people sitting in a library

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.

Open the basic text version — works without JavaScript and is suitable for printing.

Your private study tools

Track your learning with My Vocabulary

Use the three small controls beside any word. Your choices stay attached to your account and appear in your My Vocabulary record.

  • Star a difficult word to practise it again.
  • Check a word when you have learned it.
  • Add a note with a memory clue, synonym, or reminder.

These controls work during your free visits and save privately on this browser. Sign in to move them into your account’s My Vocabulary record.

Printable study sheet

Create a PDF worksheet

Choose any start-to-end page range and meaning language, then include or omit each practice section.

Include practice sections
800 words
Words 71–105 of 800
#WordDetailsMeaningSample sentence
71autonomousadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

able to govern or operate independentlyThe region became autonomous while remaining part of the federation.
72avaricenoun
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

an extreme desire to gain wealthThe novel portrays avarice as a force that destroys trust.
73aversionnoun
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

a strong dislike or desire to avoid somethingHis aversion to risk kept him from investing in the uncertain venture.
74banaladjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

so ordinary or overused that it lacks interestThe critic dismissed the slogan as banal and forgettable.
75believerb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to give a false impression of somethingHer calm voice seemed to belie the urgency of the situation.
76belligerentadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

hostile and eager to argue or fightThe diplomat's belligerent remarks threatened the fragile truce.
77benignadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

harmless or unlikely to cause damageTests confirmed that the unusual growth was benign.
78bolsterverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to strengthen or support somethingNew survey data may bolster the report's central claim.
79bombasticadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

using grand language with little real meaningThe mayor's bombastic speech offered drama but no practical plan.
80brevitynoun
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

the quality of being brief and conciseThe editor praised the memo's clarity and brevity.
81candidadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

honest and direct, even when the truth is uncomfortableHer candid assessment revealed serious flaws in the project.
82capriciousadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

changing suddenly and without a predictable reasonCapricious enforcement made the rule seem unfair.
83catalystnoun
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

something that causes or speeds significant changeThe court decision became a catalyst for nationwide reform.
84causticadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

sharply critical in a way that can hurtHis caustic review attacked the author instead of evaluating the evidence.
85censureverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to express strong formal disapprovalThe committee voted to censure the official for hiding records.
86circumspectadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

careful to consider risks before actingThe attorney remained circumspect when discussing an unresolved case.
87circumventverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to avoid a rule or obstacle through clever actionThe company tried to circumvent the ban by changing the product's name.
88coalesceverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to join separate parts into a single wholeSeveral neighborhood groups began to coalesce around one proposal.
89coerceverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to force someone to act through threats or pressureA valid agreement cannot coerce either party into surrendering legal rights.
90cogentadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

clear, logical, and convincingThe lawyer offered a cogent explanation supported by three records.
91collaborateverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to work jointly toward a shared resultScientists from five countries will collaborate on the telescope project.
92complacentadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

too satisfied to notice danger or needed improvementEarly success made the team complacent about quality control.
93complementverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to complete or improve something by adding a contrasting qualityThe photographs complement the essay's detailed description.
94comprehensiveadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

including all or nearly all important elementsThe review provides a comprehensive account of existing research.
95concedeverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to admit that a point is true, often reluctantlyThe author must concede that the evidence remains incomplete.
96conciliatoryadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

intended to reduce conflict and restore goodwillHer conciliatory reply reopened the stalled negotiations.
97concurrentadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

happening or existing at the same timeThe study tracked two concurrent changes in rainfall and crop yield.
98condoneverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to accept wrongful behavior without objectionSilence may appear to condone conduct that should be challenged.
99construeverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to interpret the meaning of a statement or actionSome readers construe the ending as hopeful, while others find it bleak.
100contentiousadjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

likely to cause disagreement or argumentHousing policy became the election's most contentious issue.
101contextualizeverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to place information within circumstances that explain its significanceThe introduction will contextualize the speech within the labor movement.
102contriveverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to create or arrange something through clever planningThe playwright can contrive a meeting without making it seem improbable.
103conventionaladjective
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

following established practices or widely accepted ideasThe artist rejected conventional portrait techniques.
104convergeverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to move toward the same point or become increasingly similarThe two lines of evidence converge on the same conclusion.
105corroborateverb
Study

Field: SAT words in context and precision

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

to support a statement with additional evidencePhone records corroborate the witness's timeline.

Vocabulary reading and practice

Page 3 vocabulary review

Review five selected words from page 3.

Vocabulary quiz

Complete 5 review questions for this page.

1. The diplomat's ___ remarks threatened the fragile truce.

Answer: belligerent

2. A valid agreement cannot ___ either party into surrendering legal rights.

Answer: coerce

3. The playwright can ___ a meeting without making it seem improbable.

Answer: contrive

4. Tests confirmed that the unusual growth was ___.

Answer: benign

5. The lawyer offered a ___ explanation supported by three records.

Answer: cogent

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.