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Wordsmyth S.A.T. Dictionary

 

The Wordsmyth S.A.T. Dictionary includes the 2000 words that appear most frequently on the S.A.T. tests. The selection of words was based on a frequency analysis of 10 years of S.A.T. tests. The most frequent words are marked with an asterick ("*"). There are many ways to use this vocabulary in your study process. The most important meaning is given, but there are additional meanings of many of these words.
 
To receive a full electronic/html copy of The Wordsmyth S.A.T. Dictionary, click here. The file is 462k, and will take several minutes to load into your browser. When it has loaded into the browser, select "Save As" in the "File" menu, and save as a "Source" (HTML) file. This file is FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY, and not for commercial use, or distribution in any form.
 
Coming soon: It will soon be possible to look up words in The Wordsmyth S.A.T. Dictionary from this web site. I will also be initiating an "S.A.T. Word of the Day" and an "S.A.T. Idea of the Week". They will feature an idea word for the week, and then a related word each day - one that could appear in an analogy test. If anyone has suggestions, please contact me. Best wishes for finding the word that stimulates and captures your thoughts, and helps you to communicate them more effectively.
 
A
abase, n.
(opp.: exalt)
to bring down the status or reputation of; degrade.
abasement, n.
 
abash, v.
(opp.: embolden)
to cause to feel embarrassed or uneasy: He was abashed at having been so wrong.
abashed, adj.
 
abbreviate, v.
to shorten in length or duration: They had an abbreviated class because of the holiday.
abbreviated, adj.
 
abdicate, v.
to give up or refuse to fulfill a responsibility or position of power: The king abdicated the throne.
 
aberration, n.
a straying from normal functioning; irregularity: aberrations in the airplane's path of flight.
aberrant, aberrational, adj.
 
abhor, v.
(opp.: adore)
to regard with hatred, horror, or intense loathing: I abhor lima beans.
abhorrence, n.; abhorrent, adj.
 
abject, adj.
without pride; humble; wretched: He made an abject apology for the wrong.
abjectness, n.
 
abode, n.
a dwelling place: His summer abode is near the lake.
 
abolish, v.
(opp.: establish)
to do away with; end; destroy: Lincoln abolished slavery.
abolition, abolitionist, n.
 
abominable, adj.
(opp.: admirable)
deserving of disgust, or extremely unpleasant: an abominable murder.
abominate, v.; abomination, n.
 
abort, v.
to end or cause to end before completion or full growth: The rocket launch was aborted; an abortive attempt to read all of the Bible.
aborted, abortive, adj.; abortion, n.
 
abound, v.
to be or grow in a large number or amount; teem: Rabbits abound in these woods.
abundant, adj.
 
abrasive, adj.
causing to wear away or become irritated: an abrasive cleaner; abrasive manners.
abrade, v.; abrasion, n.
 
abridge, v.
(opp.: extend)
1. to shorten while retaining content: an abridged dictionary. 2. to restrict or deprive: abridged privileges.
abridged, adj.; abridgement, n.
 
abrogate, v.
to abolish, repeal, or set aside: Congress abrogated the treaty.
abrogative, adj.
 
abscond, v.
to leave suddenly and secretly, esp. to avoid capture: He absconded with the stolen goods.
 
absolve, v.
to free or release from blame, guilt, responsibility, or obligation: He was absolved of his duty.
absolution, n.
 
abstain, v.
(opp.: indulge)
to choose to refrain from something: Abstain from drinking; Don't abstain from voting.
abstention, n.; abstinence, n.; abstinent, adj.
 
abstemious, adj.
(opp.: gluttonous)
eating or drinking in controlled or moderate amounts; temperate: The model had to be abstemious to keep her figure.
 
** abstract, adj.
(opp.: concrete)
1. not concerning things that are visible, touchable, or hearable: "Faith" is an abstract word. 2. not practical or applied; theoretical: abstract reasoning.
abstracted, adj.; abstraction, n.
 
abstruse, adj.
difficult to understand, as a subject, book, etc.
 
absurd, adj.
contrary to rational thought; illogical; ridiculous: The absurd idea of flying by flapping one's arms.
absurdity, n.
 
** abuse, v.,n.
(to subject to) incorrect, improper, offensive, or injurious treatment or use: He abused his privileges by staying out past curfew.
abusive, adj.
 
abysmal, adj.
(opp.: lofty, sublime)
1. of great extent; deep; extreme: abysmal selfishness. 2. very bad: an abysmal movie.
 
accelerate, v.
(opp.: decelerate)
to increase or cause to increase the speed or rate of something: the car accelerated; an accelerated heartbeat.
accelerated, adj.
 
accentuate, v.
(opp.: downplay)
to emphasize or stress: She accentuated her strong points at the interview.
 
access, n.
a way of entering, or the right to enter or use: There were two accesses to the house; She had access to the school's computers.
accessible, adj.
 
acclaim, v.,n.
(to give) enthusiastic approval or applause: Critics have acclaimed his new novel; The acclaim made all the hard work worthwhile.
acclamation, n.
 
acclimate, v.
to become or cause to become used to a new situation or climate: They quickly acclimated to the cold weather.
acclimated, adj.
 
accolade, n.
(opp.: rebuke, vilification)
an expression of approval; honor; award: He received many accolades for his work.
 
accomplice, n.
one who helps another commit a crime or wrongful act: an accomplice to the murder.
 
** accomplished, adj.
(opp.: inept)
having much talent, skill, or expertise: She was an accomplished musician.
accomplish, v.; accomplishment, n.
 
accord, v.,n.
(opp.: discord)
1. (to be in) agreement, harmony, or cooperation: The students and teachers were in accord on the issue. 2. to grant as proper; bestow upon: He was accorded the right to vote.
accordance, n.
 
accost, v.
to approach and speak first to, often aggressively or sexually: He accosted her in the hallway.
 
accrue, v.
(opp.: diminish, dissipate)
to come about by natural growth or accumulation: Interest accrues in a savings account.
accrual, n.
 
acerbic, adj.
having a sharp, bitter, or astringent manner or taste: Vinegar has an acerbic flavor; an acerbic sense of humor.
acerbity, n.
 
acknowledge, v.
(opp.: deny, repudiate)
1. to admit, recognize, or be aware of the existence, truth, or receipt of something: We acknowledge your right to speak. 2. to show thanks for; appreciate.
acknowledged, adj.; acknowledgement, n.
 
acme, n.
(opp.: nadir)
the highest point, as in success or perfection; pinnacle: Becoming a senator was the acme of his political career.
 
** acquiesce, v.
(opp.: dissent, rebel)
to agree passively; comply; consent: He acquiesced without a complaint.
acquiescence, n.; acquiescent, adj.
 
acquit, v.
(opp.: convict)
1. to clear someone of breaking a rule or law.  2. to behave in the correct or required manner: He acquitted himself well at the interview.
acquittal, n.
 
acrimonious, adj.
(opp.: harmonious)
characterized by bitter or harsh speech or manners: an acrimonious divorce.
acrimony, n.
 
acuity, n.
(opp.: obtuseness)
sharpness or keenness of sight, understanding, etc.: the acuity of her comments on my paper.
 
acumen, n.
superior insight, esp. in practical matters: Her business acumen got her promoted quickly.
 
adage, n.
an old familiar saying that expresses folk wisdom; proverb.
 
adamant, adj.
(opp.: accommodating, tractable)
unbending in response to any request or argument; unyielding: adamant in his refusal.
 
** adapt, v.
to make or become fit for a particular need or condition; adjust: The children adapted well to their new school; a movie adapted for TV.
adaptable, adj.; adaptation, n.
 
adhere, v.
to stick to, follow closely, or maintain loyalty to: We adhered to the rules; adhesive substances.
adherence, adherent, adhesion, n.; adhesive, adj.
 
adjacent, adj.
near or next to; adjoining: The adjacent lot is a ballfield.
adjacency, n.
 
administration, n.
the act of, those in charge of, or a period of directing or managing something: school administration; the Reagan administration.
administer, v.; administrative, adj.
 
admonish, v.
to warn, criticize firmly, or remind of a duty: The teacher admonished the students to complete their homework.
admonition, n.
 
adopt, v.
(opp.: disown, reject)
to take on as one's own (a manner, style, point of view, etc.): He's adopted his wife's love of theater.
adoption, n.
adorn, v.
(opp.: disfigure)
to beautify or enhance, as with ornaments: A vivid flower adorned her hair.
adornment, n.
 
adroit, adj.
(opp.: inept)
clever or skillful with the mind or body: adroit in managing several tasks at once.
adroitness, n.
 
adulation, v.
(opp.: censure, condemnation)
excessive praise, devotion, or admiration: the crowd's adulation of the rock star.
adulate, v.; adulatory, adj.
 
adulterate, v.
(opp.: purify)
to lessen the purity or quality of by adding something harmful or inferior: Chemical additives adulterated the taste of the city water.
adulterant, n., adj.
 
advent, n.
(opp.: departure)
arrival or coming about: With the advent of test week, I'm already exhausted.
 
adversary, n.
(opp.: ally)
someone or something opposed to another; enemy; opponent: His adversary blocked his every effort.
adversarial, adj.
 
adverse, adj.
(opp.: agreeable, favorable)
acting against; opposing; harmful: The members were adverse to the president's plan; Adverse weather prevented the trip.
adversity, n.
 
** advocate, v., n.
(opp.: opponent)
(to be) one who urges support or acceptance of a law, action, etc.: Some people advocate capital punishment.
advocacy, n.
 
aegis, n.
support or protection; sponsorship: Under the aegis of the town's leading citizens, he ran for mayor.
 
** aesthetic or esthetic, adj.
1. concerning beauty of form in works of art or design, as in literature, music, architecture, etc.: a strong aesthetic sense. 2. of or concerning the criticism of art: aesthetic theories.
aesthete, n.; aestheticism, n.
 
affable, adj.
(opp.: surly)
easy to know; warm and friendly; cordial: Her affability won her the job.
affability, n.
 
affinity, n.
(opp.: antipathy, aversion)
a natural liking for or tendency toward: an affinity for her in-laws; an affinity for getting into trouble.
 
afflict, v.
(opp.: relieve)
to affect in a painful or distressful way: afflicted with one misfortune after another.
affliction, n.; afflictive, adj.
 
agenda, n.
a list of things to be done or acted upon in some way: the agenda for the club meeting.
 
aggravate, v.
(opp.: alleviate, mitigate)
to make worse, or to annoy; irritate: The sore was aggravated by the child's scratching; His laziness aggravated us.
aggravated, aggravating, adj.
 
aggregation, n.
(opp.: segregation)
a combination, sum, or composite of separate or various elements: The aggregation of our various talents should benefit the project.
aggregate, n., v., adj.
 
aggressive, adj.
(opp.: reticent, retiring)
hostile in actions; forceful or assertive: His aggressive manner got the job done more quickly.
aggress, v.; aggression, aggressor, n.
 
aghast, adj.
amazed or shocked; dismayed or terrified: He was aghast that his son had killed someone.
 
agitate, v.
(opp.: pacify)
to work up or arouse, as public support; to upset or excite, esp. emotionally: Union members agitated for better working conditions; Their aggressiveness agitated me.
 
agnostic, n.
one who does not believe one way or the other as to the existence of God, and denies that such knowledge is possible.
agnosticism, n.
 
agrarian, adj.
(opp.: industrial)
having to do with land, farmers, or agriculture: an agrarian way of life.
 
agriculture, n.
the science and art of raising crops and livestock; farming.
agricultural, adj.
 
ailment, n.
a sickness or disorder, usu. physical; illness: The ailment prevented him from leaving on time.
ail, v.; ailing, adj.
 
akin, adj.
similar in nature: In some religions, suicide is akin to murder.
 
alacrity, n.
(opp.: averseness, reluctance)
willingness; enthusiasm; brisk energy: She completed her chores with alacrity.
 
alchemy, n.
1. in medieval times, the attempt to perform wonders, such as changing lead to gold, by chemical means.  2. a seemingly magical process or change: The alchemy by which he changed a hostile crowd into fans.
alchemist, n.
 
** alien, n.; adj.
(one who is) not a citizen where he lives; foreigner; (someone or something) strange or opposed in nature: This way of courting is alien to our culture.
alienate, v.
to cause to turn away or feel unwanted; make hostile: His self-centeredness alienated his classmates.
 
allay, v.
(opp.: aggravate)
to still, put to rest, or make lighter, as pain, fear, grief, etc.: Her soothing words allayed my anxiety.
 
allege, v.
to say or affirm positively, or to assert without proof; give as an excuse or plea: He alleged his innocence throughout the trial.
allegation, n.; alleged, adj.
 
allegory, n.
the presentation of ideas, principles, etc. by the symbolic use of characters, things, and happenings, as in a story: In this allegory, the pearl stands for man's purest motives.
allegorical, adj.; allegorize, v.
 
alleviate, v.
(opp.: aggravate)
to make more bearable; ease: A good nurse alleviates suffering.
 
alloy, n.
a metallic substance made by combining two or more metals.
 
alloy, v.
to make less pure by the addition of some element, quality, feeling, etc.; adulterate: A sense of sadness alloyed his triumph.
 
allusion, n.
a reference, often casual or incidental, as to some other written work, time, incident, person, etc.: The poem contained many allusions to Biblical stories.
allude, v.; allusive, adj.
 
aloof, adj.
distant, removed, or detached; indifferent: His manner was aloof until he met a fellow intellect.
 
alter, v.
to make different; change: They altered their course of action.
alterable, adj.; alteration, n.
 
altercation, n.
a loud or angry argument or quarrel: The cop broke up an altercation in the bar.
 
alternative, adj., n.
(allowing) a different choice, or (presenting) an option: a good alternative to the traditional system; an alternative plan of action.
alternate, v., adj.
 
altruism, n.
(opp.: egoism)
unselfishly valuing the welfare of others before one's own interest or profit: Many religious leaders preach altruism.
altruist, n.; altruistic, adj.
 
amass, v.
(opp.: disperse)
to gather or accumulate into a large amount: They amassed great wealth.
 
ambience, n.
the feeling or atmosphere present, as in a setting or environment: The ambience of the meeting hall was one of positive expectation.
ambient, adj.
 
** ambiguous, adj.
(opp.: unambiguous)
having two or more possible meanings or interpretations; unclear; uncertain: an ambiguous answer; an ambiguous situation.
ambiguity, ambiguousness, n.
 
ambivalent, adj.
(opp.: unwavering)
having conflicting feelings, such as love and hate, toward a person, thing, or situation; indecisive: ambivalent emotions concerning graduation.
ambivalence, n.
 
ambulatory, adj.
able to walk about, or moving from place to place: an ambulatory hospital patient.
ambulate, v.
 
ameliorate, v.
to make or become better; improve: Medical supplies would ameliorate their situation.
ameliorative, adj.
 
amenable, adj.
(opp.: intractable)
willing to go along with or be influenced: She is amenable to our suggestions.
amenability, n.
 
amend, v.
to correct or make improvements in; rectify: We will amend our bylaws to allow younger members.
amendable, adj.; amendment, amends, n.
 
** amiable, adj.
(opp.: antagonistic, hostile)
having or showing friendliness; congenial: an amiable young man; an amiable relationship.
amiability, n.; amiably, adv.
 
amicable, adj.
(opp.: inimical, unamicable)
expressing friendliness and good will: an amicable family reunion.
 
amity, n.
(opp.: enmity)
friendly and peaceful relations: We strive for amity between neighboring nations.
amnesty, n.
the general giving of pardon for offenses against the government: The President declared amnesty for that group of soldiers.
 
amoral, adj.
(opp.: moral)
without standards of right and wrong; neither moral nor immoral: The mentally impaired have some excuse to be amoral.
amorality, n.
 
amorous, adj.
loving, in a romantic or sexual way: an amorous poem to his girlfriend.
 
amorphous, adj.
lacking definite form, character, or structure: The amorphous mass in the boat was a dead jellyfish.
 
ample, adj.
(opp.: insufficient)
enough or more than enough in size, capacity, or amount: These furnishings are ample for the apartment.
ampleness, amplitude, n.
 
amplify, v.
(opp.: abbreviate, reduce)
to make larger or greater, or to expand upon or make clearer: I will amplify my talk with illustrations.
amplification, n.
 
anachronism, n.
a person, event, thing, etc. not placed or being in its proper time: A clock in a play about ancient Rome is an anachronism.
anachronistic, adj.
 
analogy, n.
a similarity or likeness between things otherwise different: the analogy between winter and death; He drew an analogy between prejudice and cancer.
analogous, adj.
 
** analyze, v.
(opp.: synthesize)
to separate into parts for close examining; study and explain: They analyzed the debris for the cause of the explosion; his analysis of the enrollment decline.
analysis, analyses (pl.), n.; analytical, adj.
 
anarchism, n.
a view or theory supporting the elimination of government to achieve political and social freedom, or violence toward this end: Anarchism destroyed the newly formed nation.
anarchist, n.; anarchistic, adj.
anarchy, n.
1. absence of government or law, or disorder resulting from such an absence: A period of anarchy occurred after the revolution. 2. a state of confusion or chaos.
anarchic, adj.