ISEE/SSAThard

Hard ISEE Upper Level and SSAT vocabulary words (list of 580 with meanings)

580 of the 1,500 words in the deck. The hardest tier: the long tail that separates a good Upper Level ISEE or SSAT verbal score from a great one. Study these once the easy and medium words are secure. Every word here is rated 580–850 on the deck's 1–1000 difficulty scale.

All 1,500 words, A–Z easy words medium words

abashed adjective — embarrassed or ashamed
abrogate verb — to formally cancel or abolish a rule, law, or agreement
abstemious adjective — not self-indulgent, especially in food and drink
abstruse adjective — difficult to understand
accede verb — to agree to a request or demand, often after hesitation
accrue verb — to accumulate gradually over time
acerbic adjective — sharp, biting, or harsh in tone
acquiesce verb — to accept something reluctantly without protest
acrimonious adjective — angry and bitter in tone
acumen noun — keen judgment in practical matters
adage noun — a short saying that expresses a commonly held truth or piece of wisdom
admonish verb — to gently but firmly warn or scold someone
adroit adjective — skillful and clever, especially with the hands or mind
adulation noun — excessive praise or admiration
affront noun — a deliberate insult to someone's dignity or pride
aggrandize verb — to increase the power, status, or reputation of someone or something
alacrity noun — brisk and cheerful readiness
allay verb — to reduce fear, worry, or pain
amalgamate verb — to combine separate things into a unified whole
ambivalence noun — a state of having mixed or contradictory feelings about something
ameliorate verb — to make a bad situation better
amity noun — peaceful friendship and goodwill
amorphous adjective — lacking a clear or definite shape
anachronism noun — something out of its proper time
animosity noun — strong hostility or ill will
anodyne adjective — soothing or blandly inoffensive
anomalous adjective — deviating from what is standard or expected
antecedent noun — an earlier event, condition, or thing from which something later develops
antepenultimate adjective — third from the last item in a series or list
antipathy noun — a deep-seated dislike
antiquated adjective — so old-fashioned that it is no longer useful or suitable
apocryphal adjective — of doubtful authenticity; widely repeated but not proven true
apparition noun — ghostly figure that appears suddenly
apprise verb — to inform someone about an important matter
approbation noun — approval or praise
archaic adjective — very old-fashioned and no longer in common use
archetype noun — original model or typical example of a particular kind
armistice noun — agreement to stop fighting for a time
ascertain verb — to discover something with certainty
ascribe verb — to attribute something to a particular cause, source, or person
asperity noun — harshness in manner, tone, or conditions
assent verb — to express agreement with a proposal or opinion
assiduous adjective — showing great care and perseverance
assuage verb — to make less severe
astute adjective — having sharp judgment and keen insight
attenuate verb — to reduce the strength, force, or effect of something
audacious adjective — showing a willingness to take bold risks
auspicious adjective — showing signs of future success; favorable
austere adjective — severe or strict; without comfort or decoration
avarice noun — extreme greed for wealth or material gain
baleful adjective — threatening harm or conveying a sinister influence
banal adjective — so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring
bastion noun — a place or institution that strongly defends a belief or principle
befuddle verb — to confuse someone so thoroughly that clear thought becomes difficult
belie verb — to give a false impression of; to contradict
bemused adjective — puzzled or confused
beneficent adjective — doing good or actively helping others
benign adjective — gentle and harmless, not threatening
bereft adjective — deprived of something precious, especially through loss
bestow verb — to formally give an honor, gift, or right
blanch verb — to grow pale, especially from shock or fear
blithe adjective — cheerfully unconcerned, often inappropriately
bombastic adjective — high-sounding but with little meaning; inflated
boorish adjective — rude and insensitive in manner
brackish adjective — slightly salty, especially from mixed fresh water and seawater
brazen adjective — bold and without shame
bridle verb — to restrain or control an impulse, emotion, or action
broach verb — to introduce a sensitive subject for discussion
brusque adjective — abrupt and blunt in manner or speech
bulwark noun — strong defense or protection against danger, pressure, or attack
burgeon verb — to grow or expand rapidly
cajole verb — to persuade someone gently through flattery or coaxing
callow adjective — immature and lacking experience
calumny noun — a false statement meant to damage someone's reputation
cantankerous adjective — bad-tempered and inclined to argue
capacious adjective — having plenty of room inside
capitulate verb — to stop resisting and surrender
capricious adjective — given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood
carping adjective — constantly finding fault over minor matters
castigate verb — to criticize or reprimand someone severely
categorical adjective — absolute and unqualified, allowing no doubt or exception
cavalier adjective — showing careless or dismissive disregard for serious matters
cavil verb — to raise petty or needless objections
censorious adjective — severely critical of other people's faults
chafe verb — to feel irritated or impatient under a restriction
chagrin noun — a feeling of distress or embarrassment caused by failure or disappointment
chauvinist noun — person who believes their own sex or group is inherently superior
chicanery noun — clever but dishonest trickery, especially in argument, business, politics, or law
chide verb — to mildly scold someone for a mistake
choleric adjective — easily angered and often irritable
chortle verb — to laugh with gleeful satisfaction
churlish adjective — rude and unfriendly in a mean-spirited way
circuitous adjective — longer and less direct than necessary
circumlocution noun — the use of many words to express an idea that could be said more directly
circumspect adjective — wary and unwilling to take risks
clandestine adjective — kept secret or concealed, especially because it is illicit
cleft adjective — split or divided into two parts
coalesce verb — to come together to form one whole
coerce verb — to force someone to do something through pressure or threats
cogent adjective — clear, logical, and convincing
cogitate verb — to think deeply and carefully about something
cohesive adjective — sticking together firmly to form a unified whole
commend verb — to praise formally or express approval of
commensurate adjective — corresponding suitably in size, degree, or importance
commiserate verb — to express sympathy with someone who is suffering or disappointed
complacent adjective — self-satisfied and unaware of possible danger or need for improvement
complaisant adjective — agreeably willing to please others, sometimes too readily
conciliatory adjective — intended to end a disagreement and restore harmony
condescending adjective — acting as though one is superior to others
condone verb — to accept or overlook behavior that is considered wrong
confound verb — to confuse or puzzle someone completely
congenial adjective — pleasant and agreeable, suited to one's tastes
consonant adjective — consistent or in agreement with something
consternation noun — sudden anxiety or dismay caused by something unexpected
consummate adjective — showing the highest degree of skill or excellence
contentious adjective — inclined to argue or provoke disagreement
contravene verb — to violate a rule, law, or requirement
contrite adjective — feeling or showing genuine remorse for wrongdoing
convalesce verb — to regain health and strength after an illness or injury
conviviality noun — warm friendliness and lively enjoyment in company
convoluted adjective — extremely complex and difficult to follow
corroborate verb — to confirm or support with evidence
covert adjective — hidden or secret, especially to avoid detection
craven adjective — lacking courage in a shameful way
credulous adjective — too ready to believe things without enough evidence
cryptic adjective — having a meaning that is mysterious or hard to interpret
culminate verb — to reach a final or highest point
culpable adjective — deserving blame for a wrongful act
curmudgeonly adjective — habitually bad-tempered and inclined to complain
cursory adjective — done quickly with little attention to detail
cynical adjective — distrustful of people's motives, believing they act only from self-interest
daunting adjective — seeming difficult or frightening to face
dearth noun — a scarcity or lack of something
debacle noun — a sudden, humiliating failure or collapse
debilitate verb — to weaken someone's strength or ability severely
debonair adjective — confident, stylish, and charming in manner
decorum noun — behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety
decrepit adjective — worn out and weakened by age or neglect
deft adjective — skillful and quick in movement or action
dejected adjective — sad and depressed, especially after disappointment
deleterious adjective — causing harm or damage
delineation noun — a clear description or precise outlining of something
delude verb — to deceive into believing something false
demure adjective — modest and reserved in manner
denounce verb — to publicly criticize or condemn something as wrong
depravity noun — extreme moral corruption or wickedness
desist verb — to stop doing something, especially something ordered or requested to end
despondent adjective — in low spirits from loss of hope or courage
destitute adjective — without the basic necessities of life, especially due to extreme poverty
desultory adjective — lacking a clear plan, purpose, or steady effort
deter verb — to discourage someone from doing something, typically through fear or difficulty
detrimental adjective — harmful or damaging to something
devious adjective — using clever but dishonest or underhanded methods
dexterous adjective — skillful and precise in physical movement
diaphanous adjective — light, delicate, and almost transparent
didactic adjective — intended to teach, especially with a moral lesson
diffident adjective — modest because of a lack of self-confidence
diffuse adjective — spread over a wide area rather than concentrated
digress verb — to stray from the main subject in speech or writing
disabuse verb — to free someone from a mistaken belief
disaffected adjective — dissatisfied with and no longer loyal to an authority
discomfit verb — to make uneasy, embarrassed, or confused
disconcerted adjective — unsettled, confused, or embarrassed by something unexpected
discursive adjective — wandering from one subject to another instead of staying focused
disingenuous adjective — not candid or sincere, often while pretending innocence
disparage verb — to speak of in a slighting or belittling way
disparate adjective — markedly different in kind, essentially unrelated
disparity noun — a great difference or inequality between things
dispassionate adjective — not influenced by emotion or personal bias
dispensation noun — special permission to disregard a rule or requirement
dissemble verb — to conceal true motives or feelings behind a false appearance
dissipate verb — to scatter or gradually disappear
dissolute adjective — lacking moral restraint, especially in pursuit of pleasure
distraught adjective — deeply upset and unable to think clearly
divisive adjective — causing disagreement or hostility between people
divulge verb — to reveal private or secret information
doctrinaire adjective — rigidly devoted to a theory despite practical evidence
dogmatic adjective — asserting opinions forcefully as if they were unquestionable fact
doleful adjective — expressing deep sadness or sorrow
dormant adjective — temporarily inactive but capable of becoming active again
dullard noun — a person considered slow-witted or foolish
duplicity noun — deceitful double-dealing
ebullient adjective — cheerful and full of energy
eclectic adjective — deriving ideas or style from a broad range of sources
edifice noun — a large, impressive building
efface verb — to erase, remove, or make less noticeable
effusive adjective — expressing praise or emotion in an unrestrained way
egregious adjective — outstandingly bad; shocking
elation noun — a feeling of great happiness and excitement
elucidate verb — to make clear; to explain
emancipate verb — to free from control, restraint, or oppression
embargo noun — an official ban on trade with a particular country
embellish verb — to make more attractive by adding details, sometimes exaggerated ones
embezzle verb — to steal money placed in one's trust or care
encroach verb — to intrude gradually on another's territory, rights, or space
encumber verb — to weigh down; to burden
enervate verb — to weaken or drain of energy
enfeeble verb — to make weak or less effective
engender verb — to give rise to or bring about a feeling or condition
entreat verb — to ask someone earnestly or desperately
entrenched adjective — firmly established and difficult to change
ephemeral adjective — lasting for a very short time
epistolary adjective — relating to letters or a story told through letters
epitome noun — a perfect example of a particular quality
equable adjective — calm and even-tempered, with few sudden changes
equanimity noun — calmness and composure, especially under stress
equivocal adjective — open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous
equivocate verb — to speak vaguely or evasively, often to avoid commitment
erratic adjective — not consistent or predictable; irregular
erudite adjective — having or showing great knowledge gained from study
eschew verb — to deliberately avoid or shun
esoteric adjective — understood by only a small group
euphemism noun — a mild or indirect word used in place of a harsh or blunt one
evanescent adjective — lasting only a short time before fading away
exacerbate verb — to make a problem worse
expediency noun — practical advantage or convenience, sometimes at the expense of principle
expiate verb — to make amends for wrongdoing
extol verb — to praise enthusiastically
extricate verb — to free from a trap, difficulty, or entanglement
extrinsic adjective — coming from outside rather than belonging naturally to something
exuberant adjective — full of energy, enthusiasm, and high spirits
exult verb — to show great joy or triumphant delight
facsimile noun — an exact or highly faithful copy of something
fallacy noun — a mistaken belief based on flawed reasoning
fallible adjective — capable of making mistakes or being wrong
fastidious adjective — very attentive to detail; hard to please
fathomable adjective — able to be understood or figured out
fatuous adjective — foolish and lacking good judgment
fawning adjective — excessively flattering or submissive to gain favor
feckless adjective — ineffective and lacking responsibility or initiative
fecund adjective — highly fertile or productive
felicity noun — a state of great happiness
fetid adjective — having a strong, foul smell
fiasco noun — a complete and embarrassing failure
fickle adjective — changing frequently and without good reason
fitful adjective — irregular and repeatedly stopping and starting
florid adjective — excessively elaborate or flowery in style, or having a flushed reddish complexion
foible noun — minor weakness or peculiar flaw in a person's character
forestall verb — to prevent something by taking action in advance
forlorn adjective — pitifully sad, lonely, or abandoned
fortitude noun — courage and strength in facing pain or adversity
fortuitous adjective — happening by chance; accidental (the 'lucky' sense is a common but disputed extension)
fractious adjective — irritable, quarrelsome, or difficult to control
frenetic adjective — fast, chaotic, and full of nervous energy
fulsome adjective — excessive, exaggerated, or insincere in praise or flattery
gainsay verb — to deny, contradict, or speak against
galvanize verb — to shock or inspire people into taking action
garrulous adjective — excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters
gauche adjective — socially awkward and lacking tact
glean verb — to gather small amounts (of information, grain, etc.) bit by bit
grandiose adjective — unrealistically ambitious or exaggeratedly impressive
gregarious adjective — fond of the company of others; sociable
grovel verb — to behave with excessive submission or humility
guerrilla adjective — relating to small-scale, unconventional tactics carried out by an independent group
guile noun — sly or cunning intelligence
hackneyed adjective — overused and therefore lacking freshness
haggard adjective — looking exhausted and worn, often with a drawn face
harangue noun — a lengthy and aggressive speech
harried adjective — feeling strained by constant demands or pressure
hector verb — to bully or intimidate someone through aggressive words or demands
hedonistic adjective — devoted to pleasure and self-indulgence
hegemony noun — leadership or dominance over others
heresy noun — belief opposed to established religious doctrine
hermetic adjective — completely sealed off from outside contact or influence
heterogeneous adjective — composed of different kinds or varied elements
histrionic adjective — excessively dramatic or theatrical
homage noun — public respect or honor shown to someone or something
hypocrisy noun — the act of claiming to have beliefs or standards one does not truly follow
iconoclast noun — a person who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions
idiosyncrasy noun — distinctive personal habit or characteristic
ignoble adjective — dishonorable or lacking high moral character
ignominious adjective — deserving public shame
illiberal adjective — intolerant of views or behavior different from one's own
immaterial adjective — irrelevant or unimportant to the matter being considered
impalpable adjective — impossible or very difficult to touch or perceive
impassive adjective — showing no emotion or reaction
impecunious adjective — having little or no money
impede verb — to slow down or block the progress of
imperil verb — to place in danger or at risk
impertinent adjective — rude and disrespectful, especially toward someone of higher authority
imperturbable adjective — remaining calm and untroubled under pressure
impetuous adjective — acting suddenly on impulse, without thought of consequences
implacable adjective — unable to be calmed, softened, or satisfied
imprudent adjective — not showing care or thought about the possible results of an action
impudent adjective — boldly disrespectful toward someone who deserves courtesy
impugn verb — to challenge the truth, honesty, or integrity of something
inane adjective — lacking sense, meaning, or substance
incapacitate verb — to make unable to function or act normally
incarnate adjective — embodied in human or visible form
inchoate adjective — just beginning and not yet fully formed
incipient adjective — just beginning to appear or develop
incisive adjective — clear, direct, and sharply analytical
incite verb — to provoke or stir up a strong reaction, often unrest
incongruous adjective — not in harmony with surroundings; out of place
incontrovertible adjective — impossible to dispute or deny
incorrigible adjective — unable to be corrected, improved, or reformed
indefatigable adjective — able to continue working without seeming to tire
indict verb — to formally accuse someone of a crime
indigence noun — extreme poverty; state of lacking basic necessities
indigent adjective — extremely poor and lacking basic resources
indolent adjective — wanting to avoid activity; lazy
indomitable adjective — impossible to defeat, discourage, or subdue
indubitable adjective — too certain to be doubted or questioned
inept adjective — lacking skill or ability to do something properly
inexorable adjective — impossible to stop, prevent, or persuade
ingenious adjective — cleverly inventive and effective
ingrained adjective — deeply established and difficult to change
inimical adjective — harmful or hostile to something
innate adjective — existing in someone from birth rather than acquired
innocuous adjective — not harmful or offensive
inordinate adjective — far greater than is reasonable or expected
insatiable adjective — impossible to satisfy or fulfill
inscrutable adjective — impossible to understand or interpret
insidious adjective — causing harm gradually and without being noticed
insipid adjective — lacking flavor, spirit, or interest; dull
insolent adjective — showing a rude and disrespectful lack of regard for authority
instigate verb — to bring about or initiate, especially trouble
insular adjective — uninterested in ideas or people outside one's own group
insurrection noun — organized revolt against a government or ruling authority
intimation noun — indirect suggestion, hint, or inkling
intractable adjective — extremely difficult to control, manage, or solve
intransigent adjective — unwilling to compromise
intrepid adjective — fearless and adventurous, especially in the face of danger
introspection noun — the examination of one's own thoughts and feelings
inundate verb — to overwhelm someone with an excessive amount of something
inveterate adjective — firmly established by long habit
irascible adjective — prone to becoming angry easily
itinerant adjective — traveling from place to place rather than remaining settled
jaunty adjective — cheerful and self-confident in manner or appearance
jejune adjective — dull, immature, or overly simplistic
jocular adjective — fond of joking, playfully humorous
judicious adjective — showing good judgment
juncture noun — a particular point in events, especially one requiring a decision
laconic adjective — using few words; concise
largesse noun — generosity in giving money or gifts
lassitude noun — physical or mental weariness and lack of energy
latent adjective — present but hidden or not yet active
laud verb — to praise highly, especially in public
laudable adjective — deserving praise or admiration
laudably adverb — in a way that deserves praise or admiration
licentious adjective — ignoring accepted moral restraints, especially in sexual behavior
limpid adjective — clear and easy to see through or understand
listless adjective — lacking energy or enthusiasm for anything
lithe adjective — moving or bending with graceful ease
litigate verb — to pursue or contest a dispute in court
loquacious adjective — tending to talk a lot
lugubrious adjective — excessively mournful or gloomy
machination noun — a crafty scheme or cunning plot
magnanimous adjective — very generous or forgiving
malady noun — an illness or serious disorder
malaise noun — a general feeling of unease, weakness, or depression
malevolent adjective — having a desire to cause harm to others
malign verb — to speak harmful and often false claims about someone
malleable adjective — easily shaped or influenced
malodorous adjective — having a strong and unpleasant smell
maudlin adjective — excessively sentimental and tearful
mellifluous adjective — sweet or musical; pleasant to hear
mendacious adjective — lying or habitually dishonest
mercurial adjective — changing mood or behavior suddenly and unpredictably
meretricious adjective — superficially attractive but lacking genuine worth
misanthropic adjective — showing dislike or distrust of humankind
misconstrue verb — to misunderstand or interpret incorrectly
mitigate verb — to make something less severe or harmful
modicum noun — a small amount of something
mordant adjective — sharply critical or sarcastic in a biting way
motley adjective — made up of a very mixed and varied group of elements
munificent adjective — extremely generous in giving money or gifts
myopic adjective — lacking foresight about long-term consequences
nascent adjective — just beginning to exist or develop
nebulous adjective — vague or poorly defined
nonagenarian noun — a person who is between ninety and ninety-nine years old
nonet noun — a musical group or composition written for nine performers
nonplussed adjective — so surprised and confused as to be unsure how to respond
noxious adjective — harmful or poisonous to living things
obdurate adjective — stubbornly refusing to change one's mind
obfuscate verb — to render unclear or unintelligible
oblique adjective — indirect or not plainly expressed
obsequious adjective — too eager to obey or please someone important
obstreperous adjective — noisy, unruly, and difficult to control
obtuseness noun — slowness to understand or notice what should be clear
obviate verb — to prevent or remove the need for something
occult adjective — hidden from ordinary view or knowledge
opulence noun — great wealth displayed through luxury and splendor
ornate adjective — elaborately decorated
orthodox adjective — following established beliefs or accepted practices
oscillate verb — to waver back and forth between positions, opinions, or states; to swing with a steady rhythm
ossify verb — to harden or become rigid and resistant to change
ostensible adjective — appearing or claimed to be true, but not necessarily so
ostentatious adjective — showy in a vulgar way
ostracize verb — to exclude someone from a group or society
outmoded adjective — no longer useful or fashionable because something newer exists
palpate verb — to examine by touch, especially in a medical exam
paltry adjective — so small or trivial as to be almost worthless
panacea noun — a solution for all difficulties or diseases
panegyric noun — a formal speech or piece of writing that gives high praise
paradox noun — a statement or situation that seems contradictory but may reveal a hidden truth
paramount adjective — more important than anything else, supreme
pariah noun — a person rejected or avoided by a group
parochial adjective — narrow in outlook and limited to local concerns
parry verb — to evade a difficult question by skillfully redirecting it
parsimonious adjective — unwilling to spend or give even when doing so is reasonable
partisan adjective — strongly favoring one party or side, often without fairness
patent adjective — plainly obvious or evident
paucity noun — a scarcity or insufficient amount of something
pedantic adjective — overly concerned with minor rules, details, or displays of learning
peevish adjective — easily irritated, especially by small annoyances
pejorative adjective — expressing contempt or disapproval
penchant noun — strong natural liking or preference for something
penurious adjective — extremely unwilling to spend money
peremptory adjective — demanding immediate obedience without allowing discussion
perfidious adjective — treacherous or deliberately faithless
perfidy noun — deliberate betrayal of trust; treachery
perfunctory adjective — carried out without real interest or effort
permeate verb — to spread through every part of something
pernicious adjective — having a harmful effect, especially gradually
perpetuate verb — to make something continue indefinitely
perspicacious adjective — having keen insight
pertinent adjective — directly relevant to the matter being considered
peruse verb — to read or examine something carefully
pervasive adjective — existing or spreading widely throughout a place
perverse adjective — deliberately unreasonable or contrary to what is expected
petulant adjective — childishly irritable or sulky, especially over small things
phlegmatic adjective — calm and unemotional, even in difficult situations
pique verb — to arouse curiosity or interest
pithy adjective — brief yet forceful and full of meaning
placate verb — to calm someone who is angry or upset
plaintive adjective — sounding sad and mournful
plethora noun — excessive amount or number of something
poignant adjective — evoking a strong feeling, especially sadness
polyphonic adjective — having multiple independent melodic lines sounding together
pompous adjective — excessively self-important and showy in manner
posterity noun — all future generations collectively, especially as inheritors of something
potable adjective — safe and suitable for drinking
precipice noun — very steep cliff or dangerous drop
preclude verb — to prevent something from happening or someone from doing something
prescient adjective — showing knowledge of events before they happen
privation noun — severe lack of basic needs or comforts
privy adjective — having secret or private knowledge of something
probity noun — upright honesty and strong moral integrity
proclivity noun — a natural tendency or inclination toward something
prodigious adjective — remarkably great in size, degree, or extent
profligate adjective — recklessly wasteful with money or resources
prolix adjective — using too many words and becoming tedious
propagate verb — to spread ideas or information widely
propensity noun — a natural tendency to behave in a particular way
propitious adjective — giving a sign of success; favorable
propriety noun — conformity to accepted standards of proper behavior
prosaic adjective — ordinary; lacking imagination
prostrate adjective — lying flat on the ground from exhaustion, submission, or distress
protean adjective — able to change readily or assume many different forms
provincial adjective — narrow-minded or unsophisticated because of limited experience
provisional adjective — temporary and subject to later confirmation or change
prudent adjective — showing care and thought for the future; wise
pugnacious adjective — eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight
punctilious adjective — extremely careful about details, rules, or proper behavior
pusillanimous adjective — lacking courage in a shameful or contemptible way
putative adjective — generally believed or accepted but not conclusively proven
qualm noun — an uneasy doubt about whether an action is right
quash verb — to decisively suppress or put an end to something
quaver verb — to tremble or shake, especially in one's voice
querulous adjective — habitually complaining in a whining or irritable manner
quiescent adjective — in a state of inactivity
quixotic adjective — extremely idealistic; unrealistic
rapacious adjective — aggressively greedy for wealth, power, or possessions
rapport noun — a harmonious relationship marked by mutual understanding
recalcitrant adjective — stubbornly uncooperative; defiant
recondite adjective — difficult to understand or known only by people with special knowledge
redoubtable adjective — formidable and worthy of respect or fear
refractory adjective — stubbornly resistant to control, authority, or treatment
reiterate verb — to say something again for clarity or emphasis
relinquish verb — to give up or let go of something, often reluctantly
remiss adjective — careless or negligent in performing a duty
replete adjective — filled or abundantly supplied with something
repose noun — a state of rest, relaxation, or peaceful stillness
reproach verb — to express disapproval or disappointment toward someone
reprobate noun — an immoral person who deserves strong disapproval
repudiate verb — to reject or refuse to accept as valid or true
repugnant adjective — extremely offensive, distasteful, or unacceptable
rescind verb — to officially cancel or revoke a law, decision, or agreement
resolute adjective — firm and determined in purpose
reticent adjective — not revealing one's thoughts or feelings
retrench verb — to reduce expenses or operations in order to save money
revulsion noun — a sudden or intense feeling of disgust
rhapsodic adjective — expressing intense enthusiasm or delight
rhetorician noun — person skilled in persuasive or formal public speaking
risible adjective — so absurd or foolish as to deserve laughter
rococo adjective — excessively ornate or elaborate in style
rudimentary adjective — basic, undeveloped, or limited to first principles
ruminate verb — to think deeply and repeatedly about something
sacrilege noun — disrespectful violation of something considered sacred
sagacious adjective — having keen mental discernment; wise
salient adjective — most noticeable or important
sanctimonious adjective — making a hypocritical show of moral superiority
sanction verb — to give official approval; or, conversely, to impose a penalty on (a contronym — both senses tested)
sanguine adjective — optimistic, especially in a difficult situation
sardonic adjective — grimly mocking or scornfully humorous
satiate verb — to satisfy an appetite or desire completely
scourge noun — a source of widespread suffering or destruction
scrupulous adjective — diligent, thorough, and morally careful
scurrilous adjective — making grossly insulting or false attacks on someone's reputation
sedate adjective — calm, dignified, and unhurried
sententious adjective — given to pompous, moralizing statements
sequester verb — to isolate someone or confiscate something
servile adjective — excessively submissive or eager to please
sinuous adjective — having many smooth curves or bends
solicitous adjective — showing attentive concern for another person's needs
soporific adjective — tending to induce sleep
specious adjective — seeming convincing but actually false or misleading
speculative adjective — based on conjecture rather than established facts
spurious adjective — not what it appears to be; false
spurn verb — to reject with contempt or disdain
squalid adjective — filthy and miserable from neglect or poverty
squander verb — to waste money, time, or resources carelessly
squelch verb — to suppress or stop something abruptly
stalwart adjective — firmly loyal, dependable, and resolute
stipulation noun — a specific condition required as part of an agreement
stratum noun — a distinct layer within a larger structure or system
stringent adjective — strict and precisely enforced
stupefy verb — to make someone unable to think clearly through shock or amazement
stupor noun — a state of near unconsciousness or severely dulled awareness
substantiate verb — to provide evidence to support or prove something
subterfuge noun — a deceptive scheme used to conceal a true purpose
subvert verb — to undermine or overthrow an established system or authority
succumb verb — to stop resisting and yield to force, pressure, or illness
superfluous adjective — more than is needed; unnecessary
supple adjective — bending or moving easily without stiffness
surmise verb — to guess or suppose something based on incomplete information
surreptitious adjective — kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of
synchronous adjective — occurring or operating at the same time
synopsis noun — a brief summary of the main points of a work or event
tacit adjective — understood or implied without being directly stated
taciturn adjective — reserved or uncommunicative in speech
tangible adjective — able to be touched or clearly perceived as real
tawdry adjective — cheap and showy in appearance or quality
tenuous adjective — very weak or slight
tepid adjective — only slightly warm, or showing little enthusiasm
terse adjective — brief and to the point, sometimes rudely so
tirade noun — a long, angry speech of criticism or accusation
tractable adjective — docile or easily managed
transgression noun — an act that violates a law, rule, or moral standard
transitory adjective — lasting for only a short time
trenchant adjective — sharply clear, effective, and forceful
trepidation noun — a feeling of fear or anxiety about something to come
truncate verb — to shorten by cutting off a part
tumultuous adjective — marked by loud confusion, disorder, or agitation
ubiquitous adjective — present, appearing, or found everywhere
ulterior adjective — existing beyond what is stated, often as a concealed motive
unconscionable adjective — so unfair or excessive as to be morally unacceptable
unctuous adjective — excessively flattering or ingratiating; oily
undermine verb — to weaken or damage something gradually, often secretly
undulate verb — to move in a smooth, wave-like motion
ungainly adjective — awkward, clumsy, or lacking grace in movement
untenable adjective — impossible to defend, support, or maintain
unvarnished adjective — frank and direct, without flattering or concealment
urbane adjective — sophisticated, polished, and confident in social manner
usurp verb — to seize power or a position without rightful authority
vacillate verb — to waver between options
vacuous adjective — lacking thought, intelligence, or meaningful content
variegated adjective — marked by patches of different colors or kinds
vaunt verb — to praise or boast about something proudly
venal adjective — willing to act dishonestly in exchange for money
venerable adjective — commanding respect because of age, wisdom, or character
veracity noun — conformity to truth or fact; accuracy
verve noun — lively energy, vigor, or enthusiasm
vestige noun — a small remaining trace of something that has disappeared
vexation noun — annoyance or frustration caused by a troublesome problem
vindicate verb — to clear of blame or suspicion by presenting proof
virtuoso noun — person with exceptional skill, especially in music
virulent adjective — extremely harmful, poisonous, or hostile
vituperative adjective — using harsh, angry, and abusive language
vociferous adjective — expressing opinions loudly and forcefully
volatile adjective — liable to change suddenly and unpredictably
voluptuous adjective — richly luxurious and pleasing to the senses
wanton adjective — malicious, unprovoked, or recklessly unrestrained
welter noun — a confused mass or state of turmoil
winsome adjective — attractive or appealing in character
wistful adjective — having a feeling of vague or regretful longing
wizened adjective — shriveled and wrinkled, often from age
zealot noun — a person who is fanatically devoted to a cause
zenith noun — the highest point of power, success, or development