Explore
ScholarHack

200 Medium SAT Words You Should Know (2026) — Meanings & Quiz

Also study: hardest SAT words · easy SAT words

Test yourself on these words

Quick check—no account needed. Tap an answer for each question.

1. Which meaning best matches speculative?

2. Which meaning best matches latent?

3. Which meaning best matches myriad?

4. Which meaning best matches solemn?

5. Which meaning best matches arbiter?

Ready to practice these words instead of just reading them?

Start practicing free →
  1. amicable — Characterized by friendliness and absence of discord.
    Example: He was an amicable fellow with an easy smile.
    Full word page
  2. fathom — To understand (a difficult problem or an enigmatic person) after much thought.
    Example: I can't for the life of me fathom what this means.
    Full word page
  3. tacit — Understood or implied without being stated.
    Example: There was a tacit understanding between them not to argue.
    Full word page
  4. venerable — Accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character.
    Example: The venerable professor had taught at the school for fifty years.
    Full word page
  5. condone — To accept and allow (behavior that is considered morally wrong or offensive) to continue.
    Example: The school would not condone any form of bullying.
    Full word page
  6. consummate — Showing a high degree of skill and flair; complete or perfect.
    Example: She was a consummate professional in every aspect of her work.
    Full word page
  7. zenith — The time at which something is at its most powerful or successful.
    Example: Winning the continental championship was the zenith of my career.
    Full word page
  8. scathing — Witheringly scornful; severely critical.
    Example: The review was scathing, calling the novel poorly written.
    Full word page
  9. veracity — Conformity to facts; accuracy.
    Example: Investigators questioned the veracity of his official report.
    Full word page
  10. curtail — To reduce in extent or quantity; to impose a restriction on.
    Example: Curtailing horses procured long horse-hair.
    Full word page
  11. culmination — The highest or climactic point of something.
    Example: The concert was the culmination of six months of rehearsal.
    Full word page
  12. philanthropic — (of a person or organization) seeking to promote the welfare of others, especially by donating money to good…
    Example: The billionaire was known for his philanthropic donations.
    Full word page
  13. pervasive — Spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people.
    Example: The medication had a pervasive effect on the patient's health.
    Full word page
  14. soluble — (of a substance) able to be dissolved, especially in water.
    Example: The compound was highly soluble and dissolved quickly in the solution.
    Full word page
  15. latent — (of a quality or state) existing but not yet developed or manifest; hidden; concealed.
    Example: The virus remained latent in the body for years.
    Full word page
  16. allege — To claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal, typically without proof.
    Example: The agency alleged my credit history had problems.
    Full word page
  17. coronation — The ceremony of crowning a sovereign or a sovereign's consort.
    Example: The coronation of the new queen was a lavish ceremony.
    Full word page
  18. spurious — Not being what it purports to be; false or fake.
    Example: His spurious reasoning did not hold up under examination.
    Full word page
  19. commendation — Praise; an official award.
    Example: He received a commendation for his bravery during the fire.
    Full word page
  20. allocate — To distribute (resources or duties) for a particular purpose.
    Example: The city agreed to allocate more funding for public schools.
    Full word page
  21. scant — Barely sufficient or adequate.
    Example: After his previous escapades, Mary had scant reason to believe John.
    Full word page
  22. duress — Threats, violence, constraints, or other action brought to bear on someone to do something against their will or…
    Example: The contract was signed under duress and was later declared invalid.
    Full word page
  23. reprehensible — Deserving censure or condemnation.
    Example: Abandoning a pet on the highway is reprehensible behavior.
    Full word page
  24. affinity — A spontaneous or natural liking or sympathy for someone or something.
    Example: She felt a natural affinity for music from an early age.
    Full word page
  25. naive — (of a person or action) showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.
    Example: His naive trust in strangers left him vulnerable to scams.
    Full word page
  26. speculative — Engaged in, expressing, or based on conjecture rather than knowledge.
    Example: The investment was highly speculative with no guarantee of return.
    Full word page
  27. impeccable — In accordance with the highest standards of propriety; faultless.
    Example: He grew up in Norway, but he writes impeccable English.
    Full word page
  28. melancholy — A feeling of pensive sadness.
    Example: A melancholy mood settled over the students after the program was canceled.
    Full word page
  29. sedentary — (of a person) tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive.
    Example: The oyster is a sedentary mollusk; the barnacles are sedentary crustaceans.
    Full word page
  30. alleviate — To make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe.
    Example: The medicine helped alleviate her chronic back pain.
    Full word page
  31. tedious — Too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous.
    Example: Grading the same error repeatedly made the work tedious.
    Full word page
  32. prudence — The quality of being prudent; cautiousness.
    Example: Prudence led her to save money rather than spend recklessly.
    Full word page
  33. profane — Relating or devoted to that which is not sacred or biblical; secular rather than religious.
    Example: One should not profane the name of God.
    Full word page
  34. medley — A varied mixture of people or things; a miscellany.
    Example: They played a medley of favorite folk songs as an encore.
    Full word page
  35. alias — A false or assumed identity.
    Example: The author published fiction under the alias of a Victorian gentleman.
    Full word page
  36. serene — Calm, peaceful, and untroubled.
    Example: She looked at her students with joviality and a serene mentality.
    Full word page
  37. ethereal — Extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world.
    Example: The dancer's ethereal performance left the audience breathless.
    Full word page
  38. tantamount — Equivalent in seriousness to; virtually the same as.
    Example: In this view, disagreement and treason are tantamount.
    Full word page
  39. covert — Not openly acknowledged or displayed.
    Example: The agency ran a covert operation to gather intelligence.
    Full word page
  40. nocturnal — Done, occurring, or active at night.
    Example: Owls are nocturnal hunters that rely on darkness.
    Full word page
  41. infusion — The introduction of a new element or quality into something.
    Example: An extract of rooibos and chamomile makes a refreshing infusion.
    Full word page
  42. temperance — Abstinence from alcoholic drink.
    Example: He lived by the principle of temperance in all things.
    Full word page
  43. fervent — Having or displaying a passionate intensity.
    Example: She was a fervent believer in the power of education.
    Full word page
  44. countenance — A person's face or facial expression; to admit as acceptable or possible.
    Example: She would not countenance any form of dishonesty in her team.
    Full word page
  45. nonchalant — (of a person or manner) feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm.
    Example: We handled the whole frenetic situation with a nonchalant attitude.
    Full word page
  46. solemn — Formal and dignified.
    Example: The judge's solemn expression conveyed the gravity of the verdict.
    Full word page
  47. rebuke — To express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their actions or anomalies.
    Example: The teacher firmly rebuked the student for cheating.
    Full word page
  48. inclination — A person's natural tendency or urge to act or feel in a particular way; a disposition or propensity.
    Example: The inclination of his head increased and he awoke with a start.
    Full word page
  49. imperative — Of vital importance; crucial.
    Example: It is imperative that you leave the building immediately.
    Full word page
  50. yoke — A wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or…
    Example: The oppressive regime kept citizens under a heavy yoke of control.
    Full word page
  51. harrowing — Acutely distressing.
    Example: The survivors recounted a harrowing ordeal of three days without shelter.
    Full word page
  52. frugal — Sparing or economical with regard to money or food.
    Example: The frugal student lived on rice and beans all semester.
    Full word page
  53. innate — Inborn; natural.
    Example: She had an innate ability to read people's emotions.
    Full word page
  54. exorbitant — (of a price or amount charged) unreasonably high.
    Example: The hotel's rates during the festival were exorbitant.
    Full word page
  55. virtuoso — A person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit.
    Example: The virtuoso played the concerto without a single flaw.
    Full word page
  56. archetypal — Very typical of a certain kind of person or thing.
    Example: He was the archetypal hero: brave, honest, and selfless.
    Full word page
  57. excursion — A short journey or trip, especially one engaged in as a leisure activity.
    Example: While driving home I took an excursion and saw some deer.
    Full word page
  58. cognizant — Having knowledge or being aware of.
    Example: The defendant is cognizant that this is a serious charge.
    Full word page
  59. rescind — To revoke, cancel, or repeal (a law, order, or agreement).
    Example: The board voted to rescind its earlier approval.
    Full word page
  60. fleeting — Lasting for a very short time.
    Example: She caught only a fleeting glimpse of the rare bird.
    Full word page
  61. intrepid — Fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect).
    Example: The intrepid explorer mapped rivers no one had charted before.
    Full word page
  62. arduous — Involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.
    Example: The climb was arduous, but the summit view was worth it.
    Full word page
  63. obtuse — Annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand.
    Example: The student was too obtuse to grasp the lesson's meaning.
    Full word page
  64. complement — A thing that completes or brings to perfection.
    Example: A good wine can complement a meal beautifully.
    Full word page
  65. respite — A short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.
    Example: A short vacation offered welcome respite from the long project.
    Full word page
  66. caucus — A meeting of the members of a particular political party, to select candidates or decide policy.
    Example: The party held a caucus to select its presidential candidate.
    Full word page
  67. juxtaposition — The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.
    Example: The juxtaposition of wealth and poverty was striking in the city.
    Full word page
  68. euphoric — Characterized by or feeling intense excitement and happiness.
    Example: She felt euphoric after receiving her college acceptance letter.
    Full word page
  69. cadence — A modulation or inflection of the voice.
    Example: The poem's natural cadence made it easy to memorize.
    Full word page
  70. heinous — (of a person or wrongful act, especially a crime) utterly odious or wicked.
    Example: I hope they catch the person responsible for that heinous crime.
    Full word page
  71. insidious — Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects.
    Example: The disease spread in an insidious way, with symptoms appearing only after severe damage.
    Full word page
  72. coerce — To persuade an unwilling person to do something by using force or threats.
    Example: He was coerced into signing the contract under threat.
    Full word page
  73. overt — Done or shown openly; plainly or readily apparent, not secret or hidden.
    Example: His overt hostility made collaboration nearly impossible.
    Full word page
  74. catalyst — A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction; a person or thing that precipitates an event.
    Example: Economic development and integration are working as a catalyst for peace.
    Full word page
  75. pragmatic — Dealing with things sensibly and realistically.
    Example: The sturdy furniture in the student lounge was pragmatic, but unattractive.
    Full word page
  76. dialect — A particular form of a language which is peculiar to a specific region or social group.
    Example: Home computers in the 1980s had many incompatible dialects of BASIC.
    Full word page
  77. idealistic — Characterized by idealism; unrealistically aiming for perfection.
    Example: His idealistic vision was admired but seen as impractical.
    Full word page
  78. prescribe — (of a medical practitioner) to advise and authorize the use of (a medicine or treatment) for someone, especially…
    Example: The physician prescribed a strict regimen of rest and limited activity.
    Full word page
  79. innovate — To make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products.
    Example: Companies must constantly innovate to stay competitive.
    Full word page
  80. luminous — Full of or shedding light; bright or shining, especially in the dark.
    Example: The luminous full moon lit the entire field.
    Full word page
  81. edict — An official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority.
    Example: The king issued an edict banning all public gatherings.
    Full word page
  82. paragon — A person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality.
    Example: She was widely regarded as a paragon of honesty.
    Full word page
  83. raucous — Making or constituting a disturbingly harsh and loud noise.
    Example: At night, raucous sounds come from the swamp.
    Full word page
  84. vex — To make (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters.
    Example: Small delays continued to vex the already impatient client.
    Full word page
  85. complacent — Showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements.
    Example: The coach warned the players not to become complacent.
    Full word page
  86. blameless — Innocent of wrongdoing.
    Example: The investigation found her completely blameless in the matter.
    Full word page
  87. accolade — An award or privilege granted as a special honor or as an acknowledgment of merit.
    Example: Winning the award was the greatest accolade of her career.
    Full word page
  88. manifold — Many and various.
    Example: The manifold benefits of exercise are well documented.
    Full word page
  89. insular — Ignorant of or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one's own experience.
    Example: The insular village rarely welcomed visitors from outside.
    Full word page
  90. punitive — Inflicted or intended as punishment.
    Example: The jury awarded $10,000 in punitive damages.
    Full word page
  91. obsolete — No longer produced or used; out of date.
    Example: The technology had become obsolete within a few years.
    Full word page
  92. entail — To involve (something) as a necessary or inevitable part or consequence.
    Example: This activity will entail careful attention to detail.
    Full word page
  93. agile — Able to move quickly and easily.
    Example: The gymnast was remarkably agile on the balance beam.
    Full word page
  94. artisan — A worker in a skilled trade, especially one that involves making things by hand.
    Example: The market featured artisan breads and handmade cheeses.
    Full word page
  95. iridescent — Showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.
    Example: The butterfly's wings were iridescent in the morning light.
    Full word page
  96. zealous — Having or showing zeal.
    Example: He was a zealous advocate for prison reform.
    Full word page
  97. meritorious — Deserving reward or praise.
    Example: The policeman received the Award of Meritorious Service from his grateful department.
    Full word page
  98. intermittent — Occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady.
    Example: Intermittent bugs are most difficult to reproduce.
    Full word page
  99. dependency — A subordinate territory or region controlled by another country or power.
    Example: The report examined the nation's growing dependency on imports.
    Full word page
  100. superficial — Existing or occurring at or on the surface.
    Example: The report offered only a superficial analysis of the problem.
    Full word page
  101. altercation — A noisy argument or disagreement, especially in public.
    Example: A brief altercation broke out between the two neighbors.
    Full word page
  102. enmity — The state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.
    Example: Long-standing enmity between the two families shaped the feud.
    Full word page
  103. nominal — (of a role or status) existing in name only.
    Example: She accepted a nominal fee just to make the exchange official.
    Full word page
  104. canny — Having or showing shrewdness and good judgment, especially in money or business matters.
    Example: The politician gave a canny response to the reporter's questions.
    Full word page
  105. arbiter — A person who settles a dispute or has ultimate authority in a matter.
    Example: The referee served as the final arbiter of the rules.
    Full word page
  106. muddled — In a state of bewilderment or bewitchment.
    Example: Young children tend to muddle their words.
    Full word page
  107. antithesis — A person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.
    Example: Kindness is the antithesis of cruelty.
    Full word page
  108. restitution — The restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner.
    Example: The thief was ordered to make full restitution to his victims.
    Full word page
  109. arable — Used or suitable for growing crops.
    Example: Only a third of the land was arable and fit for crops.
    Full word page
  110. subordinate — Lower in rank or position.
    Example: The captain expected every subordinate to follow orders precisely.
    Full word page
  111. extant — Still in existence; surviving.
    Example: Only three extant copies of the original manuscript exist.
    Full word page
  112. innuendo — An allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.
    Example: She made a devious innuendo about her husband, who was embarrassed.
    Full word page
  113. larceny — Theft of personal property.
    Example: He was charged with larceny after stealing from the store.
    Full word page
  114. ornate — Made in an intricate shape or decorated with complex patterns.
    Example: The ornate ceiling of the palace took years to paint.
    Full word page
  115. abrasive — Showing little concern for the feelings of others; harsh or rough.
    Example: An abrasive person can grate on one's sensibilities.
    Full word page
  116. rife — (especially of something undesirable or harmful) of common occurrence; widespread.
    Example: Smallpox was rife after the siege had been lifted.
    Full word page
  117. innocuous — Not harmful or offensive.
    Example: His comment seemed innocuous but was taken as an insult.
    Full word page
  118. placid — (of a person or animal) not easily upset or excited.
    Example: The placid lake reflected the surrounding mountains perfectly.
    Full word page
  119. ingenious — (of a person) clever, original, and inventive.
    Example: The engineer devised an ingenious solution to the drainage problem.
    Full word page
  120. adamant — Refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind.
    Example: She was adamant that she had not taken the money.
    Full word page
  121. combustible — Able to catch fire and burn easily.
    Example: Sawdust is highly combustible and must be kept from open flames.
    Full word page
  122. expedient — (of an action) convenient and practical although possibly improper or immoral.
    Example: Most people, faced with a decision, will choose the most expedient option.
    Full word page
  123. malleable — Able to be hammered or pressed permanently out of shape without breaking or cracking.
    Example: My opinion on the subject is malleable.
    Full word page
  124. candid — Truthful and straightforward; frank.
    Example: She gave a candid account of her struggles during the interview.
    Full word page
  125. candor — The quality of being open and honest in expression; frankness.
    Example: He appreciated her candor in explaining the real problem.
    Full word page
  126. denounce — To publicly declare to be wrong or evil.
    Example: The president was quick to denounce the violent protest.
    Full word page
  127. resilient — Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
    Example: The resilient community rebuilt its homes within a year.
    Full word page
  128. acclaim — To praise enthusiastically and publicly.
    Example: The film received widespread acclaim from critics everywhere.
    Full word page
  129. agnostic — A person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of…
    Example: She identified as agnostic, unsure about the existence of a higher power.
    Full word page
  130. esoteric — Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge…
    Example: The topic was so esoteric that only specialists could follow it.
    Full word page
  131. trite — (of a remark, opinion, or idea) overused and consequently of little import; lacking originality or freshness.
    Example: His advice was well-meaning but trite and unhelpful.
    Full word page
  132. transient — Lasting only for a short time; impermanent.
    Example: The joy of winning was transient and faded within days.
    Full word page
  133. curt — Rudely brief.
    Example: His curt reply made it clear he wanted to be alone.
    Full word page
  134. ascertain — To find something out for certain; to make sure of.
    Example: Detectives worked to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.
    Full word page
  135. contemporaneous — Existing or occurring in the same period of time.
    Example: The two artists were contemporaneous, working in the same decade.
    Full word page
  136. penultimate — Last but one in a series of things; second last.
    Example: The penultimate episode ended on an unexpected cliffhanger.
    Full word page
  137. prudent — Acting with or showing care and thought for the future.
    Example: It was prudent to arrive early given the bad traffic.
    Full word page
  138. compendium — A collection of concise but detailed information about a particular subject.
    Example: The book serves as a useful compendium of grammar rules.
    Full word page
  139. hapless — (especially of a person) unfortunate.
    Example: The hapless traveler missed every single connecting flight.
    Full word page
  140. zephyr — A soft gentle breeze.
    Example: A gentle zephyr rustled the leaves of the oak tree.
    Full word page
  141. depravity — Moral corruption; wickedness.
    Example: The trial revealed the full depravity of his crimes.
    Full word page
  142. appalling — Causing shock or dismay; horrific.
    Example: The evidence put forth at the court appalled most of the jury.
    Full word page
  143. extraneous — Irrelevant or unrelated to the subject being dealt with.
    Example: Extraneous substances were found on my cup of water.
    Full word page
  144. potable — Safe to drink.
    Example: The hiker's filter made river water potable and safe.
    Full word page
  145. commensurate — Corresponding in size or degree; in proportion.
    Example: Her salary was commensurate with her level of experience.
    Full word page
  146. cordial — Warm and friendly.
    Example: Despite their disagreement, both teams remained cordial.
    Full word page
  147. condemn — To express complete disapproval of, typically in public; to censure.
    Example: The committee condemned the proposal as reckless and poorly reasoned.
    Full word page
  148. nadir — The lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization.
    Example: The team had reached its nadir after losing eight straight games.
    Full word page
  149. mercurial — (of a person) subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind.
    Example: His mercurial temper made working with him very unpredictable.
    Full word page
  150. camaraderie — Mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together.
    Example: Years of working together built a strong sense of camaraderie.
    Full word page
  151. ruse — An action intended to deceive someone; a trick.
    Example: The distraction was just a ruse to sneak past security.
    Full word page
  152. disgruntled — Angry or dissatisfied.
    Example: Disgruntled employees staged a protest outside the building.
    Full word page
  153. utopia — An imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.
    Example: The reformers dreamed of building a utopia based on equality.
    Full word page
  154. circumvent — To find a way around (an obstacle).
    Example: She found a way to circumvent the school's strict dress code.
    Full word page
  155. benevolent — Well-meaning and kindly.
    Example: Chinese and Eastern mythologies describe dragons as benevolent.
    Full word page
  156. simultaneous — Occurring, operating, or done at the same time.
    Example: The two attacks were simultaneous, happening within seconds.
    Full word page
  157. preclude — To prevent from happening; to make impossible.
    Example: Rain does not preclude the possibility of holding the event.
    Full word page
  158. mitigate — To make less severe, serious, or painful.
    Example: Shade trees help mitigate the effects of summer heat.
    Full word page
  159. consonant — In agreement or harmony with.
    Example: His actions were consonant with his stated values.
    Full word page
  160. prowess — Skill or expertise in a particular activity or field.
    Example: Her athletic prowess earned her a full college scholarship.
    Full word page
  161. renown — The condition of being known or talked about by many people; fame.
    Example: The chef earned international renown for her bold flavors.
    Full word page
  162. whimsical — Playfully quaint or fanciful.
    Example: The children loved the illustrator's whimsical and playful style.
    Full word page
  163. myriad — A countless or extremely great number.
    Example: Earth hosts a myriad of animals.
    Full word page
  164. adorn — To make more beautiful or attractive.
    Example: Fresh flowers adorned every table at the ceremony.
    Full word page
  165. dissent — The expression or holding of opinions at variance with those previously, commonly, or officially held.
    Example: One judge filed a written dissent from the majority ruling.
    Full word page
  166. salve — An ointment used to promote healing of the skin or as protection.
    Example: She applied salve to the sunburned skin on her shoulders.
    Full word page
  167. derelict — In a very poor condition as a result of disuse and neglect.
    Example: There was a derelict ship on the island.
    Full word page
  168. pinnacle — The most successful point; the culmination.
    Example: Winning the championship was the pinnacle of her career.
    Full word page
  169. insurgent — Rising in active revolt.
    Example: Insurgent forces seized the border town overnight.
    Full word page
  170. reluctance — Unwillingness or disinclination to do something.
    Example: She accepted the promotion with visible reluctance.
    Full word page
  171. defer — To put off (an action or event) to a later time; to submit humbly to someone's wishes.
    Example: We're going to defer the decision until we have all the facts.
    Full word page
  172. agrarian — Relating to cultivated land or the cultivation of land.
    Example: The country's economy was largely agrarian and rural.
    Full word page
  173. dearth — A scarcity or lack of something.
    Example: A dearth of rainfall left the crops dry and withered.
    Full word page
  174. resolute — Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.
    Example: He was resolute in his decision to stay.
    Full word page
  175. induce — To succeed in persuading or influencing (someone) to do something.
    Example: His meditation induced a compromise. Opium induces sleep.
    Full word page
  176. metamorphosis — The process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages.
    Example: The caterpillar undergoes a metamorphosis to become a butterfly.
    Full word page
  177. adversary — One's opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute.
    Example: He prepared to fight his adversary.
    Full word page
  178. impenetrable — Impossible to pass through or enter.
    Example: The fortress is impenetrable, so it cannot be taken.
    Full word page
  179. caustic — Sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way.
    Example: His caustic remarks left her feeling deeply humiliated.
    Full word page
  180. travesty — A false, absurd, or distorted representation of something.
    Example: A battlefield trial is a travesty of justice.
    Full word page
  181. annihilation — Complete destruction or obliteration.
    Example: The bombing led to the complete annihilation of the village.
    Full word page
  182. benign — Gentle and kindly; (of a disease) not harmful in effect.
    Example: The doctor confirmed the tumor was benign and harmless.
    Full word page
  183. vindictive — Having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge.
    Example: Her vindictive response to the criticism surprised everyone.
    Full word page
  184. lucid — Expressed clearly; easy to understand.
    Example: Even in his last years, he remained sharp and lucid.
    Full word page
  185. penchant — A strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something.
    Example: He has a penchant for fine wine.
    Full word page
  186. arcane — Understood by few; mysterious or secret.
    Example: The professor specialized in arcane ancient languages.
    Full word page
  187. brazen — Bold and without shame.
    Example: His brazen lie in front of witnesses shocked the courtroom.
    Full word page
  188. indignation — Anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment.
    Example: The unfair ruling was met with widespread public indignation.
    Full word page
  189. discord — Disagreement between people.
    Example: The argument created discord within the once-peaceful team.
    Full word page
  190. cumulative — Increasing or increased in quantity, degree, or force by successive additions.
    Example: The cumulative effect of small daily habits is enormous.
    Full word page
  191. hegemony — Leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others.
    Example: The empire maintained hegemony over the entire region.
    Full word page
  192. ballad — A poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas.
    Example: The folk singer performed a tender ballad by the campfire.
    Full word page
  193. intractable — Hard to control or deal with.
    Example: The problem proved intractable despite years of effort.
    Full word page
  194. banal — So lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring.
    Example: The speech was so banal that half the audience fell asleep.
    Full word page
  195. confluence — The junction of two rivers; an act or process of merging.
    Example: The settlement grew at the confluence of two rivers.
    Full word page
  196. hiatus — A pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process.
    Example: The band took a three-year hiatus before releasing new music.
    Full word page
  197. surrogate — A substitute, especially a person deputizing for another in a specific role or office.
    Example: A surrogate mother carried the baby on behalf of the couple.
    Full word page
  198. slack — Not taut or held tightly in position; loose.
    Example: The manager noted that effort had grown slack during the final weeks.
    Full word page
  199. nuance — A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.
    Example: Understanding the basics is easy, but appreciating the nuances takes years.
    Full word page
  200. conundrum — A confusing and difficult problem or question.
    Example: How to cut costs without layoffs was a real conundrum.
    Full word page

Ready to practice these words instead of just reading them?

Start practicing free →

Browse: hardest SAT words · easy SAT words

← Back to ScholarHack