Basic SAT Vocab List 17

Question 1

Austere

Answer 1

severe or strict in attitude, manner, or appearance

Question 2

Bemused

Answer 2

puzzle, confuse, or bewilder

Question 3

Conciliatory

Answer 3

intended or likely to placate or pacify

Question 4

Converge

Answer 4

(of several people or things) come together from different directions so as eventually to meet

Question 5

Deride

Answer 5

express contempt for; ridicule

Question 6

Exonerate

Answer 6

1) (especially of an official body) absolve (someone) from blame for a fault or wrongdoing, especially after due consideration of the cause
2) Release someone from (a duty or obligation)

Question 7

Galvanize

Answer 7

shock or excite (someone), typically into taking action

Question 8

Hapless

Answer 8

(especially of a person) unfortunate

Question 9

Indigent

Answer 9

poor; needy

Question 10

Nonplussed

Answer 10

1) (of a person) surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react.
2) (of a person) not disconcerted; unperturbed

Question 11

Onerous

Answer 11

(of a task, duty, or responsibility) involving an amount of effort and difficulty that is oppressively burdensome

Question 12

Renege

Answer 12

go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract

Question 13

Seminal

Answer 13

(of a work, event, moment, or figure) strongly influencing later developments

Question 14

Spurious

Answer 14

not being what it purports to be; false or fake

Question 15

Stilted

Answer 15

1) (of a manner of talking or writing) stiff and self-conscious or unnatural
2) standing on stilts