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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Words 211–245 of 800
#	Word	Details	Meaning	Sample sentence
211	viable	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: viable is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	capable of working successfully	The pilot study suggests that the method is viable.
212	abnegation	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ation commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.	the act of giving up one's own interests or desires	Her abnegation of personal credit kept attention on the relief effort.
213	abortive	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ive commonly forms an adjective meaning having a quality or tendency.	failing before completion or success	An abortive rescue attempt ended when the weather worsened.
214	abstinence	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ence commonly forms a noun naming an action, quality, or state.	the practice of deliberately avoiding an activity or substance	Medical advice led him to choose abstinence from alcohol.
215	acclimate	verb Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: acclimate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to adjust to unfamiliar conditions	The climbers paused to acclimate before ascending farther.
216	accost	verb Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: accost is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to approach and address someone boldly or aggressively	A reporter tried to accost the actor outside the courthouse.
217	acerbic	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: acerbic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	sharp and biting in tone	The columnist's acerbic wit delighted some readers and offended others.
218	acrid	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: acrid is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	having a harsh, stinging smell, taste, or tone	Acrid smoke drifted from the burned warehouse.
219	adherent	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: adherent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a person who supports a belief, leader, or cause	Each adherent signed a pledge to defend peaceful protest.
220	adulterate	verb Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: adulterate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to make something impure by adding an inferior substance	Dishonest merchants would adulterate the spice with colored powder.
221	adverse	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: adverse is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	harmful, unfavorable, or opposed	The medicine produced no serious adverse effects.
222	affectation	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ation commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.	unnatural behavior adopted to impress others	His elaborate accent was an affectation that disappeared among friends.
223	affluent	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: affluent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	having abundant wealth or resources	The survey compared affluent districts with communities lacking basic services.
224	agenda	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: agenda is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a list of matters to address or a hidden purpose	Environmental protection moved to the top of the council's agenda.
225	agrarian	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: agrarian is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	related to farming or rural land	The reform transformed an agrarian economy into an industrial one.
226	alloy	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: alloy is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a metal made by combining two or more elements	Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin.
227	ambience	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ence commonly forms a noun naming an action, quality, or state.	the mood or character of a place	Soft lighting gave the library a calm ambience.
228	amenity	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ity commonly forms a noun naming a quality, state, or condition.	a useful or pleasant feature of a place	Reliable internet became an essential amenity for the remote town.
229	amoral	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: amoral is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	unconcerned with whether behavior is right or wrong	The novel depicts the machine as amoral rather than deliberately cruel.
230	amorous	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ous commonly forms an adjective meaning full of or characterized by.	showing romantic affection or desire	The poet addressed each amorous sonnet to an unnamed beloved.
231	anguish	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: anguish is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	severe mental or physical suffering	The letter conveys a parent's anguish after the disappearance.
232	apocalyptic	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: apocalyptic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	describing complete destruction or the end of the world	The article rejects apocalyptic predictions unsupported by climate models.
233	apocryphal	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: apocryphal is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	widely repeated but probably not true	The apocryphal story appears in no contemporary account.
234	apotheosis	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: apotheosis is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	the highest point of development or ideal form	Critics called the cathedral the apotheosis of Gothic architecture.
235	appreciable	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action.	large enough to be noticed or measured	The treatment produced an appreciable decline in symptoms.
236	aptitude	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: aptitude is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a natural ability to learn or perform something	Her aptitude for spatial reasoning became clear in engineering class.
237	arbiter	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: arbiter is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a person with authority to settle a dispute	Both parties accepted the retired judge as a neutral arbiter.
238	artful	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: artful is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	cleverly or skillfully designed, sometimes to deceive	The candidate gave an artful answer that avoided the central issue.
239	artifice	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: artifice is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a clever device or strategy used to deceive	The memoir's apparent simplicity is a deliberate artifice.
240	ascendancy	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: ascendancy is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a position of controlling influence or dominance	The party gained ascendancy after winning several regional elections.
241	atheist	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ist often names a person associated with a field, belief, or practice.	a person who does not believe in any deity	The essay compares the moral arguments of an atheist and a theologian.
242	attrition	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ition commonly forms a noun naming an action, process, or result.	a gradual reduction through loss or wearing away	Staff attrition left the agency unable to process applications quickly.
243	audacity	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Suffix focus: -ity commonly forms a noun naming a quality, state, or condition.	bold willingness to take a surprising risk	The plan's audacity attracted investors who valued innovation.
244	authoritarian	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: authoritarian is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	demanding strict obedience while limiting personal freedom	The authoritarian government banned independent newspapers.
245	avuncular	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: avuncular is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	kind and friendly in the manner of a helpful uncle	His avuncular advice reassured the nervous interns.

Vocabulary reading and practice

An Awkward Welcome

Reading practice for pages 7–9. Five relevant words are highlighted.

English reading

A traveler arrives while one political faction is gaining ascendancy in the capital. Before she can acclimate, a stranger tries to accost her with questions about whether she is an atheist. She declines to discuss religion and asks the hotel clerk to show her a practical amenity: a quiet workspace.

Reading comprehension

1. What is gaining ascendancy?

A political faction is gaining ascendancy.

2. Who tries to accost the traveler?

A stranger tries to accost her.

3. What amenity does she request?

She requests a quiet workspace.

Vocabulary quiz

Complete 5 review questions for this page.

1. The party gained ___ after winning several regional elections.

Answer: ascendancy

2. The climbers paused to ___ before ascending farther.

Answer: acclimate

3. Reliable internet became an essential ___ for the remote town.

Answer: amenity

4. The essay compares the moral arguments of an ___ and a theologian.

Answer: atheist

5. A reporter tried to ___ the actor outside the courthouse.

Answer: accost

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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.

SAT Vocabulary Words

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An Awkward Welcome

English reading

Translation

Reading comprehension

Vocabulary quiz

Vocabulary chart page

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