SAT VOCABULARY

Expectations:

What is the SAT? 10 words over 4 class periods, then a quiz the following

day. Quizzes will be matching and using the words correctly in

a sentence. Quizzes are cumulative. I can pull words from any

previous quiz. You don’t “own” a word until you can understand it when

you hear or read it as well as use it appropriately in your own writing and conversation.

Example SAT question:

1. Shana, while being ________ about her beliefs, was by no means ________, choosing not to go to extreme measures to support her cause.

A) indifferent . . . pusillanimous B) ardent . . . zealous C) fervent . . . inefficacious D) equivocal . . . clandestine E) nebulous . . . sycophantic

Group 1

1. Brandish (verb): to wield, to wave around, to show off.

2. Callow (adjective): inexperienced, naïve, immature.3. Chagrin (noun): a feeling of disappointment,

annoyance, shame, or displeasure4. Depreciate (verb): to decline, to reduce in value.5. Diatribe (noun): a verbal attack, criticism, a rant6. Emancipate (verb): to liberate, to release 7. Epitome (noun): a typical or perfect example 8. Fallacious (adjective): deceptive, misleading, faulty9. Garrulous (adjective): talkative, chatty.10. Gratuitous (adjective): unnecessary, uncalled for,

excessive

Group 2

1. Harbinger (n): a sign, an omen, an indication of something to come

2. Idiosyncrasy (n): a strange habit or quirk3. Immutable (adj): undeniable, indisputable4. Incandescent (adj): radiant, luminous5. Jovial (adj): cheerful, joyful, happy6. Endemic (adj): widespread, occurring frequently,

indigenous7. Malevolent (adj): malicious, wicked, evil8. Obliterate (v): to destroy, to eradicate9. Obsolete (adj): useless, old-fashioned, 10. Persevere (v): to carry on, to persist without giving up

Group 3 Finite (adj): limited, not permanent Magnanimous (adj): generous, good-hearted,

forgiving Parsimonious (adj): thrifty, frugal, economical Exult (v): to celebrate, to rejoice, to gloat Affiliate (v): to partner with, to associate with, Truculent (adj): aggressive, confrontational, Duplicity (n): deception, contradiction,

dishonesty, Chivalrous (adj): brave, respectful, courteous,

noble Dearth (n): scarcity, shortage, deficiency Exuberant (adj): enthusiastic, cheerful, excited

Group 4 Multifarious (adj): diverse, varied, many-sided Ambivalent (adj): indecisive, unsure, having mixed

feelings Placid (adj): peaceful, easygoing, calm Contrite (adj): remorseful, apologetic, regretful Belligerent (adj): loud-mouthed, argumentative Implement (v): to use, to put into practice, to apply Capricious (adj): impulsive, unpredictable, erratic Vivacious (adj): lively, bubbly, energetic Indignation (n): righteous anger, resentment at

being unjustly insulted or offended Amicable (adj): friendly, agreeable, good-natured

Group 5 Clemency (n): mercy, forgiveness,

leniency Laud (v): to praise, to commend, to extol Blithe (adj): carefree, unconcerned, Vitriolic (adj): cruel, hateful, angry Obfuscate (v): to deceive, conceal,

complicate, Altruistic (adj): generous, humane Placate (v): to pacify, to satisfy, to soothe Deride (v): to ridicule, to mock, to

criticize Precocious (adj): gifted, clever beyond

years Antithesis (n): contrast, a direct opposite

Group 6 Consecrate (v): to bless, to make holy Nostalgia (n): homesickness, longing for the past Sublime (adj): inspiring, uplifting, transcendent Esoteric (adj): obscure, understood/appreciated by

an enlightened few Eclectic (adj): varied, diverse, from multiple

sources Apathy (n): a lack of concern, indifference Secular (adj): worldly, materialistic,

non-spiritual/religious Reprehensible (adj): guilty, worthy of punishment Histrionic (adj): over-dramatic, exaggerated, Contentious (adj): arguable, debatable,

controversial

Group 7Aesthetic (adj): artistically admirable or beautifulCircuitous (adj): indirect, roundabout, windingCondescend (v): to talk down to, to patronize, to

humiliateSubstantiate (v): to validate, to prove, to confirmPretentious (adj): conceited, showy, exaggeratedProsaic (adj): ordinary, dull, mundaneReverence (n): respect, admiration, Transient (adj): temporary, momentary, passingSubversive (adj): rebellious, insubordinate,

revolutionarySurreptitious: (adj): secret, covert, clandestine,

sneaky

Group 8 Reconcile (v): to resolve, to settle, to bring

together Deference (n): respectful submission,

admiration, awe Spurious (adj): false, counterfeit, invalid Superfluous (adj): unnecessary, excessive,

gratuitous Anachronistic (adj): antiquated, out of date,

obsolete Affluent (adj): rich, wealthy, Prudent (adj): wise, cautious, sensible Meme (n): a cultural element or fad that

expands by being shared or imitated. Tenacious (adj): persistent, determined, Vindicate (v): to clear someone of blame, to

prove correct, to justify

Group 9

Juxtapose (v): to bring things together for comparison

Pragmatic (adj): practical, sensible, realistic Edify (v): to enlighten, to instruct or improve

morally or intellectually Decadent (adj): luxuriously indulgent, corrupt Narcissism (n): vanity, selfishness, self-

obsession Pejorative (adj): derogatory, offensive Perpetuate (v): to continue, to enable Debilitate (v): to weaken, to hinder, to

incapacitate Brazen (adj): bold, shameless, blatant Debacle (n): a disaster, fiasco, catastrophe,