100 SAT Vocabulary Words You Must Know

100 SAT Vocabulary Words You Must Know

100 SAT Vocabulary Words You Must Know with Meanings and Examples

Building a strong vocabulary can make difficult reading passages easier to understand. It can also help you recognise an author’s tone, follow complex arguments and distinguish between answer choices that appear similar.

However, learning SAT vocabulary is not simply about memorising long lists of definitions. You must understand how a word works within a sentence. Its meaning may change slightly according to the author’s purpose, tone or subject.

This guide introduces 100 useful SAT vocabulary words with simple meanings, example sentences, synonyms and antonyms. Study the words gradually, create your own sentences and review them regularly.

How to Learn SAT Vocabulary Effectively

Try studying ten words at a time rather than attempting to memorise the entire list in one sitting.

For every word:

1. Read its meaning and example.

2. Say the word aloud.

3. Write your own sentence using it.

4. Learn at least one synonym and antonym.

5. Review the word after one day, one week and one month.

Most importantly, pay attention to how words are used in real passages. Context can reveal whether a word expresses approval, criticism, uncertainty, contrast or another important idea.

100 Essential SAT Vocabulary Words

1. Abate

Meaning: To become less strong, severe or intense.

Example: The residents remained indoors until the violent storm began to abate.

Synonyms: Decrease, diminish, subside, weaken

Antonyms: Intensify, increase, strengthen, worsen

2. Aberration

Meaning: Something that differs from what is normal, expected or typical.

Example: The unusually low test result was an aberration because Maya normally performed well.

Synonyms: Anomaly, deviation, irregularity, exception

Antonyms: Normality, regularity, conformity, standard

3. Abstract

Meaning: Existing as an idea rather than as a physical or concrete object.

Example: Freedom can seem like an abstract concept until people are deprived of it.

Synonyms: Conceptual, theoretical, intangible, intellectual

Antonyms: Concrete, physical, tangible, practical

4. Advocate

Meaning: To publicly support or recommend an idea, policy or cause.

Example: Many researchers advocate stronger environmental protections for endangered habitats.

Synonyms: Support, recommend, promote, champion

Antonyms: Oppose, reject, discourage, condemn

5. Alleviate

Meaning: To make pain, difficulty or a problem less severe.

Example: The new community programme was created to alleviate food insecurity among local families.

Synonyms: Ease, relieve, reduce, lessen

Antonyms: Aggravate, intensify, worsen, increase

6. Ambiguous

Meaning: Having more than one possible meaning or not being clearly expressed.

Example: The politician’s ambiguous response left reporters uncertain about her position.

Synonyms: Unclear, vague, uncertain, equivocal

Antonyms: Clear, definite, explicit, unambiguous

7. Ambivalent

Meaning: Having mixed or conflicting feelings about someone or something.

Example: Jonah felt ambivalent about leaving his hometown because he wanted new opportunities but would miss his friends.

Synonyms: Conflicted, uncertain, undecided, hesitant

Antonyms: Certain, decisive, committed, enthusiastic

8. Analogy

Meaning: A comparison between two things used to explain an idea or show a similarity.

Example: The teacher used an analogy between the human brain and a computer to explain information processing.

Synonyms: Comparison, parallel, resemblance, correspondence

Antonyms: Difference, contrast, dissimilarity, disparity

9. Anomaly

Meaning: Something that does not fit an established pattern or expectation.

Example: Scientists investigated the temperature reading to determine whether it was an anomaly or evidence of a wider change.

Synonyms: Irregularity, exception, deviation, abnormality

Antonyms: Pattern, standard, norm, regularity

10. Anticipate

Meaning: To expect something and prepare for it before it happens.

Example: City officials anticipate increased traffic during the holiday weekend.

Synonyms: Expect, predict, foresee, await

Antonyms: Doubt, overlook, disregard, be surprised by

11. Arbitrary

Meaning: Based on personal choice or chance rather than on a clear reason or system.

Example: Students criticised the arbitrary rule because the school offered no explanation for it.

Synonyms: Random, unreasonable, subjective, capricious

Antonyms: Reasoned, systematic, logical, justified

12. Articulate

Meaning: Able to express ideas clearly and effectively.

Example: The candidate gave an articulate explanation of her plan for improving public transport.

Synonyms: Eloquent, expressive, fluent, clear

Antonyms: Inarticulate, unclear, hesitant, unintelligible

13. Assert

Meaning: To state something confidently and forcefully.

Example: The author asserts that access to education is essential for economic progress.

Synonyms: Declare, maintain, affirm, insist

Antonyms: Deny, withdraw, question, retract

14. Assess

Meaning: To examine something carefully and form a judgement about it.

Example: Engineers assessed the bridge before deciding whether it was safe to reopen.

Synonyms: Evaluate, examine, estimate, appraise

Antonyms: Ignore, neglect, overlook, disregard

15. Assumption

Meaning: A belief accepted as true without complete proof.

Example: The experiment challenged the common assumption that the two substances would react identically.

Synonyms: Belief, presumption, supposition, expectation

Antonyms: Fact, proof, certainty, verification

16. Austere

Meaning: Plain, strict or without unnecessary comfort and decoration.

Example: The building’s austere interior contained bare walls and simple wooden furniture.

Synonyms: Severe, plain, strict, restrained

Antonyms: Luxurious, decorative, indulgent, elaborate

17. Authentic

Meaning: Genuine, real or true to its claimed origin.

Example: Experts examined the signature to determine whether the painting was authentic.

Synonyms: Genuine, original, legitimate, real

Antonyms: Fake, false, artificial, counterfeit

18. Benevolent

Meaning: Kind, generous and willing to help others.

Example: The benevolent donor funded scholarships for students from low-income families.

Synonyms: Charitable, compassionate, generous, kind

Antonyms: Cruel, selfish, malicious, unkind

19. Bolster

Meaning: To support or strengthen something.

Example: The new evidence helped bolster the researcher’s original argument.

Synonyms: Strengthen, support, reinforce, encourage

Antonyms: Weaken, undermine, discourage, diminish

20. Candid

Meaning: Honest and direct, even when the truth may be uncomfortable.

Example: The manager gave a candid assessment of the company’s financial difficulties.

Synonyms: Frank, honest, straightforward, open

Antonyms: Dishonest, deceptive, guarded, evasive

21. Catalyst

Meaning: A person, event or substance that causes or accelerates change.

Example: The invention of affordable printing technology became a catalyst for the spread of knowledge.

Synonyms: Stimulus, trigger, spark, agent

Antonyms: Obstacle, deterrent, hindrance, restraint

22. Coherent

Meaning: Logical, clear and organised in a way that is easy to understand.

Example: Although the topic was complicated, the student presented a coherent argument.

Synonyms: Logical, consistent, organised, comprehensible

Antonyms: Confusing, disorganised, inconsistent, incoherent

23. Compelling

Meaning: Extremely convincing, persuasive or interesting.

Example: The documentary offered compelling evidence of the need to protect the region.

Synonyms: Persuasive, convincing, powerful, gripping

Antonyms: Unconvincing, weak, dull, ineffective

24. Concede

Meaning: To admit that something is true, often reluctantly.

Example: After reviewing the evidence, the critic conceded that the proposal had several advantages.

Synonyms: Admit, acknowledge, accept, grant

Antonyms: Deny, reject, dispute, contest

25. Concise

Meaning: Expressing an idea clearly in relatively few words.

Example: The editor asked for a concise summary of the lengthy report.

Synonyms: Brief, succinct, compact, economical

Antonyms: Wordy, lengthy, repetitive, verbose

26. Condemn

Meaning: To express strong disapproval of an action, idea or person.

Example: Community leaders condemned the destruction of the historic monument.

Synonyms: Criticise, denounce, censure, rebuke

Antonyms: Praise, approve, support, commend

27. Consequence

Meaning: A result or effect of an action, decision or event.

Example: One consequence of prolonged drought is a reduction in agricultural production.

Synonyms: Result, outcome, effect, repercussion

Antonyms: Cause, origin, source, beginning

28. Contend

Meaning: To argue or state that something is true.

Example: Some historians contend that economic pressures played the greatest role in the conflict.

Synonyms: Argue, assert, claim, maintain

Antonyms: Deny, reject, abandon, withdraw

29. Contradict

Meaning: To state the opposite of something or show that it is incorrect.

Example: The newly discovered documents contradict the traditional account of the event.

Synonyms: Oppose, dispute, challenge, refute

Antonyms: Confirm, support, agree with, verify

30. Conventional

Meaning: Following generally accepted customs, methods or ideas.

Example: The architect rejected conventional designs and created a building with an unusual shape.

Synonyms: Traditional, customary, standard, ordinary

Antonyms: Unconventional, innovative, unusual, original

31. Corroborate

Meaning: To provide additional information or evidence that confirms a statement.

Example: Several independent witnesses corroborated the journalist’s version of events.

Synonyms: Confirm, verify, support, substantiate

Antonyms: Contradict, disprove, challenge, refute

32. Credible

Meaning: Believable, trustworthy or convincing.

Example: A scientific claim must be supported by credible evidence.

Synonyms: Reliable, believable, convincing, trustworthy

Antonyms: Unreliable, doubtful, implausible, untrustworthy

33. Cumulative

Meaning: Increasing gradually as more amounts, effects or events are added together.

Example: The cumulative effect of several small improvements significantly increased productivity.

Synonyms: Accumulated, increasing, collective, combined

Antonyms: Individual, separate, decreasing, isolated

34. Deference

Meaning: Respect shown towards another person’s authority, knowledge or judgement.

Example: In deference to the medical expert, the committee delayed its final decision.

Synonyms: Respect, regard, submission, reverence

Antonyms: Disrespect, defiance, disregard, contempt

35. Deliberate

Meaning: Done consciously and intentionally rather than accidentally.

Example: The repetition of the image was a deliberate artistic choice.

Synonyms: Intentional, planned, purposeful, calculated

Antonyms: Accidental, unplanned, spontaneous, careless

36. Deteriorate

Meaning: To become progressively worse in quality, value or condition.

Example: The abandoned building continued to deteriorate during the winter.

Synonyms: Decline, worsen, decay, weaken

Antonyms: Improve, recover, strengthen, develop

37. Diligent

Meaning: Careful, persistent and hard-working.

Example: Through diligent research, the student found several valuable primary sources.

Synonyms: Industrious, careful, dedicated, persistent

Antonyms: Lazy, careless, negligent, inattentive

38. Disparity

Meaning: A noticeable and often unfair difference between two or more things.

Example: The report highlighted a significant disparity between urban and rural healthcare access.

Synonyms: Inequality, difference, gap, imbalance

Antonyms: Equality, similarity, balance, parity

39. Disseminate

Meaning: To distribute or spread information widely.

Example: The organisation uses social media to disseminate information about public health.

Synonyms: Spread, circulate, distribute, publicise

Antonyms: Conceal, suppress, withhold, restrict

40. Diverse

Meaning: Including people, ideas or things of many different types.

Example: The anthology contains a diverse collection of poems from several cultures.

Synonyms: Varied, different, assorted, wide-ranging

Antonyms: Uniform, identical, similar, homogeneous

41. Dubious

Meaning: Doubtful, questionable or unlikely to be reliable.

Example: Researchers were dubious about the conclusion because the sample was extremely small.

Synonyms: Doubtful, suspicious, uncertain, questionable

Antonyms: Certain, reliable, convincing, trustworthy

42. Eloquent

Meaning: Fluent and persuasive in speaking or writing.

Example: Her eloquent speech encouraged residents to support the conservation project.

Synonyms: Expressive, articulate, persuasive, fluent

Antonyms: Inarticulate, awkward, unclear, hesitant

43. Empirical

Meaning: Based on observation, experience or experimentation rather than theory alone.

Example: The researcher collected empirical evidence by observing the animals in their natural habitat.

Synonyms: Observational, experimental, practical, evidence-based

Antonyms: Theoretical, speculative, hypothetical, untested

44. Endorse

Meaning: To publicly express approval or support for something.

Example: Several respected scientists endorsed the proposal after reviewing its methodology.

Synonyms: Approve, support, recommend, back

Antonyms: Oppose, reject, criticise, condemn

45. Enhance

Meaning: To improve the quality, value or effectiveness of something.

Example: Adding clear examples can enhance a reader’s understanding of a difficult concept.

Synonyms: Improve, strengthen, enrich, increase

Antonyms: Reduce, weaken, impair, diminish

46. Entail

Meaning: To involve something as a necessary part or consequence.

Example: Restoring the historic theatre will entail considerable time and expense.

Synonyms: Involve, require, include, necessitate

Antonyms: Exclude, avoid, eliminate, prevent

47. Ephemeral

Meaning: Lasting for only a short period.

Example: The artist used ice to emphasise the ephemeral nature of the sculpture.

Synonyms: Temporary, brief, short-lived, fleeting

Antonyms: Permanent, lasting, enduring, eternal

48. Equivocal

Meaning: Open to more than one interpretation or deliberately unclear.

Example: The official gave an equivocal response that neither confirmed nor denied the report.

Synonyms: Ambiguous, vague, uncertain, unclear

Antonyms: Explicit, definite, clear, unequivocal

49. Exacerbate

Meaning: To make a problem, condition or negative situation worse.

Example: A shortage of rainfall could exacerbate the region’s existing water crisis.

Synonyms: Aggravate, worsen, intensify, compound

Antonyms: Alleviate, improve, ease, reduce

50. Exemplify

Meaning: To serve as a clear example of a quality or idea.

Example: The scientist’s careful documentation exemplifies the importance of accurate research.

Synonyms: Illustrate, demonstrate, represent, embody

Antonyms: Contradict, obscure, misrepresent, conceal

51. Explicit

Meaning: Expressed clearly and directly, leaving little room for confusion.

Example: The instructions were explicit about which materials students could use.

Synonyms: Clear, definite, direct, unambiguous

Antonyms: Implicit, vague, ambiguous, unclear

52. Feasible

Meaning: Possible and practical to accomplish successfully.

Example: Engineers concluded that the project was technically feasible but financially demanding.

Synonyms: Possible, practical, achievable, workable

Antonyms: Impossible, impractical, unworkable, unrealistic

53. Fluctuate

Meaning: To rise and fall or change repeatedly and unpredictably.

Example: Energy prices often fluctuate according to supply and demand.

Synonyms: Vary, shift, alternate, change

Antonyms: Stabilise, remain, settle, persist

54. Formidable

Meaning: Inspiring respect or fear because of great power, difficulty or ability.

Example: The legal team faced the formidable task of reviewing thousands of documents.

Synonyms: Daunting, powerful, challenging, impressive

Antonyms: Weak, easy, harmless, unimpressive

55. Frugal

Meaning: Careful about spending money or using resources.

Example: Through frugal habits, the family reduced its expenses without sacrificing essential needs.

Synonyms: Economical, thrifty, sparing, prudent

Antonyms: Wasteful, extravagant, lavish, careless

56. Fundamental

Meaning: Basic, essential or forming the central foundation of something.

Example: Trust is a fundamental part of a successful partnership.

Synonyms: Essential, basic, primary, foundational

Antonyms: Minor, secondary, optional, unimportant

57. Hypothetical

Meaning: Based on an imagined situation rather than an actual event.

Example: The professor presented a hypothetical case to test the students’ reasoning.

Synonyms: Imagined, theoretical, supposed, speculative

Antonyms: Actual, real, factual, proven

58. Impartial

Meaning: Fair and not influenced by personal opinions or preferences.

Example: Judges are expected to remain impartial when evaluating the evidence.

Synonyms: Unbiased, neutral, objective, fair

Antonyms: Biased, prejudiced, partial, unfair

59. Implicit

Meaning: Suggested or understood without being directly stated.

Example: The character’s silence contained an implicit criticism of the decision.

Synonyms: Implied, indirect, unspoken, understood

Antonyms: Explicit, direct, stated, expressed

60. Incentive

Meaning: Something that encourages a person to take a particular action.

Example: The city offered a financial incentive to businesses that reduced their energy consumption.

Synonyms: Motivation, encouragement, stimulus, inducement

Antonyms: Deterrent, discouragement, obstacle, disincentive

61. Inevitable

Meaning: Certain to happen and impossible to avoid.

Example: Some degree of change is inevitable when a rapidly growing town becomes a city.

Synonyms: Unavoidable, certain, inescapable, assured

Antonyms: Avoidable, uncertain, preventable, unlikely

62. Infer

Meaning: To reach a conclusion by using evidence and reasoning rather than a direct statement.

Example: From the character’s nervous behaviour, readers can infer that she is hiding something.

Synonyms: Deduce, conclude, reason, gather

Antonyms: Misinterpret, overlook, disregard, misunderstand

63. Innovative

Meaning: Introducing a new idea, method or design.

Example: The company developed an innovative process for recycling electronic waste.

Synonyms: Original, inventive, creative, pioneering

Antonyms: Conventional, traditional, outdated, unoriginal

64. Integrate

Meaning: To combine separate parts so that they work together as a whole.

Example: The teacher integrated history, literature and art into a single classroom project.

Synonyms: Combine, unite, merge, incorporate

Antonyms: Separate, divide, isolate, exclude

65. Interpret

Meaning: To explain or determine the meaning of information, language or an event.

Example: Different historians may interpret the same evidence in different ways.

Synonyms: Explain, understand, analyse, clarify

Antonyms: Misunderstand, confuse, distort, misinterpret

66. Juxtapose

Meaning: To place two things close together so that their similarities or differences become noticeable.

Example: The photographer juxtaposed images of wealth and poverty to highlight economic inequality.

Synonyms: Compare, contrast, pair, place side by side

Antonyms: Separate, isolate, disconnect, divide

67. Legitimate

Meaning: Lawful, reasonable, genuine or acceptable.

Example: Residents raised legitimate concerns about the project’s effect on local wildlife.

Synonyms: Valid, lawful, genuine, justifiable

Antonyms: Invalid, illegal, false, unjustified

68. Lucid

Meaning: Clear and easy to understand.

Example: The author offers a lucid explanation of a highly technical subject.

Synonyms: Clear, intelligible, coherent, understandable

Antonyms: Confusing, obscure, vague, incomprehensible

69. Meticulous

Meaning: Extremely careful and attentive to small details.

Example: The archaeologist kept meticulous records of every object discovered at the site.

Synonyms: Thorough, precise, careful, painstaking

Antonyms: Careless, negligent, hurried, imprecise

70. Mitigate

Meaning: To reduce the seriousness, severity or harmful effects of something.

Example: Planting trees can help mitigate the effects of extreme heat in urban areas.

Synonyms: Reduce, lessen, alleviate, moderate

Antonyms: Intensify, aggravate, worsen, increase

71. Nuance

Meaning: A small but meaningful difference in meaning, expression or feeling.

Example: The translation captured the general idea but missed an important nuance in the original poem.

Synonyms: Subtlety, distinction, shade, variation

Antonyms: Obviousness, simplicity, bluntness, uniformity

72. Objective

Meaning: Based on facts rather than personal feelings, preferences or opinions.

Example: The review attempted to provide an objective assessment of the new policy.

Synonyms: Unbiased, impartial, factual, neutral

Antonyms: Subjective, biased, emotional, prejudiced

73. Obsolete

Meaning: No longer useful or commonly used because something newer has replaced it.

Example: Many forms of storage technology became obsolete after digital alternatives appeared.

Synonyms: Outdated, antiquated, old-fashioned, superseded

Antonyms: Modern, current, relevant, contemporary

74. Omit

Meaning: To leave something out, either intentionally or accidentally.

Example: The editor decided to omit the final paragraph because it repeated an earlier argument.

Synonyms: Exclude, remove, skip, overlook

Antonyms: Include, add, insert, retain

75. Paradox

Meaning: A statement or situation that appears contradictory but may contain a deeper truth.

Example: It is a paradox that greater access to information can sometimes make people feel less certain.

Synonyms: Contradiction, puzzle, inconsistency, irony

Antonyms: Consistency, certainty, clarity, agreement

76. Perceive

Meaning: To notice, understand or interpret something in a particular way.

Example: Readers may perceive the narrator as unreliable because his account repeatedly changes.

Synonyms: Recognise, observe, understand, detect

Antonyms: Ignore, overlook, miss, misunderstand

77. Plausible

Meaning: Seeming reasonable, believable or likely to be true.

Example: The researcher offered a plausible explanation for the unexpected results.

Synonyms: Believable, credible, reasonable, convincing

Antonyms: Implausible, unbelievable, unlikely, absurd

78. Pragmatic

Meaning: Dealing with problems in a practical and realistic way.

Example: Rather than pursuing a perfect solution, the committee adopted a pragmatic approach.

Synonyms: Practical, realistic, sensible, logical

Antonyms: Impractical, idealistic, unrealistic, theoretical

79. Precedent

Meaning: An earlier action or decision used as an example for similar situations in the future.

Example: The court’s decision established a precedent for later environmental cases.

Synonyms: Example, model, standard, guide

Antonyms: Innovation, exception, departure, novelty

80. Prevalent

Meaning: Common or widespread within a particular place, period or group.

Example: The belief was prevalent during the nineteenth century but later lost support.

Synonyms: Widespread, common, dominant, frequent

Antonyms: Rare, uncommon, limited, unusual

81. Profound

Meaning: Having great depth, importance or influence.

Example: The discovery had a profound effect on scientists’ understanding of the universe.

Synonyms: Deep, significant, meaningful, intense

Antonyms: Superficial, minor, shallow, insignificant

82. Prolific

Meaning: Producing a large amount of work, results or creations.

Example: The prolific novelist published more than thirty books during her career.

Synonyms: Productive, creative, abundant, fertile

Antonyms: Unproductive, inactive, barren, limited

83. Reconcile

Meaning: To make opposing ideas, statements or situations consistent with one another.

Example: The researcher struggled to reconcile the new evidence with the original theory.

Synonyms: Harmonise, resolve, settle, accommodate

Antonyms: Divide, conflict, estrange, separate

84. Refute

Meaning: To prove that a claim, argument or statement is incorrect.

Example: The scientist used additional data to refute the misleading conclusion.

Synonyms: Disprove, contradict, rebut, invalidate

Antonyms: Confirm, prove, support, validate

85. Reluctant

Meaning: Unwilling or hesitant to do something.

Example: The witness was reluctant to speak publicly about the incident.

Synonyms: Hesitant, unwilling, resistant, disinclined

Antonyms: Willing, eager, enthusiastic, ready

86. Resilient

Meaning: Able to recover from difficulty, damage or change.

Example: The resilient ecosystem recovered gradually after the wildfire.

Synonyms: Strong, adaptable, tough, durable

Antonyms: Fragile, vulnerable, weak, inflexible

87. Rigorous

Meaning: Extremely careful, thorough and demanding.

Example: The medicine underwent rigorous testing before it was approved.

Synonyms: Thorough, strict, exacting, precise

Antonyms: Careless, lenient, superficial, relaxed

88. Scrutinise

Meaning: To examine something very carefully, especially to identify important details or problems.

Example: Reviewers scrutinised the data before accepting the study’s conclusion.

Synonyms: Examine, inspect, analyse, investigate

Antonyms: Ignore, overlook, glance at, neglect

US spelling: scrutinize

89. Sceptical

Meaning: Doubtful about whether a claim or idea is true.

Example: The committee remained sceptical because the proposal contained no supporting evidence.

Synonyms: Doubtful, unconvinced, suspicious, questioning

Antonyms: Convinced, trusting, certain, accepting

US spelling: skeptical

90. Sporadic

Meaning: Happening occasionally or at irregular intervals.

Example: Sporadic rainfall provided little relief from the long drought.

Synonyms: Irregular, occasional, intermittent, scattered

Antonyms: Constant, continuous, regular, frequent

91. Substantiate

Meaning: To support a statement or claim with evidence.

Example: The writer included historical records to substantiate her argument.

Synonyms: Verify, confirm, prove, corroborate

Antonyms: Disprove, contradict, invalidate, undermine

92. Subtle

Meaning: Not immediately obvious and requiring careful attention to notice or understand.

Example: A subtle change in the narrator’s tone suggests growing uncertainty.

Synonyms: Delicate, understated, faint, nuanced

Antonyms: Obvious, blatant, noticeable, explicit

93. Synthesise

Meaning: To combine information or ideas from different sources to create a new understanding.

Example: Students must synthesise evidence from both passages before drawing a conclusion.

Synonyms: Combine, integrate, merge, consolidate

Antonyms: Separate, divide, isolate, fragment

US spelling: synthesize

94. Tentative

Meaning: Not yet certain, final or fully developed.

Example: Researchers reached a tentative conclusion while waiting for additional results.

Synonyms: Provisional, uncertain, cautious, preliminary

Antonyms: Definite, certain, final, conclusive

95. Tenacious

Meaning: Determined and unwilling to give up despite difficulty.

Example: Through tenacious effort, the journalist uncovered information that others had overlooked.

Synonyms: Persistent, determined, resolute, steadfast

Antonyms: Weak-willed, hesitant, yielding, easily discouraged

96. Undermine

Meaning: To gradually weaken someone or something.

Example: Repeated factual errors undermined the credibility of the article.

Synonyms: Weaken, damage, impair, destabilise

Antonyms: Strengthen, support, reinforce, bolster

97. Ubiquitous

Meaning: Present or appearing almost everywhere.

Example: Smartphones have become ubiquitous in many parts of the world.

Synonyms: Widespread, universal, ever-present, pervasive

Antonyms: Rare, scarce, limited, uncommon

98. Validate

Meaning: To confirm that something is accurate, acceptable or well supported.

Example: Independent experiments helped validate the researcher’s findings.

Synonyms: Confirm, verify, authenticate, substantiate

Antonyms: Reject, invalidate, disprove, contradict

99. Viable

Meaning: Capable of working successfully or developing effectively.

Example: Solar power became a more viable option as production costs declined.

Synonyms: Workable, feasible, practical, sustainable

Antonyms: Impractical, impossible, unworkable, unsustainable

100. Vindicate

Meaning: To show that someone was right, reasonable or not responsible for wrongdoing.

Example: The newly discovered evidence vindicated the researcher whose conclusions had initially been criticised.

Synonyms: Justify, clear, exonerate, prove right

Antonyms: Blame, condemn, discredit, incriminate

Why Context Matters When Learning SAT Words

A vocabulary word rarely appears alone. It usually forms part of an argument, explanation, comparison or description. Therefore, memorising a simple definition may not be enough.

Consider the word “subtle”. It generally describes something that is not immediately obvious. In one passage, it might refer to a subtle change in tone. In another, it might describe a subtle difference between two scientific theories.

When reading a challenging sentence, look for:

• Contrast words such as however, although and nevertheless

• Cause-and-effect language such as because, therefore and consequently

• Examples that clarify an unfamiliar word

• Words with positive or negative connotations

• Punctuation marks that introduce explanations or definitions

These clues can help you work out the most logical meaning even when you do not immediately recognise the word.

SAT Vocabulary Practice Exercise

Choose the best word to complete each sentence.

1. The researcher needed additional evidence to ________ her controversial claim.

   A. omit
   B. substantiate
   C. undermine
   D. fluctuate

2. The instructions were so ________ that every student understood exactly what to do.

   A. ambiguous
   B. sporadic
   C. explicit
   D. tentative

3. The new information appeared to ________ the witness’s original account.

   A. contradict
   B. bolster
   C. validate
   D. endorse

4. The committee adopted a ________ solution that could be implemented immediately.

   A. pragmatic
   B. ephemeral
   C. arbitrary
   D. abstract

5. The writer chose to ________ two contrasting photographs to emphasise social inequality.

   A. reconcile
   B. alleviate
   C. juxtapose
   D. disseminate

6. Because the evidence was incomplete, the researchers presented only a ________ conclusion.

   A. rigorous
   B. tentative
   C. profound
   D. ubiquitous

7. The scientist remained ________ of the claim because the experiment had not been repeated.

   A. candid
   B. benevolent
   C. sceptical
   D. diligent

8. The charity introduced a programme designed to ________ the effects of food insecurity.

   A. exacerbate
   B. alleviate
   C. contradict
   D. undermine

9. The historian used letters and official records to ________ the witness’s account.

   A. corroborate
   B. omit
   C. condemn
   D. fluctuate

10. Constant factual mistakes may ________ an author’s credibility.

A. bolster
B. validate
C. enhance
D. undermine

Answers to the Practice Exercise

1. B. Substantiate

2. C. Explicit

3. A. Contradict

4. A. Pragmatic

5. C. Juxtapose

6. B. Tentative

7. C. Sceptical

8. B. Alleviate

9. A. Corroborate

10. D. Undermine

Final Thoughts

These 100 SAT vocabulary words can help you understand academic passages, interpret arguments and identify precise meanings in context. However, you do not need to memorise them all at once.

Begin with ten words, use each one in an original sentence and review the group regularly. Once those words feel familiar, move to the next ten.

The goal is not simply to recognise a definition. You should be able to determine how a word influences the meaning, tone and purpose of an entire sentence.

With consistent reading and practice, unfamiliar vocabulary becomes much easier to understand.

Editorial note: This is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the College Board.