Sparknotes 1000 Most Common SAT Words (10) and 9 others
Order by
980 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 succinct | marked by compact precision |
| superfluous | exceeding what is necessary |
| surfeit | an overabundant supply or indulgence |
| surmise | to infer with little evidence |
| surreptitious | stealthy |
| surrogate | one acting in place of another |
| swarthy | of dark color or complexion |
| sycophant | one who flatters for self-gain |
| tacit | expressed without words |
| taciturn | not inclined to talk |
| tangential | incidental, peripheral, divergent |
| tantamount | equivalent in value or significance |
| temerity | audacity, recklessness |
| temperance | moderation in action or thought |
| tenable | able to be defend or maintained |
| tenuous | having little substance or strength |
| timorous | timid, fearful |
| tirade | a long speech marked by harsh or biting language |
| toady | one who flatters in the hope of gaining favors |
| tome | a large book |
| torpid | lethargic, dormant, lacking motion |
| torrid | giving off intense heat, passionate |
| tortuous | winding |
| tractable | easily controlled |
| transgress | to violate, go over a limit |
| transient | passing through briefly; passing into and out of existence |
| transmute | to change or alter in form |
| travesty | a grossly inferior imitation |
| tremulous | fearful |
| trenchant | effective, articulate, clear-cut |
| trepidation | fear, apprehension |
| trite | not original, overused |
| truculent | ready to fight, cruel |
| truncate | to shorten by cutting off |
| turgid | swollen, excessively embellished in style or language |
| turpitude | depravity, moral corruption |
| ubiquitous | existing everywhere, widespread |
| umbrage | resentment, offense |
| uncanny | of supernatural character or origin |
| unctuous | smooth or greasy in texture, appearance, manner |
| undulate | to move in waves |
| upbraid | to criticize or scold severely |
| usurp | to seize by force, take possession of without right |
| utilitarian | relating to or aiming at usefulness |
| utopia | an imaginary and remote place of perfection |
| vacillate | to fluctuate, hesitate |
| vacuous | lack of content or ideas, stupid |
| validate | to confirm, support, corroborate |
| vapid | lacking liveliness, dull |
| variegated | diversified, distinctly marked |
| vehemently | marked by intense force or emotion |
| veneer | a superficial or deceptively attractive appearance, façade |
| venerable | deserving of respect because of age or achievement |
| venerate | to regard with respect or to honor |
| veracity | truthfulness, accuracy |
| verbose | wordy, impaired by wordiness |
| verdant | green in tint or color |
| vestige | a mark or trace of something lost or vanished |
| vex | to confuse or annoy |
| vicarious | experiencing through another |
| vicissitude | event that occurs by chance |
| vigilant | watchful, alert |
| vilify | to lower in importance, defame |
| vindicate | to avenge; to free from allegation; to set free |
| vindictive | vengeful |
| virtuoso | one who excels in an art; a highly skilled musical performer |
| viscous | not free flowing; syrupy |
| vitriolic | having a caustic quality |
| vituperate | to berate |
| vivacious | lively, sprightly |
| vocation | the work in which someone is employed, profession |
| vociferous | loud, boisterous |
| wallow | to roll oneself indolently; to become or remain helpless |
| wane | to decrease in size, dwindle |
| wanton | undisciplined, lewd, lustful |
| whimsical | fanciful, full of whims |
| wily | crafty, sly |
| winsome | charming, pleasing |
| wistful | full of yearning; musingly sad |
| wizened | dry, shrunken, wrinkled |
| wrath | vengeful anger, punishment |
| yoke | to join, link |
| zealous | fervent, filled with eagerness in pursuit of something |
| zenith | the highest point, culminating point |
| zephyr | a gentle breeze |
| implicit | understood but not outwardly obvious, implied |
| prescribe | to lay down a rule |
| quixotic | idealistic, impractical |
| quotidian | daily |
| rail | to scold, protest |
| rancid | having a terrible taste or smell |
| rancor | deep, bitter resentment |
| rapport | mutual understanding and harmony |
| rash | hasty, incautious |
| raucous | loud, boisterous |
| raze | to demolish, level |
| rebuke | to scold, criticize |
| recalcitrant | defiant, unapologetic |
| recapitulate | to sum up, repeat |
| reclusive | solitary, shunning society |
| reconcile | 1 to return to harmony 2 to make consistent with existing ideas |
| rectitude | uprightness, extreme morality |
| redoubtable | 1 formidable 2 commanding respect |
| refract | to distort, change |
| refurbish | to restore, clean up |
| regurgitate | 1 to vomit 2 to throw back exactly |
| relegate | 1 to assign to the proper place 2 to assign to an inferior place |
| remedial | intended to repair gaps in students' knowledge |
| remiss | negligent, failing to take care |
| renunciation | to reject |
| repentant | penitent, sorry |
| replete | full, abundant |
| repose | to rest, lie down |
| reprehensible | deserving rebuke |
| reprieve | a temporary delay of punishment |
| reproach | to scold, disapprove |
| reprobate | evil, unprincipled |
| reprove | to scold, rebuke |
| repudiate | to reject, refuse to accept |
| repulse | 1 to disgust 2 to push back |
| reputable | of good reputation |
| requisition | a demand for goods, usually made by an authority |
| rescind | to take back, repeal |
| reservoir | 1 reserves, large supply 2 a body of water used for storing water |
| resilient | able to recover from misfortune; able to withstand adversity |
| resolute | firm, determined |
| resolve | 1 to find a solution 2 to firmly decide |
| respite | a break, rest |
| resplendent | shiny, glowing |
| restitution | restoration to the rightful owner |
| restive | resistant, stubborn, impatient |
| retract | withdraw |
| revel | to enjoy intensely |
| revere | to esteem, show deference, venerate |
| revoke | to take back |
| rhapsodize | to engage in excessive enthusiasm |
| ribald | coarsely, crudely humorous |
| rife | abundant |
| ruminate | to contemplate, reflect |
| ruse | a trick |
| saccharine | sickeningly sweet |
| sacrosanct | holy, something that should not be criticized |
| sagacity | shrewdness, soundness of perspective |
| salient | significant, conspicuous |
| salutation | a greeting |
| salve | a soothing balm |
| sanctimonious | giving a hypocritical appearance of piety |
| sanguine | optimistic, cheery |
| satiate | to satisfy excessively |
| scathing | sharp, critical, hurtful |
| scintillating | sparkling |
| scrupulous | painstaking, careful |
| scurrilous | vulgar, coarse |
| sedentary | sitting, settled |
| semaphore | a visual signal |
| seminal | original, important, creating a field |
| sensual | involving sensory gratification |
| sensuous | involving sensory gratification |
| serendipity | luck, finding good things without looking for them |
| serene | calm, untroubled |
| servile | subservient |
| sinuous | lithe, serpentine |
| sobriety | sedate, calm |
| solicitous | concerned, attentive |
| solipsistic | believing that oneself is all that exists |
| soluble | able to dissolve |
| solvent | 1 a substance that can dissolve other substances 2 able to pay debts |
| somnolent | sleepy, drowsy |
| sophomoric | immature, uninformed |
| sovereign | having absolute authority in a certain realm |
| speculative | not based in fact |
| spurious | false but designed to seem plausible |
| stagnate | to become or remain inactive, not develop, not flow |
| staid | sedate, serious, self-restrained |
| stoic | unaffected by passion or feeling |
| stolid | expressing little sensibility, unemotional |
| strident | harsh, loud |
| stupefy | to astonish, make insensible |
| subjugate | to bring under control, subdue |
| sublime | lofty, grand, exalted |
| oscillate | to sway from one side to the other |
| ostensible | appearing as such, seemingly |
| ostentatious | excessively showy, glitzy |
| ostracism | exclusion from a group |
| pacific | soothing |
| palatable | agreeable to the taste or sensibilities |
| palette | a range of colors or qualities |
| palliate | to reduce the severity of |
| pallid | lacking color |
| panacea | a remedy for all ills or difficulties |
| paradigm | an example that is a perfect pattern or model |
| paradox | an apparently contradictory statement that is perhaps true |
| paragon | a model of excellence or perfection |
| paramount | greatest in importance, rank, or character |
| pariah | an outcast |
| parody | a satirical imitation |
| parsimony | frugality, stinginess |
| partisan | a follower, adherent |
| patent | readily seen or understood, clear |
| pathology | a deviation from the normal |
| pathos | an emotion of sympathy |
| paucity | small in quantity |
| pejorative | derogatory, uncomplimentary |
| pellucid | easily intelligible, clear |
| penchant | a tendency, partiality, preference |
| penitent | remorseful, regretful |
| penultimate | next to last |
| penurious | miserly, stingy |
| perfidious | disloyal, unfaithful |
| perfunctory | showing little interest or enthusiasm |
| permeate | to spread throughout, saturate |
| pernicious | extremely destructive or harmful |
| perplex | to confuse |
| perspicacity | shrewdness, perceptiveness |
| pert | flippant, bold |
| pertinacious | stubbornly persistent |
| perusal | a careful examination, review |
| pervasive | having the tendency to spread throughout |
| petulance | rudeness, irritability |
| philanthropic | charitable, giving |
| phlegmatic | uninterested, unresponsive |
| pillage | to seize or plunder, especially in war |
| pinnacle | the highest point |
| pithy | concisely meaningful |
| pittance | avery small amount, especially relating to money |
| placate | to ease the anger of, soothe |
| placid | calm, peaceful |
| platitude | an uninspired remark, cliché |
| plaudits | enthusiastic approval, applause |
| plausible | believable, reasonable |
| plenitude | an abundance |
| plethora | an abundance, excess |
| pliable | flexible |
| poignant | deeply affecting, moving |
| polemic | an aggressive argument against a specific opinion |
| portent | an omen |
| potable | suitable for drinking |
| potentate | one who has great power, a ruler |
| pragmatic | practical |
| precipice | the face of a cliff, a steep or overhanging place |
| preclude | to prevent |
| precocious | advanced, developing ahead of time |
| predilection | a preference or inclination for something |
| preponderance | superiority in importance or quantity |
| prepossessing | occupying the mind to the exclusion of other thoughts or feelings |
| presage | an omen |
| prescient | to have foreknowledge of events |
| presumptuous | disrespectfully bold |
| pretense | an appearance of action intended to deceive |
| primeval | original, ancient |
| privation | lacking basic necessities |
| probity | virtue, integrity |
| proclivity | a strong inclination toward something |
| procure | to obtain, acquire |
| profane | lewd, indecent |
| profligate | dissolute, extravagant |
| profuse | plentiful, abundant |
| promulgate | to proclaim, make known |
| propagate | to multiply, spread out |
| propensity | an inclination, preference |
| propitious | favorable |
| propriety | the quality or state of being proper, decent |
| prosaic | plain, lacking liveliness |
| proscribe | to condemn, outlaw |
| protean | able to change shape; displaying great variety |
| prowess | extraordinary ability |
| prudence | cautious, circumspect |
| prurient | eliciting or possessing an extraordinary interest in sex |
| puerile | juvenile, immature |
| pugnacious | quarrelsome, combative |
| pulchritude | physical beauty |
| punctilious | eager to follow rules or conventions |
| pungent | having a pointed, sharp quality- often used to describe smells |
| punitive | involving punishment |
| putrid | rotten foul |
| quagmire | a difficult situation |
| quaint | charmingly old-fashioned |
| quandary | a perplexed, unresolvable state |
| quell | to control or diffuse a potentially explosive situation |
| querulous | whiny, complaining |
| invective | an angry verbal attack |
| inveterate | stubbornly established by habit |
| inviolable | secure from assault |
| irascible | easily angered |
| iridescent | showing rainbow colors |
| irreverence | disrespect |
| irrevocable | incapable of being taken back |
| jubilant | extremely joyful, happy |
| judicious | having or exercising sound judgment |
| juxtaposition | the act of placing two things next to each other for implicit comparison |
| knell | the solemn sound of a bell, often indicating a death |
| kudos | praise for an achievement |
| laceration | a cut, tear |
| laconic | terse in speech or writing |
| languid | sluggish from fatigue or weakness |
| larceny | obtaining another's property by theft or trickery |
| largess | the generous giving of lavish gifts |
| latent | hidden, but capable of being exposed |
| laudatory | expressing admiration or praise |
| lavish | 1 given without limits 2 to give without limits |
| legerdemain | deception, slight-of-hand |
| lenient | demonstrating tolerance or gentleness |
| lethargic | in a state of sluggishness or apathy |
| liability | 1 something for which one is legally responsible, usually involving a disadvantage or risk 2 a handicap, burden |
| libertarian | advocating principles of liberty and free will |
| licentious | displaying a lack of moral or legal restraints |
| limpid | clear, transparent |
| linchpin | something that holds separate parts together |
| lithe | graceful, flexible, supple |
| litigant | someone engaged in a lawsuit |
| lucid | clear, easily understandable |
| luminous | brightly shining |
| lurid | ghastly, sensational |
| maelstrom | a destructive whirlpool which rapidly sucks in objects |
| magnanimous | noble, generous |
| malediction | a curse |
| malevolent | wanting harm to befall others |
| malleable | capable of being shaped or transformed |
| mandate | an authoritative command |
| manifest | 1 easily understandable, obvious 2 to show plainly |
| manifold | diverse, varied |
| maudlin | weakly sentimental |
| maverick | an independent, nonconformist person |
| mawkish | characterized by sick sentimentality |
| maxim | a common saying expressing a principle of conduct |
| meager | deficient in size or quality |
| medley | a mixture of differing things |
| mendacious | having a lying, false character |
| mercurial | characterized by rapid change or temperamentality |
| meritorious | worthy of esteem or reward |
| metamorphosis | the change of form, shape, substance |
| meticulous | extremely careful with details |
| mitigate | to make less violent, alleviate |
| moderate | 1 not extreme 2 one who expresses moderate opinions |
| modicum | a small amount of something |
| modulate | to pass from one state to another, especially in music |
| mollify | to soften in temper |
| morass | a wet, swampy bog; figuratively, something that traps and confuses |
| mores | the moral attitudes and fixed customs of a group of people |
| morose | gloomy or sullen |
| multifarious | having great diversity or variety |
| mundane | concerned with the world rather than with heaven, commonplace |
| munificence | generosity in giving |
| mutable | able to change |
| myriad | consisting of a very great number |
| nadir | the lowest point of something |
| nascent | in the process of being born or coming into existence |
| nebulous | vaguely defined, cloudy |
| nefarious | heinously villainous |
| negligent | habitually careless, neglectful |
| neophyte | someone who is young or inexperienced |
| nocturnal | relating to or occurring during the night |
| noisome | unpleasant, offensive, especially to the sense of smell |
| nomadic | wandering from place to place |
| nominal | trifling, insignificant |
| nonchalant | having a lack of concern, indifference |
| nondescript | lacking a distinctive character |
| notorious | widely and unfavorably known |
| novice | a beginner, someone without training or experience |
| noxious | harmful, unwholesome |
| nuance | a slight variation in meaning, tone, expression |
| nurture | to assist the development of |
| obdurate | unyielding to persuasion or moral influences |
| obfuscate | to render incomprehensible |
| oblique | diverging from a straight line or course, not straightforward |
| oblivious | lacking consciousness or awareness of something |
| obscure | unclear, partially hidden |
| obsequious | excessively compliant or submissive |
| obsolete | no longer used, out of date |
| obstinate | not yielding easily, stubborn |
| obstreperous | noisy, unruly |
| obtuse | lacking quickness of sensibility or intellect |
| odious | instilling hatred or intense displeasure |
| officious | offering one's services when they are neither wanted nor needed |
| ominous | foreboding or foreshadowing evil |
| onerous | burdensome |
| opulent | characterized by rich abundance verging on ostentation |
| oration | a speech delivered in a formal or ceremonious manner |
| ornate | highly elaborate, excessively decorated |
| orthodox | conventional, conforming to established protocol |
| goad | to urge, spur, incite to action |
| gourmand | someone fond of eating and drinking |
| grandiloquence | lofty, pompous language |
| grandiose | on a magnificent or exaggerated scale |
| gratuitous | uncalled for, unwarranted |
| gregarious | drawn to the company of others, sociable |
| grievous | injurious, hurtful; serious or grave in nature |
| guile | deceitful, cunning, sly behavior |
| hackneyed | unoriginal, trite |
| hallowed | revered, consecrated |
| hapless | unlucky |
| harangue | 1 a ranting speech 2 to give such a speech |
| hardy | robust, capable of surviving through adverse conditions |
| harrowing | greatly distressing, vexing |
| haughty | disdainfully proud |
| hedonist | one who believes pleasure should be the primary pursuit of humans |
| hegemony | domination over others |
| heinous | shockingly wicked, repugnant |
| heterogeneous | varied, diverse in character |
| hiatus | a break or gap in duration or continuity |
| hierarchy | a system with ranked groups, usually according to social, economic, or professional class |
| hypocrisy | pretending to believe what one does not |
| hypothetical | supposed or assumed try, but unproven |
| iconoclast | one who attacks beliefs or institutions |
| idiosyncratic | peculiar to one person; highly individualized |
| idolatrous | excessively worshipping one object or person |
| ignominious | humiliating, disgracing |
| illicit | forbidden, not permitted |
| immerse | to absorb, deeply involve, engross |
| immutable | not changeable |
| impassive | stoic, not susceptible to suffering |
| impeccable | exemplary, flawless |
| impecunious | poor |
| imperative | 1 necessary, pressing 2 a rule, command, or order |
| imperious | commanding, domineering |
| impertinent | rude, insolent |
| impervious | impenetrable, incapable of being affected |
| impetuous | rash; hastily done |
| impinge | 1 to impact, affect, make and impression 2 to encroach, infringe |
| implacable | incapable of being appeased or mitigated |
| implement | 1 an instrument, utensil, tool 2 to put into effect, to institute |
| implicate | to involve in an incriminating way, incriminate |
| impregnable | resistant to capture or penetration |
| impudent | casually rude, insolent, impertinent |
| impute | to ascribe, blame |
| inane | silly and meaningless |
| inarticulate | incapable of expressing oneself clearly through speech |
| incarnate | 1 existing in the flesh, embodied 2 to give human form to |
| incendiary | 1 a person who agitates 2 inflammatory, causing combustion |
| incessant | unending |
| inchoate | unformed or formless, in a beginning stage |
| incisive | clear, sharp, direct |
| inclination | a tendency, propensity |
| incontrovertible | indisputable |
| incorrigible | incapable of correction, delinquent |
| increment | an enlargement; the process of increasing |
| incumbent | 1 one who holds an office 2 obligatory |
| indefatigable | incapable of defeat, failure, decay |
| indigenous | originating in a region |
| indigent | very poor, impoverished |
| indignation | anger sparked by something unjust or unfair |
| indolent | lazy |
| indomitable | not capable of being conquered |
| induce | to bring about; stimulate |
| ineffable | unspeakable, incapable of being expressed through words |
| inept | not suitable or capable, unqualified |
| inexorable | incapable of being persuaded or placated |
| inextricable | hopelessly tangled or entangled |
| infamy | notoriety, extreme ill repute |
| infusion | an injection of one substance into another; the permeation of one substance by a nother |
| ingenious | clever, resourceful |
| ingenuous | not devious; innocent and candid |
| inhibit | to prevent, restrain, stop |
| inimical | hostile, enemylike |
| iniquity | wickedness or sin |
| injunction | an order of official warning |
| innate | inborn, native, inherent |
| innocuous | harmless, inoffensive |
| innovate | to do something in an unprecedented way |
| innuendo | an insinuation |
| inoculate | to introduce a microorganism, serum or vaccine into an organism in order to increase immunity to illness; to vaccinate |
| inquisitor | one who inquires, especially in a hostile manner |
| insatiable | incapable of being satisfied |
| insidious | appealing but imperceptibly harmful, seductive |
| insinuate | to suggest indirectly or subtly |
| insipid | dull, boring |
| insolent | rude, arrogant, overbearing |
| instigate | to urge, goad |
| insular | separated and narrow-minded; tight-knit, closed off |
| insurgent | one who rebels |
| integral | necessary for completeness |
| interject | to insert between other things |
| interlocutor | someone who participates in a dialogue or conversation |
| interminable | without possibility of end |
| intimation | an indirect suggestion |
| intractable | difficult to manipulate, unmanageable |
| intransigent | refusing to compromise, often on an extreme opinion |
| intrepid | brave in the face of danger |
| inundate | to flood with abundance |
| inure | to cause someone or something to become accustomed to a situation |
| elicit | to bring forth, draw out, evok |
| eloquent | expressive, articulate, moving |
| elucidate | to clarify, explain |
| elude | to evade, escape |
| emaciated | very thin, enfeebled looking |
| embellish | 1 to decorate, adorn 2 to add details to, enhance |
| embezzle | to steal money by falsifying records |
| emend | to correct or revise a written text |
| eminent | 1 distinguished, prominent, famous 2 conspicuous |
| emollient | soothing |
| emote | to express emotions |
| empathy | sensitivity to another's feelings as if they were one's own |
| empirical | 1 based on observation or experience 2 capable of being proved or disproved by experiment |
| emulate | to imitate |
| enamor | to fill with love, fascinate, usually used in passive form followed by "of" or "with" |
| encore | the audience's demand for a repeat performance; also the artist's performance in response to that demand |
| encumber | to weigh down, burden |
| enervate | to weaken, exhaust |
| enfranchise | to grant the vote to |
| engender | to bring about, create, generate |
| enigmatic | mystifying, cryptic |
| enmity | ill will, hatred, hostility |
| ennui | boredom, weariness |
| entail | to include as a necessary step |
| enthrall | to charm, hold spellbound |
| ephemeral | short-lived, fleeting |
| epistolary | relating to or contained in letters |
| epitome | a perfect example, embodiment |
| equanimity | composure |
| equivocal | ambiguous, uncertain, undecided |
| erudite | learned |
| eschew | to shun, avoid |
| esoteric | understood by only a select few |
| espouse | to take up a cause, support |
| ethereal | heavenly, exceptionally delicate or refined |
| etymology | the history of words, their origin and development |
| euphoric | elated, uplifted |
| evanescent | fleeting, momentary |
| evince | to show, reveal |
| exacerbate | to make more violent, intense |
| exalt | to glorify, praise |
| exasperate | to irritate, irk |
| excavate | to dig out of the ground and remove |
| exculpate | to free from guilt or blame, exonerate |
| excursion | a trip or outing |
| execrable | loathsome, detestable |
| exhort | to urge, prod, spur |
| exigent | urgent, critical |
| exonerate | to free from guilt or blame, exculpate |
| exorbitant | excessive |
| expedient | advisable, advantageous, serving one's self-interest |
| expiate | to make amends for, atone |
| expunge | to obliterate, eradicate |
| expurgate | to remove offensive or incorrect parts, usually of a book |
| extant | existing, not destroyed or lost |
| extol | to praise, revere |
| extraneous | irrelevant, extra, not necessary |
| extricate | to disentangle |
| exult | to rejoice |
| fabricate | to make up, invent |
| facade | 1 the wall of a building 2 a deceptive appearance or attitude |
| facile | 1 easy, requiring little effort 2 superficial, achieved with minimal thought or care, insincere |
| fallacious | incorrect, misleading |
| fastidious | meticulous, demanding, having high and often unattainable standards |
| fathom | to understand, comprehend |
| fatuous | silly, foolish |
| fecund | fruitful, fertile |
| felicitous | 1 well suited, apt 2 delightful, pleasing |
| feral | wild, savage |
| fervent | ardent, passionate |
| fetid | having a foul odor |
| fetter | to chain, restrain |
| fickle | shifting in character, inconstant |
| fidelity | loyalty, devotion |
| figurative | symbolic |
| flabbergasted | astounded |
| flaccid | limp, not firm or strong |
| flagrant | offensive, egregious |
| florid | flowery, ornate |
| flout | to disregard or disobey openly |
| foil | to thwart, frustrate, defeat |
| forage | to graze, rummage for food |
| forbearance | patience, restraint, toleration |
| forestall | to prevent, thwart, delay |
| forlorn | lonely, abandoned, hopeless |
| forsake | to give up, renounce |
| fortitude | strength, guts |
| fortuitous | happening by chance, often lucky or fortunate |
| forum | a medium for lecture or discussion |
| foster | to stimulate, promote, encourage |
| fractious | troublesome or irritable |
| fraught | filled or accompanied with |
| frenetic | frenzied, hectic, frantic |
| frivolous | of little importance, trifling |
| frugal | thrifty, economical |
| furtive | secretive, sly |
| garish | gaudy, in bad taste |
| garrulous | talkative, wordy |
| genial | friendly, affable |
| gluttony | overindulgence in food or drink |
| curt | abruptly and rudely short |
| curtail | to lessen, reduce |
| daunting | intimidating, causing one to lose courage |
| dearth | a lack, scarcity |
| debacle | a disastrous failure, disruption |
| debase | to lower the quality or esteem of something |
| debauch | to corrupt by means of sensual pleasures |
| debunk | to expose the falseness of something |
| decorous | socially proper, appropriate |
| decry | to criticize openly |
| deface | to ruin or injure something's appearance |
| defamatory | harmful toward another's reputation |
| defer | to postpone something; to yield to another's wisdom |
| deferential | showing respect for another's authority |
| defile | to make unclean, impure |
| deft | skillful, capable |
| defunct | no longer used or existing |
| delegate | to hand over responsibility for something |
| deleterious | harmful |
| deliberate | intentional, reflecting careful consideration |
| delineate | to describe, outline, shed light on |
| demagogue | a leader who appeals to a people's prejudices |
| demarcation | the marking of boundaries or categories |
| demean | to lower the status or stature of something |
| demure | quiet, modest, reserved |
| denigrate | to belittle, diminish the opinion of |
| denounce | to criticize publicly |
| deplore | to feel or express sorrow, disapproval |
| depravity | wickedness |
| deprecate | to belittle, depreciate |
| derelict | abandoned, run-down |
| deride | to laugh at mockingly, scorn |
| derivative | taken directly from a source, unoriginal |
| desecrate | to violate the sacredness of a thing or place |
| desiccated | dried up, dehydrated |
| desolate | deserted, dreary, lifeless |
| despondent | feeling expressed, discouraged, hopeless |
| despot | one who has total power and rules brutally |
| destitute | impoverished, utterly lacking |
| deter | to discourage, prevent from doing |
| devious | not straightforward, deceitful |
| dialect | a variation of a language |
| diaphanous | light, airy, transparent |
| didactic | 1 intended to instruct 2 overly moralistic |
| diffident | shy, quiet, modest |
| diffuse | 1 to scatter, thin out, break up 2 not concentrated, scattered, disorganized |
| dilatory | tending to delay, causing delay |
| diligent | showing care in doing one's work |
| diminutive | small or miniature |
| dirge | a mournful song, especially for a funeral |
| disaffected | rebellious, resentful of authority |
| disavow | to deny knowledge of responsibility for |
| discern | to perceive, detect |
| disclose | to reveal, make public |
| discomfit | to thwart, baffle |
| discordant | not agreeing, not in harmony with |
| discrepancy | difference, failure of things to correspond |
| discretion | the quality of being reserved in speech or action; good judgment |
| discursive | rambling, lacking order |
| disdain | 1 to scorn, hold in low esteem 2 scorn, low esteem |
| disgruntled | upset, not content |
| disheartened | feeling a loss of spirit or morale |
| disparage | to criticize or speak ill of |
| disparate | sharply differing, containing sharply contrasting elements |
| dispatch | to send off to accomplish a duty |
| dispel | to drive away, scatter |
| disperse | to scatter, cause to scatter |
| disrepute | a state of being held in low regard |
| dissemble | to conceal, fake |
| disseminate | to spread widely |
| dissent | 1 to disagree 2 the act of disagreeing |
| dissipate | 1 to disappear, cause to disappear 2 to waste |
| dissonance | lack of harmony or consistency |
| dissuade | to persuade someone not to do something |
| distend | to swell out |
| dither | to be indecisive |
| divine | godly, exceedingly wonderful |
| divisive | causing dissent, discord |
| divulge | to reveal something secret |
| docile | easily taught or trained |
| dogmatic | aggressively and arrogantly certain about unproved principles |
| dormant | sleeping, temporarily inactive |
| dour | stern, joyless |
| dubious | doubtful, of uncertain quality |
| duplicity | crafty dishonesty |
| duress | hardship, threat |
| dynamic | actively changing |
| ebullient | extremely lively, enthusiastic |
| eclectic | consisting of a diverse variety of elements |
| ecstatic | intensely and overpoweringly happy |
| edict | an order, decree |
| efface | to wipe out, obliterate, rub away |
| effervescent | bubbly, lively |
| efficacious | effective |
| effrontery | impudence, nerve, insolence |
| effulgent | radiant, splendorous |
| egregious | extremely bad |
| elaborate | complex, detailed, intricate |
| elated | overjoyed, thrilled |
| elegy | a speech given in honor of a dead person |
| chronological | arranged in order of time |
| circuitous | roundabout |
| circumlocution | indirect and wordy language |
| circumscribed | marked off, bounded by |
| circumspect | cautious |
| circumvent | to get around |
| clairvoyant | able to perceive things that normal people cannot |
| clamor | 1 loud noise 2 to loudly insist |
| clandestine | secret |
| cleave | 1 to divide into parts 2 to stick together firmly |
| clemency | mercy |
| clergy | members of Christian holy orders |
| cloying | sickeningly sweet |
| coagulate | to thicken, clot |
| coalesce | to fuse into a whole |
| cobbler | a person who makes or repairs shoes |
| coerce | to make somebody do something by force or threat |
| cogent | intellectually convincing |
| cognizant | aware, mindful |
| coherent | logically consistent, intelligible |
| collateral | 1 secondary 2 security for a debt |
| colloquial | characteristic of informal conversation |
| collusion | secret agreement, conspiracy |
| colossus | a gigantic statue or thing |
| combustion | the act or process of burning |
| commendation | a notice of approval or recognition |
| commensurate | corresponding in size or amount |
| commodious | roomy |
| compelling | forceful, demanding attention |
| compensate | to make an appropriate payment for something |
| complacency | self-satisfied ignorance of danger |
| complement | to complete, make perfect |
| compliant | ready to adapt oneself to another's wishes |
| complicit | being an accomplice in a wrongful act |
| compliment | an expression of esteem or approval |
| compound | 1 to combine parts 2 a combination of different parts 3 a walled area containing a group of buildings |
| comprehensive | including everything |
| compress | to apply pressure, squeeze together |
| compunction | distress caused by feeling guilty |
| concede | to accept as valid |
| conciliatory | friendly, agreeable |
| concise | brief and direct in expression |
| concoct | to fabricate, make up |
| concomitant | accompanying in a subordinate fashion |
| concord | harmonious agreement |
| condolence | an expression of sympathy in sorrow |
| condone | to pardon, deliberately overlook |
| conduit | a pipe or channel through which something passes |
| confection | a sweet, fancy food |
| confidant | a person entrusted with secrets |
| conflagration | great fire |
| confluence | a gathering together |
| conformist | one who behaves the same as others |
| confound | to frustrate, confuse |
| congeal | to thicken into a solid |
| congenial | pleasantly agreeable |
| congregation | a gathering of people, especially for religious services |
| congruity | the quality of being in agreement |
| connive | to plot, scheme |
| consecrate | to dedicate something to a holy purpose |
| consensus | an agreement of opinion |
| consign | to give something over to another's care |
| consolation | an act of comforting |
| consonant | in harmony |
| constituent | an essential part |
| constrain | to forcibly restrict |
| construe | to interpret |
| consummate | to complete a deal |
| consumption | the act of consuming |
| contemporaneous | existing during the same time |
| contentious | having a tendency to quarrel or dispute |
| contravene | to contradict, oppose, violate |
| contrite | penitent, eager to be forgiven |
| contusion | bruise, injury |
| conundrum | puzzle, problem |
| convene | to call together |
| convention | 1 an assembly of people 2 a rule, custom |
| convivial | characterized by feasting, drinking, merriment |
| convoluted | intricate, complicated |
| copious | profuse, abundant |
| cordial | warm, affectionate |
| coronation | the act of crowning |
| corpulence | extreme fatness |
| corroborate | to support with evidence |
| corrosive | having the tendency to erode or eat away |
| cosmopolitan | sophisticated, worldly |
| counteract | to neutralize, make ineffective |
| coup | 1 a brilliant, unexpected act 2 the overthrow of a government and assumption of authority |
| covet | to desire enviously |
| covert | secretly engaged in |
| credulity | readiness to believe |
| crescendo | a steady increase in intensity or volume |
| criteria | standards by which something is judged |
| culmination | the climax toward which something progresses |
| culpable | deserving blame |
| cultivate | to nurture, improve, refine |
| cumulative | increasing, building upon itself |
| cunning | sly, clever at being deceitful |
| cupidity | greed, strong desire |
| cursory | brief to the point of being superficial |
| apprehend | to seize, arrest |
| approbation | praise |
| appropriate | to take, make use of |
| aquatic | relating to water |
| arable | suitable for growing crops |
| arbiter | one who can resolve a dispute, make a decision |
| arbitrary | based on factors that appear random |
| arbitration | the process or act of resolving a dispute |
| arboreal | of or relating to trees |
| arcane | obscure, secret, known only by a few |
| archaic | of or relating to an earlier period in time, outdated |
| archetypal | the most representative or typical example of something |
| ardor | extreme vigor, energy, enthusiasm |
| arid | excessively dry |
| arrogate | to take without justification |
| artifact | a remaing piece from an extinct culture or place |
| artisan | a craftsman |
| ascertain | to perceive, learn |
| ascetic | practicing restraint as a means of self-discipline, usually religious |
| ascribe | to assign, credit, attribute to |
| aspersion | a curse, expression of ill-will |
| aspire | to long for, aim toward |
| assail | to attack |
| assess | to evaluate |
| assiduous | hard-working, diligent |
| assuage | to ease, pacify |
| astute | very clever, crafty |
| asylum | 1 a place of refuge, protection, a sanctuary 2 an institution in which the insane are kept |
| atone | to repent, make amends |
| atrophy | to wither away, decay |
| attain | to acheive, arrive at |
| attribute | 1 to credit, assign 2 a facet or trait |
| atypical | not typical, unusual |
| audacious | excessively bold |
| audible | able to be heard |
| augment | to add to, expand |
| auspicious | favorable, indicative of good things |
| austere | very bare, bleak |
| avarice | excessive greed |
| avenge | to seek revenge |
| aversion | a particular dislike for something |
| balk | to stop, block abruptly |
| ballad | a love song |
| banal | dull, commonplace |
| bane | a burden |
| bard | a poet, often a singer as well |
| bashful | shy, excessively timid |
| battery | 1 a device that supplies power 2 assault, beating |
| beguile | to trick, deceive |
| behemoth | something of tremendous power or size |
| benevolent | marked by goodness or doing good |
| benign | favorable, not threatening, mild |
| bequeath | to pass on, give |
| berate | to scold vehemently |
| bereft | devoid of, without |
| beseech | to beg, plead, implore |
| bias | a tendency, inclination, prejudice |
| bilk | cheat, defraud |
| blandish | to coax by using flattery |
| blemish | an imperfection, flaw |
| blight | 1 a plague, disease 2 something that destroys hope |
| boisterous | loud and full of energy |
| bombastic | excessively confident, pompous |
| boon | a gift or blessing |
| bourgeois | a middle-class person, capitalist |
| brazen | excessively bold, brash |
| brusque | short, abrupt, dismissive |
| buffet | 1 to strike with force 2 an arrangement of food set out on a table |
| burnish | to polish, shine |
| buttress | 1 to support, hold up 2 something that offers support |
| cacophony | tremendous noise, disharmonious sound |
| cadence | a rhythm, progression of sound |
| cajole | to urge, coax |
| calamity | an event with disastrous consequences |
| calibrate | to set, standardize |
| callous | harsh, cold, unfeeling |
| calumny | an attempty to spoil someone else's reputation by spreading lies |
| camaraderie | brotherhood, jovial unity |
| candor | honesty, frankness |
| canny | shrewd, careful |
| canvas | 1 a piece of cloth on which an artist paints 2 to cover, inspect |
| capacious | very spacious |
| capitulate | to surrender |
| capricious | subject to whim, fickle |
| captivate | to get the attention of, hold |
| carouse | to party, celebrate |
| carp | to annoy, pester |
| catalog | 1 to list, enter into a list 2 a list or collection |
| catalyze | to charge, inspire |
| caucus | a meeting usually held by people working toward the same goal |
| caustic | bitter, biting, acidic |
| cavort | to leap about, behave boisterously |
| censure | 1 harsh criticism 2 to rebuke formally |
| cerebral | related to the intellect |
| chaos | absolute disorder |
| chastise | to criticize severely |
| cherish | to feel or show affection toward something |
| chide | to voice disapproval |
| choreography | the arrangement of dances |
| chronicle | 1 a written history 2 to write a history |
| abase | to humiliate, degrade |
| abate | to reduce, lessen |
| abdicate | to give up a position, usually one of leadership |
| abduct | to kidnap, take by force |
| aberration | something that differs from the norm |
| abet | to aid, help, encourage |
| abhor | to hate, detest |
| abide | to put up with; to remain |
| abject | wretched, pitiful |
| abjure | to reject, renounce |
| abnegation | denial of comfort to oneself |
| abort | to give up on a half-finished project or effort |
| abridge | to cut down, shorten; shortened |
| abrogate | to abolish, usually by authority |
| abscond | to sneak away and hide |
| absolution | freedom from blame, guilt, sin |
| abstain | to freely choose not to commit an action |
| abstruse | hard to comprehend |
| accede | to agree |
| accentuate | to stress, highlight |
| accessible | obtainable, reachable |
| acclaim | high praise |
| accolade | high praise, special distinction |
| accommodating | helpful, obliging, polite |
| accord | an agreement |
| accost | to confront verbally |
| accretion | slow growth in size or amount |
| acerbic | biting, bitter in tone or taste |
| acquiesce | to agree without protesting |
| acrimony | bitterness, discord |
| acumen | keen insight |
| acute | sharp, severe; having keen insight |
| adamant | impervious, immovable, unyielding |
| adept | extremely skilled |
| adhere | to stick to something; to follow devoutly |
| admonish | to caution, criticize, reprove |
| adorn | to decorate |
| adroit | skillful, dexterous |
| adulation | extreme praise |
| adumbrate | to sketch out in a vague way |
| adverse | antagonistic, unfavorable, dangerous |
| advocate | to argue in favor of something; a person who argues in favor of something |
| aerial | somehow related to the air |
| aesthetic | artistic, related to the appreciation of beauty |
| affable | friendly, amiable |
| affinity | a spontaneous feeling of closeness |
| affluent | rich, wealthy |
| affront | an insult |
| aggrandize | to increase or make greater |
| aggregate | a whole or total; to gather into a mass |
| aggrieved | distressed, wronged, injured |
| agile | quick, nimble |
| agnostic | believing that the existence of God cannot be proven or disproven |
| agriculture | farming |
| aisle | a passageway between rows of seats |
| alacrity | eagerness, speed |
| alias | a false name or identity |
| allay | to soothe, ease |
| allege | to assert, usually without proof |
| alleviate | to relieve, make more bearable |
| allocate | to distribute, set aside |
| aloof | reserved, distant |
| altercation | a dispute, fight |
| amalgamate | to bring together, unite |
| ambiguous | uncertain, variably interpretable |
| ambivalent | having opposing feelings |
| ameliorate | to improve |
| amenable | willing, compliant |
| amenity | an item that increses comfort |
| amiable | friendly |
| amicable | friendly |
| amorous | showing love |
| amorphous | without definite shape or type |
| anachronistic | being out of correct chronological order |
| analgesic | something that reduces pain |
| analogous | similar to, so that an analogy can be drawn |
| anarchist | one who wants to eliminate all government |
| anathema | a cursed, detested person |
| anecdote | a short, humorous account |
| anesthesia | loss of sensation |
| anguish | extreme sadness, torment |
| animated | lively |
| annex | to incorporate territory or space; a room attached to a larger room or space |
| annul | to make void or invalid |
| anomaly | something that does not fit into the normal order |
| anonymous | being unknown, unrecognized |
| antagonism | hostility |
| antecedent | something that came before |
| antediluvian | ancient |
| anthology | a selected collection of writings, songs, etc. |
| antipathy | a strong dislike, repugnance |
| antiquated | old, out of date |
| antiseptic | clean, sterile |
| antithesis | the absolute opposite |
| anxiety | intense uneasiness |
| apathetic | lacking concern, emotion |
| apocryphal | fictitious, false, wrong |
| appalling | inspiring shock, horror, disgust |
| appease | to calm, satisfy |
| appraise | to assess the worth or value of |
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