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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 666–700 of 800
#WordDetailsMeaningSample sentence
666volatileadjective
Study

Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

likely to change suddenly or become dangerousThe ceasefire remains volatile.
667volitionnoun
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

the power to choose or act willinglyThe witness signed the statement of her own volition.
668wantonadjective
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

deliberate and without concern for harmThe law punished wanton destruction of protected habitat.
669willfuladjective
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

deliberate or stubbornly intentionalThe court found a willful violation of the disclosure rule.
670wistfuladjective
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

showing gentle sadness or longingHis wistful memoir recalls a neighborhood that no longer exists.
671zealousadjective
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

showing intense enthusiasm for a causeA zealous reformer may still need to consider unintended effects.
672accretionnoun
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

gradual growth through the addition of materialThe island formed by the accretion of sand and sediment.
673adjudicateverb
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

to make a formal judgment in a disputeAn independent panel will adjudicate the competing claims.
674adsorbverb
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

to hold molecules on a surfaceActivated carbon can adsorb pollutants from water.
675alluvialadjective
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

formed from sediment deposited by flowing waterFarmers value the fertile alluvial soil near the river.
676amalgamateverb
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

to combine separate groups or things into oneThe district plans to amalgamate three small libraries.
677anomalousadjective
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

deviating from what is normal or expectedThe team repeated the test after one anomalous result.
678anthropogenicadjective
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

caused by human activityThe study separates natural variation from anthropogenic warming.
679attenuateverb
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

to reduce the strength or effect of somethingTrees can attenuate traffic noise.
680auspiciousadjective
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

suggesting favorable future resultsA peaceful transfer of power was an auspicious beginning.
681buffernoun
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

something that reduces the effect of a shock or conflictSavings provide a buffer against sudden unemployment.
682capitulateverb
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

to stop resisting and accept an opponent's termsThe isolated army was forced to capitulate.
683codifyverb
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

to arrange rules or principles into an organized systemThe new statute will codify protections developed by earlier courts.
684commodifyverb
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

to turn something into a product that can be bought and soldCritics argue that the platform will commodify personal attention.
685concentricadjective
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

sharing the same centerThe impact produced concentric circles in the ice.
686confoundverb
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

to confuse or prevent a clear conclusionAn unmeasured variable could confound the experiment.
687consolidateverb
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

to combine and strengthen separate partsThe agency will consolidate its records in one secure archive.
688constitutiveadjective
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

forming an essential part of somethingShared rituals are constitutive of the community's identity.
689contingentadjective
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

dependent on a condition that may or may not occurFunding is contingent on independent review.
690counterintuitiveadjective
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

opposite to what common sense initially suggestsThe counterintuitive result improved efficiency by slowing the process.
691decomposeverb
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

to break down into simpler parts or substancesFungi decompose fallen wood.
692demographicadjective
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

related to the statistical characteristics of a populationThe survey revealed a major demographic shift.
693disaggregateverb
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

to separate combined data into smaller categoriesResearchers disaggregate the results by age and region.
694displacementnoun
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

Word study: Suffix focus: -ment commonly forms a noun for an action, process, state, or result.

the forced movement of people or a shift in positionThe dam caused the displacement of several villages.
695efficacynoun
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

the ability to produce an intended resultThe trial measured the vaccine's efficacy.
696elasticitynoun
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

the ability to return to shape or respond to a changing variablePrice elasticity describes how demand changes when cost changes.
697equilibriumnoun
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

a stable condition in which opposing forces are balancedThe reaction reaches equilibrium when both rates become equal.
698exogenousadjective
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

originating from outside a systemThe model treats global oil prices as an exogenous factor.
699exponentialadjective
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

increasing at an accelerating proportional rateThe bacteria showed exponential growth under ideal conditions.
700externalitynoun
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Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

a cost or benefit imposed on people outside a transactionAir pollution is a negative externality of fossil-fuel use.

Vocabulary chart page

This page focuses on the word chart. Reading passages appear once in each three-page group, while cloze quizzes remain in the established enhanced range for this level.

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.