ISEE/SSATmedium

Medium ISEE Upper Level and SSAT vocabulary words (list of 308 with meanings)

308 of the 1,500 words in the deck. The middle tier: the core of the deck, the words that show up in ISEE and SSAT synonym and sentence-completion questions once the easy ones are secure. Every word here is rated 430–575 on the deck's 1–1000 difficulty scale.

All 1,500 words, A–Zeasy wordshard words

• abate verb — to lessen in strength or intensity
• abhor verb — to regard with disgust and hatred
• abridge verb — to shorten while keeping the essence
• accentuate verb — to emphasize or make more noticeable
• accolade noun — an award or praise
• adamant adjective — refusing to be persuaded
• adorn verb — to decorate or add ornamentation to
• affable adjective — friendly and easy to talk to
• affluent adjective — having a great deal of money or valuable possessions
• aghast adjective — filled with shock or horror
• alleviate verb — to make less severe
• aloof adjective — distant and reserved; uninvolved
• ambivalent adjective — having mixed or contradictory feelings
• amiable adjective — friendly and pleasant
• ample adjective — more than sufficient in size, quantity, or degree
• anecdote noun — a short, entertaining account of a real incident
• anomaly noun — something that deviates from the norm
• antagonist noun — a character or person who actively opposes another
• apathy noun — lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern
• appease verb — to calm or pacify, especially by giving in
• appeasement noun — the act of calming someone by giving in to their demands
• apt adjective — especially suitable or appropriate
• arbitrary adjective — based on whim, not reason
• ardent adjective — very enthusiastic or passionate
• arduous adjective — involving great effort; difficult
• audiophile noun — a person deeply devoted to high-quality sound reproduction
• augment verb — to make greater by adding to it
• autonomy noun — freedom to govern oneself or make independent decisions
• barren adjective — lacking vegetation or the ability to produce crops
• belligerent adjective — hostile and aggressive; eager to fight
• benevolence noun — kindness and a genuine desire to help others
• benevolent adjective — well-meaning and kindly
• biennial adjective — happening once every two years
• blatant adjective — completely obvious in a way that is unpleasant or offensive
• boisterous adjective — noisy, energetic, and lacking restraint
• bolster verb — to support or strengthen
• boycott verb — to refuse to buy or use something as a form of protest
• brash adjective — bold in a rude or reckless way
• brevity noun — shortness of time or concise expression
• buoyant adjective — able to float; cheerful
• cacophony noun — a harsh, jarring mixture of sounds
• calamity noun — a disastrous event causing great damage or suffering
• callous adjective — showing no feeling for others' suffering
• captivate verb — to attract and hold the interest of someone completely
• cater verb — to provide what is needed or wanted, especially food or services
• chronic adjective — persisting for a long time or constantly recurring
• chronology noun — the arrangement of events in the order they occurred
• cliché noun — an expression that has become overused and unoriginal
• clinch verb — to settle or secure something decisively
• compel verb — to force or require someone to act
• comprise verb — to consist of or be made up of
• conjecture noun — an opinion based on incomplete information; a guess
• conspicuous adjective — easily seen or noticed; standing out
• contradict verb — to say something that is the opposite of what someone else said
• copious adjective — abundant; in large quantities
• corrosive adjective — capable of gradually destroying a material through chemical action
• cower verb — to crouch down or shrink back in fear or distress
• credible adjective — believable or worthy of trust
• deduce verb — to reach a conclusion through logical reasoning
• deduction noun — a conclusion reached by logical reasoning from known facts
• deface verb — to damage or spoil the surface or appearance of something
• deference noun — polite respect that yields to another's wishes
• deficient adjective — lacking a necessary quality or amount
• deflect verb — to cause something to change direction, especially by turning it aside
• deliberate adjective — done intentionally and with careful thought
• depiction noun — a visual or verbal representation of something
• deplore verb — to feel or express strong disapproval of
• deride verb — to ridicule; to laugh at scornfully
• devout adjective — deeply religious; pious; also, earnestly devoted
• diminish verb — to become or make smaller in size or importance
• discern verb — to perceive or recognize, especially with effort
• disdain noun — the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's attention
• distort verb — to twist or alter something out of its true or original shape or meaning
• docile adjective — easy to handle or train; obedient
• dubious adjective — doubtful; not to be relied upon
• décor noun — the style of furnishing and arranging a room or building's interior
• earnest adjective — showing sincere and serious intention or feeling
• ebb verb — to recede or decline (of tide, strength, feeling)
• elude verb — to escape from or avoid
• elusive adjective — difficult to find, catch, or achieve
• emulate verb — to imitate, especially with the aim of equaling or surpassing
• endeavor verb — to try hard to achieve or complete something
• enmity noun — the state of being an enemy; deep hatred
• equity noun — fairness and impartiality in treatment
• eradicate verb — to eliminate something completely, especially something undesirable
• erode verb — to gradually wear away or destroy something
• eulogy noun — speech praising someone, often given after their death
• euphoria noun — a feeling of intense happiness and excitement
• evict verb — to legally remove someone from a property they occupy
• exalt verb — to praise highly; to elevate in rank or esteem
• exhaustive adjective — thorough and complete, covering every detail
• exodus noun — a mass departure of people, especially from a place they once called home
• exorbitant adjective — much higher than reasonable
• explicit adjective — clearly and directly stated
• fabricate verb — to invent or make up something false
• falter verb — to lose strength, confidence, or steadiness
• feasible adjective — possible to do conveniently
• feign verb — to pretend to feel or have something
• fervent adjective — having or showing intense feeling
• fervor noun — intense feeling or enthusiasm
• figurative adjective — based on comparison or symbol rather than a literal meaning
• flamboyant adjective — strikingly bold or colorful in style
• flourish verb — to grow or develop successfully; to thrive
• fluctuate verb — to rise and fall irregularly
• formidable adjective — inspiring fear or respect through great strength or ability
• fortification noun — a structure built to defend a place against attack
• frivolous adjective — not serious or important
• furtive adjective — attempting to avoid notice; secretive
• futile adjective — producing no useful result; pointless
• garner verb — to gather or collect (information, support, etc.)
• gaunt adjective — thin and bony from hardship
• genial adjective — friendly and warm in manner
• gloat verb — to feel or show excessive pride about one's success
• grapple verb — to struggle or wrestle with a difficult problem or opponent
• grave adjective — extremely serious or important
• grievous adjective — very serious and causing sorrow or harm
• gullible adjective — easily tricked or deceived because of being too trusting
• haphazard adjective — lacking order or planning; done randomly
• hasten verb — to move or cause to move with speed
• haughty adjective — arrogantly superior
• heed verb — to pay careful attention to
• heptagon noun — a flat shape with seven straight sides and seven angles
• heptathlon noun — a track-and-field competition made up of seven different events
• hexagram noun — a six-pointed star made from two overlapping triangles
• hierarchy noun — a system that ranks people or things according to status or authority
• hinder verb — to slow down or get in the way of progress
• imminent adjective — about to happen
• incentive noun — something that motivates a person to act
• incessant adjective — continuing without pause
• indifferent adjective — having no particular interest or concern
• indigenous adjective — originating naturally in a particular place or region
• indignant adjective — angry at unfair treatment
• inert adjective — lacking the ability or strength to move; inactive
• inevitable adjective — certain to happen; unavoidable
• inference noun — a conclusion reached through reasoning rather than direct statement
• intricate adjective — having many complexly arranged parts or details
• irate adjective — extremely angry
• irk verb — to annoy or irritate
• jaded adjective — tired or bored, especially from overuse
• jeer verb — to mock or taunt someone rudely, often in a group
• jovial adjective — cheerful and friendly
• jubilant adjective — feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph
• juggernaut noun — a huge, powerful, and overwhelming force
• juxtapose verb — to place side by side for contrast
• keen adjective — having or showing eagerness, enthusiasm, or a sharp, acute sense
• kindle verb — to start a fire or stir up a feeling
• labyrinth noun — a complicated network of paths or passages
• lackluster adjective — showing little energy, brilliance, or enthusiasm
• lament verb — to express sorrow or grief over
• languid adjective — slow and relaxed; lacking energy
• languish verb — to lose strength or vigor
• lenient adjective — mild or not strict, especially in giving punishment
• lichen noun — a crusty, moss-like organism made of fungus and algae growing together on rocks or bark
• lofty adjective — very high; noble or elevated
• lucid adjective — clear and easily understood
• lucrative adjective — producing a great deal of profit
• malicious adjective — intending to do harm or cause distress to others
• maneuver noun — a planned and skillful movement or action
• meager adjective — lacking in size or amount; scanty
• mediocre adjective — of only average quality, neither good nor bad
• medley noun — a varied mixture of different things, or a sequence of songs performed together
• metamorphosis noun — complete change in form or nature
• metaphorical adjective — based on a comparison rather than a literal meaning
• meticulous adjective — showing great attention to detail
• minuscule adjective — extremely small in size or amount
• misconception noun — a belief or idea that is mistaken because it is based on faulty thinking
• morose adjective — sullen and gloomy
• mundane adjective — lacking excitement or interest; ordinary
• myriad adjective — countless or extremely great in number
• nefarious adjective — extremely wicked or villainous
• nemesis noun — a long-standing rival or source of persistent trouble
• nimble adjective — quick and light in movement or thought
• nonagon noun — a flat shape with nine straight sides and nine angles
• notorious adjective — famous or well known for some bad quality or deed
• novel adjective — new and original; not previously seen
• nuance noun — a subtle difference or shade of meaning
• obsolete adjective — no longer in use or out of date
• obstinate adjective — stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion
• ominous adjective — suggesting something bad will happen
• pacify verb — to calm or soothe an angry or upset person
• paraphrase verb — to restate something using different words
• parole noun — early release of a prisoner under supervision before the full sentence ends
• pensive adjective — engaged in deep, serious thought
• pentagram noun — a five-pointed star drawn with a single continuous line
• pentathlon noun — an athletic competition made up of five different events
• perceptive adjective — having keen insight or understanding
• perilous adjective — full of danger
• persevere verb — to continue trying to do something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success
• placid adjective — calm and peaceful
• plateau noun — a stage where progress levels off after a period of improvement
• plausible adjective — seeming reasonable or believable
• pliable adjective — able to bend or be shaped easily
• polygamy noun — the practice of having more than one spouse at the same time
• ponder verb — to think about carefully for a long time
• posterior adjective — located behind or toward the back of something
• pragmatic adjective — dealing with things sensibly and realistically; practical rather than idealistic
• precarious adjective — not securely held; risky
• precocious adjective — having developed skills or abilities at an earlier age than usual
• premise noun — an idea or assumption on which an argument is based
• prescribe verb — to recommend a treatment or set down a rule as authoritative
• presumptuous adjective — overstepping appropriate bounds; arrogantly bold
• prevail verb — to win or prove stronger in the end
• prolific adjective — producing many works or results
• prose noun — ordinary written or spoken language without a regular rhythmic structure
• prosperous adjective — financially successful and thriving
• protagonist noun — the main character in a story, or the leading figure in an event
• provoke verb — to stir up a strong reaction or response, often anger
• proximity noun — the state of being near or close to something in space or time
• pulverize verb — to crush something into fine powder or dust
• quadrant noun — one of four equal sections into which a plane or circle is divided
• quadruped noun — an animal that walks on four legs
• quaint adjective — attractively unusual or old-fashioned
• quandary noun — a state of uncertainty or perplexity
• quarantine noun — a state of enforced isolation to prevent the spread of disease
• quell verb — to put an end to; suppress
• query noun — a question, especially one expressing doubt or requesting information
• quota noun — a fixed number or proportion that must be achieved or allowed
• ravenous adjective — extremely hungry
• rebuff verb — to reject sharply
• rebuke verb — to express sharp disapproval
• recede verb — to move back or become smaller and less noticeable
• reclusive adjective — avoiding the company of others; solitary
• rectify verb — to put right; to correct
• refute verb — to prove a statement or claim wrong
• regress verb — to return to an earlier, less advanced state
• reluctant adjective — unwilling or hesitant to do something
• remorse noun — deep regret for a wrong one has committed
• renaissance noun — a revival of interest, activity, or growth after a decline
• renounce verb — to formally give up
• repeal verb — to officially revoke or cancel a law or policy
• replenish verb — to fill something up again after it has been used or emptied
• reprimand verb — to scold formally
• resilience noun — the ability to recover quickly from difficulties
• respective adjective — belonging or relating separately to each person or thing already mentioned
• resurrect verb — to bring something back into use or existence after it faded
• retract verb — to pull back or withdraw something previously stated or extended
• revere verb — to deeply respect or honor
• robust adjective — strong and healthy; vigorous
• rouse verb — to wake someone up or stir them into action
• rupture noun — a sudden and severe break or split
• ruthless adjective — without pity or compassion; merciless
• sanctuary noun — a place of safety, refuge, or protection
• scant adjective — barely sufficient or falling short of a full amount
• sentimental adjective — relating to or influenced by feelings of tenderness, nostalgia, or emotion rather than reason
• septet noun — a group or musical composition consisting of seven members
• serene adjective — calm and untroubled
• sever verb — to cut off or separate something completely
• shrewd adjective — showing sharp judgment
• silhouette noun — the dark outline of someone or something against a lighter background
• simulate verb — to imitate or reproduce the conditions of something, often for practice or study
• solemn adjective — deeply serious or formal in manner
• sparse adjective — thinly scattered or not plentiful
• spectacle noun — a visually striking public display or event
• spectrum noun — a broad range of related qualities, ideas, or values
• spontaneous adjective — done or occurring without planning, on impulse
• stagnate verb — to stop developing, growing, or moving
• stark adjective — harsh, bare, or severely plain in appearance
• steadfast adjective — firm, loyal, and not easily changed
• stereotype noun — an oversimplified and widely held belief about a group of people
• stifle verb — to suppress or hold back a feeling, sound, or action
• stoic adjective — showing little feeling, especially in pain or trouble
• subdue verb — to bring under control by force or persuasion
• sublime adjective — of great excellence; awe-inspiring
• subscribe verb — to arrange to receive something regularly, or to agree with a view in writing
• succinct adjective — expressed clearly in few words
• sullen adjective — silently resentful or gloomy in mood
• superficial adjective — concerned only with what is on the surface, not deep or thorough
• symbiosis noun — a close, long-term relationship between two different organisms that benefits at least one of them
• tactful adjective — showing skill in handling delicate situations
• tamper verb — to interfere with something without permission, often to alter or damage it
• temper noun — a tendency to become angry easily, or one's state of mind
• temperate adjective — mild in climate or behavior, avoiding extremes
• tenacious adjective — holding firmly; persistent
• tentative adjective — not certain or fixed; provisional or hesitant
• terrain noun — the physical features of an area of land
• terrestrial adjective — relating to the earth or land, as opposed to sea or air
• thrive verb — to grow or develop successfully and vigorously
• thwart verb — to prevent someone from accomplishing a plan or purpose
• timid adjective — lacking courage or confidence; easily frightened
• tranquil adjective — calm and peaceful, free from disturbance
• transient adjective — lasting only a short time
• translucent adjective — allowing light to pass through without letting objects be seen clearly
• transmit verb — to send or pass something from one place, person, or thing to another
• trifle noun — a thing of little value or importance
• trisect verb — to divide something into three equal parts
• trivial adjective — of little importance or value
• ultimatum noun — a final demand that, if rejected, will lead to serious consequences
• unanimous adjective — in complete agreement, with no dissent
• unassuming adjective — not trying to impress others; modest in manner
• vain adjective — excessively proud of one's own looks or accomplishments
• vehement adjective — showing strong feeling; forceful and passionate
• verbose adjective — using more words than needed
• verification noun — process of confirming that something is true or accurate
• vex verb — to annoy or worry
• vigor noun — physical strength and energetic enthusiasm
• vile adjective — extremely unpleasant or morally repulsive
• vivacious adjective — attractively lively and animated
• voracious adjective — having a huge appetite; consuming or craving in great quantities
• wane verb — to decrease gradually
• whimsical adjective — playfully quaint or fanciful
• woe noun — great sorrow or distress
• wrath noun — intense, often vengeful anger
• wretched adjective — extremely unfortunate, unhappy, or in a pitiful condition
• xenophobia noun — dislike or prejudice against people from other countries
• yearn verb — to long for deeply
• yoke noun — a burden or oppressive force; a wooden frame joining two animals
• zeal noun — great energy or enthusiasm for a cause
• zealous adjective — showing great energy and enthusiasm