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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 36–70 of 800
#WordDetailsMeaningSample sentence
36allusionnoun
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

an indirect reference to a person, event, or textThe title contains an allusion to a well-known folktale.
37aloofadjective
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

emotionally distant or unwilling to participateHis aloof manner made cooperation seem unlikely.
38altruismnoun
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

selfless concern for the well-being of othersThe anonymous donation was an act of genuine altruism.
39ambiguousadjective
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

open to more than one reasonable interpretationThe ambiguous instructions produced three different results.
40ambivalentadjective
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

having conflicting feelings about somethingShe felt ambivalent about leaving home for a distant university.
41ameliorateverb
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to improve a bad or difficult conditionThe new drainage system should ameliorate flooding in the valley.
42amenableadjective
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

willing to agree or responsive to changeThe board was amenable to a compromise supported by both groups.
43amiableadjective
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

friendly and pleasant in mannerDespite the fierce debate, the candidates remained amiable afterward.
44amnestynoun
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

an official pardon granted to a groupThe government offered amnesty to people who surrendered banned equipment.
45amorphousadjective
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

lacking a clear shape, structure, or organizationThe movement remained amorphous until its members adopted shared goals.
46anachronismnoun
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

something placed in a historical period where it does not belongA digital wristwatch would be an anachronism in a film set in 1800.
47anarchynoun
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

a condition in which effective government or order is absentThe collapse of local authority briefly led to anarchy.
48anecdotaladjective
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

based on personal stories rather than systematic evidenceThe claim rests on anecdotal reports, not a controlled study.
49animositynoun
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

strong hostility or resentmentOld animosity between the rivals complicated the negotiations.
50anomalynoun
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

something that does not fit an expected patternScientists rechecked the instrument after detecting an anomaly in the data.
51antecedentnoun
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

an earlier event or thing that helps explain what followsThe historian traced the law's antecedent to a colonial ordinance.
52antipathynoun
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

Word study: Prefix focus: anti- means against or opposed to.

a strong feeling of dislikeHer antipathy toward dishonesty shaped every hiring decision.
53apathynoun
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

a lack of interest, concern, or emotionVoter apathy can weaken public accountability.
54aphorismnoun
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

a brief statement expressing a general truth or principleThe essay opens with an aphorism about patience and power.
55appeaseverb
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to calm someone by satisfying a demandA minor concession did little to appease the angry residents.
56approbationnoun
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

formal or enthusiastic approvalThe proposal won the approbation of several respected researchers.
57arbitraryadjective
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

based on personal choice rather than a clear reason or ruleThe deadline seemed arbitrary because no schedule depended on it.
58arcaneadjective
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

understood by very few people because it is specialized or obscureThe manual explains arcane legal terms in plain language.
59archaicadjective
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

old-fashioned and no longer in common useThe translator replaced each archaic expression with a modern equivalent.
60ardentadjective
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

showing intense enthusiasm or devotionAn ardent conservationist, Lee spent weekends restoring wetlands.
61arduousadjective
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

requiring great effort over a long periodRestoring the storm-damaged archive was an arduous task.
62articulateverb
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to express an idea clearly and effectivelyThe witness struggled to articulate exactly what she had observed.
63asceticadjective
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

practicing strict self-denial for moral or spiritual reasonsThe monk followed an ascetic routine of simple meals and few possessions.
64assiduousadjective
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

showing persistent care and effortThrough assiduous research, the biographer verified every quotation.
65assimilateverb
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to absorb information or become integrated into a larger groupReaders need time to assimilate several competing explanations.
66assuageverb
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to make an unpleasant feeling less intenseClear safety data helped assuage public anxiety.
67astuteadjective
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

quick to notice and understand important detailsAn astute editor recognized the argument's hidden assumption.
68audaciousadjective
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

boldly willing to take risksThe engineers proposed an audacious plan to move the entire lighthouse.
69augmentverb
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to increase something by adding to itSolar panels will augment the building's existing power supply.
70austereadjective
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Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

plain, strict, or without unnecessary comfortThe room's austere design reflected the order's values.

Vocabulary reading and practice

Page 2 vocabulary review

Review five selected words from page 2.

Vocabulary quiz

Complete 5 review questions for this page.

1. The anonymous donation was an act of genuine ___.

Answer: altruism

2. The historian traced the law's ___ to a colonial ordinance.

Answer: antecedent

3. Through ___ research, the biographer verified every quotation.

Answer: assiduous

4. The ___ instructions produced three different results.

Answer: ambiguous

5. Her ___ toward dishonesty shaped every hiring decision.

Answer: antipathy

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.