144 Build Your Vocabulary

The SAT High-Frequency Word List*

abridge compile disseminate guile materialism
abstemious complacency dissent gullible methodical
abstract compliance divergent hamper (V) meticulous
abstruse composure doctrine hardy miserly
accessible comprehensive document (V) haughtiness mitigate
acclaim concede dogmatic hedonist morose
acknowledge conciliatory dubious heresy mundane
adulation concise duplicity hierarchy negate
adversary concur eclectic homogeneous nonchalance
adversity condone egotism hypocritical notoriety
advocate conflagration elated hypothetical novelty
aesthetic confound eloquence idiosyncrasy nurture
affable consensus elusive illusory obliterate
affirmation constraint embellish immutable oblivion
alleviate contend emulate impair obscure (V)
aloof contentious endorse impeccable obstinate
altruistic contract (V) enhance impede ominous
ambiguous conviction enigma implausible opaque
ambivalence cordial enmity implement (V) opportunist
analogous corroborate ephemeral impudence optimist
anarchist credulity equivocal inadvertent opulence
anecdote criterion erroneous inane orator
animosity cryptic erudite incisive ostentatious
antagonism cursory esoteric incite pacifist
antidote curtail eulogy inclusive partisan
antiquated decorum euphemism incongruous peripheral
apathy deference exacerbate inconsequential perpetuate
appease degradation exalt incorrigible pervasive
apprehension delineate execute indict pessimism
arbitrary denounce exemplary indifferent phenomena
archaic deplore exemplify indiscriminate philanthropist
arrogance depravity exhaustive induce piety
articulate deprecate exhilarating inert placate
artifact deride exonerate ingenious ponderous
artisan derivative expedient inherent pragmatic
ascendancy despondent expedite innate preclude
ascetic detached explicit innocuous precocious
aspire deterrent exploit (V) innovation predator
astute detrimental extol insipid predecessor
attribute (V) devious extraneous instigate presumptuous
augment devise extricate insularity pretentious
austere diffuse exuberance integrity prevalent
authoritarian digression facilitate intervene prodigal
autonomous diligence fallacious intimidate profane
aversion diminution fanaticism intrepid profound
belie discerning fastidious inundate profusion
benevolent disclose feasible invert proliferation
bolster discordant fervor ironic prolific
braggart discount (V) flagrant lament provincial
brevity discrepancy frivolous laud proximity
cajole discriminating frugality lavish (ADJ) prudent
calculated disdain furtive lethargic qualified
candor disinclination garrulous levity quandary
capricious dismiss glutton linger ramble
censorious disparage gratify listless rancor
censure disparity gratuitous lofty ratify
coercion disperse gravity malicious rebuttal
commemorate disputatious gregarious marred recluse
 The SAT Hot Prospects Word List 145

recount resolve (N) seclusion superfluous turmoil

rectify restraint servile surpass undermine
redundant reticence skeptic surreptitious uniformity
refute retract sluggish susceptible unwarranted
relegate reverent somber sustain usurp
remorse rhetorical sporadic sycophant vacillate
renounce rigor squander taciturn venerate
repel robust stagnant temper (V) verbose
reprehensible sage static (ADJ) tentative vigor
reprimand sanction (V) submissive terse vilify
reprove satirical subordinate (ADJ) thrive vindicate
repudiate saturate subside tranquillity virtuoso
reserve (N) scanty substantiate transient volatile
resigned scrupulous succinct trite whimsical
resolution scrutinize superficial turbulence zealot

*This word list has been updated to include all released SAT exams through January 2002.

The SAT Hot Prospects Word List

abate colloquial fallow mercenary (ADJ) recant
accolade combustible falter mercurial remission
acquiesce complementary fathom (V) mirth replete
acrid confluence fell (V) misanthrope repugnant
acrimony conjecture fitful misnomer rescind
aggregate (V) converge florid mollify respite
amorphous corrode foolhardy mosaic resplendent
anachronistic corrugated glacial munificent savory
anomaly culpable hackneyed nefarious sedentary
antediluvian debilitate hyperbole nuance soporific
antipathy debunk iconoclastic obdurate spurious
apocryphal dehydrate ignominy odious spurn
arable deleterious illicit ornate steadfast
ardent depose impecunious pariah stolid
assiduous desiccate impregnable parody strident
assuage diffidence incidental parsimony stupefy
atrophy dilatory incontrovertible paucity supplant
audacious discourse indefatigable penury surfeit
avarice discrepancy indolent perfunctory swagger
avert disquiet ineffable pernicious tantamount
aviary distend inexorable pitfall tenacity
beguile dupe insolvent pithy terrestrial
bequeath ebullient insuperable polemical threadbare
bleak edify intractable prattle tirade
blighted efface irreproachable precarious torpor
bombastic effervesce jocular profligate (ADJ) trepidation
buttress elegy labyrinth quagmire trifling
cacophonous elicit laconic quell truncate
cardiologist elucidate laggard querulous unkempt
carping emaciated lampoon quiescent unprecedented
certitude emend lassitude rant vaporize
charlatan equanimity lithe rarefy viable
circumlocution equitable lurid raucous virulent
clich evanescent luxuriant ravenous voluble
coalesce excerpt meander raze witticism