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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 211–245 of 800
#WordDetailsMeaningSample sentence
211viableadjective
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

livsdugligThe pilot study suggests that the method is viable.
212abnegationnoun
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

försakelseHer abnegation of personal credit kept attention on the relief effort.
213abortiveadjective
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

fruktlösAn abortive rescue attempt ended when the weather worsened.
214abstinencenoun
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Suffix focus: -ence commonly forms a noun naming an action, quality, or state.

avhållsamhetMedical advice led him to choose abstinence from alcohol.
215acclimateverb
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

acklimatiseraThe climbers paused to acclimate before ascending farther.
216accostverb
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

tilltalaA reporter tried to accost the actor outside the courthouse.
217acerbicadjective
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

syrligThe columnist's acerbic wit delighted some readers and offended others.
218acridadjective
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

1. frän 2. skarpAcrid smoke drifted from the burned warehouse.
219adherentnoun
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

anhängareEach adherent signed a pledge to defend peaceful protest.
220adulterateverb
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

korrumperaDishonest merchants would adulterate the spice with colored powder.
221adverseadjective
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

vidrigThe medicine produced no serious adverse effects.
222affectationnoun
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

1. tillgjordhet 2. choser 3. sjåserHis elaborate accent was an affectation that disappeared among friends.
223affluentadjective
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

1. riklig 2. öveflödandeThe survey compared affluent districts with communities lacking basic services.
224agendanoun
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

1. agenda 2. dagordning 3. föredragningslistaEnvironmental protection moved to the top of the council's agenda.
225agrarianadjective
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

agrarThe reform transformed an agrarian economy into an industrial one.
226alloynoun
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

legeringBronze is an alloy of copper and tin.
227ambiencenoun
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Suffix focus: -ence commonly forms a noun naming an action, quality, or state.

atmosfärSoft lighting gave the library a calm ambience.
228amenitynoun
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

bekvämlighetReliable internet became an essential amenity for the remote town.
229amoraladjective
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

amoraliskThe novel depicts the machine as amoral rather than deliberately cruel.
230amorousadjective
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

amorösThe poet addressed each amorous sonnet to an unnamed beloved.
231anguishnoun
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

1. ångest 2. dödsångest 3. panikångestThe letter conveys a parent's anguish after the disappearance.
232apocalypticadjective
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

apokalyptiskThe article rejects apocalyptic predictions unsupported by climate models.
233apocryphaladjective
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

apokryfiskThe apocryphal story appears in no contemporary account.
234apotheosisnoun
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

1. apoteos 2. förgudning 3. förhärligandeCritics called the cathedral the apotheosis of Gothic architecture.
235appreciableadjective
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

märkbarThe treatment produced an appreciable decline in symptoms.
236aptitudenoun
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

begåvningHer aptitude for spatial reasoning became clear in engineering class.
237arbiternoun
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

1. skiljeman 2. skiljedomareBoth parties accepted the retired judge as a neutral arbiter.
238artfuladjective
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

bakslugThe candidate gave an artful answer that avoided the central issue.
239artificenoun
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

konstgreppThe memoir's apparent simplicity is a deliberate artifice.
240ascendancynoun
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

inflödeThe party gained ascendancy after winning several regional elections.
241atheistnoun
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

Word study: Suffix focus: -ist often names a person associated with a field, belief, or practice.

1. ateist 2. gudsförnekareThe essay compares the moral arguments of an atheist and a theologian.
242attritionnoun
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

utmattningStaff attrition left the agency unable to process applications quickly.
243audacitynoun
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

1. djärvhet 2. dristighetThe plan's audacity attracted investors who valued innovation.
244authoritarianadjective
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

auktoritärThe authoritarian government banned independent newspapers.
245avuncularadjective
Study

Field: SAT evidence and rhetorical analysis

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

farbroderligHis avuncular advice reassured the nervous interns.

Vocabulary reading and practice

An Awkward Welcome

Reading practice for pages 7–9. Five relevant words are highlighted.

English reading

A traveler arrives while one political faction is gaining ascendancy in the capital. Before she can acclimate, a stranger tries to accost her with questions about whether she is an atheist. She declines to discuss religion and asks the hotel clerk to show her a practical amenity: a quiet workspace.

Swedish translation

En resenär anländer till huvudstaden medan en politisk fraktion får allt större inflytande där. Innan hon hinner vänja sig försöker en främling närma sig henne med frågor om huruvida hon är ateist. Hon avböjer att tala om religion och ber hotellreceptionisten att visa henne en praktisk bekvämlighet: en lugn arbetsplats.

Reading comprehension

1. What is gaining ascendancy?

A political faction is gaining ascendancy.

2. Who tries to accost the traveler?

A stranger tries to accost her.

3. What amenity does she request?

She requests a quiet workspace.

Vocabulary quiz

Choose the dictionary equivalent for each of 5 selected words.

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.