SAT vocabulary list

to become less intense, active, or widespread

to give up a position of power, especially a throne, or to fail to carry out a responsibility

departing from an accepted standard

a departure from what is normal or expected

sudden and unexpected

to choose not to do or have something, such as voting or eating certain foods

existing as an idea rather than as a physical thing

extremely bad

to provide room for

to accept or admit that something exists or is true

gained through effort, learning, or experience rather than present from birth

bitterness or ill feeling, especially in speech or manner

to change in order to suit new conditions

highly skilled, especially in a particular area

good enough for a particular need or purpose

to stick firmly to something

excessive admiration or flattery

creating a benefit or a favorable position

the arrival or beginning of something important

hardship or misfortune

concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty

to make a problem or injury worse

brisk and cheerful readiness

combine or unite to form one organization or structure

open to more than one interpretation

having mixed feelings

friendly and without serious disagreement

something out of its proper historical time period

belonging to a different time period from the one being shown or discussed

based on personal accounts rather than facts or research

something unusual or unexpected

an opponent

cause someone to become hostile

lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern

approval or praise

based on whim, not reason

very old or old-fashioned

involving or requiring strenuous effort

very dry, with little rainfall

having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently

find out for certain

showing constant, careful attention and hard work

having an ability to accurately assess situations

protection granted by a country to someone fleeing danger

waste away or become weaker through lack of use

showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks

severe or strict in manner

so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring

hostile and aggressive

kind and well-meaning

a preference or prejudice that prevents fair, objective judgment

noisy, energetic, and lively

bold and shameless

concise and exact use of words

abrupt or curt in manner or speech

a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds

a feeling of friendship and trust among people who spend time or work together

honest and frank

the quality of being open and honest in expression

shrewd and careful, especially in business or money matters

having a lot of room inside

to surrender or give in, often after resisting or on agreed terms

given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior

strong, formal disapproval or criticism

indirect and longer than necessary

wary and unwilling to take risks

a person who claims to perceive things beyond the normal senses, such as future events

kept secret or done secretively, especially illicitly

clear, logical, and convincing in argument

to work together with others on a shared project

deep sympathy for others' suffering, together with a wish to help

showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself

an agreement in which each side gives up part of what it wanted

to admit something is true

showing that one feels superior to others

depending on a particular condition being met

a person who follows accepted rules and customs rather than questioning them

easy to notice

a confusing and difficult problem or question

the process of coming together at one point or becoming similar

extremely complex and difficult to follow

to confirm or support

deserving blame

hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed

a scarcity or lack of something

behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety

humble submission and respect toward another

causing harm or damage

a political leader who wins support by exploiting people's emotions and prejudices rather than by reasoned argument

publicly declare to be wrong or evil

a temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing

showing steady, careful effort in one's work or duties

loss of reputation or respect

the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of respect

essentially different in kind

inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true

to make clear; explain

match or surpass through imitation

draining energy

to improve the quality, value, or appeal of something

lasting a very short time

use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth

not even or regular in pattern

having or showing great knowledge or learning

understood by only a few

quickly fading or disappearing

make a problem or bad situation worse

intense irritation or frustration

serving as an excellent model for others

making a wrongdoing seem less serious by partly excusing it

having a reddish, flushed complexion

happening by chance, often with a lucky result

careful not to waste money or resources

overused and therefore dull or unoriginal

arrogantly proud and looking down on others

the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles

fearless and adventurous

based on instinct or feeling rather than conscious reasoning

a feeling of great joy and triumph

to place side by side for contrast

long life

extremely careful and precise

to make less severe

ordinary and dull

a beginner

suggesting that something bad is about to happen

apparently, but maybe not really

practical and realistic

wise and careful about the future

the restoring of friendly relations after a conflict

the process of repairing and improving something, especially a building

able to recover quickly from difficulty or setbacks

controlled and moderate

deep respect, often mixed with awe

keen wisdom and sound judgment

to examine closely and carefully

the quality of acting on impulse, without planning

false or fake

readily yielding to the control or authority of others

to provide evidence that shows something is true

so slight or delicate that it is hard to notice or describe

on the surface only

more than is needed

to forcibly stop or hold back something, such as an activity, information, or a feeling

done secretly, to avoid being noticed

careful not to offend or upset others when handling difficult matters

persistent and determined

very weak or slight

lasting only a short time

present or found everywhere

to weaken gradually

deserving great respect because of age, wisdom, or long service

to clear someone of blame or suspicion

cautious and alert to possible danger or problems