Ace Your SAT English Preparation with Vocabulary Essentials
Embarking on SAT English Preparation requires more than just mastering grammar rules and reading comprehension. One often underestimated—but critical—component is vocabulary development. While the SAT may not demand that you define esoteric words out of context, precise vocabulary skills directly contribute to better performance on Words in Context questions and overall reading skills.
How Vocabulary Skills Factor into SAT English Preparation
In the SAT’s Evidence-Based Reading & Writing section, you’ll frequently encounter Words in Context items. These ask you to determine which word best fits in a passage, based on nuance and usage—not simply dictionary definitions.
Even though the SAT does not directly test obscure vocabulary lists, a solid command of advanced words helps you move more confidently and accurately through passages. During SAT English Preparation, your goal should be to combine context-clue strategies with a working knowledge of commonly used academic vocabulary.
Key Vocabulary for SAT English Preparation: A Curated List
Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
abolish | to officially put an end to (its noun form is “abolition”) |
abrupt | sudden or curt |
agitation | anxiety; the fast stirring of a liquid |
alteration | change from a previous norm |
ambiguous | open to more than one interpretation; unclear |
ambivalent | having mixed feelings |
arcane | difficult to understand |
begrudging | to envy; to give reluctantly |
belligerent | war-like, inclined to fight |
bias | inclination for or against a group of people or a particular outcome |
condescension | disdain |
contentious | controversial |
corroborate | confirm; support |
counterargument | an argument opposing an idea set forth elsewhere |
curtail | cut short |
deplete | use up |
dismay | disappointment and distress |
ebullient | highly enthusiastic |
eloquent | well-spoken |
emerging | beginning; new |
enigmatic | mysterious |
entrenched | solidly established |
enumerate | to list |
ephemeral | short-lived |
equivocal | vague |
esoteric | known only to a select group |
exertion | effort |
exhilarating | wildly exciting |
exonerate | free from blame |
fastidious | nit-picky, fussing over details |
fluctuate | to change irregularly |
foreshadow | to allude to coming events |
garner | gather |
garrulous | talkative |
gregarious | flocking, sociable |
hasten | to do something quickly |
hypothetical | based on a hypothesis; theoretical |
imperative | absolutely necessary |
indifferent | expressing no opinions on a matter |
indigenous | native to a certain area |
indiscriminate | without consideration |
indispensable | vital |
indistinct | unclear |
infrastructure | the organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or project |
keen | eager; incisive; to wail |
magnanimous | kind-hearted, likely to forgive |
malevolence | hostility |
melodramatic | exaggerated |
menacing | inspiring fear |
naïve | innocent; likely to believe anything |
obsolete | no longer useful |
omnipotence | having unlimited power |
opaque | not transparent |
oppress | to keep in a state of hardship |
ornate | highly decorated |
pantheon | the group of gods of a people |
pending | awaiting decision |
preclude | to prevent from happening |
profuse | excessive |
regression | return to an earlier state |
reinforce | strengthen; back up |
render | to provide; to make |
renounce | to declare the abandonment of something formally |
repeal | to revoke |
repose | rest |
reproach | express disapproval |
restorative | possessing characteristics that allow it to return health or well-being |
reticent | not saying much |
revere | respect deeply |
sampling | a representative group |
scope | the extent to which something is relevant |
secession | formally withdrawing from membership |
simulate | imitate |
soporific | causing sleep |
spawn | produce, often in terms of offspring |
spectacle | a visually impressive performance |
stimulate | build interest in |
subsequent | following |
suffrage | the right to vote |
supremacy | predominance; the state of being in control of all others |
synchronized | occurring at the same time |
tenacious | not giving in easily |
undermine | make less effective |
urbane | refined, of the city |
venerable | deserving of respect |
verbose | using too many words |
vitality | being strong and energetic |
warrant | justification; to justify |
yield | to produce; to give way |
Quality Over Quantity Always Wins
Don’t just list 15 things on your application. Colleges abroad prefer students who go deep in a few meaningful activities rather than dabble in many.
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Integrating Vocabulary Practice into Your Overall SAT English Preparation Plan
To get the most from vocabulary learning:
- Schedule daily short sessions (10–15 minutes) focused on 5–10 words
- Review prior words using spaced repetition each week
- Integrate vocabulary into reading, writing, and practice tests
- Gradually expand beyond the 104 core words as your comfort grows
Vocabulary should not be a side note—it should be woven into every phase of your SAT English Preparation. When done systematically, these cumulative gains are often what push scores from good to excellent.
