Reason Prep's SAT VOCAB LIST v. 2.1 This is a
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reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com Reason Prep’s SAT VOCAB LIST v. 2.1 This is a 2500+ word list of the most important vocab on the SAT. This list was generated not from my idea of what vocab is important but from what’s actually on the SAT. I sifted through dozens of SATs to bring you the most common vocabulary words in the sentence completion and passagebased reading questions. I organized them by frequency – Level 1 is the most common, with words that appeared on many tests, and Level 5 is the least common, with words that appeared on only one test. Note that base words can appear in different forms in standard usage, for example: magnanimity, magnanimous; cynical, cynicism, cynic, cynically; zealot, zealous, overzealous; etc. I did not include definitions because 1) it’s a lot of work for me to write 2500+ definitions and 2) it’s better for you to get the definitions yourself. It’s part of the learning process Some words have different definitions depending on their part of speech (e.g. articulate as a verb and adjective), so be thorough when researching definitions to capture the relevant shades of meaning. I will update this list regularly, so check back often! How to Use: Start with Level 1 vocab. When you learn those words, move on to Level 2, and so on. The lists get longer as you gain levels, so focus on learning the more important words (Levels 13) before worrying about the rarer words. LEVEL 1 SAT VOCAB abstract absurd aesthetic ambivalence analysis anecdote apathetic arbitrary articulate assert assume bewilder bolster characterize claim clarify condemn connotation conscious contradict contrast critique cynical deductive define demonstrate depict deride describe digress discredit discuss disdain disparage distinguish downplay dramatize eclectic emphasize enumerate ethical evidence evoke fallacy farce flourish futile general generalization genre grounds of highlight hypothesis idiosyncratic illustrate implicit imply incredulous indignant inductive indulge 1 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com infer inherent innate intrinsic ironic justify logical magnanimity melancholy methodology monotonous moral nonchalance nostalgia objective parody particular phenomenon plausible pragmatic presume profound provocative refer resent restate reticence rhetoric sardonic scope sentimental somber sophisticated specify speculate subjective substantiate subtle suggest summarize supposition synthesis theory thesis trivial unconscious undermine underscore vague valid verify LEVEL 2 SAT VOCAB ambiguity anachronism appreciate austere autonomous averse belligerent benign bombast callous candid capricious circumspect complacence conciliate concur conspicuous contempt convoluted dearth debilitate deferential despondent didactic diffidence discern disingenuous dubious duplication earnest eccentric elitist eloquent elude embellish enigma envy epitome equivocal euphemism exacerbate exasperated exploit extravagant facetious flippant foreboding fortuitous frivolous grandiose indifference inevitable ingenious innovative insolence intricate intuition lament laud meticulous mundane mystic notorious obscure obsolete ornate paradox perplexity presumptuous proximity quizzical reconcile refute reminiscence 2 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com repudiate reverence reverent rigorous rudimentary scholarly scrupulous serene solemn spontaneity superficial vindicate vivid vulgar whimsical wistful wry LEVEL 3 SAT VOCAB admonish affected alienate altruism amalgam analytical antagonism anticipate apologetic artifice aspiration assimilate astute augment baffled banal belie bemused brevity buoyancy cantankerous categorical censure concord condemnation condescending condone conjectural connoisseur conscientious contentious conventional cosmopolitan critical crude defiant denounce deplore detachment differentiate dilettante diligence diminish diminutive diplomatic discriminating dismay disperse dispute disseminate diversion docile domestic ebullience egotism elicit empathetic emphatic eradicate erratic erroneous erudite exotic extolled exuberant fastidious feign forbearance foster frank fundamental hackneyed heretic holistic homogeneity hostile idealized impetuous inapt indigenous induce inscrutable intermittent irreverence jaded jocular juxtapose keen lavish lucid lucrative ludicrous maverick mendacious migrate mitigate mock moralistic morose multiplicity munificence myopia nebulous ominous opulent overt partisan partisanship penchant 3 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com perpetual perpetuate philanthropic placid poignant precarious precocious precursor prejudice preoccupation presumption pretentious prodigy prolific prosaic prudent qualify redundancy regressive resignation resigned resilience resolute romanticism sarcasm satire satirize scorn scrutinize sentiment shrewd skeptical steadfast stereotype stipulate succinct superfluous supplant suppress sympathetic tempered tenacious tenuous terse tranquil trite tyrannical uncertainty understatement unorthodox unwarranted venerable versaility virtuoso vitality voracious vulnerable yearning zealot LEVEL 4 SAT VOCAB abate abject abrasive abridgement absolutist abstruse abundant accentuate accepting accessible acclaim acquiesce acumen acute adamant adapt admonition adorn adroit adulation advocate affirm affluence aggravate agile alacrity allege alleviate allusion amiable animate animosity anomaly anonymity antipathy antiquated antithesis aplomb apologist appalled appease apprehensive apt arcane archaic ardent arduous argumentative arid aristocracy arrogance ascertain ascetic aspersion assertions assuage attuned atypical auditory aura auspicious autocratic avant-garde avid awe axiom 4 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com bane begrudge belabor belated belittle bellicose benefactor benevolent bereavement beseech blatant blemish blissful boisterous brooded bungler cacophony cadence cajole camaraderie captivated cataclysmic catalyst catastrophic cathartic cavalier cerebral charisma charlatan chauvinist cherish chicanery chide circumscribed circumvent clandestine clarified cliché cloying coddled coerced coherent cohesive collaboration colloquial comical commandeer commendable commiseration commodity compel compliant complicit complimentary compunction concede conceited concession concise conditional conducive confide conflagration confounded consecrated consensus consign contemplate contingencies conversational convivial cordial correlate corroborate cosmetic covert covet credulity cryptic culpable cultivate cunning curtail debacle debunked decadent deceitful decipher decorative decorous decorum decried defensive defer deference defunct defy degenerated deleterious deliberation delight delineate delude demagogue demeanor demonstrative denuded deprecate derivative devious devotee devotion dexterous diatribe dichotomy dilatory disaffected disclose discontinuance discord discourse discrete disillusioned dismantled dismissive disparate dispassionate dissemination dissent 5 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com dissolute distinctive divergent diverse dole dormant ecstatic ectasy edifice edified effective effrontery effusive elegant elucidate elusive emboldend eminence empathy encompassed encroaching encumbrance endorse endure enlighten enmity ensure enthralling entrenched envision ephemeral equanimity equitable escalate esoteric espouse essence esteemed estrangement ethnic eulogized eulogy euphoric evaded evocation evocative exacting exemplar exonerate expansive expediency expedite expeditious explicit exude exultation fabrication falsified fascination fatalistic fathom felicitous fertile fervent fidelity filial finesse flag flagrant flamboyance flaunt flora flout flustered foist foreshadow foresight forestall formidable fortuitous frail frivolity frolic frugality furtive garish garner garnish gaudy gender gratification gratuitous grudging hail halting hamper harmonic harmonious harmonize hearsay hedonistic humane iconoclast idealism idealistic idealization ideologue idyllic ignominy illicit illuminate illusory imbue immense immersed immobile immutable impeccable impenetrability imperative imperceptible imperturbable implausible impressionable improvisational impugned impulse impulsive inane 6 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com inarticulate inaudible incantations incessant incidental incisive incompetent inconclusive incongruity incongruous incontrovertible incubation indelible indigence individualism indolence industrious ineffable inefficient ineptitude inexorable infatuated inflection infusion ingenuity inhibit inimitable innocuous inquisitive insidious insightful insinuated integral integrity intelligible intemperance interloper intimate intractable intrigued introspection inundated invalidate invariable invigorate invocation invoked irate irreconcilable irrelevant irresolute itinerant jeopardize jubilation knack laborious lackadaisical lackluster languid laudatory lethargy lexicon libel libertine lighthearted linguistic litigious loathe loquacious lugubrious lurid machinations malicious mandate mandatory marginal maudlin meddle mediate mediocrity melodious melodrama menial mercurial metaphor miniscule mirth misnomer missives modicum mollification momentous morbid moribund musing myriad mystify naïve narrative nautical negligence nominal nondescript nonplussed novelty nuance nullify obfuscate obligation oblivion oblivious obsequious obstinacy obstinate obstreperous obstructionist obtuse onerous open-minded opportune opportunist oppress ornamentation ostensible ostentatious outlandish outmoded overwrought painstaking 7 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com palliate panache panorama paradigm paragon paramount passive paucity pedagogy pedant pedantic peeved penitent pensive perennial perfunctory peripheral permeate personification perspicacious pertinent pervasive perverse petty petulance pious piquant plasticity platitude pliant polemical pompous portentous precedent precipitate precipitous predilection predominant prescriptive prestige pretension prevarication pristine prodigious profligacy profundity progenitor prohibition proliferated propaganda prospectus protégé provincial punctilious pundit puzzled qualification quell querulous quiescent quixotic raconteur rambunctious rancor rapport rarified rashly rationalize rebuke recalcitrance recant recessive reclusive recount recriminations rectitude redolent reflective refractory reiterate relinquish reluctant remedy remnant remonstrance remuneration renowned repercussions replicate reprehensible reprimand reproach rescind reserved respite restrained revisionist righteous robust rouse rumination rustic salient salutary sanctimonious sanctity sated scarce scintillating scoff secluded seditious selfaggrandizement self-effacing self-evident sensational sensibility sensory serendipitous severe (tone) sincere sinister slovenly smug snide solace solicitous solitude 8 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com sonorous sovereign spare spate splendid squalid starkness status quo staunch stifle stoic strenuous strident stringent studied subdued subsequent subsistence substantive subversive succulent sullenness surmise surmount surreptitious sustain sycophant synergistic synthesize systematic tacit tactful tangential tangible tawdry tedious teem tenacity tenet timorous tolerant tout transcend transgression transitory traversed trenchant tribulations truncate ubiquity unambiguous unconcern unconscionable undaunted unequivocal unfathomable unflappable unfurl ungainly unpalatable unpretentious unremitting unstinting urban utilitarian utility vacant vacillate vacuous vain vapid veiled veracity verbose vernacular vex vibrant vicarious vigilant vigorous vindictive visionary volatile voluble wary LEVEL 5 SAT VOCAB abasement abashed aberration abhor abide abnormal abolish abrupt absolved abstain abstemious abstinence abyss acclimated accord accosted acculturate accumulate accusatory acquisitive acquit acrid acrimony acronym adage adept adhere adherents admiration adoration advent adversary adversities aerates affability affiliate affinity afflictions afforded afterthought 9 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com aggrandize aggressive aghast agitation agnostic agrarian ailment alarm alarmist allegory allocated allude allure aloof aloofness amass amateur ambiance ameliorate amenable amenities amnesty amorphous ample amplified amused analogy anarchy ancillary annex annotate annul antecedents anthology anthropology anthropomorphize antidote antipodes antiquarian antiquity aphorisms apocalyptic apolitical apparition appellation apportionment appraise apprehend approbation appropriate aptitude arable arbitrate arbitration arbitrator arboreal archaeological archetypal archipelago ardor aromatic arouse array arrest artificial ascend askew asphyxiating assail assent asset assiduous astonishment astounded astronomical asylum atrocity atrophy attain attenuated attribution audacious audacity audible august aural auspicious authenticate authoritarian avarice avenger avert avocation avow avuncular azure babble balanced ballad balm banter baroque barrage barter basal becalmed bedazzled beguiled behoove bemoan beneficence beneficiary bent bequeath bequest berate bereft of beseem bias bifurcations bitter blanched blasphemous blather blight blithe boast bohemian bold 10 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com bombard bookish boon boon boorish botched bountiful bourgeois brandish brashness bravado breezily brittle bromide brusque bucolic buoyed burdensome bureaucratic burgeoned buttress byzantine cabal cachet cadged calamity calculating calibrated callow candor canopy canvassed capacious capacity capitulate captious cardinal caricature carnivore carouse carp cartography castanet castigate cautious censorious census certitude charade chic chimera chronic chronicler chronological circuitous circumlocutions citations civilities clairvoyant clambered clamorous clarifications clarity cleaving clientele coalesced coalition coffered cogent cognitions cognitive cognizant colleagues collegial colossus combative combustible comely commemorate commendation commerce commission commonplace communal compatriot compendious compensate complement compounded comprehensive compromise compulsion conceit conciliatory condecension condensed condolatory condolence confection confer conferred confessional confidant confidential conflated conform confrontational congenial congregate congruous conjoins conjunction conjure conscience conscripted console consonance consternation constituents constitute constraint consummate contemporary contemptuous contiguous continuity contours contrary contrite 11 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com contrive conundrum convene convergence convey conviction copious cordial cornucopia corollary coronation corpulence corrective corrode counsel countenance counterbalance counterpoise courteous crass credence credibility credo crux crystallize culminate cumulative curative curatorial curriculum cursory cynicism dalliance daredevil daunting deadpan decimate decisive declaim decode decrepit decry defamed defector deferment deficit definitive deftness degrade deify dejected demeaning demise demoralizing demurral demystify denigrate denotation denunciation deplete deposition deprativity depreciatory derelict derive derogate desecration deserter desolate despair despise despoil despotic destitute detached detachment detachment detachment deterrence detest detract detrimental deviation devoid dialect diction diffuses dignitary dilettante dire dirge disapproving disavowed disclaimer disconcerting discreet discrepancy discretion disembodied disenchanted disequilibrium disgruntled disgust disheartened disheveled disintegration disjointed dislodge dispatch dispelled dispensation dispense disposition disquisition disrepute disruption dissatisfied dissemble dissipation dissonance distaste distension distillation distinctively distortion divergent divisible divisive divulge 12 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com doctrinaire doctrine doff dogmatic domineering dour drone drubbed drudgery duped duplicitous dutiful dynamic dysfunction earthy eased ebb eclipsed economize edible edification efface effacement effacing effervescent efficacious efficient egalitarian elaborate elasticity elation elegy elongate emaciated emancipator embark embittered emblem embodiment embroiled emergent emigrate eminent emollient empiric empirical emulate enact encore endeavor endemic endow enervated engender engrossed enhanced enjoins enquire enshrined entice entity entourage entreat entrepreneurs entropy entrusted epigram epilogue epiphany episodic epistles equivocated erodes eschew euphonious evanescent evaporate evasive evenhanded eventuality exalt excavated excerpt excise excruciating excursion exemplify exerted exhibitionistic exhilarated exhortation exorbitant expatriate expendable explanatory explication expropriation expunge expurgate extant extemporaneous extemporized extenuating extirpation extraneous extrapolated extricate extrinsic fable façade facile facilitate faction faculty fallible famished fanatical fanciful fastidious fauna fawning feasible ferocious fervor fickle fictitious figurative finagle fiscal 13 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com fissure fitful flabbergasted flanked flashback fledgling fleeting florid flotilla floundering flowery fluctuation foibles foil folly foolhardy forebears forego forerunners forge forgo forlorn formative formulaic forseen forthrightness fortified foundered fragrant frantic fraternize fraudulent frenetic fretful fulsome functional funerary gaffe gaiety gait gallantry galvanize galvanized gargantuan garrulity gauge generic genial gentility genuflect germinated gesticulation gestural gibe gimmick glacial glamour glean gloated gloss glum gluttonous gossamer grandeur grandstanding grating gratitude gregarious grievance grim guarded guile guileless guise gullibility gumption guru hallowed haphazard hapless haranguing harbinger hardy harried haughty havoc hazard hesitant heterogeneity hierarchy hilarity hinder histrionic hoard hoary hobble hodgepodge hospitable hubris huckster humble humdrum humility husbandry hypocrisy hysterical ideological ideology idiom illegible imbecile imitative immaterial immediacy imminent immoral immune impair impart impartial impasse impassioned impassive impatience impede impediment imperious impermanent impermeability 14 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com impertinent impervious impish implement implicate impoverish impregnable impression imprimatur impromptu improprieties improvidence imprudent impudent impunity inadvertently inadvisable inalienable incapacity incarcerated incarnation incensed incentives inception inchoate incision incite inclined inclusiveness incoherency inconsequential inconsolable inconsonant inconspicuous incorrigible incorruptible incredulity increment incriminating incurred indecent indecorous indefatigable indeterminate indicated indictment indigent indiscernible indiscretion indiscriminate indispensable indisputable individuality indoctrinate indomitable indulgence indulgent ineffectual inequity inertia inertness inexplicable inextricable infallible infamous infectious infelicity infinitesimal infirmary inflammatory informative infraction ingenue ingenuous inglorious ingrained ingrate ingratitude inhospitable inimical injunction innuendo innumerable inoculate inordinate inquiry insatiable insincere insipid insoluble insolvent instantaneous instigate instill insubstantial insufferable insular insuperable insurgent insurrectionists integrated intensive interceded interdisciplinary interleaving interminable interposed interrogate intertwined intonation intransigence intrepid intrepidity intrusive invasive invidious inviolable irascibility irascible irrepressible irreproachable irrevocable isolation iterate itinerary jargon jaunt jeer jest 15 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com jettison jingoistic jovial judicious kin kindred kinetic kinship kudos labored laconic languish languor lassitude latency latent lay leery legitimate leniency levity levy liable liberality liberation licentious lionized literal lithe lively lobbyist locutions loftiness longevity luminous lush luxurious lyrical magisterial magnate magnitude mainstay malcontented malevolent malfeasance malice malignant malleable mania manicured manifestation manifesto mar marginalize marred marvel masquerade materialist matriarch mawkishness maxim meager meandering meditation medium medley mellifluous membranous memento menace mendicancy mercenary mercilessly meritocracy merriment mesmerize metallurgy metaphysical meteoric methodical miffed militant mimeograph mimetic mimic mimicked mingle minimalism minuscule minute minutia misanthrope mischance mischief misconception misconduct miscreants miser misgivings mishap missionaries mnemonic modest monarchical monetary monolith monstrosity monumental moratorium mortality mortified mortified motif motley mottled motto muddled mudslinging multifaceted multifarious multitude muse mutability muted mystique narcissistic narrow-minded nattering naysayer 16 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com nefarious negation negligible nemesis nepotism nihilistic noble nomadic nonpartisan novice noxious nudge nuisance obdurate objectivity obligated obliged oblique obliterate obscene obstruction obtrusive occlusion odoriferous officious offset olfactory omen omnipresent opacity opaque opprobrium optimistic oration organic orthodox ossified ostracize outraged overarching oversight overstate overweening overzealous pacifists palatable palate palette pallid pallor panacea pandemonium pandering panoply parasite parch parches pardon parenthetical parity parochial particularity passionate patently pathetic pathology pathos patriarchal patronage patronized pedestrian peevish pejorative penurious perfidious perilous perishability permissive permutations perniciousness perquisites perseverance persona pertained perturbed perused pervade pessimistic pestering pestilence pettiness phlegmatic phobic picayune picturesque piecemeal piety pigeonhole pilfer pinnacle pitiable pitiful pivotal placate placebo plaudits plenitude plethora pliable pluralistic poise polarized polymath ponderous populist posterity posthumous postulate potentate practical pragmatic preachy preamble preclude preconception precondition predecessor prediction predictive 17 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com predisposed preeminent preempted prefatory prefigure preliminary premeditated premonition prescience prescribe presuppose pretext prevailing prevalent preventative pride primacy probing procurement prodigal proffer profiteer profusion prognosis prolong prominence promissory promoted promulgated pronouncement propagate propensity prophet propitiatory proponent proposition propound proprietor propriety prose prospective prosperity prostrate protagonist protean protective prototype proverb proverbial provisionary provocation provoke proxy pseudonym puerile puffery pugnacious punctual pungent purveyor putrid puzzlement quagmire quaint qualitative qualms quandary quantified quarantine quarrel quash quench query quibbling quicken racked raid ramifications ramshackle rapturous ratification ratify rationalism raucous raunchy ravenous razing reactionary reactive reallocation reaped reappraises rebuffed rebuttal recapitulation receptacle receptivity reciprocity recklessness reckoning recommence reconstituted rectify recurring redemptive redolent redouble redoubled redoubtable redress refined refinement reflexive reformation refracted refurbish regal regale regenerate regimented regimented regress regressive rehash reinvigorate relegated relent relentless relevance 18 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com relic relished remiss remorse remote renaissance render rendezvous reneged renounced renunciation reparation repartee repeal repentant repertory repetitious replicas repository repressed reprieve repugnant reputable resolve resonance resounding restitution restless resurgence resurgent resuscitating retentive retiring retraction retrenchment retroactive retrograde revelry reverberate revered reverie reviling revitalizing revivalist revoked rhapsodize rhetorical riff rigidity risque ritualistic roamed romantic rubric ruffian ruffled rugged ruggedness ruse ruthless sacrilege sacrosanct sagacious sage salutations salvaging salvo sanctions sanguine satellite savanna savor scant scapegoat scathing scheme scouring scrutinizes scuttled sedate sedentary sedulous seep self-congratulatory self-deprecating self-indulgent self-possessed self-righteous self-satisfied self-serving semantic sensation sensationalism sensual serendipity sermonized serpentine servility shabby shame shopworn shortsighted shroud sierra signify simile sinecure singularly sinuously skewed skirted skulk slapstick slights slipshod slur snob sojourner solidarity solidified soluble solvent somnolent sophistry sophomoric soporific spacious spareness sparing 19 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com sparse spartan spawns specificity specious specter speculations spellbound spiteful splendor sporadic sprawling sprightly spurious spurned squander squelch stagnant stagnation stalwart stamina stately static stature sterile stern stickler stifling stilted stimulants stimulus strategist stratified studious stunted stylistic stylized stymied suave sublime submissive subordinate subordinate subservient subsidize substantiated subterfuge succor succumbs suffice suffrage suggestible sully summon sundry supercedes supercilious supersede supple supplement supplication surfeit susceptible suspect sustenance sweeping syllogism symbiotic symbolism synchrony syncopated synonymous synthetic taciturn tactile taint talisman tamper tangency tantalizing tasteless taunting taxing technicality tedium temperament temperamental temperance temperate temporize tenable tentative terrestrial testament theatricality theological theoretical therapeutic thrive thwarted tidiness timbre timely timeworn timid toady toil torpid torrent totalitarian tractable transient transparent travesty treachery treacly treaty tremulous trepidation tribute trifle triumphant trove truculence tryst tumultuous turbulence turmoil tycoon 20 reasonprep.com – rob@reasonprep.com unabashed unadorned unassuming unbridled uncanny undercut understudy undone undue unduly unerring unethical unfetter unforeseen unhinging unimpeachable unintelligible unmitigated unprecedented unrealized unrelenting unrestrained unruffled unruly unscrupulous unswerving unsympathetic unwieldy unwitting unyielding urbane usurped utopia utter vacuity vagary valor values vanity vanquish variegated vaunted vector veer vehemence venality veneer venerate verbatim verdant verifiable verities vestige vestigial vexatious vexing viable vicissitude vignettes vilified virtuous virulence viscous vitiated vivacious vocation vociferous voluminous vouchsafe wade waft waiver wallow wan wane ward warrant watershed wayward wearied whimsy wily winnow witticism wordplay wordy worldliness worldly wracked wrath wrongheaded yen zeal zenith 21
