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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 421–455 of 800
#WordDetailsMeaningSample sentence
421indelibleadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

Word study: Suffix focus: -ible means capable of, suitable for, or able to be affected.

impossible to remove or forgetThe disaster left an indelible mark on the community.
422indigentadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

extremely poor and lacking basic resourcesThe clinic provides free care to indigent patients.
423indolentadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

habitually lazy or inactiveThe narrator condemns the indolent aristocrat who neglects his estate.
424indomitableadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action.

impossible to defeat or discourageHer indomitable spirit sustained the campaign through years of setbacks.
425inequitynoun
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

unfairness in the distribution of resources or opportunityThe policy seeks to reduce inequity in school funding.
426inertadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

unable or unlikely to move, react, or actThe chemical remains inert until it is heated.
427inexorableadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action.

impossible to stop or preventThe inexorable advance of the fire forced another evacuation.
428infamynoun
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

a reputation for shameful or evil conductThe massacre remains a symbol of political infamy.
429infinitesimaladjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

extremely smallThe sensor can detect an infinitesimal change in pressure.
430inflammatoryadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

likely to provoke anger or conflictThe moderator rejected inflammatory language from both sides.
431ingenuousadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

innocent, sincere, and without deceptionHer ingenuous question revealed a flaw the experts had overlooked.
432inimicaladjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

harmful or hostile to somethingSecrecy is inimical to meaningful public oversight.
433iniquitynoun
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

gross injustice or immoral conductThe novel exposes the iniquity of the forced-labor system.
434innateadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

existing naturally from birthThe study asks whether musical ability is innate or learned.
435insatiableadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action.

impossible to satisfyHer insatiable curiosity led her into several fields of study.
436insidiousadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

gradually harmful in a way that is difficult to noticeThe report describes the insidious effects of chronic lead exposure.
437insipidadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

lacking flavor, energy, or interestCritics found the adaptation visually attractive but insipid.
438insolentadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

boldly rude and disrespectfulThe witness's insolent reply drew a warning from the judge.
439instigateverb
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

to start or provoke an action, especially a harmful oneAgents attempted to instigate violence during the peaceful march.
440intangibleadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

Word study: Suffix focus: -ible means capable of, suitable for, or able to be affected.

unable to be touched or precisely measuredTrust is an intangible asset that can vanish quickly.
441interlocutornoun
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

Word study: Prefix focus: inter- means between or among.

a person taking part in a dialogueEach interlocutor challenges the other's assumptions.
442interminableadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action.

continuing for so long that it seems endlessThe negotiations became an interminable series of delays.
443intractableadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action.

very difficult to manage or solveWater scarcity remains an intractable problem in the region.
444intransigentadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

unwilling to compromise or changeThe intransigent factions rejected every proposed settlement.
445intrepidadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

fearless and adventurousAn intrepid journalist crossed the border to document the crisis.
446intricateadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

containing many complexly connected detailsThe clock's intricate mechanism required careful restoration.
447invectivenoun
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

insulting or abusive languageThe debate deteriorated into personal invective.
448inveterateadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

long-established and unlikely to changeAn inveterate skeptic, she demanded evidence for every claim.
449irascibleadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

Word study: Suffix focus: -ible means capable of, suitable for, or able to be affected.

easily angeredThe irascible director was known for shouting at minor mistakes.
450ironicadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

strangely opposite to what is expectedIt was ironic that the privacy conference exposed attendees' email addresses.
451irreverentadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

showing playful or critical lack of respectThe comedian's irreverent history challenged national myths.
452irrevocableadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action.

impossible to reverse or cancelThe court warned that the environmental damage could be irrevocable.
453jargonnoun
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

specialized language used by a profession or groupMedical jargon made the consent form hard to understand.
454jettisonverb
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

to discard something no longer neededThe team decided to jettison the least practical part of the plan.
455jocularadjective
Study

Field: SAT transitions and expression of ideas

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

fond of joking and humorHis jocular tone eased tension before the serious discussion.

Vocabulary reading and practice

An Intractable Meeting

Reading practice for pages 13–15. Five relevant words are highlighted.

English reading

The budget meeting feels interminable because an intractable dispute blocks every vote. One member’s jocular remarks briefly ease the tension, but another speaker uses inflammatory accusations. An ingenuous new delegate asks a direct question that reveals both sides actually agree on the central goal.

Reading comprehension

1. Why does the meeting feel interminable?

An intractable dispute blocks progress.

2. What briefly eases tension?

Jocular remarks briefly ease tension.

3. What does the ingenuous question reveal?

It reveals agreement on the central goal.

Vocabulary quiz

Complete 5 review questions for this page.

1. The negotiations became an ___ series of delays.

Answer: interminable

2. His ___ tone eased tension before the serious discussion.

Answer: jocular

3. The moderator rejected ___ language from both sides.

Answer: inflammatory

4. Water scarcity remains an ___ problem in the region.

Answer: intractable

5. Her ___ question revealed a flaw the experts had overlooked.

Answer: ingenuous

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.