This lecture provides concise definitions of key SAT vocabulary words, including common academic terms and essential concepts from multiple fields of study.
General SAT Vocabulary
Abundant: existing in large quantities; plentiful.
Pervasive: spreading through every part of something.
Adhere: to believe in and follow practices.
Precursor: a forerunner or predecessor.
Accentuate: make something more noticeable.
Advocate: to publicly support.
Prohibitive: restricting or forbidding; excessively high.
Allude: to suggest or mention indirectly.
Analogous: comparable in ways that clarify.
Tranquil: calm and undisturbed.
Anecdote: a brief, interesting story.
Relevant: closely connected or appropriate.
Outsized: larger or more significant than typical.
Apprehensive: anxious about the future.
Unattainable: unable to be reached or achieved.
Arbitrary: based on random choice or personal whim.
Lineage: descent from an ancestor.
Assert: state confidently or forcefully.
Bias: prejudice for or against something.
Concede: to admit after initial denial.
Coarseness: roughness or harshness.
Validate: to confirm accuracy.
Corroborate: to support or confirm.
Substantiate: provide evidence for.
Underscore: emphasize.
Undermine: weaken effectiveness or power.
Consensus: general agreement.
Decisive: settling an issue.
Eloquent: fluent or persuasive in speech.
Exert: to use physical or mental effort.
Dispute: disagreement or debate.
Denounce: publicly declare wrong or evil.
Skeptical: having doubts.
Provoke: cause a reaction, usually negative.
Overlook: miss noticing something.
Repression: restraining a feeling or quality.
Speculate: guess without firm evidence.
Subtle: delicate or hard to analyze.
Retain: to keep possession of.
Degrade: treat with disrespect.
Divergent: differing or going in different directions.
Explicit: clearly stated.
Imminent: about to happen.
Counteract: neutralize effects of something.
Impede: prevent or delay by obstructing.
Prominent: important or famous.
Reciprocate: respond with a similar action.
Refute: prove wrong.
Prevalent: common.
Oppressive: unjustly harsh or inflicting hardship.
Novel: new or unusual.
Inevitable: certain to happen.
Obscure: make unclear or hard to understand.
Conventional: ordinary.
Detractor: person who diminishes value or reputation.
Dispersed: spread widely.
Elicit: draw out a response.
Catalyze: bring about or inspire change.
Evade: escape or slip away.
Exploit: use or treat unfairly for benefit.
Sporadic: occurring irregularly.
Momentous: very significant or important.
Pristine: clean and fresh.
Constrict: make narrower or tighter.
Academic Field Terms
Ecology: study of the natural world.
Entomology: study of insects.
Genetics: study of genes.
Ornithology: study of birds.
Paleontology: study of fossils.
Zoology: study of animals.
Astronomy: study of stars and planets.
Botany: study of plants.
Neuroscience: study of the brain.
Geology: study of rocks.
Anthropology: study of human behavior and society.
Archaeology: study of past human activity via objects.
Economics: study of money systems.
Ethnography: study of specific cultures.
Folklore: study of traditional stories and myths.
Sociology: study of human social behavior.
Additional Useful Terms
Empirical: based on data or observation.
Hierarchy: system of ranks.
Indigenous: native to a place.
Inhibit: prevent or hinder.
Pigment: substance that gives color.
Predisposed: having a tendency toward something.
Equitable: fair and equal.
Regenerate: regrow or renew.
Stimulus: something causing a response.
Indulgent: overly generous.
Feasible: possible or doable.
Oblivious: unaware.
Absolve: clear of wrongdoing.
Behold: to see or observe.
Acclaim: openly praise.
Rectify: correct or make right.
Chastise: criticize harshly.
Satiate: satisfy fully.
Adversary: opponent.
Align: to support or agree with.
Key Terms & Definitions
Abundant — plentiful, existing in large amounts.
Bias — prejudice for or against something.
Concede — admit something is true after denying it.
Empirical — based on observation or data.
Equitable — fair and impartial.
Inevitable — certain to happen.
Skeptical — having doubts or reservations.
Action Items / Next Steps
Review and memorize these vocabulary words for SAT preparation.