sat_word_list.pdf

TestNinjas https://www.test-ninjas.com DSAT Vocabulary Word List Abate (v) - to reduce in amount, degree, or severity; The headache abated after taking medicine. Abhor (v) - to hate or detest; She abhors cruelty to animals....

TestNinjas https://www.test-ninjas.com DSAT Vocabulary Word List Abate (v) - to reduce in amount, degree, or severity; The headache abated after taking medicine. Abhor (v) - to hate or detest; She abhors cruelty to animals. Abstain (v) - to refrain or hold back voluntarily; He abstained from smoking. Accretion (n) - a gradual buildup or growth by addition; An accretion of dust covered the furniture. Acerbic (adj) - sharp, biting, or caustic in tone; She made an acerbic retort. Acquire (v) - to gain possession of; He acquired a taste for opera. Acumen (n) - keen insight or judgment; She has excellent business acumen. Adhere (v) - to stick fast or cleave; The stamp adhered to the envelope. Admonish (v) - to caution or advise against; The teacher admonished the students not to be late. Affable (adj) - friendly, good-natured, and easy to talk to; He had an affable manner that made everyone comfortable. Aesthetic (adj) - relating to beauty or good taste; She appreciated modernist aes- thetics in art. Alleviate (v) - to relieve or make more bearable; Medication helped alleviate her pain. Amiable (adj) - friendly and good-natured; His amiable personality drew people to him. 1  Ample (adj) - more than sufficient in size or scope; We had ample time to finish the test. Analogous (adj) - similar or comparable in certain respects; This process is analogous to how a cell works. Anomaly (n) - something that deviates from the norm; Finding the artifact was an archaeological anomaly. Antipathy (n) - a deep dislike or aversion; He had an antipathy for crowds. Arbitrary (adj) - chosen at random, without reason; It seemed an arbitrary decision, without rationale. Arrogant (adj) - having an exaggerated sense of self-importance; The arrogant dicta- tor ignored the people’s needs. Aspire (v) - to strive for or ambition to achieve a goal; She aspired to become an engineer. Aversion (n) - a strong feeling of dislike, distaste, or hostility; He had an aversion to spinach since childhood. Banal (adj) - lacking originality, freshness, or novelty; The movie’s banal plot was forgettable. Belittle (v) - to make someone or something seem unimportant; The bullies belittled the shy student. Belligerent (adj) - hostile, aggressive, or pugnacious; The belligerent gang was known for fighting. Benevolent (adj) - characterized by or expressing goodwill; He made a benevolent donation to the animal shelter. Bolster (v) - to give vital support, reinforce, or strengthen; Extra tutoring helped bolster the struggling math student’s skills. Bombastic (adj) - high-sounding but with little meaning; inflated or pretentious lan- guage; The politician’s bombastic rhetoric failed to impress voters. Boon (n) - a blessing, timely benefit, or assistance; Winning the scholarship was a boon that enabled her to attend college. Brevity (n) - concise expression without wasted words; Brevity is essential in a 30- second commercial. Brusque (adj) - abrupt or offhand in speech or manner; rudely concise; My request was met with a brusque refusal. https://www.test-ninjas.com 2  Byzantine (adj) - very complicated or intricate; The byzantine tax codes were impos- sible to decipher. Callous (adj) - showing little sympathy for others; insensitive; He acted in a callous way toward those less fortunate. Calm (adj) - free from agitation, disturbance, or tumult; absent of wind; The calm lake reflected the serene sky. Candor (n) - honesty, frankness, or sincere expression; I appreciated her candor and straightforward advice. Capricious (adj) - characterized by or subject to whim; impulsive; unpredictable; My capricious toddler was happy one minute, fussy the next. Castigate (v) - to punish or criticize severely; The boss castigated the employee for repeated mistakes. Censure (v) - blame or condemn; The senator was censured for unethical conduct. Character (n) - moral qualities distinctive to an individual; integrity and values; She is known for her outstanding character and ethics. Circumspect (adj) - cautious or prudent, especially in speech or action; We were circumspect in sharing details until we understood the risks involved. Coarse (adj) - rough, harsh, or uneven in texture; lacking refinement or elegance; His coarse language was inappropriate at the dignified ceremony. Complex (adj) - composed of interconnected or complicated parts; The complex ma- chine required an experienced mechanic. Concise (adj) - expressing much in few words; a concise summary of the research findings. Conform (v) - to act in accordance with rules, standards, or customs; She refused to conform by wearing the uniform. Conscientious (adj) - guided by or in accordance with conscience or sense of right; governed by principle; a conscientious decision after much deliberation. Constant (adj) - remaining unchanged or fixed; showing loyalty or faithfulness; Wa- ter’s boiling point is a physical constant. Contemplate (v) - to consider thoughtfully; She contemplated all possible outcomes before deciding. Contribute (v) - to give or supply along with others; We all contributed food to the potluck dinner. https://www.test-ninjas.com 3  Dearth (n) - scarcity or lack; There is a dearth of jobs in this struggling economy. Defiant (adj) - boldly resistant to authority or any opposing force; The defiant protestors refused to disperse. Delicate (adj) - fragile, frail, or vulnerable; requiring gentle handling; The delicate crystal shattered when dropped. Demonstrate (v) - to establish or prove by example; clear explanation; The experi- ment demonstrated the laws of physics. Deride (v) - to ridicule, mock, or scornfully laugh at; The bullies derided the shy student’s stutter. Desolate (adj) - depressing, bleak, lifeless; barren; The remote desert island was completely desolate. Detach (v) - to separate or disengage from association; He detached the document from the email before forwarding. Diligent (adj) - characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic application; The dili- gent student made sure to study every day. Disclose (v) - to make known, reveal, or uncover; The CEO disclosed the company’s financial problems. Dismal (adj) - causing gloom or depression; The dismal weather matched her sad mood. Disperse (v) - to spread or scatter widely; The police dispersed the rowdy crowd that gathered in the park. Dubious (adj) - doubtful or suspect; of uncertain quality or outcome; She had dubious qualifications for the job. Dull (adj) - boring, monotonous, lacking sharpness; The dull lecture soon put me to sleep. Eclectic (adj) - deriving ideas or style from a diverse range of sources; Their home decor had an eclectic mix of modern and antique. Edify (v) - to instruct, improve, or enlighten; The book was both entertaining and edifying. Egalitarian (adj) - relating to or believing in equality for all people; He advocated an egalitarian society. Elicit (v) - to draw forth or bring out; Skillful questioning elicited her eyewitness account. https://www.test-ninjas.com 4  Eminent (adj) - prominent, distinguished, or noteworthy; The eminent scholar was awarded the Nobel Prize. Empathy (n) - the ability to understand another’s perspective, feelings, or difficulties; She showed genuine empathy for the grieving widow. Enigma (n) - something or someone puzzling, mysterious, or difficult to understand; The coded message was an enigma they couldn’t decipher. Equivocal (adj) - open to more than one interpretation; purposefully vague or am- biguous; His equivocal instructions left me confused about what to do. Evoke (v) - to summon or call forth; Childhood photos evoked strong memories from long ago. Exact (adj) - precise, accurate, or correct in every detail; Could you give me the exact amount needed? Expedient (adj) - suitable for achieving a particular end; pragmatically useful; In a crisis, quick action may be more expedient than detailed planning. Explicit (adj) - clearly and directly stated, leaving no room for confusion; The teacher was explicit that assignments must be turned in on time. Extol (v) - to praise highly or glorify; The eulogy extolled the deceased’s virtues and accomplishments. Extricate (v) - to free or release from a difficult situation or entanglement; Firefighters extricated the injured driver from the mangled car. Facilitate (v) - to make easier or help bring about; The mediator helped facilitate an agreement. Fathom (v) - to understand something thoroughly; I couldn’t fathom his reason for quitting without notice. Fatuous (adj) - silly, foolish, smugly ignorant; He made fatuous arguments that re- vealed little understanding of the issue. Feckless (adj) - weak, ineffective, incompetent; irresponsible; His feckless leadership led the company to ruin. Fervor (n) - great warmth and intensity of feeling; She spoke with fervor about her political beliefs. Fickle (adj) - frequently changing, erratic; His fickle behavior left her confused. Flagrant (adj) - glaringly bad or offensive; a flagrant foul during the game; flagrant disregard for the law. https://www.test-ninjas.com 5  Flimsy (adj) - thin and easily bent or damaged; lacking plausibility; She offered a flimsy excuse for missing class. Flout (v) - to openly disregard rules or conventions; She flouted the school dress code with her outfit. Frugal (adj) - practicing or reflecting economy in use of resources; simple, plain, cost- efficient; They lived a frugal lifestyle and saved money where they could. Garrulous (adj) - excessively talkative, especially about trivial matters; My garrulous neighbor loved chatting over the fence each morning. Germane (adj) - relevant and appropriate for the subject at hand; His rambling anecdote was not germane to the discussion. Grave (adj) - serious; requiring consideration; The doctor had a grave expression when giving the prognosis. Gregarious (adj) - sociable, seeking and enjoying the company of others; Humans are naturally gregarious and form bonds through social contact. Gross (adj) - blatant, outrageous, or unambiguous; lacking refinement or dignity; His gross exaggerations undermined his credibility. Guile (n) - cunning, deceitful shrewdness or treachery; She betrayed her friend out of pure guile. Gullible (adj) - easily persuaded to believe something; naive, credulous; The scammer took advantage of gullible people. Haughty (adj) - arrogantly superior, disdainful, looking down on others; The haughty queen barely acknowledged the peasants. Hesitate (v) - to pause in uncertainty or have difficulty choosing; She hesitated before exiting the stage, nerves getting the best of her. Hinder (v) - to hamper, obstruct, or delay; The snowstorm will likely hinder travel plans. Hostile (adj) - having or showing ill will, animosity, opposition; The hostile crowd shouted angrily at the politician. Hyperbole (n) - exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally; Saying he was starving was hyperbole; he just wanted a snack. Iconoclast (n) - one who attacks or undermines traditional conventions or institutions; The rebel was an iconoclast who challenged the status quo. Idolize (v) - to worship or admire intensely and often excessively; Young girls often idolize celebrities and pop stars. https://www.test-ninjas.com 6  Illuminate (v) - to supply or brighten with light; enlighten; His lecture helped illu- minate and explain Plato’s philosophy. Illusion (n) - something that deceives or misleads intellectually; The magician created illusions that seemed to defy physics. Illustrate (v) - to clarify or explain through use of examples, analogies, pictures; The textbook illustrations made the topic clearer. Immutable (adj) - unchanging; unable to be changed or transformed; The laws of mathematics are immutable, fixed pillars of logic. Impartial (adj) - treating all sides equally; unbiased, objective; As a judge, she prided herself on being impartial. Impede (v) - to interfere with, slow the progress of, or obstruct; The fallen tree impeded traffic for hours. Impending (adj) - about to happen, imminent, approaching; We prepared for the impending storm. Implicit (adj) - implied but not expressly stated; There was an implicit threat that loomed without being uttered. Impulsive (adj) - acting on sudden desires or whims; prone to act on instinct rather than thought; Buying the expensive luxury car was an impulsive decision she later regretted. Inadvertent (adj) - unintentional; not resulting from or due to a particular cause; His insult was inadvertent; he didn’t realize his remark would offend. Incisive (adj) - showing keen discernment, sharpness of mind; Her incisive critiques greatly improved the manuscript. Incoherent (adj) - lacking logical or meaningful connection; disjointed; scrambled; His incoherent ramblings made little sense to the rest of us. Incongruous (adj) - inconsistent; not harmonious; The bright pink couch was incon- gruous with the room’s subdued color scheme. Incorrigible (adj) - incapable of being corrected or reformed; naughty; mischievous; The incorrigible bully would not change his ways despite intervention. Incredulous (adj) - unable or unwilling to believe something; She was incredulous that she won the lottery against such odds. Indelible (adj) - making marks that cannot be erased, washed away, or removed; Childhood memories of summers at the lake were indelible, never fading with time. https://www.test-ninjas.com 7  Indifference (n) - lack of interest, concern, or sympathy; His indifference towards her was obvious by his disengaged manner. Indignant (adj) - angrily offended due to perceived unfair treatment; I was indignant after being accused without cause. Indisputable (adj) - impossible to question or doubt; unquestionable; The evidence was indisputable that he was guilty of the crime. Inert (adj) - lacking power to move, lifeless, inactive; The car remained inert after the battery died. Inevitable (adj) - impossible to avoid; certain to eventually happen; Death is the inevitable conclusion of life. Innocuous (adj) - harmless, causing no damage or offense; The comments in her speech were innocuous enough not to provoke much reaction. Insidious (adj) - stealthily and harmfully treacherous or deceitful; Cancer can be an insidious disease, quietly spreading before detection. Integrity (n) - firm adherence to moral principles; honesty, incorruptibility; Known for his integrity, they trusted he would do what was right. Intense (adj) - possessing or displaying great concentration, zeal, or feeling; She spoke with intense passion that swayed the crowd. Intermittent (adj) - occurring at irregular intervals; on and off; starting and stopping; The intermittent windshield wipers cleared the rain from the glass. Intrinsic (adj) - belonging naturally to someone or something; innate, inherent; Learn- ing is an intrinsic reward of teaching. Intuition (n) - immediate insight or understanding without conscious reasoning; He relied on intuition to make split-second decisions under pressure. Inundate (v) - to overwhelm as if with a flood; My desk was inundated with paper- work. Inventive (adj) - imaginative, creative, able to think of new things or solve problems uniquely; Her inventive recipes were a big hit on her cooking blog. Inverted (adj) - turned inside out or upside down; reversed in position or order; The plane flew upside down in an inverted loop. Irrelevant (adj) - not applicable or related to the subject at hand; His rambling story was irrelevant to the topic being discussed. Irreverent (adj) - showing lack of due respect or veneration; The student’s irreverent remarks during chapel earned him a detention. https://www.test-ninjas.com 8  Judicious (adj) - showing sound judgment; wise and prudent; After judicious thought, she made the right choice. Keen (adj) - eagerly enthusiastic; intensely sensitive or perceptive; He had a keen interest in astronomy and could name many constellations. Kinetic (adj) - relating to or resulting from motion; kinetic or dynamic Knowledgeable (adj) - possessing expertise or extensive information; My attorney is very knowledgeable about tax law. Laconic (adj) - using few words; terse, succinct; His laconic reply gave little informa- tion. Lament (v) - to mourn or express grief over, usually due to loss; She lamented over a faded photo from her childhood. Languid (adj) - lacking energy, vitality or strength; lazy and relaxed; Moving with languid grace, the cat stretched in a patch of sunlight. Lucid (adj) - clear, easy to perceive or understand; expressing oneself intelligibly and rationally; After a good night’s rest, she awoke feeling lucid and refreshed. Magnanimous (adj) - kind, forgiving, noble in spirit; extraordinarily generous; The magnanimous victor helped his opponent to his feet. Malicious (adj) - intentionally harmful, spiteful, or evil; spreading pernicious gossip for the sake of malice. Malleable (adj) - capable of being shaped or formed; adaptable, moldable; Gold is an extremely malleable metal that can be hammered into thin sheets. Manifest (v) - to show or demonstrate something clearly; to reveal or display; Her sadness over the breakup was manifest by her tear-streaked face. Meticulous (adj) - characterized by great attention to detail; very careful and precise; The meticulous craftsman produced flawless work. Misconstrue (v) - to interpret something erroneously; take in a wrong sense; She misconstrued the honking horn to be meant as an insult. Modest (adj) - humble, unassuming, not boastful; moderate in size or amount; She had a modest upbringing but achieved wild success. Mundane (adj) - ordinary, everyday, unexciting; routine; Paying bills and cleaning are mundane household chores. Nebulous (adj) - vague, cloudy, lacking clearly defined form; The future was nebulous, and no one knew exactly what to expect. https://www.test-ninjas.com 9  Notoriety (n) - the condition of being famous or well-known, typically for negative reasons; The criminal loved the notoriety that came with his heists. Novel (adj) - refreshingly new or different; The novel gadget seemed like something from the distant future. Nuance (n) - a subtle difference or distinction in expression or meaning; There were subtle nuances in meaning between those two words that most people missed. Oblivious (adj) - unaware; unconscious; having no memory; She was oblivious to the gossip swirling around her as she hummed a happy tune. Obsolete (adj) - no longer used, out of date; Replaced by email, fax machines are now obsolete. Obstinate (adj) - stubbornly adhering to an attitude, opinion, or course of action; Despite repeated warnings, he was obstinate about changing his risky ways. Ominous (adj) - threatening or foreshadowing evil, misfortune, or trouble; Dark clouds loomed ominously on the horizon before the violent storm struck. Onerous (adj) - involving heavy effort, burden, or hardship; The onerous chore of clearing the snowy driveway took several grueling hours. Opaque (adj) - impenetrable by light; not reflecting light; Heavy fog made driving conditions opaque, obscuring all visibility. Opaque (adj) - not transparent; impossible to see through; This ceramic vase has an opaque milky glaze over the outside. Opulent (adj) - characterized by extravagant luxury and sumptuousness; The opulent mansion had every expensive amenity imaginable. Ostracize (v) - to exclude or banish from a group or society; The mean girls ostracized the new student, ignoring and shunning her. Overt (adj) - done or shown openly, plainly apparent; not hidden; His overt stare made his attraction to her obvious. Palliate (v) - to lessen the severity of; moderate; His medication helped palliate, but not eliminate, his chronic pain. Paltry (adj) - insignificant or inadequate; The paltry sum barely covered expenses. Paradox (n) - a statement seeming to contradict itself but that may nonetheless be true; The phrase ”less is more” initially seems paradoxical but contains some truth. Pensive (adj) - deeply, seriously thoughtful; lost in thought; She grew pensive and withdrew into silent contemplation. https://www.test-ninjas.com 10  Perceive (v) - to become aware of through the senses; I faintly perceived the floral scent through the strong odor of coffee. Perfunctory (adj) - routine, mechanical, done without care; His perfunctory hand- shake revealed his apathy toward meeting me. Perilous (adj) - extremely hazardous or dangerous; We wisely turned back from the perilous mountain path. Permeate (v) - to spread throughout or penetrate something; The odor of garlic permeated the entire kitchen. Perpetual (adj) - uninterrupted, ceaseless, eternal; The perpetual tide ebbs and flows without pause. Persevere (v) - to persist despite obstacles or adversity; She persevered through injuries to achieve her Olympic dream. Perspicacious (adj) - acutely perceptive or discerning; penetrating; The detective was known for his perspicacious observations at crime scenes. Pertinent (adj) - directly and significantly related to the matter at hand; His pertinent insights shed new light on the issue being discussed. Peruse (v) - to read or examine, typically with thoroughness or care; I perused the document carefully before signing it. Petulant (adj) - rudely impatient, irritable; childishly sulky or bad-tempered; The petulant toddler threw a tantrum when refused candy before dinner. Phenomenon (n) - an observable fact or event; something extraordinary or remark- able; A meteor shower is a natural phenomenon. Philosophical (adj) - relating to philosophy; calm, stoic, guided by reason; He faced hardship with a philosophical attitude, trying to understand life’s deeper purpose. Placate (v) - to make less hostile or angry, typically by showing willingness to negotiate or compromise; The management tried to placate the dissatisfied workers by promising better conditions. Placid (adj) - free from disturbance or tumult; calm, peaceful, undisturbed; The placid lake reflected the serene sky flawlessly. Plausible (adj) - seemingly or apparently valid, likely, or acceptable; believable; She offered a plausible excuse for missing the appointment. Plight (n) - a bad or unfortunate situation; Her financial plight gradually worsened until she lost her house. https://www.test-ninjas.com 11  Ponder (v) - to consider or reflect on something carefully and thoroughly; He pondered the implications of his momentous decision for days. Practical (adj) - sensible, realistic, concerned with actual usage; Her idea offered a practical solution that could be easily implemented. Pragmatic (adj) - practical, down-to-earth, oriented toward results; We took a prag- matic approach focused on finding solutions that would actually work. Precarious (adj) - dangerously lacking stability or certainty; dependent on chance; The vase was in a precarious position on the tilting table. Precedent (n) - an act that establishes a model or guide for subsequent situations; The legal precedent influenced similar cases for years. Precise (adj) - marked by exactness and accuracy; Could you be more precise about the time you arrived? Preclude (v) - to prevent from happening; exclude; Circumstances precluded her from accepting the job offer. Predilection (n) - a preference, partiality, prepossession; His predilection for the color blue was evident in his wardrobe. Preeminent (adj) - superior in achievement or standing; foremost; She is the preem- inent expert in her scientific field. Premeditate (v) - to plan or plot in advance; The robbery was premeditated, not spontaneous. Premise (n) - a proposition upon which an argument, theory, or calculation is based; The conclusions relied on a false premise. Presumptuous (adj) - overstepping due bounds; taking liberties; I felt it was pre- sumptuous of him to assume we were friends. Pretense (n) - a false display, a claim not supported by fact; His anger was just a pretense to cover his sadness and hurt. Prevalent (adj) - widespread, common, predominant; Flu was prevalent that winter, affecting thousands in the city. Principled (adj) - guided by moral values; She was a principled leader who always tried to do what was right. Prodigious (adj) - abundant in size, force, or extent; extraordinary; Gustav had prodigious strength despite his small frame. Profanity (n) - speech that condemns or demeans that which is sacred or divine; foul, offensive language; The unruly student shouted profanity across the playground. https://www.test-ninjas.com 12  Profound (adj) - showing deep knowledge and insight; His speech shared profound wisdom from decades of experience. Prolific (adj) - abundantly productive; immensely creative; The prolific composer created hundreds of musical works in his lifetime. Prolong (v) - to lengthen in duration, scope, or extent; They prolonged their vacation a few extra days. Prominent (adj) - widely known and esteemed; conspicuous, important; The promi- nent landmark could be seen across the countryside. Promulgate (v) - to proclaim or put a law or policy into action or force; The president promulgated a controversial new initiative. Prudent (adj) - wisely careful and sensible, marked by sound judgment; It would be more prudent to save for retirement than splurge on a fancy car. Pungent (adj) - sharply affecting the senses, stinging; having a penetrating quality; The pungent onion made my eyes water as I chopped it. Quandary (n) - a state of perplexity, uncertainty what to do; I faced an ethical quandary between competing loyalties. Query (n) - a question, inquiry; Her gracious query made me feel welcome at the event. Quibble (v) - to argue or complain about trivial matters; He has a tendency to quibble over minor details. Quiescent (adj) - at rest, dormant, temporarily inactive; The volcanoes were quiescent for centuries before unexpectedly erupting. Quixotic (adj) - idealistic without regard to practicality; impractical or unrealistic; His quixotic plan had little chance of succeeding in the real world. Quotidian (adj) - everyday, mundane, commonplace; Making my morning coffee was part of my quotidian routine. Rancid (adj) - having a harsh or unpleasant smell or taste, often due to decay; The rancid milk was spoiled and inedible. Rarefied (adj) - refined; relating to a select group; The rarefied intellectual discussion was beyond me. Rash (adj) - acting hastily without deliberation; abrupt decision making; It was rash of him to quit his job without another one lined up. Rebuff (v) - to reject bluntly; snub; She rebuffed his flirtatious advances. https://www.test-ninjas.com 13  Rebuttal (n) - a refutation or contradiction in argument; My opponent offered a lengthy rebuttal to each of my points. Recalcitrant (adj) - obstinately defiant; stubbornly resistant to authority; The recal- citrant child flatly refused to obey her parents’ rules. Recant (v) - to retract a previous statement; take back as erroneous; Under question- ing, she recanted her earlier testimony. Recluse (n) - a person who lives a solitary life, avoiding other people; a loner; After his wife passed away, the recluse rarely spoke to anyone. Reconcile (v) - to make consistent or compatible; settle; I tried to reconcile the contradictory statements. Refute (v) - to prove a claim false or erroneous; New evidence has refuted the old assumptions. Regal (adj) - royal; fit for a king; dignified and majestic; She exuded regal poise and confidence. Relegate (v) - to assign to an unimportant position; The actor was relegated to minor supporting roles after starring in films. Relish (v) - to savor or delight in; I relished every moment of the long-awaited vacation. Reluctant (adj) - unwilling, hesitant; not eager; She was reluctant to move across the country, leaving her home and friends. Reminisce (v) - to recall and talk about past experiences or events; Grandpa loved reminiscing about the old days. Remorse (n) - deep regret or guilt for doing wrong; He felt remorse for his unkind words. Render (v) - to provide, deliver, or represent; I will render assistance any way I can. Renege (v) - to fail to honor a commitment or promise; She reneged on her offer to help with the bake sale. Renown (n) - fame, celebrated reputation; cities of great renown that attract many tourists. Reprehensible (adj) - deserving severe condemnation, completely unacceptable; So- ciety considered racism utterly reprehensible. Reproach (v) - to express disapproval or disappointment of someone or something; to criticize or rebuke; No parent likes to receive reproach from a teacher about their child. https://www.test-ninjas.com 14  Reprobate (n) - an unprincipled, wicked person; That reprobate was nothing but trouble and should be avoided. Repudiate (v) - to refuse to accept or support; reject as untrue or unjustified; He officially repudiated the rumor and cleared up the misconception. Reservations (n) - doubts, hesitations, qualifications; I had some reservations about attending the conference. Resilient (adj) - able to recover from adversity; flexible; The resilient tree could endure high winds, bending without breaking. Resolution (n) - firm determination; resolve; My New Year’s resolution is to exercise daily. Restrained (adj) - controlled; reserved; not showy; She gave a restrained but moving performance. Retribution (n) - deserved punishment for wrongdoing; He avoided jail, but retribu- tion finally caught up to him. Reverent (adj) - feeling or displaying a sense of awe and respect; She had a reverent admiration of nature’s power and beauty. Rhetoric (n) - language intended to persuade or impress; Though high-sounding, much political rhetoric is vague and empty. Rigorous (adj) - extremely demanding; violently harsh; highly disciplined; Military training is rigorous both physically and mentally. Robust (adj) - healthy, strong, and full of energy; able to withstand hardship; My grandfather remained robust into old age despite medical issues. Rudimentary (adj) - related to basic principles; elementary; of primitive simplicity; As a novice, he had only a rudimentary grasp of carpentry skills. Rue (v) - to feel regret, remorse, or repentance over; He rued the mistake that cost him his job. Ruthless (adj) - having no pity; merciless, cruel; The ruthless conqueror showed no mercy to those defeated. Sacrilegious (adj) - violating or misusing what is regarded as sacred; The artwork was considered sacrilegious for its irreverent depiction of religious figures. Sagacious (adj) - having keen discernment and good judgment; perceptive; My saga- cious grandmother gave insightful advice on life. Sanction (n) - authoritative permission or approval; officially authorized; The gov- ernment put sanctions on trade with certain nations. https://www.test-ninjas.com 15  Sarcasm (n) - harsh or ironic language intended to mock or convey contempt; Her sarcasm made it clear she disagreed with the plan. Sardonic (adj) - scornfully mocking or cynical; contemptuously bitter; He made a sardonic remark that hurt more than amused me. Satiate (v) - to satisfy fully; The lavish buffet left us satiated, unable to take another bite. Saturate (v) - to completely fill the gaps or pores of; thoroughly soak; The sponge was saturated with water after being immersed so long. Scant (adj) - barely sufficient; meager; lacking in quantity; I arrived with scant minutes to catch my departing train. Scathing (adj) - severely critical; harshly condemnatory; Her scathing review showed no mercy, tearing apart the flawed novel. Skeptic (n) - one who questions facts or suspended judgment; doubter; I remained skeptical of his claims until I verified them myself. Slander (n) - defamation; false statements harming a reputation; She sued over the slanderous accusations against her good character. Sober (adj) - marked by serious thoughtfulness; solemnly thoughtful; She maintained a sober attitude despite the celebratory mood. Sobering (adj) - causing one to become serious or thoughtful; solemnizing; The statis- tics were sobering, making us reflect on what matters most. Solicit (v) - to try to obtain by entreaty, earnest or respectful request; He solicited donations from the wealthy philanthropist. Solitary (adj) - alone or remote from others; secluded; reclusive; The solitary old hermit lived alone in the woods by choice. Somber (adj) - gloomy; depressing; The somber rainy day matched her melancholy mood. Soothe (v) - to calm or comfort; Her voice soothed the crying baby. Sophisticated (adj) - refined; complex; having acquired worldly knowledge or refine- ment; She acted sophisticated in her designer clothes and pearls. Sordid (adj) - vile, base; marked by immorality and squalor; He described sordid details from a childhood spent neglected and deprived. Spasmodic (adj) - occurring in brief, irregular, convulsive bursts; My spasmodic hiccups made it hard to speak smoothly. https://www.test-ninjas.com 16  Specious (adj) - deceptively plausible or attractive but actually wrong; He argued that the specious reasoning sounded good but lacked substance. Spew (v) - to eject or discharge in a gushing stream; The volcano spewed hot lava down its slopes. Sporadic (adj) - occurring at irregular intervals; not constant; only occasional; Power outages were sporadic, but we never knew when to expect one. Staid (adj) - sedate, sober, characterized by dignity and propriety; The staid professor conducted class with utmost seriousness. Stalwart (adj) - steadfast, loyal, unwavering; The stalwart fans supported their team through years of defeat. Stigma (n) - mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain on one’s reputation; Unfair stigma still surrounds certain conditions that need better awareness. Stint (v) - to restrict; The miserly man stinted himself of even basic comforts. Stoic (adj) - unaffected by passion or feeling; He faced tragedy with stoic acceptance and grace. Stolid (adj) - expressing little or no sensibility; impassive; She remained stolid and composed even under immense pressure. Strenuous (adj) - requiring tremendous energy or stamina; difficult; arduous; marathon training is strenuous work. Strife (n) - bitter conflict or rivalry; They sought to settle their strife peacefully before it escalated further. Stringent (adj) - imposed strictly; harsh; having a precise standard; Stringent security made entering difficult. Stunted (adj) - suffering arrested development; hampered growth; The sapling’s stunted growth made it spindly and weak. Stymie (v) - to block, thwart; Confusion will stymie their efforts to move forward on the project. Suave (adj) - smoothly and effortlessly polished; charmingly tactful; He had a suave manner that put everyone at ease in conversation. Subjective (adj) - based on personal impressions or feelings; The review offered only subjective criticism rather than objective analysis. Sublime (adj) - awe-inspiring; exalted; supremely excellent; The sublime sunset over the Grand Canyon left us breathless. https://www.test-ninjas.com 17  Subpoena (n) - writ commanding a person to appear in court under penalty for failure; She was subpoenaed to testify at the criminal trial. Subside (v) - to decrease in amount or intensity; The fever subsided after a few days. Substantiate (v) - to provide evidence or proof in support of a claim; Can you sub- stantiate your alibi that you were elsewhere that night? Subtle (adj) - delicate, elusive, or quiet; I couldn’t quite grasp the subtle distinction he was making. Succinct (adj) - brief and to the point; concise; Please give a succinct summary of the key events. Sullen (adj) - gloomily silent or withdrawn; She grew sullen and uncommunicative as the night wore on. Sumptuous (adj) - richly splendid or magnificent; luxurious; We dined on a sumptu- ous feast of lobster and chocolate cake. Superficial (adj) - concerning only the obvious or apparent qualities, not the true or inner nature; His analysis was superficial, not considering deeper causes. Supposition (n) - an uncertain belief; something theoretically assumed to be true; I made the supposition he would arrive on time, but I was wrong. Surly (adj) - rudely unfriendly or impatient; The surly cashier was clearly in a bad mood. Susceptible (adj) - capable of being influenced or affected; Everyone is susceptible to catching the flu virus. Sustain (v) - to supply necessities or nourishment; to experience or suffer; Sustained by faith, she sustained the loss of her home. Sweltering (adj) - intensely hot, stifling; We sweltered in the sweltering heat without air conditioning. Sycophant (n) - one who flatters for self-gain; one who seeks favor through flattery; The celebrity was surrounded by sycophants hoping to ride her coattails. Synthesis (n) - combining parts to form a whole; the end result of assembling elements; The class presentation was a synthesis of research from various sources. Tacit (adj) - implied or indicated but not directly expressed; Her tacit disapproval was obvious though she didn’t criticize out loud. Tactile (adj) - perceptible by touch; relating to the sense of touch; The tactile exhibit let blind visitors feel the sculptures. https://www.test-ninjas.com 18  Taint (v) - to contaminate, corrupt, or infect with evil or undesirable elements; The scandal tainted his reputation, ending his career. Tangential (adj) - only superficially related to the matter at hand; digressing; His tangential anecdotes distracted from the core topic. Tenuous (adj) - having little substance or strength; flimsy; weak; His tenuous link between the suspects was not convincing evidence. Tepid (adj) - only moderately warm; lacking in enthusiasm or conviction; She gave only a tenuous endorsement of the plans. Terse (adj) - brief, concise, pithily expressive; His terse reply made me wonder if I had offended him. Testimony (n) - a solemn statement of truth or fact; I was asked to provide testimony describing the night’s events. Thrifty (adj) - careful and prudent in use of resources; economical; wise in savings and spendings; She led a thrifty lifestyle that allowed an early retirement. Timid (adj) - showing a lack of courage or confidence; shy; She was too timid to try out for the talent show despite her beautiful voice. Tirade (n) - extended angry speech; The customer launched into a lengthy tirade over the poor service. Torpid (adj) - mentally or physically inert; apathetic; lethargic; The torpid man just sat staring into space all afternoon. Tortuous (adj) - extremely twisted or winding; Excessively lengthy and complex; We drove down a tortuous mountain road hemmed by steep ravines. Toxic (adj) - poisonous; causing serious harm or death; The toxic chemicals contami- nated the town’s water supply. Tranquil (adj) - free from commotion or tumult; calm; peaceful; The tranquil lagoon reflected the serene sky. Transient (adj) - fleeting, passing quickly; impermanent; Transient shelter offered just temporary refuge, not a permanent home. Transgress (v) - to violate a law, command, or moral code; go beyond proper bounds; He transgressed societal norms with his inappropriate behavior. Travesty (n) - a gross distortion or misrepresentation; a mockery or parody; The unfair trial was a travesty rather than true justice. Tremulous (adj) - timid or fearful; marked by trembling or quivering; She spoke in a tremulous voice, anxious addressing the large crowd. https://www.test-ninjas.com 19  Trenchant (adj) - forceful, effective, sharply perceptive; incisive; His trenchant cri- tique exposed the film’s failings. Tribulation (n) - great suffering or distress; a cause of suffering or trouble; Losing her home was a tribulation she wasn’t sure she could endure. Trite (adj) - not new or original; overused and clichéd; The trite phrases sounded meaningless to the reader. Trivial (adj) - of negligible importance or value; insignificant; Don’t trivialize her feelings by dismissing her concerns as silly. Turbulent (adj) - characterized by unrest, disorder, or tumult; rough, agitated; Tur- bulent winds shook the trees and scattered debris down the streets. Turmoil (n) - a state of extreme confusion, agitation, or commotion; Inner turmoil left her uncertain which path to take. Undermine (v) - to weaken or subvert by stealth or deceit; undercut; The spies undermined the government by spreading false propaganda. Understated (adj) - restrained, subtle, not obvious or bold; preferring simplicity; She has an understated beauty that is elegant and refined. Undulate (v) - to move in waves or with a smooth wavelike motion; The flag undulated in the gentle breeze. Unearth (v) - to bring to light; uncover through searching; The archeologists un- earthed ancient pottery and tools at the site. Unfeigned (adj) - genuine, not false or hypocritical; sincere; My unfeigned sympathy goes out to you during this difficult time. Unified (adj) - working together in coordinated harmony; The crew presented a unified front despite internal disputes. Unkempt (adj) - disheveled; uncared for in appearance; messy; His unkempt hair and rumpled clothes gave a sloppy impression. Unnerve (v) - to make nervous or anxious; shake courage; The ominous sounds in the house unnerved me. Unprecedented (adj) - without previous instance; unparalleled; unprecedented suc- cess with her first album. Unruly (adj) - resistant to control or discipline; uncontrollable; The unruly crowd grew rowdy after hours of waiting in line. Unwieldy (adj) - difficult to carry or manage because of size or shape; The antique armoire was so unwieldy they couldn’t fit it through the door. https://www.test-ninjas.com 20  Upbraid (v) - to criticize or scold severely; He upbraided me for being thoughtless and lazy. Urbane (adj) - sophisticated; refined; elegant; The urbane socialite knew how to navigate high society gatherings. Usurp (v) - to seize power or take control without right; The general usurped authority in a military coup. Utilitarian (adj) - designed to be useful and practical rather than attractive; The utilitarian water bottle was dented but still worked fine. Utter (adj) - complete or absolute; We were left in utter darkness when the power went out. Vacillate (v) - to waver between different courses of action; fluctuate; I vacillated about which college to attend right up until the deadline. Vague (adj) - not clearly defined; lacking preciseness; Her description of the suspect was too vague to help identify him. Vain (adj) - excessively proud of oneself; conceited; She is vain about her appearance and constantly looks in the mirror. Valiant (adj) - possessing or acting with bravery or boldness; He made a valiant effort to finish despite injury. Valor (n) - boldness or bravery in the face of danger; The medal honored the pilot’s valor in battle. Vanquish (v) - to conquer, defeat, or subdue an enemy or opposition force; The champion vanquished all challengers to retain his title. Vapid (adj) - offering nothing stimulating or challenging; dull; His vapid lecture put me right to sleep. Venerate (v) - to regard with reverential respect or admiration; Many venerate the saint for his good works helping the poor. Verbose (adj) - using more words than necessary; wordy; The professor’s verbose lectures were packed with tangents and repetitiveness. Vexation (n) - annoyance or irritation; a cause of irritation; Getting stuck in traffic is a daily vexation of my commute. Viable (adj) - capable of working or being successfully implemented; a viable plan with a high chance of succeeding. Vicious (adj) - deliberately cruel or violent; The vicious criminal showed no remorse. https://www.test-ninjas.com 21  Vigilant (adj) - alertly watchful; carefully observant; vigilant against threats to their security. Vigorous (adj) - robust, full of healthy energy; forceful, intense; She maintained a vigorous workout routine into old age. Vile (adj) - loathsome; highly offensive or disgusting; They faced vile slurs from the unruly crowd. Virtuous (adj) - morally excellent; righteous; She is a virtuous person, always trying to do good. Viscous (adj) - thick or sticky, having high resistance to flow; Molasses has a viscous texture. Vital (adj) - absolutely essential; critically important; Funding for the project is vital to move forward. Vivid (adj) - producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind; She gave a vivid depiction of life growing up poor. Volatile (adj) - readily changing to a vapor; changeable, unstable; fickle; Gasoline is a volatile, flammable liquid. Waffle (v) - to shift back and forth between opinions; equivocate; She kept waffling on where to eat, unable to make a choice. Wan (adj) - pale, sickly, weak; lacking color or vitality; After weeks in bed sick, she was wan and drawn. Wary (adj) - cautiously watchful; prudent; wary of strangers and slow to trust. Whimsical (adj) - quirkily playful; fanciful; whimsical art full of strange creatures and imaginary worlds. Wither (v) - to shrivel or decay; plants withering without water; My enthusiasm withered under his hostile criticism. Wry (adj) - using clever, sly, understated humor; She made wry jokes that hinted at her true feelings. Zeal (n) - eager enthusiasm; fervor; She attacked the project with zeal despite obsta- cles. Zealous (adj) - passionately devoted; fervent; evangelical zeal motivated the group. Zenith (n) - peak; highest point; climax; He reached the zenith of his acting career after the Oscar win. Zephyr (n) - gentle, mild breeze; The light zephyr barely rustled the leaves. https://www.test-ninjas.com 22