To construct our list of the top 275 SAT vocabulary words your student should know, we took a deep dive into the new Digital SAT exams and practice tests from the CollegeBoard, to analyze and identify the most essential words. This was a time-intensive process, but by focusing on words that frequently appear in various contexts on the exam, we created a list that's tailored to help your student improve their comprehension skills and boost their confidence. This approach ensures that your student is studying the most impactful words, making their preparation more efficient and effective. Check out our complete vocabulary list below!
PART OF SPEECH & DEFINITION
v. To reduce in amount, degree, or severity
The storm suddenly abated, leaving behind a calm sea.
n. A departure from what is normal, usual, expected
The student's poor performance on the test was an aberration.
v. To regard with disgust and hatred
She abhors the violence depicted in the movie.
v. To renounce a belief, cause, or claim
He abjured his allegiance to the old regime.
v. To renounce or reject (something desired)
He decided to abnegate his position of power for a simpler life.
v. To repeal or do away with (a law, right)
The government voted to abrogate the outdated law.
v. To leave hurriedly and secretly
The thief absconded with the stolen jewels.
adj. Not self-indulgent, especially in eating/drinking
He led an abstemious life, avoiding excesses.
adj. Difficult to understand
The professor's lecture was so abstruse that many students were confused.
v. To accept something reluctantly but without protest
He acquiesced to her demands to avoid a fight.
adj. (Typically of speech or debate) angry and bitter
Their acrimonious dispute lasted for hours.
v. To give a false impression of
His calm manner belied the anger he felt.
adj. Well-meaning and kindly
The benevolent donor contributed generously to the charity.
adj. High-sounding but with little meaning
His bombastic speech failed to impress the audience.
adj. Noisy, energetic, and cheerful
The boisterous crowd cheered loudly for their team.
adj. Bold and without shame
Her brazen behavior shocked everyone at the party.
adj. Abrupt or offhand in speech or manner
His brusque response ended the conversation abruptly.
adj. Able to float or rise to the surface of a liquid
The buoyant raft floated easily on the water.
adj. So lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring
The movie's plot was utterly banal.
v. To charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way
She beguiled him with her beauty.
n. The quality of being well-meaning; kindness
Her benevolence was evident in her charitable work.
v. To leave (a personal estate or one's body) to a person or other beneficiary by a will
She bequeathed her estate to her children.
n. A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds
The cacophony of the city made it hard to concentrate.
adj. Showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others
His callous remarks about the accident offended everyone.
adj. (Especially of a young person) inexperienced and immature
The callow recruit struggled to keep up with the training.
n. The quality of being open and honest in expression
She spoke with candor about her experiences.
v. To cease to resist an opponent or an unwelcome demand; surrender
The army was forced to capitulate after weeks of fighting.
adj. Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior
His capricious nature made him unpredictable.
v. To reprimand (someone) severely
The teacher castigated the student for cheating.
v. To express severe disapproval of
The committee censured him for his unethical behavior.
n. Distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated
Much to his chagrin, he did not win the contest.
n. The use of trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose
The politician was accused of chicanery during the campaign.
adj. Bad-tempered or irritable
His choleric outburst surprised everyone.
adj. Showing fearlessness and determination
The dauntless explorer ventured into unknown territories.
n. A scarcity or lack of something
There was a dearth of evidence to support the theory.
v. To make someone weak and infirm
The disease debilitated him, making it hard to walk.
n. Humble submission and respect
She showed deference to her elders by listening to their advice.
adj. Causing harm or damage
The deleterious effects of smoking are well known.
n. A political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument
The demagogue's speeches stirred up the crowd.
v. To criticize unfairly; disparage
He denigrated her achievements out of jealousy.
v. To express disapproval of
He deprecated his own work, calling it amateurish.
n. A ruler who holds absolute power, typically one who exercises it in a cruel or oppressive way
The despot ruled with an iron fist, allowing no dissent.
adj. Lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm
His desultory efforts to study were unproductive.
n. A forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something
His diatribe against the government was widely published.
adj. Cheerful and full of energy
Her ebullient personality made her the life of the party.
adj. Deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources
His eclectic taste in music included classical, jazz, and rock.
v. To instruct or improve (someone) morally or intellectually
The book was written to edify young readers.
v. To erase (a mark) from a surface
The graffiti was effaced from the wall.
n. Insolent or impertinent behavior
His effrontery in demanding a raise was shocking.
adj. Shining brightly; radiant
The effulgent sun lit up the entire valley.
adj. Outstandingly bad; shocking
The student's egregious error cost the team the game.
n. The action of going out of or leaving a place
The emergency egress was clearly marked.
n. A speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly
The encomium delivered at the funeral moved everyone.
v. To cause someone to feel drained of energy or vitality
The hot weather enervated the athletes.
n. The state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something
There was a long-standing enmity between the two families.
adj. Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant
His facetious remarks were not appreciated during the meeting.
adj. Based on a mistaken belief
The argument was fallacious and easily disproven.
adj. Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail
She was fastidious about keeping her house clean.
His fatuous remarks irritated everyone at the meeting.
adj. Producing or capable of producing an abundance of offspring or new growth; fertile
The fecund soil produced a bountiful harvest.
adj. Not showing a serious or respectful attitude
His flippant response angered the teacher.
adj. Having a red or flushed complexion; elaborately or excessively intricate or complicated
The florid decoration of the room was overwhelming.
n. Patient self-control; restraint and tolerance
His forbearance in the face of adversity was admirable.
adj. Happening by a lucky chance; fortunate
The fortuitous encounter led to a lasting friendship.
adj. Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble
He cast a furtive glance at the door.
v. To instigate or stir up (an undesirable or violent sentiment or course of action)
They accused him of fomenting unrest.
adj. Excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters
The garrulous neighbor talked for hours.
adj. Pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner, especially in a way that is intended to impress
His grandiloquent speech was not well received.
adj. Fond of company; sociable
The gregarious host made sure everyone was having a good time.
n. Sly or cunning intelligence
He used his guile to escape the tricky situation.
adj. Relevant to a subject under consideration
Her comments were germane to the discussio
adj. Lacking ease or grace; unsophisticated and socially awkward
His gauche manners made everyone uncomfortable.
v. To provoke or annoy someone into action
He goaded her into confronting her boss.
adj. (Of something bad) very severe or serious
He suffered a grievous wound in the battle.
v. To act in an obsequious manner in order to obtain someone's forgiveness or favor
He groveled at her feet, begging for forgiveness.
adj. Devoid of guile; innocent and without deception
Her guileless smile charmed everyone she met.
adj. Easily persuaded to believe something; credulous
The gullible tourist believed every word of the scam artist.
adj. (Of a phrase or idea) lacking significance through having been overused; unoriginal and trite
The hackneyed plot of the movie bored the audience.
n. A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another
The flowers are a harbinger of spring.
n. Leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others
The country's hegemony in the region was unchallenged.
adj. (Of a seal or closure) complete and airtight
The hermetic seal kept the contents fresh.
adj. Not conforming with accepted or orthodox standards or beliefs
His heterodox views made him unpopular with the traditionalists.
adj. Overly theatrical or melodramatic in character or style
Her histrionic outburst was not taken seriously.
n. Excessive pride or self-confidence
His hubris led to his downfall.
adj. Made holy; consecrated
The hallowed halls of the university were filled with history.
The hapless traveler lost his passport on the first day of the trip.
adj. Engaged in the pursuit of pleasure; sensually self-indulgent
His hedonistic lifestyle was the subject of much gossip.
adj. Of the same kind; alike
The neighborhood was a homogeneous community of similar homes.
adj. Deserving or causing public disgrace or shame
The defeat was an ignominious end to his career.
adj. Having little or no money
The impecunious student struggled to pay for his books.
adj. Acting or done quickly and without thought or care
His impetuous decision led to a lot of trouble.
adj. Just begun and so not fully formed or developed; rudimentary
The inchoate plan needed more work.
adj. Persisting tirelessly
The indefatigable activist worked day and night for the cause.
adj. Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words
The beauty of the landscape was ineffable.
adj. Tending to obstruct or harm
The policy was inimical to their interests.
adj. Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects
The insidious disease spread through the town.
adj. Unwilling or refusing to change one's views or to agree about something
The intransigent leader refused to negotiate.
v. To accustom (someone) to something, especially something unpleasant
They had become inured to the hardship.
adj. Having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change
He was an inveterate gambler.
v. To place or deal with close together for contrasting effect
The artist juxtaposed light and dark colors.
adj. Tired, bored, or lacking enthusiasm, typically after having had too much of something
After years of success, he became jaded with the industry.
n. Special words or expressions used by a profession or group that are difficult for others to understand
The legal jargon was hard to understand.
His jocose manner made him popular at parties.
adj. Fond of or characterized by joking; humorous or playful
His jocular remarks lightened the mood.
adj. Having, showing, or done with good judgment or sense
Her judicious decision saved the company money.
n. The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect
The juxtaposition of the two colors was striking.
adj. Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph
The crowd was jubilant after the victory.
v. To throw or drop (something) from an aircraft or ship
The crew jettisoned the cargo to lighten the ship.
adj. Characterized by extreme patriotism, especially in the form of aggressive or warlike foreign policy
The jingoistic rhetoric stirred up nationalist fervor.
adj. Cheerful and lighthearted
The jocund atmosphere at the party lifted everyone's spirits.
v. To light or set on fire
They kindled a fire to keep warm.
adj. Having or showing eagerness or enthusiasm
She was keen to start her new job.
adj. Relating to or resulting from motion
The kinetic energy of the moving car was tremendous.
n. Praise and honor received for an achievement
He received kudos for his excellent performance.
n. Dishonest or unscrupulous behavior
His knavery was eventually exposed.
The knotty problem took hours to solve.
n. One's family and relations
He felt a deep connection to his kindred.
n. Put an end to; dispose of decisively
The boss put the kibosh on the new project.
It was kismet that brought them together.
n. The sound of a bell, especially when rung solemnly for a death or funeral
The knell of the church bell echoed through the village.
adj. Dishonest or unscrupulous
His knavish behavior made him unpopular.
adj. Using very few words
His laconic reply suggested he was uninterested.
v. To mourn (a person's loss or death)
They lamented the passing of an era.
adj. Displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed
The hot weather made them languid and lethargic.
n. Generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others
The philanthropist was known for his largess.
adj. Deserving praise and commendation
Her efforts to help the community were laudable.
adj. Promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters
His licentious behavior was frowned upon by the community.
adj. Tending to talk a great deal; talkative
The loquacious professor was a favorite among students.
adj. Expressed clearly; easy to understand
His explanation was clear and lucid.
adj. Looking or sounding sad and dismal
His lugubrious demeanor made everyone feel uncomfortable.
adj. Very vivid in color, especially so as to create an unpleasantly harsh or unnatural effect
The lurid details of the crime were shocking.
adj. Rich and profuse in growth; lush
The luxuriant garden was a sight to behold.
adj. Self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental
The movie's maudlin ending left many in tears.
adj. Not telling the truth; lying
The mendacious claims of the politician were exposed.
adj. Subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind
His mercurial temperament made him difficult to work with.
v. To make less severe, serious, or painful
Steps were taken to mitigate the impact of the crisis.
v. To appease the anger or anxiety of (someone)
He tried to mollify her with a gift.
adj. More generous than is usual or necessary
The munificent donation helped fund the new library.
n. A countless or extremely great number
The myriad stars in the sky were breathtaking.
n. A beggar or religious follower who lives by begging
The mendicant wandered the streets asking for alms.
n. Amusement, especially as expressed in laughter
The room was filled with mirth during the celebration.
adj. Disturbing and horrifying because of involvement with or depiction of death and injury
The horror movie was too macabre for some viewers.
adj. Lacking imagination, foresight, or intellectual insight
His myopic view prevented him from seeing the bigger picture.
adj. Sweet or musical; pleasant to hear
Her mellifluous voice captivated the audience.
The nefarious activities of the criminal organization were uncovered.
adj. In the form of a cloud or haze; hazy
His ideas were nebulous and hard to understand.
adj. Harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant
The noxious fumes forced everyone to evacuate.
v. To care for and encourage the growth or development of
Parents nurture their children to help them grow.
adj. Living the life of a nomad; wandering
The nomadic tribe moved with the seasons.
adj. Feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed
He gave a nonchalant shrug in response to the question.
adj. Characterized by or exhibiting feelings of nostalgia
She felt nostalgic for her childhood summers at the beach.
adj. Famous or well known, typically for some bad quality or deed
The notorious criminal was finally caught.
adj. New or unusual in an interesting way
The novel approach to the problem was successful.
n. A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound
The artist captured every nuance of light in his painting.
v. To render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible
The politician's speech obfuscated the real issues.
v. To stop, close up, or obstruct
The pipe was occluded by debris.
adj. Burdensome; involving a great deal of effort
The task was onerous and time-consuming.
n. Harsh criticism or censure
The opprobrium he faced for his actions was severe.
adj. Stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so
His ostensible reason for visiting was to see a friend.
adj. Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action
His obdurate refusal to compromise led to a stalemate.
adj. Neither parallel nor at a right angle to a specified or implied line; slanting
The oblique angle of the roof made it difficult to climb.
adj. Obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree
The obsequious assistant agreed with everything the boss said.
v. To stare at in a lecherous manner
He was caught ogling her at the party.
The narrator in the story was omniscient, knowing all the characters' thoughts.
v. To make (a disease or its symptoms) less severe without removing the cause
The treatment can palliate the symptoms but not cure the disease.
adj. So intense as to be almost touched or felt
The tension in the room was palpable during the negotiation.
n. A typical example or pattern of something; a model
The scientific paradigm has shifted with new discoveries.
n. A person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality
She was a paragon of virtue.
n. Extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources
His parsimony made him unpopular among his colleagues.
adj. Relieving pain without dealing with the cause of the condition
The doctor recommended palliative care for the terminally ill patient.
He became a pariah after his scandal was exposed.
adj. Unwilling to spend money or use resources; stingy or frugal
His parsimonious nature meant he rarely spent money on luxuries.
adj. Traveling from place to place, especially working or based in various places for relatively short periods
The peripatetic teacher moved from school to school.
adj. Complaining in a petulant or whining manner
His querulous complaints were ignored.
adj. Exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical
His quixotic plans for world peace were never realized.
v. To put an end to (a rebellion or other disorder), typically by the use of force
The police were called to quell the disturbance.
She made a quick quip about the weather.
adj. In a state or period of inactivity or dormancy
The volcano has been quiescent for years.
n. A state, period, or place of isolation
The sick passengers were put in quarantine.
n. Behavior or actions that are noble yet impractical
His quixotry was admirable but not always effective.
adj. Indicating mild or amused puzzlement
She gave him a quizzical look.
v. To argue or raise objections about a trivial matter
She quibbled over the smallest details.
adj. Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class
He was the quintessential gentleman.
adj. Characterized by bitterness or resentment
The rancorous debate left both sides angry.
adj. (Of a person) formidable, especially as an opponent
The boxer was a redoubtable opponent.
n. An unprincipled person (often used humorously or affectionately)
He was a lovable reprobate who always got into trouble.
v. To revoke, cancel, or repeal (a law, order, or agreement)
The company decided to rescind the job offer.
adj. (Of a person) unable to keep still or silent and becoming increasingly difficult to control, especially because of impatience, dissatisfaction, or boredom
The restive crowd waited for the concert to start.
adj. (Especially of something undesirable or harmful) of common occurrence; widespread
The office was rife with rumors.
adj. Strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something
The room was redolent with the scent of roses.
adj. Filled or well-supplied with something
The book was replete with detailed illustrations.
adj. Not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily
She was reticent about her plans for the future.
v. To think deeply about something
He ruminated on the events of the day before falling asleep.
adj. Most noticeable or important
The salient points of the argument were clearly presented.
adj. Optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation
He remained sanguine despite the setbacks.
adj. Sparkling or shining brightly
Her scintillating performance captivated the audience.
adj. Tending to induce drowsiness or sleep
The professor's soporific lecture put many students to sleep.
adj. Not being what it purports to be; false or fake
The spurious claims were quickly debunked.
adj. (Of a person) calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation
His stolid demeanor made him a reliable friend.
adj. Behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others
His supercilious attitude made him unpopular.
adj. Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of
They carried out a surreptitious investigation.
n. A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage
The sycophant was always flattering his boss.
adj. (Of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little
His taciturn nature made him hard to read.
n. Excessive confidence or boldness; audacity
His temerity in speaking out surprised everyone.
The tenuous link between the two events was hard to prove.
adj. Showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or a lack of confidence
The timorous child clung to his mother's leg.
adj. Mentally or physically inactive; lethargic
The hot weather made everyone torpid.
adj. (Of a person or animal) easy to control or influence
The tractable dog was easy to train.
adj. Lasting only for a short time; impermanent
The transient nature of the job made it hard to settle.
adj. Tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely
Her tenacious grip on the rope saved her life.
adj. Sparing in the use of words; abrupt
His terse reply indicated that he was not in the mood to talk.
adj. Free from disturbance; calm
The tranquil garden was the perfect place to relax.
n. A feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen
She approached the test with trepidation.
adj. (Of a remark, opinion, or idea) overused and consequently of little import; lacking originality or freshness
The speech was filled with trite clichés.
adj. Present, appearing, or found everywhere
The ubiquitous influence of technology is undeniable.
She took umbrage at his rude remarks.
adj. (Especially of a position or view) not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection
His argument was untenable and easily refuted.
v. To take (a position of power or importance) illegally or by force
He usurped the throne from his brother.
adj. Existing beyond what is obvious or admitted; intentionally hidden
He had an ulterior motive for helping her.
adj. Performed by or affecting only one person, group, or country involved in a particular situation, without the agreement of others
The country made a unilateral decision to withdraw from the treaty.
adj. Not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed
She remained unabashed despite the criticism.
n. The fact of appearing everywhere or of being very common
The ubiquity of smartphones has changed how we communicate.
adj. Designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive
The building's utilitarian design emphasized function over form.
v. To waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive
She vacillated between going to the party and staying home.
adj. Having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence; mindless
His vacuous expression revealed his confusion.
adj. Offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging
The vapid conversation bored everyone.
v. To regard with great respect; revere
The saint was venerated by the entire community.
n. Conformity to facts; accuracy
The veracity of his statement was questioned.
adj. Using or expressed in more words than are needed
His verbose speech was hard to follow.
v. To make (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters
His constant questions vexed her.
adj. Experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person
She lived vicariously through her friend's adventures.
v. To speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner
He was vilified in the press for his comments.
v. To clear (someone) of blame or suspicion
The evidence vindicated her of any wrongdoing.
adj. Filled with bitter criticism or malice
His vitriolic remarks hurt her deeply.
adj. (Especially of a person or speech) vehement or clamorous
The vociferous protestors made their voices heard.
adj. (Of a substance) easily evaporated at normal temperatures
The volatile chemicals needed careful handling.
adj. Wanting or devouring great quantities of food
He had a voracious appetite after the long hike.
adj. Attractive or appealing in appearance or character
Her winsome smile won everyone's heart.
adj. Having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing
He had a wistful look in his eyes.
adj. Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems
She was wary of strangers offering help.
v. To decrease in size, extent, or degree
The moon waned after the full moon.
The king's wrath was feared by all.
adj. In a very unhappy or unfortunate state
He felt wretched after the argument.
adj. Using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor
She gave him a wry smile.
adj. Playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way
The whimsical decor of the cafe charmed visitors.
adj. Shriveled or wrinkled with age
The wizened old man told stories of his youth.
n. A person who is attracted to foreign peoples, cultures, or customs
As a xenophile, she loved learning about different cultures.
n. A person having a dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries
The xenophobe refused to travel abroad.
n. The production of offspring that are markedly different from either parent
The scientist studied xenogenesis in plants.
adj. Containing little moisture; very dry
The xeric landscape was home to cacti and other succulents.
n. A plant that needs very little water
Xerophytes thrive in desert environments.
adj. Relating to hospitality or relations between host and guestX
The xenial host welcomed all visitors warmly.
adj. Having yellowish or red hair
The xanthous child stood out in the crowd.
n. Dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries
Xenophobia can lead to social and cultural isolation.
n. The art of engraving on wood
Xylography was a popular method of printing in ancient times.
n. Dry mouth due to lack of saliva
Xerostomia can be a side effect of certain medications.
v. To have an intense feeling of longing for something
She yearned for a simpler life.
v. To couple or attach with a yoke
The farmers yoked the oxen to the plow.
The field yielded a bountiful harvest.
adv. At some distance in the direction indicated
The house lies yonder, beyond the hills.
n. Of long ago or former times (used in nostalgic or mock-nostalgic recollection)
Stories of yore often feature heroic deeds.
adj. Having the qualities of youth, such as vigor or freshness
Her youthful enthusiasm was contagious.
v. To shout or exclaim hoarsely
The children yawped in the playground.
n. A man holding and cultivating a small landed estate; a freeholder
The yeoman worked tirelessly on his farm.
adj. Having or showing zeal
The zealous supporter campaigned tirelessly for her candidate.
n. The time at which something is most powerful or successful
The sun was at its zenith.
A zephyr blew through the open window.
n. Great enthusiasm and energy
She approached every task with zest.
v. To move along a path that has a series of short, sharp turns or angles
The road zigzags up the mountain.
adj. Amusingly unconventional and idiosyncratic
His zany antics kept everyone entertained.
n. A person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals
The zealot refused to listen to any differing opinions.
adj. Relating to or of the nature of a zone
The zonal distribution of vegetation was evident in the mountains.
adj. Full of energy and enthusiasm
The zestful children played all afternoon.
I know zilch about that subject.
adj. Relating to or located at or near the zenith
The zenithal position of the sun is when it is directly overhead.