SAT Words 1-6
Root 1
1. acclaim
The critics acclaim her
performance by giving
her a standing ovation.
acclaim
• (uh-CLAME) verb
• Sounds like: a claim
• Picture… the office of an insurance company.
The newcomer on the staff has just handled her
first claim. Her co-workers, a supportive bunch,
are all clapping for her and offering their
congratulations.
• Other forms: acclaim, acclamation (nouns)
• Note: Don’t confuse with “acclimation,” which is the
process of becoming adjusted to a new position.
• Definition: praise; applaud
2. complacent
Only the dangerously complacent
or naïve citizens could assume
that we have safely put the crisis
behind us.
complacent
• (kum-PLAY-sent) adjective
• Sounds like: Come play, Cent
• Picture… a penny sitting on a park bench. Two
small children call to him, “Come play, Cent!” But
the penny, smiling, hands behind his head, eyes
closed, is too self-satisfied to move from the
bench.
• Other forms: complacence,
complacency (nouns)
• Definition: self-satisfied; unconcerned
3. acquiescent
The acquiescent witness
finally decided to tell police
what he knew about the
crime.
acquiescent
• (ak-wee-ESS-ent) adjective
• Sounds like: Agree yes, Cent.
• Picture… the same penny as in complacent. “He” is
seated on the park bench. The children continue to
urge the penny to play with them. Knowing that they will
never give up, he eventually gives in and quietly and
reluctantly gets up to play with the children. (The cent
has agreed, said yes, but in a passive, reluctant way.)
• Other forms: acquiesce (verb);
acquiescence (noun)
• Definition: reluctantly agreeable;
compliant
4. acrimony
The differing findings have
caused confusion and
acrimony in communities
where drilling is under way.
acrimony
• (AK-rih-mo-nee) noun
• Looks like: acre money
• Picture … two neighboring farmers arguing over
who owns a certain acre of land. Farmer 1: “This is my
acre. You want it? Give me my money and it’s yours!”
Farmer 2: “Give you your money? This is my land, you
big, ugly, stupid farmer! Now get out of here before I
say something really acrimonious!”
• Other forms: acrimonious (adjective);
acrimoniously (adverb)
• Definition: words or behavior filled
with harshness, anger, or
bitterness
5. adroit
He was ambitious politically,
adroit, and a gambler: three
characteristics needed to
complete the difficult project.
adroit
• (uh-DROYT) adjective
• Looks like: android, which is a human-like robot
• Picture… an android playing basketball. He dribbles
behind his back & between his legs and does reverse
lay-ups with either hand. The play-by-play commentator
is impressed: “He’s a wonder to watch. He has the
highest level of ability I’ve ever seen. And he has
become equally adroit at handling the media,
particularly concerning that whole question of illegal
battery packs used in the Olympics.”
• Other forms: adroitness (noun); adroitly (adv.)
• Definition: skillful in the use of the
hands, or in handling
difficult situations
6. altruistic
He seemed driven by purely
altruistic reasons to organize a
week-long celebration without
charging a fee for his services.
altruistic
• (al-troo-ISS-tik) adjective
• Sounds like: Al True’s Wish Stick
• Picture… a man named Al who has a
“wish stick,” or magic wand. He uses it to
help people by giving them what they
need.
• Other forms: altruism (noun)
• Definition: unselfish; caring
Root 1: cap, capt,
cept, ceive
After a high speed chase,
the police were finally able to
capture the suspect.
cap, capt, cept, ceive
• Meaning: take, seize, get
• Sample words: captivity,
receive, perception
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Capacious: able to take many occupants
Captive: to seize or take hold of someone’s interest
Intercept: to break in between parties and take something
Exceptional: something superior taken out of the ordinary
Receive: to accept or get back from another
Concept: a thought conceived or “gotten” in the mind
Deceptive: to be misleading or to take downs
Susceptible: capable of being taken under by a stimulus or
force