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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.

kazanieThe 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.

apatiaWinter 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.

przechodzićThe 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.

nie przestrzegaćThe 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.

breweThe 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.

1. obawa 2. trwogaWith 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.

wszechobecnySmartphones 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.

absurdalnyThe 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.

1. tłusty 2. oleistyThe 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.

nieustannyUnremitting 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.

grzecznyThe 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.

uzurpowaćThe 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.

funkcjonalnyThe 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.

utopiaThe 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.

wahaćThe 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.

1. bezbarwny 2. beztreściowy 3. beztreściwyThe 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.

gorącyResidents 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.

1. przekupny 2. sprzedajnyThe 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.

czcićMany 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.

prawdziwośćDocuments 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.

przegadanyThe 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.

autentycznośćAccurate 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.

1. wernakularny 2. ludowy 3. nieliterackiThe 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.

śladThe 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.

denerwowaćThe 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.

indirektniReaders 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.

zmianaThe 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.

oczerniaćThe 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.

1. oczyszczać z zarzut 2. oczyścić z zarzut 3. oczyszczać z zarzutówLater 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.

1. mściwy 2. złośliwyThe 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.

zjadliwyA 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.

psućCoercion 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.

zjadliwyThe 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.

powołanieShe 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.

głośnyA 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.

Polish translation

Po tygodniach politycznego marazmu członkini rady wygłasza zaciekłą tyradę. Jej gniew jest przejściowy, lecz problem, który za nim stoi, taki nie jest: urzędnicy mogą łamać zasady etyczne, jeśli prezenty wpływają na ich głosy. Rada musi wznieść się ponad osobiste rywalizacje i przyjąć przejrzystą politykę.

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.