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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 561–595 of 800
#WordDetailsMeaningSample sentence
561provincialadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

provincialThe narrator initially holds a provincial view of the wider world.
562provisionaladjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. provisoire 2. temporaireThe committee issued a provisional schedule.
563prudentadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

prudentMaintaining an emergency reserve is a prudent policy.
564pugnaciousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

pugnaceThe pugnacious spokesperson turned every interview into a confrontation.
565punctiliousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

pointilleuxThe punctilious diplomat observed every protocol.
566quandarynoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. embarras 2. perplexité 3. incertitudeConflicting duties left the physician in a moral quandary.
567querulousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

ronchonThe querulous narrator finds fault with every neighbor.
568quixoticadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

quichottesqueThe plan to end all traffic within a week was quixotic.
569rancornoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

rancuneThe agreement ended the lawsuit but not the rancor.
570rarefiedadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

raréfiéThe article brings rarefied theory into public discussion.
571recalcitrantadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. rebelle 2. récalcitrantThe recalcitrant company ignored repeated safety orders.
572recantverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. rétracter 2. se rétracter 3. retirerUnder pressure, the witness agreed to recant the accusation.
573reclusenoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. reclus 2. recluseThe artist became a recluse late in life.
574reconditeadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. reculé 2. retiré 3. cachéThe lecture explored a recondite dispute in medieval law.
575redressnoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

réparationThe victims sought legal redress for the unlawful seizure.
576redundantadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

redondantThe editor removed a redundant paragraph.
577relegateverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

reléguerThe new history does not relegate women to a footnote.
578relinquishverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. abandonner 2. délaisser 3. céderThe ruler refused to relinquish emergency powers.
579remonstrateverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

contesterResidents gathered to remonstrate against the closure.
580renounceverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

abdiquerThe candidate refused to renounce her earlier position.
581repleteadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

pleinThe diary is replete with detailed observations.
582reprehensibleadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Suffix focus: -ible means capable of, suitable for, or able to be affected.

1. répréhensible 2. condamnableThe court described the deliberate deception as reprehensible.
583reproachnoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. reproche 2. réprobationHer quiet reproach affected him more than anger would have.
584repudiateverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. répudier 2. nierThe party moved to repudiate the discriminatory policy.
585rescindverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. abroger 2. annulerThe agency may rescind the permit after the violation.
586reticentadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. réticent 2. hésitantThe normally reticent scientist agreed to an interview.
587revereverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. idolâtrer 2. révérerMany residents revere the physician who founded the clinic.
588rhetoricnoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. rhétorique 2. discoursThe campaign's rhetoric emphasized unity while its policies divided voters.
589rudimentaryadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

rudimentaireThe settlement had only rudimentary sanitation.
590sagaciousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

sagaceThe sagacious adviser anticipated the treaty's unintended effects.
591sanctionverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

sanctionThe board must sanction any major change to the charter.
592sanguineadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

sanguineAnalysts remain sanguine about the economy's long-term prospects.
593scathingadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

cinglantThe inspector issued a scathing report on prison conditions.
594schismnoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

schismeThe dispute caused a lasting schism in the movement.
595secularadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. séculier 2. laïque 3. mondainThe constitution establishes a secular government.

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.