SAT Vocab List 8

Question 1

Uncertainty or inexactness of meaning in language; a lack of decisiveness or commitment resulting from a failure to make a choice between alternatives; open to more than one interpretations; having a double meaning (antonym is unambiguous)

Answer 1

ambiguity, n.
ambiguous, adj.
ambiguously, adv.

Question 2

cease to resist an opponent or an unwelcome demand; surrender; the action of surrendering or ceasing to resist an opponent or demand

Answer 2

capitulate, v.
capitulation, n.
capitulator, n.

Question 3

Intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of something (synonyms are improve or boost)

Answer 3

enhance, v.
enhancement, n.
enhancer, n.

Question 4

make an action or process happen sooner or be accomplished more quickly (synonym is accelerate; antonym is obstruct)

Answer 4

expedite, v.

expediter, n.

Question 5

free someone or something from constraint or difficulty (synonym is rescue)

Answer 5

extricate, v.
extricable, adj.
extrication, n.

Question 6

not harmful or offensive

Answer 6

innocuous, adj.
innocuously, adv.
innocuousness, n.

Question 7

something abstract but perceptible that issues or spreads out from a source (sound, light, smells); originate from; be produced by; give out or emit something (synonym is originate)

Answer 7

emanate, v.
emanative, adj.
emanator, n.
emanation, n.

Question 8

ask for or try to obtain something from someone; ask someone for something; accost someone and offer one’s or someone else’s services as a prostitute; someone who tries to obtain business orders, advertising, etc. (synonyms are beg, implore)

Answer 8

solicit, v.
solicitor, n.
solicitation,n.
soliciting, n.

Question 9

Waste something, especially time or money in a reckless and foolish manner; allow an opportunity to pass or be lost (synonym is waste)

Answer 9

squander, v.

squanderer, n.

Question 10

not certain or fixed; provisional; done without confidence; hesitant

Answer 10

tentative, adj.
tentatively, adv.
tentativeness, n.

Question 11

erode the base or foundation of a rock formation; dig or excavate beneath a building so as to make it collapse; to damage or weaken someone or something, especially gradually or insidiously (antonyms are strengthen & fortify)

Answer 11

undermine, v.

underminer, n.

Question 12

match or surpass a person or an achievement, typically by imitation; imitate; reproduce the function or the action of a different computer or software system;

Answer 12

emulate, v.
emulation, n.
emulator, n.
emulative, adj.

Question 13

lack of interest, concern, or sympathy; unimportance; unconcerned; neither good nor bad; mediocre; not especially good; fairly bad; neutral in respect of some specified physical property

Answer 13

indifference, n.
indifferent, adj.
indifferently, adj.

Question 14

dismiss to an inferior rank or position

Answer 14

relegate, v.

relegation, n.

Question 15

refuse to accept or to associate with; deny the truth or validity of; refute; refuse to fulfill or discharge an agreement, obligation, or debt

Answer 15

repudiate, v.
repudiation, n.
repudiator, n.

Question 16

Revoke, cancel, or repeal a law, order, or agreement (antonym is reinstate)

Answer 16

rescind, v.

rescindable, adj.

Question 17

the state or feeling, often pleasant, of tiredness or inertia; an oppressive stillness of the air

Answer 17

languor, n.;
languorous, adj.;
languid, adj.
languorously, adv.

Question 18

sluggish and apathetic; a lack of energy and enthusiasm

Answer 18

lethargic, adj.;
lethargically, adv.;
lethargy, n.

Question 19

rise and fall irregularly in number and amount;

Answer 19

fluctuate, v.;
fluctuation, n.;
fluctuating, adj.

Question 20

a body of water or the atmosphere of a confined space having no current flow and often having an unpleasant smell as a consequence; water or air that ceases to flow or move; figuratively, cease developing; become inactive or dull

Answer 20

stagnant, adj.;
stagnating, adj.;
stagnate, v.;
stagnation, n.;

Question 21

hinder or impede the movement or progress of; a basket with a lid for carrying food or laundry

Answer 21

hamper, v.;

hamper, n.

Question 22

delay or put off an action or event until a later time; postpone; submit humbly to or respect for a person or a person’s wishes or qualities

Answer 22

defer, v.; 
deferment, n.; 
deferrable, adj.; 
deferral, n.; 
deference, n.

Question 23

having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

Answer 23

ambivalent, adj.;
ambivalently, adv.;
ambivalence, n.

Question 24

hesitating or doubting; not to be relied upon; suspect or suspicious; morally suspect or suspicious; of questionable value

Answer 24

dubious, adj.;
dubiously, adv.;
dubiousness, n.