Learning new vocabulary is an important step in maximizing your Critical Reading score. It is also a habit that will benefit you no matter what career you choose to pursue later in life. In this chapter you will find a number of ways to improve your vocabulary and maximize your SAT score.
A great way to improve your reading and essay-writing skills is to improve your vocabulary. The more words you know on the test, the easier it will be. It’s as simple as that. For this reason, it’s important that you get to work on your vocabulary immediately.
The SAT is very, very repetitive. Over and over again, the SAT tests words such as pragmatic, ambivalent, reticent, and benign. So instead of memorizing every single word in the English language, you can just focus your time memorizing those words that show up repeatedly on the SAT.
That’s where the Hit Parade comes in. The Hit Parade are the words that we at The Princeton Review have noticed show up frequently on the SAT. Why does ETS think you really need to know the definition of bombastic or capricious? Who knows? But since they’ve asked about these words so often, go ahead and learn the Hit Parade, so you can be prepared next time you see the word magnanimous. In fact, start right now. Pragmatic, ambivalent, reticent, benign, bombastic, capricious, and magnanimous are some of the most common words tested on the SAT, so try to memorize these 7 words today. Then, try to learn from 5 to 10 new words a day.
Each word on the Hit Parade is accompanied by its definition, its part of speech, and other iterations of the word that often show up on the test. We recommend that you come up with your own sentence for each word. We have included blank lines after the words where you can write your own sentences, or you may include your sentences on your flash cards. It will be easier to remember words if you come up with your own sentences, or apply the words to people you know. For instance, if you have a very loquacious friend, you are more likely to remember what loquacious means if you connect it to your talkative friend.
Only a tiny percentage of all the words in the English language are ever used on the SAT. Generally speaking, the SAT tests the kinds of words that an educated adult—your English teacher, for example—would know without having to look them up. It tests the sorts of words that you encounter in your daily reading, from a novel in English class to the newspaper.
Here are three effective methods for learning new words.
Even if you are not able to think of a mnemonic for every Hit Parade word, sometimes you’ll end up learning the word just by thinking about the definition long enough.
Well-written general publications—like the New York Times and Sports Illustrated—are good sources of SAT words. You should regularly read them or similar publications that are dedicated to topics that interest you. When you come across a new word, write it down, look it up, and remember it. You can make flash cards for these words as well.
Before you can memorize the definition of a word you come across in your reading, you have to find out what it means. You’ll need a real dictionary for that. ETS uses two dictionaries in writing the SAT: the American Heritage Dictionary and Merriam-Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary. You should own a copy of one or the other. (You’ll use it in college too—it’s a good investment.) Don’t feel like lugging around a giant dictionary to college? Most dictionaries (including Webster’s) are now also online.
Keep in mind that most words have more than one definition. The dictionary will list these in order of frequency, from the most common to the most obscure. ETS will trip you up by testing the second, third, or even the fourth definition of a familiar-sounding word. For example, the word pedestrian shows up repeatedly on the SAT. When ETS uses it, though, it never means a person on foot—the definition of pedestrian with which you’re probably most familiar. ETS uses it to mean common, ordinary, banal—a secondary definition.
Very often, when you see easy words on hard SAT questions, ETS is testing a second, third, or fourth definition with which you may not be familiar. The Hit Parade will help prepare you for these tricks. So grab those index cards and get ready to improve your vocabulary!
depict verb
depiction
to represent by drawing, portray; to characterize in words, describe
controversy noun
controversial
a usually prolonged public dispute; an argument
undermine verb
to weaken, sabotage, subvert, debilitate, destabilize
advocate verb
advocacy
to support or urge by argument, especially publicly
arrogant adj.
arrogance
having exaggerated self-opinion; egotistical or overproud
cynic noun
cynical, cynicism
one who believes that only selfishness motivates human actions
disputation
to engage in argument or debate; to argue vehemently, quarrel
provoke verb
provocative, provocation
to anger or vex; to stir up or call forth (feelings, desires, or activity)
contradict verb
contradiction, contradictory
to challenge, confront, counter, deny, or oppose
empathy noun
empathetic
identification with and understanding of another’s situation, feelings, and motives
perceive verb
perception, perceptiveness, perceptual
to become aware of by means of the senses; to recognize or understand
phenomenon noun
phenomena
a fact, occurrence, or circumstance observed or observable; something remarkable or extraordinary
contempt noun
contemptible, contemptuous, contemptuously
a feeling of disdain for anything considered mean or worthless
resolution
to come to a firm decision about, determine; to settle or solve (e.g., a question or a controversy)
speculate verb
speculation, speculative
to engage in thought, especially conjectural thought
intricate adj.
intricacy, intricately
having many interrelated parts or facets; hard to understand, work, or make
skepticism noun
skeptical, skeptic
a questioning or doubting attitude; doubt regarding religion
assert verb
assertion
to state positively; declare
distinct adj.
distinction, distinctive, distinctively, distinctly
not identical, separate; different in nature or quality, dissimilar
divisive adj.
divisiveness
dissenting, at odds with, alienating; creating dissension or discord
consumer, consumption
to expend by use; to use up
digress verb
digression
to wander away from the main topic or argument in speaking or writing
innovate verb
innovative, innovator, innovation
to introduce (something new)
diminish verb
diminution, diminutive
to make or become smaller, less, or less important
nostalgia noun
nostalgic, nostalgically
a sentimental longing for something in the past
practical adj.
practicality
of, involving, or resulting from practice or action; adapted or suited for actual use
versatile adj.
versatility
capable of turning easily from one thing to another; having many uses or applications
profound adj.
profoundly
showing deep insight or understanding; originating in the depths of one’s being
tenacious
persistence, strong character, perseverance
insight noun
insightful, insightfulness
intuitiveness, awareness, observation, understanding, wisdom
endure verb
endurance
to tolerate, withstand, sustain, undergo, bear hardship
perplex verb
perplexity
to cause to be puzzled or bewildered; to confuse
denounce verb
denunciation
to condemn openly; to attack, accuse, or criticize
plausibility noun
plausible
credibility, believability
vulnerable adj.
vulnerability
capable of or susceptible to being wounded; open to or defenseless against criticism or attack
pragmatism, pragmatist
practical, sensible, logical
rigor noun
rigorous
the quality of being strict or inflexible; harshness, as of attitude, severity; hardship
adept adj.
adeptness
very skilled; expert
disparage verb
disparagement, disparager
to speak of negatively; to belittle
aesthetic noun, adj.
aesthete, aesthetically, aesthetician
having to do with the appreciation of beauty
superficial adj.
superficiality
being at, on, or near the surface; apparent rather than real
foster verb
fosterling
to promote the growth or development of; to bring up
ambivalent adj.
ambivalent
simultaneously experiencing opposing feelings; uncertain
elaborately
worked out in great detail, painstaking; ornate, showy, or gaudy
beneficial adj.
beneficiary, beneficent
producing or promoting a favorable result; helpful
embellish verb
embellishment
to ornament or decorate; to exaggerate
imply verb
implicit, implication
to indicate, suggest, refer, hint
esoteric adj.
intended for or understood by only a small group
inevitable adj.
inevitably
unable to be avoided or escaped
resent verb
resentful, resentment
to feel or show displeasure or indignation at
scarce adj.
scarcely, scarcer
insufficient to satisfy a need or demand; rarely encountered
ingenious
the quality of being cleverly inventive or resourceful
substantiate verb
substantial, substantive
to support with proof or evidence; to verify
isolated adj.
isolating, isolation
detached or separated, alone
subtle adj.
subtler, subtleties
difficult to perceive; fine or delicate; characterized by or requiring mental acuteness
presume verb
presumption, presumptive, presumptuous
to take for granted, assume, or suppose; to undertake (do something) without right or permission
sentiment noun
sentimental, sentimentality
an attitude, feeling, or opinion; refined or tender emotion
rhetoric noun
rhetorical
the art of using language effectively and persuasively
defiant
a bold resistance to authority or force; open disregard; contempt
abstruse adj.
difficult to understand
deliberate adj.
deliberated, deliberately, deliberation
studied or intentional; careful or slow in deciding
bolster verb
to hearten, support, or prop up
eradicate verb
eradication
to get rid of as if by tearing it up by the roots; to abolish
contend verb
contention, contentious
to struggle; to compete
indifferent adj.
indifference
without interest or concern; having no bias or preference
conventional adj.
convention
conforming to accepted standards
autonomous
independence; self-determination
discern verb
discernment
to catch sight of; to recognize and understand
futile adj.
futility
incapable of producing a useful result; vain
trivial adj.
trivialize
of very little importance
elitism noun
elitist
the practice of or belief in rule by an elite
endorse verb
endorsement
to express approval or support of, especially publicly
resign verb
resignation
to give up (an office or position), especially formally; to relinquish; to submit (oneself, one’s mind) without resistance
forbearance
to refrain from; to be patient or self-controlled
frivolous adj.
characterized by lack of seriousness or sense; not worthy of serious notice, trivial
fundamental adj.
fundamentally
of or being a foundation or basis; basic; of great importance, essential
inadequate adj.
inadequacy, inadequately
insufficient, incompetent, incapable, weak
erratic adj.
erratically
inconsistent, unpredictable, wandering, irregular, unstable
persuade verb
persuasion, persuasive
to prevail on (a person) to do something, as by advising or urging; to induce to believe, convince
exemplify verb
exemplary, exemplification
to illustrate by example
prevail verb
prevalence, prevalent
to be widespread or current; to occur as the most important or frequent element
exploitation
to utilize, especially for profit; to take advantage of
hostility noun
hostile
meanness, bitterness, animosity, resentment
naïve adj.
naïveté
having unaffected simplicity of nature; lacking in experience, judgment, or information
negligent adj.
negligence
guilty of or characterized by neglect
vindictive adj.
vindictiveness
disposed to seek revenge; revengeful, spiteful
prestige noun
prestigious
a reputation or influence arising from success, achievement, and/or rank
reconcile verb
reconciliation
to cause to accept something not desired; to cause to become friendly again; to settle a dispute
toleration, tolerance
to allow without hindrance, permit; to put up with, endure
accumulate verb
accumulation
to gather or collect
adapt verb
adaptability, adaptable, adaptation, adaptive
to adjust or become adjusted to new requirements or conditions
complacency noun
complacent
a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of unpleasant possibilities
anachronism noun
anachronistic
the representation of something as existing or happening in the wrong time period
disdain noun
disdained, disdainful
hate, contempt, scorn, dislike, or ridicule
antagonism noun
antagonistic, antagonist, antagonize
active hostility or opposition
connoisseur noun
an expert judge in an art or matters of taste
assumption
to take for granted without proof; to suppose; to take upon oneself
baffle verb
baffling, bafflement
to bewilder, perplex, astound, or confuse
benign adj.
kind and gentle
brevity noun
the quality or state of being brief in duration
callous adj.
callousness
emotionally hardened; unfeeling
candid adj.
candor
completely honest; straightforward
collaborate verb
collaborative, collaboration
to work with another
integrate verb
integration
to bring together into a unified or interrelated whole; to combine to produce a whole or a larger unit
commemoration, commemorative
to serve as a memorial of; to honor the memory of by some observance
burden noun
burdened, burdensome
that which is carried; a load; that which is borne with difficulty
contrary adj.
opposite in character or direction
inconsistent adj.
inconsistency
lacking in harmony between the different parts or elements; self-contradictory; lacking agreement, as one thing with another or two or more things in relation to each other; at variance
convey verb
conveyance
to take from one place to another; to communicate
linguistics noun
the study of language
drama noun
dramatic, dramatize
the art of writing and producing plays; a series of vivid, exciting, or suspenseful events
duplicitous adj.
duplicitous, duplicity
deceitful, dishonest, two-faced, deliberately deceptive
a seeking for information or knowledge; an investigation; a question, query
erroneous adj.
containing an error; incorrect
gesture noun
gestured
a movement or position of the hand, arm, body, head, or face that is expressive of an idea or an emotion
impression noun
impressionable, impressionistic, impressive
a strong effect produced on the intellect, feelings, or senses; a somewhat vague awareness or notion
interact verb
interaction
to act upon one another
lament verb
lamentable, lamentation
to express grief or regret (for or over); a vocal expression of grief
contemporary adj.
contemporaries
existing, occurring, or living at the same time
according to law; in accordance with established rules and standards; valid, logical; justified
manipulate verb
manipulation, manipulative, manipulator
to manage or influence skillfully and often unfairly
egotism noun
egotist, egotistical
excessive reference to oneself; self-centeredness
mitigate verb
mitigator, mitigation
to make or become less severe, intense, or painful
objective noun
objectivity
a purpose, goal; not influenced by personal feelings, unbiased
proximity noun
nearness in place, time, or relation
obscure adj.
obscured, obscurity
not clear to the understanding; ambiguous or vague; not easily noticed; inconspicuous
optimism noun
optimistic
a tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions; the belief that good will ultimately triumphs over evil
vigorous
active strength or force, intensity; healthy physical or mental energy, vitality
paradox noun
paradoxically
a contradiction, a puzzle, an inconsistency
reticence noun
reticent
the quality or state of keeping silent; reserve
penchant noun
a strong inclination or liking
predict verb
predictable, prediction, predictive
to tell (what will happen) in advance; foretell
refute verb
refutation
to prove to be false or erroneous
rouse verb
rousing
to bring or come out of a state of sleep, unconsciousness, or inactivity
somber adj.
gloomily dark; downcast, glum; extremely serious, grave
sustainable, sustenance
to bear the weight of, support; to undergo (e.g., injury, loss) without giving away; to endure
obligation noun
obligate, oblige
a moral or legal duty; a binding promise, contract
theorem noun
an explanation based on hypothesis and experiments
debilitate verb
debilitating, debilitation
to impair the strength of; to weaken
steadfast adj.
steadfastness
fixed in place, position, or direction; firm in purpose, resolution, or direction; unwavering
admonish verb
admonition
to caution or advise against something
alleviate verb
alleviating, alleviation
to ease a pain or burden
compromise noun
an agreement, a give-and-take; a bargain or settlement
anomalous
an odd, peculiar, or strange condition, situation, or quality; something abnormal
reverence noun
reverent, reverential
a high opinion of something; admiration
contrast verb
to compare in order to show differences
enigma noun
enigmatic
a puzzle, mystery, or riddle
apathetic adj.
apathy
feeling or showing little emotion
exaggerate verb
exaggeration
to magnify beyond the limits of truth; to overstate or overemphasize
disregard verb
to pay no attention to, ignore; to treat without due respect or attentiveness
arouse verb
arousing, arousal
to stir up; to excite
determination, deterministic
to settle or resolve (e.g., a dispute or a question) conclusively
articulate adj.
articulation
uttered clearly; capable of, expressed with, or marked by clarity and effectiveness of language
atypical adj.
not typical; irregular
capricious adj.
capriciousness
impulsive and unpredictable
dispense verb
dispensable, dispensation
to deal out, distribute; to do without, do away with
commend verb
commendable, commendation
to mention as worthy of confidence or attention
ascertain verb
to find out, as through investigation or experimentation
commonplace adj.
ordinary; dull or platitudinous
courageously or generously noble in mind and heart
vivid adj.
vividly
strikingly bright or intense; brilliant; presenting the appearance, freshness, and spirit of life
conform verb
conformist, conformity
to act in accordance; comply
ornate adj.
fancily decorated; beautiful, brilliant, flashy, showy
anecdote noun
anecdotal
a short account of an interesting, often biographical incident
indulge verb
indulgent
to treat oneself or another to; to entertain, delight, please
spare verb
to refrain from harming, punishing, or killing; to save, as from discomfort; kept in reserve
devoid adj.
totally lacking; destitute
mockery
to ridicule, mimic, imitate
neutral adj.
neutrality, neutralize
not taking the part of either side in a dispute or war; of no particular kind or characteristic
distinguish verb
distinguishable
to mark off as different; to recognize as distinct; to make prominent or eminent
incredulous adj.
incredulity
disinclined or indisposed to believe; indicating disbelief
diverse adj.
diversity
of a different kind, unlike; of various kinds, varied
prolong verb
to draw out, extend, stall, stretch
belligerent adj.
belligerence
eager to fight; hostile or aggressive
edify verb
edification
to instruct and improve, especially morally; to enlighten
negation
to deny the existence or truth of (something); to nullify or invalidate (something)
ensure verb
to secure or guarantee; to make sure or certain
voracious adj.
craving or consuming large quantities of food; exceedingly eager
envy noun
envied, envious
resentment of a more fortunate person; jealousy, spite, hatred
dominate verb
dominant, domination
to rule over, control; to occupy a commanding position
hail verb
to salute or greet; to acclaim
idiosyncrasy noun
idiosyncratic
peculiarity, oddity, quirk, characteristic, trait, singularity
irony noun
ironic
the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning; an outcome of events contrary to what was, or what might have been, expected
easily understood; clear
despair noun
loss of hope; hopelessness
modest adj.
modesty
having or showing a moderate estimate of oneself
preoccupy verb
preoccupation
to absorb, immerse, consume, engage
redundant adj.
repetitive, excessive, unnecessary
reform noun
reformer
the improvement of what was wrong, corrupt, or unsatisfactory; improvement, as of conduct or belief
reluctant adj.
reluctance
not willing; disinclined
supplement noun
something added to complete a thing
evocative
to call up (e.g., memories or feelings); to draw forth
repute verb
reputable, reputed, reputedly, reputation
to consider, believe
spontaneous adj.
spontaneously, spontaneity
coming or resulting from a natural impulse or tendency
stringent adj.
rigorously binding or exacting; strict
temperament noun
temperamental, temperamentally
the combination of mental and emotional traits of a person; nature
tyrannical adj.
tyranny, tyrants
unjustly cruel or severe
insolent adj.
insolence
insulting in manner or speech
tact noun
tactful
skill in dealing with difficult or delicate situations
constituency
serving to make up a thing; component
arbitrary adj.
unreasonable or unsupported
unprecedented adj.
without precedent; never before known or appreciated
urgent adj.
urgency
requiring immediate action or attention; insistent in urging; importunate
rebellion noun
rebellious
armed resistance to a government or ruler; defiance of any authority
oblivious adj.
oblivion
unmindful or unaware; forgetful
volatile adj.
evaporating rapidly; tending or threatening to erupt in violence, explosive
acquire verb
acquisition
to get possession of
charismatic
a personal magnetism that enables an individual to attract or influence people
adverse adj.
adversely, adversity
unfavorable; opposing one’s interests or desires
disposition noun
mental outlook; characteristic attitude
afflict verb
affliction
to distress with mental or bodily pain
allege verb
allegation
to assert without proof
sufficient adj.
sufficiently
adequate for the purpose; enough
impractical adj.
not practical or useful; incapable of dealing sensibly with practical matters
consensus noun
solidarity of opinion; general agreement or harmony
a person of distinction or importance
anticipate verb
anticipatory, anticipation
to realize beforehand; foresee
precursor noun
a person or thing that precedes, as in a job or method; forerunner
demagogue noun
demagogic, demagoguery
an orator or political leader who gains power by arousing people’s emotions and prejudices
assess verb
assessment
to judge the value or character of
authentic adj.
authentically, authenticated, authenticity
not false or copied; real
benefactor noun
a kindly helper; a person who makes a bequest or endowment
characterized by goodwill; desiring to help others
bewilder verb
bewilderment
to confuse or puzzle completely
captivation
to attract intensely; enchant
congenial adj.
agreeable or suitable in nature
conviction noun
a firm belief; the act of convicting or state of being convicted
deference noun
deferential
respectful yielding of the opinion or will of another
pretension noun
a claim to something; an unwarranted or false claim, as to merit, importance, or wealth
detract verb
detractor, detraction
to take away a part, as from value or reputation; to divert
alter verb
alteration
to make different, as in size or style
dilettante noun
a person who takes up an art, activity, or subject for amusement, especially in a superficial way; dabbler
amassment
to collect; to accumulate
equanimity noun
composure, especially under strain; evenness
motive noun
something that causes a person to act; incentive
exotic adj.
foreign, not native; strikingly unusual or strange, as in appearance
benevolent adj.
benevolence
marked by or disposed to doing good
crude adj.
in a raw or unrefined state; lacking culture and refinement; vulgar
forebode verb
foreboding
to predict, warn, forecast, foresee
predilection noun
a partiality; preference
indignant
strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or biased
intuition noun
direct perception of truth and fact, independent of any reasoning process; a keen and quick insight
knack noun
a special skill or talent; a clever way of doing something
longevity noun
long life; length of life
context noun
the parts before and after a statement that can influence its meaning
misconceive verb
misconception
to interpret wrongly; misunderstand
moderate adj.
not extreme, excessive, or intense; average in quantity, extent, or amount
pacifism noun
pacifist
opposition to war or violence as a method of settling disputes
having faults; imperfect
ambition noun
an earnest desire for achievement, distinction, wealth, or power
prudent adj.
prudence
wisely careful, showing good judgment
As important as Hit Parade words are, they aren’t the only words on the SAT. As you go about learning the Hit Parade, you should also try to incorporate other new words into your vocabulary. The Hit Parade will help you determine what kinds of words you should be learning—good solid words that are fairly difficult but not impossible.
One very good source for SAT words is whatever you’re already reading. Magazines that interest you and books you read for school, or just for fun, are treasure troves of good vocabulary; just take the time to look up words you don’t already know. Reading can only help your chances of earning a higher score on the SAT. In short, the students with the best vocabularies are the ones who read the most.