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1600 essential SAT words

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SAT Essential - Set 3

(270 words)
WordPOSDefinition
ecstatic
adj.
Feeling overwhelming happiness or joy
amass
verb
To gather together or accumulate over time
edict
noun
An official order or proclamation issued by an authority
callow
adj.
Lacking experience and maturity
diaphanous
adj.
Light and delicate, almost transparent
effervescent
adj.
Bubbling or fizzing, often due to a chemical reaction
depravity
noun
Moral corruption or wickedness
efficacious
adj.
Producing the intended result
execrable
adj.
Extremely bad or unpleasant
effrontery
noun
Shameless boldness or audacity
immoderate
adj.
Excessive or beyond reasonable limits
effulgent
adj.
Shining brightly or radiantly
lofty
adj.
Very high or tall
elaborate
adj.
Detailed and complicated in design and planning
opaque
adj.
Not allowing light to pass through
elated
adj.
Very happy or proud
precedent
noun
An earlier event or action that serves as an example or guide
elegy
noun
A poem or song expressing sorrow or lamentation, especially for someone who has died.
sage
noun
A person known for wisdom and good judgment
elicit
verb
To draw out or bring forth
trinket
noun
A small item of little value
elude
verb
To avoid or escape from someone or something, especially by trickery or skill
ambiguity
noun
The quality of being open to more than one interpretation
embellish
verb
To make something more attractive by adding decorative details.
candid
adj.
Truthful and straightforward; frank.
emend
verb
To make corrections or improvements
deprecate
verb
To express disapproval of something
eminent
adj.
Famous and respected within a particular sphere
exegesis
noun
Critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially a religious one
emollient
noun
A substance that softens or soothes the skin
immutable
adj.
Unchanging over time or unable to be changed
emote
verb
To express emotion, especially in an exaggerated or theatrical manner
longevity
noun
Long life or existence
empathy
noun
The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
opulent
adj.
Richly luxurious or lavish
empirical
adj.
Based on observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.
precept
noun
A rule or principle prescribing a particular course of action or conduct.
enamor
verb
To be filled with a feeling of love
salacious
adj.
Having or conveying undue or inappropriate interest in sexual matters
encore
noun
A repeated or additional performance requested by the audience
trite
adj.
Lacking originality or freshness
encumber
verb
To burden or weigh down
ambiguous
adj.
Having more than one possible meaning
enervate
verb
To weaken or drain energy
candor
noun
The quality of being open and honest
enigmatic
adj.
Difficult to interpret or understand
deride
verb
To mock or make fun of
enmity
noun
A feeling of hostility or opposition
exemplary
adj.
Serving as a desirable model; representing the best of its kind.
ennui
noun
A feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.
impartial
adj.
Not favoring one side or opinion over another; fair
entail
verb
To involve something as a necessary part or consequence
loquacious
adj.
Tending to talk a lot
enthrall
verb
To captivate or charm, capture the attention of
ordain
verb
To officially make someone a priest or minister
epitome
noun
A perfect example of a particular quality or type
precinct
noun
A district or area with defined boundaries, often used for administrative purposes
equanimity
noun
Calmness and composure, especially in difficult situations
sallow
adj.
Having an unhealthy yellow or pale brown color
equivocal
adj.
Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous
trivial
adj.
Of little importance or value
erudite
adj.
Having or showing great knowledge or learning
ambivalence
noun
The state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone
eschew
verb
To deliberately avoid or abstain from
cantankerous
adj.
Bad-tempered and argumentative
ethereal
adj.
Extremely delicate and light, seeming too perfect for this world
derogatory
adj.
Showing a critical or disrespectful attitude
euphoric
adj.
Extremely happy or excited
exemplify
verb
To show or illustrate by example
evanescent
adj.
Quickly fading or disappearing
impecunious
adj.
Having little or no money
evince
verb
To show clearly
lucid
adj.
Clear and easy to understand
exalt
verb
To praise highly or glorify
ornate
adj.
Highly decorated with complex patterns
exasperate
verb
To irritate or provoke to a high degree; annoy extremely
precipice
noun
A very steep rock face or cliff, typically a tall one.
excavate
verb
To dig out and remove
salubrious
adj.
Promoting health or well-being
excursion
noun
A short trip for pleasure or leisure
truant
noun
A student who stays away from school without permission
exhort
verb
To strongly encourage or urge someone to do something
ambulatory
adj.
Able to walk
exigent
adj.
Requiring immediate attention or action
capacious
adj.
Having a lot of space inside
exonerate
verb
To officially declare someone not guilty of a crime or wrongdoing
desecrate
verb
To treat a sacred place or thing with disrespect
exorbitant
adj.
Unreasonably high in price or amount
exhaustive
adj.
Including all possibilities; comprehensive
expiate
verb
To make amends or reparation
impious
adj.
Lacking reverence or respect, especially towards a deity or religion
expunge
verb
To completely remove or erase
ludicrous
adj.
So absurd or ridiculous as to be laughable
expurgate
verb
To remove parts considered offensive or unsuitable
orthodox
adj.
Conforming to traditional beliefs or practices
extant
adj.
Still in existence; surviving
precipitous
adj.
Very steep
extricate
verb
To free from a difficult situation
salutary
adj.
Producing a beneficial effect
exult
verb
To feel or show triumphant elation or jubilation
truncate
verb
To shorten by cutting off a part
fabricate
verb
To construct or manufacture
ameliorate
verb
To make a bad situation better
facade
noun
The front of a building, especially an imposing or decorative one
capitulate
verb
To surrender or give up resistance
facile
adj.
Easily achieved or effortless
desecration
noun
The act of treating something sacred with disrespect
fathom
verb
To understand something deeply
exonerates
verb
To clear someone from blame or fault
feral
adj.
Wild, especially after escaping domestication
impoverished
adj.
Lacking money or resources
fervent
adj.
Having or showing intense passion or enthusiasm
lukewarm
adj.
Slightly warm
fetid
adj.
Having a strong, unpleasant smell
ossify
verb
To turn into bone or bony tissue
fetter
verb
To restrict or restrain someone in an unfair or undesirable way.
preclude
verb
To prevent something from happening or make it impossible
fidelity
noun
Faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by continuing loyalty and support.
sanctimonious
adj.
Pretending to be morally better than others
figurative
adj.
Using symbolic or metaphorical language
tumult
noun
A loud, confused noise, especially one caused by a large mass of people
flabbergasted
adj.
Extremely surprised or shocked
amelioration
noun
The act of making something better or improving it
flaccid
adj.
Soft and hanging loosely or limply
carping
adj.
Constantly finding fault in trivial matters
florid
adj.
Having a red or flushed complexion
desist
verb
To stop doing something
foil
verb
To prevent someone's plan from succeeding
exorcism
noun
The act of driving out evil spirits from a person or place
forage
verb
To search widely for food or provisions.
impromptu
adj.
Done without being planned or rehearsed
forbearance
noun
Patient self-control or restraint
lummox
noun
A clumsy or stupid person
forestall
verb
To prevent something by taking action ahead of time
ostentatious
adj.
Characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice.
forlorn
adj.
Sad and abandoned or lonely
precocious
adj.
Having developed certain abilities or inclinations at an earlier age than usual.
forsake
verb
To abandon or leave someone or something
sanction
noun
A penalty for disobeying a rule or law
forum
noun
A place for open discussion
turpitude
noun
A state of moral corruption or wickedness
foster
verb
To encourage or promote the development of something
amiable
adj.
Friendly and pleasant in manner
fraught
adj.
Filled with something undesirable
cartographer
noun
A person who draws or produces maps
frenetic
adj.
Fast and energetic in a wild and uncontrolled way
despondent
adj.
Feeling or showing hopelessness
genial
adj.
Friendly and cheerful
expatriate
noun
A person who lives outside their native country
gluttony
noun
Excessive eating or drinking
inadvertent
adj.
Not done on purpose; unintentional
gourmand
noun
A person who enjoys eating and often eats too much
luscious
adj.
Having a rich, pleasing taste or smell
grandiloquence
noun
A pompous or extravagant manner of speaking
oust
verb
To remove from a position or place
grandiose
adj.
Impressive or magnificent in appearance or style, often to an excessive degree
predecessor
noun
A person who held a job or position before someone else.
grievous
adj.
Very serious or grave
sanguinary
adj.
Involving or causing much bloodshed
hapless
adj.
Unfortunate or having bad luck
tyro
noun
A person who is new to an activity or field
hardy
adj.
Able to survive under bad conditions; tough
amity
noun
A friendly relationship
harrowing
adj.
Extremely distressing or disturbing
castigate
verb
To criticize someone severely
haughty
adj.
Having or showing an attitude of superiority and disdain for others
destitution
noun
Extreme poverty
hegemony
noun
Dominance of one group over others
expedient
adj.
Convenient and practical, although possibly improper or immoral
heinous
adj.
Extremely wicked or shockingly evil
incantation
noun
A series of words said as a magic spell or charm
heterogeneous
adj.
Diverse in character or content
lynch
verb
To kill someone, especially by hanging, without a legal trial
hierarchy
noun
A system where people or things are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.
overt
adj.
Done openly and not hidden.
hypocrisy
noun
The practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform.
predicament
noun
A difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation
hypothetical
adj.
Based on possible situations or ideas rather than actual facts.
sanguine
adj.
Optimistic or positive, especially in a difficult situation
idiosyncratic
adj.
Peculiar or unique to an individual
ubiquitous
adj.
Present or existing everywhere
idolatrous
adj.
Excessively worshipping something or someone
amorphous
adj.
Lacking a clear shape or form
illicit
adj.
Not allowed by law or rules
catharsis
noun
The process of releasing strong emotions
immerse
verb
To dip or submerge in a liquid
embezzlement
noun
The act of stealing money or property entrusted to one's care
deter
verb
To discourage someone from doing something
impassive
adj.
Not showing emotion
expedite
verb
To speed up a process or action
impeccable
adj.
Flawless or perfect
incarceration
noun
The state of being confined in prison
imperative
adj.
Absolutely necessary or required
machinations
noun
Scheming or crafty actions intended to accomplish something, usually evil or deceitful
imperious
adj.
Having an arrogant and domineering manner
overwrought
adj.
Extremely agitated or upset
impertinent
adj.
Rude or disrespectful
preeminent
adj.
Surpassing all others; very distinguished in some way
impervious
adj.
Not allowing fluid to pass through
sardonic
adj.
Mocking in a cynical way
impetuous
adj.
Acting quickly and without thought or care
unalloyed
adj.
Pure and not mixed with anything else
impinge
verb
To have an effect or impact, especially a negative one
analgesic
noun
A drug or medicine that relieves pain
implacable
adj.
Unable to be calmed or pacified
caucus
noun
A meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement.
implement
verb
To put into effect or action
deteriorate
verb
To become progressively worse
implicate
verb
To show someone is involved in a crime or wrongdoing
exposition
noun
A comprehensive description and explanation of an idea or theory
implicit
adj.
Suggested or understood without being directly stated
incessant
adj.
Continuing without stopping
impregnable
adj.
Impossible to capture or break into
maelstrom
noun
A powerful whirlpool
impudent
adj.
Showing a lack of respect and excessive boldness
palatable
adj.
Having a pleasant taste
impte
noun
A sudden urge or desire to act
prerogative
noun
A right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class
inane
adj.
Lacking sense or meaning; silly
savant
noun
A person with exceptional skills or knowledge in a particular area
inarticulate
adj.
Unable to express oneself clearly or effectively
unctuous
adj.
Excessively flattering or ingratiating; oily
incarnate
adj.
Embodied in flesh; given a bodily form
analogous
adj.
Similar in a way that makes clear the nature of the relationship
incendiary
adj.
Designed to cause fires
caustic
adj.
Able to burn or corrode organic tissue
inchoate
adj.
Just begun and not fully developed
detrimental
adj.
Causing harm or damage
incisive
adj.
Clear and direct in expression or thought
extol
verb
To praise enthusiastically
incontrovertible
adj.
Impossible to deny or dispute
incipient
adj.
Beginning to develop or exist
incorrigibile
adj.
Unable to be corrected or reformed
magnanimous
adj.
Showing a generous and kind nature
increment
noun
An increase or addition, especially one of a series on a fixed scale
palisade
noun
A fence of wooden stakes or iron railings fixed in the ground, forming an enclosure or defense.
incumbent
noun
A person who currently holds a specific position or office
prescient
adj.
Having knowledge of events before they happen
indefatigable
adj.
Persisting tirelessly
scale
noun
A series of marks or points at known intervals used to measure distances or quantities
indigent
adj.
Lacking money or resources
undermined
verb
To weaken or damage gradually
indignation
noun
Strong displeasure at something considered unjust or offensive
anarchy
noun
A state of disorder due to absence or nonrecognition of authority
indolent
adj.
Wanting to avoid activity or exertion
cavalcade
noun
A formal procession of people on horseback or in vehicles.
indomitable
adj.
Impossible to defeat or subdue
devoured
verb
To eat something eagerly and in large amounts
induce
verb
To cause something to happen
extradite
verb
To hand over a person accused or convicted of a crime to the jurisdiction of another state or country where the crime was committed.
inextricable
adj.
Impossible to separate or disentangle
inclination
noun
A tendency to act or feel a certain way
infamy
noun
The state of being well known for a bad quality or deed
magnate
noun
A wealthy and influential person in business
infusion
noun
The process of introducing a new element or quality
palliative
adj.
Relieving pain without addressing the cause
ingenious
adj.
Clever and inventive
presentiment
noun
A feeling that something is about to happen
inhibit
verb
To prevent or slow down the activity or occurrence of something
scapegoat
noun
A person or group blamed for the mistakes or faults of others
iniquity
noun
Immoral or grossly unfair behavior
underscore
verb
To emphasize or highlight something
injunction
noun
A court order requiring someone to do or cease doing a specific action.
anecdote
noun
A short, amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person
innnocuous
adj.
Not harmful or offensive
celerity
noun
Swiftness of movement
innuendo
noun
An indirect or subtle reference, often suggestive or disparaging
dexterous
adj.
Skillful with hands
inoculate
verb
To introduce a vaccine into the body to produce immunity against a disease
extraneous
adj.
Not relevant or related to the subject at hand