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 246–280 of 800
#	Word	Details	Meaning	Sample sentence
246	balk	verb Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: balk is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to hesitate or refuse when faced with a demand	Taxpayers may balk at funding a project with no clear budget.
247	beget	verb Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: beget is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to cause or produce something	Fear can beget secrecy, which in turn creates more fear.
248	benefactor	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: benefactor is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a person who gives money or help to a cause	An anonymous benefactor paid for the library's repairs.
249	benevolent	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: benevolent is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	kind and motivated by a desire to do good	The foundation's benevolent mission includes free legal aid.
250	bequeath	verb Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: bequeath is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to leave property to someone through a will	The collector chose to bequeath the paintings to a public museum.
251	bereft	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: bereft is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	deprived of something valuable or necessary	After the archive burned, historians were bereft of primary records.
252	blasphemy	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: blasphemy is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	speech or action showing contempt for sacred beliefs	The novel examines a society in which blasphemy is punished by law.
253	blatant	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: blatant is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	very obvious and offensive	The advertisement made a blatant attempt to disguise sponsorship as news.
254	blight	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: blight is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	something that damages, spoils, or causes decline	Abandoned buildings became a blight on the neighborhood.
255	blithe	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: blithe is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	showing casual indifference to possible harm	His blithe assurance ignored every warning from the engineers.
256	boorish	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: boorish is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	rude and insensitive in behavior	The guest's boorish interruptions ended the friendly conversation.
257	bourgeois	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: bourgeois is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	associated with conventional middle-class values or material concerns	The playwright mocked what she saw as bourgeois respectability.
258	bucolic	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: bucolic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	pleasantly describing country life or rural scenery	The poem presents a bucolic landscape untouched by industry.
259	burgeon	verb Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: burgeon is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to grow or develop rapidly	Small businesses began to burgeon near the new railway.
260	burlesque	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: burlesque is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a comic imitation that exaggerates its subject	The play is a burlesque of solemn royal ceremonies.
261	burly	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: burly is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	large, strong, and heavily built	A burly porter lifted the trunk without assistance.
262	byzantine	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: byzantine is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	excessively complicated and difficult to navigate	Applicants struggled with the agency's byzantine rules.
263	calumny	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: calumny is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a false statement intended to damage a reputation	The candidate denounced the rumor as a deliberate calumny.
264	canonical	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: canonical is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	accepted as authoritative, standard, or central to a tradition	The course questions why some works became canonical while others vanished.
265	canvass	verb Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: canvass is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to seek opinions, support, or votes from people	Volunteers will canvass the district before the referendum.
266	castigate	verb Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: castigate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to criticize or punish someone severely	Editorials began to castigate officials for ignoring the contamination.
267	categorical	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: categorical is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	absolute, direct, and without exceptions	The minister issued a categorical denial of the allegation.
268	catharsis	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: catharsis is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	emotional release that brings relief	Writing the memoir provided catharsis after years of silence.
269	catholic	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: catholic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	broad and inclusive in interests or sympathies	Her catholic taste in music ranged from opera to electronic dance.
270	causal	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: causal is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	relating to a cause-and-effect connection	The study found a correlation but not a causal relationship.
271	celibate	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: celibate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	choosing not to marry or engage in sexual relations	Members of the order take a celibate vow.
272	chagrin	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: chagrin is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	distress caused by embarrassment or disappointment	To his chagrin, the confident prediction proved false.
273	charlatan	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: charlatan is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a person who falsely claims special knowledge or skill	The supposed healer was exposed as a charlatan.
274	chasm	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: chasm is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	a deep division or a wide physical gap	A chasm separated the parties on the question of land ownership.
275	chastise	verb Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: chastise is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	to criticize or punish someone severely	The supervisor had to chastise the team for falsifying records.
276	chicanery	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: chicanery is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	deception accomplished through clever tricks or wording	Voters rejected the accounting chicanery hidden in the proposal.
277	chronic	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: chronic is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	continuing for a long time or recurring often	Chronic water shortages forced the region to change its crops.
278	coercion	noun Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: coercion is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	the use of force or threats to make someone act	A confession obtained through coercion cannot be trusted.
279	cognizant	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: cognizant is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	aware of and attentive to something	The designers were cognizant of the building's historical importance.
280	commensurate	adjective Study Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis Word study: Base-form focus: commensurate is the dictionary headword; compare its inflected or derived forms in context.	corresponding appropriately in size, degree, or value	Compensation should be commensurate with the risks of the work.

Vocabulary reading and practice

Page 8 vocabulary review

Review five selected words from page 8.

Vocabulary quiz

Complete 5 review questions for this page.

1. A confession obtained through ___ cannot be trusted.

Answer: coercion

2. The advertisement made a ___ attempt to disguise sponsorship as news.

Answer: blatant

3. Editorials began to ___ officials for ignoring the contamination.

Answer: castigate

4. The designers were ___ of the building's historical importance.

Answer: cognizant

5. Abandoned buildings became a ___ on the neighborhood.

Answer: blight

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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

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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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