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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 631–665 of 800
#WordDetailsMeaningSample sentence
631tiradenoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

暴言The meeting ended with a tirade against the press.
632torpornoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

昏睡状態Winter cold sends the animal into torpor.
633transcendverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

越える。超越するThe novel's themes transcend its historical setting.
634transgressverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Prefix focus: trans- means across, through, or beyond.

違反The character must decide whether justice permits her to transgress the law.
635transientadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. 瞬間的 2. 一時的 3. 一過性The economic benefit proved transient.
636trepidationnoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

しんぱいWith some trepidation, the team opened the sealed chamber.
637ubiquitousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. 遍在する 2. 遍在Smartphones have become ubiquitous in many communities.
638unconscionableadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

Word study: Suffix focus: -able means capable of, suitable for, or worthy of an action.

はれんちなThe court rejected the unconscionable contract terms.
639unctuousadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

慇懃無礼The salesman's unctuous compliments made buyers suspicious.
640unremittingadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

絶え間ないUnremitting rain caused the river to overflow.
641urbaneadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

礼儀正しいThe urbane host moved easily among diplomats and artists.
642usurpverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. 簒奪する 2. 簒奪The general attempted to usurp the elected government's authority.
643utilitarianadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

功利的なThe building's utilitarian design prioritized durability.
644utopianoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. 理想郷 2. ユートピア 3. 黄金世界The novel's apparent utopia depends on hidden coercion.
645vacillateverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

躊躇うThe council continued to vacillate between renovation and demolition.
646vapidadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

グールドThe adaptation reduced a complex novel to vapid romance.
647vehementadjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

1. 激しい 2. 激烈 3. 猛烈Residents voiced vehement opposition to the highway.
648venaladjective
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

性器The investigation exposed venal officials who sold permits.
649venerateverb
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

感謝するMany scientists venerate the pioneer without accepting every theory he proposed.
650veracitynoun
Study

Field: SAT literature, history, and humanities

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

本当Documents from several sources support the account's veracity.
651verboseadjective
Study

Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

1. 冗長 2. くどくどしいThe verbose report hid its conclusion in fifty pages.
652verisimilitudenoun
Study

Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

真実味Accurate period details give the film verisimilitude.
653vernacularnoun
Study

Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

方言The poet wrote in the local vernacular rather than formal Latin.
654vestigenoun
Study

Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

足跡The ruined gate is the last vestige of the old wall.
655vexverb
Study

Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

いらいらさせるThe contradictory clues continued to vex investigators.
656vicariousadjective
Study

Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

身代わりのReaders share the explorer's vicarious thrill through the vivid diary.
657vicissitudenoun
Study

Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

1. 栄枯盛衰 2. 変化The business survived every economic vicissitude.
658vilifyverb
Study

Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

1. 貶す 2. 謗るThe campaign tried to vilify critics instead of answering them.
659vindicateverb
Study

Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

守るLater evidence may vindicate the scientist's disputed prediction.
660vindictiveadjective
Study

Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

執念深いThe leader used vindictive prosecutions against former rivals.
661virulentadjective
Study

Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

毒性A virulent strain spread rapidly through the crop.
662vitiateverb
Study

Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

損なうCoercion can vitiate an agreement.
663vitriolicadjective
Study

Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

辛辣なThe platform removed several vitriolic threats.
664vocationnoun
Study

Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

天職She regarded teaching as a vocation rather than merely a job.
665vociferousadjective
Study

Field: SAT science and social-science vocabulary

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

うるさいA vociferous minority dominated the meeting.

Vocabulary reading and practice

A Transient Outburst

Reading practice for pages 19–21. Five relevant words are highlighted.

English reading

After weeks of political torpor, a council member delivers a fierce tirade. Her anger is transient, but the issue behind it is not: officials may transgress ethical rules if gifts influence votes. The council must transcend personal rivalries and adopt a transparent policy.

Japanese translation

何週間も政治が停滞した後、ある議員が激しい非難の演説をする。彼女の怒りは一時的なものだが、その背後にある問題はそうではない。贈り物が投票に影響を与えるなら、役人は倫理規則に違反するかもしれない。議会は個人的な対立を乗り越え、透明性のある方針を採用しなければならない。

Reading comprehension

1. What interrupts the political torpor?

A fierce tirade interrupts it.

2. What ethical danger is identified?

Officials may transgress rules when gifts influence votes.

3. What must the council transcend?

The council must transcend personal rivalries.

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.