Credit goes to Direct Hits Core, best SAT vocabulary book to study from.
Ch 1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
ambivalent: contradictory, having mixed feelings
Anomaly: deviation from the norm
Sardonic: mocking, derisive comments that taunt and sting
Dearth: scarcity or shortage of something (-de)
Paucity: scarcity or shortage of something (-pau)
Prattle: speak in a foolish manner, babble on incessantly
Wry: dry, humor with a clever twist and a touch of irony
Unorthodox: Not ordinary or typical, characterized by avoiding customary conventions and
behaviors
Meticulous: extremely careful; very exacting
Audacious: Fearless, often recklessly daring; very bold
Indifferent: Marked by a lack of interest or concern (-ind)
Apathetic: Marked by a lack of interest or concern (-apa)
Diffident: lacking self confidence; self-effacing
Pragmatic: practical, sensible
Evocation: imaginative re-creation
Presumptuous: overbearing, impertinently bold, characterized by brashly overstepping one's
place
Recalcitrant: Marked by stubborn resistance to and defiance of authority or guidance (-re)
Boon: timely benefit, blessing
Bane: source of harm and ruin
Clandestine: secret, covert, not open (begins with a cland)
Surreptitious: secret, covert, not open (begins with a surr)
Affable: agreeable, warm, friendly (-aff)
Gregarious: agreeable, warm, friendly (begins w/ a gre)
Confounded: Perplexed, puzzled, confused
prodigious: huge, massive, enormous
Ambiguous: unclear, uncertain, open to more than one interpretation
Reproach: express disapproval, scold, rebuke (-rep)
Nostalgia: sentimental longing for the past
Conjecture: inference based upon guesswork (-co)
Obsolete: no longer in use, outmodeled in design or style
Auspicious: very favorable
Morose: very depressed, mournful (-mo)
Impasse: deadlock, stalemate, failure to reach an agreement
Anachronism: false assignment of an event, person, scene, or language to a time when the
person, event, scene, or word didn't exist
Belie: to contradict, give a false expression
Mitigate: relieve, lessen, ease (-mi)
Mollify: relieve, lessen, ease (molly)
Assuage: relieve, lessen, ease (assu)
Covet: strongly desire, crave (-cov)
Antithesis: direct opposite, complete reverse (-antit)
41.
42.
43.
44.
Prototype: Original model
Aloof: Detached, distant physically or emotionally, reserved, standing near but apart
Hackneyed: unoriginal, cliched, overused, commonplace (hack-)
Banal: unoriginal, cliched, overused, commonplace (-ban)
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
Platitudinous: unoriginal, cliched, overused, commonplace (-plat)
Antecedent: preceding event (-ant)
Plausible: believable, credible
Implausible: unbelievable, incredible
Prudent: careful, cautious, sensible
Aesthetic: relating to what is beautiful; appreciation of what is beautiful or attractive
Paradox: seemingly contradictory statement that nonetheless expresses a truth
Enigmatic: mysterious, puzzling, baffling, unfathomable (-enig)
Inscrutable: mysterious, puzzling, baffling, unfathomable (ins-)
Acquiesce: comply, agree, give in
Autonomous: independent, not controlled by others
futile: completely useless; doomed to failure; ineffective
indigenous: native to an area (-indig)
endemic: native to an area (begins with an en)
Ubiquitous: being everywhere, omnipresent, widespread (ubiq-)
Prevalent: being everywhere, omnipresent, widespread (prev-)
Fortitude: strength of mind that allows one to endure pain or adversity with courage
Obdurate: stubborn, defiant (-ob)
Censure: scold, rebuke (-ce)
Supposition: inference (-sup)
Despondent: very depressed (-des)
Antipodal: direct opposite (-antip)
Forerunner: preceding event (-for)
Ch 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Diminutive: very small
Archaic: old fashioned, out of date, no longer part of contemporary usage
Exhort: encourage, urge, implore, give a pep talk
antipathy: strong dislike, ill will, detest someone
Glib: marked by ease and fluency in speaking or writing to a point of being insincere or deceitful
Tenacious: characterized by holding fast; showing great determination in holding on to
something that is valued
Polarize: break up into opposing factions and divisive groups
Nebulous: vague, cloudy, misty, lacking a fully developed form
Apropos: appropriate, fitting, to the point
Fleeting: very brief (-fl)
Ephemeral: lasting a short time; very brief (-ep)
Penchant: liking, preference for something
Capricious: changeable, fickle, constantly shifting moods (-ca)
Mercurial: changeable, fickle, constantly shifting moods (-me)
Uncouth: vulgar, crude behavior and deplorable manners
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
Indignant: outrage at something that is perceived as unjust
Innuendo: veiled reference
Stymie: to stop, frustrate, prevent
Adroit: have or show great skill (-ad)
Deft: have or show great skill (-de)
Admonish: earnestly caution, warn again another to avoid a course of action
incontrovertible: indisputable, without a doubt
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
voracious: huge appetite that cannot be satisfied
callous: emotionally hardened, unfeeling
intrepid: courageous, fearless
nonchalant: having an air of casual indifference, coolly unconcerned
convoluted: winding, twisting, and therefore, difficult to understand, intricate
Itinerant: traveling from place to place
Poignant: moving, touching, heartrending
Impetus: stimulus or encouragement that results in activity
Bucolic: charming, unspoiled countryside
Equanimity: calmness, composure, poise (-eq)
Panache: dash and flamboyance especially in artistic performance or composition; great vigor
and energy (-pa)
Verve: dash and flamboyance especially in artistic performance or composition; great vigor and
energy (-ve)
Placid: calm or quiet, undistributed by tumult or disorder (-pl)
Fortuitous: accidental but fortunate occurrence; having unexpected good fortune
Dispel: drive away, scatter
Amalgam: mixture, blend
Anguish: agonizing physical or mental pain, torment
Intemperate: lacking restraint, excessive
Laud: praise, applaud -(la)
Extol: praise, applaud (-ex)
Tout: praise, applaud (-to)
Disparage: speak in a slighting or disrespectful way, belittle
Subtle: gradual change that is difficult to immediately detect
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
Divisive: creating disunity and dissension
Curtail: cut short or reduce
Innocuous: harmless, not likely to give offense or arouse strong feelings or hostility
Diatribe: bitter abusive denunciation, thunderous verbal attack (-dia)
Tirade: bitter abusive denunciation, thunderous verbal attack (-tir)
34.
Ch 3
1.
2.
3.
4.
Charlatan: fake; fraud; imposter; cheat
Skeptic: person who doubts, asks question and lacks faith
Rhetorician: eloquent writer or speaker; master of rhetoric; art of speaking and writing
Hedonist: person who believes that pleasure is the chief goal of life
5. Ascetic: person who gives up material comforts and leads a life od self-denial, especially
as an act of religious devotion.
6. Raconteur: Person who excels in telling anecdotes
7. Iconoclast: attacks and ridicules cherished figures, ideas, and institution.
8. Dilettante: amateur or dabbler; superficial interest in an art of branch of knowledge
9. Partisan: person with strong and biased beliefs
10. Demagogue: leader who appeals to fears, emotions, and prejudices of the populace
11. Automaton: self-operating machine; mindless follower; person who acts in a
mechanical fashion
12. Recluse: person who leads a secluded/solitary life
13. Bungler: person who is clumsy or inept, person who makes mistakes because of
incompetence.
14. Clairvoyant: having the supposed power to see objects and events that cannot be
perceived with the five traditional senses
15. Prognosticator: person who makes predictions based on data
16. Pundit: expert commentator; someone with authority who expresses his/her opinion on
political issues
17. Zealot: enthusiastic person; champion, true believer
18. Neophyte: beginners (-ne)
19. Greenhorn: beginners (-gr)
20. Benefactor: person who makes a gift or request
21. Beneficiary: recepient of funds, titles, property, and other benefits
22. Dissembler: liars and deceivers (-dis)
23. Prevaricator: liars and deceivers (-pre)
24. Proponent: brings forth an argument, champion of a cause
25. Prodigy: person with great talent, young genius
26. Mediator: negotiatior who attempts to find middle ground
27. Insurgent: person who revolts against civil authority and an established govt.
28. Sycophant: Someone who seeks favor by flattering people of influence (-sy)
29. Stoic: person who seems indifference to or unaffected by joy, grief, pleasure, or pain;
impassive and emotionless
30. Philanthropist: person who donates his/her time, money, and reputation to a charitable
cause
31. Renegade: disloyal person who betrays his/her cause, religion, or political party.
32. Obsequious: Someone who seeks favor by flattering people of influence (-ob)
Ch 4
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Draconian: very strict laws and rules
Laconic: very concise; brief
Succinct: very concise; brief
Terse: very concise; brief
Spartan: plain; simple
Austere: plain; simple
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
Halcyon: idyllically calm and tranquil
Sophistry: a deliberately misleading argument
Chimerical: a fantastic scheme; unchecked imagination
Ostracize: to deliberately exclude from a group
Impecunious: poor; penniless; not affluent
Nefarious: extremely wicked; vile
Jovial: good-humored; cheerful
Jocular: good-humored; cheerful
Dirge: a funeral hymn; mournful music
Maudlin: excessively sentimental
Quixotic: foolishly impractical
Pandemonium: a wild uproar; tumult
Martinet: a strict disciplinarian
Fiasco: a complete failure
Debacle: a complete failure
Bowdlerize: to remove or delete objectionable parts of a book
Galvanize: to electrify; stir into action
Picayune: something of small value; petty; trifling
Gerrymander: to divide a district so as to give one side an advantage
Maverick: an independent person
Juggernaut: an irresistible force
Serendipity: an accidental but fortunate discovery
Zenith: the highest point
30. Apex: the highest point
31. Nadir: the lowest point
Ch 5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
reticent: to hold back one's thoughts, feelings, and personal affairs
rebuff: to repel or drive back; to bluntly reject
resurgent: to rise again; to sweep or surge back
deleterious: having a harmful effect; injurious
decry: to condemn; to express strong disapproval
despondent: feeling downcast; very dejected
impeccable: having no flaws; perfect
inexorable: not capable of being stopped; relentless; inevitable
irreverent: lacking proper respect or seriousness, disrespectful
circumspect: cautious, careful; prudent
circuitous: indirect in language, behavior or action
circumvent: bypass; to avoid by artful maneuvering
circumscribe: to narrowly limit or restrict actions
Ch 6 and 7
1. euphony: soothing or pleasant sounds
2. cacophany: harsh clashing sounds
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
catalyst: an agent that provokes or triggers change
osmosis: gradual, often unconscious process of assimilation
gestate: to conceive and develop in the mind
paradigm: a framework or model of thought
avarice: excessive desire for material wealth; greedy
glut: a surplus
indigent: very poor
munificent: very generous
parsimonious: excessively cheap with money; stingy
remunerate: to compensate; make payment for; to pay a person
pretext: an excuse; an alleged cause
watershed: critical point that marks a change of course; a turning point
autocrat: a ruler having unlimited power
manifesto: a public declaration of beliefs, policies, or intentions
enfranchise: to receive the right to vote
desiccate: thoroughly dried out; lifeless, totally arid
complicity: association or participation in a wrongful act
exonerate: free from guilt or blame
malfeasance: misconduct or wrongdoing especially by a public official
Ch 8 and 9
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
gravity: a serious situation or problem
precipitate: a result or outcome of an action
flag: to become weak, feeble, or spiritless; to lose interest
discriminating: characterized by the ability to make fine distinctions; refined taste
stock: a stereotypical character in a novel or film
bent: a strong tendency; a leaning; an inclination
negotiate: to successfully travel through, around or over an obstacle or terrain
temper: to soften; moderate
quiescent: marked by inactivity; a state of quiet repose
provisional: tentative; temporary
truculent: defiantly aggressive; eager to fight
propitiate: to appease; conciliate; regain the favor or goodwill
elan: vigorous spirit; great enthusiasm
perfunctory: something performed in a spiritless, mechanical and routine manner
opacity: hard to understand; impenetrably dense and obscure
venal: corrupt, dishonest, open to bribery
licentious: immoral; dissolute; debauched
noxious: harmful; injurious to physical, mental, or moral health
superfluous: unnecessary; extra
profligate: wasteful, someone who squanders time and money by living for the moment
insidious: causing harm in a subtle or stealthy manner; devious
vacuous: empty; lacking serious purpose
portent: omen that something important or calamitous will occur
beleaguer: to beset; to surround with problems
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
imperious: domineering and arrogant; haughty
complaisant: amiable; agreeable
fawn: to behave in a servile manner; subservient
redolent: exuding fragrance; full of a specified smell
chicanery: deception by artful subterfuge; deliberate trickery
slight: a disrespectful, disparaging remark; a put down
capitulate: to surrendur; comply without protest
apocryphal: of doubtful authenticity, false
magisterial: learned and authoritative
chagrin: the feeling of distress caused by humiliation, failure, or embarassment
obstreperous: noisily and stubbornly defiant; unruly; boisterous
idyllic: charmingly simple and carefree
myriad: many; numerous
ungainly: awkward; clumsy
dilatory: habitually late; tardy
vituperative: characterized by verbal abuse; bitter criticism
discordant: not in harmony; incompatible
perfidious: treacherous; traitorous; deceitful
supine: lying on one's back
indomitable: very determined; unwavering
Ch 10
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
Idiosyncrasy: a trait or mannerism peculiar to an individual
Censorious: highly critical
Consternation: a state of great dismay and confusion
Didactic: intended to provide instruction
Edify: intended to provide instruction
Elucidate: to make clear or plain
Effusive: unrestrained praise
Prolific: very productive
Furor: a general commotion; an uproar
Paranoia: irrational fear
Marginal: of secondary importance; not central
Obfuscate: to deliberately confuse
Flummox: to confuse; perplex
Spate: a large number or amount
Ineffable: a feeling that cannot be put into words
Histrionic: excessively dramatic
Placate: to soothe or calm
Eschew: to avoid
Stopgap: a temporary solution
Flotsam: floating wreckage; debris
Restitution: compensating for a loss
Churlish: ill-tempered; rude
Sullen: ill-tempered; rude
Surly: ill-tempered; rude
Disquieting: disturbing; upsetting
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
Ornate: characterized by elaborate and expensive decorations; lavish
Execrable: detestable and repulsive
Odious: detestable and repulsive
Repugnant: detestable and repulsive
Perspicacious: very insightful
Prescient: very insightful
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
Discerning: very insightful
Eclectic: using a variety of sources
Hiatus: an interruption in time or continuity; a break
Vertiginous: dizziness
Esoteric: obscure information known by a few people
Arcane: obscure information known by a few people
Supercilious: haughty and arrogant
Cupidity: excessive greed
Underwrite: to assume financial responsibility for a project
Discomfited: to make uneasy; state of embarrassment
Taciturn: habitually quiet
Sinecure: a job that provides income but requires little work
Lugubrious: sad and mournful music
Cosmopolitan: worldly; sophisticated
Provincial: isolated from the mainstream
Parochial: isolated from the mainstream
Insular: isolated from the mainstream
Fecund: intellectually productive on inventive
Ostentatious: showy
Guile: treacherous cunning; skillful deceit
Sanguine: cheerfully confident; optimistic
Scintillating: sparkling; shining
Pristine: pure and uncorrupted
Rampant: unrestrained; unchecked
Pernicious: highly injurious; destructive
Oblivious: unaware
Refractory: obstinately resistant to authority or control
Garrulous: very talkative
Verbose: very talkative
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
Loquacious: very talkative
Convivial: fond of feasting, drinking, and good company
Brusque: abrupt; discourteously blunt
Curt: abrupt; discourteously blunt
Tepid: lukewarm; mild
Protean: taking on many shapes and forms
Solicitous: showing great care; attentive
Disingenuous: not candid; insincere
Venerate: to greatly respect
Revere: to greatly respect
Contentious: argumentative; disputatious
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
Preclude: to make impossible; to rule out
Compunction: sincere and deep regret
Contrition: sincere and deep regret
Remorse: sincere and deep regret
Demography: the study of the characteristics of human populations
Axiom: a statement universally excepted as a truth; a maxim