SAT Vocab Flashcards
Word
Definition
Abate
v. to become less active, less intense, or less in amount
Abstract
adj. existing purely in the mind; not representing actual reality
Abysmal
adj. extremely bad
Accordingly
adv. in accordance with
Acquisition
n. the act of gaining a skill or possession of something
Adapt
v. to make suit a new purpose
v. to accommodate oneself to a new condition, setting, or situation
Adept
adj. having knowledge or skill (usu. in a particular area)
Adequate
adj. having sufficient qualifications to meet a specific task or purpose
Advent
n. the arrival or creation of something (usu. historic)
Adversarial
adj. relating to hostile opposition
Advocate
n. someone who promotes or defends something
v. to defend or promote something (usu. a belief, theory, opinion, etc.)
Aesthetic
adj. relating to beauty or refined taste
Afford
v. to be able to buy
v. to be able to spare
Agitate
v. to promote something (usu. a cause)
Allow
v. to permit or consent to
Allude
v. to make a secretive mention of something
Altercation
n. a noisy argument or confrontation
Ambiguous
adj. unclear or vague in meaning
Ambitious
adj. having a powerful desire for success or achievement
Ambivalence
n. the state of being uncertain or stuck between two or more options
Analogous
adj. similar but not identical
Annihilate
v. to destroy or cause devastating destruction
Anomaly
n. something different from the norm
Anticipate
v. assume to be likely to happen
Antipathy
n. a strong feeling of dislike
Apex
n. the highest point of something
Apprehension
n. fearful expectation of something
Articulate
v. to clearly express in words
Artificial
adj. something made; not occurring naturally
Assertion
n. a strong declaration
Austere
adj. extremely plain
adj. stern and forbidding
adj. relating to self-denial
Authenticity
n. the quality of being real and true instead of fake and contrived
Avenue
n. an intangible path or approach to something
Avid
adj. actively interested in or enthusiastic about something
Basic
adj. relating to the foundation or basis of something
Bear
v. to have as a characteristic
v. to have (a child)
v. to bring forth
v. to put up with
Benevolent
adj. kind, generous
Bias
n. a preconception that prevents objectivity
Bittersweet
adj. tinged with a feeling of sadness
Bolster
v. to support, strengthen, or fortify
Boost
n. an increase or growth
v. to increase or make grow
Brawl
n. an intense, loud fight
v. to fight loudly and disruptively
Brevity
n. the quality of being brief or terse
Candid
adj. direct, blunt
Candor
n. the trait of being honest and frank
Capitalize
v. to use to your advantage
Capture
v. to trap or take possession of
v. to successfully represent or imitate
v. to captivate, mesmerize
v. to catch or seize
Civic
adj. relating to the city or citizens
Clinical
adj. emotionally unattached (usu. used in medical or scientific setting)
Clout
n. special advantage or power
Coarse
adj. indicating a rough texture
adj. lacking refinement or sophistication
Coincide
v. to happen at the same time
Commission
n. the use of payment to request something (e.g., a service or product)
Comparable
adj. able to be compared
Competent
adj. sufficiently qualified
Complacent
adj. satisfied, with no desire to change or improve
Complement
v. to make perfect or complete
Concede
v. to be forced to agree or surrender
v. to admit to a transgression
Conceive
v. to imagine or come up with
Condone
v. to overlook, approve, or allow
Conducive
adj. able to bring about or be suitable for
Conduct
v. to control or manage
v. to behave a certain way
Confide
v. to share something secretive with someone
Confine
v. to put limits on; to restrict
Consensus
n. overall agreement
Constitute
v. to form or compose (part of) something
Contemplate
v. to think deeply about
Contend
v. to maintain or assert (an opinion)
Contradict
v. to be in contrast with
Controversial
adj. highly debatable and causing contention
Conventional
adj. abiding by accepted standards
Convey
v. to pass on or transfer (information)
Conviction
n. a firm belief in something
Corroborate
v. to provide evidence for; to back up (a claim)
Counteract
v. to work in opposition to
Counterargument
n. an argument used to criticize or dismantle another argument
Counterproductive
adj. hindering the achievement of a goal
Culmination
n. the final act or climax
Cultivate
v. to foster the growth of
Decree
v. to declare formally and with authority
Deference
n. respect; regard
Deficient
adj. not enough in degree or amount
Demonstrate
v. to do as an example
v. gives evidence for
Demur
v. to object to
Deplete
v. to (over)use over time (usu. resources)
Desolate
adj. bare, barren, empty
Devise
v. to come up with (a plan)
Dilemma
n. a problem, usually requiring a choice between two options
Diligence
n. conscientiousness; the quality of being committed to a task
Diminish
v. to become smaller in scope or degree
Dire
adj. hopeless and dangerous or fearful
Discord
n. disagreement
Disdain
n. a lack of respect and strong dislike (toward something or someone)
Dismay
n. hopelessness, stress, or consternation
v. to fill with woe or apprehension
Disparage
v. to belittle or speak down to
Dispatch
v. to send off a message or messenger
Diversification
n. the act of becoming diverse
Doctrine
n. a principle, theory, or position, usu. advocated by a religion or gov’t
Dominion
n. power and authority (usu. over a territory)
n. a legal territory
Dreary
adj. sad, gloomy, dull
Dubious
adj. doubtful, questionable
Eccentric
adj. peculiar or odd; deviating from the norm
Egregious
adj. extremely bad
Eloquent
adj. having refined or expressive communication skills (in speaking or writing)