Build Your SAT Vocabulary: Essential Words You Must Know

When you think of the SAT, the first thing that probably pops into your head is vocabulary (right after “stress,” of course). That makes sense because knowing a wide range of words is a big deal for the SAT. It might seem tricky to figure out which vocab words to learn, especially since some aren’t used in everyday conversation. Still, spending time learning this SAT vocabulary will definitely help you score better.

This guide will give you useful tips for learning and remembering the words you need and includes a high-frequency SAT vocabulary list to get you started on your SAT prep.

Why SAT Vocabulary Words Still Matter on the Digital SAT

Your SAT vocab is more than just a collection of words; it’s a key part of the exam that can greatly impact your overall score. Mastering SAT vocabulary words is essential for success in the Reading and Writing section.

If you’re worried that SAT vocabulary is super hard, here’s some good news: the Digital SAT (and the PSAT) has changed. The new SAT no longer tests you on obscure, random words. Instead, it focuses on medium-difficulty words and tests them as words in context.

This means you’ll see the words used in reading passages, not just in isolated sentences. This gives you more context clues to figure out the meaning of the word, making it easier to select the right answer from the answer choices.

How to Master SAT Vocabulary? Best Ways to Learn and Remember New Words 

Learning words is one thing; remembering them on test day is another. Often, students forget new words just as fast as they learn them. So, how can you make sure these words stick? Here are some proven approaches for your SAT preparation:

• Learn in Context. One of the best ways to learn vocab words is by seeing them in actual sentences. This is exactly how the Digital SAT tests you. When you learn a word, learn how it’s used. Your brain likes to make connections, so this helps you remember. This is the best way to prepare for context questions.
• Use Flashcards and Word Lists. This is a classic test prep approach for a reason. Create word lists and use vocabulary flashcards (either real ones or an app like Quizlet) to drill them. This is perfect for high-frequency SAT vocabulary questions.
• Take Practice Tests. Regularly taking full-length SAT practice test exams is essential. These tests include challenging vocabulary and show you exactly how words are used on the real SAT exam. Analyzing your results helps you focus your studying.
• Mnemonic Tricks. Mnemonics are memory aids that use patterns or associations. Creating a vivid mental image or a silly rhyme for a word can make it easier to remember.
• Gamify Your Learning. Make your studying fun! Get together with friends for a vocab game or use a learning app. When you’re engaged, you’ll be surprised at how much faster you learn.
• Read a Lot. This is the best way to get better at all parts of the SAT Reading and Writing section. By reading a variety of books, articles, and essays, you’ll naturally build a strong vocabulary that will help you with college admissions and beyond.
• Write the New Words Down. It’s a basic tip, but it works. Memorizing words is easier if you write them down. This helps create new pathways in your brain and makes the information stick.
• Don’t Learn Random Words. It’s easy to get carried away. But if your goal is to prepare for the SAT, you must prioritize. Focus only on the types of words you’re likely to find on the exam (like the list below). Leave the random, obscure vocabulary for later.

A Powerful Shortcut: Learn Word Roots

Here is an expert tip that can save you on test day. You don’t always need to know the exact definition of a word to get the question right. Many English words are built from Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes.

By learning the meanings of these common word parts, you can accurately guess the meaning of the word even if you’ve never seen it before. For example, if you know that “circum-” means “around” (like in circumference), you can guess that “circumlocution” has something to do with “talking around” a topic.

This skill is incredibly powerful for test-taking. Once you start to understand different roots, you can at the very least eliminate choices from the answer choices to make an educated guess. This dramatically increases your odds of getting the correct answer.

SAT Vocabulary List: 92 Top Words You Need to Know

Many high school students get anxious “guessing” what words will be on their SAT exam. But the College Board doesn’t change the SAT vocabulary list much from year to year. We’ve made a list of these high-frequency words for you.

1. Abandon – give up completely
2. Abate – lessen
3. Abject – entirely without pride or dignity
4. Aberration – deviation from the norm
5. Beguile –  charm or enchant
6. Berate –  scold or criticize
7. Bereft – deprived or lacking
8. Blandishment – a flattering statement used to persuade someone
9. Bias – prejudice
10. Bombastic – inflated
11. Bovine – cow-like
12. Braggart — a person who boasts about achievements
13. Cacophony – a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds
14. Catalyst – a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction
15. Cavort – dance around excitedly
16. Censorious – critical of others
17. Circumlocution – using many words, particularly in an evasive way
18. Circumscribe – restrict within limits
19. Clamor – a loud and confused noise
20. Clout – influence or power
21. Demur – show reluctance; raise objections
22. Denigrate – disparage
23. Despot – a tyrant
24. Diaphanous – light and translucent
25. Dirge – song of lament for the dead
26. Discomfit – make someone uncomfortable
27. Disparate – different from one another
28. Disrepute – state of disgrace
29. Eclectic –  wide-ranging
30. Edict – an official order
31. Ebullient – cheerful and lively
32. Epicureanism – pleasure is the most important aspect of life
33. Effluvia – unpleasant odor
34. Fortuitous – happening by chance
35. Fractious – irritable and difficult to control
36. Garrulous – talkative
37. Grandiloquent – pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner
38. Gratuitous – uncalled for; unnecessary
39. Grotto – small cave or cave-like structure 
40. Hapless – unfortunate
41. Injunction – a court-ordered command
42. Inoculate – to vaccinate against a disease
43. Insidious – slowly harmful or sneaky
44. Instigate – to provoke action
45. Insurgent – a rebel against authority
46. Interlocutor – a conversation participant
47. Illusion – magic tricks performed for entertainment
48. Litigant – a person involved in a lawsuit
49. Maelstrom – a powerful storm or chaotic situation
50. Maudlin – overly sentimental or self-pitying
51. Maverick – an independent-minded nonconformist
52. Mawkish – overly sentimental in a sickly way
53. Maxim – a concise statement of truth or principle
54. Mendacious – inclined to lie
55. Meretricious – attractive but lacking value
56. Pandemic – disease prevalent over an entire country 
57. Paradigm – a typical example or model
58. Pariah – an outcast
59. Paucity – scarcity; a lack of
60. Pejorative – expressing strong disapproval
61. Penchant – a strong liking or tendency
62. Penurious – extremely poor
63. Pert – attractive and confident
64. Pernicious – harmful or destructive
65. Precision – attention to detail
66. Prestidigitation – Magic tricks performed for entertainment
67. Recalcitrant – stubbornly uncooperative
68. Relegate –  demote to a lower position
69. Remiss – negligent or careless
70. Reprieve – cancellation of punishment
71. Reprobate – morally unprincipled person
72. Rescind – revoke or cancel
73. Ribald – improper or lewd
74. Rife – widespread or prevalent
75. Sedition – conduct or speech inciting people to rebel
76. Sinecure – position requiring little or no work 
77. Toady – a sycophant or flatterer
78. Torpid – lethargic; sluggish
79. Travesty – a mockery or parody
80. Trenchant – sharp and forceful in expression
81. Trounce –  defeat decisively
82. Truculent – aggressively argumentative
83. Turpitude – moral wickedness or depravity
84. Ubiquitous – found everywhere
85. Umbrage – offense or annoyance
86. Usury – lending money at unlawful rates
87. Vituperate – strongly blame or insult someone
88. Vociferous – outspoken and vehement in speech
89. Wanton – deliberate and unprovoked; sexually unrestrained
90. Winsome – attractive or charming
91. Yield – surrender or give way to pressure
92. Yoke – tie two things together

Use these words in some of the learning methods we offered earlier. Either flashcards or contextual learning will benefit you a lot. 

Conclusion 

Mastering SAT vocabulary words is a significant step toward your success on the exam. Remember that building your vocabulary takes time and consistent effort. Don’t get discouraged if progress seems slow at first. By focusing on smart strategies like learning roots, reading more, and studying common words in context, you will build the confidence you need to handle any vocab questions on the SAT. With dedication and the right SAT prep resources, you can conquer the SAT vocabulary section and boost your overall digital SAT score.

Ready to put these strategies into action? Acely is built to make this process seamless. With over 8,000+ SAT practice questions and 25 full-length adaptive tests, you’ll get all the contextual practice you need. Best of all, our AI tutor is available 24/7 to act as your personal vocabulary coach, giving you detailed answer explanations for every question so you learn why you missed it. Stop just memorizing word lists and start mastering vocabulary in context.

Start your free trial with Acely today and see your SAT score improve.

As you prepare for the SAT exam, keep in mind that your efforts will pay off not only in test scores but also in your overall language skills. A strong vocabulary will benefit you in college and for the rest of your life.