SAT Words Definition SAT Words Definition
1.aberration n. unsoundness or disorder of the mind
 21. catalyst n. 1 : a substance (as an enzyme) that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a usually faster rate or under different conditions (as at a lower temperature) than otherwise possible
2 : an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action
2.acquiesce v. to accept, comply, or submit tacitly or passively -- often used with in and sometimes with to
 22. catharsis n. 1 : PURGATION
2 a : purification or purgation of the emotions (as pity and fear) primarily through art b : a purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from tension
3. admonish a : to indicate duties or obligations to b : to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner
2 : to give friendly earnest advice or encouragement to
synonym see REPROVE
 23.chastise v. 1 : to inflict punishment on (as by whipping)
2 : to censure severely : CASTIGATE
4.. advocate

n.& v.

 one that pleads the cause of another; specifically : one that pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court
 24.circumspect adj. careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences : PRUDENT
synonym see CAUTIOUS
5. affinity n. : relationship by marriage
2 a : sympathy marked by community of interest : KINSHIP b (1) : an attraction to or liking for something <people with an affinity to darkness		 25.clandestine adj.

 

 marked by, held in, or conducted with secrecy : SURREPTITIOUS
synonym see SECRET
6.alleviate n. RELIEVE, LESSEN: as a : to make (as suffering) more bearable <her sympathy alleviated his distress 26.clemency n. a : disposition to be merciful and especially to moderate the severity of punishment due b : an act or instance of leniency
2 : pleasant mildness of weather
7. aloof adj. removed or distant either physically or emotionally <the aloof composer neither worried nor cared about public opinion -- Mary Jane Matz> <he stood aloof from worldly success 27.coalesce v. 1 : to grow together
2 a : to unite into a whole : FUSE <separate townships have coalesced into a single, sprawling colony
8. altruistic adj. unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others 28.commiserate v. intransitive senses : to feel or express sympathy : CONDOLE <commiserates with them on their loss>
transitive senses : to feel or express sorrow or compassion for
9. ambiguous adj. d1.oubtful or uncertain especially from obscurity or indistinctness <eyes of an ambiguous color> b : INEXPLICABLE
2 : capable of being understood in two or more possible senses or ways
 29.conciliatory v. transitive senses
1 : to gain (as goodwill) by pleasing acts
2 : to make compatible : RECONCILE
3 : APPEASE
intransitive senses : to become friendly or agreeable
10. ambivalence n. simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings (as attraction and repulsion) toward an object, person, or action
 30.conspicuous adj. 1 : obvious to the eye or mind
2 : attracting attention : STRIKING
11. animosity n. ill will or resentment tending toward active hostility : an antagonistic attitude
synonym see ENMITY 		31. copious adj. a : yielding something abundantly <a copious harvest> <copious springs> b : plentiful in number
12. antagonism n. a : opposition of a conflicting force, tendency, or principle <the antagonism of democracy to dictatorship> b : actively expressed opposition or hostility <antagonism between factions>
 32. corroborate v. to support with evidence or authority : make more certain
synonym see CONFIRM
13. arduous adj. hard to accomplish or achieve : DIFFICULT 33. cursory adj. rapidly and often superficially performed or produced : HASTY <a cursory glance>
14. atrophy n. a wasting away or progressive decline : DEGENERATION <the atrophy of freedom> <was not a solitude of atrophy, of negation, but of perpetual flowering 34. decadence n. 1 : the process of becoming decadent : the quality or state of being decadent
2 : a period of decline
synonym see DETERIORATION
15.augment

n. & v.

 to make greater, more numerous, larger, or more intense <the impact of the report was augmented by its timing>
 35. deference n. respect and esteem due a superior or an elder; also : affected or ingratiating regard for another's wishes
synonym see HONOR
16. aversion n. the act of turning away
2 a : a feeling of repugnance toward something with a desire to avoid or turn from it <regards drunkenness with aversion> b : a settled dislike : ANTIPATHY <expressed an aversion to parties		 36. delineate v. 1 a : to indicate or represent by drawn or painted lines b : to mark the outline of <lights delineating the narrow streets>
2 : to describe, portray, or set forth with accuracy or in detail
17. cajole v. to persuade with flattery or gentle urging especially in the face of reluctance : COAX <had to cajole them into going>
 37. derogatory adj. 1 : detracting from the character or standing of something -- often used with to, of, or from
2 : expressive of a low opinion : DISPARAGING <derogatory remarks
18. callous adj. a : feeling no emotion b : feeling no sympathy for others
 38. deter v. 1 : to turn aside, discourage, or prevent from acting
2 : INHIBIT
19.capitulate v. 1.archaic : PARLEY, NEGOTIATE
2 a : to surrender often after negotiation of terms b : to cease resisting : ACQUIESCE
 39. devoid adj. being without a usual, typical, or expected attribute or accompaniment <an argument devoid of sense>
20. capricious adj. governed or characterized by caprice : IMPULSIVE, UNPREDICTABLE
synonym see INCONSTANT
 40. diatribe n. 1 archaic : a prolonged discourse
2 : a bitter and abusive speech or writing
3 : ironical or satirical criticism

41.didactic adj. 1 a : designed or intended to teach b : intended to convey instruction and information as well as pleasure and entertainment
2 : making moral observations

42. disdain noun: a feeling of contempt for what is beneath one

43. disparage transitive verb 1 : to lower in rank or reputation : DEGRADE
2 : to depreciate by indirect means (as invidious comparison) : speak slightingly about

44. dissipated verb 1 a : to break up and drive off (as a crowd) b : to cause to spread thin or scatter and gradually vanish <one's sympathy is eventually dissipated -- Andrew Feinberg> c : to lose (as heat or electricity) irrecoverably
2 : to spend or use up wastefully or foolishly <lifelong tendency to dissipate his gifts in travel and pleasure -- Edmund Morris> <his fortune is dissipated in imprudent political adventures -- John Butt>
intransitive senses
1 : to break up and scatter or vanish
2 : to be extravagant or dissolute in the pursuit of pleasure; especially : to drink to excess
synonym see SCATTER
  

45. dogmatic adjective 1 : characterized by or given to the use of dogmatism <a dogmatic critic>
2 : of or relating to dogma

46.duplicity noun1 : contradictory doubleness of thought, speech, or action; especially : the belying of one's true intentions by deceptive words or action
2 : the quality or state of being double or twofold
3 : the technically incorrect use of two or more distinct items (as claims, charges, or defenses) in a single legal action

47. eclectic adjective 1 : selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles
2 : composed of elements drawn from various sources; also : HETEROGENEOUS

48. efface transitive verb 1 : to eliminate or make indistinct by or as if by wearing away a surface <coins with dates effaced by wear>; also : to cause to vanish <daylight effaced the stars>
2 : to make (oneself) modestly or shyly inconspicuous

49. egregious adjective 1 archaic : DISTINGUISHED
2 : CONSPICUOUS; especially : conspicuously bad : FLAGRANT <an egregious mistake>

50. elucidate verb transitive senses : to make lucid especially by explanation or analysis
intransitive senses : to give a clarifying explanation

51. embellish transitive verb 1 : to make beautiful with ornamentation : DECORATE
2 : to heighten the attractiveness of by adding ornamental details : ENHANCE <embellished our account of the trip>

52. embroil transitive verb 1 : to throw into disorder or confusion
2 : to involve in conflict or difficulties

53. enigma noun 1 : an obscure speech or writing
2 : something hard to understand or explain
3 : an inscrutable or mysterious person
synonym see MYSTERY

54. ephemeral adjective 1 : lasting one day only <an ephemeral fever>
2 : lasting a very short time <ephemeral pleasures>
synonym see TRANSIENT

55. esoteric adjective 1 a : designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone <a body of esoteric legal doctrine -- B. N. Cardozo> b : of or relating to knowledge that is restricted to a small group
2 a : limited to a small circle <esoteric pursuits> b : PRIVATE, CONFIDENTIAL <an esoteric purpose>

56. exacerbate v.: to make more violent, bitter, or severe <the proposed shutdown ... would exacerbate unemployment problems

57. exemplary adj. 1 a : serving as a pattern b : deserving imitation : COMMENDABLE <his courage was exemplary>; also : deserving imitation because of excellence <they serve exemplary pastries -- G. V. Higgins>
2 : serving as a warning : MONITORY
3 : serving as an example, instance, or illustration

58. expedient adj. & n. 1 : suitable for achieving a particular end in a given circumstance
2 : characterized by concern with what is opportune; especially : governed by self-interest
- ex·pe·di·ent·ly adverb
synonyms EXPEDIENT, POLITIC, ADVISABLE mean dictated by practical or prudent motives.

59. extol v. to praise highly : GLORIFY
60. fallacy n. to praise highly : GLORIFY

61. fervor noun 1 : intensity of feeling or expression <booing and cheering with almost equal fervor -- Alan Rich>
2 : intense heat
synonym see PASSION
62. flagrant adjective 1 archaic : fiery hot : BURNING
2 : conspicuously offensive <flagrant errors>; especially : so obviously inconsistent with what is right or proper as to appear to be a flouting of law or morality <flagrant violations of human rights>
- fla·grant·ly adverb
synonyms FLAGRANT, GLARING, GROSS, RANK mean conspicuously bad or objectionable. FLAGRANT applies usually to offenses or errors so bad that they can neither escape notice nor be condoned <flagrant abuse of the office of president>. GLARING implies painful or damaging obtrusiveness of something that is conspicuously wrong, faulty, or improper <glaring errors>. GROSS implies the exceeding of reasonable or excusable limits <gross carelessness>. RANK applies to what is openly and extremely objectionable and utterly condemned <rank heresy>.
63. forlorn adjective 1 a : BEREFT, FORSAKEN <left quite forlorn of hope> b : sad and lonely because of isolation or desertion : DESOLATE
2 : being in poor condition : MISERABLE, WRETCHED <forlorn tumbledown buildings>
3 : nearly hopeless <a forlorn attempt>
synonym see ALONE

64. furtive adjective 1 a : done by stealth : SURREPTITIOUS b : expressive of stealth : SLY <had a furtive look about him>
2 : obtained underhandedly : STOLEN
synonym see SECRET

65. garrulous adjective 1 : given to prosy, rambling, or tedious loquacity : pointlessly or annoyingly talkative
2 : WORDY 1 <garrulous speeches>
synonym see TALKATIVE

66. gratuitous adjective 1 a : given unearned or without recompense b : not involving a return benefit, compensation, or consideration c : costing nothing : FREE
2 : not called for by the circumstances : UNWARRANTED <gratuitous insolence> <a gratuitous assumption>

67. heretic noun 1 : a dissenter from established church dogma; especially : a baptized member of the Roman Catholic Church who disavows a revealed truth
2 : one who dissents from an accepted belief or doctrine : NONCONFORMIST
68. hypothetical adjective : being or involving a hypothesis : CONJECTURAL <hypothetical arguments> <a hypothetical situation>

69. imminent adjective : ready to take place; especially : hanging threateningly over one's head <was in imminent danger of being run over>

70. imperturbable adjective : marked by extreme calm, impassivity, and steadiness : SERENE
synonym see COOL

71. implausible adjective : not plausible : provoking disbelief

72. incipient adjective : beginning to come into being or to become apparent
73. incongruous adjective : lacking congruity: as a : not harmonious : INCOMPATIBLE <incongruous colors> b : not conforming : DISAGREEING <conduct incongruous with principle> c : inconsistent within itself <an incongruous story> d : lacking propriety : UNSUITABLE <incongruous manners>

74. incontrovertible adjective : not open to question : INDISPUTABLE
75. incorrigible adjective : incapable of being corrected or amended: as a (1) : not reformable : DEPRAVED (2) : DELINQUENT b : not manageable : UNRULY c : UNALTERABLE, INVETERATE

76. indigent adjective 1 : suffering from indigence : IMPOVERISHED
2 a archaic : DEFICIENT b archaic : totally lacking in something specified

77. ingratiate transitive verb : to gain favor or favorable acceptance for by deliberate effort -- usually used with with <ingratiate themselves with the community leaders -- William Attwood>

78. innocuous adjective 1 : producing no injury : HARMLESS
2 : not likely to give offense or to arouse strong feelings or hostility : INOFFENSIVE, INSIPID

79. inscrutable adjective : not readily investigated, interpreted, or understood : MYSTERIOUS

80. insipid adjective 1 : lacking taste or savor : TASTELESS
2 : lacking in qualities that interest, stimulate, or challenge : DULL, FLAT