SAT Words For Vocabulary: Most Commonly Asked In Exam

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Vocabulary is a building block of the English language. Extensive knowledge about vocabulary can go a long way for you while appearing for the SAT exams since half of the paper is based on the English language. Through this blog, we will provide you with the most common SAT Words List and SAT Vocabulary book that will help you polish your vocabulary for SAT.

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Vocabulary in SAT Exam

SAT vocabulary makes up about 13% of the reading section and 7% of the writing section in an SAT verbal score section, i.e., ERBW. Vocabulary questions are not asked outright in an SAT exam but through reading passages and precise grammar questions.

Must-Know 262 SAT Words List

There are more than 100 SAT words you can learn about. To provide a more comprehensive SAT vocabulary book, here is a list of 262 SAT words with their meanings that you can learn and memorize:

  1.          Abate – to become less active, less intense, or less in amount
  2.          Abstract – existing purely in mind; not representing actual reality
  3.          Abysmal – extremely bad
  4.          Accordingly – in accordance with
  5.          Acquisition – the act of gaining a skill or possession of something
  6.          Adapt –  to make the suit a new purpose, to accommodate oneself to a new condition, setting, or situation
  7.          Adept –  having knowledge or skill (usu. in a particular area)
  8.          Adequate – having sufficient qualifications to meet a specific task or purpose
  9.          Advent – the arrival or creation of something (usu. historic)
  10.          Adversarial – relating to hostile opposition
  11.          Advocate – someone who promotes or defends something, to defend or promote something (usu. a belief, theory, opinion, etc.)
  12.          Aesthetic – relating to beauty or refined taste
  13.          Afford – to be able to buy,  to be able to spare
  14.          Agitate – to promote something (usu. a cause)
  15.          Allow – to permit or consent to
  16.          Allude – to make a secretive mention of something
  17.          Altercation – a noisy argument or confrontation
  18.          Ambiguous – unclear or vague in meaning
  19.          Ambitious – having a powerful desire for success or achievement
  20.          Ambivalence – the state of being uncertain or stuck between two or more options
  21.          Analogous – similar but not identical
  22.          Annihilate – to destroy or cause devastating destruction
  23.          Anomaly – something different from the norm
  24.          Anticipate – assume to be likely to happen
  25.          Antipathy – a strong feeling of dislike
  26.          Apex – the highest point of something
  27.          Apprehension – fearful expectation of something
  28.          Articulate – to clearly express in words
  29.          Artificial – something made; not occurring naturally
  30.          Assertion – a strong declaration
  31.          Austere – extremely plain, stern and forbidding, relating to self-denial
  32.          Authenticity – the quality of being real and true instead of fake and contrived
  33.          Avenue – an intangible path or approach to something
  34.          Avid – actively interested in or enthusiastic about something
  35.          Basic – relating to the foundation or basis of something
  36.          Bear – to have as a characteristic, to have (a child), to bring forth, to put up with
  37.          Benevolent – kind, generous
  38.          Bias – a preconception that prevents objectivity
  39.          Bittersweet – tinged with a feeling of sadness
  40.          Bolster – to support, strengthen, or fortify
  41.          Boost – an increase or growth, to increase or make grow
  42.          Brawl – an intense, loud fight, to fight loudly and disruptively
  43.          Brevity – the quality of being brief or terse
  44.          Candid – direct, blunt
  45.          Candour – the trait of being honest and frank
  46.          Capitalize – to use to your advantage
  47.          Capture – to trap or take possession of, to successfully represent or imitate, to captivate, mesmerize, to catch or seize
  48.          Civic – relating to the city or citizens
  49.          Clinical – emotionally unattached (usu. used in the medical or scientific setting)
  50.          Clout – special advantage or power
  51.          Coarse – indicating a rough texture, lacking refinement or sophistication
  52.          Coincide – to happen at the same time
  53.          Commission – the use of payment to request something (e.g., a service or product)
  54.          Comparable – able to be compared
  55.          Competent – sufficiently qualified
  56.          Complacent – satisfied, with no desire to change or improve
  57.          Complement – to make perfect or complete
  58.          Concede – to be forced to agree or surrender, to admit to a transgression
  59.          Conceive – to imagine or come up with
  60.          Condone – to overlook, approve, or allow
  61.          Conducive – able to bring about or be suitable for
  62.          Conduct – to control or manage, to behave a certain way
  63.          Confide – to share something secretive with someone
  64.          Confine – to put limits on; to restrict
  65.          Consensus – overall agreement
  66.          Constitute – to form or compose (part of) something
  67.          Contemplate – to think deeply about
  68.          Contend – to maintain or assert (an opinion)
  69.          Contradict – to be in contrast with
  70.          Controversial – highly debatable and causing contention
  71.          Conventional – abiding by accepted standards
  72.          Convey – to pass on or transfer (information)
  73.          Conviction – a firm belief in something
  74.          Corroborate – to provide evidence; to back up (a claim)
  75.          Counteract – to work in opposition to
  76.          Counterargument – an argument used to criticize or dismantle another argument
  77.          Counterproductive – hindering the achievement of a goal
  78.          Culmination – the final act or climax
  79.          Cultivate – to foster the growth of
  80.          Decree – to declare formally and with authority
  81.          Deference – respect; regard
  82.          Deficient – not enough in degree or amount
  83.          Demonstrate – to do as an example, gives evidence for
  84.          Demur – to object to
  85.          Deplete – to (over)use over time (usu. resources)
  86.          Desolate – bare, barren, empty
  87.          Devise – to come up with (a plan)
  88.          Dilemma – a problem, usually requiring a choice between two options
  89.          Diligence – conscientiousness; the quality of being committed to a task
  90.          Diminish – to become smaller in scope or degree
  91.          Dire – hopeless and dangerous or fearful
  92.          Discord – disagreement
  93.          Disdain – a lack of respect and strong dislike (toward something or someone)
  94.          Dismay – hopelessness, stress, or consternation, to fill with woe or apprehension
  95.          Disparage – to belittle or speak down to
  96.          Dispatch – to send off a message or messenger
  97.          Diversification – the act of becoming diverse
  98.          Doctrine – a principle, theory, or position, usu. advocated by religion or gov’t
  99.          Dominion – Power and authority (usu. over a territory), a legal territory
  100.          Dreary – sad, gloomy, dull
  101.          Dubious – doubtful, questionable
  102.          Eccentric – peculiar or odd; deviating from the norm
  103.          Egregious – extremely bad
  104.          Eloquent – having refined or expressive communication skills (in speaking or writing)
  105.          Eminent – superior or distinguished; high in position or status
  106.          Emit – to discharge, give forth, or release
  107.          Emphatic – very expressive; using an emphasis
  108.          Empirical – derived from experience, observation, or an experiment
  109.          Endow – to equip or bestow (usu. a quality or ability)
  110.          Endure – to withstand, sustain, or hold out against
  111.          Entail – to involve or include
  112.          Entrenched – firmly established
  113.          Enumerate – to specify or count
  114.          Envy – excessive jealousy, to admire and be jealous of
  115.          Erratic – having no fixed course; deviating from the norm
  116.          Establish – to enact, to found (a business, group, school, etc.)
  117.          Evoke – to draw forth or call up
  118.          Exacerbate – to make worse or increase the severity of
  119.          Excel – to do something extremely well or to be superior in
  120.          Exert – to put into use (usu. as effort)
  121.          Exhilarating – invigorating, stimulating, or exciting
  122.          Expend – to use up (as in energy or money)
  123.          Exploit – to use selfishly or for-profit
  124.          Facilitate – to aid the progress of
  125.          Feasibility – the practicality or possibility of something
  126.          Ferocity – viciousness, violence
  127.          Fiscal – related to (government) money
  128.          Flourish – to prosper, grow, or make fast progress
  129.          Fluctuate – to be unstable; to rise and fall
  130.          Foment – to stir up
  131.          Foreseeable – capable of being predicted or anticipated
  132.          Frankly – directly, clearly
  133.          Freewheeling – carefree
  134.          Fundamental – the most essential or most basic part
  135.          Galvanizing – thrilling, exciting, stimulating
  136.          Geriatric – relating to old age
  137.          Hostile – harmful, dangerous
  138.          Hypothetical – supposed; related to a hypothesis
  139.          Ignominious – publicly shameful or humiliating
  140.          Impart – to transmit, bestow, or disclose
  141.          Impartiality – the equal and objective treatment of opposing views
  142.          Imposing – impressive (esp. in size or appearance)
  143.          Imposition – an unnecessary burden
  144.          Imprudent – not cautious or prudent; rash
  145.          Incite – to encourage or stir up
  146.          Indifference – apathy, emotional detachment
  147.          Indiscriminately – randomly; with little or no distinction
  148.          Indulge – to give into; to satisfy or gratify
  149.          Infer – to guess, conclude, or derive by reasoning
  150.          Innovative – novel or new (esp. as an idea or invention)
  151.          Insatiable – can’t be satisfied
  152.          Inversion – a reversal
  153.          Invoke – to call on; to appeal to (e.g., a higher power)
  154.          Irreconcilable – incapable of being in harmony or agreed upon
  155.          Lament – to feel sorrow for; to mourn
  156.          Locomotion – movement
  157.          Lucrative – capable of making a lot of money; profitable
  158.          Malicious – harmful, spiteful
  159.          Malleable – capable of being moulded or changed
  160.          Materialistic – superficial; focus on material possessions
  161.          Melodramatic – extravagant or exaggerated (as of a melodrama)
  162.          Modest – simple and humble, small in size or amount
  163.          Modify – to change, alter, or tweak
  164.          Momentous – historically significant
  165.          Novel – new, innovative
  166.          Nuance – a subtle difference in meaning
  167.          Null – legally void and ineffective
  168.          Objectivity – judgment based on observations instead of emotions or opinions
  169.          Obsolete – no longer used; rare or uncommon
  170.          Omnipotent – almighty and all-powerful
  171.          Onset – the beginning or early stages
  172.          Opine – to openly express an opinion
  173.          Ornate – highly detailed and decorated
  174.          Oust – to remove or force out of (usu. a position or office)
  175.          Paramount – predominant, superior, most important
  176.          Peculiar – strange, bizarre
  177.          Perish – to die; to pass away
  178.          Persecute – to cause suffering to
  179.          Petulant – cranky, pouty, irritable
  180.          Pinnacle – highest level or degree
  181.          Pitiable – deserving pity
  182.          Plausible – reasonable and possibly true
  183.          Postulate – to assert
  184.          Potent – having great influence, having a strong, chemical effect
  185.          Pragmatic – practical, useful
  186.          Precedent – an example or subject from earlier in the time
  187.          Predecessor – someone who comes before you (usu. in position or office)
  188.          Prescribe – to command orders, to issue authorization for medications
  189.          Principle – basic truth, assumption, or rule
  190.          Prohibit – to command against, to outlaw
  191.          Prompt – punctual, on time, a cue to begin something; instructions, to incite, propel, or cause to act
  192.          Promulgate – to put into law or formally declare
  193.          Prosecute – to bring a criminal action against someone (in a trial)
  194.          Provocative – intending to provoke, inspire, or arouse
  195.          Qualitative – involving qualities of something (features and content)
  196.          Quantitative – involving quantities (numbers and amounts)
  197.          Quirk – a strange habit
  198.          Ramify – to split into two or more branches
  199.          Rash – without attention to danger or risk
  200.          Raw – unrefined, not processed; uncooked (as in food)
  201.          Readily – right away and without difficulty
  202.          Reconsideration – thinking again about a previously made choice
  203.          Reform – a change for the better; improvement, to improve via change
  204.          Refute – to prove to be untrue, unfounded, or incorrect
  205.          Reinforce – to strengthen or add support to
  206.          Reluctantly – somewhat unwillingly
  207.          Renounce – to give up (usu. power or a position),  to cast off
  208.          Reproach – to criticize
  209.          Repudiate – to refuse to recognize as true, to cast off
  210.          Retention – the act of keeping something
  211.          Satiated – satisfied (usu. in hunger)
  212.          Savvy – having practical intelligence or knowledge
  213.          Scandalous – morally offensive, often causing damage to one’s reputation
  214.          Scorn – to look down on with disdain
  215.          Scrupulous – paying great attention to detail
  216.          Scrutinize – to examine carefully and critically
  217.          Secrete – to produce or release (a substance)
  218.          Sentiment – opinion, a tender or moving gesture
  219.          Sheer – so thin that light can shine through
  220.          Simple – easy; not complex, undecorated
  221.          Sinister – ominous, evil
  222.          Solidarity – the joining of commonalities or common purposes among a group
  223.          Sparingly – insufficiently, meagerly, or in a restricted manner
  224.          Spawn – to release eggs, to call forth or generate
  225.          Spur – to stimulate or incite
  226.          Squalid – run-down, sordid, or sleazy
  227.          Stark – very plain; devoid of any details or features
  228.          Static – motionless, changeless
  229.          Subordinate – lower in rank, someone lower in rank, to make dependent on or put at a lower rank
  230.          Subsequently – happening later or after something
  231.          Substantial – very large in amount or degree
  232.          Substantiate – to strengthen with new evidence or facts
  233.          Subtle – hard to detect or analyze
  234.          Sufficient – enough; just meeting a requirement
  235.          Surly – unfriendly; inclined to anger
  236.          Surmount – to get on top of or overcome
  237.          Susceptible – to be vulnerable (to something)
  238.          Tactful – skilled at dealing with people
  239.          Taut – pulled tight
  240.          Teeming – abundantly filled (usu. with living organisms)
  241.          Temperament – usual mood or feelings
  242.          Tentative – not yet finalized
  243.          Transparent – see-through; so thin that light can shine through, truthful or easy to perceive
  244.          Treacherous – dangerous and unstable
  245.          Tremendous – very large, good, or bad in degree or size
  246.          Ubiquitous – being everywhere at once
  247.          Unadorned – undecorated, plain
  248.          Undermine – to weaken or subvert (usu. gradually or secretly)
  249.          Underscore – to emphasize or give additional weight to
  250.          Undulate – to move as ripples or in a wavy pattern
  251.          Unilateral – one-sided
  252.          Unjust – unfair; not justified
  253.          Unmitigated – downright, utter, total
  254.          Unprecedented – completely new and never having happened before; historic
  255.          Unveil – to make visible; to reveal
  256.          Urge – desire or impulse, to encourage or persuade
  257.          Validate – to prove or declare valid
  258.          Viability – ability to be done in a practical or useful way
  259.          Vital – urgently necessary
  260.          Vow – to promise
  261.          Warrant – to prove to be reasonable
  262.          Yield – production of an amount, to give way to or surrender to, to produce or supply

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Conclusion

Working on your SAT vocabulary can be difficult, but with the help of this word list, you can learn and memorize the SAT prep words. This will help you score better in the vocabulary part, improve your grammar, and increase your understanding of the other English language-related sections in the SAT exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I study SAT vocabulary words effectively?

You can employ the following methods to learn the SAT words and memorize them:
         Use flashcards
         Use the Waterfall method
         Take the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) for practice
         Focus on words you do not know and learn new words

Is it necessary to memorize SAT Vocabulary?

Memorizing SAT Vocabulary can help you in more than just vocabulary-related questions. This will also help you score better in SAT Writing and SAT Reading.

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