PSAT Vocab List

Question 1

prosaic

Answer 1

• dull; unimaginative
• having the style or diction of prose; lacking poetic beauty

Question 2

obsequious

Answer 2

• very submissive and flattering

Question 3

recalcitrant

Answer 3

• marked by stubborn resistance to authority

Question 4

misanthropic

Answer 4

• characterized by hatred or mistrustful scorn for humankind

Question 5

sanguine

Answer 5

• cheerfully confident; optimistic
• of the colour of blood

Question 6

clemency

Answer 6

• disposition to show mercy or compassion, especially towards enemies

Question 7

bellicosity

Answer 7

• demonstration of aggression or willingness to fight

Question 8

artifice

Answer 8

• cunning trick

Question 9

culpability

Answer 9

• guilt or blame that is deserved

Question 10

foible

Answer 10

• a slight flaw in character

Question 11

sycophancy

Answer 11

• character of someone who acts submissively toward someone important in order to gain an advantage

Question 12

equivocal

Answer 12

• uncertain; open to more than one interpretation

Question 13

deplorable

Answer 13

• deserving strong condemnation
• shockingly bad in quality

Question 14

esoteric

Answer 14

• confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle

Question 15

quixotic

Answer 15

• foolishly impractical, especially in the pursuit of ideals

Question 16

bombastic

Answer 16

• pompous or overly wordy
• high-sounding but with little meaning

Question 17

ephemeral

Answer 17

• short-lived

Question 18

insidious

Answer 18

• proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects
• treacherous; crafty