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PSAT Vocab
The Top 300 PSAT Vocab Words
307
Other
11th Grade
06/08/2010

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Term
abeyance
Definition
temporary suspension or inactivity
Term
abscond
Definition
to leave suddenly and secretly, particularly to avoid prosecution or capture
Term
advocate
Definition
to speak in favor of
Term
aggrandize
Definition
to make greater or exaggerate
Term
aggregate
Definition
to combine or form a collection or sum; amounting to a whole or total
Term
alacrity
Definition
willingness or cheerful eagerness
Term
alleviate
Definition
to lessen or make easier to endure
Term
amalgam
Definition
a mixture of different elements or concepts
Term
ambivalence
Definition
uncertainty or inability to make a choice because of simultaneous desire or repulsion
Term
ameliorate
Definition
to improve or make more satisfactory
Term
amorphous
Definition
having no definite form, vague, or unorganized
Term
anachronism
Definition
an error in chronology or a thing that belongs in another era or time
Term
anomalous
Definition
unusual or not consistent with familiar patterns
Term
antipathy
Definition
habitual dislike or natural aversion
Term
appease
Definition
to satisfy or to yield in an affable way
Term
arbitrate
Definition
to manage and judge a dispute
Term
artless
Definition
simple, absence of deceit, natural, or poorly made
Term
ascetic
Definition
someone who practices self-mortification for religious reasons, or one who lives a chaste and simple life
Term
assiduous
Definition
constant, industrious, or working diligently at a job
Term
assuage
Definition
to lessen, make easier, or soothe
Term
audacious
Definition
recklessly bold and daring
Term
austere
Definition
strict, self-disciplined, or severely simple or rough
Term
autonomous
Definition
independent, regarding a self-governing state or organization
Term
bellicose
Definition
aggressive, inclined to fight, or hostile
Term
benefactor
Definition
a person who makes a gift or endowment
Term
beneficent
Definition
charitable, or characterized by kindness
Term
bolster
Definition
a long cushion or pillow or a horizontal piece of wood used to lessen the span on a long beam; to support or hold up
Term
bombastic
Definition
characterized by pretentious use of language; pompous
Term
boorish
Definition
crude, unmannered, or insensitive
Term
burgeon
Definition
to grow, flourish, or to bud as in a flower
Term
buttress
Definition
to support or give encouragement
Term
cacophonous
Definition
loud or harsh, usually referring to sound
Term
capricious
Definition
erratic or a tendency to change one's mind or behavior
Term
catalyst
Definition
something that spurs a change or event without itself being necessarily affected
Term
caustic
Definition
critical, sarcastic, or corrosive
Term
censure
Definition
to criticize, reproach, or reprimand
Term
charlatan
Definition
fraud, or one who pretends to have knowledge or skill she or he does not possess
Term
chicanery
Definition
tricky, deceitful, or evasive language
Term
coagulate
Definition
to go from a fluid state to more solid, or to form a clot
Term
commensurate
Definition
corresponding in degree or amount, proportionate, or having the same measure
Term
compendium
Definition
a brief summary or a list of inventory
Term
compliant
Definition
submissive, yielding, or obliging
Term
conciliatory
Definition
placate, win over, or reconcile
Term
condone
Definition
to disregard or overlook, to give implied consent, or to forgive
Term
confound
Definition
to confuse or contradict
Term
connoisseur
Definition
a discerning, qualified judge
Term
contention
Definition
struggling in opposition or dispute
Term
contrite
Definition
remorseful, regretful, or desiring atonement
Term
conundrum
Definition
a riddle or something that puzzles
Term
converge
Definition
tending to meet at a point or reach a common conclusion
Term
convoluted
Definition
complicated or twisted
Term
corroborate
Definition
to support with further evidence
Term
culpable
Definition
deserving blame or responsibility
Term
daunt
Definition
to discourage or intimidate
Term
dearth
Definition
a scarcity or a lack of
Term
decorum
Definition
manners or the customs of polite society
Term
default
Definition
failure to act or to live up to financial obligation
Term
deference
Definition
a respectful regard or courteously yielding to the opinion of another
Term
deft
Definition
skillful
Term
delineate
Definition
to describe precisely or to trace
Term
deride
Definition
to mock or laugh at in scorn
Term
derivative
Definition
not original, secondary, or something deduced
Term
deterrent
Definition
something that discourages or prevents an event or action
Term
diatribe
Definition
a bitter criticism
Term
dichotomy
Definition
a division into two parts or two opposing groups or constant forking into two branches
Term
didactic
Definition
intending to teach or instruct
Term
diffuse
Definition
wordy or widely spread; to disperse, to spread out, or to soften
Term
digression
Definition
a passage that deviates from the main theme
Term
dirge
Definition
a mournful song or poem
Term
discerning
Definition
having good judgement
Term
discordant
Definition
disagreeable to the ear, harsh, argumentative, or being at odds
Term
discredit
Definition
to damage one's reputation
Term
discrepancy
Definition
inconsistent or differing
Term
discrete
Definition
separate, distinct, or consisting of distinct parts
Term
disingenuous
Definition
insincere
Term
disinterested
Definition
unbiased or indifferent
Term
disjointed
Definition
to become dislocated or to put out of order; incoherent or lacking order
Term
disparage
Definition
to belittle or to bring discredit
Term
dissemble
Definition
to conceal true motives or to act hypocritically
Term
disseminate
Definition
to scatter widely, to disperse, or to broadcast
Term
dissolution
Definition
the breaking of a partnership, a termination, or sensual indulgence
Term
distill
Definition
to process by vaporization and subsequent condensation or to extract or purify
Term
dismiss
Definition
to direct, to leave, or to reject
Term
dissonance
Definition
a harsh chord, cacophony, or lack of agreement
Term
diverge
Definition
to branch off, deviate, or turn aside
Term
dogmatic
Definition
opinionated or concerning doctrine
Term
dormant
Definition
inactive, hibernating, or latent
Term
dupe
Definition
one who is easily fooled, gullible; a person who unwittingly serves the cause of someone else
Term
eclectic
Definition
drawing from various, distinct sources
Term
efficacy
Definition
power to produce a desired effect
Term
elicit
Definition
to draw out, provoke, or to arrive at by reasoning
Term
emulate
Definition
to strive to excel or imitate
Term
enamored
Definition
to be filled with love or to be foolishly fond of
Term
endemic
Definition
to be peculiar or specific to an area or people
Term
enervate
Definition
to weaken or remove part of a nerve
Term
engender
Definition
to cause to happen or exist
Term
enigmatic
Definition
relating to or resembling a puzzle
Term
ephemeral
Definition
brief or fleeting
Term
equanimity
Definition
even-temperedness or calmness
Term
erudite
Definition
highly educated; possessing or demonstrating advanced knowledge
Term
esoteric
Definition
intending for or understood by only a select few
Term
eulogy
Definition
a highly praiseful speech or piece of writing
Term
euphemism
Definition
an inoffensive word substituted for an offensive one
Term
euphoria
Definition
a feeling of extreme happiness or well-being
Term
exacerbate
Definition
to worsen something that is already bad
Term
exculpate
Definition
to free of blame
Term
explicit
Definition
clearly stated or expressed without ambiguity
Term
extrapolation
Definition
an estimate from facts already known
Term
facetious
Definition
playfully jocular; humorous
Term
facilitate
Definition
to make easy or easier
Term
fallacy
Definition
a statement or an argument based on a false or invalid inference
Term
fathom
Definition
to penetrate to the meaning or nature of; comprehend
Term
fawning
Definition
showing excessive devotion or affection
Term
feigned
Definition
pretended; done for show without legitimate cause
Term
fervor
Definition
great warmth and intensity of emotion
Term
fickle
Definition
characterized by erratic changeableness or instability; capricious
Term
filibuster
Definition
the use of prolonged speechmaking, for the purpose of delaying legislative action
Term
fledgling
Definition
a young or inexperienced person
Term
forsake
Definition
to give up (something formerly held dear); to renounce
Term
fortuitous
Definition
happening by a fortunate accident or chance
Term
foster
Definition
to promote the growth and development of; to cultivate
Term
frugal
Definition
practicing or marked by economy, as in the expenditure of money or the use of material resources
Term
garrulous
Definition
overly talkative
Term
germane
Definition
being both pertinent and fitting; relevant
Term
glib
Definition
showing little thought, preparation, or concern
Term
gratuitous
Definition
unnecessary or unwarranted; unjustified
Term
gregarious
Definition
seeking and enjoying the company of others; sociable
Term
guileless
Definition
innocent; honest from a complete inability to deceive
Term
hamper
Definition
to prevent the free movement, action, or progress of
Term
harangue
Definition
a long pompous speech, especially one delivered before a gathering
Term
hedonism
Definition
pursuit of or devotion to pleasure, especially to the pleasures of the senses
Term
homogenous
Definition
having a resemblance in structure
Term
hyperbole
Definition
a figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect
Term
iconoclast
Definition
one who attacks and seeks to overthrow traditional or popular ideas or institutions
Term
idiosyncrasy
Definition
a structural or behavioral characteristic peculiar to an individual or group
Term
imminent
Definition
about to occur; impending
Term
imperative
Definition
having the power or authority to command or control
Term
imperturbable
Definition
unshakably calm and collected
Term
impervious
Definition
incapable of being penetrated
Term
impetuous
Definition
characterized by sudden and forceful energy or emotion; impulsive and passionate
Term
implicit
Definition
implied or understood though not directly expressed
Term
impulsive
Definition
inclined to act on impulse rather than thought
Term
impunity
Definition
exemption from punishment, penalty, or harm
Term
inadvertent
Definition
marked by unintentional lack of care
Term
incendiary
Definition
tending to excite or inflame factions, sedition, or quarrel; inflammatory; seditious
Term
inhibit
Definition
to restrain, prohibit, or hold back
Term
incontrovertible
Definition
impossible to dispute
Term
incorrigible
Definition
incapable of being corrected or reformed
Term
indifferent
Definition
having no particular interest or concern; apathetic
Term
indigent
Definition
experiencing want or need; impoverished
Term
indolent
Definition
disinclined to exert oneself; habitually lazy
Term
indomitable
Definition
incapable of being overcome, subdued, or vanquished; unconquerable
Term
inert
Definition
sluggish in action or motion; lethargic
Term
inherent
Definition
existing as an essential constituent or characteristic; intrinsic
Term
inhibit
Definition
to hold back; restrain; innocuous; harmless
Term
insatiable
Definition
impossible to satiate or satisfy
Term
insidious
Definition
intended to entrap; treacherous
Term
insipid
Definition
lacking qualities that excite, stimulate, or interest; dull
Term
insufferable
Definition
difficult or impossible to endure; intolerable
Term
insular
Definition
suggestive of the isolated life of an island
Term
intangible
Definition
incapable of being perceived by the senses
Term
intractable
Definition
difficult to manage or govern; stubborn
Term
intrepid
Definition
resolutely courageous; fearless
Term
inundate
Definition
to overwhelm as if with a flood
Term
irascible
Definition
prone to outbursts of temper; easily angered
Term
itinerary
Definition
a route or proposed route of a journey
Term
jettison
Definition
to cast overboard or discard
Term
judicious
Definition
having or exhibiting sound judgment; prudent
Term
latent
Definition
in a dormant state, but having potential for expression
Term
laudatory
Definition
expressing or conferring praise
Term
levity
Definition
lightness of manner or speech, especially when inappropriate; frivolity
Term
lucid
Definition
easily understood; intelligible
Term
lurid
Definition
marked by sensationalism
Term
Machiavellian
Definition
suggestive of or characterized by expediency, deceit, and cunning
Term
magnanimous
Definition
generous in forgiving; eschewing resentment or revenge; unselfish
Term
magnate
Definition
a powerful or influential person, especially in business or industry
Term
malevolence
Definition
malicious behavior
Term
malinger
Definition
to feign illness or other incapacity to avoid duty or work
Term
malleable
Definition
capable of being shaped or formed, as by hammering or pressure; tractable
Term
mercurial
Definition
prone to rapid changes in mood
Term
misanthrope
Definition
one who hates or mistrusts humankind
Term
miscreant
Definition
a person without moral scruples
Term
mitigate
Definition
to moderate (a quality or condition) in force or intensity; alleviate
Term
mundane
Definition
relating to, characteristic of, or concerned with commonplaces; ordinary
Term
nadir
Definition
the lowest point
Term
narcissism
Definition
excessive love or admiration of oneself
Term
nascent
Definition
coming into existence; emerging
Term
noxious
Definition
harmful to living things; injurious to health, mind, or morals
Term
obtuse
Definition
lacking quickness of perception or intellect
Term
odious
Definition
arousing or meriting strong dislike, aversion, or intense displeasure
Term
officious
Definition
marked by excessive eagerness in offering unwanted services or advice to others
Term
omnipotent
Definition
having unlimited or universal power, authority, or force; all-powerful
Term
opaque
Definition
not allowing radiant energy to pass through; impenetrable by light
Term
oscillate
Definition
to waver, as between conflicting opinions or courses of action; to vacillate
Term
paradigm
Definition
one that serves as a pattern or model; a set of assumptions and concepts that defines a way of viewing the world
Term
paragon
Definition
a model of excellence or perfection of a kind; a peerless example
Term
parody
Definition
a literary work that imitates the characteristic style of an author or a work for comic effect or ridicule
Term
parsimonious
Definition
excessively sparing or frugal
Term
pedagogical
Definition
of or relating to teaching or education
Term
pedantic
Definition
characterized by a narrow, often ostentatious concern for book learning and formal rules
Term
penchant
Definition
a definite liking; a strong inclination
Term
perpetuity
Definition
time without end; eternity
Term
pervade
Definition
to be present throughout; permeate
Term
philanthropic
Definition
of, relating to, or marked by charity; humanitarian
Term
phlegmatic
Definition
having or suggesting a calm, sluggish temperament; unemotional
Term
piety
Definition
devotion and reverence to parents and family; religious devotion
Term
pious
Definition
professing or exhibiting a strict, traditional sense of virtue and morality; high-minded
Term
pithy
Definition
precisely meaningful; forceful and brief
Term
placate
Definition
to pacify, often by making compromises or concessions
Term
plastic
Definition
capable of easily adapting to varying conditions; moldable
Term
platitude
Definition
a trite or banal remark or statement, especially one expressed as if it were original or significant
Term
platonic
Definition
pure, passionless; nonsexual; philosophical
Term
plethora
Definition
a superabundance; an excess
Term
polemic
Definition
a controversial argument, especially one refuting or attacking a specific opinion or doctrine
Term
posthumous
Definition
occurring or continuing after one's death
Term
pragmatic
Definition
dealing or concerned with facts or actual occurrences; practical
Term
precarious
Definition
dangerously lacking in security or stability
Term
precipitate
Definition
to cause to happen, especially suddenly or prematurely
Term
precursor
Definition
one that precedes and indicates, suggests, or announces someone or something to come
Term
preponderance
Definition
superiority in weight, force, importance, or influence
Term
presumptuous
Definition
going beyond what is right or proper; excessively forward
Term
pretentious
Definition
making or marked by an extravagant outward show; ostentatious
Term
pretext
Definition
an ostensible or professed purpose; an excuse
Term
problematic
Definition
not settled; unresolved or dubious
Term
prodigal
Definition
rashly or wastefully extravagant
Term
prodigious
Definition
impressively great in size, force, or extent; enormous
Term
prodigy
Definition
a person with exceptional talents or powers
Term
profound
Definition
situated at, extending to, or coming from a great depth; deep
Term
profusion
Definition
lavish or unrestrained expense; extravagance
Term
prolific
Definition
producing abundant works or results; fertile
Term
propensity
Definition
an innate inclination; a tendency
Term
proportionate
Definition
agreeing in amount, magnitude, or degree
Term
propriety
Definition
the quality of being proper; appropriateness
Term
protuberance
Definition
something (such as a bulge, knob, or swelling) that protrudes
Term
pundit
Definition
a learned person
Term
pungent
Definition
affecting the organs of taste or smell with a sharp acrid sensation
Term
qualms
Definition
misgivings; reservations
Term
querulous
Definition
given to complaining; peevish
Term
quixotic
Definition
idealistic without regard to practicality
Term
recalcitrant
Definition
marked by stubborn resistance to and defiance of authority or guidance
Term
recant
Definition
to make a formal retraction or disavowal of a previously held statement or belief
Term
relegate
Definition
to assign to an obscure place, position, or condition
Term
renege
Definition
to fail to carry out a promise or commitment
Term
renounce
Definition
to give up (a title, for example), especially by formal announcement
Term
reprehensible
Definition
deserving rebuke or censure; blameworthy
Term
reproach
Definition
to express disapproval of, criticism of, or disappointment in (someone)
Term
reprobate
Definition
morally unprincipled; shameless
Term
repudiate
Definition
to reject emphatically as unfounded, untrue, or unjust; to disown
Term
requisite
Definition
required; essential
Term
rescind
Definition
to make void; to repeal or annul
Term
resolute
Definition
firm or determined; unwavering
Term
reticent
Definition
inclined to keep one's thoughts, feelings, and personal affairs to oneself
Term
retribution
Definition
something justly deserved; recompense
Term
reverent
Definition
feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
Term
rhapsody
Definition
a state of elated bliss; ecstasy
Term
rhetoric
Definition
the art or study of using language effectively and persuasively
Term
sanctimonious
Definition
feigning piety or righteousness
Term
sanction
Definition
support or encouragement, as from public opinion or established custom
Term
sanguinary
Definition
accompanied by bloodshed
Term
satiate
Definition
to satisfy (an appetite or desire) fully
Term
satire
Definition
a literary work in which human voice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit
Term
schism
Definition
disunion; discord
Term
secular
Definition
worldly rather than spiritual
Term
severance
Definition
separation; partition
Term
skeptical
Definition
marked by or given to doubt; questioning
Term
solicitous
Definition
marked by or given to anxious care and often hovering attentiveness
Term
solvent
Definition
capable of meeting financial obligations
Term
sophistry
Definition
plausible but fallacious argumentation
Term
spurious
Definition
lacking authenticity or validity in essence or origin; not genuine; false
Term
squander
Definition
to spend wastefully or extravagantly; to dissipate
Term
stupefy
Definition
to amaze; to astonish
Term
stymie
Definition
to thwart; to stump
Term
sullen
Definition
showing a brooding ill humor or silent resentment; morose or sulky
Term
superfluous
Definition
being beyond what is required or sufficient
Term
synthesis
Definition
the combining of separate elements or substances to form a coherent whole
Term
tacit
Definition
unspoken; understood without words
Term
taciturn
Definition
reserved; using few words
Term
temperate
Definition
showing moderation or restraint
Term
tenuous
Definition
having little substance; flimsy
Term
terse
Definition
brief and to the point; effectively concise
Term
tirade
Definition
a long, critical, emotional speech
Term
torpid
Definition
lethargic; apathetic
Term
transient
Definition
remaining in a place only a brief time
Term
truculent
Definition
disposed to fight; pugnacious
Term
turpitude
Definition
utter depravity or wickedness; a complete lack of morals
Term
ulterior
Definition
lying beyond what is evident, revealed, or avowed, especially something that is concealed intentionally
Term
untenable
Definition
being such that defense or maintenance is impossible
Term
urbane
Definition
polite, refined, and often elegant in manner
Term
vacillate
Definition
to swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another
Term
venerable
Definition
commanding respect by virtue of age, dignity, character, or position
Term
veracity
Definition
adherence to the truth; truthfulness
Term
verdant
Definition
lush and green with vegetation
Term
verbose
Definition
wordy
Term
vernacular
Definition
the standard native language of a country or locality
Term
vex
Definition
to annoy, as with petty importunities; bother
Term
viable
Definition
capable of success or continuing effectiveness; practicable
Term
vilify
Definition
to make vicious and defamatory statements about
Term
virulent
Definition
bitterly hostile or antagonistic; hateful
Term
viscous
Definition
thick and sticky
Term
vivacious
Definition
full of animation and spirit; lively
Term
volatile
Definition
tending to vary often or widely; explosive
Term
voluminous
Definition
ample or lengthy in speech or writing
Term
voracious
Definition
consuming or eager to consume great amounts of food; ravenous
Term
waver
Definition
to be undecided; to hesitate in decision making
Term
wax
Definition
to increase in size or strength
Term
xenophobe
Definition
a person unduly fearful or contemptuous of that which is foreign
Term
zealot
Definition
a fanatically committed person
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