SAT Vocabulary Words – Unit 1
Vocabulary Words and
Parts of Speech
1. abstinence (n)
Definitions
3. cacophony (n)
forebearance from any indulgence of appetite, esp
ecially fromthe use of alcoholic beverages: total abs
tinence.
to consider or speak of (something) as less valuable
or important than it really is; disparage
harsh discordant sound; dissonance
4. debilitate (v)
to make feeble; weaken
5. eclectic (adj)
7. gratuitous (adj)
selecting what seems best from various styles,
doctrines, ideas, methods, etc
an incorrect or misleading notion or opinion based
on inaccurate facts or invalid reasoning
given or received without payment or obligation
8. haphazard (n)
mere chance; accident
9. iconoclast (n)
a person who attacks established or traditional
concepts, principles, laws, etc
the language, especially the vocabulary, specific to
a particular trade, profession, or group
physical or mental weariness
2. belittle (v)
6. fallacy (n)
10. jargon (n)
11. lassitude (n)
12. malicious (adj)
Synonyms
Antonyms
chastity;
refraining
revelry;
indulgence
criticize; scorn
praise; value
discord;
harshness
disable; hurt
broad; diverse
mistake; quirk
assist;
strengthen
specific;
unvaried
fact; reality
complimentary;
spontaneous
accidental;
random
cynic; rebel
costly;
expensive
intentional;
planned
gibberish; slang
standard
dullness;
tiredness
despiteful; nasty
friendly; likely
classification;
terminology
defeat; kill
build; create
biased; diehard
disinterested
14. obliterate (v)
motivated by wrongful, vicious, or mischievous
purposes
the terminology used in a particular science, art,
activity, etc
to destroy every trace of; wipe out completely
15. partisan (n)
an adherent or devotee of a cause, party, etc
16. quintessential (adj)
most typically representative of a quality, state, etc; classic; ideal
perfect
17. rancor (n)
malicious resentfulness or hostility; spite
malice; spite
love; respect
18. sagacious (n)
having or showing sagacity; wise
19. taciturn (adj)
habitually silent, reserved, or uncommunicative;
not inclined to conversation
undeniable or irrefutable
knowledgeable;
wise
mute;
unexpressive
definite;
verifiable
careless;
ignorant
communicative;
talkative
13. nomenclature (n)
20. unassailable (adj)
SAT Vocabulary Words – Unit 2
Vocabulary Words and
Parts of Speech
1. abstract (adj)
Definitions
hard to understand; recondite; abstruse
2. callous (adj)
unfeeling; insensitive
3. decadence (n)
the state reached through such a process
4. egregious (adj)
outstandingly bad; flagrant: an egregious lie
5. fervor (n)
great intensity of feeling or belief; ardour; zeal
6. guile (n)
clever or crafty character or behaviour
7. hierarchy (n)
8. imminent (adj)
a system of persons or things arranged in a graded
order
liable to happen soon; impending
9. judicious (adj)
having or proceeding from good judgment
10. latent (adj)
potential but not obvious or explicit
11. marred (v)
Synonyms
Antonyms
complex;
intellectual
stubborn;
unsympathetic
downfall;
regression
scandalous;
shocking
animation;
passion
dishonesty;
trickery
pecking order;
ranking
approaching;
near
careful; sane
factual; real
obvious; public
to disfigure, deface, or scar
immature;
undeveloped
break; ruin
12. obscure (adj)
unclear or abstruse
unclear; vague
clear; obvious
13. paucity (n)
smallness of quantity; insufficiency; dearth
famine; sparsity
14. perceptive (adj)
quick at perceiving; observant
observant; wise
15. recalcitrant (adj)
not susceptible to control or authority; refractory
16. recluse (n)
a person who lives in seclusion
rebellious;
stubborn
ascetic; hermit
abundance;
plenty
unaware;
unobservant
amenable;
obedient
extrovert
17. sanction (n)
final permission; authorization
18. tactless (n)
19. tangential (adj)
skill or judgment in handling difficult or delicate
situations; diplomacy
of superficial relevance only; digressive
20. unequivocal (adj)
not ambiguous; plain
approval;
permission
impolite; vulgar
diverging;
unrelated
apparent;
straightforward
compassionate;
tender
humility;
morality
little; minor
apathy;
discouragement
honesty;
openness
distant; future
foolish; reckless
heal; help
disapproval;
prevention
careful;
thoughtful
obscured;
unsure
SAT Vocabulary Words – Unit 3
Vocabulary Words and
Parts of Speech
1. acclaim (v)
Synonyms
Antonyms
honor;
recognition
accept;
accommodate
odd; peculiar
criticism;
disapproval
disagree;
protest
normal; usual
defer; submit
defend; fight
capitulation;
submission
depict; represent
disobedience;
impoliteness
adorn; enhance
8. forlorn (adj)
submission to or compliance with the will, wishes,
etc, of another
to represent pictorially, as by making a chart or
diagram; depict
to improve or beautify by adding detail or
ornament; adorn
miserable, wretched, or cheerless; desolate
deface;
disfigure
cheerful; joyful
9. gullible (adj)
easily taken in or tricked
10. homogeneous (adj)
composed of similar or identical parts or elements
innocent;
unsophisticated
alike; uniform
11. immutable (adj)
13. lethargic (n)
unchanging through time; unalterable; ageless:
immutable laws
deserving or worthy of praise; admirable;
commendable
sluggishness, slowness, or dullness
invariable;
permanent
deserving;
worthy
dull; passive
14. meager (adj)
lacking in richness or strength
bare; scant
15. obsolete (adj)
out of use or practice; not current
16. peripheral (adj)
not relating to the most important part of
something; incidental, minor, or superficial
to browse or read through in a leisurely way
extinct;
unfashionable
borderline;
surface
analyze; browse
2. acquiesce (v)
3. bizarre (adj)
4. capitulate (v)
5. deference (n)
6. delineate (v)
7. embellish (v)
12. laudable (adj)
17. peruse (v)
18. redundant (adj)
Definitions
to acknowledge publicly the excellence of (a
person, act, etc)
to remain at rest, agree without protest
odd or unusual, esp in an interesting or amusing
way
to surrender, esp under agreed conditions
19. saturate (v)
surplus to requirements; unnecessary or
superfluous
to fill, soak, or imbue totally
20. tedious (adj)
obsolete progressing very slowly
lonely; pitiful
inordinate;
extravagant
immerse;
waterlog
banal;
uninteresting
suspicious;
wise
different;
dissimilar
changeable;
flexible
bad; blamable
active;
energetic
plenty;
substantial
current;
modern
central;
internal
neglect;
overlook
concise;
essential
dehydrate; dry
exciting;
interesting
SAT Vocabulary Words – Unit 4
Vocabulary Words and
Parts of Speech
1. admonish (v)
Definitions
Synonyms
Antonyms
to advise to do or against doing something; warn;
caution
a person who upholds or defends a cause;
supporter
characterized by or liable to sudden unpredictable
changes in attitude or behaviour
the way a person behaves towards others; conduct
advise; scold
disturb; entangle
6. formidable (adj)
to involve (a person, oneself, etc) in trouble,
conflict, or argument
arousing or likely to inspire fear or dread
7. hypothetical (adj)
assumed or thought to exist
8. impartial (adj)
9. levity (n)
not prejudiced towards or against any particular
side or party; fair; unbiased
inappropriate lack of seriousness
10. lucid (adj)
readily understood; clear
11. meticulous (adj)
very precise about details, even trivial ones;
painstaking
unnecessarily or obtrusively ready to offer advice
or services
dutiful devotion to God and observance of religious
principles
to make neat, clean, or complete, as by renovating,
re-equipping, or restoring
to give new youth, restored vitality, or youthful
appearance to
a person made to bear the blame for others
exact; punctual
belittle; reject
be nice; praise
18. scrupulous (adj)
to speak contemptuously (about); express derision
(for); mock
very careful or precise
exact; precise
19. temerity (n)
rashness or boldness
20. unethical (adj)
not ethical; improper: companies involved in
unethical practices
boldness;
overconfidence
corrupt; wrong
careless;
unscrupulous
care; caution
2. advocate (n)
3. capricious (adj)
4. demeanor (n)
5. embroil (v)
12. officious (adj)
13. piety (n)
14. refurbish (v)
15. rejuvenate (v)
16. scapegoat (n)
17. scoff (v)
defender;
supporter
careless;
impulsive
attitude; poise
dangerous;
terrible
indefinite;
uncertain
equal; unbiased
amusement;
happiness
clear; distinct
opinionated;
rude
belief; passion
rejuvenate;
restore
restore; revitalize
compliment;
praise
enemy;
opposition
dependable;
sensible
exclude;
uncomplicate
harmless; nice
confirmed;
factual
biased; unjust
gravity;
seriousness
clouded;
unclear
careless; sloppy
modest; shy
impiety;
irreverence
destroy; ruin
destroy; ruin
chump; pushover
honest; moral
SAT Vocabulary Words – Unit 5
Vocabulary Words and
Parts of Speech
1. aesthetic (adj)
Definitions
2. catalyst (n)
relating to pure beauty rather than to other
considerations
a person or thing that causes a change
3. denunciation (n)
open condemnation; censure; denouncing
4. emulate (v)
to attempt to equal or surpass, esp by imitation
5. fortuitous (adj)
6. impassive (adj)
happening by chance, esp by a lucky chance;
unplanned; accidental
calm; serene
7. mitigate (v)
to make less severe
8. morose (adj)
characterized by or expressing gloom
9. opportunist (n)
a person who adopts his actions, responses, etc; to
take advantage of opportunities, circumstances,
etc
characterized by a hypocritical concern with virtue
or religious devotion; sanctimonious
to appease or pacify, especially by concessions or
conciliatory gestures
to consign or commit
10. pious (adj)
11. placate (v)
12. relegate (v)
13. scrutinize (v)
14. sectarian (adj)
15. tenet (n)
16. tentative (adj)
17. unimpeachable (adj)
to examine in detail with careful or critical
attention
of or pertaining to sectaries or sections
any opinion, principle, doctrine, dogma, etc.,
especially one held as true by members of a
profession, group, or movement
of the nature of or made or done as a trial,
experiment, or attempt; experimental
above suspicion; impossible to discredit;
impeccable
Synonyms
Antonyms
harmonious;
ideal
impulse;
stimulant
accusation;
indictment
imitate; mimic
distasteful;
inelegant
block;
preventer
approval;
praise
fortunate;
unplanned
emotionless;
nonchalant
calm;
dull
grouchy;
gloomy
deceitful;
devious
intentional;
unlucky
emotional;
passionate
aggravate;
irritate
cheerful;
happy
devoted;
spiritual
calm;
comfort
designate;
consign
atheist;
sinful
worry;
upset
keep;
allow
analyze;
check
broad;
liberal
limited;
fanatic
assumption;
opinion
speculative;
temporary
faultless;
uncorrupted
certain;
decisive
blameful;
impeachable
flaunting;
noticeable
remain;
stay
claim;
win
18. unobtrusive (adj)
inconspicuous, unassertive, or reticent
19. vacillate (v)
to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or
irresolute
humble;
modest
indecisive;
sway
20. waive (v)
to refrain from claiming or insisting on; give up;
forgo
neglect;
postpone
SAT Vocabulary Words – Unit 6
Vocabulary Words and
Parts of Speech
1. affinity (n)
2. alienate (v)
3. catharsis (n)
Definitions
a natural liking for or attraction to a person, thing,
idea, etc.
to make indifferent or hostile
Synonyms
attraction;
affection
separate;
withdraw
cleansing;
purification
dislike;
hatred
friendly;
disarm
dirtying
approve;
endorse
destroy;
finish
known;
understanding
honest; truthful
4. deprecate (v)
the purging of the emotions or relieving of
emotional tensions, especially through certain
kinds of art, as tragedy or music.
to express earnest disapproval of.
5. engender (v)
to produce, cause, or give rise to
6. enigma (n)
a puzzling or inexplicable occurrence or situation
depreciate;
object
arouse;
develop
problem; puzzle
7. furtive (adj)
sly; shifty
sneaky; secretive
8. imperturbable (adj)
incapable of being upset or agitated; not easily
excited; calm
wealthy, rich, or affluent
composed;
nerveless
luxurious;
profuse
obvious; definite
9. opulent (adj)
10. overt (adj)
Antonyms
irritable; jittery
Composed;
peaceful
Abandon; banish
depressed;
poor
concealed;
private
agitated;
excited
admit; approve
12. repudiate (v)
open to view or knowledge; not concealed or
secret
pleasantly calm or peaceful; unruffled; tranquil;
serenely quiet or undisturbed
to reject with disapproval or condemnation
13. sequester (v)
to remove or separate.
Isolate; seclude
reveal; uncover
14. serene (adj)
calm, peaceful, or tranquil; unruffled
15. terse (adj)
abruptly concise; curt; brusque
Calm;
undisturbed
Abrupt; brief
agitated;
excited
lengthy; wordy
16. thwart (v)
to frustrate or baffle
Confuse; hinder
aid; encourage
17. unscathed (adj)
unharmed; uninjured
Safe; unharmed
hurt; injured
18. validate (v)
substantiate; confirm
refuse; reject
19. writhe (v)
to twist the body about, or squirm, as in pain,
violent effort, etc.
an excessively zealous person; fanatic
Approve;
authorize
Agonize; struggle
Maniac; fiend
moderate
11. placid (adj)
20. zealot (n)
SAT Vocabulary Words – Unit 7
Vocabulary Words and
Parts of Speech
1. alleviate (v)
to make easier to endure; lessen; mitigate
relieve; mollify
2. aloof (adj)
reserved or reticent; indifferent; disinterested
3. caustic (adj)
severely critical or sarcastic
remote;
detached
abrasive; tart
4. celestial (adj)
pertaining to the sky or visible heaven
5. derogatory (adj)
8. inadvertent (adj)
tending to lessen the merit or reputation of a
person or thing; disparaging; depreciatory
mental or emotional stability or composure,
especially under tension or strain; calmness;
equilibrium
not plausible; not having the appearance of truth or
credibility
not intentional or deliberate
9. irrefutable (adj)
that cannot be refuted or disproved
10. platitude (n)
the quality or state of being flat, dull, or trite
11. pompous (adj)
12. repugnant (adj)
characterized by an ostentatious display of dignity
or importance
making opposition; averse
13. skeptical (adj)
showing doubt
14. sobriety (n)
the state or quality of being sober
15. tirade (n)
a long, vehement speech
16. trepidation (n)
tremulous fear, alarm, or agitation; perturbation
moderation;
self-control
bitter;
outspoken
anxiety; worry
17. untenable (adj)
incapable of being defended, as an argument,
thesis, etc.; indefensible
to regard or treat with reverence; revere
indefensible;
unsupportable
admire; adore
characterized by the use of many or too many
words; wordy
a highest point or state; culmination
bombastic;
talkative
top; peak
6. equanimity (n)
7. implausible (adj)
18. venerate (v)
19. verbose (adj)
20. zenith (n)
Definitions
Synonyms
Antonyms
aggravate;
intensify
friendly;
sociable
mild; soothing
angelic;
heavenly
offensive;
critical
confidence;
calmness
infernal, mortal
doubtful;
improbable
careless;
negligent
accurate;
certain
adage; banality
likely; plausible
boastful;
conceited
obnoxious;
contradictory
cynical; doubtful
dull; plain
appreciative;
complimentary
alarm; anxiety
deliberate;
attentive
doubtful;
uncertain
nuance
friendly;
pleasant
devoted;
believing
drunkenness;
indulgence
calm;
happiness
defensible;
supportable
abhor;
condemn
concise;
succinct
bottom;
anticlimax
SAT Vocabulary Words – Unit 8
Vocabulary Words and
Parts of Speech
1. ambiguous (adj)
Definitions
Synonyms
Antonyms
vague; unclear
clear; definite
fluctuation;
hesitation
certainty;
decisiveness
approval;
endorsement
comfort;
promote
3. censure (n)
lacking clearness or definiteness; obscure;
indistinct
uncertainty or fluctuation, especially when caused
by inability to make a choice or by a simultaneous
desire to say or do two opposite or conflicting
things
strong or vehement expression of disapproval
4. chastise (v)
to discipline, especially by corporal punishment
blame;
disapproval
beat; punish
5. despot (n)
any tyrant or oppressor
dictator; tyrant
6. devoid (adj)
not possessing, untouched by, void, or destitute
empty; barren
7. equivocate (v)
meet; face
11. preclude (v)
to use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to dodge; evade
avoid commitment or in order to mislead;
prevaricate or hedge
a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing,
praise; acclaim
especially a set oration in honor of a deceased
person
remarkably clear and direct; sharp; keen; acute
insightful;
sensitive
not relevant; not applicable or pertinent
insignificant;
inappropriate
to exclude or debar from something
cease; avert
12. precocious (adj)
of or pertaining to premature development
unintelligent
13. prestigious (adj)
having a high reputation; honored; esteemed
14. rescind (v)
to abrogate; annul; revoke; repeal
advanced;
intelligent
famous;
influential
abolish; cancel
15. residual (adj)
leftover; extra
base; core
16. solemn (adj)
pertaining to or constituting a residue or
remainder; remaining; leftover
serious or earnest
funny; light
17. sporadic (adj)
occurring singly or widely apart in locality
deliberate;
dignified
random; rare
18. urbane (adj)
reflecting elegance, sophistication, etc., especially
in expression
capable of living
2. ambivalence (n)
8. eulogy (n)
9. incisive (adj)
10. irrelevant (adj)
19. viable (adj)
20. vicarious (adj)
performed, exercised, received, or suffered in
place of another
civilized; cultured
reasonable;
applicable
indirect;
secondary
complete; filled
criticism
obtuse; slow
appropriate;
necessary
allow; permit
humble;
modest
allow; approve
constant;
dependable
uncivilized;
unsophisticated
impossible;
unreasonable
primary;
SAT Vocabulary Words – Unit 9
Vocabulary Words and
Parts of Speech
1. analogous (adj)
Definitions
Synonyms
Antonyms
having analogy; corresponding in some particular
similar; alike
3. anonymity (n)
a feeling of strong dislike, ill will, or enmity that
tends to display itself in action
the state or quality of being anonymous
hatred;
resentment
obscurity
4. circumspect (adj)
watchful and discreet; cautious; prudent
bold; careless
5. clemency (n)
an act or deed showing mercy or leniency
6. coalesce (v)
to grow together or into one body
attentive;
guarded
forgiveness;
indulgence
blend; adhere
7. didactic (adj)
inclined to teach or lecture others too much
8. disdain (v)
to look upon or treat with contempt; despise;
scorn
to disassemble or pull down; take apart
educational;
academic
hate; aversion
informal;
imprecise
respect;
admiration
repair; fix
2. animosity (n)
9. dismantle (v)
10. euphemism (n)
11. evanescent (adj)
12. incongruous (adj)
13. pretentious (adj)
14. prodigious (adj)
15. resilient (adj)
16. spurious (adj)
17. squalid (adj)
abuse; corrupt
cruelty;
harshness
divide; seperate
the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague
expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh,
or blunt
vanishing; fading away; fleeting
purism;
expression
temporary; brief
enduring; long
out of keeping or place; inappropriate;
unbecoming
making an exaggerated outward show;
ostentatious
abnormal; monstrous
improper;
illogical
assuming;
ornate
colossal;
monumental
airy; buoyant
compatible;
fitting
humble; modest
artificial; phony
authentic;
genuine
clean; rich
returning to the original form or position after
being bent, compressed, or stretched
not genuine, authentic, or true; not from the
claimed, pretended, or proper source; counterfeit
wretched; miserable; degraded; sordid
19. vilify (v)
given to impractical or unrealistic schemes of such
perfection
to speak ill of; defame; slander
despicable;
wretched
imaginary;
idealistic
abuse; attack
20. vindictive (adj)
disposed or inclined to revenge; vengeful
hateful; cruel
18. utopian (adj)
disagreeing;
unrelated
love; passion
small; little
rigid; inflexible
real
compliment;
praise
helpful; kind
SAT Vocabulary Words – Unit 10
Vocabulary Words and
Parts of Speech
1. antagonism (n)
Definitions
Synonyms
Antonyms
conflict; hostility
understanding;
harmony
same
2. antithesis (n)
an active hostility or opposition, as between
unfriendly or conflicting groups
opposition; contrast
3. arduous (adj)
requiring great exertion; laborious; difficult
4. colloquial (adj)
involving or using conversation
5. commiserate (v)
6. conciliatory (adj)
to feel or express sorrow or sympathy for;
empathize with; pity
tending to conciliate
7. disparage (v)
to speak of or treat slightingly; depreciate; belittle
degrade; scorn
ignore;
disregard
antagonistic;
stubborn
approve; flatter
8. disparity (n)
lack of similarity or equality; inequality; difference
dissimilarity;
distinctness
equality;
likeness
9. exacerbate (v)
to embitter the feelings of (a person); irritate;
exasperate
tending to promote some proposed or desired
object; fit or suitable for the purpose; proper under
the circumstances
not corrigible; bad beyond correction or reform
aggravate; annoy
calm; comfort
worthwhile;
desirable
unbeneficial;
unprofitable
hopeless;
abandoned
poor; destitute
manageable;
obedient
rich; wealthy
crude; obscene
clean; moral
temporary suspension of the execution of a person
condemned to death; reprieve
disposed to be silent or not to speak freely;
reserved
to be or become sluggish and dull
break; delay
continuation
secret; reserved
of or pertaining to the school of philosophy
founded by Zeno, who taught that people should
be free from passion, unmoved by joy or grief, and
submit without complaint to unavoidable necessity
a person who has special knowledge or skill in a
field
very caustic; scathing
calm; dry
open;
unreserved
grow;
strengthen
upset; anxious
tending or threatening to break out into open
violence; explosive
explosive;
unsettled
10. expedient (adj)
11. incorrigible (adj)
12. indigent (adj)
13. profane (adj)
14. respite (n)
15. reticent (adj)
16. stagnate (v)
17. stoic (adj)
18. virtuoso (n)
19. vitriolic (adj)
20. volatile (adj)
lacking food, clothing, and other necessities of life
because of poverty; needy; poor; impoverished
common or vulgar
contradictory;
opposite
harsh; grueling
common;
popular
ache; pity
calm; civil
decay; decline
adept; intelligent
bitter; hurtful
easy;
motivating
formal; correct
amateur;
rookie
kind; nice
firm; stable