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1600 essential SAT words

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SAT Essential - Set 5

(270 words)
WordPOSDefinition
sluggard
noun
A lazy person
repose
noun
A state of rest or calmness
vacillate
verb
To be unable to decide between different options
reproach
verb
To express disapproval or disappointment
appease
verb
To calm or pacify someone, often by giving in to their demands.
reprobate
noun
A person without morals
circumscribe
verb
To restrict within limits
reprove
verb
To criticize or correct someone, usually gently
discord
noun
Disagreement or conflict between people
repulse
verb
To drive back or repel
heterogenous
adj.
Composed of diverse elements or parts
finesse
noun
Skillful handling of a situation
reputable
adj.
Having a good reputation
inevitable
adj.
Certain to happen; unavoidable
requisition
noun
An official request for something needed
matriarchy
noun
A social system where women hold primary power
reservoir
noun
A large natural or artificial lake used to store water for human use
parsimonious
adj.
Unwilling to spend money or use resources
resilient
adj.
Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions
proponents
noun
People who support or advocate for something
resolute
adj.
Determined and unwavering
smelt
verb
To extract metal from its ore by heating and melting.
resolve
verb
To find a solution to a problem or difficulty
vacuous
adj.
Lacking thought or intelligence
restitution
noun
The act of restoring something to its original state or returning something to its rightful owner.
apprehensive
adj.
Anxious or fearful about the future
resitve
noun
A means of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation.
circumspect
adj.
Careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences
retract
verb
To take back or withdraw something said or written
discordancy
noun
Lack of agreement or harmony
revel
verb
To enjoy oneself in a lively and noisy way
fitful
adj.
Not steady; irregular
revoke
verb
To officially cancel or withdraw
inexorable
adj.
Impossible to stop or prevent
rhapsodize
verb
To speak or write with great enthusiasm and delight
maverick
noun
An independent-minded person
ribald
adj.
Referring to sexual matters in a humorous or rude way
parsimony
noun
Extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources
saccharine
adj.
Excessively sweet or sentimental
prosaic
adj.
Lacking in imagination or originality
sagacity
noun
The quality of being wise or having good judgment
smorgasbord
noun
A buffet offering a variety of foods and dishes
salient
adj.
Most noticeable or important
vagrant
noun
A person without a permanent home or job who wanders from place to place
salutation
noun
A word or phrase used to greet someone
arable
adj.
Suitable for growing crops
salve
noun
A soothing ointment for wounds or sores
circumvent
verb
To find a way around an obstacle or problem
satiate
verb
To fully satisfy a desire or need
discrepancy
noun
A difference or inconsistency between two or more things
scathing
adj.
Severely critical or harsh
flagrant
adj.
Obviously offensive or bad
scintillating
adj.
Sparkling or shining brightly
inexpedient
adj.
Not practical or advisable
scurrilous
adj.
Making or spreading scandalous claims with the intention of damaging someone's reputation
meager
adj.
Lacking in quantity or quality; insufficient; scanty.
sedentary
adj.
Characterized by much sitting and little physical activity
partisan
noun
A strong supporter of a party, cause, or person
semaphore
noun
A system of sending messages using visual signals
proscribe
verb
To officially forbid something
seminal
adj.
Highly influential in an original way and providing a basis for further development
solace
noun
Comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness
sensual
adj.
Relating to or involving gratification of the senses, especially sexual pleasure.
vapid
adj.
Lacking liveliness or interest
sinuous
adj.
Having many curves and turns
arbitrary
adj.
Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system
sobriety
noun
The state of being sober, especially after stopping alcohol or drugs
clairvoyant
adj.
Having the ability to perceive events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact
solicitous
adj.
Showing concern or care for someone's health, happiness, etc.
discriminate
verb
To treat a person or group unfairly based on differences
solipsistic
adj.
Believing that only one's own mind is sure to exist
flamboyant
adj.
Attracting attention due to confidence and stylishness
soluble
adj.
Capable of being dissolved in a liquid, especially water
infallible
adj.
Incapable of making mistakes or being wrong
solvent
noun
A liquid that dissolves a solid, liquid, or gaseous solute
meander
verb
To wander aimlessly
somnolent
adj.
Sleepy or drowsy
pathos
noun
A quality that evokes pity or sadness
soverign
adj.
Possessing supreme or ultimate power
prosody
noun
The patterns of rhythm and sound in poetry
speculative
adj.
Based on guesses or ideas about what might happen rather than on facts
solicit
verb
To ask for something earnestly or try to obtain something from someone.
stagnate
verb
To stop developing or progressing
variegated
adj.
Exhibiting different colors, especially as irregular patches or streaks.
stingy
adj.
Unwilling to give or spend; ungenerous
arcane
adj.
Understood by few; mysterious or secret
strenuous
adj.
Requiring or using great effort or energy
clamor
noun
A loud and confused noise, especially that of people shouting.
stupefy
verb
To make someone unable to think or feel properly
discursiveness
noun
The quality of tending to digress from the main point in speech or writing.
subjugate
verb
To bring under control or domination
flaunt
verb
To show off something
sublime
adj.
Of such excellence or beauty as to inspire admiration or awe.
infamous
adj.
Well-known for a bad quality or deed
submissive
adj.
Willing to obey someone else
mellow
adj.
Pleasantly smooth or soft; free from harshness
superfluous
adj.
More than what is needed; unnecessary
patron
noun
A person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, or cause.
surfeit
noun
An excessive amount of something
prostration
noun
The act of lying stretched out on the ground
surmise
verb
To guess something without having all the facts.
somnambulist
noun
A person who walks while asleep
surrogate
noun
A substitute, especially a person deputizing for another in a specific role or office
vehemence
noun
Intensity or forcefulness of expression or emotion
swarthy
adj.
Having a dark complexion or color
archaic
adj.
Old and no longer in use
tacit
adj.
Understood without being openly expressed
clandestine
adj.
Kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit
tangential
adj.
Only slightly connected or related
disdain
noun
The feeling that someone or something is unworthy of respect or consideration
tantamount
adj.
Equivalent in value, significance, or effect
flippant
adj.
Lacking proper respect or seriousness
tedious
adj.
Boring and too slow or long
infer
verb
To conclude by reasoning from evidence or premises
temerity
noun
Excessive confidence or boldness
menagerie
noun
A collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition
temperance
noun
Moderation or self-restraint
patronize
verb
To treat someone with an apparent kindness that betrays a feeling of superiority
tenable
adj.
Able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection
protagonist
noun
The main character in a story, play, movie, etc.
terrestrial
adj.
Relating to the Earth or land
soothsayer
noun
A person who predicts the future
toady
noun
A person who flatters or acts submissively to someone important to gain favor
vehement
adj.
Showing strong and intense feelings
torrid
adj.
Very hot and dry
archetype
noun
A perfect example of something
tortuous
adj.
Full of twists and turns
clemency
noun
Mercy shown towards someone, especially by a person in authority
transmute
verb
To change in form, nature, or substance
disinterested
adj.
Impartial or unbiased
travesty
noun
A distorted or grossly inferior imitation
flout
verb
To openly disregard a rule or law
tremulous
adj.
Shaking slightly due to nervousness, weakness, or fear
ingénue
noun
A young woman who is innocent or naive
trenchant
adj.
Vigorously effective and articulate
mendacious
adj.
Not telling the truth
truculent
adj.
Eager or quick to argue or fight
paucity
noun
A small or insufficient quantity or amount
turgid
adj.
Swollen and distended
protean
adj.
Able to change or adapt frequently
umbrage
noun
Offense or annoyance
sophomoric
adj.
Immature or juvenile
uncanny
adj.
Strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way
venal
adj.
Open to corruption or bribery
undulate
verb
To move in a smooth, wave-like motion
archives
noun
A collection of historical documents or records
utopia
noun
An imagined place or state of perfection
cliché
noun
An overused phrase or idea
validate
verb
To confirm the accuracy or truthfulness of something
disparage
verb
To speak about someone or something in a way that shows strong disapproval
vehemently
adv.
In a forceful, passionate, or intense manner
flustered
adj.
Agitated or confused
venerable
adj.
Deserving respect because of age, wisdom, or character
ingrate
noun
A person who is not thankful
verdant
adj.
Green with vegetation
mercenary
noun
A professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army.
vestige
noun
A small remaining part of something that once existed
peccadillo
noun
A minor fault or sin
vex
verb
To annoy or irritate
protégé
noun
A person who is guided and supported by an older and more experienced person.
vicarious
adj.
Experienced through the actions or feelings of another person
soporific
adj.
Causing sleepiness or drowsiness
vicissitude
noun
A change or variation occurring in the course of something.
veneer
noun
A thin decorative covering of fine wood applied to a coarser wood or other material.
vigilant
adj.
Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties
articulate
adj.
Able to express thoughts clearly and effectively
vilify
verb
To speak or write harshly about someone, making them seem bad.
clientele
noun
The group of customers or patrons of a business
vindictive
adj.
Having a strong desire for revenge
disparity
noun
A great difference or inequality
viscous
adj.
Having a thick, sticky consistency
fly-by-night
adj.
Untrustworthy or unreliable, often because of being new or temporary
vituperate
verb
To criticize harshly
inimical
adj.
Harmful or hostile
vivacious
adj.
Full of life and energy
mercurial
adj.
Characterized by rapid and unpredictable changes in mood or behavior.
vocation
noun
A person's occupation or profession, especially regarded as particularly worthy and requiring dedication
pedant
noun
A person who is excessively concerned with minor details or rules
wallow
verb
To roll around in mud or water for pleasure or comfort
protocol
noun
A system of rules that explain the correct conduct and procedures to be followed in formal situations.
wanton
adj.
Deliberate and unprovoked
sparse
adj.
Thinly dispersed or scattered
winsome
adj.
Attractive or appealing in a sweet or innocent way
venerate
verb
To regard with great respect or reverence
wizened
adj.
Having a shriveled or wrinkled appearance, often due to aging
artifice
noun
Clever or cunning devices used to trick or deceive others
wrath
noun
Extreme anger
coalesce
verb
To come together to form a whole
yoke
noun
A wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull.
dispassionate
adj.
Not influenced by strong emotion, allowing rational and impartial decisions
zealous
adj.
Showing great energy or enthusiasm
forensic
adj.
Related to scientific methods used in solving crimes
impute
verb
To assign blame or responsibility
zephyr
noun
A gentle, mild breeze
innate
adj.
Inborn; natural
merge
verb
To combine or unite into a single entity
pedestrian
noun
A person walking rather than traveling in a vehicle
provincial
adj.
Relating to a province or rural areas
specious
adj.
Superficially plausible but actually wrong
venial
adj.
Pardonable or forgivable, often used in a moral or religious context
artisan
noun
A skilled craftsperson who makes things by hand.
coddle
verb
To treat with excessive care or kindness
disseminating
verb
To spread widely, especially information
fortitude
noun
Courage in facing pain or adversity
innocuous
adj.
Not harmful or offensive
metaphorically
adv.
In a way that uses a figure of speech to represent something else
peerless
adj.
Having no equal; unmatched
prudent
adj.
Showing care and thought for the future
speckled
adj.
Covered or marked with small spots or patches.
veracity
noun
Conformity to facts; accuracy
ascetic
adj.
Practicing strict self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, often for religious reasons.
coercion
noun
The act of forcing someone to do something against their will
diurnal
adj.
Active during the daytime
fortuitous
adj.
Happening by chance, often in a positive way
innovate
verb
To introduce new ideas or methods
meticulous
adj.
Showing great attention to detail
pejorative
adj.
Expressing disapproval or belittlement
puerile
adj.
Childishly silly or trivial
sporadic
adj.
Occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few places; scattered or isolated.
verbose
adj.
Using more words than necessary
assiduous
adj.
Showing great care and perseverance
cogent
adj.
Clear, logical, and convincing
divert
verb
To change the direction or path of something
fractious
adj.
Irritable and quarrelsome
inscrutable
adj.
Impossible to understand or interpret
mettle
noun
Courage and strength of character
pellucid
adj.
Clear and easy to understand
punctilious
adj.
Showing great attention to detail or correct behavior
spurious
adj.
Not genuine or authentic
verbosity
noun
Use of more words than necessary
assuage
verb
To make an unpleasant feeling less intense
cogitate
verb
To think deeply or carefully about something
docile
adj.
Easily taught, led, or controlled
fraudulent
adj.
Involving deception, especially criminal deception
insentient
adj.
Lacking the ability to perceive or feel things
milieu
noun
The social environment or setting in which something occurs or develops
pensive
adj.
Engaged in deep or serious thought
purloin
verb
To steal something, especially in a sneaky or secretive way
stagnant
adj.
Not flowing or moving, often resulting in an unpleasant smell
vertigo
noun
A sensation of spinning or dizziness
astute
adj.
Having or showing an ability to notice and understand things clearly; mentally sharp or clever.
collage
noun
An artistic composition made by assembling different materials onto a surface.
dogmatic
adj.
Expressing opinions strongly as if they were facts
frivolous
adj.
Not having any serious purpose or value
insipid
adj.
Lacking flavor or taste
mire
noun
A stretch of swampy or boggy ground.
penury
noun
Extreme poverty
pusillanimous
adj.
Lacking courage or determination
staid
adj.
Serious, boring, or old-fashioned
vestigial
adj.
Remaining as a small part of something that was once much larger or more noticeable
asylum
noun
Protection given to someone who has left their country as a political refugee.
collate
verb
To gather and arrange information or documents in a specific order
dolt
noun
A person who is not very smart
frugal
adj.
Economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful
instigate
verb
To provoke or stir up
misanthrope
noun
A person who dislikes humankind
perceptive
adj.
Having or showing insight and understanding
pyromania
noun
An uncontrollable impulse to set things on fire
stanza
noun
A grouped set of lines in a poem, often sharing a common rhyme scheme or rhythm.
vignette
noun
A short descriptive piece of writing or scene
atheist
noun
A person who does not believe in the existence of deities
colloquial
adj.
Used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary.
dotard
noun
An old person, especially one who is weak or senile
furrow
noun
A long narrow trench made in the ground by a plow, especially for planting seeds or for irrigation.
instigator
noun
A person who initiates something, especially trouble or violence.
misnomer
noun
An incorrect or inappropriate name for something.
percipient
adj.
Having a good understanding of things; insightful
quaff
verb
To drink something heartily or in large quantities
staunch
adj.
Loyal and committed in attitude
vilification
noun
The act of speaking or writing in an abusive manner to damage someone's reputation.