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PSAT Vocab
from princeton review 2010
252
English
11th Grade
10/09/2010

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Term
abase
Definition
to lower in rank, prestige, or esteem
Term
abstruse
Definition
difficult to understand
Term
acumen
Definition
quickness, accuracy, and keenness of judgment or insight
Term
adroit
Definition
dexterous; deft
Term
aesthetic
Definition
having to do with the appreciation of beauty
Term
affable
Definition
easy going; friendly
Term
alacrity
Definition
promptness in response; cheerful readiness; eagerness
Term
alleviate
Definition
to ease a pain or burden
Term
altruism
Definition
unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness
Term
amalgam
Definition
a combination of diverse elements; a mixture
Term
ambiguous
Definition
open to more than one interpretation
Term
ambivalent
Definition
simultaneously feeling opposing feelings; uncertain
Term
ameliorate
Definition
to make something better; improve
Term
amiable
Definition
friendly; agreeable; good-natured
Term
anachronistic
Definition
the representation of something as existing or happening in the wrong time period
Term
apathetic
Definition
feeling or showing little emotion
Term
arboreal
Definition
relating to or resembling a tree or trees
Term
arcane
Definition
known or understood by only a few
Term
archaic
Definition
characteristic of an earlier time; antiquated; old
Term
ascertain
Definition
to find out, as through investigation or experimentation
Term
assimilate
Definition
to absorb or become absorbed; to make or become similar
Term
astute
Definition
shrewd; clever
Term
augment
Definition
to make greater, as in size, extent, or quantity; to supplement
Term
aural
Definition
of or related to the ear or the sense of hearing
Term
austere
Definition
without decoration; strict
Term
autonomy
Definition
independence; self-determination
Term
averse
Definition
strongly disinclined
Term
banal
Definition
drearily commonplace; predictable; trite
Term
belie
Definition
to misrepresent
Term
belligerent
Definition
eager to fight; hostile or aggressive
Term
beneficial
Definition
producing or promoting a favorable result; helpful
Term
benign
Definition
kind and gentle
Term
bolster
Definition
to hearten, support or prop up
Term
bombastic
Definition
given to pompous speech or writing
Term
brevity
Definition
the quality or state of being brief in duration
Term
burgeon
Definition
to grow and flourish
Term
byzantine
Definition
extremely complicated or devious
Term
cacophony
Definition
discordant, unpleasant noise
Term
cacophony
Definition
discordant, unpleasant noise
Term
cajole
Definition
to urge with repeated, appeals, teasing, or flattery
Term
cajole
Definition
to urge with repeated, appeals, teasing, or flattery
Term
callous
Definition
emotionally hardened; unfeeling
Term
candid
Definition
completely honest, straightforward
Term
cantankerous
Definition
ill-tempered and quarrelsome; disagreeable
Term
capricious
Definition
impulsive and unpredictable
Term
castigate
Definition
to scold, rebuke, or harshly criticize
Term
censure
Definition
to issue official blame
Term
chicanery
Definition
trickery
Term
circumscribe
Definition
to draw a circle around; to restrict
Term
circumspect
Definition
careful; prudent; discreet
Term
complement
Definition
something that completes, goes with, or bring to perfection
Term
conciliatory
Definition
appeasing; soothing; showing willingness to reconcile
Term
concord
Definition
agreement (antonym: discord)
Term
concur
Definition
to agree
Term
conjecture
Definition
inference; guesswork
Term
conspicuous
Definition
easy to notice; obvious (antonym: inconspicuous)
Term
contentious
Definition
quarrelsome
Term
contiguous
Definition
sharing an edge or boundary; touching
Term
convoluted
Definition
intricate; complex
Term
copious
Definition
plentiful; having a large quantity
Term
cosmopolitan
Definition
worldly; widely sophisticated
Term
credible
Definition
capable of being believed; plausible
Term
curative
Definition
able to heal or cure
Term
dearth
Definition
scarce supply; lack
Term
debacle
Definition
disastrous or ludicrous defeat or failure; fiasco
Term
debilitate
Definition
impair the strength of; weaken
Term
debunk
Definition
to expose untruths, shams, or exaggerated claims
Term
defunct
Definition
no longer existing or functioning
Term
deleterious
Definition
having a harmful effect
Term
demure
Definition
modest and reserved
Term
denounce
Definition
to condemn openly
Term
deride
Definition
to mock contemptuously
Term
derivative
Definition
something that comes from another source
Term
derogatory
Definition
insulting or intended to insult
Term
didactic
Definition
instructive
Term
diffidence
Definition
timidity or shyness
Term
dilatory
Definition
habitually late
Term
diligent
Definition
marked by painstaking effort; hard-working
Term
dirge
Definition
a funeral hymn or lament
Term
disparage
Definition
to speak of negatively; to belittle
Term
disseminate
Definition
to scatter widely, as in sowing seed
Term
distend
Definition
to swell out or expand from internal pressure, as when overly full
Term
docile
Definition
submissive to instruction; willing to be taught
Term
dogmatic
Definition
stubbornly attached to insufficiently proven beliefs
Term
dubious
Definition
doubtful; of unlikely authenticity
Term
duplicitous
Definition
deliberately deceptive
Term
ebullience
Definition
intense enthusiasm
Term
eclectic
Definition
made up of a variety of sources or styles
Term
effrontery
Definition
brazen boldness; presumptuousness
Term
embellish
Definition
to ornament or decorate; to exaggerate
Term
eminent
Definition
distinguished; prominent
Term
empathetic
Definition
identification with and understanding of another's situation, feelings, and motive
Term
enigma
Definition
a puzzle, mystery, or riddle
Term
entourage
Definition
a group of attendants or associates; a retinue
Term
ephemeral
Definition
lasting for only a brief time
Term
epitome
Definition
a representative or example of a type
Term
equivocal
Definition
open to two or more interpretations and often intended to mislead; ambiguous (antonym: unequivocal)
Term
eradicate
Definition
to get rid of as if by tearing it up by the roots; abolish
Term
erratic
Definition
markedly inconsistent
Term
erudition
Definition
deep, extensive learning
Term
esoteric
Definition
intended for or understood by only a small group
Term
euphemism
Definition
a mild, indirect, or vague term substituting for a harsh, blunt, or offensive term
Term
exacerbate
Definition
to increase the severity, violence, or bitterness of; aggravate
Term
exonerate
Definition
to free from blame
Term
exorbitant
Definition
exceeding all bounds, as of custom or fairness
Term
expedient
Definition
appropriate to a purpose; convenient; speedy
Term
expurgate
Definition
to remove objectionable content before publication or release
Term
extirpate
Definition
to destroy
Term
extol
Definition
to praise highly
Term
extraneous
Definition
irrelevant; inessential
Term
extrapolate
Definition
to infer or estimate by extending or projecting known information
Term
exuberant
Definition
full of unrestrained enthusiasm or joy
Term
fabricate
Definition
to make up in order to deceive
Term
fallacy
Definition
a false notion
Term
fastidious
Definition
carefully attentive to detail; difficult to please
Term
felicitous
Definition
admirably suited; apt
Term
flag
Definition
to decline in vigor or strength
Term
flagrant
Definition
extremely or deliberately shocking or noticeable
Term
flippant
Definition
disrespectfully humorous or casual
Term
gaffe
Definition
a clumsy social order; a faux pas
Term
grandiose
Definition
great in scope or intent; grand
Term
gratuitous
Definition
given freely; unearned; unnecessary
Term
hackneyed
Definition
worn out through overuse; trite
Term
husbandry
Definition
the application of scientific principles to agriculture, especially to animal breeding
Term
idiosyncrasy
Definition
characteristic peculiar to an individual or group
Term
ignominy
Definition
great personal dishonor or humiliation; disgraceful conduct
Term
impetuous
Definition
suddenly and forcefully energetic or emotional; impulsive and passionate
Term
impetus
Definition
an impelling force or stimulus
Term
impugn
Definition
to attack as false or questionable
Term
incoherent
Definition
lacking cohesion or connection
Term
incongruous
Definition
lacking in harmony; incompatible
Term
incontrovertible
Definition
indisputable; not open to question
Term
indict
Definition
to officially charge with wrongdoing or a crime
Term
ingenuous
Definition
lacking in cunning, guile, or worldliness (antonym: disingenuous)
Term
innocuous
Definition
having no adverse effect; harmless
Term
inscrutable
Definition
difficult to fathom or understand; impenetrable
Term
insinuate
Definition
to introduce or communicate stealthily
Term
insipid
Definition
uninteresting; unchallenging; lacking taste or savor
Term
insolent
Definition
insulting in manner or speech
Term
insular
Definition
isolated; narrow or provincial
Term
intransigence
Definition
refusal to moderate a position or to compromise
Term
inundate
Definition
to overwhelm as if with a flood; to swamp
Term
invocation
Definition
a call (usually upon a higher power) for assistance, support, or inspiration
Term
jaded
Definition
worn out; wearied
Term
jocular
Definition
characterized by or given to joking
Term
juxtapose
Definition
to place side by side, especially for comparison or contrast
Term
laudatory
Definition
full of praise
Term
lavish
Definition
extravagant
Term
litigious
Definition
prone to engage in lawsuits
Term
lucid
Definition
easily understood; clear
Term
lugubrious
Definition
mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially to an exaggerated or ludicrous degree
Term
magnanimous
Definition
courageously or generously noble in mind and heart
Term
mar
Definition
to damage, especially in a disfiguring way
Term
maverick
Definition
one who is independent and resists adherence to a group
Term
mendacious
Definition
lying; untruthful
Term
mercenary
Definition
motivated solely by a desire for money or material gain
Term
meticulous
Definition
extremely careful and precise
Term
modicum
Definition
a small, moderate, or token amount
Term
multifarious
Definition
diverse; various
Term
multiplicity
Definition
state of being various or manifold; a great number
Term
nefarious
Definition
flagrantly wicked; vicious
Term
obsequious
Definition
fawning or servile
Term
obstinate
Definition
stubbornly attached to an opinion or a course of action
Term
onerous
Definition
troublesome or oppressive; burdensome
Term
opulent
Definition
displaying great wealth
Term
ornate
Definition
elaborately decorated
Term
orthodox
Definition
adhering to the traditional and established, especially in religion
Term
palliative
Definition
relieving or soothing the symptoms of a disease or disorder without effecting a cure
Term
parity
Definition
equality, as in amount, status, or value (antonym: disparity)
Term
partisan
Definition
devoted to or biased in support of a party, group, or cause
Term
paucity
Definition
smallness in number; scarcity
Term
pedantic
Definition
excessively concerned with book learning and formal rules
Term
pejorative
Definition
disparaging, belittling, insulting
Term
penchant
Definition
a strong inclination or liking
Term
pernicious
Definition
extremely or irrevocably harmful; deadly
Term
perspicacious
Definition
shrewd; clear-sighted
Term
philanthropic
Definition
humanitarian; benevolent; relating to monetary generosity
Term
placid
Definition
calm or quiet; undisturbed
Term
portent
Definition
indication of something important or calamitous about to occur; omen
Term
potentate
Definition
one who has the power and position to rule over others; monarch
Term
pragmatic
Definition
practical
Term
precocious
Definition
exhibiting unusually early intellectual aptitude or maturity
Term
prescience
Definition
knowledge of actions or events before they occur; foreknowledge; foresight
Term
prodigious
Definition
enormous
Term
profundity
Definition
great depth of intellect, feeling, or meaning
Term
proliferate
Definition
to grow or increase rapidly
Term
prosaic
Definition
unimaginative; dull (antonym: poetic)
Term
prospectus
Definition
formal proposal
Term
quell
Definition
to put down forcibly; suppress
Term
quiescent
Definition
quiet, still, or at rest; inactive
Term
rancorous
Definition
marked by bitter, deep-seated ill-will
Term
raze
Definition
to level to the ground; demolish
Term
reciprocate
Definition
to mutually take or give; to respond in kind
Term
reclusive
Definition
seeking or preferring seclusion or isolation
Term
rectitude
Definition
moral uprightness; righteousness
Term
redolent
Definition
fragrant; aromatic; suggestive
Term
redouble
Definition
to make twice as great; to double
Term
redundant
Definition
needlessly repetitive
Term
relinquish
Definition
to retire from; give up or abandon
Term
remiss
Definition
lax in attending to duty; negligent
Term
renounce
Definition
to give up (a title, for example), especially by formal announcement
Term
repudiate
Definition
to reject the validity or authority of
Term
repugnant
Definition
arousing disgust or aversion; offensive or repulsive
Term
reticent
Definition
inclined to keep silent; reserved
Term
rhetoric
Definition
the art of using language effectively and persuasively
Term
rudimentary
Definition
basic; elementary; in the earliest stages of development
Term
sanctimonious
Definition
feigning piety or righteousness
Term
sanguine
Definition
cheerfully confident; optimistic
Term
scintillating
Definition
brilliant
Term
scrupulous
Definition
principled, having a strong sense of right and wrong; conscientious and exacting
Term
solicitous
Definition
concerned
Term
sonorous
Definition
producing a deep or full sound
Term
sophistry
Definition
plausible but misleading or fallacious argument
Term
soporific
Definition
inducing or tending to induce sleep
Term
specious
Definition
having the ring of truth or plausibility but actually false
Term
sporadic
Definition
occurring at irregular intervals; having no pattern or order in time
Term
squander
Definition
to spend wastefully
Term
squelch
Definition
to crush as if by trampling; squash
Term
staid
Definition
unemotional; serious
Term
stratify
Definition
to layer or separate into layers
Term
strident
Definition
loud, harsh, grating, or shrill
Term
stymie
Definition
to thwart or stump
Term
substantiate
Definition
to support with proof or evidence; verify
Term
subterfuge
Definition
a deceptive stratagem or device
Term
superfluous
Definition
extra; unnecessary
Term
supplant
Definition
to usurp the place of, especially through intrigue or underhanded tactics
Term
surreptitious
Definition
secretive; sneaky
Term
sycophant
Definition
insincere, obsequious flatterer
Term
synergy
Definition
combined action or operation
Term
tangential
Definition
merely touching or slightly connected; only superficially relevant
Term
tawdry
Definition
gaudy and cheap
Term
temperate
Definition
moderate; restrained (antonym: intemperate)
Term
temporal
Definition
of, relating to, or limited by time
Term
tenacity
Definition
persistence
Term
tenuous
Definition
having little substance or strength; shaky
Term
therapeutic
Definition
having or exhibiting healing powers
Term
transient
Definition
passing quickly in time or space
Term
tumultuous
Definition
noisy and disorderly
Term
ubiquitous
Definition
being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time; omnipresent
Term
vacillate
Definition
to sway from one side to the other; oscillate
Term
vapid
Definition
lacking liveliness, animation, or interest; dull
Term
variegated
Definition
having streaks, marks, or patches of a different color or colors; varicolored
Term
veracity
Definition
adherence to the truth; truthfulness
Term
verdant
Definition
green with vegetation
Term
vex
Definition
to annoy or bother; to perplex
Term
vicarious
Definition
felt or undergone as if one were taking part in the experience or feelings of another
Term
vigilant
Definition
on the alert; watchful
Term
vignette
Definition
a short scene or story
Term
vindicate
Definition
to free from blame
Term
vindictive
Definition
disposed to seek revenge; revengeful; spiteful
Term
vituperative
Definition
marked by harshly abusive condemnation
Term
whimsical
Definition
characterized by whim; unpredictable
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