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SAT Vocabulary Words

English Vocabulary · SAT Preparation Live Review Preview

SAT Vocabulary Words

The current digital SAT Reading and Writing section uses short passages from literature, history and social studies, the humanities, and science. Its Craft and Structure questions ask students to determine the meaning of high-utility words in context and to choose the most logical and precise word or phrase. Vocabulary also supports evidence, inference, rhetorical synthesis, transitions, and clear Standard English expression across the section.

This independently authored 800-word beta curriculum is arranged in twenty-three pages of up to thirty-five words. Pages containing words 1–500 include five cloze questions drawn only from that enhanced range; words 501–800 remain fully visible and editable while the expanded practice layer is developed. Each row includes a passage-field label and an editable word-study note about a transparent affix, compound structure, capitalization, or dictionary base form. The list is an unofficial KSSR learning resource and is not endorsed by or affiliated with College Board. SAT is a registered trademark of College Board.

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800 words
Words 526–560 of 800
#WordDetailsMeaningSample sentence
526penitentadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: penitent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

μετανοώνThe penitent official returned the money and resigned.
527penuriousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.

πενιχρόςThe penurious patron refused to fund basic safety repairs.
528perennialadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: perennial is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

αέναοςWater access remains a perennial concern in the region.
529perfidiousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.

παράσπονδοςThe allies condemned the secret agreement as perfidious.
530peripateticadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: peripatetic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

1. πλανόδιος 2. περιοδεύων 3. περιπατητικόςThe peripatetic lecturer spoke at universities on three continents.
531perniciousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.

ολέθριοςThe report documents the pernicious effects of housing discrimination.
532perpetuateverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: perpetuate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

διαιωνίζωBiased data can perpetuate unfair decisions.
533pertinentadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: pertinent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

1. συναφής με ένα θέμα 2. σχετικόςThe judge allowed only pertinent testimony.
534pervasiveadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Suffix focus: -ive commonly forms an adjective meaning having a quality or tendency.

διάχυτοςA pervasive odor indicated contamination throughout the building.
535petulantadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: petulant is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

ανήσυχοςThe minister's petulant response intensified the criticism.
536philanthropynoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: philanthropy is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

φιλανθρωπίαHer philanthropy supported clinics and public libraries.
537philistinenoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: philistine is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

1. ακαλλιέργητος 2. αμόρφωτος 3. άξεστοςThe critic unfairly called every popular reader a philistine.
538pietynoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: piety is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

ευσέβειαThe portrait presents the queen as a model of piety.
539placateverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: placate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

κατευνάζωOfficials offered refunds to placate frustrated travelers.
540plasticitynoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Suffix focus: -ity commonly forms a noun naming a quality, state, or condition.

πλαστικότηταBrain plasticity allows learning to alter neural pathways.
541platitudenoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: platitude is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

κοινοτυπίαThe speech offered a platitude instead of a concrete policy.
542plethoranoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: plethora is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

πληθώραThe archive contains a plethora of letters but few financial records.
543poignantadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: poignant is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

1. σπαραχτικός 2. αιχμηρός 3. διαπεραστικόςThe empty shoes form a poignant memorial.
544polemicaladjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: polemical is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

πολεμικήThe author's polemical tone leaves little room for uncertainty.
545pragmatismnoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Suffix focus: -ism often names a belief, system, movement, or practice.

πραγματισμόςFiscal pressure encouraged pragmatism over ideological purity.
546precipitousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.

απόκρημνοςThe company experienced a precipitous decline in sales.
547predilectionnoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Suffix focus: -tion commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.

προτίμησηThe editor's predilection for short essays shaped the journal.
548presumptuousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.

αλαζονικόςIt was presumptuous to announce the decision before the board voted.
549prevaricateverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: prevaricate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

στρεψοδικώThe witness began to prevaricate when asked about the missing funds.
550prodigaladjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: prodigal is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

άσωτοςThe prodigal heir exhausted the estate within a decade.
551prodigiousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.

καταπληκτικόςThe scholar possessed a prodigious memory for dates.
552profligateadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: profligate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

ακόλαστοςProfligate spending left the administration deeply in debt.
553proliferateverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: proliferate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

πολλαπλασιάζομαιUnverified reports began to proliferate online.
554propensitynoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Suffix focus: -ity commonly forms a noun naming a quality, state, or condition.

1. κλίση 2. ροπή 3. τάσηThe material has a propensity to crack in extreme cold.
555propitiousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.

ευνοϊκόςCalm weather made the morning propitious for launch.
556proponentnoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: proponent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

υποστηρικτήςA leading proponent of the reform addressed the committee.
557proprietynoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: propriety is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

αιδώςThe inquiry questioned the propriety of accepting expensive gifts.
558prosaicadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: prosaic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

πεζόςThe mystery ends with a prosaic explanation.
559proscribeverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Base-form focus: proscribe is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.

απαγορεύωThe treaty will proscribe the use of certain weapons.
560proselytizeverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Suffix focus: -ize commonly forms a verb meaning to make, become, or apply.

προσηλυτίζωThe organization may inform visitors but cannot proselytize in the school.

Vocabulary reading and practice

The Peripatetic Teacher

Reading practice for pages 16–18. Five relevant words are highlighted.

English reading

A peripatetic teacher travels between remote villages with a box of books. A penurious official repeatedly refuses to fund fuel, while a perfidious supplier secretly raises prices after signing a contract. When records expose the scheme, the supplier appears penitent. The teacher’s perennial commitment to students never changes.

Greek translation

Ένας περιπλανώμενος δάσκαλος ταξιδεύει ανάμεσα σε απομακρυσμένα χωριά με ένα κουτί βιβλία. Ένας τσιγκούνης αξιωματούχος αρνείται επανειλημμένα να χρηματοδοτήσει τα καύσιμα, ενώ ένας δόλιος προμηθευτής ανεβάζει κρυφά τις τιμές μετά την υπογραφή ενός συμβολαίου. Όταν τα αρχεία αποκαλύπτουν το σχέδιο, ο προμηθευτής φαίνεται μετανιωμένος. Η διαρκής αφοσίωση του δασκάλου στους μαθητές του δεν αλλάζει ποτέ.

Reading comprehension

1. Why is the teacher peripatetic?

The teacher travels between villages.

2. What makes the supplier perfidious?

The supplier secretly violates the agreement.

3. What commitment is perennial?

The teacher's commitment to students is perennial.

About the digital SAT

The digital SAT Reading and Writing section measures comprehension, analysis, synthesis, rhetoric, and command of language. Its Words in Context questions ask students to determine a word’s meaning or choose the most logical and precise word for a particular passage. That means SAT vocabulary study should focus on useful academic words, multiple meanings, tone, and exact usage—not on memorizing rare words in isolation.

Use this list as one part of SAT preparation. Read each example closely, compare near-synonyms, and notice how surrounding sentences control meaning. The lesson readings and questions are designed to practise the same habits of contextual reasoning, while official College Board questions remain the best guide to the test’s exact format.

College Board test overview

Sources and curriculum references

These references guide selection and calibration. Definitions, sample sentences, readings, questions, and teaching notes are independently written and reviewed.