SAT Vocabulary for 800 (Version 3) PDF

Digital SAT VOCABULARY for 800 (Version 3.0) 1 Content: Level 1 Word List……………………………………………….3 Level 2 Word List……………………………………………….24 Level 3 Word List……………………………………………….54 Most Common Prefixes/Suffixes……………………84 2 LEVEL 1 - ❖ The list below contains vocabulary words of medium difficulty. These words are frequently found in context-based questions and reading comprehension passages, making them a solid starting point for enhancing your SAT vocabulary. ACCENT Synonyms: Pronunciation, Intonation, Inflection Explanation: Accent refers to the distinctive way in which language is pronounced in different regions or by different people. It includes the unique rhythm, tone, and sound patterns that distinguish speakers from various linguistic backgrounds. Sentences: ○ Her French accent was immediately noticeable, giving her speech a melodic quality. ○ The actor had to perfect a British accent for his role in the historical drama. 3 ASSERTIVE Synonyms: Confident, Self-assured, Forceful Explanation: Assertive describes someone who is confident and forceful in expressing their opinions, needs, or desires. This trait is often seen as positive, especially when balanced with respect for others. Sentences: ○ The assertive tone in her voice made it clear that she was not going to back down. ○ Being assertive in negotiations can lead to better outcomes for all parties involved. ATTEMPTING Synonyms: Trying, Endeavoring, Striving Explanation: Attempting refers to the act of making an effort to achieve or complete something, often in the face of challenges. It emphasizes the process of trying rather than the outcome. Sentences: ○ He was attempting to solve the puzzle, but the complexity of the problem made it difficult. ○ Attempting to climb the mountain without proper gear was a risky decision. BAN Synonyms: Prohibit, Forbid, Outlaw Explanation: Ban is an official or legal prohibition on something. When something is banned, it is not allowed to be done, used, or possessed by law or by a ruling authority. Sentences: ○ The government decided to ban the sale of single-use plastics to protect the environment. 4 ○ Smoking was banned in all public spaces to ensure a healthier atmosphere for everyone. BEHOLD Synonyms: Observe, See, Witness Explanation: Behold is a formal or literary term that means to see or observe something, especially something remarkable or impressive. It often implies a sense of awe or admiration. Sentences: ○ The sight of the sunrise over the mountains was a breathtaking scene to behold. ○ Behold the beauty of the ancient architecture, which has stood the test of time. CHERISH Synonyms: Treasure, Hold dear, Value Explanation: Cherish means to protect and care for someone or something lovingly. It conveys a sense of deep appreciation and affection, often for things or people that are precious or significant. Sentences: ○ She cherished the old letters her grandmother had written, keeping them safe in a special box. ○ They cherished their time together, knowing how rare and valuable it was. COMMON Synonyms: Widespread, Usual, Frequent Explanation: Common refers to something that is frequently encountered or prevalent. It can describe anything that is shared by many people or occurs regularly in everyday life. Sentences: ○ It’s common to see people using smartphones on public transport these days. 5 ○ The common cold is the most prevalent illness during the winter months. COURAGEOUS Synonyms: Brave, Valiant, Fearless Explanation: Courageous describes someone who is not deterred by danger or pain, showing bravery and determination in the face of challenges or fears. Sentences: ○ The firefighters were praised for their courageous efforts in rescuing the trapped residents. ○ It takes a courageous person to stand up for what they believe in, even when it’s unpopular. CRAFT Synonyms: Skill, Art, Handiwork Explanation: Craft refers to an activity involving skill in making things by hand. It can also mean the skill or art in a particular activity, such as writing, speaking, or creating something. Sentences: ○ She spent years perfecting her craft as a potter, creating beautiful and unique pieces. ○ The writer’s craft was evident in the intricate details and vivid descriptions in the novel. Split Synonyms: Divide, Separate, Break Explanation: Split means to divide or break something into parts. Sentences: ○ The group decided to split the bill evenly. ○ The log was too big, so they split it into smaller pieces. 6 Challenge Synonyms: Test, Confront, Oppose Explanation: Challenge refers to a task or situation that tests someone’s abilities, or confronting a difficult problem. Sentences: ○ The hike up the mountain was a real challenge. ○ She decided to challenge the decision made by the committee. Imitate Synonyms: Copy, Mimic, Replicate Explanation: Imitate means to copy or replicate someone's actions, behavior, or style. Sentences: ○ Children often imitate the behavior of adults around them. ○ The comedian can imitate various celebrity voices perfectly. Design Synonyms: Plan, Create, Develop Explanation: Design refers to the process of creating a plan or structure for something, often in a creative or technical context. Sentences: ○ He wants to design a new logo for his business. ○ The architect will design a modern building for the city. 7 Substitute Synonyms: Replace, Exchange, Swap Explanation: Substitute means to replace one thing with another. Sentences: ○ You can substitute butter with oil in this recipe. ○ The teacher was sick, so they brought in a substitute for the day. Sincerity Synonyms: Honesty, Genuineness, Truthfulness Explanation: Sincerity refers to the quality of being honest, genuine, and without deceit. Sentences: ○ I appreciated his sincerity when he apologized for the mistake. ○ Her sincerity was evident in the way she spoke. Esteem Synonyms: Respect, Admiration, Regard Explanation: Esteem means to regard someone or something with respect and admiration. Sentences: ○ The professor is held in high esteem by his colleagues. ○ She has great esteem for her mentor’s wisdom and guidance. Thoughtfulness 8 Synonyms: Consideration, Reflection, Attentiveness Explanation: Thoughtfulness refers to showing consideration for others or being reflective and careful in one’s actions. Sentences: ○ I appreciated her thoughtfulness when she brought me a gift. ○ His thoughtfulness in helping others makes him a wonderful friend. Skeptically Synonyms: Doubtfully, Distrustfully, Questioningly Explanation: Skeptically means to approach something with doubt or to question its truth or validity. Sentences: ○ He looked at the claim skeptically, unsure if it was true. ○ She listened to the sales pitch skeptically, not convinced by the promises. Retain Synonyms: Keep, Hold, Preserve Explanation: Retain means to keep or hold onto something, or to remember information. Sentences: ○ He managed to retain most of the information from the lecture. ○ The company wants to retain its best employees by offering competitive salaries. 9 Fragile Synonyms: Delicate, Weak, Brittle Explanation: Fragile refers to something that is easily broken or damaged, either physically or metaphorically. Sentences: ○ Be careful with that vase; it's very fragile. ○ Her health was fragile after the illness. Tranquil Synonyms: Peaceful, Calm, Serene Explanation: Tranquil means calm, quiet, and peaceful, often describing a setting or state of mind. Sentences: ○ The lake was so tranquil in the early morning light. ○ She enjoys spending time in tranquil gardens to relax. Dependable Synonyms: Reliable, Trustworthy, Consistent Explanation: Dependable refers to someone or something that can be trusted to work well or to do what is expected. Sentences: ○ He is a dependable friend who always shows up when needed. ○ The car has proven to be very dependable over the years. 10 Feasible Synonyms: Possible, Practical, Achievable Explanation: Feasible means something that is possible or practical to achieve. Sentences: ○ It’s feasible to finish the project by the end of the week. ○ The new plan seems feasible given the available resources. Mock Synonyms: Ridicule, Tease, Imitate Explanation: Mock means to imitate someone or something in a way that makes fun of it, or to create a practice version of something. Sentences: ○ They mocked his accent, but he didn't let it bother him. ○ The actors performed a mock trial as part of the workshop. Customary Synonyms: Usual, Normal, Conventional Explanation: Customary refers to something that is common or traditional in a particular society or context. Sentences: ○ It’s customary to greet guests with a handshake in many cultures. ○ In her family, it is customary to have dinner together every Sunday. 11 Coincidence Synonyms: Chance, Accident, Happenstance Explanation: Coincidence refers to two or more events happening at the same time by chance, without any apparent connection. Sentences: ○ Meeting him at the café was a complete coincidence. ○ It's just a coincidence that they both have the same last name. Cited Synonyms: Referenced, Mentioned, Quoted Explanation: Cited means to reference or mention someone else's work or a source in support of an argument. Sentences: ○ He cited several studies to support his argument in the paper. ○ The article was widely cited by other researchers in the field. Augmented Synonyms: Enhanced, Increased, Expanded Explanation: Augmented means to make something larger, greater, or more intense. Sentences: ○ His income was augmented by taking on extra freelance work. ○ The team augmented their efforts to meet the deadline. 12 Tally Synonyms: Count, Total, Sum Explanation: Tally refers to counting or keeping track of a total number of something. Sentences: ○ They tallied the votes after the election. ○ The store manager tallied up the day's sales at closing time. Acclaim Synonyms: Praise, Applaud, Recognize Explanation: Acclaim means to praise someone or something enthusiastically, especially in public. Sentences: ○ The actor received widespread acclaim for his performance. ○ The artist was acclaimed for her innovative use of color. CREDIBLE Synonyms: Believable, Plausible, Reliable Explanation: Credible describes something that is convincing or believable. When information or a source is credible, it is considered trustworthy and likely to be true. Sentences: ○ The scientist provided credible evidence to support the new theory. ○ His story was so detailed and consistent that it seemed entirely credible. DESERVE Synonyms: Merit, Earn, Warrant 13 Explanation: Deserve means to do something or have qualities worthy of reward, punishment, or recognition. It reflects the idea that someone is entitled to something based on their actions or behavior. Sentences: ○ After years of hard work and dedication, she truly deserved the promotion. ○ He didn’t deserve the harsh criticism, as he had done his best under difficult circumstances. ENDURING Synonyms: Lasting, Perpetual, Long-lasting Explanation: Enduring describes something that continues to exist for a long time, especially despite difficulties or changes. It often conveys a sense of resilience and permanence. Sentences: ○ Their enduring friendship has lasted over two decades, despite living in different countries. ○ The enduring popularity of the novel is a testament to its universal themes and relatable characters. EXPLOITING Synonyms: Utilizing, Taking advantage of, Capitalizing on Explanation: Exploiting means to make full use of and derive benefit from a resource, often in a way that is seen as unfair or unethical. It can also mean taking advantage of a situation or person for one’s own gain. Sentences: ○ The company was criticized for exploiting its workers by paying them very low wages. ○ He was skilled at exploiting every opportunity that came his way to advance his career. FAMILIAR Synonyms: Known, Recognizable, Well-known 14 Explanation: Familiar refers to something that is well known from long or close association. It can describe people, places, or things that are commonly recognized or experienced. Sentences: ○ The smell of freshly baked bread was familiar to her, reminding her of her childhood. ○ He felt a sense of comfort in the familiar surroundings of his hometown. FORGETTING Synonyms: Failing to remember, Overlooking, Ignoring Explanation: Forgetting is the act of failing to remember something. It can occur intentionally or unintentionally and is a natural part of human memory, though sometimes it can lead to mistakes or missed opportunities. Sentences: ○ He kept forgetting his keys, so he decided to leave a spare set at the office. ○ Forgetting to lock the door was a mistake that could have led to a serious security breach. GENUINE Synonyms: Authentic, Real, True Explanation: Genuine refers to something that is truly what it is said to be, without any pretense or deceit. It is often used to describe sincerity in actions, emotions, or objects. Sentences: ○ Her smile was genuine, reflecting her true happiness in that moment. ○ The art dealer confirmed that the painting was a genuine work of the famous artist. GROW Synonyms: Develop, Expand, Increase Explanation: Grow means to increase in size, number, strength, or quality over time. It can refer to physical growth, such as a plant growing, or metaphorical growth, such as personal development. 15 Sentences: ○ The company plans to grow its operations by opening new branches in several cities. ○ As he continued to study, his knowledge of the subject began to grow. LIFT Synonyms: Raise, Elevate, Hoist Explanation: Lift refers to raising something to a higher position or level, either physically or metaphorically. It can also mean to remove or alleviate a burden or restriction. Sentences: ○ She had to lift the heavy box onto the shelf, which took considerable effort. ○ The new law will lift many restrictions on small businesses, helping them to thrive. SYMPATHY Synonyms: Compassion, Understanding, Empathy Explanation: Sympathy is the feeling of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune. It can also mean an understanding between people, a common feeling or agreement. Sentences: ○ He expressed his sympathy for the family after hearing about their tragic loss. ○ The community showed great sympathy for the victims of the disaster, providing aid and support. VALUABLE Synonyms: Precious, Worthy, Important Explanation: Valuable describes something that has great worth, either in terms of money, utility, or emotional significance. It can refer to both tangible items, like jewelry, and intangible assets, like time or knowledge. Sentences: ○ The antique vase was not only beautiful but also incredibly valuable. 16 ○ Time is a valuable resource that should not be wasted on trivial matters. ADJUSTED Synonyms: Modified, Altered, Adapted Explanation: Adjusted refers to making changes to something so that it fits better, works more efficiently, or is more suitable for a specific purpose or situation. It can be used in both a physical and metaphorical context. Sentences: ○ The workers adjusted the machinery to improve its performance after noticing some flaws. ○ She adjusted her schedule to make time for the new project. ARRANGED Synonyms: Organized, Ordered, Set up Explanation: Arranged means to organize or set something in a particular order or pattern. It often implies careful planning and coordination to ensure that everything is in the right place or happens at the right time. Sentences: ○ The flowers were beautifully arranged in a vase on the table. ○ He arranged the meeting so that all the key stakeholders could attend. ADEPT AT Synonyms: Skilled at, Proficient in, Expert in Explanation: Adept at describes someone who is highly skilled or proficient in a particular activity or field. It implies a level of competence and expertise that comes from experience and practice. Sentences: ○ She is adept at solving complex problems, often coming up with creative solutions. ○ The chef was particularly adept at preparing delicate pastries. STARTLE 17 Synonyms: Shock, Surprise, Alarm Explanation: Startle means to cause someone to feel sudden shock or alarm, often due to an unexpected event or action. It can be a mild or intense reaction depending on the situation. Sentences: ○ The loud noise startled the birds, causing them to fly away suddenly. ○ She was startled by the unexpected appearance of her friend at the door. CONCEAL Synonyms: Hide, Cover, Obscure Explanation: Conceal means to keep something hidden or out of sight, often to prevent it from being discovered or known. It can refer to both physical objects and information or feelings. Sentences: ○ He tried to conceal his nervousness by smiling, but his trembling hands gave him away. ○ The thief concealed the stolen jewelry in a secret compartment in his bag. WITHDRAWN Synonyms: Reserved, Reticent, Introverted Explanation: Withdrawn describes someone who is shy, reserved, or not inclined to interact socially. It can also refer to the act of retreating or pulling away from a situation or commitment. Sentences: ○ After the accident, she became withdrawn, avoiding social interactions and spending more time alone. ○ He has always been a bit withdrawn, preferring the company of a good book over a lively conversation. SOOTHED Synonyms: Calmed, Comforted, Pacified 18 Explanation: Soothed means to bring relief or comfort to someone who is distressed, anxious, or in pain. It often involves calming words, actions, or substances that reduce discomfort or tension. Sentences: ○ The gentle music soothed her nerves after a long and stressful day. ○ He soothed the crying baby by rocking her gently in his arms. ESTIMATED Synonyms: Approximate, Calculated, Assessed Explanation: Estimated refers to making an educated guess or calculation about the value, size, or extent of something. It is often based on available data, but it is not exact. Sentences: ○ The project’s cost was estimated to be around $10,000, though final expenses might differ. ○ The mechanic estimated the time needed to repair the car at about two hours. LIFT Synonyms: Raise, Elevate, Hoist Explanation: Lift refers to raising something to a higher position or level, either physically or metaphorically. It can also mean to remove or alleviate a burden or restriction. Sentences: ○ She had to lift the heavy box onto the shelf, which took considerable effort. ○ The new law will lift many restrictions on small businesses, helping them to thrive. CONGRATULATE Synonyms: Compliment, Praise, Commend Explanation: Congratulate means to express pleasure or approval for someone’s success or good fortune. It’s often done in a formal or enthusiastic manner, typically for achievements or milestones. Sentences: 19 ○ I called to congratulate her on her promotion to manager. ○ The team gathered to congratulate their colleague on completing the marathon. GROW Synonyms: Develop, Expand, Increase Explanation: Grow means to increase in size, number, strength, or quality over time. It can refer to physical growth, such as a plant growing, or metaphorical growth, such as personal development. Sentences: ○ The company plans to grow its operations by opening new branches in several cities. ○ As he continued to study, his knowledge of the subject began to grow. REJECTION Synonyms: Refusal, Dismissal, Decline Explanation: Rejection refers to the act of refusing to accept, approve, or believe something or someone. It often involves a negative response to an offer, idea, or request. Sentences: ○ The rejection of her manuscript by several publishers was disheartening, but she remained determined. ○ His proposal faced rejection from the committee due to budget constraints. SOOTHING Synonyms: Calming, Comforting, Relaxing Explanation: Soothing describes something that has a calming or relaxing effect, often relieving pain, discomfort, or stress. It can refer to sounds, actions, or treatments that provide comfort. Sentences: ○ The sound of the ocean waves was incredibly soothing, helping her to unwind after a hectic day. 20 ○ He applied a soothing lotion to his sunburned skin to relieve the pain. ACCURATE Synonyms: Precise, Correct, Exact Explanation: Accurate describes something that is correct and free from errors. It refers to the exactness or precision of information, measurements, or statements. Sentences: ○ The report provided an accurate account of the events, leaving no detail overlooked. ○ To ensure the experiment's success, all measurements must be accurate. ATTRACTIVE Synonyms: Appealing, Charming, Alluring Explanation: Attractive describes someone or something that is pleasing or appealing to the senses or mind. It often refers to physical beauty but can also relate to other qualities that draw interest or admiration. Sentences: ○ The town’s attractive landscape made it a popular destination for tourists. ○ She found the job offer very attractive because of the benefits and opportunities it provided. BROODED ON Synonyms: Dwelt on, Pondered, Moped over Explanation: Brooded on refers to thinking deeply about something that makes one unhappy, worried, or angry. It involves a sense of dwelling on negative thoughts or emotions. Sentences: ○ He brooded on the argument he had with his friend, replaying the conversation in his mind. ○ Instead of moving on, she brooded on her mistakes, which only deepened her regret. SUPPLANTED 21 Synonyms: Replaced, Displaced, Overthrown Explanation: Supplanted means to take the place of someone or something, often by force or strategy. It can refer to replacing something old or outdated with something new. Sentences: ○ The old technology was quickly supplanted by newer, more efficient systems. ○ The new leader supplanted the previous one, bringing fresh ideas to the organization. HIRED Synonyms: Employed, Recruited, Engaged Explanation: Hired means to employ someone for a job or position. It involves entering into an agreement where the person hired is paid for their work or services. Sentences: ○ She was hired as a consultant to help with the company's expansion plans. ○ The manager hired additional staff to handle the increased workload during the holiday season. ADAPTED Synonyms: Adjusted, Modified, Altered Explanation: Adapted refers to making changes to something to make it suitable for a new use, purpose, or situation. It often involves adjusting to new conditions or requirements. Sentences: ○ The book was adapted into a successful movie that stayed true to the original story. ○ The company adapted its policies to meet the changing needs of its employees. RESERVED FOR Synonyms: Set aside for, Designated for, Allocated to 22 Explanation: Reserved for means to keep something or someone for a particular purpose or person, often excluding others from using it. It implies that something is set aside for special use or treatment. Sentences: ○ The front row seats were reserved for the guests of honor at the ceremony. ○ This table is reserved for our regular customers who dine here every weekend. WITHDRAWING Synonyms: Retreating, Pulling back, Receding Explanation: Withdrawing refers to the act of pulling back, removing oneself, or taking something away from a situation, place, or commitment. It can refer to both physical actions, such as troops withdrawing from a battlefield, and emotional or social actions, such as a person withdrawing from social interactions or responsibilities. Sentences: ○ After facing strong opposition, the company announced it was withdrawing its proposal for the new policy. ○ She began withdrawing from her friends after the difficult breakup, choosing to spend time alone. 23 LEVEL 2 ❖ The list below contains high-difficulty vocabulary words. These words are most frequently encountered in advanced context-based questions and are crucial to know if you aim to score above 700 on the SAT Reading and Writing Test. ABUNDANT Synonyms: Plentiful, Ample, Copious Explanation: Abundant refers to something that exists or is available in large quantities. It often implies a generous or more than adequate supply of something. Sentences: 24 ○ The harvest was abundant this year, providing enough food to last through the winter. ○ The river is abundant with fish, making it a popular spot for anglers. Examine Synonyms: Inspect, Analyze, Review Explanation: Examine means to look at something closely in order to understand or assess it. Sentences: ○ The doctor will examine you to determine the cause of your symptoms. ○ They carefully examined the evidence before making a decision. Straightening Synonyms: Aligning, Adjusting, Correcting Explanation: Straightening means to make something straight or to correct its alignment. Sentences: ○ She spent the morning straightening her messy desk. ○ He is straightening the picture frame so it hangs properly. Reducing Synonyms: Lowering, Decreasing, Minimizing Explanation: Reducing means to make something smaller in size, amount, or intensity. Sentences: ○ They are focused on reducing the amount of plastic waste they produce. ○ He started exercising with the goal of reducing his weight. 25 Forgetting about Synonyms: Overlooking, Neglecting, Disregarding Explanation: Forgetting about refers to neglecting or failing to remember something. Sentences: ○ He was so busy that he ended up forgetting about the meeting. ○ I keep forgetting about my keys when I leave the house. Controversy Synonyms: Dispute, Debate, Argument Explanation: Controversy refers to a public disagreement or debate about something, often involving differing opinions. Sentences: ○ The new law has caused a lot of controversy among the public. ○ There was a controversy over the outcome of the competition. Illuminate Synonyms: Clarify, Explain, Highlight Explanation: Illuminate means to light up or to make something clearer by providing explanations. Sentences: ○ The flashlight illuminated the dark hallway. ○ The professor’s explanation helped illuminate the difficult concept. Rectify 26 Synonyms: Correct, Fix, Amend Explanation: Rectify means to correct or fix something that is wrong or flawed. Sentences: ○ The company worked quickly to rectify the billing error. ○ She tried to rectify her mistake by apologizing to her friend. Accentuate Synonyms: Emphasize, Highlight, Stress Explanation: Accentuate means to highlight or emphasize something, making it more noticeable. Sentences: ○ The bright colors accentuate the beauty of the painting. ○ She wore a belt to accentuate her waist. Reprieve Synonyms: Relief, Break, Pardon Explanation: Reprieve refers to a temporary delay or relief from something difficult or unpleasant. Sentences: ○ After a long week of work, the weekend felt like a reprieve. ○ The prisoner was granted a reprieve just hours before his execution. Oddity Synonyms: Peculiarity, Quirk, Anomaly Explanation: Oddity refers to something strange or unusual, standing out from the norm. 27 Sentences: ○ The old house had a number of oddities, including hidden rooms and secret doors. ○ His obsession with collecting bottle caps was considered an oddity. Commended Synonyms: Praised, Applauded, Recognized Explanation: Commended means to formally praise someone or something for doing well. Sentences: ○ The firefighters were commended for their bravery during the rescue. ○ Her teacher commended her for her excellent presentation. Prevail over Synonyms: Triumph, Overcome, Defeat Explanation: Prevail over means to succeed in overcoming a challenge or difficult situation. Sentences: ○ With hard work and determination, she was able to prevail over the obstacles in her path. ○ The home team prevailed over their rivals in the final minutes of the game. Overreach by Synonyms: Exceed, Stretch, Overextend Explanation: Overreach by means to extend beyond reasonable limits or expectations, often resulting in failure. 28 Sentences: ○ He overreached by trying to complete too many tasks at once. ○ The government was criticized for overreaching by implementing too many new regulations. Constrain within Synonyms: Limit, Restrict, Confine Explanation: Constrain within means to restrict or limit something to a specific boundary or set of rules. Sentences: ○ The design was constrained within the limits of the available budget. ○ His creativity was constrained within the rigid rules of the competition. Dispersed Synonyms: Scattered, Spread, Distributed Explanation: Dispersed means to spread out over a wide area or to scatter in different directions. Sentences: ○ The crowd dispersed after the concert ended. ○ The seeds were dispersed by the wind across the field. Convened Synonyms: Assembled, Gathered, Summoned Explanation: Convened means to bring people together for a meeting or event. Sentences: 29 ○ The committee convened to discuss the upcoming project. ○ A group of community leaders convened to address the recent rise in crime. Scrupulous Synonyms: Meticulous, Careful, Conscientious Explanation: Scrupulous means being very careful and thorough in one's work or actions, especially when it comes to doing what is right. Sentences: ○ He is scrupulous in his attention to detail when working on projects. ○ The journalist was scrupulous about checking her sources before publishing the story. Sympathy Synonyms: Compassion, Understanding, Empathy Explanation: Sympathy means understanding or feeling compassion for someone else's feelings or situation. Sentences: ○ I felt great sympathy for my friend after hearing about his loss. ○ She expressed her sympathy to the family at the funeral. Enact Synonyms: Implement, Pass, Execute Explanation: Enact means to make something, such as a law or plan, officially take effect or happen. Sentences: ○ The government plans to enact new environmental regulations next year. 30 ○ A new law was enacted to protect endangered species. Distort Synonyms: Twist, Misrepresent, Falsify Explanation: Distort means to change or twist the truth or reality of something, making it misleading. Sentences: ○ His comments distorted the facts of the situation. ○ The funhouse mirror distorted their reflections, making them look much taller and thinner. ACCENTUATE Synonyms: Emphasize, Highlight, Underscore Explanation: Accentuate means to make something more noticeable or prominent. It is often used to bring out certain features or aspects of something, making them stand out more clearly. Sentences: ○ The artist used bright colors to accentuate the focal point of the painting. ○ Her statement only served to accentuate the differences between the two groups. AMELIORATE Synonyms: Improve, Enhance, Better Explanation: Ameliorate means to make something bad or unsatisfactory better. It often refers to the improvement of conditions or situations. Sentences: ○ The government implemented policies to ameliorate the economic conditions in the country. 31 ○ She took steps to ameliorate her relationship with her colleagues after the misunderstanding. ARTICULATE Synonyms: Eloquent, Fluent, Expressive Explanation: Articulate describes someone who can speak fluently and coherently. It also refers to the clear expression of ideas or feelings in speech or writing. Sentences: ○ The professor is known for being able to articulate complex ideas in a way that students can easily understand. ○ She is very articulate, making her a great spokesperson for the organization. AUSTERE Synonyms: Stern, Severe, Strict Explanation: Austere refers to a manner, attitude, or appearance that is severe or strict. It can also describe something that is plain and without luxury. Sentences: ○ The monk lived an austere life, with no indulgences or luxuries. ○ The teacher’s austere demeanor intimidated the students at first. BENEVOLENT Synonyms: Kind, Charitable, Compassionate Explanation: Benevolent describes someone who is well-meaning and kindly. It often refers to a desire to do good and help others. Sentences: ○ The benevolent organization donated millions of dollars to support education in underprivileged areas. ○ His benevolent nature made him a beloved figure in the community. BENIGN 32 Synonyms: Harmless, Gentle, Kindly Explanation: Benign refers to something that is gentle, kind, and not harmful. It is often used in a medical context to describe a condition that is not life-threatening. Sentences: ○ The tumor was found to be benign, much to the relief of the patient. ○ She has a benign smile that makes everyone feel at ease. COALESCE Synonyms: Unite, Merge, Combine Explanation: Coalesce means to come together to form one mass or whole. It often refers to the joining of different elements into a single entity. Sentences: ○ The various factions in the organization coalesced to form a united front. ○ Over time, the separate groups began to coalesce into a cohesive community. COPIOUS Synonyms: Abundant, Plentiful, Profuse Explanation: Copious refers to something that is abundant in supply or quantity. It often implies a large or generous amount. Sentences: ○ The students took copious notes during the lecture to ensure they captured all the important points. ○ After the rain, the garden was filled with copious amounts of blooming flowers. CYNICAL Synonyms: Skeptical, Distrustful, Pessimistic 33 Explanation: Cynical describes someone who believes that people are motivated by self-interest rather than by honorable or altruistic reasons. It often involves a distrustful or pessimistic view of human nature. Sentences: ○ He had a cynical view of politics, believing that most politicians were corrupt. ○ Her cynical attitude made it difficult for her to trust others. DEMANDED OF Synonyms: Required of, Insisted on, Asked of Explanation: Demanded of refers to something that is asked or required of someone, often in a forceful or authoritative way. Sentences: ○ The job demanded of her a high level of commitment and attention to detail. ○ He demanded of his team that they meet the tight deadline, despite the challenges. DISGUISE Synonyms: Conceal, Mask, Camouflage Explanation: Disguise means to give someone or something a different appearance in order to conceal their identity. It can also mean to hide or obscure something, such as feelings or intentions. Sentences: ○ She wore a disguise to avoid being recognized at the event. ○ He tried to disguise his disappointment when he heard the news. DISTRUSTED Synonyms: Mistrusted, Suspected, Doubted Explanation: Distrusted means to regard someone or something with suspicion or a lack of trust. It often implies a belief that someone or something may not be honest or reliable. Sentences: 34 ○ The new policy was distrusted by many employees, who feared it might lead to job cuts. ○ She distrusted his motives, believing he was only looking out for himself. DOGMATIC Synonyms: Opinionated, Assertive, Inflexible Explanation: Dogmatic describes someone who is inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true, without considering other perspectives or evidence. It often implies a rigid and inflexible adherence to beliefs or ideas. Sentences: ○ His dogmatic approach to politics made it difficult to have a rational discussion with him. ○ The teacher was dogmatic in her teaching methods, refusing to consider alternative approaches. DRAWN TO Synonyms: Attracted to, Interested in, Captivated by Explanation: Drawn to refers to being attracted or pulled toward someone or something, often due to an interest, fascination, or admiration. Sentences: ○ She was drawn to the vibrant colors of the painting, unable to take her eyes off it. ○ He found himself drawn to her cheerful personality and positive outlook on life. EQUITABLE Synonyms: Fair, Just, Impartial Explanation: Equitable refers to something that is fair and impartial. It often involves ensuring that everyone is treated equally and with justice. Sentences: 35 ○ The company aims to provide equitable treatment to all its employees, regardless of their background. ○ An equitable distribution of resources is essential for a just society. ERRATIC Synonyms: Unpredictable, Inconsistent, Irregular Explanation: Erratic describes something that is not even or regular in pattern or movement. It often implies unpredictability or inconsistency. Sentences: ○ The weather has been erratic lately, changing from sunny to stormy in a matter of minutes. ○ His erratic behavior made it difficult for others to know how he would react in any given situation. HOMOGENEOUS Synonyms: Uniform, Consistent, Alike Explanation: Homogeneous refers to something that is of the same kind or similar in nature. It often describes groups or elements that are consistent and lack diversity. Sentences: ○ The town had a homogeneous population, with most residents sharing the same cultural background. ○ The company’s workforce was criticized for being too homogeneous and lacking diversity. IDEALIZE Synonyms: Glorify, Romanticize, Exalt Explanation: Idealize means to regard or represent something as perfect or better than in reality. It often involves a romanticized or unrealistic view of a person, time, or situation. Sentences: ○ It’s easy to idealize the past when looking back with nostalgia. 36 ○ She tended to idealize her childhood, forgetting the challenges she faced at the time. IMAGINARY Synonyms: Fictitious, Unreal, Fictional Explanation: Imaginary refers to something that exists only in the imagination and is not real. It is often used to describe scenarios, characters, or ideas that are created by the mind. Sentences: ○ The characters in the story are entirely imaginary, created by the author’s vivid imagination. ○ As a child, he had an imaginary friend who accompanied him on all his adventures. INSUFFICIENT Synonyms: Inadequate, Lacking, Deficient Explanation: Insufficient means not enough or lacking in quantity or quality to meet the needs or requirements. It often implies that something is below the necessary standard. Sentences: ○ The budget was insufficient to cover all the costs of the project, leading to delays and cutbacks. ○ The evidence presented in the trial was deemed insufficient to prove the defendant’s guilt. INTANGIBLE Synonyms: Immaterial, Abstract, Nonphysical Explanation: Intangible refers to something that cannot be touched or physically measured. It is often used to describe concepts, qualities, or assets that are abstract, such as emotions, values, or intellectual property. Sentences: ○ Happiness is an intangible feeling that cannot be quantified but is deeply felt. 37 ○ The company’s brand reputation is one of its most valuable intangible assets. MODEST ABOUT Synonyms: Humble, Unassuming, Reserved Explanation: Modest about describes someone who does not boast or brag about their achievements, abilities, or qualities. It reflects a sense of humility and restraint in self-presentation. Sentences: ○ Despite her significant accomplishments, she remained modest about her success. ○ He was always modest about his talents, never seeking the spotlight. LIGHTHEARTED ABOUT Synonyms: Carefree, Cheerful, Easygoing Explanation: Lighthearted about refers to a relaxed and cheerful attitude toward something, often not taking it too seriously. It implies a sense of ease and humor. Sentences: ○ He was lighthearted about the competition, seeing it as a fun challenge rather than a serious battle. ○ She took a lighthearted approach to life, always finding reasons to laugh and enjoy the moment. CONTROVERSY IN Synonyms: Dispute, Debate, Conflict Explanation: Controversy in refers to a public disagreement or debate, often involving differing opinions on a particular issue. It usually implies a situation that is contentious or divisive. Sentences: ○ The decision to close the school sparked a major controversy in the community. 38 ○ There was considerable controversy in the media over the new government policy. DESERVING Synonyms: Worthy, Meritorious, Entitled Explanation: Deserving refers to being worthy of reward, punishment, or recognition based on one's actions or qualities. It often implies that someone or something merits what they receive. Sentences: ○ After years of hard work, she was deserving of the promotion she finally received. ○ The charity’s efforts to help the homeless were truly deserving of the community’s support. DISCOUNT Synonyms: Dismiss, Disregard, Minimize Explanation: Discount can refer to reducing the price of something, but in this context, it means to dismiss or minimize the importance or validity of something. Sentences: ○ The critics discounted her work as amateurish, but she went on to win several awards. ○ He was quick to discount any ideas that did not align with his own. MAGNIFY Synonyms: Amplify, Exaggerate, Enhance Explanation: Magnify means to make something appear larger or more significant, either physically (as with a magnifying glass) or metaphorically (as in amplifying the importance of an issue). Sentences: ○ The microscope can magnify the image up to 100 times its actual size. 39 ○ The media tends to magnify small issues, making them seem more significant than they really are. SCRUTINIZE Synonyms: Examine, Inspect, Analyze Explanation: Scrutinize means to examine or inspect something very carefully, often in great detail. It involves a thorough and critical assessment to ensure accuracy, reliability, or to understand something better. Sentences: ○ The auditors were instructed to scrutinize the financial records to identify any discrepancies. ○ She scrutinized the contract before signing, making sure she understood every clause. COMPOUND Synonyms: Combine, Intensify, Worsen Explanation: Compound means to make something more intense or severe by adding additional elements, often negative. It can also refer to combining elements to create something new. Sentences: ○ The bad weather compounded the difficulties of the rescue operation. ○ The financial crisis was compounded by poor management decisions. STYMIE Synonyms: Hinder, Thwart, Obstruct Explanation: Stymie means to prevent or hinder the progress of something. It involves creating obstacles or challenges that make it difficult to achieve a goal. Sentences: 40 ○ The project was stymied by a lack of funding, forcing the team to halt their work. ○ His attempts to explain were stymied by constant interruptions. PRECIPITATING Synonyms: Triggering, Provoking, Causing Explanation: Precipitating refers to causing an event or situation to happen suddenly or prematurely. It often suggests that something has been set off or triggered, leading to a significant change or development. Sentences: ○ The sudden drop in stock prices was precipitating a panic among investors. ○ Her harsh words had the effect of precipitating an argument. STABILIZING Synonyms: Steadying, Balancing, Securing Explanation: Stabilizing refers to making something stable, steady, or secure. It often involves efforts to bring balance to a situation that was previously unstable or volatile. Sentences: ○ The government implemented measures aimed at stabilizing the economy after the recession. ○ The medication is effective in stabilizing the patient’s condition. PARTITION Synonyms: Divide, Separate, Section Explanation: Partition refers to dividing something into parts or sections, often using a barrier or wall. It can be used in both physical and abstract contexts, such as dividing a space or separating groups. Sentences: ○ The room was partitioned to create two smaller offices. ○ The partition of the country led to decades of conflict and tension. 41 VACATE Synonyms: Leave, Abandon, Depart Explanation: Vacate means to leave a place that one previously occupied, often in an official or formal manner. It implies making space or position available for someone else. Sentences: ○ The tenants were asked to vacate the apartment by the end of the month. ○ He decided to vacate his position as chairman to focus on his personal interests. AFFINITY FOR Synonyms: Liking for, Attraction to, Fondness for Explanation: Affinity for refers to a natural liking, attraction, or sympathy for someone or something. It suggests a strong connection or compatibility. Sentences: ○ She has always had an affinity for classical music, finding it both inspiring and soothing. ○ His affinity for animals led him to become a veterinarian. HESITANCY ABOUT Synonyms: Reluctance, Uncertainty, Doubt Explanation: Hesitancy about refers to a feeling of being unsure or reluctant to do something. It often implies a lack of confidence or fear of the consequences. Sentences: ○ There was some hesitancy about accepting the offer, given the risks involved. ○ His hesitancy about committing to the project caused delays in its start. 42 MANIFEST IN Synonyms: Evident in, Apparent in, Displayed in Explanation: Manifest in refers to something being clearly shown or displayed in a particular way. It implies that the presence or effect of something is obvious or easily noticed. Sentences: ○ Her dedication to her work was manifest in the quality of her reports. ○ The success of the policy was manifest in the improved living conditions of the citizens. CONSTRICT Synonyms: Tighten, Squeeze, Narrow Explanation: Constrict means to make something narrower or tighter by applying pressure. It can refer to physical objects, like a constricting snake, or metaphorical situations, like constricting opportunities or freedom. Sentences: ○ The snake constricted its prey until it could no longer move. ○ High-interest rates can constrict economic growth by reducing consumer spending. ANTAGONISTIC TOWARD Synonyms: Hostile to, Opposed to, Unfriendly toward Explanation: Antagonistic toward refers to a feeling or expression of opposition or hostility toward someone or something. It often involves active resistance or animosity. Sentences: ○ The politician was openly antagonistic toward the new legislation, arguing that it would harm small businesses. ○ He felt antagonistic toward his rival, refusing to cooperate in any way. 43 DISPASSIONATE IN Synonyms: Unemotional in, Detached in, Objective in Explanation: Dispassionate in refers to being free from emotion or bias, particularly when dealing with a situation that requires objectivity. It suggests a calm, impartial approach to decision-making or analysis. Sentences: ○ The judge remained dispassionate in her assessment of the case, focusing solely on the facts. ○ His dispassionate approach to solving problems made him an excellent mediator. POSTULATE Synonyms: Hypothesize, Propose, Suggest Explanation: Postulate means to suggest or assume the existence, fact, or truth of something as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief. It often involves proposing a theory or hypothesis. Sentences: ○ Scientists postulate that the universe is expanding based on current astronomical observations. ○ He postulated that the decline in sales was due to changes in consumer behavior. PROLIFERATE Synonyms: Multiply, Increase rapidly, Spread Explanation: Proliferate means to increase rapidly in number or quantity. It often refers to the rapid spread or growth of something, such as ideas, technologies, or species. Sentences: ○ In recent years, social media platforms have proliferated, changing the way people communicate. ○ The invasive plant species began to proliferate, overtaking the native vegetation. 44 SPECULATE Synonyms: Theorize, Guess, Hypothesize Explanation: Speculate means to form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence. It often involves guessing or making predictions based on incomplete information. Sentences: ○ Economists speculate that the market will recover by the end of the year. ○ He speculated about the reasons for her sudden departure, but no one knew for sure. DISSEMINATE Synonyms: Spread, Distribute, Circulate Explanation: Disseminate means to spread or disperse something, especially information, widely. It involves the distribution of ideas, knowledge, or news to a broader audience. Sentences: ○ The organization works to disseminate information about health and wellness to the public. ○ The report was disseminated to all employees, ensuring that everyone was informed of the changes. RECONCILE Synonyms: Settle, Resolve, Harmonize Explanation: Reconcile means to restore friendly relations between people or to make two opposing ideas, facts, or situations compatible. It often involves finding a way to coexist or agree after a disagreement. Sentences: ○ The two friends reconciled after a long argument, realizing that their relationship was more important than the disagreement. ○ The accountant was able to reconcile the differences in the financial statements. 45 INUNDATE Synonyms: Overwhelm, Flood, Swamp Explanation: Inundate means to overwhelm someone with things or people to be dealt with or to flood an area with water. It often implies being overwhelmed by an excessive amount of something. Sentences: ○ The small town was inundated with tourists during the summer festival. ○ After the announcement, the customer service team was inundated with calls. MITIGATE Synonyms: Lessen, Alleviate, Reduce Explanation: Mitigate means to make something less severe, serious, or painful. It involves taking actions to reduce the intensity or impact of something negative. Sentences: ○ The government introduced measures to mitigate the effects of the economic downturn. ○ She took painkillers to mitigate the discomfort from her injury. ABSTAIN Synonyms: Refrain, Avoid, Withhold Explanation: Abstain means to deliberately choose not to do or have something, especially something enjoyable or habitual. It often involves self-control or a decision to refrain from participating in a particular activity. Sentences: ○ During the vote, several members chose to abstain rather than support or oppose the motion. ○ She decided to abstain from eating sweets as part of her new diet. 46 BENIGN Synonyms: Harmless, Gentle, Non-threatening Explanation: Benign refers to something that is kind, gentle, and not harmful. In a medical context, it often describes a condition, tumor, or growth that is not dangerous or cancerous. Sentences: ○ The doctor assured her that the lump was benign and did not require surgery. ○ His benign smile put everyone at ease during the tense meeting. GRATUITOUS Synonyms: Unnecessary, Unwarranted, Uncalled for Explanation: Gratuitous refers to something that is done without good reason or is unnecessary. It often has a negative connotation, implying that something was excessive or without justification. Sentences: ○ The movie was criticized for its gratuitous violence, which seemed to serve no purpose in the story. ○ His comment about her appearance was gratuitous and made everyone uncomfortable. HYPOTHETICAL Synonyms: Theoretical, Supposed, Assumed Explanation: Hypothetical refers to something that is based on an imagined or theoretical scenario rather than reality. It is often used in discussions or arguments to explore possibilities or test ideas. Sentences: ○ The professor presented a hypothetical situation to help the students understand the concept. ○ Let’s consider a hypothetical case where the company increases its budget by 10%. 47 ILLICIT Synonyms: Illegal, Unlawful, Forbidden Explanation: Illicit refers to something that is forbidden by law, rules, or custom. It often describes activities that are illegal or morally unacceptable. Sentences: ○ The police cracked down on the illicit trade of counterfeit goods in the city. ○ He was involved in an illicit relationship that eventually led to scandal. EXCESSIVE Synonyms: Over-the-top, Immoderate, Extreme Explanation: Excessive refers to something that is more than necessary, normal, or desirable. It often implies an overabundance or an unreasonable amount of something. Sentences: ○ The judge ruled that the punishment was excessive for the crime committed. ○ She was criticized for spending an excessive amount of money on luxury items. PRACTICALITY Synonyms: Usefulness, Functionality, Feasibility Explanation: Practicality refers to the quality of being sensible, useful, and likely to succeed or be effective in real situations. It emphasizes practicality over theory or aesthetics. Sentences: ○ The designer focused on the practicality of the product, ensuring it was easy to use and maintain. ○ While the idea was creative, its practicality was questioned by the investors. 48 CIRCUMVENT Synonyms: Bypass, Avoid, Evade Explanation: Circumvent means to find a way around an obstacle, rule, or problem, often in a clever or deceptive manner. It involves avoiding difficulties or restrictions by using skill or ingenuity. Sentences: ○ The company tried to circumvent the new regulations by exploiting a loophole in the law. ○ She found a way to circumvent the system and complete the process more efficiently. CORROBORATE Synonyms: Confirm, Verify, Support Explanation: Corroborate means to confirm or give support to a statement, theory, or finding. It often involves providing additional evidence or testimony that strengthens a claim. Sentences: ○ The witness’s testimony corroborated the defendant’s alibi, leading to his acquittal. ○ Scientists were able to corroborate their findings with data from independent studies. CONVEY Synonyms: Communicate, Express, Transmit Explanation: Convey means to make an idea, feeling, or piece of information known or understandable to someone. It involves the transmission of thoughts, emotions, or messages from one person to another. Sentences: ○ The artist successfully conveyed a sense of sadness in his painting through the use of dark colors. 49 ○ It was difficult to convey the complexity of the issue in a brief conversation. REGRETTABLE Synonyms: Unfortunate, Lamentable, Deplorable Explanation: Regrettable refers to something that is unfortunate or causes regret. It often implies that something was a mistake or had undesirable consequences. Sentences: ○ The decision to close the factory was regrettable, as it left many people without jobs. ○ It was a regrettable incident that could have been avoided with better communication. EXPLICABLE Synonyms: Understandable, Comprehensible, Accountable Explanation: Explicable means something that can be explained or understood. It often refers to situations, events, or behaviors that have a logical or reasonable explanation. Sentences: ○ The sudden change in his behavior was explicable, given the recent stress he had been under. ○ The error in the calculations was easily explicable once the data was reviewed. ESTIMATED Synonyms: Approximate, Calculated, Assessed Explanation: Estimated refers to making a judgment or calculation about the value, size, or amount of something based on available information. It often involves a rough calculation rather than an exact measurement. Sentences: ○ The cost of the repairs was estimated to be around $2,000, but the final bill could be higher. 50 ○ The project’s completion date was estimated to be six months from now. UNYIELDING Synonyms: Inflexible, Firm, Resolute Explanation: Unyielding refers to someone or something that does not give way to pressure, persuasion, or influence. It often describes a person who is determined and unwilling to change their position or beliefs. Sentences: ○ The negotiators were met with unyielding opposition, making it difficult to reach an agreement. ○ Her unyielding commitment to justice inspired those around her to stand up for what is right. INTERDEPENDENT Synonyms: Mutually reliant, Connected, Dependent on each other Explanation: Interdependent refers to two or more things or people that rely on each other for support, resources, or success. It emphasizes the interconnectedness and mutual dependence within a relationship or system. Sentences: ○ The economies of neighboring countries are highly interdependent, with trade being a key factor. ○ The success of the project was interdependent on the cooperation of all team members. CONVENING WITH Synonyms: Meeting with, Assembling with, Gathering with Explanation: Convening with refers to coming together or gathering with others for a specific purpose, such as a meeting, discussion, or event. It often involves bringing people together to address common goals or issues. Sentences: 51 ○ The board members are convening with stakeholders to discuss the new strategic plan. ○ She was convening with her team to finalize the details of the upcoming presentation. UNCERTAIN Synonyms: Doubtful, Unsure, Indeterminate Explanation: Uncertain refers to a lack of certainty or confidence about something. It often describes situations where outcomes are unclear, or where there is hesitation or ambiguity in making a decision. Sentences: ○ He was uncertain about which career path to choose, as both options had pros and cons. ○ The weather forecast is uncertain, so we should prepare for both rain and sunshine. CONSPICUOUS Synonyms: Noticeable, Obvious, Prominent Explanation: Conspicuous refers to something that is easily seen or noticed, often because it is striking or unusual. It can describe something that stands out or draws attention due to its distinctiveness. Sentences: ○ The bright red car was conspicuous in the parking lot full of neutral-colored vehicles. ○ Her conspicuous absence from the meeting raised questions among her colleagues. REVOLTED Synonyms: Rebelled, Uprose, Resisted Explanation: Revolted refers to rising up against authority or rebelling against something that is perceived as unjust or oppressive. It can also describe a strong feeling of disgust or repulsion. Sentences: 52 ○ The citizens revolted against the corrupt government, demanding change and reform. ○ She was revolted by the sight of the spoiled food, quickly turning away. AFFECTING Synonyms: Moving, Touching, Stirring Explanation: Affecting describes something that has a strong emotional impact, often evoking deep feelings or emotions. It is used to describe actions, words, or events that resonate with people on an emotional level, leaving a lasting impression. Sentences: ○ The documentary was deeply affecting, bringing many viewers to tears as they watched the personal stories unfold. ○ His speech at the memorial service was affecting, as he shared heartfelt memories of his late friend. 53 LEVEL 3 ❖ The list below contains expert-level vocabulary words, which represent the most advanced terms on the SAT. These words are likely to appear in only 2-4 challenging context-based questions on the test. Although it requires significant effort to study them, mastering these words could be the key to achieving a score of 750+ on the SAT Reading and Writing section. However, since these words are less frequently encountered on the SAT, it is recommended that you only study level 3 words after you have thoroughly mastered levels 1 and 2. AMORPHOUS Synonyms: Shapeless, Formless, Indeterminate 54 Explanation: Amorphous refers to something that lacks a clear structure or shape. It can describe physical objects, substances, or abstract concepts that are not well-defined or have no specific form. Sentences: ○ The concept was still amorphous, lacking a clear direction or definition. ○ The artist’s painting was an amorphous blend of colors, with no discernible shapes or patterns. Haphazard Synonyms: Random, Disorganized, Unplanned Explanation: Haphazard refers to something that is done in a random, disorganized, or unplanned way. Sentences: ○ The books were piled in a haphazard manner on the shelf. ○ His approach to the project was haphazard and lacked structure. Contentious Synonyms: Disputable, Controversial, Argumentative Explanation: Contentious refers to something likely to cause disagreement or argument. Sentences: ○ The meeting became heated over a contentious issue. ○ Politics is often a contentious subject among friends and family. Ineffectual Synonyms: Ineffective, Useless, Futile Explanation: Ineffectual means not producing the desired effect or result. Sentences: 55 ○ His attempts to fix the problem were ineffectual and made things worse. ○ The company’s marketing campaign was ineffectual in increasing sales. Arduous Synonyms: Difficult, Exhausting, Strenuous Explanation: Arduous refers to something that requires a lot of effort or is very difficult to accomplish. Sentences: ○ The hike to the top of the mountain was long and arduous. ○ Studying for the exam was an arduous process that took many weeks. Summations Synonyms: Conclusions, Summaries, Overviews Explanation: Summations refer to concise explanations or summaries of larger pieces of information. Sentences: ○ The lawyer gave her final summations before the jury made a decision. ○ His summations of the research papers were clear and easy to understand. Conjecture Synonyms: Speculation, Guesswork, Hypothesis Explanation: Conjecture refers to forming an opinion or conclusion based on incomplete information. 56 Sentences: ○ There was much conjecture about the outcome of the election. ○ His theory was based on conjecture rather than solid evidence. Ambivalent Synonyms: Uncertain, Conflicted, Mixed Explanation: Ambivalent means having mixed feelings or being uncertain about something. Sentences: ○ She felt ambivalent about moving to a new city; excited but also nervous. ○ His ambivalent attitude toward the project made it difficult for the team to proceed. Analogical Synonyms: Comparable, Similar, Relatable Explanation: Analogical refers to something that is based on or involves a comparison between two things. Sentences: ○ Her reasoning was analogical, comparing the current situation to a past event. ○ The teacher used an analogical approach to explain the complex concept. Associative Synonyms: Connected, Related, Linked Explanation: Associative refers to the relationship between ideas or concepts that are connected or related to one another. 57 Sentences: ○ The brain often uses associative memory to recall information. ○ His associative thinking helped him draw connections between seemingly unrelated topics. Counterfactual Synonyms: Hypothetical, Theoretical, Speculative Explanation: Counterfactual refers to a thought or scenario that explores what would have happened if things were different. Sentences: ○ The historian presented a counterfactual argument, imagining what might have happened if the war had been avoided. ○ His counterfactual thinking often led to interesting discussions about alternative outcomes. Efficacy Synonyms: Effectiveness, Success, Efficiency Explanation: Efficacy refers to the ability to produce the desired result or effect. Sentences: ○ The efficacy of the new medication was proven through clinical trials. ○ She questioned the efficacy of the training program after seeing little improvement. Aesthetics Synonyms: Beauty, Artistry, Appearance 58 Explanation: Aesthetics refers to the appreciation or study of beauty, especially in art and design. Sentences: ○ The aesthetics of the new building were sleek and modern. ○ She has a strong sense of aesthetics when it comes to interior design. Meager Synonyms: Inadequate, Insufficient, Sparse Explanation: Meager refers to something that is small in quantity or lacking in quality. Sentences: ○ The workers received a meager salary despite their hard work. ○ The meal was meager and did little to satisfy his hunger. Fluctuate with Synonyms: Vary, Change, Oscillate Explanation: Fluctuate with means to change or vary, often in an irregular pattern. Sentences: ○ The stock prices fluctuate with market trends. ○ Her energy levels fluctuate with her daily schedule. Insurmountable Synonyms: Unbeatable, Overwhelming, Impossible Explanation: Insurmountable refers to something that is too great or difficult to overcome. Sentences: 59 ○ The challenges seemed insurmountable, but they managed to find a way through. ○ The distance between the two cities felt insurmountable for the travelers. Unprecedented Synonyms: Unparalleled, Unmatched, Unique Explanation: Unprecedented refers to something that has never happened before or has no previous example. Sentences: ○ The company’s growth this year has been unprecedented. ○ His actions were unprecedented, setting a new standard in the industry. Satirized Synonyms: Mocked, Ridiculed, Parodied Explanation: Satirized means to criticize or mock someone or something, often in a humorous way. Sentences: ○ The comedian satirized political figures in his latest skit. ○ The novel satirized the absurdity of corporate culture. Prevail over Synonyms: Triumph, Overcome, Succeed Explanation: Prevail over means to win or succeed against someone or something, especially after a struggle. Sentences: ○ Despite the difficulties, she managed to prevail over her fears. 60 ○ The team prevailed over their opponents in the final minutes of the game. Constrain within Synonyms: Confine, Limit, Restrict Explanation: Constrain within means to limit or restrict something to certain boundaries or rules. Sentences: ○ The artist felt constrained within the rules of the competition. ○ The company’s budget constraints limited their ability to expand. Overreach by Synonyms: Exceed, Stretch, Overextend Explanation: Overreach by means to try to achieve something beyond your capacity, often leading to failure or difficulty. Sentences: ○ He overreached by trying to take on more work than he could handle. ○ The company overreached by expanding too quickly without proper planning. Amorphous Synonyms: Shapeless, Formless, Undefined Explanation: Amorphous refers to something that lacks a clear shape or structure. Sentences: ○ The cloud had an amorphous shape as it floated across the sky. 61 ○ His ideas were still amorphous and needed more development before the presentation. Dispersed Synonyms: Scattered, Spread, Distributed Explanation: Dispersed means to distribute or spread over a wide area. Sentences: ○ The crowd dispersed after the concert ended. ○ The seeds were dispersed by the wind across the field. Spurious Synonyms: False, Deceptive, Misleading Explanation: Spurious refers to something that is not what it appears to be, often fake or misleading. Sentences: ○ The rumors about the celebrity’s personal life were spurious. ○ He made a spurious argument that was quickly disproven by the facts. Sources in Synonyms: Origins, References, Evidence Explanation: Sources in refers to the origin or reference from which information or evidence is obtained. Sentences: ○ The report was based on sources in the government. ○ He cited several sources in his research paper. 62 Precedents in Synonyms: Examples, Cases, Models Explanation: Precedents in refers to earlier events or actions that serve as examples or models for later situations. Sentences: ○ There are many legal precedents in the case that support the argument. ○ The company followed precedents in the industry when making its decision. APPRAISING Synonyms: Evaluating, Assessing, Judging Explanation: Appraising refers to the act of evaluating or assessing the value, quality, or significance of something. It often involves a critical examination to determine worth or importance. Sentences: ○ The manager was appraising the performance of each employee to determine who deserved a promotion. ○ She gave him an appraising glance, trying to gauge his reaction to the proposal. ARDUOUS Synonyms: Difficult, Strenuous, Laborious Explanation: Arduous refers to something that requires a lot of effort, energy, and perseverance. It is often used to describe tasks or journeys that are challenging and exhausting. Sentences: ○ Climbing the mountain was an arduous task, but the breathtaking view from the top made it worthwhile. 63 ○ The negotiations were long and arduous, testing the patience of everyone involved. CONTROVERSY IN Synonyms: Dispute, Debate, Conflict Explanation: Controversy in refers to a public disagreement or heated discussion about a particular issue. It usually involves differing opinions and can be a source of conflict or debate. Sentences: ○ There was a major controversy in the community over the proposed construction of a new shopping mall. ○ The decision to change the curriculum sparked controversy in the education sector. CONTROVERSY Synonyms: Dispute, Argument, Debate Explanation: Controversy refers to a prolonged public disagreement or heated discussion, often involving strong opposing opinions. It can arise in various contexts, such as politics, culture, or social issues. Sentences: ○ The politician’s comments sparked a nationwide controversy, dividing public opinion. ○ The controversy surrounding the artist’s latest exhibit drew large crowds and intense media coverage. COARSENESS Synonyms: Roughness, Crudeness, Vulgarity Explanation: Coarseness refers to a lack of refinement, sophistication, or delicacy. It can describe language, behavior, or materials that are crude, unpolished, or harsh. Sentences: ○ The coarseness of his language shocked the guests at the formal dinner. 64 ○ The fabric’s coarseness made it unsuitable for delicate garments. CONSTRICT Synonyms: Tighten, Squeeze, Narrow Explanation: Constrict means to make something narrower or tighter by applying pressure. It can be used to describe both physical and metaphorical situations where freedom or space is limited. Sentences: ○ The snake constricted its prey, preventing it from escaping. ○ The new regulations could constrict business growth by imposing strict limits on expansion. CONFLATE WITH Synonyms: Combine with, Merge with, Confuse with Explanation: Conflate with refers to the act of combining two or more distinct elements, ideas, or concepts into one, often leading to confusion or a misunderstanding of the individual parts. Sentences: ○ The author warned not to conflate the two theories, as they address different aspects of the issue. ○ People often conflate freedom of speech with the right to say anything without consequences. COUNTERACT Synonyms: Neutralize, Offset, Oppose Explanation: Counteract means to act against something in order to reduce its force or neutralize its effects. It often involves taking steps to prevent or diminish a negative impact. Sentences: ○ The medication was prescribed to counteract the side effects of the initial treatment. 65 ○ The government introduced new policies to counteract the rising unemployment rate. DISTRUSTED Synonyms: Mistrusted, Suspected, Doubted Explanation: Distrusted means to regard someone or something with suspicion or a lack of trust. It implies that there are doubts about the honesty, reliability, or intentions of a person or thing. Sentences: ○ The new manager was distrusted by the team due to his abrupt changes in company policy. ○ She distrusted the salesman’s promises, suspecting that there was a catch. DOGMATIC Synonyms: Opinionated, Assertive, Inflexible Explanation: Dogmatic describes someone who is stubbornly attached to their own opinions or beliefs and unwilling to consider alternative viewpoints. It often implies an unyielding and rigid adherence to doctrine. Sentences: ○ His dogmatic approach to teaching left little room for creativity or independent thought. ○ The politician was criticized for his dogmatic stance on the issue, refusing to compromise. DISPERSED Synonyms: Scattered, Spread, Distributed Explanation: Dispersed refers to something that has been spread out over a wide area or distributed in different directions. It often describes a group that has been broken up and spread out. Sentences: ○ The crowd dispersed quickly after the concert ended, heading in all directions. 66 ○ The seeds were dispersed by the wind, ensuring that they would grow in various locations. EQUIVOCAL Synonyms: Ambiguous, Unclear, Vague Explanation: Equivocal refers to something that is open to more than one interpretation, often because it is deliberately unclear or ambiguous. It can describe statements, actions, or situations that are not straightforward. Sentences: ○ The politician’s equivocal statements left the audience unsure of his true position on the issue. ○ The results of the experiment were equivocal, leading to further questions rather than answers. ENGENDER Synonyms: Generate, Produce, Create Explanation: Engender means to cause or give rise to a feeling, situation, or condition. It often involves the creation or fostering of something, such as an emotion, atmosphere, or event. Sentences: ○ The new policy engendered a sense of hope among the employees. ○ His speech was designed to engender trust and confidence in the leadership. EXTRAPOLATING FROM Synonyms: Inferring from, Deducing from, Extending from Explanation: Extrapolating from refers to the act of making a prediction or estimate about the future or the unknown based on known data or trends. It involves extending or projecting information from what is already known. Sentences: 67 ○ Scientists are extrapolating from current climate data to predict future environmental changes. ○ By extrapolating from the sales figures of the past few months, we can estimate next quarter’s revenue. INELUCTABLE Synonyms: Inevitable, Unavoidable, Inescapable Explanation: Ineluctable refers to something that cannot be avoided or escaped; it is certain to happen. It often describes outcomes or events that are bound to occur regardless of efforts to prevent them. Sentences: ○ The ineluctable passage of time affects everyone, regardless of status or wealth. ○ The company faced the ineluctable consequences of its poor financial decisions. INEFFECTUAL Synonyms: Ineffective, Unsuccessful, Futile Explanation: Ineffectual refers to something or someone that does not produce the desired result or is unable to achieve success. It often implies that efforts or actions are inadequate or insufficient. Sentences: ○ The new policy was ineffectual in addressing the underlying issues, leading to continued dissatisfaction. ○ His attempts to fix the broken machine were ineffectual, and a professional was eventually called in. INTRICATE Synonyms: Complex, Detailed, Complicated Explanation: Intricate refers to something that is very detailed and complex, often with many interconnected parts or elements. It is used to describe designs, systems, or problems that require careful analysis or understanding. 68 Sentences: ○ The intricate design of the watch reflected the craftsmanship of its maker. ○ The plot of the novel was so intricate that readers had to pay close attention to keep up with all the twists and turns. INTRINSIC TO Synonyms: Inherent in, Essential to, Fundamental to Explanation: Intrinsic to refers to something that is an essential or inherent part of something else. It describes qualities or characteristics that are fundamental and cannot be separated from the thing they belong to. Sentences: ○ Creativity is intrinsic to the success of any artistic endeavor. ○ Trust is intrinsic to a healthy and lasting relationship. IRREPROACHABLE Synonyms: Blameless, Faultless, Impeccable Explanation: Irreproachable refers to someone or something that is beyond criticism or fault, often because they are exemplary in behavior, character, or quality. It suggests that there is nothing that can be criticized or disapproved of. Sentences: ○ The judge’s conduct throughout the trial was irreproachable, earning respect from all parties involved. ○ Her work ethic was irreproachable, consistently delivering high-quality results on time. MANIFESTATIONS Synonyms: Displays, Expressions, Appearances Explanation: Manifestations refers to the visible or tangible expressions of something abstract, such as an idea, quality, or feeling. It often describes how something internal or hidden becomes apparent or evident. 69 Sentences: ○ The symptoms were manifestations of a deeper underlying health issue. ○ The festival was a vibrant manifestation of the city’s rich cultural heritage. MEDIOCRE Synonyms: Average, Ordinary, Unremarkable Explanation: Mediocre describes something that is neither very good nor very bad but rather of average or moderate quality. It often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting that something fails to meet high standards. Sentences: ○ The restaurant’s food was mediocre at best, leaving the diners unimpressed. ○ His performance in the competition was mediocre, placing him in the middle of the rankings. OBSOLETE Synonyms: Outdated, Outmoded, Antiquated Explanation: Obsolete refers to something that is no longer in use or is out of date, often because it has been replaced by something newer and more efficient. It is commonly used to describe technology, practices, or ideas. Sentences: ○ The old computer system has become obsolete and will be replaced with a more modern one. ○ With the advent of digital cameras, film photography has become increasingly obsolete. PERVASIVE Synonyms: Widespread, Prevalent, Ubiquitous 70 Explanation: Pervasive refers to something that is widespread or has a strong presence, often in a negative context. It describes something that is found throughout all parts of a particular area or group. Sentences: ○ The pervasive influence of social media has changed the way we communicate and interact. ○ Corruption was so pervasive in the organization that it affected every level of management. PRECURSORS Synonyms: Forerunners, Predecessors, Antecedents Explanation: Precursors are things that come before something else and may indicate or lead to its development. They can be events, people, or conditions that precede and influence what follows. Sentences: ○ The invention of the telegraph was a precursor to the development of modern communication technologies. ○ Certain economic indicators can act as precursors to a financial crisis. PRECLUDE Synonyms: Prevent, Prohibit, Hinder Explanation: Preclude means to prevent something from happening or to make it impossible. It involves actions or conditions that effectively block or eliminate the possibility of something occurring. Sentences: ○ The heavy rain precluded any chance of holding the outdoor event as planned. ○ His criminal record precludes him from being considered for the security position. PRETENTIOUSNESS Synonyms: Ostentation, Showiness, Pomposity 71 Explanation: Pretentiousness refers to the quality of trying to appear more important, talented, or cultured than one actually is. It often involves exaggerated displays of wealth, intelligence, or sophistication to impress others. Sentences: ○ The author’s pretentiousness was evident in his use of overly complex language that added little to the story. ○ The gallery’s decor, with its gaudy gold frames and velvet ropes, exuded an air of pretentiousness. RESOLUTE Synonyms: Determined, Unwavering, Steadfast Explanation: Resolute describes someone who is firmly determined and unwavering in their purpose or beliefs. It suggests a strong sense of commitment and a refusal to be swayed or discouraged. Sentences: ○ She remained resolute in her decision to pursue a career in medicine, despite the challenges. ○ The team was resolute in their goal to win the championship, practicing tirelessly every day. SHATTERED Synonyms: Broken, Smashed, Devastated Explanation: Shattered refers to something that has been broken into many pieces, either literally or metaphorically. It can describe physical objects or emotional states that have been severely damaged or destroyed. Sentences: ○ The vase was shattered into a thousand pieces when it fell off the shelf. ○ He was emotionally shattered by the news of his friend’s sudden passing. 72 USURP Synonyms: Seize, Take over, Appropriate Explanation: Usurp means to take a position of power or authority illegally or by force. It often involves overthrowing the rightful holder of a position or title and taking control without legitimate authority. Sentences: ○ The general attempted to usurp the throne by staging a coup against the king. ○ She accused her colleague of trying to usurp her role as team leader. VACILLATING Synonyms: Wavering, Hesitating, Indecisive Explanation: Vacillating describes someone who is unable to make a firm decision and often changes their mind or stance. It suggests a lack of determination and consistency. Sentences: ○ His vacillating stance on the issue made it difficult for the team to know what direction to take. ○ The company’s vacillating policies created confusion among employees and customers alike. VIGILANCE Synonyms: Watchfulness, Alertness, Caution Explanation: Vigilance refers to the action or state of keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. It suggests a high level of awareness and attentiveness to potential threats or problems. Sentences: ○ The security team maintained constant vigilance to ensure the safety of the building. ○ Parents are urged to exercise vigilance when allowing their children to use the internet. 73 WHIM Synonyms: Impulse, Fancy, Caprice Explanation: Whim refers to a sudden, unpredictable, and often irrational desire or change of mind. It suggests spontaneity and a lack of serious intent or planning. Sentences: ○ On a whim, they decided to take a road trip to the coast without any plans or reservations. ○ His decision to quit his job was driven by a whim rather than a carefully thought-out plan. INHIBITED BY Synonyms: Restrained by, Held back by, Limited by Explanation: Inhibited by refers to being held back or restricted from acting or expressing oneself freely due to internal or external factors. It often implies a lack of confidence or fear of consequences. Sentences: ○ She was inhibited by her fear of public speaking, which made it difficult for her to present her ideas in meetings. ○ The team’s progress was inhibited by a lack of resources and support from upper management. CONTINGENT ON Synonyms: Dependent on, Conditional on, Subject to Explanation: Contingent on refers to something that depends on the occurrence of another event or condition. It suggests that one outcome is reliant on the fulfillment of a particular requirement or situation. Sentences: ○ The success of the project is contingent on securing additional funding from investors. ○ His offer to help was contingent on her agreeing to repay him at a later date. 74 OBLIGATED TO Synonyms: Bound to, Required to, Compelled to Explanation: Obligated to refers to being morally or legally bound to do something. It implies a sense of duty or responsibility that compels a person to take certain actions. Sentences: ○ As a witness to the accident, he felt obligated to report what he had seen to the authorities. ○ The contract obligated her to complete the project by the agreed-upon deadline. NULLIFY Synonyms: Invalidate, Cancel, Annul Explanation: Nullify means to make something legally void or ineffective. It involves canceling or rendering something, such as a law, contract, or decision, without any force or effect. Sentences: ○ The court decided to nullify the law, ruling it unconstitutional. ○ The agreement was nullified when one party failed to meet its obligations. EXTRANEOUS Synonyms: Irrelevant, Unrelated, Unnecessary Explanation: Extraneous refers to something that is not essential or relevant to the main subject or situation. It often describes information, details, or elements that are unnecessary and can be omitted. Sentences: ○ The report was filled with extraneous information that distracted from the main findings. ○ To focus on the core issues, they removed any extraneous details from the discussion. 75 ARCANE Synonyms: Mysterious, Obscure, Esoteric Explanation: Arcane refers to something that is understood by only a few people, often because it is complex, obscure, or secret. It is usually associated with specialized knowledge or practices that are not commonly known. Sentences: ○ The professor’s lecture delved into arcane theories that were difficult for the students to grasp. ○ The rituals of the ancient cult were arcane, known only to a select group of initiates. DEFUNCT Synonyms: Obsolete, Disused, Extinct Explanation: Defunct refers to something that is no longer in existence, operation, or use. It can describe organizations, systems, practices, or technologies that have become outdated or have ceased to function. Sentences: ○ The factory has been defunct for years, with its machinery rusting away in the empty building. ○ The defunct law was repealed decades ago, yet some still mistakenly believe it is in effect. UBIQUITOUS Synonyms: Omnipresent, Pervasive, Ever-present Explanation: Ubiquitous describes something that is found or appears everywhere, or seems to be present at all times. It often refers to trends, technologies, or phenomena that are widespread and common. Sentences: ○ Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society, with nearly everyone owning one. 76 ○ The brand’s logo was ubiquitous, appearing on billboards, buses, and even in digital ads. DISPARAGE Synonyms: Belittle, Degrade, Dismiss Explanation: Disparage means to speak about someone or something in a way that shows strong disapproval or a lack of respect. It involves belittling or demeaning someone’s worth, reputation, or abilities. Sentences: ○ He was known to disparage his colleagues’ ideas, often dismissing them without consideration. ○ The article unfairly disparaged the artist’s work, ignoring its positive aspects. ORIGINALITY Synonyms: Creativity, Uniqueness, Novelty Explanation: Originality refers to the quality of being novel, fresh, and creative, involving ideas, works, or expressions that are not derived from something else. It implies innovation and the ability to think independently. Sentences: ○ Her design stood out for its originality, offering a fresh perspective in a field saturated with similar ideas. ○ The movie was praised for its originality, combining genres in a way that had never been seen before. CONSTRAIN Synonyms: Restrict, Limit, Confine Explanation: Constrain means to restrict or limit someone or something within certain boundaries or to prevent them from acting freely. It often involves applying pressure or imposing limits on actions or choices. Sentences:

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