transportation."

Dearth

A scarcity or lack of something.

Similar definitions: scarcity, shortage, paucity

Example: "There is a troubling          of qualified candidates applying for positions in rural healthcare."

Defiant

Showing bold resistance to authority or an opposing force.

Similar definitions: rebellious, insubordinate, recalcitrant

Example: "The          protestors refused to disperse despite repeated warnings from police."

Deplete

To use up the supply or resources of something.

Similar definitions: exhaust, drain, diminish

Example: "Decades of overfishing have severely         d the population of Atlantic cod."

Deride

To express contempt for; to ridicule.

Similar definitions: mock, ridicule, scoff at

Example: "Critics         d the proposal as naive and unworkable."

Deter

To discourage someone from taking an action through doubt or fear.

Similar definitions: discourage, dissuade, prevent

Example: "The steep fines were intended to          drivers from speeding in school zones."

Diatribe

A forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.

Similar definitions: tirade, harangue, polemic

Example: "His op-ed quickly devolved into a          against the administration rather than a constructive critique."

Diligent

Having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties.

Similar definitions: hardworking, industrious, assiduous

Example: "A          researcher, she spent months cross-referencing sources before drawing conclusions."

Diminish

To make or become less; to reduce in size, importance, or intensity.

Similar definitions: reduce, lessen, decrease

Example: "Years of neglect had begun to          the organization's credibility with the public."

Discernible

Able to be perceived or recognized clearly.

Similar definitions: noticeable, perceptible, detectable

Example: "There was no          difference in performance between the two groups in the study."

Disparate

Essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison.

Similar definitions: different, distinct, unlike

Example: "The report attempted to reconcile          findings from studies conducted under very different conditions."

Dissent

To hold or express opinions that differ from those officially accepted; disagreement.

Similar definitions: disagree, object, protest

Example: "One judge filed a         ing opinion, arguing that the majority had misread the statute."

Dogmatic

Inclined to lay down principles as undeniably true; rigidly fixed in opinion.

Similar definitions: doctrinaire, rigid, inflexible

Example: "His          approach to economics made him resistant to any evidence that challenged his model."

Dormant

Temporarily inactive; in a state of rest or sleep.

Similar definitions: inactive, latent, quiescent

Example: "The volcano had been          for over a century before the unexpected eruption."

Dubious

Hesitating or doubting; not to be relied upon; suspect.

Similar definitions: questionable, suspect, uncertain

Example: "The investor was          about the startup's claims, given how little data they had provided."

Eccentric

Unconventional and slightly strange in behavior or appearance.

Similar definitions: quirky, unconventional, idiosyncratic

Example: "The          inventor filled his home with half-finished experiments and oddly labeled jars."

Eclectic

Deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.

Similar definitions: diverse, varied, wide-ranging

Example: "Her          musical taste ranged from classical opera to underground hip-hop."

Egregious

Outstandingly bad; shockingly obvious in a negative way.

Similar definitions: flagrant, glaring, heinous

Example: "The judge condemned the lawyer's          misrepresentation of the facts."

Elaborate

To develop or expand upon in detail; to add more detail or explanation.

Similar definitions: expand, develop, expound

Example: "The author was asked to          on her central thesis in the revised draft."

Elicit

To draw out a response or reaction from someone; to evoke.

Similar definitions: evoke, draw out, extract

Example: "The comedian's opening joke failed to          even a smile from the stern panel of judges."

Eloquent

Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing; well-expressed.

Similar definitions: articulate, expressive, persuasive

Example: "Her          closing argument moved several jurors to tears."

Elusive

Difficult to find, catch, or achieve; hard to pin down.

Similar definitions: evasive, slippery, hard to grasp

Example: "A cure for Alzheimer's disease has remained          despite decades of intensive research."

Eminent

Famous and respected, especially within a particular sphere; prominent.

Similar definitions: distinguished, renowned, prominent

Example: "An          historian was invited to speak at the dedication of the new national archive."

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.

Similar definitions: compassion, understanding, sympathy

Example: "Good teachers demonstrate          by trying to see the material through their students' eyes."

Emphatic

Showing or giving emphasis; expressing something forcibly and clearly.

Similar definitions: forceful, unequivocal, definitive

Example: "The CEO gave an          denial of the rumors about the company's impending bankruptcy."

Empirical

Based on, concerned with, or verifiable through observation or experiment rather than theory.

Similar definitions: observational, experimental, evidence-based

Example: "The hypothesis had great intuitive appeal but lacked any          support."

Engender

To cause or give rise to a feeling, situation, or condition.

Similar definitions: produce, create, foster

Example: "The new community center was designed to          a sense of belonging among residents."

Enigmatic

Difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious.

Similar definitions: mysterious, cryptic, inscrutable

Example: "The artist's          smile was the subject of endless speculation by art historians."

Enumerate

To mention items one by one; to list or count.

Similar definitions: list, catalog, itemize

Example: "The report         d the ten key steps required to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050."

Ephemeral

Lasting for a very short time; transitory.

Similar definitions: fleeting, transient, momentary

Example: "Social media fame can be         , disappearing almost as quickly as it arrives."

Equivocal

Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous; uncertain.

Similar definitions: ambiguous, vague, unclear

Example: "The spokesperson gave an          answer that left reporters unsure of the company's actual position."

Erroneous

Wrong; incorrect; based on mistaken thinking.

Similar definitions: incorrect, mistaken, false

Example: "The article was retracted after the editors discovered that several of its central claims were         ."

Esoteric

Intended for or understood by only a small group with specialized knowledge.

Similar definitions: arcane, obscure, cryptic

Example: "The journal article was so          that even experts outside the subfield found it impenetrable."

Evoke

To bring a feeling, memory, or image to mind; to draw forth.

Similar definitions: elicit, conjure, stir

Example: "The author's vivid descriptions of the harbor         d a powerful sense of nostalgia in readers who had grown up near the sea."

Exacerbate

To make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse.

Similar definitions: aggravate, worsen, compound

Example: "The drought         d the region's food insecurity crisis."

Exemplify

To be a typical example of; to illustrate by giving an example.

Similar definitions: illustrate, represent, typify

Example: "Her career         s the kind of persistence that leads to lasting success."

Exonerate

To officially absolve someone from blame or a criminal charge.

Similar definitions: acquit, absolve, vindicate

Example: "New DNA evidence fully         d the man who had spent twelve years in prison."

Expedient

Convenient and practical, though possibly improper or immoral; advantageous.

Similar definitions: pragmatic, advantageous, opportunistic

Example: "The administration chose the most politically          solution rather than the most principled one."

Explicit

Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt.

Similar definitions: clear, direct, unambiguous

Example: "The contract contained          instructions about the conditions under which either party could terminate the agreement."

Extol

To praise enthusiastically.

Similar definitions: praise, laud, glorify

Example: "Every biography of the founder         s his visionary leadership without examining his many failures."

Facilitate

To make an action or process easier or more achievable.

Similar definitions: enable, assist, expedite

Example: "The new software was designed to          collaboration among team members working in different time zones."

Fastidious

Very attentive to accuracy and detail; difficult to please; excessively particular.

Similar definitions: meticulous, scrupulous, exacting

Example: "The          editor caught errors that everyone else had overlooked."

Fervor

Intense and passionate feeling; great warmth and earnestness.

Similar definitions: passion, zeal, ardor

Example: "The candidate spoke with such          that the crowd became increasingly energized."

Fickle

Changing frequently, especially as regards one's loyalties or affections.

Similar definitions: capricious, inconsistent, mercurial

Example: "The          public quickly abandoned the artist whose debut album had made her a star."

Flagrant

Conspicuously or obviously offensive; shockingly noticeable.

Similar definitions: blatant, glaring, egregious

Example: "The referee called a penalty for the          foul committed in front of thousands of spectators."

Flout

To openly disregard a rule, law, or convention.

Similar definitions: defy, disobey, disregard

Example: "The company was fined for continuing to          environmental regulations."

Forthright

Direct and outspoken; confident and straightforward.

Similar definitions: candid, direct, frank

Example: "The interviewer appreciated the candidate's          answers about past failures."