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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 596–630 of 800
#WordDetailsMeaningSample sentence
596sedulousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

diligenteThrough sedulous research, she reconstructed the lost manuscript.
597sequesterverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. aislar 2. enclaustrar 3. inclaustrarThe judge may sequester the jury during the trial.
598serendipitynoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. serendipia 2. serendipidadSerendipity led the chemist to an unexpected material.
599servileadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

servilThe essay criticizes the court's servile dependence on the monarch.
600singularadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

singularThe archive offers a singular record of daily life during the occupation.
601skepticismnoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

escepticismoHealthy skepticism led researchers to repeat the surprising experiment.
602solicitousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

solícitoThe solicitous nurse explained each procedure calmly.
603soporificadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. somnífero 2. soporífico 3. soporíferoThe speaker's soporific delivery emptied the hall.
604speciousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

especiosoThe advertisement relies on a specious comparison.
605spuriousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. espurio 2. mentiraThe journal withdrew the article after finding spurious data.
606staidadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. tranquilo 2. pausado 3. serioThe staid institution surprised everyone with an experimental exhibition.
607stigmanoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. estigma 2. sambenitoPublic education can reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.
608stoicadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

estoicoHer stoic response concealed deep grief.
609stridentadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

estridenteThe debate's strident tone discouraged thoughtful exchange.
610subjugateverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. sojuzgar 2. subyugarThe empire attempted to subjugate neighboring communities.
611sublimeadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. sublime 2. portentosoThe symphony's final movement achieves a sublime calm.
612subversiveadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

subversivoAuthorities banned the pamphlet as subversive.
613succinctadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

sucintoA succinct caption explains the graph.
614superciliousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

altivoThe critic's supercilious tone alienated ordinary readers.
615superficialadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

superficialA superficial comparison ignores important historical differences.
616superfluousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

superfluoThe editor removed every superfluous adjective.
617surfeitnoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

colmarA surfeit of examples made the argument harder to follow.
618surreptitiousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

subrepticioThe camera recorded a surreptitious exchange of documents.
619sycophantnoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. sicofanta 2. sicofante 3. pelotaThe ruler surrounded himself with each sycophant who praised every decision.
620synthesisnoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

síntesisThe essay offers a synthesis of archaeological and linguistic evidence.
621tacitadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. tácito 2. implícitoTheir silence gave tacit approval to the change.
622taciturnadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

taciturnoThe taciturn witness answered in brief phrases.
623tangentialadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

tangencialThe editor removed a tangential discussion of the author's childhood.
624tantamountadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. equiparable 2. equipolente 3. equivalerIgnoring the warning was tantamount to accepting the risk.
625tautologicaladjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

tautológicoThe phrase “future plans” can be tautological in some contexts.
626temeritynoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

temeridadShe had the temerity to challenge the ruler in public.
627tenaciousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. tenaz 2. tesoneroA tenacious investigator followed the evidence for years.
628tenetnoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. creencia 2. principio 3. dogmaEqual treatment is a basic tenet of the organization.
629tenuousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

tenueThe article draws a tenuous link between the two events.
630terseadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. conciso 2. lacónico 3. parcoThe official issued a terse denial.

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.