College Panda SAT Vocab 400 Flashcards
SAT Vocab 400
erratic
unpredictable, inconsistent, irregular
secluded
hard to reach, hidden away
fluctuate
to rise and fall irregularly
exalt
to praise, to worship
admonish
to warn or scold someone
abrupt
sudden, unexpected, without warning
content
satisfied
eccentric
uncommon, strange
mired
stuck in mud
colloquial
used in casual conversation
reconcile
settle one’s differences, make compatible, bring back to peace
alienate
to cause someone to feel isolated or lonely
distinguish
to tell the difference between
adequate
sufficient, enough, acceptable
contend
1) to deal with someone or something 2) to claim or state a belief confidently
skeptical
having doubts
enfranchise
to give the right to vote
sophisticated
1) having a lot of worldly experience and knowledge 2) complicated
radical
1) thorough, complete, extensive 2) fundamental, essential 3) revolutionary, extreme
formulate
to create or think up
attest
to confirm or verify
vexing
annoying, irritating
unassuming
humble, low-key
coerce
to pressure or force someone to do something
adept
very skilled at something
eloquent
fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing
austere
plain and without decoration, comforts, or anything extra
dread
to fear, be afraid of
inevitable
unavoidable
to stress
to emphasize
spawn
to produce, generate, or create
renounce
to give up, deny, or surrender something
unprecedented
never done or known before
broach
to bring up a difficulty subject for discussion
proxy
a person authorized to act on behalf of another; substitute
detrimental
harmful, damaging
secular
having no religious or spiritual basis
innovative
new and different
tangible
real and able to be shown or touched
disseminate
to spread widely (particularly information)
delegate (verb)
to assign a task to another person
apparent
clearly visible or understood; obvious
postulate
to suggest or propose something
speculate
to guess, to form a theory without firm evidence
bazaar
a market selling a large variety of goods
sporadic
scattered, irregular, unpredictable
suffrage
the right to vote
incredulous
unwilling or unable to believe something
idealistic
unrealistically aiming for perfection
conflate
to mix or combine into one (typically ideas)
paucity
poverty, scarcity
ephemeral
temporary, short-lived
prompt
to cause (someone) to take a course of action
reverence
deep respect for someone or something
disparity
a great difference
dispassionate
not influenced by strong emotion, fair-minded
phenomenon
a noteworthy occurrence or situation
boast
to brag, to show off
irksome
irritating, annoying
allude
to suggest or call attention to indirectly, to make a reference to something
omnipotence
having unlimited or great power
provoke
to cause a reaction or emotion (usually anger); to trigger
indulge
to allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of
entrenched
firmly established and unlikely to change
inherent
built-in, existing in something as a permanent or essential characteristic
vernacular
everyday informal language, local dialect
inquisition
interrogation, questioning
anecdote
a short personal story
malign
evil in nature, harmful
anomaly
oddity, something that is not normal
inhibit
to hold someone or something back, to suppress, to prevent
mutable
changeable
petty
1) of little importance 2) caring too much about trivial matters
avid
passionate about something
invoke
to call on or refer to something
imprudent
foolish, reckless
tenacity
persistence, determination
venerable
respected
authoritarian
enforcing strict obedience to authority
quarrel
an angry argument or disagreement
yield
1) to produce or generate (a result) 2) to surrender
ambivalent
having mixed feelings
endeavor
to try hard to do something
insurrection
a violent uprising or rebellion
contemplate
to think about for a long time
compel
to force someone to do something
feasible
possible to do easily or conveniently
conjecture
an opinion or conclusion that is unproven, a guess
arbitrary
based on random choice or personal impulse, rather than any reason or system
reinforce
to make stronger
to temper
to serve as a neutralizing or counterbalancing force to something
decree
an official order or command
brevity
concise use of words in writing or speech
equivocal
open to more than one interpretation; unclear
stronghold
a place that is strongly defended, a fortress
conceive
to form or create a plan or idea
vanity
excessive pride in one’s own appearance or achievements
sluggish
slow-moving
intuition
instinct, the ability to understand something immediately
inexorable
impossible to stop or prevent
engender
to cause or give rise to (a feeling, situation, or condition)
temperament
a person’s nature, character, or frame of mind
upheaval
a sudden change or disruption, chaos
embrace
to welcome with open arms, to accept or support willingly
substantiate
to show to be true
superficial
shallow, on the surface
sovereignty
supreme power or authority
lavish
luxurious
crux
the essence, the main point
indifference
lack of interest and concern
tact
skillfulness and sensitivity in dealing with others or difficult issues
abundant
plentiful
viable
capable of working successfully, realistic, doable
scorn
contempt, the feeling that someone or something is worthless
transgress
misbehave, disobey
analogy
a comparison between two things
objection
a reason for disagreeing
construe
to interpret in a particular way
procure
obtain, acquire
evoke
to bring to mind
depiction
portrayal, illustration
burden
a difficulty, problem, or responsibility
recollection
a memory; the act of remembering
tumult
confusion or disorder
concede
admit that something is true after first denying it
demeanor
manner, attitude, appearance
emigration
the act of leaving one’s own country
irate
angry, furious
tentative
unconfirmed, subject to change
merely
only; just
deceive
to trick or mislead someone
trifling
unimportant, insignificant
labyrinthine
complicated or confusing
decrepit
1) weak, disabled 2) in a run-down state, decayed
corroborate
to confirm, to verify
obstinacy
stubbornness, unwilling to change
confinement
imprisonment, captivity
monotony
boredom, dullness, lack of variety
degrade
treat with disrespect
dilemma
a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between 2 or more alternatives
conventional
traditional, accepted, mainstream, standard
proliferate
increase or grow rapidly
aesthetic
concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty
prominent
important; famous
unwieldy
difficult to carry or move
unilaterally
used to indicate that something is done by only one person or group, without the agreement of others
stimulate
to trigger, spark, or activate; to excite
abate
to become less intense or widespread
diligent
hard-working
relegate
to downgrade, to lower in rank or status
demur
to raise doubts or to protest
novel
new or unusual in an interesting way
abstract
existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence; conceptual
vestigial
undeveloped, nonfunctional
preoccupied with
obsessed with something
optimistic
hopeful and confident about the future
remembrance
the act of remembering something; a memory
retain
to keep, to hold on to
susceptible
easily influenced or harmed by something; vulnerable
strenuous
difficult, exhausting
enchantment
magic, charm, fascination
subservient
prepared to obey others, submissive, less important
empirical
based on experience rather than theory or pure logic
hostile
unfriendly, threatening
promulgate
to make widely known, to publicize
enact
to make law, to put into practice (a belief, idea, or suggestion)
abject
miserable, hopeless, awful
expend
to use up, to consume
yielding
giving in to or complying with the requests of others
ignominious
embarrassing, shameful
naive
showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment
acquisition
something that is bought or obtained, an act of purchase
affluent
wealthy
consolidate
1) strengthen 2) combine or unite
pious
very religious or spiritual
aggregate
collection or sum total
scatterbrained
disorganized, forgetful
yearn
to have an intense feeling of longing for something
consummate (adj.)
complete or perfect, having a high degree of skill
endorse
to support
ascertain
to find (something) out for certain
onerous
involving a lot of effort, difficult
objective (adj.)
fair-minded, not influenced by personal feelings
aspire
to hope to achieve something or be successful
obsolete
no longer produced or used; out of date
inflammatory
arousing angry or violent feelings
sentiment
a view of or attitude towards a situation or event; a general feeling or opinion
candor
honesty
materialistic
excessively concerned with material possessions or money
prejudice
a dislike or unfair opinion (of someone) that is not based on reason or actual experience
distinct
clearly separate and different
deference
respect
extensive
large in amount or scale
impose
1) to force the acceptance of something 2) to cause inconvenience to someone
articulate
having the ability to speak fluently and persuasively
pristine
original and pure; not spoiled or worn from use
veranda
a porch or balcony
atypical
unusual, uncommon
subjugate
to bring under domination or control, to conquer
ubiquitous
everywhere, universal
altercation
a noisy argument or disagreement
robust
strong and healthy, durable
subvert
to damage or weaken the authority of an established system
melodramatic
exaggerated, sensationalized, or overemotional
glut
an excess supply of something
antipathy
hatred, dislike
perilous
dangerous
conception
1) origin or beginning 2) an idea or concept
repose
rest, relaxation
impede
to create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in delay
contradiction
a combination of statements or ideas that are opposed to one another; inconsistency
judgmental
having an excessively critical point of view; disapproving
dismal
depressing, gloomy
ambiguous
open to more than one interpretation; unclear
wayward
difficult to control or predict because of unusual behavior
implication
1) a conclusion that can be drawn from something 2) a consequence or result
deploy
to bring into effective action
credibility
believability, authority
complacent
overly satisfied or pleased with oneself
convoke
to summon, to call together
mocking
making fun of someone or something in a cruel way
prospect
the possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring
amicable
friendly
predecessor
someone or something that came before
deter
to discourage (someone) from doing something
indignation
anger or annoyance
fetter
to restrict or restrain, to put in chains
rigid
stiff, firm, unchangeable
cultivate
to grow, to develop
juvenile
young, childish, immature
convulsion
a sudden, violent, irregular movement of the body
devise
to plan or invent by careful thought
immure
to imprison someone against their will
perturb
to make someone anxious or unsettled; to disturb
solicitude
care or concern for someone or something
pervasive
spreading widely throughout an area or group of people
tyranny
cruel and abusive government or rule
apprehensive
anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen
provision
1) a condition or requirement in a legal document 2) the act of providing services or resources
insolent
showing a rude lack of respect
consensus
general agreement
discord
disagreement between people
complement (verb)
to add to (something) in a way that enhances or completes it
mortify
to cause (someone) to feel embarrassed, ashamed, or humiliated
dissipate
to disappear or evaporate
doctrine
a belief or set of beliefs
incomprehensible
not able to be understood
recount
to tell someone about something, to give a report of an event
inefficacious
unable to produce the intended result
adversary
one’s opponent or enemy
endow
to provide, to supply
confound
to cause surprise or confusion in someone
assert
to state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully
undermine
to gradually damage or weaken someone or something
paradox
a statement or situation that may be true but seems impossible or difficult to understand because it contains two opposite facts or characteristics
apt
appropriate or suitable in the circumstances
competent
having the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to do something successfully
severity
the quality of being very unpleasant, unkind, or difficult
dismay
a feeling of shock and unhappiness
usurp
to take power or control of something by force or without the right to do so
nostalgic
feeling happy and also slightly sad when you think about things that happened in the past
ornate
having a lot of complex patterns or decoration
hierarchy
a system in which people or things are put at various levels or ranks according to their importance
irrational
not logical or reasonable
bluster
talk intended to seem important or threatening but which is not taken seriously and has little effect
subordinate
having a lower or less important position
malicious
intending to cause harm; evil
amend
to revise, to make changes
conform
to behave according to an expectation or rule
tout
to advertise or praise something (often to sell it)
permeate
to spread throughout something
incantation
a series of words said as a magic spell or charm
impervious
not able to be influenced, hurt, or damaged
actuate
1) to cause (a machine or device) to operate 2) to cause (someone) to act in a particular way
versatility
ability to adapt to many different functions or activities
proclaim
to announce officially or publicly
obeisance
deep respect
modest
1) humble, not showy 2) not large in size or amount
adorn
to decorate
solitude
the state or situation of being alone
deplete
to use up the supply or resources of
solemn
having or showing serious purpose and determination; formal
proponent
a person who supports an idea, plan, or cause
keen
sharp; highly developed (usually the senses)
engulf
to surround and cover completely
diverge
to go in different directions from the same point, to become different
squalid
extremely dirty, poor, and unpleasant
hypothetical
imagined or suggested but not necessarily real or true
pressing
urgent or needing to be dealt with immediately
solicitation
a request for money, information, or help
meddle
interfere in something that is not one’s concern
coarse
1) rough, not smooth 2) rude or offensive in manner or speech
reproach
to criticize or express disapproval with someone
immerse
1) to put something completely under a liquid 2) to involve someone completely in an activity
clout
power and influence (especially in politics or business)
exacerbate
to make something that is already bad worse
dubious
doubtful
plausible
possibly true, able to be believed, reasonable
notion
a belief or idea
impartial
able to judge something fairly
swath
a long strip or area of something
dabble
to try an activity in a casual way
earnest
sincere and serious
vitality
life, energy, and strength
mimic
to imitate or copy (someone’s actions or words)
agitate
1) to make someone troubled or nervous 2) to campaign for something in public
practical
likely to succeed or be effective in real circumstances, relating to actual experience rather than knowledge only
ominous
suggesting something unpleasant will happen
dominion
1) control over a country or people 2) the land that belongs to a ruler
pretense
a false display, an attempt to deceive
egocentric
thinking only of oneself; self-centered
exploit
to make full use of (a resource), to use (a person) in an unfair or selfish way
comprise
to consist of or to be made up of
plight
a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation
exemplify
to be a typical example of something
momentous
very important (in reference to a decision or event)
reverberate
to continue to be heard; to echo repeatedly
paternal
behaving or feeling as a father does toward his child
lament
to express sadness and regret about something
mediation
the process by which someone tries to end a disagreement by helping the two sides to talk about and agree on a solution
miser
someone who has a great desire to possess money and hates to spend it
supple
bending or able to be bent easily; not stiff; flexible
oblivious
not aware of what is happening around you
sullen
silent and unpleasant; depressed; gloomy
imperative
1) extremely important or urgent 2) something that needs to be done immediately
reminisce
to talk about the past with pleasure
tranquil
calm, quiet, and peaceful
cleave
to cut or split into at least two parts
reluctance
an unwillingness to do something
misgiving
a feeling of doubt, uncertainty, or worry about a future event
sparse
small in number, often spread over a large area; scarce
progenitor
originator, creator, founder
absurd
ridiculous or completely unreasonable
premise
an idea or theory on which a statement or action is based; an assumption
scrutinize
to examine someone or something very carefully
supplemental
added to something else in order to improve it or complete it
poignant
causing a feeling of sadness
obscure
not known to many people, difficult to understand
ancestral
belonging to or inherited from one’s ancestors
gregarious
fond of company; sociable
exert
to use power or the ability to make something happen
vigorous
strong, healthy, and full of energy
entreat
to ask someone sincerely or anxiously to do something
desolation
a state of complete emptiness or destruction
notorious
famous for something bad
induce
1) to persuade someone to do something 2) to cause something to happen
pompous
feeling that one is better or more important than other people
disparage
to criticize someone or something in a way that shows a lack of respect
intact
complete and in the original state; not damaged
verdict
an opinion or judgment
mundane
ordinary and dull
spur
to encourage an activity or development, to cause something to develop faster
sentinel
a guard whose job is to stand and keep watch
convey
to make (an idea or feeling) known or understandable to someone; to communicate
render
to cause someone or something to be in a particular state
manifest
to show something clearly, through signs or actions
continuum
a continuous sequence; a range
redress
to correct a wrong
underscore
to emphasize the importance something
enfeeble
to make someone or something very weak
disdain
dislike of someone or something that one feels does not deserve respect
flatter
to praise someone in order to please him or her
posterity
all future generations of people
sustain
to strengthen or support; to keep alive
sheer
1) not mixed with anything else; pure or complete 2) very large
assess
to judge the quality or importance of something
artisan
a person who does skilled work with his or her hands
subtle
not loud, bright, noticeable, or obvious
repudiate
to refuse to accept something or someone; to reject
meander
to follow a route that is not straight or direct
effectual
successful in producing the intended results
meager
very small in amount or number
tedious
boring, slow, and tiring
calibrate
to carefully measure or adjust
potent
powerful, persuasive, or effective
conducive
providing the right conditions for something to happen or exist; to help bring about
reserved
tending to keep feelings or thoughts private; quiet
medley
a mixture of different things
advocate
1) to support an idea 2) a person who publicly supports an idea
undulate
to move with a smooth wavelike motion
magnitude
1) the great size or importance of something 2) the extent or degree of something
aggrandize
to make someone more powerful or important
pummel
to hit someone or something repeatedly
timid
easily frightened; shy
bias
an unfair personal opinion that influences your judgment
refine
to improve something by making small changes
oscillate
to swing back and forth
esteem
respect and admiration for someone
displace
to force something or someone out of its usual or original place
pulpit
a raised platform in a church from which the preacher speaks
ingenious
clever, original, and inventive (in reference to a person)
constitute
to be the parts that form something
insatiable
impossible to satisfy
volition
the power to make one’s own decisions
relish
to like or enjoy something
facilitate
to make (an action or process) possible or easier
threshold
the level or point at which something starts
reform
to make changes in something in order to improve it
sneer
to make a facial expression that shows disapproval or disrespect
profound
1) intense, extreme 2) requiring deep thought
