AT FIVE

THE NEXT DAY

AT NIGHT

the inherit day

three months later

AFTER TELL HOW STRONG HE IS

at the human world

100 SAT Words Beginning with "A" Vocabulary.com What better way to prepare for the sentence completion and passage-based questions on the SAT than to commit yourself to completing our alphabetically organized SAT lists?  Find lists of SAT words organized by every letter of the alphabet here: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K & L, M, N, O,P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W, X, Y & Z. Boost your SAT score with unlimitedadaptive test prepStart now  Share this list... Copy this list to... Learn & ExploreAssign Start learning with an activity... Practice Answer a few questions on each word. Get one wrong? We'll ask some follow-up questions. Use it to prep for your next quiz! Start Spelling Bee Test your spelling acumen. See the definition, listen to the word, then try to spell it correctly. Start Vocabulary Jam Compete head-to-head in real-time to see which team can answer the most questions correctly. StartJoin Explore the Words show: definitions & notes only words   in list order  from A to Z  from Z to A  from easy to hard  from hard to easy  abase cause to feel shame She is not abased or dejected, but exalted, rather.Sinclair, May aberration a state or condition markedly different from the norm While Tampa Bay has taken a huge nosedive a year after going 10-6, maybe that 2010 success was anaberration.Seattle Times (Dec 26, 2011) abhor feel hatred or disgust toward There are sane readers who abhor gratuitous violence but love Reacher’s menacing wisecracks.New York Times (Sep 20, 2011) abject most unfortunate or miserable Mr. Jobling stood wringing his hands helplessly, his flaccid features expressive of abject despair.Douglas, Hudson abrasive sharply disagreeable, unpleasant, or harsh “He has always been focused, driven, demanding and, as a result, very difficult and abrasive,” Mr. Norman said.New York Times (Oct 7, 2011) abstain refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something Griffin felt that he had better abstain from questioning, and let his host run on.Marsh, Richard abstract existing only in the mind Presenting an abstract concept, waving our arms trying to describe it, we will lose our audience right away. abundant present in great quantity Fringing and barrier reefs are abundant throughout the archipelago, surrounding nearly every island.Gabel, Norman E. accentuate stress or single out as important It was a carefully studied costume; and he accentuatedits eccentricity by adopting theatrical attitudes and an air of satisfied negligence.Leblanc, Maurice acclimate get used to a certain environment The Jets will leave Friday for Denver, the better toacclimate to the altitude and change in time zone.New York Times (Oct 14, 2010) accomplice a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan Tiller, the thief, and a supposed accomplice, are under arrest.Various accord concurrence of opinion Friday's accord removes one of two main sticking points that have been holding up a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.Wall Street Journal (Mar 9, 2012) acerbic harsh or corrosive in tone They were complaining, sometimes yelling, and maybe a bit acerbic.New York Times (Mar 29, 2012) acme the highest level or degree attainable Paris wholly has got to the acme of its frenzy; whirled, all ways, by panic madness.Various acquiesce agree or express agreement I favored building a fire and staying there till morning, but Frank preferred pushing on to camp, so Iacquiesced.Shields, George O. acquit pronounce not guilty of criminal charges He said that in the absence of other evidence, “the accused is acquitted and discharged.”New York Times (Jan 9, 2012) acrimonious marked by strong resentment or cynicism At times, the two groups squabble like schoolchildren, and the exchange gets acrimonious.BBC (Feb 9, 2010) acute extremely sharp or intense Labor shortages are already so acute in many Chinese industrial zones that factories struggle to find enough people to operate their assembly lines.New York Times (Mar 31, 2012) adamant insistent; unwilling to change one's mind or opinion But high profile or no, Mr. Kors is adamant about keeping his personal life under wraps — even as his wedding day approaches.New York Times (Aug 5, 2011) adept having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude He proved an adept playmaker, however, making several nice passes and finishing with 7 assists.New York Times (Jan 7, 2012) adhere stick to firmly Adhering to strict safety standards has kept me alive in some very dangerous situations. admonish scold or reprimand; take to task "Children, children, stop quarrelling, right here in public!"admonished Mrs. Dering, in a low, shocked tone.Perry, Nora adorn make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color Old master reproductions adorn chianti-colored walls; tapestries hang in the restrooms.Seattle Times (Feb 9, 2012) adroit quick or skillful or adept in action or thought Neither is he adroit in the exercise of his duty; instead performs it bunglingly; his thoughts preoccupied, and eyes wandering about.Reid, Mayne adulation exaggerated flattery or praise Taylor, a demagogue of the Democratic party, was hypocritically appealing to his "horny handed neighbors" in language of feigned adulation.Levy, T. Aaron adversity a state of misfortune or affliction Forty years in the wilderness, meeting adversitiestogether, fighting enemies, marching as one host, made them a nation.Hurlbut, Jesse Lyman advocacy active support of an idea or cause That sentiment faded after the 1930s, he said, as consumer advocacy focused more on protecting shoppers.New York Times (Nov 11, 2011) aesthetic characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste In old-fashioned, aesthetic terms, his glossy, color pictures of modern housing projects in Turkish cities under moody, gray skies are beautiful.New York Times (Oct 14, 2011) affable diffusing warmth and friendliness She is restless, irritable, out of sorts, censorious, complaining at home; animated, gracious, affable, complaisant abroad.Hyde, William De Witt affinity a close connection marked by community of interests Malaysia has a close affinity with many Middle Eastern nations through their shared religion. affliction a cause of great suffering and distress Firm and exceptional natures are thus moulded out of miseries, misfortunes and afflictions.Leonard, Arthur Glyn affluent having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value Affluent families can afford guns, which are more efficient for bagging some elusive animals than a poorer household’s typical snare trap.New York Times (Dec 27, 2011) aggrandize embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of Louis XIV. was growing increasingly ambitious of enlarging his domains and aggrandizing his power.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) agile moving quickly and lightly Are not many beasts physically stronger, more nimble and agile than man?Nordau, Max Simon agrarian relating to rural matters We’re not an agrarian society any longer, where more hands help farm the land.New York Times (Jun 20, 2011) alacrity liveliness and eagerness The men obeyed with alacrity, as all were glad to go, lying in camp so long.Terrill, J. Newton alienate arouse hostility or indifference in Keeping schools closed and blocking certain public services is not a strategy we support and could alienatepublic opinion and play into the governor’s hand.New York Times (Feb 18, 2011) allege report or maintain David is alleged to have written several Psalms, but of this there is little evidence beyond pious assertion.Bradlaugh, Charles allegiance the act of binding yourself to a course of action Notwithstanding this good fortune, Pontiac daily saw his followers dropping off from their allegiance; for even the boldest had lost heart.Parkman, Francis allegory a style in which characters and events are symbolic Achingly beautiful, quiet and graceful, his award-winning novel Waiting is a love story superimposed on a politicalallegory. alleviate provide physical relief, as from pain Lewis said he got a Synvisc shot – an injection commonly used to alleviate arthritic symptoms – in his left knee on Monday.Washington Post (Mar 7, 2012) allude make an indirect reference to In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Mr. Obama turned up the heat, alluding to the plan without fleshing out details.New York Times (Jan 27, 2012) aloof distant, cold, or detached in manner Too much focus on official duties can make an incumbent look isolated and aloof.New York Times (Mar 12, 2012) altruistic showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others The gesture was not necessarily altruistic; he was hoping for a donation in return.New York Times (Jan 24, 2011) ambiguous having more than one possible meaning "The election law in New York is written in an ill-defined,ambiguous way," Goldfeder said, adding that he did not believe any laws were broken. ambivalent uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow "If managers are ambivalent, or wavering, then investor uncertainty increases and the stocks become more volatile." ameliorate make better Possessed of broadly humanitarian sympathies, he became interested in ameliorating the conditions of imprisoned debtors.Bolton, Herbert Eugene amiable diffusing warmth and friendliness He was also remarkable for his amiable and cheerful manners.Anonymous amicable characterized by friendship and good will Thus, by kindness, the natives of this region were won to friendship, and amicable relations were established.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) amnesty a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense After three years in prison, he was released last October in an amnesty that freed about 200 political detainees.Seattle Times (Mar 5, 2012) amorphous having no definite form or distinct shape The problem is that where genes are tidy bits of DNA, the environment is huge, amorphous and hard to quantify.New York Times (Jun 9, 2010) ample more than enough in size or scope or capacity Both are highly respected and well known, with ampleexperience in development and economic policy making.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) anachronism locating something at a time when it couldn't have existed Today, the British monarchy seems like even more of ananachronism, notes my friend Merida, a London bureau friend now living in New York. analogous similar or equivalent in some respects The two conditions, although apparently analogous, are, in reality, very different.Various anecdote short account of an incident With his fourth book, “Business at 16,” Mr. Bagchi hopes to get teenagers interested in business, partly by using fictional anecdotes, including boy-meets-girl stories.New York Times (Nov 29, 2011) animosity a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility In this brutal contest, two opposing teams face off against each other with competing agendas, borrowed tuxedos and tight smiles concealing deep animosities.New York Times (Jan 14, 2011) annihilate kill in large numbers Men deployed may fall back and escape; a mass of columns under direct artillery fire must surrender or beannihilated.Morse, John anomaly deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule In this view, crises can be understood only asanomalies, the consequences of unusual outside shocks. anonymous having no known name or identity or known source Throughout the process, the targeted consumers are tagged with an alphanumeric code, removing their names and making the data anonymous.New York Times (Feb 21, 2012) antagonism an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility It bred a sense of resentment and secret antagonismwhich he took less pains to hide, from that night.Prichard, Katharine Susannah antecedent someone from whom you are descended Paul Bunyan is known by his mighty works; hisantecedents and personal history are lost in doubt.Laughead, W. B. anthropomorphic suggesting human features for animals or inanimate things The same anthropomorphic fallacy that accords human attributes to giant corporations like BP distorts clear thinking about how to limit their political influence. anticipate be excited or anxious about I will continue to sit here as usual, waiting, grinning, tapping and anticipating my future.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) antipathy a feeling of intense dislike At any rate, they had, as a matter of fact, produced widespread discontent and bitter antipathies between classes.Stephen, Leslie antithetical sharply contrasted in character or purpose Memorisation has a bad reputation in education today, dismissed as antithetical to creativity. apathy an absence of emotion or enthusiasm When not thus engaged, his days were passed in listlessapathy.Anonymous aptitude inherent ability If there is such a thing as inherited aptitude for art it certainly showed itself in the family of Bach.Forkel, Johann Nikolaus arbitrary based on or subject to individual discretion or preference The pieces don’t build or develop, sections are carelessly joined, endings seem arbitrary.New York Times (Jun 4, 2011) arcane requiring secret or mysterious knowledge Not just the knowledge of world geography but the very conceptualisation of space in this late medieval map looks to us remote and arcane. archaic so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period There are other advantages as well to reading the classics electronically—you can tap archaic words on the screen for an instant definition. archetype something that serves as a model In many ways, Mr. Romney and Mr. Huntsman embody the Mormon archetype: clean-cut, Republican American family men.New York Times (Nov 18, 2011) ardent characterized by intense emotion Age, study, experience, retirement, reflection, had in no wise dimmed the fire of his ardent nationalism.McCarthy, Justin arduous characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion He seemed about thirty-five years of age, though the trace of arduous mental and physical exertion gave him a rather worn and older appearance.Lindley, Augustus F. aristocratic belonging to or characteristic of the nobility Several aristocratic families were stripped of their status after World War II, limiting the number of royal matches. artifice the use of deception or trickery But small men use lying artifices and disguises to protect themselves.

100 SAT Words Beginning with "A" Vocabulary.com What better way to prepare for the sentence completion and passage-based questions on the SAT than to commit yourself to completing our alphabetically organized SAT lists?  Find lists of SAT words organized by every letter of the alphabet here: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K & L, M, N, O,P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W, X, Y & Z. Boost your SAT score with unlimitedadaptive test prepStart now  Share this list... Copy this list to... Learn & ExploreAssign Start learning with an activity... Practice Answer a few questions on each word. Get one wrong? We'll ask some follow-up questions. Use it to prep for your next quiz! Start Spelling Bee Test your spelling acumen. See the definition, listen to the word, then try to spell it correctly. Start Vocabulary Jam Compete head-to-head in real-time to see which team can answer the most questions correctly. StartJoin Explore the Words show: definitions & notes only words   in list order  from A to Z  from Z to A  from easy to hard  from hard to easy  abase cause to feel shame She is not abased or dejected, but exalted, rather.Sinclair, May aberration a state or condition markedly different from the norm While Tampa Bay has taken a huge nosedive a year after going 10-6, maybe that 2010 success was anaberration.Seattle Times (Dec 26, 2011) abhor feel hatred or disgust toward There are sane readers who abhor gratuitous violence but love Reacher’s menacing wisecracks.New York Times (Sep 20, 2011) abject most unfortunate or miserable Mr. Jobling stood wringing his hands helplessly, his flaccid features expressive of abject despair.Douglas, Hudson abrasive sharply disagreeable, unpleasant, or harsh “He has always been focused, driven, demanding and, as a result, very difficult and abrasive,” Mr. Norman said.New York Times (Oct 7, 2011) abstain refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something Griffin felt that he had better abstain from questioning, and let his host run on.Marsh, Richard abstract existing only in the mind Presenting an abstract concept, waving our arms trying to describe it, we will lose our audience right away. abundant present in great quantity Fringing and barrier reefs are abundant throughout the archipelago, surrounding nearly every island.Gabel, Norman E. accentuate stress or single out as important It was a carefully studied costume; and he accentuatedits eccentricity by adopting theatrical attitudes and an air of satisfied negligence.Leblanc, Maurice acclimate get used to a certain environment The Jets will leave Friday for Denver, the better toacclimate to the altitude and change in time zone.New York Times (Oct 14, 2010) accomplice a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan Tiller, the thief, and a supposed accomplice, are under arrest.Various accord concurrence of opinion Friday's accord removes one of two main sticking points that have been holding up a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.Wall Street Journal (Mar 9, 2012) acerbic harsh or corrosive in tone They were complaining, sometimes yelling, and maybe a bit acerbic.New York Times (Mar 29, 2012) acme the highest level or degree attainable Paris wholly has got to the acme of its frenzy; whirled, all ways, by panic madness.Various acquiesce agree or express agreement I favored building a fire and staying there till morning, but Frank preferred pushing on to camp, so Iacquiesced.Shields, George O. acquit pronounce not guilty of criminal charges He said that in the absence of other evidence, “the accused is acquitted and discharged.”New York Times (Jan 9, 2012) acrimonious marked by strong resentment or cynicism At times, the two groups squabble like schoolchildren, and the exchange gets acrimonious.BBC (Feb 9, 2010) acute extremely sharp or intense Labor shortages are already so acute in many Chinese industrial zones that factories struggle to find enough people to operate their assembly lines.New York Times (Mar 31, 2012) adamant insistent; unwilling to change one's mind or opinion But high profile or no, Mr. Kors is adamant about keeping his personal life under wraps — even as his wedding day approaches.New York Times (Aug 5, 2011) adept having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude He proved an adept playmaker, however, making several nice passes and finishing with 7 assists.New York Times (Jan 7, 2012) adhere stick to firmly Adhering to strict safety standards has kept me alive in some very dangerous situations. admonish scold or reprimand; take to task "Children, children, stop quarrelling, right here in public!"admonished Mrs. Dering, in a low, shocked tone.Perry, Nora adorn make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color Old master reproductions adorn chianti-colored walls; tapestries hang in the restrooms.Seattle Times (Feb 9, 2012) adroit quick or skillful or adept in action or thought Neither is he adroit in the exercise of his duty; instead performs it bunglingly; his thoughts preoccupied, and eyes wandering about.Reid, Mayne adulation exaggerated flattery or praise Taylor, a demagogue of the Democratic party, was hypocritically appealing to his "horny handed neighbors" in language of feigned adulation.Levy, T. Aaron adversity a state of misfortune or affliction Forty years in the wilderness, meeting adversitiestogether, fighting enemies, marching as one host, made them a nation.Hurlbut, Jesse Lyman advocacy active support of an idea or cause That sentiment faded after the 1930s, he said, as consumer advocacy focused more on protecting shoppers.New York Times (Nov 11, 2011) aesthetic characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste In old-fashioned, aesthetic terms, his glossy, color pictures of modern housing projects in Turkish cities under moody, gray skies are beautiful.New York Times (Oct 14, 2011) affable diffusing warmth and friendliness She is restless, irritable, out of sorts, censorious, complaining at home; animated, gracious, affable, complaisant abroad.Hyde, William De Witt affinity a close connection marked by community of interests Malaysia has a close affinity with many Middle Eastern nations through their shared religion. affliction a cause of great suffering and distress Firm and exceptional natures are thus moulded out of miseries, misfortunes and afflictions.Leonard, Arthur Glyn affluent having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value Affluent families can afford guns, which are more efficient for bagging some elusive animals than a poorer household’s typical snare trap.New York Times (Dec 27, 2011) aggrandize embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of Louis XIV. was growing increasingly ambitious of enlarging his domains and aggrandizing his power.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) agile moving quickly and lightly Are not many beasts physically stronger, more nimble and agile than man?Nordau, Max Simon agrarian relating to rural matters We’re not an agrarian society any longer, where more hands help farm the land.New York Times (Jun 20, 2011) alacrity liveliness and eagerness The men obeyed with alacrity, as all were glad to go, lying in camp so long.Terrill, J. Newton alienate arouse hostility or indifference in Keeping schools closed and blocking certain public services is not a strategy we support and could alienatepublic opinion and play into the governor’s hand.New York Times (Feb 18, 2011) allege report or maintain David is alleged to have written several Psalms, but of this there is little evidence beyond pious assertion.Bradlaugh, Charles allegiance the act of binding yourself to a course of action Notwithstanding this good fortune, Pontiac daily saw his followers dropping off from their allegiance; for even the boldest had lost heart.Parkman, Francis allegory a style in which characters and events are symbolic Achingly beautiful, quiet and graceful, his award-winning novel Waiting is a love story superimposed on a politicalallegory. alleviate provide physical relief, as from pain Lewis said he got a Synvisc shot – an injection commonly used to alleviate arthritic symptoms – in his left knee on Monday.Washington Post (Mar 7, 2012) allude make an indirect reference to In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Mr. Obama turned up the heat, alluding to the plan without fleshing out details.New York Times (Jan 27, 2012) aloof distant, cold, or detached in manner Too much focus on official duties can make an incumbent look isolated and aloof.New York Times (Mar 12, 2012) altruistic showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others The gesture was not necessarily altruistic; he was hoping for a donation in return.New York Times (Jan 24, 2011) ambiguous having more than one possible meaning "The election law in New York is written in an ill-defined,ambiguous way," Goldfeder said, adding that he did not believe any laws were broken. ambivalent uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow "If managers are ambivalent, or wavering, then investor uncertainty increases and the stocks become more volatile." ameliorate make better Possessed of broadly humanitarian sympathies, he became interested in ameliorating the conditions of imprisoned debtors.Bolton, Herbert Eugene amiable diffusing warmth and friendliness He was also remarkable for his amiable and cheerful manners.Anonymous amicable characterized by friendship and good will Thus, by kindness, the natives of this region were won to friendship, and amicable relations were established.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) amnesty a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense After three years in prison, he was released last October in an amnesty that freed about 200 political detainees.Seattle Times (Mar 5, 2012) amorphous having no definite form or distinct shape The problem is that where genes are tidy bits of DNA, the environment is huge, amorphous and hard to quantify.New York Times (Jun 9, 2010) ample more than enough in size or scope or capacity Both are highly respected and well known, with ampleexperience in development and economic policy making.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) anachronism locating something at a time when it couldn't have existed Today, the British monarchy seems like even more of ananachronism, notes my friend Merida, a London bureau friend now living in New York. analogous similar or equivalent in some respects The two conditions, although apparently analogous, are, in reality, very different.Various anecdote short account of an incident With his fourth book, “Business at 16,” Mr. Bagchi hopes to get teenagers interested in business, partly by using fictional anecdotes, including boy-meets-girl stories.New York Times (Nov 29, 2011) animosity a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility In this brutal contest, two opposing teams face off against each other with competing agendas, borrowed tuxedos and tight smiles concealing deep animosities.New York Times (Jan 14, 2011) annihilate kill in large numbers Men deployed may fall back and escape; a mass of columns under direct artillery fire must surrender or beannihilated.Morse, John anomaly deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule In this view, crises can be understood only asanomalies, the consequences of unusual outside shocks. anonymous having no known name or identity or known source Throughout the process, the targeted consumers are tagged with an alphanumeric code, removing their names and making the data anonymous.New York Times (Feb 21, 2012) antagonism an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility It bred a sense of resentment and secret antagonismwhich he took less pains to hide, from that night.Prichard, Katharine Susannah antecedent someone from whom you are descended Paul Bunyan is known by his mighty works; hisantecedents and personal history are lost in doubt.Laughead, W. B. anthropomorphic suggesting human features for animals or inanimate things The same anthropomorphic fallacy that accords human attributes to giant corporations like BP distorts clear thinking about how to limit their political influence. anticipate be excited or anxious about I will continue to sit here as usual, waiting, grinning, tapping and anticipating my future.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) antipathy a feeling of intense dislike At any rate, they had, as a matter of fact, produced widespread discontent and bitter antipathies between classes.Stephen, Leslie antithetical sharply contrasted in character or purpose Memorisation has a bad reputation in education today, dismissed as antithetical to creativity. apathy an absence of emotion or enthusiasm When not thus engaged, his days were passed in listlessapathy.Anonymous aptitude inherent ability If there is such a thing as inherited aptitude for art it certainly showed itself in the family of Bach.Forkel, Johann Nikolaus arbitrary based on or subject to individual discretion or preference The pieces don’t build or develop, sections are carelessly joined, endings seem arbitrary.New York Times (Jun 4, 2011) arcane requiring secret or mysterious knowledge Not just the knowledge of world geography but the very conceptualisation of space in this late medieval map looks to us remote and arcane. archaic so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period There are other advantages as well to reading the classics electronically—you can tap archaic words on the screen for an instant definition. archetype something that serves as a model In many ways, Mr. Romney and Mr. Huntsman embody the Mormon archetype: clean-cut, Republican American family men.New York Times (Nov 18, 2011) ardent characterized by intense emotion Age, study, experience, retirement, reflection, had in no wise dimmed the fire of his ardent nationalism.McCarthy, Justin arduous characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion He seemed about thirty-five years of age, though the trace of arduous mental and physical exertion gave him a rather worn and older appearance.Lindley, Augustus F. aristocratic belonging to or characteristic of the nobility Several aristocratic families were stripped of their status after World War II, limiting the number of royal matches. artifice the use of deception or trickery But small men use lying artifices and disguises to protect themselves.

100 SAT Words Beginning with "A" Vocabulary.com What better way to prepare for the sentence completion and passage-based questions on the SAT than to commit yourself to completing our alphabetically organized SAT lists?  Find lists of SAT words organized by every letter of the alphabet here: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K & L, M, N, O,P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W, X, Y & Z. Boost your SAT score with unlimitedadaptive test prepStart now  Share this list... Copy this list to... Learn & ExploreAssign Start learning with an activity... Practice Answer a few questions on each word. Get one wrong? We'll ask some follow-up questions. Use it to prep for your next quiz! Start Spelling Bee Test your spelling acumen. See the definition, listen to the word, then try to spell it correctly. Start Vocabulary Jam Compete head-to-head in real-time to see which team can answer the most questions correctly. StartJoin Explore the Words show: definitions & notes only words   in list order  from A to Z  from Z to A  from easy to hard  from hard to easy  abase cause to feel shame She is not abased or dejected, but exalted, rather.Sinclair, May aberration a state or condition markedly different from the norm While Tampa Bay has taken a huge nosedive a year after going 10-6, maybe that 2010 success was anaberration.Seattle Times (Dec 26, 2011) abhor feel hatred or disgust toward There are sane readers who abhor gratuitous violence but love Reacher’s menacing wisecracks.New York Times (Sep 20, 2011) abject most unfortunate or miserable Mr. Jobling stood wringing his hands helplessly, his flaccid features expressive of abject despair.Douglas, Hudson abrasive sharply disagreeable, unpleasant, or harsh “He has always been focused, driven, demanding and, as a result, very difficult and abrasive,” Mr. Norman said.New York Times (Oct 7, 2011) abstain refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something Griffin felt that he had better abstain from questioning, and let his host run on.Marsh, Richard abstract existing only in the mind Presenting an abstract concept, waving our arms trying to describe it, we will lose our audience right away. abundant present in great quantity Fringing and barrier reefs are abundant throughout the archipelago, surrounding nearly every island.Gabel, Norman E. accentuate stress or single out as important It was a carefully studied costume; and he accentuatedits eccentricity by adopting theatrical attitudes and an air of satisfied negligence.Leblanc, Maurice acclimate get used to a certain environment The Jets will leave Friday for Denver, the better toacclimate to the altitude and change in time zone.New York Times (Oct 14, 2010) accomplice a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan Tiller, the thief, and a supposed accomplice, are under arrest.Various accord concurrence of opinion Friday's accord removes one of two main sticking points that have been holding up a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.Wall Street Journal (Mar 9, 2012) acerbic harsh or corrosive in tone They were complaining, sometimes yelling, and maybe a bit acerbic.New York Times (Mar 29, 2012) acme the highest level or degree attainable Paris wholly has got to the acme of its frenzy; whirled, all ways, by panic madness.Various acquiesce agree or express agreement I favored building a fire and staying there till morning, but Frank preferred pushing on to camp, so Iacquiesced.Shields, George O. acquit pronounce not guilty of criminal charges He said that in the absence of other evidence, “the accused is acquitted and discharged.”New York Times (Jan 9, 2012) acrimonious marked by strong resentment or cynicism At times, the two groups squabble like schoolchildren, and the exchange gets acrimonious.BBC (Feb 9, 2010) acute extremely sharp or intense Labor shortages are already so acute in many Chinese industrial zones that factories struggle to find enough people to operate their assembly lines.New York Times (Mar 31, 2012) adamant insistent; unwilling to change one's mind or opinion But high profile or no, Mr. Kors is adamant about keeping his personal life under wraps — even as his wedding day approaches.New York Times (Aug 5, 2011) adept having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude He proved an adept playmaker, however, making several nice passes and finishing with 7 assists.New York Times (Jan 7, 2012) adhere stick to firmly Adhering to strict safety standards has kept me alive in some very dangerous situations. admonish scold or reprimand; take to task "Children, children, stop quarrelling, right here in public!"admonished Mrs. Dering, in a low, shocked tone.Perry, Nora adorn make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color Old master reproductions adorn chianti-colored walls; tapestries hang in the restrooms.Seattle Times (Feb 9, 2012) adroit quick or skillful or adept in action or thought Neither is he adroit in the exercise of his duty; instead performs it bunglingly; his thoughts preoccupied, and eyes wandering about.Reid, Mayne adulation exaggerated flattery or praise Taylor, a demagogue of the Democratic party, was hypocritically appealing to his "horny handed neighbors" in language of feigned adulation.Levy, T. Aaron adversity a state of misfortune or affliction Forty years in the wilderness, meeting adversitiestogether, fighting enemies, marching as one host, made them a nation.Hurlbut, Jesse Lyman advocacy active support of an idea or cause That sentiment faded after the 1930s, he said, as consumer advocacy focused more on protecting shoppers.New York Times (Nov 11, 2011) aesthetic characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste In old-fashioned, aesthetic terms, his glossy, color pictures of modern housing projects in Turkish cities under moody, gray skies are beautiful.New York Times (Oct 14, 2011) affable diffusing warmth and friendliness She is restless, irritable, out of sorts, censorious, complaining at home; animated, gracious, affable, complaisant abroad.Hyde, William De Witt affinity a close connection marked by community of interests Malaysia has a close affinity with many Middle Eastern nations through their shared religion. affliction a cause of great suffering and distress Firm and exceptional natures are thus moulded out of miseries, misfortunes and afflictions.Leonard, Arthur Glyn affluent having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value Affluent families can afford guns, which are more efficient for bagging some elusive animals than a poorer household’s typical snare trap.New York Times (Dec 27, 2011) aggrandize embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of Louis XIV. was growing increasingly ambitious of enlarging his domains and aggrandizing his power.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) agile moving quickly and lightly Are not many beasts physically stronger, more nimble and agile than man?Nordau, Max Simon agrarian relating to rural matters We’re not an agrarian society any longer, where more hands help farm the land.New York Times (Jun 20, 2011) alacrity liveliness and eagerness The men obeyed with alacrity, as all were glad to go, lying in camp so long.Terrill, J. Newton alienate arouse hostility or indifference in Keeping schools closed and blocking certain public services is not a strategy we support and could alienatepublic opinion and play into the governor’s hand.New York Times (Feb 18, 2011) allege report or maintain David is alleged to have written several Psalms, but of this there is little evidence beyond pious assertion.Bradlaugh, Charles allegiance the act of binding yourself to a course of action Notwithstanding this good fortune, Pontiac daily saw his followers dropping off from their allegiance; for even the boldest had lost heart.Parkman, Francis allegory a style in which characters and events are symbolic Achingly beautiful, quiet and graceful, his award-winning novel Waiting is a love story superimposed on a politicalallegory. alleviate provide physical relief, as from pain Lewis said he got a Synvisc shot – an injection commonly used to alleviate arthritic symptoms – in his left knee on Monday.Washington Post (Mar 7, 2012) allude make an indirect reference to In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Mr. Obama turned up the heat, alluding to the plan without fleshing out details.New York Times (Jan 27, 2012) aloof distant, cold, or detached in manner Too much focus on official duties can make an incumbent look isolated and aloof.New York Times (Mar 12, 2012) altruistic showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others The gesture was not necessarily altruistic; he was hoping for a donation in return.New York Times (Jan 24, 2011) ambiguous having more than one possible meaning "The election law in New York is written in an ill-defined,ambiguous way," Goldfeder said, adding that he did not believe any laws were broken. ambivalent uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow "If managers are ambivalent, or wavering, then investor uncertainty increases and the stocks become more volatile." ameliorate make better Possessed of broadly humanitarian sympathies, he became interested in ameliorating the conditions of imprisoned debtors.Bolton, Herbert Eugene amiable diffusing warmth and friendliness He was also remarkable for his amiable and cheerful manners.Anonymous amicable characterized by friendship and good will Thus, by kindness, the natives of this region were won to friendship, and amicable relations were established.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) amnesty a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense After three years in prison, he was released last October in an amnesty that freed about 200 political detainees.Seattle Times (Mar 5, 2012) amorphous having no definite form or distinct shape The problem is that where genes are tidy bits of DNA, the environment is huge, amorphous and hard to quantify.New York Times (Jun 9, 2010) ample more than enough in size or scope or capacity Both are highly respected and well known, with ampleexperience in development and economic policy making.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) anachronism locating something at a time when it couldn't have existed Today, the British monarchy seems like even more of ananachronism, notes my friend Merida, a London bureau friend now living in New York. analogous similar or equivalent in some respects The two conditions, although apparently analogous, are, in reality, very different.Various anecdote short account of an incident With his fourth book, “Business at 16,” Mr. Bagchi hopes to get teenagers interested in business, partly by using fictional anecdotes, including boy-meets-girl stories.New York Times (Nov 29, 2011) animosity a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility In this brutal contest, two opposing teams face off against each other with competing agendas, borrowed tuxedos and tight smiles concealing deep animosities.New York Times (Jan 14, 2011) annihilate kill in large numbers Men deployed may fall back and escape; a mass of columns under direct artillery fire must surrender or beannihilated.Morse, John anomaly deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule In this view, crises can be understood only asanomalies, the consequences of unusual outside shocks. anonymous having no known name or identity or known source Throughout the process, the targeted consumers are tagged with an alphanumeric code, removing their names and making the data anonymous.New York Times (Feb 21, 2012) antagonism an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility It bred a sense of resentment and secret antagonismwhich he took less pains to hide, from that night.Prichard, Katharine Susannah antecedent someone from whom you are descended Paul Bunyan is known by his mighty works; hisantecedents and personal history are lost in doubt.Laughead, W. B. anthropomorphic suggesting human features for animals or inanimate things The same anthropomorphic fallacy that accords human attributes to giant corporations like BP distorts clear thinking about how to limit their political influence. anticipate be excited or anxious about I will continue to sit here as usual, waiting, grinning, tapping and anticipating my future.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) antipathy a feeling of intense dislike At any rate, they had, as a matter of fact, produced widespread discontent and bitter antipathies between classes.Stephen, Leslie antithetical sharply contrasted in character or purpose Memorisation has a bad reputation in education today, dismissed as antithetical to creativity. apathy an absence of emotion or enthusiasm When not thus engaged, his days were passed in listlessapathy.Anonymous aptitude inherent ability If there is such a thing as inherited aptitude for art it certainly showed itself in the family of Bach.Forkel, Johann Nikolaus arbitrary based on or subject to individual discretion or preference The pieces don’t build or develop, sections are carelessly joined, endings seem arbitrary.New York Times (Jun 4, 2011) arcane requiring secret or mysterious knowledge Not just the knowledge of world geography but the very conceptualisation of space in this late medieval map looks to us remote and arcane. archaic so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period There are other advantages as well to reading the classics electronically—you can tap archaic words on the screen for an instant definition. archetype something that serves as a model In many ways, Mr. Romney and Mr. Huntsman embody the Mormon archetype: clean-cut, Republican American family men.New York Times (Nov 18, 2011) ardent characterized by intense emotion Age, study, experience, retirement, reflection, had in no wise dimmed the fire of his ardent nationalism.McCarthy, Justin arduous characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion He seemed about thirty-five years of age, though the trace of arduous mental and physical exertion gave him a rather worn and older appearance.Lindley, Augustus F. aristocratic belonging to or characteristic of the nobility Several aristocratic families were stripped of their status after World War II, limiting the number of royal matches. artifice the use of deception or trickery But small men use lying artifices and disguises to protect themselves.

100 SAT Words Beginning with "A" Vocabulary.com What better way to prepare for the sentence completion and passage-based questions on the SAT than to commit yourself to completing our alphabetically organized SAT lists?  Find lists of SAT words organized by every letter of the alphabet here: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K & L, M, N, O,P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W, X, Y & Z. Boost your SAT score with unlimitedadaptive test prepStart now  Share this list... Copy this list to... Learn & ExploreAssign Start learning with an activity... Practice Answer a few questions on each word. Get one wrong? We'll ask some follow-up questions. Use it to prep for your next quiz! Start Spelling Bee Test your spelling acumen. See the definition, listen to the word, then try to spell it correctly. Start Vocabulary Jam Compete head-to-head in real-time to see which team can answer the most questions correctly. StartJoin Explore the Words show: definitions & notes only words   in list order  from A to Z  from Z to A  from easy to hard  from hard to easy  abase cause to feel shame She is not abased or dejected, but exalted, rather.Sinclair, May aberration a state or condition markedly different from the norm While Tampa Bay has taken a huge nosedive a year after going 10-6, maybe that 2010 success was anaberration.Seattle Times (Dec 26, 2011) abhor feel hatred or disgust toward There are sane readers who abhor gratuitous violence but love Reacher’s menacing wisecracks.New York Times (Sep 20, 2011) abject most unfortunate or miserable Mr. Jobling stood wringing his hands helplessly, his flaccid features expressive of abject despair.Douglas, Hudson abrasive sharply disagreeable, unpleasant, or harsh “He has always been focused, driven, demanding and, as a result, very difficult and abrasive,” Mr. Norman said.New York Times (Oct 7, 2011) abstain refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something Griffin felt that he had better abstain from questioning, and let his host run on.Marsh, Richard abstract existing only in the mind Presenting an abstract concept, waving our arms trying to describe it, we will lose our audience right away. abundant present in great quantity Fringing and barrier reefs are abundant throughout the archipelago, surrounding nearly every island.Gabel, Norman E. accentuate stress or single out as important It was a carefully studied costume; and he accentuatedits eccentricity by adopting theatrical attitudes and an air of satisfied negligence.Leblanc, Maurice acclimate get used to a certain environment The Jets will leave Friday for Denver, the better toacclimate to the altitude and change in time zone.New York Times (Oct 14, 2010) accomplice a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan Tiller, the thief, and a supposed accomplice, are under arrest.Various accord concurrence of opinion Friday's accord removes one of two main sticking points that have been holding up a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.Wall Street Journal (Mar 9, 2012) acerbic harsh or corrosive in tone They were complaining, sometimes yelling, and maybe a bit acerbic.New York Times (Mar 29, 2012) acme the highest level or degree attainable Paris wholly has got to the acme of its frenzy; whirled, all ways, by panic madness.Various acquiesce agree or express agreement I favored building a fire and staying there till morning, but Frank preferred pushing on to camp, so Iacquiesced.Shields, George O. acquit pronounce not guilty of criminal charges He said that in the absence of other evidence, “the accused is acquitted and discharged.”New York Times (Jan 9, 2012) acrimonious marked by strong resentment or cynicism At times, the two groups squabble like schoolchildren, and the exchange gets acrimonious.BBC (Feb 9, 2010) acute extremely sharp or intense Labor shortages are already so acute in many Chinese industrial zones that factories struggle to find enough people to operate their assembly lines.New York Times (Mar 31, 2012) adamant insistent; unwilling to change one's mind or opinion But high profile or no, Mr. Kors is adamant about keeping his personal life under wraps — even as his wedding day approaches.New York Times (Aug 5, 2011) adept having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude He proved an adept playmaker, however, making several nice passes and finishing with 7 assists.New York Times (Jan 7, 2012) adhere stick to firmly Adhering to strict safety standards has kept me alive in some very dangerous situations. admonish scold or reprimand; take to task "Children, children, stop quarrelling, right here in public!"admonished Mrs. Dering, in a low, shocked tone.Perry, Nora adorn make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color Old master reproductions adorn chianti-colored walls; tapestries hang in the restrooms.Seattle Times (Feb 9, 2012) adroit quick or skillful or adept in action or thought Neither is he adroit in the exercise of his duty; instead performs it bunglingly; his thoughts preoccupied, and eyes wandering about.Reid, Mayne adulation exaggerated flattery or praise Taylor, a demagogue of the Democratic party, was hypocritically appealing to his "horny handed neighbors" in language of feigned adulation.Levy, T. Aaron adversity a state of misfortune or affliction Forty years in the wilderness, meeting adversitiestogether, fighting enemies, marching as one host, made them a nation.Hurlbut, Jesse Lyman advocacy active support of an idea or cause That sentiment faded after the 1930s, he said, as consumer advocacy focused more on protecting shoppers.New York Times (Nov 11, 2011) aesthetic characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste In old-fashioned, aesthetic terms, his glossy, color pictures of modern housing projects in Turkish cities under moody, gray skies are beautiful.New York Times (Oct 14, 2011) affable diffusing warmth and friendliness She is restless, irritable, out of sorts, censorious, complaining at home; animated, gracious, affable, complaisant abroad.Hyde, William De Witt affinity a close connection marked by community of interests Malaysia has a close affinity with many Middle Eastern nations through their shared religion. affliction a cause of great suffering and distress Firm and exceptional natures are thus moulded out of miseries, misfortunes and afflictions.Leonard, Arthur Glyn affluent having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value Affluent families can afford guns, which are more efficient for bagging some elusive animals than a poorer household’s typical snare trap.New York Times (Dec 27, 2011) aggrandize embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of Louis XIV. was growing increasingly ambitious of enlarging his domains and aggrandizing his power.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) agile moving quickly and lightly Are not many beasts physically stronger, more nimble and agile than man?Nordau, Max Simon agrarian relating to rural matters We’re not an agrarian society any longer, where more hands help farm the land.New York Times (Jun 20, 2011) alacrity liveliness and eagerness The men obeyed with alacrity, as all were glad to go, lying in camp so long.Terrill, J. Newton alienate arouse hostility or indifference in Keeping schools closed and blocking certain public services is not a strategy we support and could alienatepublic opinion and play into the governor’s hand.New York Times (Feb 18, 2011) allege report or maintain David is alleged to have written several Psalms, but of this there is little evidence beyond pious assertion.Bradlaugh, Charles allegiance the act of binding yourself to a course of action Notwithstanding this good fortune, Pontiac daily saw his followers dropping off from their allegiance; for even the boldest had lost heart.Parkman, Francis allegory a style in which characters and events are symbolic Achingly beautiful, quiet and graceful, his award-winning novel Waiting is a love story superimposed on a politicalallegory. alleviate provide physical relief, as from pain Lewis said he got a Synvisc shot – an injection commonly used to alleviate arthritic symptoms – in his left knee on Monday.Washington Post (Mar 7, 2012) allude make an indirect reference to In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Mr. Obama turned up the heat, alluding to the plan without fleshing out details.New York Times (Jan 27, 2012) aloof distant, cold, or detached in manner Too much focus on official duties can make an incumbent look isolated and aloof.New York Times (Mar 12, 2012) altruistic showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others The gesture was not necessarily altruistic; he was hoping for a donation in return.New York Times (Jan 24, 2011) ambiguous having more than one possible meaning "The election law in New York is written in an ill-defined,ambiguous way," Goldfeder said, adding that he did not believe any laws were broken. ambivalent uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow "If managers are ambivalent, or wavering, then investor uncertainty increases and the stocks become more volatile." ameliorate make better Possessed of broadly humanitarian sympathies, he became interested in ameliorating the conditions of imprisoned debtors.Bolton, Herbert Eugene amiable diffusing warmth and friendliness He was also remarkable for his amiable and cheerful manners.Anonymous amicable characterized by friendship and good will Thus, by kindness, the natives of this region were won to friendship, and amicable relations were established.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) amnesty a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense After three years in prison, he was released last October in an amnesty that freed about 200 political detainees.Seattle Times (Mar 5, 2012) amorphous having no definite form or distinct shape The problem is that where genes are tidy bits of DNA, the environment is huge, amorphous and hard to quantify.New York Times (Jun 9, 2010) ample more than enough in size or scope or capacity Both are highly respected and well known, with ampleexperience in development and economic policy making.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) anachronism locating something at a time when it couldn't have existed Today, the British monarchy seems like even more of ananachronism, notes my friend Merida, a London bureau friend now living in New York. analogous similar or equivalent in some respects The two conditions, although apparently analogous, are, in reality, very different.Various anecdote short account of an incident With his fourth book, “Business at 16,” Mr. Bagchi hopes to get teenagers interested in business, partly by using fictional anecdotes, including boy-meets-girl stories.New York Times (Nov 29, 2011) animosity a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility In this brutal contest, two opposing teams face off against each other with competing agendas, borrowed tuxedos and tight smiles concealing deep animosities.New York Times (Jan 14, 2011) annihilate kill in large numbers Men deployed may fall back and escape; a mass of columns under direct artillery fire must surrender or beannihilated.Morse, John anomaly deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule In this view, crises can be understood only asanomalies, the consequences of unusual outside shocks. anonymous having no known name or identity or known source Throughout the process, the targeted consumers are tagged with an alphanumeric code, removing their names and making the data anonymous.New York Times (Feb 21, 2012) antagonism an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility It bred a sense of resentment and secret antagonismwhich he took less pains to hide, from that night.Prichard, Katharine Susannah antecedent someone from whom you are descended Paul Bunyan is known by his mighty works; hisantecedents and personal history are lost in doubt.Laughead, W. B. anthropomorphic suggesting human features for animals or inanimate things The same anthropomorphic fallacy that accords human attributes to giant corporations like BP distorts clear thinking about how to limit their political influence. anticipate be excited or anxious about I will continue to sit here as usual, waiting, grinning, tapping and anticipating my future.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) antipathy a feeling of intense dislike At any rate, they had, as a matter of fact, produced widespread discontent and bitter antipathies between classes.Stephen, Leslie antithetical sharply contrasted in character or purpose Memorisation has a bad reputation in education today, dismissed as antithetical to creativity. apathy an absence of emotion or enthusiasm When not thus engaged, his days were passed in listlessapathy.Anonymous aptitude inherent ability If there is such a thing as inherited aptitude for art it certainly showed itself in the family of Bach.Forkel, Johann Nikolaus arbitrary based on or subject to individual discretion or preference The pieces don’t build or develop, sections are carelessly joined, endings seem arbitrary.New York Times (Jun 4, 2011) arcane requiring secret or mysterious knowledge Not just the knowledge of world geography but the very conceptualisation of space in this late medieval map looks to us remote and arcane. archaic so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period There are other advantages as well to reading the classics electronically—you can tap archaic words on the screen for an instant definition. archetype something that serves as a model In many ways, Mr. Romney and Mr. Huntsman embody the Mormon archetype: clean-cut, Republican American family men.New York Times (Nov 18, 2011) ardent characterized by intense emotion Age, study, experience, retirement, reflection, had in no wise dimmed the fire of his ardent nationalism.McCarthy, Justin arduous characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion He seemed about thirty-five years of age, though the trace of arduous mental and physical exertion gave him a rather worn and older appearance.Lindley, Augustus F. aristocratic belonging to or characteristic of the nobility Several aristocratic families were stripped of their status after World War II, limiting the number of royal matches. artifice the use of deception or trickery But small men use lying artifices and disguises to protect themselves.

100 SAT Words Beginning with "A" Vocabulary.com What better way to prepare for the sentence completion and passage-based questions on the SAT than to commit yourself to completing our alphabetically organized SAT lists?  Find lists of SAT words organized by every letter of the alphabet here: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K & L, M, N, O,P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W, X, Y & Z. Boost your SAT score with unlimitedadaptive test prepStart now  Share this list... Copy this list to... Learn & ExploreAssign Start learning with an activity... Practice Answer a few questions on each word. Get one wrong? We'll ask some follow-up questions. Use it to prep for your next quiz! Start Spelling Bee Test your spelling acumen. See the definition, listen to the word, then try to spell it correctly. Start Vocabulary Jam Compete head-to-head in real-time to see which team can answer the most questions correctly. StartJoin Explore the Words show: definitions & notes only words   in list order  from A to Z  from Z to A  from easy to hard  from hard to easy  abase cause to feel shame She is not abased or dejected, but exalted, rather.Sinclair, May aberration a state or condition markedly different from the norm While Tampa Bay has taken a huge nosedive a year after going 10-6, maybe that 2010 success was anaberration.Seattle Times (Dec 26, 2011) abhor feel hatred or disgust toward There are sane readers who abhor gratuitous violence but love Reacher’s menacing wisecracks.New York Times (Sep 20, 2011) abject most unfortunate or miserable Mr. Jobling stood wringing his hands helplessly, his flaccid features expressive of abject despair.Douglas, Hudson abrasive sharply disagreeable, unpleasant, or harsh “He has always been focused, driven, demanding and, as a result, very difficult and abrasive,” Mr. Norman said.New York Times (Oct 7, 2011) abstain refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something Griffin felt that he had better abstain from questioning, and let his host run on.Marsh, Richard abstract existing only in the mind Presenting an abstract concept, waving our arms trying to describe it, we will lose our audience right away. abundant present in great quantity Fringing and barrier reefs are abundant throughout the archipelago, surrounding nearly every island.Gabel, Norman E. accentuate stress or single out as important It was a carefully studied costume; and he accentuatedits eccentricity by adopting theatrical attitudes and an air of satisfied negligence.Leblanc, Maurice acclimate get used to a certain environment The Jets will leave Friday for Denver, the better toacclimate to the altitude and change in time zone.New York Times (Oct 14, 2010) accomplice a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan Tiller, the thief, and a supposed accomplice, are under arrest.Various accord concurrence of opinion Friday's accord removes one of two main sticking points that have been holding up a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.Wall Street Journal (Mar 9, 2012) acerbic harsh or corrosive in tone They were complaining, sometimes yelling, and maybe a bit acerbic.New York Times (Mar 29, 2012) acme the highest level or degree attainable Paris wholly has got to the acme of its frenzy; whirled, all ways, by panic madness.Various acquiesce agree or express agreement I favored building a fire and staying there till morning, but Frank preferred pushing on to camp, so Iacquiesced.Shields, George O. acquit pronounce not guilty of criminal charges He said that in the absence of other evidence, “the accused is acquitted and discharged.”New York Times (Jan 9, 2012) acrimonious marked by strong resentment or cynicism At times, the two groups squabble like schoolchildren, and the exchange gets acrimonious.BBC (Feb 9, 2010) acute extremely sharp or intense Labor shortages are already so acute in many Chinese industrial zones that factories struggle to find enough people to operate their assembly lines.New York Times (Mar 31, 2012) adamant insistent; unwilling to change one's mind or opinion But high profile or no, Mr. Kors is adamant about keeping his personal life under wraps — even as his wedding day approaches.New York Times (Aug 5, 2011) adept having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude He proved an adept playmaker, however, making several nice passes and finishing with 7 assists.New York Times (Jan 7, 2012) adhere stick to firmly Adhering to strict safety standards has kept me alive in some very dangerous situations. admonish scold or reprimand; take to task "Children, children, stop quarrelling, right here in public!"admonished Mrs. Dering, in a low, shocked tone.Perry, Nora adorn make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color Old master reproductions adorn chianti-colored walls; tapestries hang in the restrooms.Seattle Times (Feb 9, 2012) adroit quick or skillful or adept in action or thought Neither is he adroit in the exercise of his duty; instead performs it bunglingly; his thoughts preoccupied, and eyes wandering about.Reid, Mayne adulation exaggerated flattery or praise Taylor, a demagogue of the Democratic party, was hypocritically appealing to his "horny handed neighbors" in language of feigned adulation.Levy, T. Aaron adversity a state of misfortune or affliction Forty years in the wilderness, meeting adversitiestogether, fighting enemies, marching as one host, made them a nation.Hurlbut, Jesse Lyman advocacy active support of an idea or cause That sentiment faded after the 1930s, he said, as consumer advocacy focused more on protecting shoppers.New York Times (Nov 11, 2011) aesthetic characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste In old-fashioned, aesthetic terms, his glossy, color pictures of modern housing projects in Turkish cities under moody, gray skies are beautiful.New York Times (Oct 14, 2011) affable diffusing warmth and friendliness She is restless, irritable, out of sorts, censorious, complaining at home; animated, gracious, affable, complaisant abroad.Hyde, William De Witt affinity a close connection marked by community of interests Malaysia has a close affinity with many Middle Eastern nations through their shared religion. affliction a cause of great suffering and distress Firm and exceptional natures are thus moulded out of miseries, misfortunes and afflictions.Leonard, Arthur Glyn affluent having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value Affluent families can afford guns, which are more efficient for bagging some elusive animals than a poorer household’s typical snare trap.New York Times (Dec 27, 2011) aggrandize embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of Louis XIV. was growing increasingly ambitious of enlarging his domains and aggrandizing his power.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) agile moving quickly and lightly Are not many beasts physically stronger, more nimble and agile than man?Nordau, Max Simon agrarian relating to rural matters We’re not an agrarian society any longer, where more hands help farm the land.New York Times (Jun 20, 2011) alacrity liveliness and eagerness The men obeyed with alacrity, as all were glad to go, lying in camp so long.Terrill, J. Newton alienate arouse hostility or indifference in Keeping schools closed and blocking certain public services is not a strategy we support and could alienatepublic opinion and play into the governor’s hand.New York Times (Feb 18, 2011) allege report or maintain David is alleged to have written several Psalms, but of this there is little evidence beyond pious assertion.Bradlaugh, Charles allegiance the act of binding yourself to a course of action Notwithstanding this good fortune, Pontiac daily saw his followers dropping off from their allegiance; for even the boldest had lost heart.Parkman, Francis allegory a style in which characters and events are symbolic Achingly beautiful, quiet and graceful, his award-winning novel Waiting is a love story superimposed on a politicalallegory. alleviate provide physical relief, as from pain Lewis said he got a Synvisc shot – an injection commonly used to alleviate arthritic symptoms – in his left knee on Monday.Washington Post (Mar 7, 2012) allude make an indirect reference to In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Mr. Obama turned up the heat, alluding to the plan without fleshing out details.New York Times (Jan 27, 2012) aloof distant, cold, or detached in manner Too much focus on official duties can make an incumbent look isolated and aloof.New York Times (Mar 12, 2012) altruistic showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others The gesture was not necessarily altruistic; he was hoping for a donation in return.New York Times (Jan 24, 2011) ambiguous having more than one possible meaning "The election law in New York is written in an ill-defined,ambiguous way," Goldfeder said, adding that he did not believe any laws were broken. ambivalent uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow "If managers are ambivalent, or wavering, then investor uncertainty increases and the stocks become more volatile." ameliorate make better Possessed of broadly humanitarian sympathies, he became interested in ameliorating the conditions of imprisoned debtors.Bolton, Herbert Eugene amiable diffusing warmth and friendliness He was also remarkable for his amiable and cheerful manners.Anonymous amicable characterized by friendship and good will Thus, by kindness, the natives of this region were won to friendship, and amicable relations were established.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) amnesty a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense After three years in prison, he was released last October in an amnesty that freed about 200 political detainees.Seattle Times (Mar 5, 2012) amorphous having no definite form or distinct shape The problem is that where genes are tidy bits of DNA, the environment is huge, amorphous and hard to quantify.New York Times (Jun 9, 2010) ample more than enough in size or scope or capacity Both are highly respected and well known, with ampleexperience in development and economic policy making.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) anachronism locating something at a time when it couldn't have existed Today, the British monarchy seems like even more of ananachronism, notes my friend Merida, a London bureau friend now living in New York. analogous similar or equivalent in some respects The two conditions, although apparently analogous, are, in reality, very different.Various anecdote short account of an incident With his fourth book, “Business at 16,” Mr. Bagchi hopes to get teenagers interested in business, partly by using fictional anecdotes, including boy-meets-girl stories.New York Times (Nov 29, 2011) animosity a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility In this brutal contest, two opposing teams face off against each other with competing agendas, borrowed tuxedos and tight smiles concealing deep animosities.New York Times (Jan 14, 2011) annihilate kill in large numbers Men deployed may fall back and escape; a mass of columns under direct artillery fire must surrender or beannihilated.Morse, John anomaly deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule In this view, crises can be understood only asanomalies, the consequences of unusual outside shocks. anonymous having no known name or identity or known source Throughout the process, the targeted consumers are tagged with an alphanumeric code, removing their names and making the data anonymous.New York Times (Feb 21, 2012) antagonism an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility It bred a sense of resentment and secret antagonismwhich he took less pains to hide, from that night.Prichard, Katharine Susannah antecedent someone from whom you are descended Paul Bunyan is known by his mighty works; hisantecedents and personal history are lost in doubt.Laughead, W. B. anthropomorphic suggesting human features for animals or inanimate things The same anthropomorphic fallacy that accords human attributes to giant corporations like BP distorts clear thinking about how to limit their political influence. anticipate be excited or anxious about I will continue to sit here as usual, waiting, grinning, tapping and anticipating my future.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) antipathy a feeling of intense dislike At any rate, they had, as a matter of fact, produced widespread discontent and bitter antipathies between classes.Stephen, Leslie antithetical sharply contrasted in character or purpose Memorisation has a bad reputation in education today, dismissed as antithetical to creativity. apathy an absence of emotion or enthusiasm When not thus engaged, his days were passed in listlessapathy.Anonymous aptitude inherent ability If there is such a thing as inherited aptitude for art it certainly showed itself in the family of Bach.Forkel, Johann Nikolaus arbitrary based on or subject to individual discretion or preference The pieces don’t build or develop, sections are carelessly joined, endings seem arbitrary.New York Times (Jun 4, 2011) arcane requiring secret or mysterious knowledge Not just the knowledge of world geography but the very conceptualisation of space in this late medieval map looks to us remote and arcane. archaic so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period There are other advantages as well to reading the classics electronically—you can tap archaic words on the screen for an instant definition. archetype something that serves as a model In many ways, Mr. Romney and Mr. Huntsman embody the Mormon archetype: clean-cut, Republican American family men.New York Times (Nov 18, 2011) ardent characterized by intense emotion Age, study, experience, retirement, reflection, had in no wise dimmed the fire of his ardent nationalism.McCarthy, Justin arduous characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion He seemed about thirty-five years of age, though the trace of arduous mental and physical exertion gave him a rather worn and older appearance.Lindley, Augustus F. aristocratic belonging to or characteristic of the nobility Several aristocratic families were stripped of their status after World War II, limiting the number of royal matches. artifice the use of deception or trickery But small men use lying artifices and disguises to protect themselves.

100 SAT Words Beginning with "A" Vocabulary.com What better way to prepare for the sentence completion and passage-based questions on the SAT than to commit yourself to completing our alphabetically organized SAT lists?  Find lists of SAT words organized by every letter of the alphabet here: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K & L, M, N, O,P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W, X, Y & Z. Boost your SAT score with unlimitedadaptive test prepStart now  Share this list... Copy this list to... Learn & ExploreAssign Start learning with an activity... Practice Answer a few questions on each word. Get one wrong? We'll ask some follow-up questions. Use it to prep for your next quiz! Start Spelling Bee Test your spelling acumen. See the definition, listen to the word, then try to spell it correctly. Start Vocabulary Jam Compete head-to-head in real-time to see which team can answer the most questions correctly. StartJoin Explore the Words show: definitions & notes only words   in list order  from A to Z  from Z to A  from easy to hard  from hard to easy  abase cause to feel shame She is not abased or dejected, but exalted, rather.Sinclair, May aberration a state or condition markedly different from the norm While Tampa Bay has taken a huge nosedive a year after going 10-6, maybe that 2010 success was anaberration.Seattle Times (Dec 26, 2011) abhor feel hatred or disgust toward There are sane readers who abhor gratuitous violence but love Reacher’s menacing wisecracks.New York Times (Sep 20, 2011) abject most unfortunate or miserable Mr. Jobling stood wringing his hands helplessly, his flaccid features expressive of abject despair.Douglas, Hudson abrasive sharply disagreeable, unpleasant, or harsh “He has always been focused, driven, demanding and, as a result, very difficult and abrasive,” Mr. Norman said.New York Times (Oct 7, 2011) abstain refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something Griffin felt that he had better abstain from questioning, and let his host run on.Marsh, Richard abstract existing only in the mind Presenting an abstract concept, waving our arms trying to describe it, we will lose our audience right away. abundant present in great quantity Fringing and barrier reefs are abundant throughout the archipelago, surrounding nearly every island.Gabel, Norman E. accentuate stress or single out as important It was a carefully studied costume; and he accentuatedits eccentricity by adopting theatrical attitudes and an air of satisfied negligence.Leblanc, Maurice acclimate get used to a certain environment The Jets will leave Friday for Denver, the better toacclimate to the altitude and change in time zone.New York Times (Oct 14, 2010) accomplice a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan Tiller, the thief, and a supposed accomplice, are under arrest.Various accord concurrence of opinion Friday's accord removes one of two main sticking points that have been holding up a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.Wall Street Journal (Mar 9, 2012) acerbic harsh or corrosive in tone They were complaining, sometimes yelling, and maybe a bit acerbic.New York Times (Mar 29, 2012) acme the highest level or degree attainable Paris wholly has got to the acme of its frenzy; whirled, all ways, by panic madness.Various acquiesce agree or express agreement I favored building a fire and staying there till morning, but Frank preferred pushing on to camp, so Iacquiesced.Shields, George O. acquit pronounce not guilty of criminal charges He said that in the absence of other evidence, “the accused is acquitted and discharged.”New York Times (Jan 9, 2012) acrimonious marked by strong resentment or cynicism At times, the two groups squabble like schoolchildren, and the exchange gets acrimonious.BBC (Feb 9, 2010) acute extremely sharp or intense Labor shortages are already so acute in many Chinese industrial zones that factories struggle to find enough people to operate their assembly lines.New York Times (Mar 31, 2012) adamant insistent; unwilling to change one's mind or opinion But high profile or no, Mr. Kors is adamant about keeping his personal life under wraps — even as his wedding day approaches.New York Times (Aug 5, 2011) adept having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude He proved an adept playmaker, however, making several nice passes and finishing with 7 assists.New York Times (Jan 7, 2012) adhere stick to firmly Adhering to strict safety standards has kept me alive in some very dangerous situations. admonish scold or reprimand; take to task "Children, children, stop quarrelling, right here in public!"admonished Mrs. Dering, in a low, shocked tone.Perry, Nora adorn make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color Old master reproductions adorn chianti-colored walls; tapestries hang in the restrooms.Seattle Times (Feb 9, 2012) adroit quick or skillful or adept in action or thought Neither is he adroit in the exercise of his duty; instead performs it bunglingly; his thoughts preoccupied, and eyes wandering about.Reid, Mayne adulation exaggerated flattery or praise Taylor, a demagogue of the Democratic party, was hypocritically appealing to his "horny handed neighbors" in language of feigned adulation.Levy, T. Aaron adversity a state of misfortune or affliction Forty years in the wilderness, meeting adversitiestogether, fighting enemies, marching as one host, made them a nation.Hurlbut, Jesse Lyman advocacy active support of an idea or cause That sentiment faded after the 1930s, he said, as consumer advocacy focused more on protecting shoppers.New York Times (Nov 11, 2011) aesthetic characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste In old-fashioned, aesthetic terms, his glossy, color pictures of modern housing projects in Turkish cities under moody, gray skies are beautiful.New York Times (Oct 14, 2011) affable diffusing warmth and friendliness She is restless, irritable, out of sorts, censorious, complaining at home; animated, gracious, affable, complaisant abroad.Hyde, William De Witt affinity a close connection marked by community of interests Malaysia has a close affinity with many Middle Eastern nations through their shared religion. affliction a cause of great suffering and distress Firm and exceptional natures are thus moulded out of miseries, misfortunes and afflictions.Leonard, Arthur Glyn affluent having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value Affluent families can afford guns, which are more efficient for bagging some elusive animals than a poorer household’s typical snare trap.New York Times (Dec 27, 2011) aggrandize embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of Louis XIV. was growing increasingly ambitious of enlarging his domains and aggrandizing his power.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) agile moving quickly and lightly Are not many beasts physically stronger, more nimble and agile than man?Nordau, Max Simon agrarian relating to rural matters We’re not an agrarian society any longer, where more hands help farm the land.New York Times (Jun 20, 2011) alacrity liveliness and eagerness The men obeyed with alacrity, as all were glad to go, lying in camp so long.Terrill, J. Newton alienate arouse hostility or indifference in Keeping schools closed and blocking certain public services is not a strategy we support and could alienatepublic opinion and play into the governor’s hand.New York Times (Feb 18, 2011) allege report or maintain David is alleged to have written several Psalms, but of this there is little evidence beyond pious assertion.Bradlaugh, Charles allegiance the act of binding yourself to a course of action Notwithstanding this good fortune, Pontiac daily saw his followers dropping off from their allegiance; for even the boldest had lost heart.Parkman, Francis allegory a style in which characters and events are symbolic Achingly beautiful, quiet and graceful, his award-winning novel Waiting is a love story superimposed on a politicalallegory. alleviate provide physical relief, as from pain Lewis said he got a Synvisc shot – an injection commonly used to alleviate arthritic symptoms – in his left knee on Monday.Washington Post (Mar 7, 2012) allude make an indirect reference to In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Mr. Obama turned up the heat, alluding to the plan without fleshing out details.New York Times (Jan 27, 2012) aloof distant, cold, or detached in manner Too much focus on official duties can make an incumbent look isolated and aloof.New York Times (Mar 12, 2012) altruistic showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others The gesture was not necessarily altruistic; he was hoping for a donation in return.New York Times (Jan 24, 2011) ambiguous having more than one possible meaning "The election law in New York is written in an ill-defined,ambiguous way," Goldfeder said, adding that he did not believe any laws were broken. ambivalent uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow "If managers are ambivalent, or wavering, then investor uncertainty increases and the stocks become more volatile." ameliorate make better Possessed of broadly humanitarian sympathies, he became interested in ameliorating the conditions of imprisoned debtors.Bolton, Herbert Eugene amiable diffusing warmth and friendliness He was also remarkable for his amiable and cheerful manners.Anonymous amicable characterized by friendship and good will Thus, by kindness, the natives of this region were won to friendship, and amicable relations were established.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) amnesty a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense After three years in prison, he was released last October in an amnesty that freed about 200 political detainees.Seattle Times (Mar 5, 2012) amorphous having no definite form or distinct shape The problem is that where genes are tidy bits of DNA, the environment is huge, amorphous and hard to quantify.New York Times (Jun 9, 2010) ample more than enough in size or scope or capacity Both are highly respected and well known, with ampleexperience in development and economic policy making.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) anachronism locating something at a time when it couldn't have existed Today, the British monarchy seems like even more of ananachronism, notes my friend Merida, a London bureau friend now living in New York. analogous similar or equivalent in some respects The two conditions, although apparently analogous, are, in reality, very different.Various anecdote short account of an incident With his fourth book, “Business at 16,” Mr. Bagchi hopes to get teenagers interested in business, partly by using fictional anecdotes, including boy-meets-girl stories.New York Times (Nov 29, 2011) animosity a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility In this brutal contest, two opposing teams face off against each other with competing agendas, borrowed tuxedos and tight smiles concealing deep animosities.New York Times (Jan 14, 2011) annihilate kill in large numbers Men deployed may fall back and escape; a mass of columns under direct artillery fire must surrender or beannihilated.Morse, John anomaly deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule In this view, crises can be understood only asanomalies, the consequences of unusual outside shocks. anonymous having no known name or identity or known source Throughout the process, the targeted consumers are tagged with an alphanumeric code, removing their names and making the data anonymous.New York Times (Feb 21, 2012) antagonism an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility It bred a sense of resentment and secret antagonismwhich he took less pains to hide, from that night.Prichard, Katharine Susannah antecedent someone from whom you are descended Paul Bunyan is known by his mighty works; hisantecedents and personal history are lost in doubt.Laughead, W. B. anthropomorphic suggesting human features for animals or inanimate things The same anthropomorphic fallacy that accords human attributes to giant corporations like BP distorts clear thinking about how to limit their political influence. anticipate be excited or anxious about I will continue to sit here as usual, waiting, grinning, tapping and anticipating my future.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) antipathy a feeling of intense dislike At any rate, they had, as a matter of fact, produced widespread discontent and bitter antipathies between classes.Stephen, Leslie antithetical sharply contrasted in character or purpose Memorisation has a bad reputation in education today, dismissed as antithetical to creativity. apathy an absence of emotion or enthusiasm When not thus engaged, his days were passed in listlessapathy.Anonymous aptitude inherent ability If there is such a thing as inherited aptitude for art it certainly showed itself in the family of Bach.Forkel, Johann Nikolaus arbitrary based on or subject to individual discretion or preference The pieces don’t build or develop, sections are carelessly joined, endings seem arbitrary.New York Times (Jun 4, 2011) arcane requiring secret or mysterious knowledge Not just the knowledge of world geography but the very conceptualisation of space in this late medieval map looks to us remote and arcane. archaic so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period There are other advantages as well to reading the classics electronically—you can tap archaic words on the screen for an instant definition. archetype something that serves as a model In many ways, Mr. Romney and Mr. Huntsman embody the Mormon archetype: clean-cut, Republican American family men.New York Times (Nov 18, 2011) ardent characterized by intense emotion Age, study, experience, retirement, reflection, had in no wise dimmed the fire of his ardent nationalism.McCarthy, Justin arduous characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion He seemed about thirty-five years of age, though the trace of arduous mental and physical exertion gave him a rather worn and older appearance.Lindley, Augustus F. aristocratic belonging to or characteristic of the nobility Several aristocratic families were stripped of their status after World War II, limiting the number of royal matches. artifice the use of deception or trickery But small men use lying artifices and disguises to protect themselves.

100 SAT Words Beginning with "A" Vocabulary.com What better way to prepare for the sentence completion and passage-based questions on the SAT than to commit yourself to completing our alphabetically organized SAT lists?  Find lists of SAT words organized by every letter of the alphabet here: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K & L, M, N, O,P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W, X, Y & Z. Boost your SAT score with unlimitedadaptive test prepStart now  Share this list... Copy this list to... Learn & ExploreAssign Start learning with an activity... Practice Answer a few questions on each word. Get one wrong? We'll ask some follow-up questions. Use it to prep for your next quiz! Start Spelling Bee Test your spelling acumen. See the definition, listen to the word, then try to spell it correctly. Start Vocabulary Jam Compete head-to-head in real-time to see which team can answer the most questions correctly. StartJoin Explore the Words show: definitions & notes only words   in list order  from A to Z  from Z to A  from easy to hard  from hard to easy  abase cause to feel shame She is not abased or dejected, but exalted, rather.Sinclair, May aberration a state or condition markedly different from the norm While Tampa Bay has taken a huge nosedive a year after going 10-6, maybe that 2010 success was anaberration.Seattle Times (Dec 26, 2011) abhor feel hatred or disgust toward There are sane readers who abhor gratuitous violence but love Reacher’s menacing wisecracks.New York Times (Sep 20, 2011) abject most unfortunate or miserable Mr. Jobling stood wringing his hands helplessly, his flaccid features expressive of abject despair.Douglas, Hudson abrasive sharply disagreeable, unpleasant, or harsh “He has always been focused, driven, demanding and, as a result, very difficult and abrasive,” Mr. Norman said.New York Times (Oct 7, 2011) abstain refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something Griffin felt that he had better abstain from questioning, and let his host run on.Marsh, Richard abstract existing only in the mind Presenting an abstract concept, waving our arms trying to describe it, we will lose our audience right away. abundant present in great quantity Fringing and barrier reefs are abundant throughout the archipelago, surrounding nearly every island.Gabel, Norman E. accentuate stress or single out as important It was a carefully studied costume; and he accentuatedits eccentricity by adopting theatrical attitudes and an air of satisfied negligence.Leblanc, Maurice acclimate get used to a certain environment The Jets will leave Friday for Denver, the better toacclimate to the altitude and change in time zone.New York Times (Oct 14, 2010) accomplice a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan Tiller, the thief, and a supposed accomplice, are under arrest.Various accord concurrence of opinion Friday's accord removes one of two main sticking points that have been holding up a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.Wall Street Journal (Mar 9, 2012) acerbic harsh or corrosive in tone They were complaining, sometimes yelling, and maybe a bit acerbic.New York Times (Mar 29, 2012) acme the highest level or degree attainable Paris wholly has got to the acme of its frenzy; whirled, all ways, by panic madness.Various acquiesce agree or express agreement I favored building a fire and staying there till morning, but Frank preferred pushing on to camp, so Iacquiesced.Shields, George O. acquit pronounce not guilty of criminal charges He said that in the absence of other evidence, “the accused is acquitted and discharged.”New York Times (Jan 9, 2012) acrimonious marked by strong resentment or cynicism At times, the two groups squabble like schoolchildren, and the exchange gets acrimonious.BBC (Feb 9, 2010) acute extremely sharp or intense Labor shortages are already so acute in many Chinese industrial zones that factories struggle to find enough people to operate their assembly lines.New York Times (Mar 31, 2012) adamant insistent; unwilling to change one's mind or opinion But high profile or no, Mr. Kors is adamant about keeping his personal life under wraps — even as his wedding day approaches.New York Times (Aug 5, 2011) adept having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude He proved an adept playmaker, however, making several nice passes and finishing with 7 assists.New York Times (Jan 7, 2012) adhere stick to firmly Adhering to strict safety standards has kept me alive in some very dangerous situations. admonish scold or reprimand; take to task "Children, children, stop quarrelling, right here in public!"admonished Mrs. Dering, in a low, shocked tone.Perry, Nora adorn make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color Old master reproductions adorn chianti-colored walls; tapestries hang in the restrooms.Seattle Times (Feb 9, 2012) adroit quick or skillful or adept in action or thought Neither is he adroit in the exercise of his duty; instead performs it bunglingly; his thoughts preoccupied, and eyes wandering about.Reid, Mayne adulation exaggerated flattery or praise Taylor, a demagogue of the Democratic party, was hypocritically appealing to his "horny handed neighbors" in language of feigned adulation.Levy, T. Aaron adversity a state of misfortune or affliction Forty years in the wilderness, meeting adversitiestogether, fighting enemies, marching as one host, made them a nation.Hurlbut, Jesse Lyman advocacy active support of an idea or cause That sentiment faded after the 1930s, he said, as consumer advocacy focused more on protecting shoppers.New York Times (Nov 11, 2011) aesthetic characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste In old-fashioned, aesthetic terms, his glossy, color pictures of modern housing projects in Turkish cities under moody, gray skies are beautiful.New York Times (Oct 14, 2011) affable diffusing warmth and friendliness She is restless, irritable, out of sorts, censorious, complaining at home; animated, gracious, affable, complaisant abroad.Hyde, William De Witt affinity a close connection marked by community of interests Malaysia has a close affinity with many Middle Eastern nations through their shared religion. affliction a cause of great suffering and distress Firm and exceptional natures are thus moulded out of miseries, misfortunes and afflictions.Leonard, Arthur Glyn affluent having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value Affluent families can afford guns, which are more efficient for bagging some elusive animals than a poorer household’s typical snare trap.New York Times (Dec 27, 2011) aggrandize embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of Louis XIV. was growing increasingly ambitious of enlarging his domains and aggrandizing his power.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) agile moving quickly and lightly Are not many beasts physically stronger, more nimble and agile than man?Nordau, Max Simon agrarian relating to rural matters We’re not an agrarian society any longer, where more hands help farm the land.New York Times (Jun 20, 2011) alacrity liveliness and eagerness The men obeyed with alacrity, as all were glad to go, lying in camp so long.Terrill, J. Newton alienate arouse hostility or indifference in Keeping schools closed and blocking certain public services is not a strategy we support and could alienatepublic opinion and play into the governor’s hand.New York Times (Feb 18, 2011) allege report or maintain David is alleged to have written several Psalms, but of this there is little evidence beyond pious assertion.Bradlaugh, Charles allegiance the act of binding yourself to a course of action Notwithstanding this good fortune, Pontiac daily saw his followers dropping off from their allegiance; for even the boldest had lost heart.Parkman, Francis allegory a style in which characters and events are symbolic Achingly beautiful, quiet and graceful, his award-winning novel Waiting is a love story superimposed on a politicalallegory. alleviate provide physical relief, as from pain Lewis said he got a Synvisc shot – an injection commonly used to alleviate arthritic symptoms – in his left knee on Monday.Washington Post (Mar 7, 2012) allude make an indirect reference to In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Mr. Obama turned up the heat, alluding to the plan without fleshing out details.New York Times (Jan 27, 2012) aloof distant, cold, or detached in manner Too much focus on official duties can make an incumbent look isolated and aloof.New York Times (Mar 12, 2012) altruistic showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others The gesture was not necessarily altruistic; he was hoping for a donation in return.New York Times (Jan 24, 2011) ambiguous having more than one possible meaning "The election law in New York is written in an ill-defined,ambiguous way," Goldfeder said, adding that he did not believe any laws were broken. ambivalent uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow "If managers are ambivalent, or wavering, then investor uncertainty increases and the stocks become more volatile." ameliorate make better Possessed of broadly humanitarian sympathies, he became interested in ameliorating the conditions of imprisoned debtors.Bolton, Herbert Eugene amiable diffusing warmth and friendliness He was also remarkable for his amiable and cheerful manners.Anonymous amicable characterized by friendship and good will Thus, by kindness, the natives of this region were won to friendship, and amicable relations were established.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) amnesty a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense After three years in prison, he was released last October in an amnesty that freed about 200 political detainees.Seattle Times (Mar 5, 2012) amorphous having no definite form or distinct shape The problem is that where genes are tidy bits of DNA, the environment is huge, amorphous and hard to quantify.New York Times (Jun 9, 2010) ample more than enough in size or scope or capacity Both are highly respected and well known, with ampleexperience in development and economic policy making.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) anachronism locating something at a time when it couldn't have existed Today, the British monarchy seems like even more of ananachronism, notes my friend Merida, a London bureau friend now living in New York. analogous similar or equivalent in some respects The two conditions, although apparently analogous, are, in reality, very different.Various anecdote short account of an incident With his fourth book, “Business at 16,” Mr. Bagchi hopes to get teenagers interested in business, partly by using fictional anecdotes, including boy-meets-girl stories.New York Times (Nov 29, 2011) animosity a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility In this brutal contest, two opposing teams face off against each other with competing agendas, borrowed tuxedos and tight smiles concealing deep animosities.New York Times (Jan 14, 2011) annihilate kill in large numbers Men deployed may fall back and escape; a mass of columns under direct artillery fire must surrender or beannihilated.Morse, John anomaly deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule In this view, crises can be understood only asanomalies, the consequences of unusual outside shocks. anonymous having no known name or identity or known source Throughout the process, the targeted consumers are tagged with an alphanumeric code, removing their names and making the data anonymous.New York Times (Feb 21, 2012) antagonism an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility It bred a sense of resentment and secret antagonismwhich he took less pains to hide, from that night.Prichard, Katharine Susannah antecedent someone from whom you are descended Paul Bunyan is known by his mighty works; hisantecedents and personal history are lost in doubt.Laughead, W. B. anthropomorphic suggesting human features for animals or inanimate things The same anthropomorphic fallacy that accords human attributes to giant corporations like BP distorts clear thinking about how to limit their political influence. anticipate be excited or anxious about I will continue to sit here as usual, waiting, grinning, tapping and anticipating my future.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) antipathy a feeling of intense dislike At any rate, they had, as a matter of fact, produced widespread discontent and bitter antipathies between classes.Stephen, Leslie antithetical sharply contrasted in character or purpose Memorisation has a bad reputation in education today, dismissed as antithetical to creativity. apathy an absence of emotion or enthusiasm When not thus engaged, his days were passed in listlessapathy.Anonymous aptitude inherent ability If there is such a thing as inherited aptitude for art it certainly showed itself in the family of Bach.Forkel, Johann Nikolaus arbitrary based on or subject to individual discretion or preference The pieces don’t build or develop, sections are carelessly joined, endings seem arbitrary.New York Times (Jun 4, 2011) arcane requiring secret or mysterious knowledge Not just the knowledge of world geography but the very conceptualisation of space in this late medieval map looks to us remote and arcane. archaic so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period There are other advantages as well to reading the classics electronically—you can tap archaic words on the screen for an instant definition. archetype something that serves as a model In many ways, Mr. Romney and Mr. Huntsman embody the Mormon archetype: clean-cut, Republican American family men.New York Times (Nov 18, 2011) ardent characterized by intense emotion Age, study, experience, retirement, reflection, had in no wise dimmed the fire of his ardent nationalism.McCarthy, Justin arduous characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion He seemed about thirty-five years of age, though the trace of arduous mental and physical exertion gave him a rather worn and older appearance.Lindley, Augustus F. aristocratic belonging to or characteristic of the nobility Several aristocratic families were stripped of their status after World War II, limiting the number of royal matches. artifice the use of deception or trickery But small men use lying artifices and disguises to protect themselves.

100 SAT Words Beginning with "A" Vocabulary.com What better way to prepare for the sentence completion and passage-based questions on the SAT than to commit yourself to completing our alphabetically organized SAT lists?  Find lists of SAT words organized by every letter of the alphabet here: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K & L, M, N, O,P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W, X, Y & Z. Boost your SAT score with unlimitedadaptive test prepStart now  Share this list... Copy this list to... Learn & ExploreAssign Start learning with an activity... Practice Answer a few questions on each word. Get one wrong? We'll ask some follow-up questions. Use it to prep for your next quiz! Start Spelling Bee Test your spelling acumen. See the definition, listen to the word, then try to spell it correctly. Start Vocabulary Jam Compete head-to-head in real-time to see which team can answer the most questions correctly. StartJoin Explore the Words show: definitions & notes only words   in list order  from A to Z  from Z to A  from easy to hard  from hard to easy  abase cause to feel shame She is not abased or dejected, but exalted, rather.Sinclair, May aberration a state or condition markedly different from the norm While Tampa Bay has taken a huge nosedive a year after going 10-6, maybe that 2010 success was anaberration.Seattle Times (Dec 26, 2011) abhor feel hatred or disgust toward There are sane readers who abhor gratuitous violence but love Reacher’s menacing wisecracks.New York Times (Sep 20, 2011) abject most unfortunate or miserable Mr. Jobling stood wringing his hands helplessly, his flaccid features expressive of abject despair.Douglas, Hudson abrasive sharply disagreeable, unpleasant, or harsh “He has always been focused, driven, demanding and, as a result, very difficult and abrasive,” Mr. Norman said.New York Times (Oct 7, 2011) abstain refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something Griffin felt that he had better abstain from questioning, and let his host run on.Marsh, Richard abstract existing only in the mind Presenting an abstract concept, waving our arms trying to describe it, we will lose our audience right away. abundant present in great quantity Fringing and barrier reefs are abundant throughout the archipelago, surrounding nearly every island.Gabel, Norman E. accentuate stress or single out as important It was a carefully studied costume; and he accentuatedits eccentricity by adopting theatrical attitudes and an air of satisfied negligence.Leblanc, Maurice acclimate get used to a certain environment The Jets will leave Friday for Denver, the better toacclimate to the altitude and change in time zone.New York Times (Oct 14, 2010) accomplice a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan Tiller, the thief, and a supposed accomplice, are under arrest.Various accord concurrence of opinion Friday's accord removes one of two main sticking points that have been holding up a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.Wall Street Journal (Mar 9, 2012) acerbic harsh or corrosive in tone They were complaining, sometimes yelling, and maybe a bit acerbic.New York Times (Mar 29, 2012) acme the highest level or degree attainable Paris wholly has got to the acme of its frenzy; whirled, all ways, by panic madness.Various acquiesce agree or express agreement I favored building a fire and staying there till morning, but Frank preferred pushing on to camp, so Iacquiesced.Shields, George O. acquit pronounce not guilty of criminal charges He said that in the absence of other evidence, “the accused is acquitted and discharged.”New York Times (Jan 9, 2012) acrimonious marked by strong resentment or cynicism At times, the two groups squabble like schoolchildren, and the exchange gets acrimonious.BBC (Feb 9, 2010) acute extremely sharp or intense Labor shortages are already so acute in many Chinese industrial zones that factories struggle to find enough people to operate their assembly lines.New York Times (Mar 31, 2012) adamant insistent; unwilling to change one's mind or opinion But high profile or no, Mr. Kors is adamant about keeping his personal life under wraps — even as his wedding day approaches.New York Times (Aug 5, 2011) adept having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude He proved an adept playmaker, however, making several nice passes and finishing with 7 assists.New York Times (Jan 7, 2012) adhere stick to firmly Adhering to strict safety standards has kept me alive in some very dangerous situations. admonish scold or reprimand; take to task "Children, children, stop quarrelling, right here in public!"admonished Mrs. Dering, in a low, shocked tone.Perry, Nora adorn make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color Old master reproductions adorn chianti-colored walls; tapestries hang in the restrooms.Seattle Times (Feb 9, 2012) adroit quick or skillful or adept in action or thought Neither is he adroit in the exercise of his duty; instead performs it bunglingly; his thoughts preoccupied, and eyes wandering about.Reid, Mayne adulation exaggerated flattery or praise Taylor, a demagogue of the Democratic party, was hypocritically appealing to his "horny handed neighbors" in language of feigned adulation.Levy, T. Aaron adversity a state of misfortune or affliction Forty years in the wilderness, meeting adversitiestogether, fighting enemies, marching as one host, made them a nation.Hurlbut, Jesse Lyman advocacy active support of an idea or cause That sentiment faded after the 1930s, he said, as consumer advocacy focused more on protecting shoppers.New York Times (Nov 11, 2011) aesthetic characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste In old-fashioned, aesthetic terms, his glossy, color pictures of modern housing projects in Turkish cities under moody, gray skies are beautiful.New York Times (Oct 14, 2011) affable diffusing warmth and friendliness She is restless, irritable, out of sorts, censorious, complaining at home; animated, gracious, affable, complaisant abroad.Hyde, William De Witt affinity a close connection marked by community of interests Malaysia has a close affinity with many Middle Eastern nations through their shared religion. affliction a cause of great suffering and distress Firm and exceptional natures are thus moulded out of miseries, misfortunes and afflictions.Leonard, Arthur Glyn affluent having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value Affluent families can afford guns, which are more efficient for bagging some elusive animals than a poorer household’s typical snare trap.New York Times (Dec 27, 2011) aggrandize embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of Louis XIV. was growing increasingly ambitious of enlarging his domains and aggrandizing his power.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) agile moving quickly and lightly Are not many beasts physically stronger, more nimble and agile than man?Nordau, Max Simon agrarian relating to rural matters We’re not an agrarian society any longer, where more hands help farm the land.New York Times (Jun 20, 2011) alacrity liveliness and eagerness The men obeyed with alacrity, as all were glad to go, lying in camp so long.Terrill, J. Newton alienate arouse hostility or indifference in Keeping schools closed and blocking certain public services is not a strategy we support and could alienatepublic opinion and play into the governor’s hand.New York Times (Feb 18, 2011) allege report or maintain David is alleged to have written several Psalms, but of this there is little evidence beyond pious assertion.Bradlaugh, Charles allegiance the act of binding yourself to a course of action Notwithstanding this good fortune, Pontiac daily saw his followers dropping off from their allegiance; for even the boldest had lost heart.Parkman, Francis allegory a style in which characters and events are symbolic Achingly beautiful, quiet and graceful, his award-winning novel Waiting is a love story superimposed on a politicalallegory. alleviate provide physical relief, as from pain Lewis said he got a Synvisc shot – an injection commonly used to alleviate arthritic symptoms – in his left knee on Monday.Washington Post (Mar 7, 2012) allude make an indirect reference to In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Mr. Obama turned up the heat, alluding to the plan without fleshing out details.New York Times (Jan 27, 2012) aloof distant, cold, or detached in manner Too much focus on official duties can make an incumbent look isolated and aloof.New York Times (Mar 12, 2012) altruistic showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others The gesture was not necessarily altruistic; he was hoping for a donation in return.New York Times (Jan 24, 2011) ambiguous having more than one possible meaning "The election law in New York is written in an ill-defined,ambiguous way," Goldfeder said, adding that he did not believe any laws were broken. ambivalent uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow "If managers are ambivalent, or wavering, then investor uncertainty increases and the stocks become more volatile." ameliorate make better Possessed of broadly humanitarian sympathies, he became interested in ameliorating the conditions of imprisoned debtors.Bolton, Herbert Eugene amiable diffusing warmth and friendliness He was also remarkable for his amiable and cheerful manners.Anonymous amicable characterized by friendship and good will Thus, by kindness, the natives of this region were won to friendship, and amicable relations were established.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) amnesty a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense After three years in prison, he was released last October in an amnesty that freed about 200 political detainees.Seattle Times (Mar 5, 2012) amorphous having no definite form or distinct shape The problem is that where genes are tidy bits of DNA, the environment is huge, amorphous and hard to quantify.New York Times (Jun 9, 2010) ample more than enough in size or scope or capacity Both are highly respected and well known, with ampleexperience in development and economic policy making.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) anachronism locating something at a time when it couldn't have existed Today, the British monarchy seems like even more of ananachronism, notes my friend Merida, a London bureau friend now living in New York. analogous similar or equivalent in some respects The two conditions, although apparently analogous, are, in reality, very different.Various anecdote short account of an incident With his fourth book, “Business at 16,” Mr. Bagchi hopes to get teenagers interested in business, partly by using fictional anecdotes, including boy-meets-girl stories.New York Times (Nov 29, 2011) animosity a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility In this brutal contest, two opposing teams face off against each other with competing agendas, borrowed tuxedos and tight smiles concealing deep animosities.New York Times (Jan 14, 2011) annihilate kill in large numbers Men deployed may fall back and escape; a mass of columns under direct artillery fire must surrender or beannihilated.Morse, John anomaly deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule In this view, crises can be understood only asanomalies, the consequences of unusual outside shocks. anonymous having no known name or identity or known source Throughout the process, the targeted consumers are tagged with an alphanumeric code, removing their names and making the data anonymous.New York Times (Feb 21, 2012) antagonism an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility It bred a sense of resentment and secret antagonismwhich he took less pains to hide, from that night.Prichard, Katharine Susannah antecedent someone from whom you are descended Paul Bunyan is known by his mighty works; hisantecedents and personal history are lost in doubt.Laughead, W. B. anthropomorphic suggesting human features for animals or inanimate things The same anthropomorphic fallacy that accords human attributes to giant corporations like BP distorts clear thinking about how to limit their political influence. anticipate be excited or anxious about I will continue to sit here as usual, waiting, grinning, tapping and anticipating my future.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) antipathy a feeling of intense dislike At any rate, they had, as a matter of fact, produced widespread discontent and bitter antipathies between classes.Stephen, Leslie antithetical sharply contrasted in character or purpose Memorisation has a bad reputation in education today, dismissed as antithetical to creativity. apathy an absence of emotion or enthusiasm When not thus engaged, his days were passed in listlessapathy.Anonymous aptitude inherent ability If there is such a thing as inherited aptitude for art it certainly showed itself in the family of Bach.Forkel, Johann Nikolaus arbitrary based on or subject to individual discretion or preference The pieces don’t build or develop, sections are carelessly joined, endings seem arbitrary.New York Times (Jun 4, 2011) arcane requiring secret or mysterious knowledge Not just the knowledge of world geography but the very conceptualisation of space in this late medieval map looks to us remote and arcane. archaic so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period There are other advantages as well to reading the classics electronically—you can tap archaic words on the screen for an instant definition. archetype something that serves as a model In many ways, Mr. Romney and Mr. Huntsman embody the Mormon archetype: clean-cut, Republican American family men.New York Times (Nov 18, 2011) ardent characterized by intense emotion Age, study, experience, retirement, reflection, had in no wise dimmed the fire of his ardent nationalism.McCarthy, Justin arduous characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion He seemed about thirty-five years of age, though the trace of arduous mental and physical exertion gave him a rather worn and older appearance.Lindley, Augustus F. aristocratic belonging to or characteristic of the nobility Several aristocratic families were stripped of their status after World War II, limiting the number of royal matches. artifice the use of deception or trickery But small men use lying artifices and disguises to protect themselves.

100 SAT Words Beginning with "A" Vocabulary.com What better way to prepare for the sentence completion and passage-based questions on the SAT than to commit yourself to completing our alphabetically organized SAT lists?  Find lists of SAT words organized by every letter of the alphabet here: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K & L, M, N, O,P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W, X, Y & Z. Boost your SAT score with unlimitedadaptive test prepStart now  Share this list... Copy this list to... Learn & ExploreAssign Start learning with an activity... Practice Answer a few questions on each word. Get one wrong? We'll ask some follow-up questions. Use it to prep for your next quiz! Start Spelling Bee Test your spelling acumen. See the definition, listen to the word, then try to spell it correctly. Start Vocabulary Jam Compete head-to-head in real-time to see which team can answer the most questions correctly. StartJoin Explore the Words show: definitions & notes only words   in list order  from A to Z  from Z to A  from easy to hard  from hard to easy  abase cause to feel shame She is not abased or dejected, but exalted, rather.Sinclair, May aberration a state or condition markedly different from the norm While Tampa Bay has taken a huge nosedive a year after going 10-6, maybe that 2010 success was anaberration.Seattle Times (Dec 26, 2011) abhor feel hatred or disgust toward There are sane readers who abhor gratuitous violence but love Reacher’s menacing wisecracks.New York Times (Sep 20, 2011) abject most unfortunate or miserable Mr. Jobling stood wringing his hands helplessly, his flaccid features expressive of abject despair.Douglas, Hudson abrasive sharply disagreeable, unpleasant, or harsh “He has always been focused, driven, demanding and, as a result, very difficult and abrasive,” Mr. Norman said.New York Times (Oct 7, 2011) abstain refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something Griffin felt that he had better abstain from questioning, and let his host run on.Marsh, Richard abstract existing only in the mind Presenting an abstract concept, waving our arms trying to describe it, we will lose our audience right away. abundant present in great quantity Fringing and barrier reefs are abundant throughout the archipelago, surrounding nearly every island.Gabel, Norman E. accentuate stress or single out as important It was a carefully studied costume; and he accentuatedits eccentricity by adopting theatrical attitudes and an air of satisfied negligence.Leblanc, Maurice acclimate get used to a certain environment The Jets will leave Friday for Denver, the better toacclimate to the altitude and change in time zone.New York Times (Oct 14, 2010) accomplice a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan Tiller, the thief, and a supposed accomplice, are under arrest.Various accord concurrence of opinion Friday's accord removes one of two main sticking points that have been holding up a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.Wall Street Journal (Mar 9, 2012) acerbic harsh or corrosive in tone They were complaining, sometimes yelling, and maybe a bit acerbic.New York Times (Mar 29, 2012) acme the highest level or degree attainable Paris wholly has got to the acme of its frenzy; whirled, all ways, by panic madness.Various acquiesce agree or express agreement I favored building a fire and staying there till morning, but Frank preferred pushing on to camp, so Iacquiesced.Shields, George O. acquit pronounce not guilty of criminal charges He said that in the absence of other evidence, “the accused is acquitted and discharged.”New York Times (Jan 9, 2012) acrimonious marked by strong resentment or cynicism At times, the two groups squabble like schoolchildren, and the exchange gets acrimonious.BBC (Feb 9, 2010) acute extremely sharp or intense Labor shortages are already so acute in many Chinese industrial zones that factories struggle to find enough people to operate their assembly lines.New York Times (Mar 31, 2012) adamant insistent; unwilling to change one's mind or opinion But high profile or no, Mr. Kors is adamant about keeping his personal life under wraps — even as his wedding day approaches.New York Times (Aug 5, 2011) adept having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude He proved an adept playmaker, however, making several nice passes and finishing with 7 assists.New York Times (Jan 7, 2012) adhere stick to firmly Adhering to strict safety standards has kept me alive in some very dangerous situations. admonish scold or reprimand; take to task "Children, children, stop quarrelling, right here in public!"admonished Mrs. Dering, in a low, shocked tone.Perry, Nora adorn make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color Old master reproductions adorn chianti-colored walls; tapestries hang in the restrooms.Seattle Times (Feb 9, 2012) adroit quick or skillful or adept in action or thought Neither is he adroit in the exercise of his duty; instead performs it bunglingly; his thoughts preoccupied, and eyes wandering about.Reid, Mayne adulation exaggerated flattery or praise Taylor, a demagogue of the Democratic party, was hypocritically appealing to his "horny handed neighbors" in language of feigned adulation.Levy, T. Aaron adversity a state of misfortune or affliction Forty years in the wilderness, meeting adversitiestogether, fighting enemies, marching as one host, made them a nation.Hurlbut, Jesse Lyman advocacy active support of an idea or cause That sentiment faded after the 1930s, he said, as consumer advocacy focused more on protecting shoppers.New York Times (Nov 11, 2011) aesthetic characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste In old-fashioned, aesthetic terms, his glossy, color pictures of modern housing projects in Turkish cities under moody, gray skies are beautiful.New York Times (Oct 14, 2011) affable diffusing warmth and friendliness She is restless, irritable, out of sorts, censorious, complaining at home; animated, gracious, affable, complaisant abroad.Hyde, William De Witt affinity a close connection marked by community of interests Malaysia has a close affinity with many Middle Eastern nations through their shared religion. affliction a cause of great suffering and distress Firm and exceptional natures are thus moulded out of miseries, misfortunes and afflictions.Leonard, Arthur Glyn affluent having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value Affluent families can afford guns, which are more efficient for bagging some elusive animals than a poorer household’s typical snare trap.New York Times (Dec 27, 2011) aggrandize embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of Louis XIV. was growing increasingly ambitious of enlarging his domains and aggrandizing his power.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) agile moving quickly and lightly Are not many beasts physically stronger, more nimble and agile than man?Nordau, Max Simon agrarian relating to rural matters We’re not an agrarian society any longer, where more hands help farm the land.New York Times (Jun 20, 2011) alacrity liveliness and eagerness The men obeyed with alacrity, as all were glad to go, lying in camp so long.Terrill, J. Newton alienate arouse hostility or indifference in Keeping schools closed and blocking certain public services is not a strategy we support and could alienatepublic opinion and play into the governor’s hand.New York Times (Feb 18, 2011) allege report or maintain David is alleged to have written several Psalms, but of this there is little evidence beyond pious assertion.Bradlaugh, Charles allegiance the act of binding yourself to a course of action Notwithstanding this good fortune, Pontiac daily saw his followers dropping off from their allegiance; for even the boldest had lost heart.Parkman, Francis allegory a style in which characters and events are symbolic Achingly beautiful, quiet and graceful, his award-winning novel Waiting is a love story superimposed on a politicalallegory. alleviate provide physical relief, as from pain Lewis said he got a Synvisc shot – an injection commonly used to alleviate arthritic symptoms – in his left knee on Monday.Washington Post (Mar 7, 2012) allude make an indirect reference to In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Mr. Obama turned up the heat, alluding to the plan without fleshing out details.New York Times (Jan 27, 2012) aloof distant, cold, or detached in manner Too much focus on official duties can make an incumbent look isolated and aloof.New York Times (Mar 12, 2012) altruistic showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others The gesture was not necessarily altruistic; he was hoping for a donation in return.New York Times (Jan 24, 2011) ambiguous having more than one possible meaning "The election law in New York is written in an ill-defined,ambiguous way," Goldfeder said, adding that he did not believe any laws were broken. ambivalent uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow "If managers are ambivalent, or wavering, then investor uncertainty increases and the stocks become more volatile." ameliorate make better Possessed of broadly humanitarian sympathies, he became interested in ameliorating the conditions of imprisoned debtors.Bolton, Herbert Eugene amiable diffusing warmth and friendliness He was also remarkable for his amiable and cheerful manners.Anonymous amicable characterized by friendship and good will Thus, by kindness, the natives of this region were won to friendship, and amicable relations were established.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) amnesty a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense After three years in prison, he was released last October in an amnesty that freed about 200 political detainees.Seattle Times (Mar 5, 2012) amorphous having no definite form or distinct shape The problem is that where genes are tidy bits of DNA, the environment is huge, amorphous and hard to quantify.New York Times (Jun 9, 2010) ample more than enough in size or scope or capacity Both are highly respected and well known, with ampleexperience in development and economic policy making.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) anachronism locating something at a time when it couldn't have existed Today, the British monarchy seems like even more of ananachronism, notes my friend Merida, a London bureau friend now living in New York. analogous similar or equivalent in some respects The two conditions, although apparently analogous, are, in reality, very different.Various anecdote short account of an incident With his fourth book, “Business at 16,” Mr. Bagchi hopes to get teenagers interested in business, partly by using fictional anecdotes, including boy-meets-girl stories.New York Times (Nov 29, 2011) animosity a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility In this brutal contest, two opposing teams face off against each other with competing agendas, borrowed tuxedos and tight smiles concealing deep animosities.New York Times (Jan 14, 2011) annihilate kill in large numbers Men deployed may fall back and escape; a mass of columns under direct artillery fire must surrender or beannihilated.Morse, John anomaly deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule In this view, crises can be understood only asanomalies, the consequences of unusual outside shocks. anonymous having no known name or identity or known source Throughout the process, the targeted consumers are tagged with an alphanumeric code, removing their names and making the data anonymous.New York Times (Feb 21, 2012) antagonism an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility It bred a sense of resentment and secret antagonismwhich he took less pains to hide, from that night.Prichard, Katharine Susannah antecedent someone from whom you are descended Paul Bunyan is known by his mighty works; hisantecedents and personal history are lost in doubt.Laughead, W. B. anthropomorphic suggesting human features for animals or inanimate things The same anthropomorphic fallacy that accords human attributes to giant corporations like BP distorts clear thinking about how to limit their political influence. anticipate be excited or anxious about I will continue to sit here as usual, waiting, grinning, tapping and anticipating my future.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) antipathy a feeling of intense dislike At any rate, they had, as a matter of fact, produced widespread discontent and bitter antipathies between classes.Stephen, Leslie antithetical sharply contrasted in character or purpose Memorisation has a bad reputation in education today, dismissed as antithetical to creativity. apathy an absence of emotion or enthusiasm When not thus engaged, his days were passed in listlessapathy.Anonymous aptitude inherent ability If there is such a thing as inherited aptitude for art it certainly showed itself in the family of Bach.Forkel, Johann Nikolaus arbitrary based on or subject to individual discretion or preference The pieces don’t build or develop, sections are carelessly joined, endings seem arbitrary.New York Times (Jun 4, 2011) arcane requiring secret or mysterious knowledge Not just the knowledge of world geography but the very conceptualisation of space in this late medieval map looks to us remote and arcane. archaic so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period There are other advantages as well to reading the classics electronically—you can tap archaic words on the screen for an instant definition. archetype something that serves as a model In many ways, Mr. Romney and Mr. Huntsman embody the Mormon archetype: clean-cut, Republican American family men.New York Times (Nov 18, 2011) ardent characterized by intense emotion Age, study, experience, retirement, reflection, had in no wise dimmed the fire of his ardent nationalism.McCarthy, Justin arduous characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion He seemed about thirty-five years of age, though the trace of arduous mental and physical exertion gave him a rather worn and older appearance.Lindley, Augustus F. aristocratic belonging to or characteristic of the nobility Several aristocratic families were stripped of their status after World War II, limiting the number of royal matches. artifice the use of deception or trickery But small men use lying artifices and disguises to protect themselves.

100 SAT Words Beginning with "A" Vocabulary.com What better way to prepare for the sentence completion and passage-based questions on the SAT than to commit yourself to completing our alphabetically organized SAT lists?  Find lists of SAT words organized by every letter of the alphabet here: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K & L, M, N, O,P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W, X, Y & Z. Boost your SAT score with unlimitedadaptive test prepStart now  Share this list... Copy this list to... Learn & ExploreAssign Start learning with an activity... Practice Answer a few questions on each word. Get one wrong? We'll ask some follow-up questions. Use it to prep for your next quiz! Start Spelling Bee Test your spelling acumen. See the definition, listen to the word, then try to spell it correctly. Start Vocabulary Jam Compete head-to-head in real-time to see which team can answer the most questions correctly. StartJoin Explore the Words show: definitions & notes only words   in list order  from A to Z  from Z to A  from easy to hard  from hard to easy  abase cause to feel shame She is not abased or dejected, but exalted, rather.Sinclair, May aberration a state or condition markedly different from the norm While Tampa Bay has taken a huge nosedive a year after going 10-6, maybe that 2010 success was anaberration.Seattle Times (Dec 26, 2011) abhor feel hatred or disgust toward There are sane readers who abhor gratuitous violence but love Reacher’s menacing wisecracks.New York Times (Sep 20, 2011) abject most unfortunate or miserable Mr. Jobling stood wringing his hands helplessly, his flaccid features expressive of abject despair.Douglas, Hudson abrasive sharply disagreeable, unpleasant, or harsh “He has always been focused, driven, demanding and, as a result, very difficult and abrasive,” Mr. Norman said.New York Times (Oct 7, 2011) abstain refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something Griffin felt that he had better abstain from questioning, and let his host run on.Marsh, Richard abstract existing only in the mind Presenting an abstract concept, waving our arms trying to describe it, we will lose our audience right away. abundant present in great quantity Fringing and barrier reefs are abundant throughout the archipelago, surrounding nearly every island.Gabel, Norman E. accentuate stress or single out as important It was a carefully studied costume; and he accentuatedits eccentricity by adopting theatrical attitudes and an air of satisfied negligence.Leblanc, Maurice acclimate get used to a certain environment The Jets will leave Friday for Denver, the better toacclimate to the altitude and change in time zone.New York Times (Oct 14, 2010) accomplice a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan Tiller, the thief, and a supposed accomplice, are under arrest.Various accord concurrence of opinion Friday's accord removes one of two main sticking points that have been holding up a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.Wall Street Journal (Mar 9, 2012) acerbic harsh or corrosive in tone They were complaining, sometimes yelling, and maybe a bit acerbic.New York Times (Mar 29, 2012) acme the highest level or degree attainable Paris wholly has got to the acme of its frenzy; whirled, all ways, by panic madness.Various acquiesce agree or express agreement I favored building a fire and staying there till morning, but Frank preferred pushing on to camp, so Iacquiesced.Shields, George O. acquit pronounce not guilty of criminal charges He said that in the absence of other evidence, “the accused is acquitted and discharged.”New York Times (Jan 9, 2012) acrimonious marked by strong resentment or cynicism At times, the two groups squabble like schoolchildren, and the exchange gets acrimonious.BBC (Feb 9, 2010) acute extremely sharp or intense Labor shortages are already so acute in many Chinese industrial zones that factories struggle to find enough people to operate their assembly lines.New York Times (Mar 31, 2012) adamant insistent; unwilling to change one's mind or opinion But high profile or no, Mr. Kors is adamant about keeping his personal life under wraps — even as his wedding day approaches.New York Times (Aug 5, 2011) adept having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude He proved an adept playmaker, however, making several nice passes and finishing with 7 assists.New York Times (Jan 7, 2012) adhere stick to firmly Adhering to strict safety standards has kept me alive in some very dangerous situations. admonish scold or reprimand; take to task "Children, children, stop quarrelling, right here in public!"admonished Mrs. Dering, in a low, shocked tone.Perry, Nora adorn make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color Old master reproductions adorn chianti-colored walls; tapestries hang in the restrooms.Seattle Times (Feb 9, 2012) adroit quick or skillful or adept in action or thought Neither is he adroit in the exercise of his duty; instead performs it bunglingly; his thoughts preoccupied, and eyes wandering about.Reid, Mayne adulation exaggerated flattery or praise Taylor, a demagogue of the Democratic party, was hypocritically appealing to his "horny handed neighbors" in language of feigned adulation.Levy, T. Aaron adversity a state of misfortune or affliction Forty years in the wilderness, meeting adversitiestogether, fighting enemies, marching as one host, made them a nation.Hurlbut, Jesse Lyman advocacy active support of an idea or cause That sentiment faded after the 1930s, he said, as consumer advocacy focused more on protecting shoppers.New York Times (Nov 11, 2011) aesthetic characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste In old-fashioned, aesthetic terms, his glossy, color pictures of modern housing projects in Turkish cities under moody, gray skies are beautiful.New York Times (Oct 14, 2011) affable diffusing warmth and friendliness She is restless, irritable, out of sorts, censorious, complaining at home; animated, gracious, affable, complaisant abroad.Hyde, William De Witt affinity a close connection marked by community of interests Malaysia has a close affinity with many Middle Eastern nations through their shared religion. affliction a cause of great suffering and distress Firm and exceptional natures are thus moulded out of miseries, misfortunes and afflictions.Leonard, Arthur Glyn affluent having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value Affluent families can afford guns, which are more efficient for bagging some elusive animals than a poorer household’s typical snare trap.New York Times (Dec 27, 2011) aggrandize embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of Louis XIV. was growing increasingly ambitious of enlarging his domains and aggrandizing his power.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) agile moving quickly and lightly Are not many beasts physically stronger, more nimble and agile than man?Nordau, Max Simon agrarian relating to rural matters We’re not an agrarian society any longer, where more hands help farm the land.New York Times (Jun 20, 2011) alacrity liveliness and eagerness The men obeyed with alacrity, as all were glad to go, lying in camp so long.Terrill, J. Newton alienate arouse hostility or indifference in Keeping schools closed and blocking certain public services is not a strategy we support and could alienatepublic opinion and play into the governor’s hand.New York Times (Feb 18, 2011) allege report or maintain David is alleged to have written several Psalms, but of this there is little evidence beyond pious assertion.Bradlaugh, Charles allegiance the act of binding yourself to a course of action Notwithstanding this good fortune, Pontiac daily saw his followers dropping off from their allegiance; for even the boldest had lost heart.Parkman, Francis allegory a style in which characters and events are symbolic Achingly beautiful, quiet and graceful, his award-winning novel Waiting is a love story superimposed on a politicalallegory. alleviate provide physical relief, as from pain Lewis said he got a Synvisc shot – an injection commonly used to alleviate arthritic symptoms – in his left knee on Monday.Washington Post (Mar 7, 2012) allude make an indirect reference to In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Mr. Obama turned up the heat, alluding to the plan without fleshing out details.New York Times (Jan 27, 2012) aloof distant, cold, or detached in manner Too much focus on official duties can make an incumbent look isolated and aloof.New York Times (Mar 12, 2012) altruistic showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others The gesture was not necessarily altruistic; he was hoping for a donation in return.New York Times (Jan 24, 2011) ambiguous having more than one possible meaning "The election law in New York is written in an ill-defined,ambiguous way," Goldfeder said, adding that he did not believe any laws were broken. ambivalent uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow "If managers are ambivalent, or wavering, then investor uncertainty increases and the stocks become more volatile." ameliorate make better Possessed of broadly humanitarian sympathies, he became interested in ameliorating the conditions of imprisoned debtors.Bolton, Herbert Eugene amiable diffusing warmth and friendliness He was also remarkable for his amiable and cheerful manners.Anonymous amicable characterized by friendship and good will Thus, by kindness, the natives of this region were won to friendship, and amicable relations were established.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) amnesty a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense After three years in prison, he was released last October in an amnesty that freed about 200 political detainees.Seattle Times (Mar 5, 2012) amorphous having no definite form or distinct shape The problem is that where genes are tidy bits of DNA, the environment is huge, amorphous and hard to quantify.New York Times (Jun 9, 2010) ample more than enough in size or scope or capacity Both are highly respected and well known, with ampleexperience in development and economic policy making.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) anachronism locating something at a time when it couldn't have existed Today, the British monarchy seems like even more of ananachronism, notes my friend Merida, a London bureau friend now living in New York. analogous similar or equivalent in some respects The two conditions, although apparently analogous, are, in reality, very different.Various anecdote short account of an incident With his fourth book, “Business at 16,” Mr. Bagchi hopes to get teenagers interested in business, partly by using fictional anecdotes, including boy-meets-girl stories.New York Times (Nov 29, 2011) animosity a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility In this brutal contest, two opposing teams face off against each other with competing agendas, borrowed tuxedos and tight smiles concealing deep animosities.New York Times (Jan 14, 2011) annihilate kill in large numbers Men deployed may fall back and escape; a mass of columns under direct artillery fire must surrender or beannihilated.Morse, John anomaly deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule In this view, crises can be understood only asanomalies, the consequences of unusual outside shocks. anonymous having no known name or identity or known source Throughout the process, the targeted consumers are tagged with an alphanumeric code, removing their names and making the data anonymous.New York Times (Feb 21, 2012) antagonism an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility It bred a sense of resentment and secret antagonismwhich he took less pains to hide, from that night.Prichard, Katharine Susannah antecedent someone from whom you are descended Paul Bunyan is known by his mighty works; hisantecedents and personal history are lost in doubt.Laughead, W. B. anthropomorphic suggesting human features for animals or inanimate things The same anthropomorphic fallacy that accords human attributes to giant corporations like BP distorts clear thinking about how to limit their political influence. anticipate be excited or anxious about I will continue to sit here as usual, waiting, grinning, tapping and anticipating my future.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) antipathy a feeling of intense dislike At any rate, they had, as a matter of fact, produced widespread discontent and bitter antipathies between classes.Stephen, Leslie antithetical sharply contrasted in character or purpose Memorisation has a bad reputation in education today, dismissed as antithetical to creativity. apathy an absence of emotion or enthusiasm When not thus engaged, his days were passed in listlessapathy.Anonymous aptitude inherent ability If there is such a thing as inherited aptitude for art it certainly showed itself in the family of Bach.Forkel, Johann Nikolaus arbitrary based on or subject to individual discretion or preference The pieces don’t build or develop, sections are carelessly joined, endings seem arbitrary.New York Times (Jun 4, 2011) arcane requiring secret or mysterious knowledge Not just the knowledge of world geography but the very conceptualisation of space in this late medieval map looks to us remote and arcane. archaic so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period There are other advantages as well to reading the classics electronically—you can tap archaic words on the screen for an instant definition. archetype something that serves as a model In many ways, Mr. Romney and Mr. Huntsman embody the Mormon archetype: clean-cut, Republican American family men.New York Times (Nov 18, 2011) ardent characterized by intense emotion Age, study, experience, retirement, reflection, had in no wise dimmed the fire of his ardent nationalism.McCarthy, Justin arduous characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion He seemed about thirty-five years of age, though the trace of arduous mental and physical exertion gave him a rather worn and older appearance.Lindley, Augustus F. aristocratic belonging to or characteristic of the nobility Several aristocratic families were stripped of their status after World War II, limiting the number of royal matches. artifice the use of deception or trickery But small men use lying artifices and disguises to protect themselves.

100 SAT Words Beginning with "A" Vocabulary.com What better way to prepare for the sentence completion and passage-based questions on the SAT than to commit yourself to completing our alphabetically organized SAT lists?  Find lists of SAT words organized by every letter of the alphabet here: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K & L, M, N, O,P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W, X, Y & Z. Boost your SAT score with unlimitedadaptive test prepStart now  Share this list... Copy this list to... Learn & ExploreAssign Start learning with an activity... Practice Answer a few questions on each word. Get one wrong? We'll ask some follow-up questions. Use it to prep for your next quiz! Start Spelling Bee Test your spelling acumen. See the definition, listen to the word, then try to spell it correctly. Start Vocabulary Jam Compete head-to-head in real-time to see which team can answer the most questions correctly. StartJoin Explore the Words show: definitions & notes only words   in list order  from A to Z  from Z to A  from easy to hard  from hard to easy  abase cause to feel shame She is not abased or dejected, but exalted, rather.Sinclair, May aberration a state or condition markedly different from the norm While Tampa Bay has taken a huge nosedive a year after going 10-6, maybe that 2010 success was anaberration.Seattle Times (Dec 26, 2011) abhor feel hatred or disgust toward There are sane readers who abhor gratuitous violence but love Reacher’s menacing wisecracks.New York Times (Sep 20, 2011) abject most unfortunate or miserable Mr. Jobling stood wringing his hands helplessly, his flaccid features expressive of abject despair.Douglas, Hudson abrasive sharply disagreeable, unpleasant, or harsh “He has always been focused, driven, demanding and, as a result, very difficult and abrasive,” Mr. Norman said.New York Times (Oct 7, 2011) abstain refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something Griffin felt that he had better abstain from questioning, and let his host run on.Marsh, Richard abstract existing only in the mind Presenting an abstract concept, waving our arms trying to describe it, we will lose our audience right away. abundant present in great quantity Fringing and barrier reefs are abundant throughout the archipelago, surrounding nearly every island.Gabel, Norman E. accentuate stress or single out as important It was a carefully studied costume; and he accentuatedits eccentricity by adopting theatrical attitudes and an air of satisfied negligence.Leblanc, Maurice acclimate get used to a certain environment The Jets will leave Friday for Denver, the better toacclimate to the altitude and change in time zone.New York Times (Oct 14, 2010) accomplice a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan Tiller, the thief, and a supposed accomplice, are under arrest.Various accord concurrence of opinion Friday's accord removes one of two main sticking points that have been holding up a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.Wall Street Journal (Mar 9, 2012) acerbic harsh or corrosive in tone They were complaining, sometimes yelling, and maybe a bit acerbic.New York Times (Mar 29, 2012) acme the highest level or degree attainable Paris wholly has got to the acme of its frenzy; whirled, all ways, by panic madness.Various acquiesce agree or express agreement I favored building a fire and staying there till morning, but Frank preferred pushing on to camp, so Iacquiesced.Shields, George O. acquit pronounce not guilty of criminal charges He said that in the absence of other evidence, “the accused is acquitted and discharged.”New York Times (Jan 9, 2012) acrimonious marked by strong resentment or cynicism At times, the two groups squabble like schoolchildren, and the exchange gets acrimonious.BBC (Feb 9, 2010) acute extremely sharp or intense Labor shortages are already so acute in many Chinese industrial zones that factories struggle to find enough people to operate their assembly lines.New York Times (Mar 31, 2012) adamant insistent; unwilling to change one's mind or opinion But high profile or no, Mr. Kors is adamant about keeping his personal life under wraps — even as his wedding day approaches.New York Times (Aug 5, 2011) adept having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude He proved an adept playmaker, however, making several nice passes and finishing with 7 assists.New York Times (Jan 7, 2012) adhere stick to firmly Adhering to strict safety standards has kept me alive in some very dangerous situations. admonish scold or reprimand; take to task "Children, children, stop quarrelling, right here in public!"admonished Mrs. Dering, in a low, shocked tone.Perry, Nora adorn make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color Old master reproductions adorn chianti-colored walls; tapestries hang in the restrooms.Seattle Times (Feb 9, 2012) adroit quick or skillful or adept in action or thought Neither is he adroit in the exercise of his duty; instead performs it bunglingly; his thoughts preoccupied, and eyes wandering about.Reid, Mayne adulation exaggerated flattery or praise Taylor, a demagogue of the Democratic party, was hypocritically appealing to his "horny handed neighbors" in language of feigned adulation.Levy, T. Aaron adversity a state of misfortune or affliction Forty years in the wilderness, meeting adversitiestogether, fighting enemies, marching as one host, made them a nation.Hurlbut, Jesse Lyman advocacy active support of an idea or cause That sentiment faded after the 1930s, he said, as consumer advocacy focused more on protecting shoppers.New York Times (Nov 11, 2011) aesthetic characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste In old-fashioned, aesthetic terms, his glossy, color pictures of modern housing projects in Turkish cities under moody, gray skies are beautiful.New York Times (Oct 14, 2011) affable diffusing warmth and friendliness She is restless, irritable, out of sorts, censorious, complaining at home; animated, gracious, affable, complaisant abroad.Hyde, William De Witt affinity a close connection marked by community of interests Malaysia has a close affinity with many Middle Eastern nations through their shared religion. affliction a cause of great suffering and distress Firm and exceptional natures are thus moulded out of miseries, misfortunes and afflictions.Leonard, Arthur Glyn affluent having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value Affluent families can afford guns, which are more efficient for bagging some elusive animals than a poorer household’s typical snare trap.New York Times (Dec 27, 2011) aggrandize embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of Louis XIV. was growing increasingly ambitious of enlarging his domains and aggrandizing his power.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) agile moving quickly and lightly Are not many beasts physically stronger, more nimble and agile than man?Nordau, Max Simon agrarian relating to rural matters We’re not an agrarian society any longer, where more hands help farm the land.New York Times (Jun 20, 2011) alacrity liveliness and eagerness The men obeyed with alacrity, as all were glad to go, lying in camp so long.Terrill, J. Newton alienate arouse hostility or indifference in Keeping schools closed and blocking certain public services is not a strategy we support and could alienatepublic opinion and play into the governor’s hand.New York Times (Feb 18, 2011) allege report or maintain David is alleged to have written several Psalms, but of this there is little evidence beyond pious assertion.Bradlaugh, Charles allegiance the act of binding yourself to a course of action Notwithstanding this good fortune, Pontiac daily saw his followers dropping off from their allegiance; for even the boldest had lost heart.Parkman, Francis allegory a style in which characters and events are symbolic Achingly beautiful, quiet and graceful, his award-winning novel Waiting is a love story superimposed on a politicalallegory. alleviate provide physical relief, as from pain Lewis said he got a Synvisc shot – an injection commonly used to alleviate arthritic symptoms – in his left knee on Monday.Washington Post (Mar 7, 2012) allude make an indirect reference to In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Mr. Obama turned up the heat, alluding to the plan without fleshing out details.New York Times (Jan 27, 2012) aloof distant, cold, or detached in manner Too much focus on official duties can make an incumbent look isolated and aloof.New York Times (Mar 12, 2012) altruistic showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others The gesture was not necessarily altruistic; he was hoping for a donation in return.New York Times (Jan 24, 2011) ambiguous having more than one possible meaning "The election law in New York is written in an ill-defined,ambiguous way," Goldfeder said, adding that he did not believe any laws were broken. ambivalent uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow "If managers are ambivalent, or wavering, then investor uncertainty increases and the stocks become more volatile." ameliorate make better Possessed of broadly humanitarian sympathies, he became interested in ameliorating the conditions of imprisoned debtors.Bolton, Herbert Eugene amiable diffusing warmth and friendliness He was also remarkable for his amiable and cheerful manners.Anonymous amicable characterized by friendship and good will Thus, by kindness, the natives of this region were won to friendship, and amicable relations were established.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) amnesty a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense After three years in prison, he was released last October in an amnesty that freed about 200 political detainees.Seattle Times (Mar 5, 2012) amorphous having no definite form or distinct shape The problem is that where genes are tidy bits of DNA, the environment is huge, amorphous and hard to quantify.New York Times (Jun 9, 2010) ample more than enough in size or scope or capacity Both are highly respected and well known, with ampleexperience in development and economic policy making.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) anachronism locating something at a time when it couldn't have existed Today, the British monarchy seems like even more of ananachronism, notes my friend Merida, a London bureau friend now living in New York. analogous similar or equivalent in some respects The two conditions, although apparently analogous, are, in reality, very different.Various anecdote short account of an incident With his fourth book, “Business at 16,” Mr. Bagchi hopes to get teenagers interested in business, partly by using fictional anecdotes, including boy-meets-girl stories.New York Times (Nov 29, 2011) animosity a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility In this brutal contest, two opposing teams face off against each other with competing agendas, borrowed tuxedos and tight smiles concealing deep animosities.New York Times (Jan 14, 2011) annihilate kill in large numbers Men deployed may fall back and escape; a mass of columns under direct artillery fire must surrender or beannihilated.Morse, John anomaly deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule In this view, crises can be understood only asanomalies, the consequences of unusual outside shocks. anonymous having no known name or identity or known source Throughout the process, the targeted consumers are tagged with an alphanumeric code, removing their names and making the data anonymous.New York Times (Feb 21, 2012) antagonism an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility It bred a sense of resentment and secret antagonismwhich he took less pains to hide, from that night.Prichard, Katharine Susannah antecedent someone from whom you are descended Paul Bunyan is known by his mighty works; hisantecedents and personal history are lost in doubt.Laughead, W. B. anthropomorphic suggesting human features for animals or inanimate things The same anthropomorphic fallacy that accords human attributes to giant corporations like BP distorts clear thinking about how to limit their political influence. anticipate be excited or anxious about I will continue to sit here as usual, waiting, grinning, tapping and anticipating my future.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) antipathy a feeling of intense dislike At any rate, they had, as a matter of fact, produced widespread discontent and bitter antipathies between classes.Stephen, Leslie antithetical sharply contrasted in character or purpose Memorisation has a bad reputation in education today, dismissed as antithetical to creativity. apathy an absence of emotion or enthusiasm When not thus engaged, his days were passed in listlessapathy.Anonymous aptitude inherent ability If there is such a thing as inherited aptitude for art it certainly showed itself in the family of Bach.Forkel, Johann Nikolaus arbitrary based on or subject to individual discretion or preference The pieces don’t build or develop, sections are carelessly joined, endings seem arbitrary.New York Times (Jun 4, 2011) arcane requiring secret or mysterious knowledge Not just the knowledge of world geography but the very conceptualisation of space in this late medieval map looks to us remote and arcane. archaic so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period There are other advantages as well to reading the classics electronically—you can tap archaic words on the screen for an instant definition. archetype something that serves as a model In many ways, Mr. Romney and Mr. Huntsman embody the Mormon archetype: clean-cut, Republican American family men.New York Times (Nov 18, 2011) ardent characterized by intense emotion Age, study, experience, retirement, reflection, had in no wise dimmed the fire of his ardent nationalism.McCarthy, Justin arduous characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion He seemed about thirty-five years of age, though the trace of arduous mental and physical exertion gave him a rather worn and older appearance.Lindley, Augustus F. aristocratic belonging to or characteristic of the nobility Several aristocratic families were stripped of their status after World War II, limiting the number of royal matches. artifice the use of deception or trickery But small men use lying artifices and disguises to protect themselves.

100 SAT Words Beginning with "A" Vocabulary.com What better way to prepare for the sentence completion and passage-based questions on the SAT than to commit yourself to completing our alphabetically organized SAT lists?  Find lists of SAT words organized by every letter of the alphabet here: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K & L, M, N, O,P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W, X, Y & Z. Boost your SAT score with unlimitedadaptive test prepStart now  Share this list... Copy this list to... Learn & ExploreAssign Start learning with an activity... Practice Answer a few questions on each word. Get one wrong? We'll ask some follow-up questions. Use it to prep for your next quiz! Start Spelling Bee Test your spelling acumen. See the definition, listen to the word, then try to spell it correctly. Start Vocabulary Jam Compete head-to-head in real-time to see which team can answer the most questions correctly. StartJoin Explore the Words show: definitions & notes only words   in list order  from A to Z  from Z to A  from easy to hard  from hard to easy  abase cause to feel shame She is not abased or dejected, but exalted, rather.Sinclair, May aberration a state or condition markedly different from the norm While Tampa Bay has taken a huge nosedive a year after going 10-6, maybe that 2010 success was anaberration.Seattle Times (Dec 26, 2011) abhor feel hatred or disgust toward There are sane readers who abhor gratuitous violence but love Reacher’s menacing wisecracks.New York Times (Sep 20, 2011) abject most unfortunate or miserable Mr. Jobling stood wringing his hands helplessly, his flaccid features expressive of abject despair.Douglas, Hudson abrasive sharply disagreeable, unpleasant, or harsh “He has always been focused, driven, demanding and, as a result, very difficult and abrasive,” Mr. Norman said.New York Times (Oct 7, 2011) abstain refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something Griffin felt that he had better abstain from questioning, and let his host run on.Marsh, Richard abstract existing only in the mind Presenting an abstract concept, waving our arms trying to describe it, we will lose our audience right away. abundant present in great quantity Fringing and barrier reefs are abundant throughout the archipelago, surrounding nearly every island.Gabel, Norman E. accentuate stress or single out as important It was a carefully studied costume; and he accentuatedits eccentricity by adopting theatrical attitudes and an air of satisfied negligence.Leblanc, Maurice acclimate get used to a certain environment The Jets will leave Friday for Denver, the better toacclimate to the altitude and change in time zone.New York Times (Oct 14, 2010) accomplice a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan Tiller, the thief, and a supposed accomplice, are under arrest.Various accord concurrence of opinion Friday's accord removes one of two main sticking points that have been holding up a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.Wall Street Journal (Mar 9, 2012) acerbic harsh or corrosive in tone They were complaining, sometimes yelling, and maybe a bit acerbic.New York Times (Mar 29, 2012) acme the highest level or degree attainable Paris wholly has got to the acme of its frenzy; whirled, all ways, by panic madness.Various acquiesce agree or express agreement I favored building a fire and staying there till morning, but Frank preferred pushing on to camp, so Iacquiesced.Shields, George O. acquit pronounce not guilty of criminal charges He said that in the absence of other evidence, “the accused is acquitted and discharged.”New York Times (Jan 9, 2012) acrimonious marked by strong resentment or cynicism At times, the two groups squabble like schoolchildren, and the exchange gets acrimonious.BBC (Feb 9, 2010) acute extremely sharp or intense Labor shortages are already so acute in many Chinese industrial zones that factories struggle to find enough people to operate their assembly lines.New York Times (Mar 31, 2012) adamant insistent; unwilling to change one's mind or opinion But high profile or no, Mr. Kors is adamant about keeping his personal life under wraps — even as his wedding day approaches.New York Times (Aug 5, 2011) adept having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude He proved an adept playmaker, however, making several nice passes and finishing with 7 assists.New York Times (Jan 7, 2012) adhere stick to firmly Adhering to strict safety standards has kept me alive in some very dangerous situations. admonish scold or reprimand; take to task "Children, children, stop quarrelling, right here in public!"admonished Mrs. Dering, in a low, shocked tone.Perry, Nora adorn make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color Old master reproductions adorn chianti-colored walls; tapestries hang in the restrooms.Seattle Times (Feb 9, 2012) adroit quick or skillful or adept in action or thought Neither is he adroit in the exercise of his duty; instead performs it bunglingly; his thoughts preoccupied, and eyes wandering about.Reid, Mayne adulation exaggerated flattery or praise Taylor, a demagogue of the Democratic party, was hypocritically appealing to his "horny handed neighbors" in language of feigned adulation.Levy, T. Aaron adversity a state of misfortune or affliction Forty years in the wilderness, meeting adversitiestogether, fighting enemies, marching as one host, made them a nation.Hurlbut, Jesse Lyman advocacy active support of an idea or cause That sentiment faded after the 1930s, he said, as consumer advocacy focused more on protecting shoppers.New York Times (Nov 11, 2011) aesthetic characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste In old-fashioned, aesthetic terms, his glossy, color pictures of modern housing projects in Turkish cities under moody, gray skies are beautiful.New York Times (Oct 14, 2011) affable diffusing warmth and friendliness She is restless, irritable, out of sorts, censorious, complaining at home; animated, gracious, affable, complaisant abroad.Hyde, William De Witt affinity a close connection marked by community of interests Malaysia has a close affinity with many Middle Eastern nations through their shared religion. affliction a cause of great suffering and distress Firm and exceptional natures are thus moulded out of miseries, misfortunes and afflictions.Leonard, Arthur Glyn affluent having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value Affluent families can afford guns, which are more efficient for bagging some elusive animals than a poorer household’s typical snare trap.New York Times (Dec 27, 2011) aggrandize embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of Louis XIV. was growing increasingly ambitious of enlarging his domains and aggrandizing his power.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) agile moving quickly and lightly Are not many beasts physically stronger, more nimble and agile than man?Nordau, Max Simon agrarian relating to rural matters We’re not an agrarian society any longer, where more hands help farm the land.New York Times (Jun 20, 2011) alacrity liveliness and eagerness The men obeyed with alacrity, as all were glad to go, lying in camp so long.Terrill, J. Newton alienate arouse hostility or indifference in Keeping schools closed and blocking certain public services is not a strategy we support and could alienatepublic opinion and play into the governor’s hand.New York Times (Feb 18, 2011) allege report or maintain David is alleged to have written several Psalms, but of this there is little evidence beyond pious assertion.Bradlaugh, Charles allegiance the act of binding yourself to a course of action Notwithstanding this good fortune, Pontiac daily saw his followers dropping off from their allegiance; for even the boldest had lost heart.Parkman, Francis allegory a style in which characters and events are symbolic Achingly beautiful, quiet and graceful, his award-winning novel Waiting is a love story superimposed on a politicalallegory. alleviate provide physical relief, as from pain Lewis said he got a Synvisc shot – an injection commonly used to alleviate arthritic symptoms – in his left knee on Monday.Washington Post (Mar 7, 2012) allude make an indirect reference to In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Mr. Obama turned up the heat, alluding to the plan without fleshing out details.New York Times (Jan 27, 2012) aloof distant, cold, or detached in manner Too much focus on official duties can make an incumbent look isolated and aloof.New York Times (Mar 12, 2012) altruistic showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others The gesture was not necessarily altruistic; he was hoping for a donation in return.New York Times (Jan 24, 2011) ambiguous having more than one possible meaning "The election law in New York is written in an ill-defined,ambiguous way," Goldfeder said, adding that he did not believe any laws were broken. ambivalent uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow "If managers are ambivalent, or wavering, then investor uncertainty increases and the stocks become more volatile." ameliorate make better Possessed of broadly humanitarian sympathies, he became interested in ameliorating the conditions of imprisoned debtors.Bolton, Herbert Eugene amiable diffusing warmth and friendliness He was also remarkable for his amiable and cheerful manners.Anonymous amicable characterized by friendship and good will Thus, by kindness, the natives of this region were won to friendship, and amicable relations were established.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) amnesty a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense After three years in prison, he was released last October in an amnesty that freed about 200 political detainees.Seattle Times (Mar 5, 2012) amorphous having no definite form or distinct shape The problem is that where genes are tidy bits of DNA, the environment is huge, amorphous and hard to quantify.New York Times (Jun 9, 2010) ample more than enough in size or scope or capacity Both are highly respected and well known, with ampleexperience in development and economic policy making.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) anachronism locating something at a time when it couldn't have existed Today, the British monarchy seems like even more of ananachronism, notes my friend Merida, a London bureau friend now living in New York. analogous similar or equivalent in some respects The two conditions, although apparently analogous, are, in reality, very different.Various anecdote short account of an incident With his fourth book, “Business at 16,” Mr. Bagchi hopes to get teenagers interested in business, partly by using fictional anecdotes, including boy-meets-girl stories.New York Times (Nov 29, 2011) animosity a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility In this brutal contest, two opposing teams face off against each other with competing agendas, borrowed tuxedos and tight smiles concealing deep animosities.New York Times (Jan 14, 2011) annihilate kill in large numbers Men deployed may fall back and escape; a mass of columns under direct artillery fire must surrender or beannihilated.Morse, John anomaly deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule In this view, crises can be understood only asanomalies, the consequences of unusual outside shocks. anonymous having no known name or identity or known source Throughout the process, the targeted consumers are tagged with an alphanumeric code, removing their names and making the data anonymous.New York Times (Feb 21, 2012) antagonism an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility It bred a sense of resentment and secret antagonismwhich he took less pains to hide, from that night.Prichard, Katharine Susannah antecedent someone from whom you are descended Paul Bunyan is known by his mighty works; hisantecedents and personal history are lost in doubt.Laughead, W. B. anthropomorphic suggesting human features for animals or inanimate things The same anthropomorphic fallacy that accords human attributes to giant corporations like BP distorts clear thinking about how to limit their political influence. anticipate be excited or anxious about I will continue to sit here as usual, waiting, grinning, tapping and anticipating my future.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) antipathy a feeling of intense dislike At any rate, they had, as a matter of fact, produced widespread discontent and bitter antipathies between classes.Stephen, Leslie antithetical sharply contrasted in character or purpose Memorisation has a bad reputation in education today, dismissed as antithetical to creativity. apathy an absence of emotion or enthusiasm When not thus engaged, his days were passed in listlessapathy.Anonymous aptitude inherent ability If there is such a thing as inherited aptitude for art it certainly showed itself in the family of Bach.Forkel, Johann Nikolaus arbitrary based on or subject to individual discretion or preference The pieces don’t build or develop, sections are carelessly joined, endings seem arbitrary.New York Times (Jun 4, 2011) arcane requiring secret or mysterious knowledge Not just the knowledge of world geography but the very conceptualisation of space in this late medieval map looks to us remote and arcane. archaic so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period There are other advantages as well to reading the classics electronically—you can tap archaic words on the screen for an instant definition. archetype something that serves as a model In many ways, Mr. Romney and Mr. Huntsman embody the Mormon archetype: clean-cut, Republican American family men.New York Times (Nov 18, 2011) ardent characterized by intense emotion Age, study, experience, retirement, reflection, had in no wise dimmed the fire of his ardent nationalism.McCarthy, Justin arduous characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion He seemed about thirty-five years of age, though the trace of arduous mental and physical exertion gave him a rather worn and older appearance.Lindley, Augustus F. aristocratic belonging to or characteristic of the nobility Several aristocratic families were stripped of their status after World War II, limiting the number of royal matches. artifice the use of deception or trickery But small men use lying artifices and disguises to protect themselves.

100 SAT Words Beginning with "A" Vocabulary.com What better way to prepare for the sentence completion and passage-based questions on the SAT than to commit yourself to completing our alphabetically organized SAT lists?  Find lists of SAT words organized by every letter of the alphabet here: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K & L, M, N, O,P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W, X, Y & Z. Boost your SAT score with unlimitedadaptive test prepStart now  Share this list... Copy this list to... Learn & ExploreAssign Start learning with an activity... Practice Answer a few questions on each word. Get one wrong? We'll ask some follow-up questions. Use it to prep for your next quiz! Start Spelling Bee Test your spelling acumen. See the definition, listen to the word, then try to spell it correctly. Start Vocabulary Jam Compete head-to-head in real-time to see which team can answer the most questions correctly. StartJoin Explore the Words show: definitions & notes only words   in list order  from A to Z  from Z to A  from easy to hard  from hard to easy  abase cause to feel shame She is not abased or dejected, but exalted, rather.Sinclair, May aberration a state or condition markedly different from the norm While Tampa Bay has taken a huge nosedive a year after going 10-6, maybe that 2010 success was anaberration.Seattle Times (Dec 26, 2011) abhor feel hatred or disgust toward There are sane readers who abhor gratuitous violence but love Reacher’s menacing wisecracks.New York Times (Sep 20, 2011) abject most unfortunate or miserable Mr. Jobling stood wringing his hands helplessly, his flaccid features expressive of abject despair.Douglas, Hudson abrasive sharply disagreeable, unpleasant, or harsh “He has always been focused, driven, demanding and, as a result, very difficult and abrasive,” Mr. Norman said.New York Times (Oct 7, 2011) abstain refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something Griffin felt that he had better abstain from questioning, and let his host run on.Marsh, Richard abstract existing only in the mind Presenting an abstract concept, waving our arms trying to describe it, we will lose our audience right away. abundant present in great quantity Fringing and barrier reefs are abundant throughout the archipelago, surrounding nearly every island.Gabel, Norman E. accentuate stress or single out as important It was a carefully studied costume; and he accentuatedits eccentricity by adopting theatrical attitudes and an air of satisfied negligence.Leblanc, Maurice acclimate get used to a certain environment The Jets will leave Friday for Denver, the better toacclimate to the altitude and change in time zone.New York Times (Oct 14, 2010) accomplice a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan Tiller, the thief, and a supposed accomplice, are under arrest.Various accord concurrence of opinion Friday's accord removes one of two main sticking points that have been holding up a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.Wall Street Journal (Mar 9, 2012) acerbic harsh or corrosive in tone They were complaining, sometimes yelling, and maybe a bit acerbic.New York Times (Mar 29, 2012) acme the highest level or degree attainable Paris wholly has got to the acme of its frenzy; whirled, all ways, by panic madness.Various acquiesce agree or express agreement I favored building a fire and staying there till morning, but Frank preferred pushing on to camp, so Iacquiesced.Shields, George O. acquit pronounce not guilty of criminal charges He said that in the absence of other evidence, “the accused is acquitted and discharged.”New York Times (Jan 9, 2012) acrimonious marked by strong resentment or cynicism At times, the two groups squabble like schoolchildren, and the exchange gets acrimonious.BBC (Feb 9, 2010) acute extremely sharp or intense Labor shortages are already so acute in many Chinese industrial zones that factories struggle to find enough people to operate their assembly lines.New York Times (Mar 31, 2012) adamant insistent; unwilling to change one's mind or opinion But high profile or no, Mr. Kors is adamant about keeping his personal life under wraps — even as his wedding day approaches.New York Times (Aug 5, 2011) adept having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude He proved an adept playmaker, however, making several nice passes and finishing with 7 assists.New York Times (Jan 7, 2012) adhere stick to firmly Adhering to strict safety standards has kept me alive in some very dangerous situations. admonish scold or reprimand; take to task "Children, children, stop quarrelling, right here in public!"admonished Mrs. Dering, in a low, shocked tone.Perry, Nora adorn make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color Old master reproductions adorn chianti-colored walls; tapestries hang in the restrooms.Seattle Times (Feb 9, 2012) adroit quick or skillful or adept in action or thought Neither is he adroit in the exercise of his duty; instead performs it bunglingly; his thoughts preoccupied, and eyes wandering about.Reid, Mayne adulation exaggerated flattery or praise Taylor, a demagogue of the Democratic party, was hypocritically appealing to his "horny handed neighbors" in language of feigned adulation.Levy, T. Aaron adversity a state of misfortune or affliction Forty years in the wilderness, meeting adversitiestogether, fighting enemies, marching as one host, made them a nation.Hurlbut, Jesse Lyman advocacy active support of an idea or cause That sentiment faded after the 1930s, he said, as consumer advocacy focused more on protecting shoppers.New York Times (Nov 11, 2011) aesthetic characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste In old-fashioned, aesthetic terms, his glossy, color pictures of modern housing projects in Turkish cities under moody, gray skies are beautiful.New York Times (Oct 14, 2011) affable diffusing warmth and friendliness She is restless, irritable, out of sorts, censorious, complaining at home; animated, gracious, affable, complaisant abroad.Hyde, William De Witt affinity a close connection marked by community of interests Malaysia has a close affinity with many Middle Eastern nations through their shared religion. affliction a cause of great suffering and distress Firm and exceptional natures are thus moulded out of miseries, misfortunes and afflictions.Leonard, Arthur Glyn affluent having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value Affluent families can afford guns, which are more efficient for bagging some elusive animals than a poorer household’s typical snare trap.New York Times (Dec 27, 2011) aggrandize embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of Louis XIV. was growing increasingly ambitious of enlarging his domains and aggrandizing his power.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) agile moving quickly and lightly Are not many beasts physically stronger, more nimble and agile than man?Nordau, Max Simon agrarian relating to rural matters We’re not an agrarian society any longer, where more hands help farm the land.New York Times (Jun 20, 2011) alacrity liveliness and eagerness The men obeyed with alacrity, as all were glad to go, lying in camp so long.Terrill, J. Newton alienate arouse hostility or indifference in Keeping schools closed and blocking certain public services is not a strategy we support and could alienatepublic opinion and play into the governor’s hand.New York Times (Feb 18, 2011) allege report or maintain David is alleged to have written several Psalms, but of this there is little evidence beyond pious assertion.Bradlaugh, Charles allegiance the act of binding yourself to a course of action Notwithstanding this good fortune, Pontiac daily saw his followers dropping off from their allegiance; for even the boldest had lost heart.Parkman, Francis allegory a style in which characters and events are symbolic Achingly beautiful, quiet and graceful, his award-winning novel Waiting is a love story superimposed on a politicalallegory. alleviate provide physical relief, as from pain Lewis said he got a Synvisc shot – an injection commonly used to alleviate arthritic symptoms – in his left knee on Monday.Washington Post (Mar 7, 2012) allude make an indirect reference to In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Mr. Obama turned up the heat, alluding to the plan without fleshing out details.New York Times (Jan 27, 2012) aloof distant, cold, or detached in manner Too much focus on official duties can make an incumbent look isolated and aloof.New York Times (Mar 12, 2012) altruistic showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others The gesture was not necessarily altruistic; he was hoping for a donation in return.New York Times (Jan 24, 2011) ambiguous having more than one possible meaning "The election law in New York is written in an ill-defined,ambiguous way," Goldfeder said, adding that he did not believe any laws were broken. ambivalent uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow "If managers are ambivalent, or wavering, then investor uncertainty increases and the stocks become more volatile." ameliorate make better Possessed of broadly humanitarian sympathies, he became interested in ameliorating the conditions of imprisoned debtors.Bolton, Herbert Eugene amiable diffusing warmth and friendliness He was also remarkable for his amiable and cheerful manners.Anonymous amicable characterized by friendship and good will Thus, by kindness, the natives of this region were won to friendship, and amicable relations were established.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) amnesty a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense After three years in prison, he was released last October in an amnesty that freed about 200 political detainees.Seattle Times (Mar 5, 2012) amorphous having no definite form or distinct shape The problem is that where genes are tidy bits of DNA, the environment is huge, amorphous and hard to quantify.New York Times (Jun 9, 2010) ample more than enough in size or scope or capacity Both are highly respected and well known, with ampleexperience in development and economic policy making.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) anachronism locating something at a time when it couldn't have existed Today, the British monarchy seems like even more of ananachronism, notes my friend Merida, a London bureau friend now living in New York. analogous similar or equivalent in some respects The two conditions, although apparently analogous, are, in reality, very different.Various anecdote short account of an incident With his fourth book, “Business at 16,” Mr. Bagchi hopes to get teenagers interested in business, partly by using fictional anecdotes, including boy-meets-girl stories.New York Times (Nov 29, 2011) animosity a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility In this brutal contest, two opposing teams face off against each other with competing agendas, borrowed tuxedos and tight smiles concealing deep animosities.New York Times (Jan 14, 2011) annihilate kill in large numbers Men deployed may fall back and escape; a mass of columns under direct artillery fire must surrender or beannihilated.Morse, John anomaly deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule In this view, crises can be understood only asanomalies, the consequences of unusual outside shocks. anonymous having no known name or identity or known source Throughout the process, the targeted consumers are tagged with an alphanumeric code, removing their names and making the data anonymous.New York Times (Feb 21, 2012) antagonism an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility It bred a sense of resentment and secret antagonismwhich he took less pains to hide, from that night.Prichard, Katharine Susannah antecedent someone from whom you are descended Paul Bunyan is known by his mighty works; hisantecedents and personal history are lost in doubt.Laughead, W. B. anthropomorphic suggesting human features for animals or inanimate things The same anthropomorphic fallacy that accords human attributes to giant corporations like BP distorts clear thinking about how to limit their political influence. anticipate be excited or anxious about I will continue to sit here as usual, waiting, grinning, tapping and anticipating my future.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) antipathy a feeling of intense dislike At any rate, they had, as a matter of fact, produced widespread discontent and bitter antipathies between classes.Stephen, Leslie antithetical sharply contrasted in character or purpose Memorisation has a bad reputation in education today, dismissed as antithetical to creativity. apathy an absence of emotion or enthusiasm When not thus engaged, his days were passed in listlessapathy.Anonymous aptitude inherent ability If there is such a thing as inherited aptitude for art it certainly showed itself in the family of Bach.Forkel, Johann Nikolaus arbitrary based on or subject to individual discretion or preference The pieces don’t build or develop, sections are carelessly joined, endings seem arbitrary.New York Times (Jun 4, 2011) arcane requiring secret or mysterious knowledge Not just the knowledge of world geography but the very conceptualisation of space in this late medieval map looks to us remote and arcane. archaic so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period There are other advantages as well to reading the classics electronically—you can tap archaic words on the screen for an instant definition. archetype something that serves as a model In many ways, Mr. Romney and Mr. Huntsman embody the Mormon archetype: clean-cut, Republican American family men.New York Times (Nov 18, 2011) ardent characterized by intense emotion Age, study, experience, retirement, reflection, had in no wise dimmed the fire of his ardent nationalism.McCarthy, Justin arduous characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion He seemed about thirty-five years of age, though the trace of arduous mental and physical exertion gave him a rather worn and older appearance.Lindley, Augustus F. aristocratic belonging to or characteristic of the nobility Several aristocratic families were stripped of their status after World War II, limiting the number of royal matches. artifice the use of deception or trickery But small men use lying artifices and disguises to protect themselves.

100 SAT Words Beginning with "A" Vocabulary.com What better way to prepare for the sentence completion and passage-based questions on the SAT than to commit yourself to completing our alphabetically organized SAT lists?  Find lists of SAT words organized by every letter of the alphabet here: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K & L, M, N, O,P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W, X, Y & Z. Boost your SAT score with unlimitedadaptive test prepStart now  Share this list... Copy this list to... Learn & ExploreAssign Start learning with an activity... Practice Answer a few questions on each word. Get one wrong? We'll ask some follow-up questions. Use it to prep for your next quiz! Start Spelling Bee Test your spelling acumen. See the definition, listen to the word, then try to spell it correctly. Start Vocabulary Jam Compete head-to-head in real-time to see which team can answer the most questions correctly. StartJoin Explore the Words show: definitions & notes only words   in list order  from A to Z  from Z to A  from easy to hard  from hard to easy  abase cause to feel shame She is not abased or dejected, but exalted, rather.Sinclair, May aberration a state or condition markedly different from the norm While Tampa Bay has taken a huge nosedive a year after going 10-6, maybe that 2010 success was anaberration.Seattle Times (Dec 26, 2011) abhor feel hatred or disgust toward There are sane readers who abhor gratuitous violence but love Reacher’s menacing wisecracks.New York Times (Sep 20, 2011) abject most unfortunate or miserable Mr. Jobling stood wringing his hands helplessly, his flaccid features expressive of abject despair.Douglas, Hudson abrasive sharply disagreeable, unpleasant, or harsh “He has always been focused, driven, demanding and, as a result, very difficult and abrasive,” Mr. Norman said.New York Times (Oct 7, 2011) abstain refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something Griffin felt that he had better abstain from questioning, and let his host run on.Marsh, Richard abstract existing only in the mind Presenting an abstract concept, waving our arms trying to describe it, we will lose our audience right away. abundant present in great quantity Fringing and barrier reefs are abundant throughout the archipelago, surrounding nearly every island.Gabel, Norman E. accentuate stress or single out as important It was a carefully studied costume; and he accentuatedits eccentricity by adopting theatrical attitudes and an air of satisfied negligence.Leblanc, Maurice acclimate get used to a certain environment The Jets will leave Friday for Denver, the better toacclimate to the altitude and change in time zone.New York Times (Oct 14, 2010) accomplice a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan Tiller, the thief, and a supposed accomplice, are under arrest.Various accord concurrence of opinion Friday's accord removes one of two main sticking points that have been holding up a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries.Wall Street Journal (Mar 9, 2012) acerbic harsh or corrosive in tone They were complaining, sometimes yelling, and maybe a bit acerbic.New York Times (Mar 29, 2012) acme the highest level or degree attainable Paris wholly has got to the acme of its frenzy; whirled, all ways, by panic madness.Various acquiesce agree or express agreement I favored building a fire and staying there till morning, but Frank preferred pushing on to camp, so Iacquiesced.Shields, George O. acquit pronounce not guilty of criminal charges He said that in the absence of other evidence, “the accused is acquitted and discharged.”New York Times (Jan 9, 2012) acrimonious marked by strong resentment or cynicism At times, the two groups squabble like schoolchildren, and the exchange gets acrimonious.BBC (Feb 9, 2010) acute extremely sharp or intense Labor shortages are already so acute in many Chinese industrial zones that factories struggle to find enough people to operate their assembly lines.New York Times (Mar 31, 2012) adamant insistent; unwilling to change one's mind or opinion But high profile or no, Mr. Kors is adamant about keeping his personal life under wraps — even as his wedding day approaches.New York Times (Aug 5, 2011) adept having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude He proved an adept playmaker, however, making several nice passes and finishing with 7 assists.New York Times (Jan 7, 2012) adhere stick to firmly Adhering to strict safety standards has kept me alive in some very dangerous situations. admonish scold or reprimand; take to task "Children, children, stop quarrelling, right here in public!"admonished Mrs. Dering, in a low, shocked tone.Perry, Nora adorn make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color Old master reproductions adorn chianti-colored walls; tapestries hang in the restrooms.Seattle Times (Feb 9, 2012) adroit quick or skillful or adept in action or thought Neither is he adroit in the exercise of his duty; instead performs it bunglingly; his thoughts preoccupied, and eyes wandering about.Reid, Mayne adulation exaggerated flattery or praise Taylor, a demagogue of the Democratic party, was hypocritically appealing to his "horny handed neighbors" in language of feigned adulation.Levy, T. Aaron adversity a state of misfortune or affliction Forty years in the wilderness, meeting adversitiestogether, fighting enemies, marching as one host, made them a nation.Hurlbut, Jesse Lyman advocacy active support of an idea or cause That sentiment faded after the 1930s, he said, as consumer advocacy focused more on protecting shoppers.New York Times (Nov 11, 2011) aesthetic characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste In old-fashioned, aesthetic terms, his glossy, color pictures of modern housing projects in Turkish cities under moody, gray skies are beautiful.New York Times (Oct 14, 2011) affable diffusing warmth and friendliness She is restless, irritable, out of sorts, censorious, complaining at home; animated, gracious, affable, complaisant abroad.Hyde, William De Witt affinity a close connection marked by community of interests Malaysia has a close affinity with many Middle Eastern nations through their shared religion. affliction a cause of great suffering and distress Firm and exceptional natures are thus moulded out of miseries, misfortunes and afflictions.Leonard, Arthur Glyn affluent having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value Affluent families can afford guns, which are more efficient for bagging some elusive animals than a poorer household’s typical snare trap.New York Times (Dec 27, 2011) aggrandize embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of Louis XIV. was growing increasingly ambitious of enlarging his domains and aggrandizing his power.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) agile moving quickly and lightly Are not many beasts physically stronger, more nimble and agile than man?Nordau, Max Simon agrarian relating to rural matters We’re not an agrarian society any longer, where more hands help farm the land.New York Times (Jun 20, 2011) alacrity liveliness and eagerness The men obeyed with alacrity, as all were glad to go, lying in camp so long.Terrill, J. Newton alienate arouse hostility or indifference in Keeping schools closed and blocking certain public services is not a strategy we support and could alienatepublic opinion and play into the governor’s hand.New York Times (Feb 18, 2011) allege report or maintain David is alleged to have written several Psalms, but of this there is little evidence beyond pious assertion.Bradlaugh, Charles allegiance the act of binding yourself to a course of action Notwithstanding this good fortune, Pontiac daily saw his followers dropping off from their allegiance; for even the boldest had lost heart.Parkman, Francis allegory a style in which characters and events are symbolic Achingly beautiful, quiet and graceful, his award-winning novel Waiting is a love story superimposed on a politicalallegory. alleviate provide physical relief, as from pain Lewis said he got a Synvisc shot – an injection commonly used to alleviate arthritic symptoms – in his left knee on Monday.Washington Post (Mar 7, 2012) allude make an indirect reference to In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Mr. Obama turned up the heat, alluding to the plan without fleshing out details.New York Times (Jan 27, 2012) aloof distant, cold, or detached in manner Too much focus on official duties can make an incumbent look isolated and aloof.New York Times (Mar 12, 2012) altruistic showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others The gesture was not necessarily altruistic; he was hoping for a donation in return.New York Times (Jan 24, 2011) ambiguous having more than one possible meaning "The election law in New York is written in an ill-defined,ambiguous way," Goldfeder said, adding that he did not believe any laws were broken. ambivalent uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow "If managers are ambivalent, or wavering, then investor uncertainty increases and the stocks become more volatile." ameliorate make better Possessed of broadly humanitarian sympathies, he became interested in ameliorating the conditions of imprisoned debtors.Bolton, Herbert Eugene amiable diffusing warmth and friendliness He was also remarkable for his amiable and cheerful manners.Anonymous amicable characterized by friendship and good will Thus, by kindness, the natives of this region were won to friendship, and amicable relations were established.Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) amnesty a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense After three years in prison, he was released last October in an amnesty that freed about 200 political detainees.Seattle Times (Mar 5, 2012) amorphous having no definite form or distinct shape The problem is that where genes are tidy bits of DNA, the environment is huge, amorphous and hard to quantify.New York Times (Jun 9, 2010) ample more than enough in size or scope or capacity Both are highly respected and well known, with ampleexperience in development and economic policy making.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) anachronism locating something at a time when it couldn't have existed Today, the British monarchy seems like even more of ananachronism, notes my friend Merida, a London bureau friend now living in New York. analogous similar or equivalent in some respects The two conditions, although apparently analogous, are, in reality, very different.Various anecdote short account of an incident With his fourth book, “Business at 16,” Mr. Bagchi hopes to get teenagers interested in business, partly by using fictional anecdotes, including boy-meets-girl stories.New York Times (Nov 29, 2011) animosity a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility In this brutal contest, two opposing teams face off against each other with competing agendas, borrowed tuxedos and tight smiles concealing deep animosities.New York Times (Jan 14, 2011) annihilate kill in large numbers Men deployed may fall back and escape; a mass of columns under direct artillery fire must surrender or beannihilated.Morse, John anomaly deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule In this view, crises can be understood only asanomalies, the consequences of unusual outside shocks. anonymous having no known name or identity or known source Throughout the process, the targeted consumers are tagged with an alphanumeric code, removing their names and making the data anonymous.New York Times (Feb 21, 2012) antagonism an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility It bred a sense of resentment and secret antagonismwhich he took less pains to hide, from that night.Prichard, Katharine Susannah antecedent someone from whom you are descended Paul Bunyan is known by his mighty works; hisantecedents and personal history are lost in doubt.Laughead, W. B. anthropomorphic suggesting human features for animals or inanimate things The same anthropomorphic fallacy that accords human attributes to giant corporations like BP distorts clear thinking about how to limit their political influence. anticipate be excited or anxious about I will continue to sit here as usual, waiting, grinning, tapping and anticipating my future.New York Times (Mar 22, 2012) antipathy a feeling of intense dislike At any rate, they had, as a matter of fact, produced widespread discontent and bitter antipathies between classes.Stephen, Leslie antithetical sharply contrasted in character or purpose Memorisation has a bad reputation in education today, dismissed as antithetical to creativity. apathy an absence of emotion or enthusiasm When not thus engaged, his days were passed in listlessapathy.Anonymous aptitude inherent ability If there is such a thing as inherited aptitude for art it certainly showed itself in the family of Bach.Forkel, Johann Nikolaus arbitrary based on or subject to individual discretion or preference The pieces don’t build or develop, sections are carelessly joined, endings seem arbitrary.New York Times (Jun 4, 2011) arcane requiring secret or mysterious knowledge Not just the knowledge of world geography but the very conceptualisation of space in this late medieval map looks to us remote and arcane. archaic so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period There are other advantages as well to reading the classics electronically—you can tap archaic words on the screen for an instant definition. archetype something that serves as a model In many ways, Mr. Romney and Mr. Huntsman embody the Mormon archetype: clean-cut, Republican American family men.New York Times (Nov 18, 2011) ardent characterized by intense emotion Age, study, experience, retirement, reflection, had in no wise dimmed the fire of his ardent nationalism.McCarthy, Justin arduous characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion He seemed about thirty-five years of age, though the trace of arduous mental and physical exertion gave him a rather worn and older appearance.Lindley, Augustus F. aristocratic belonging to or characteristic of the nobility Several aristocratic families were stripped of their status after World War II, limiting the number of royal matches. artifice the use of deception or trickery But small men use lying artifices and disguises to protect themselves.