100 Must-Know ACT and SAT Vocabulary Words

Key Takeaways:

  • When taking the ACT or SAT, you’ll come across a variety of vocabulary questions that require you to use context clues to answer them—but knowing the words beforehand gives you a major advantage.
  • Building your vocabulary and practicing definitions can help increase your confidence and knowledge on test day.
  • From A-Z, we’ve compiled a list of 100 must-know vocabulary words for the ACT and SAT.

Everyone knows that standardized tests love to trick you (the ACT, in particular, is known for this). One of the ways they do this is to use higher-level vocabulary. While questions such as “What is the definition of ____?” are few and far between, you’ll likely see many questions that want you to use context clues to help define words. Therefore, it’s important to have a good base set of vocab words. Are you ready? Here are 100 must-know vocabulary words for the ACT and SAT (get those flashcards ready)!

What You Should Know about Vocabulary on the ACT/SAT

A pile of Scrabble tiles.The ACT and SAT are two of the more popular options for college entrance exams with content quite similar to the material you learned in high school. Though scored differently, you’ll find that their content is similar with sections on math, reading, and writing, though the ACT also has an optional science portion. When taking one or both of these tests, you’ll most likely come across questions that will require you to define words.

However, vocabulary is not usually tested in isolation, but in context. This means you’ll need to use comprehension and reasoning skills, prior knowledge, and thorough analysis to evaluate the words. You’ll most likely see synonyms, antonyms, and context-based questions.

Examples of Different Types of Vocabulary Questions on the ACT/SAT

To help you prepare for the ACT and SAT, here are some questions from past SATs that you may see:

Example #1: Context-Based

Example #2: Selecting the Word or Definition

In addition to context-based questions (example #1), you’ll also see questions that ask you to pick a single word or definition. Here are some examples:

100 Must-Know Vocabulary Words for the ACT/SAT

After searching through official practice tests and other notable online vocabulary lists, we’ve compiled 100 must-know words for the ACT/SAT:

  1. Abate (verb): to lessen in intensity or degree.
  2. Abstain (verb): to choose not to do something.
  3. Acumen (noun): keen insight; shrewdness.
  4. Adhere (verb): to stick to a surface; to believe in and follow a set of beliefs.
  5. Adversity (noun): hardship; misfortune.
  6. Aesthetic (adjective): concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty.
  7. Ambivalent (adjective): having mixed or contradictory feelings about something.
  8. Amicable (adjective): friendly and agreeable.
  9. Anachronistic (adjective): out of date; not in the correct historical period.
  10. Assiduous (adjective): hardworking; diligent.
  11. Benevolent (adjective): well-meaning and kindly.
  12. Bolster (verb): to support or strengthen.
  13. Brittle (adjective): fragile; easily broken.
  14. Camaraderie (noun): trust and friendship among people who spend time together.
  15. Capitulate (verb): to surrender or give in.
  16. Capricious (adjective): given to sudden changes of mood or behavior.
  17. Censure (verb): to express severe disapproval.
  18. Clairvoyant (adjective): able to perceive events in the future.
  19. Cognizant (adjective): being aware of or having knowledge of something.
  20. Coherent (adjective): logical and consistent.
  21. Collaborate (verb): to work jointly on an activity.
  22. Compassion (noun): sympathetic pity and concern for others.
  23. Compromise (noun): an agreement reached by mutual concessions.
  24. Condescending (adjective): having a superior attitude toward others.
  25. Conformist (noun): a person who conforms to accepted behavior.
  26. Convergence (noun): the process of coming together.
  27. Corollary (noun): a direct or natural consequence or result.
  28. Deleterious (adjective): causing harm or damage.
  29. Delirious (adjective): in a state of wild excitement or ecstasy.
  30. Demagogue (noun): a leader who seeks support by appealing to desires and prejudices.
  31. Digression (noun): a temporary departure from the main subject.
  32. Diligent (adjective): showing care in one’s work.
  33. Discredit (verb): to harm the reputation of.
  34. Disdain (verb): to regard with scorn.
  35. Divergent (adjective): tending to be different or develop in different directions.
  36. Eclipse (noun/verb): a loss of significance, power, or prominence in relation to another; to overshadow.
  37. Empathy (noun): the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
  38. Emulate (verb): to match or surpass by imitation.
  39. Enervating (adjective): causing one to feel drained of energy.
  40. Ephemeral (adjective): lasting for a very short time.
  41. Erudite (adjective): having or showing great knowledge or learning.
  42. Evanescent (adjective): quickly fading or disappearing.
  43. Exemplary (adjective): serving as a desirable model.
  44. Extenuating (adjective): serving to lessen the seriousness of an offense.
  45. Florid (adjective): having a red or flushed complexion; elaborately intricate.
  46. Fortuitous (adjective): happening by a lucky chance.
  47. Frugal (adjective): sparing or economical with regard to money or food.
  48. Furtive (adjective): attempting to avoid notice or attention, often because of guilt.
  49. Galvanize (verb): to shock or excite someone into taking action.
  50. Hackneyed (adjective): lacking significance through overuse.
  51. Haughty (adjective): arrogantly superior and disdainful.
  52. Hedonist (noun): a person who pursues pleasure as a goal.
  53. Hypothesis (noun): a proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence.
  54. Impetuous (adjective): acting quickly without thought or care.
  55. Impute (verb): to attribute to someone.
  56. Incendiary (adjective): tending to stir up conflict; designed to cause fires.
  57. Incompatible (adjective): so opposed in character as to be unable to coexist.
  58. Inconsequential (adjective): not important or significant.
  59. Inevitable (adjective): certain to happen; unavoidable.
  60. Integrity (noun): honesty and strong moral principles.
  61. Intrepid (adjective): fearless; adventurous.
  62. Intuitive (adjective): based on what one feels to be true without reasoning.
  63. Jubilation (noun): a feeling of great happiness and triumph.
  64. Latent (adjective): existing but not yet developed or visible; hidden.
  65. Lethargic (adjective): sluggish and apathetic.
  66. Lobbyist (noun): a person who seeks to influence political events.
  67. Longevity (noun): long life.
  68. Mundane (adjective): lacking interest or excitement; dull.
  69. Nonchalant (adjective): feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed.
  70. Novice (noun): a person new to or inexperienced in a field.
  71. Ominous (adjective): giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen.
  72. Opulent (adjective): wealthy and luxurious.
  73. Orator (noun): a skilled public speaker.
  74. Ostentatious (adjective): characterized by vulgar display; designed to impress.
  75. Parched (adjective): dried out with heat; extremely thirsty.
  76. Perfidious (adjective): deceitful and untrustworthy.
  77. Perturbed (adjective): greatly disturbed or anxious.
  78. Precocious (adjective): having developed abilities at an earlier age than usual.
  79. Pretentious (adjective): attempting to impress by affecting greater importance.
  80. Procrastinate (verb): to delay or postpone action.
  81. Prosaic (adjective): lacking poetic beauty; commonplace.
  82. Prosperity (noun): the state of being prosperous; wealth.
  83. Provocative (adjective): causing annoyance or strong reaction.
  84. Prudent (adjective): acting with care and thought for the future.
  85. Pungent (adjective): having a very strong taste or smell.
  86. Querulous (adjective): complaining in a petulant manner.
  87. Rancorous (adjective): characterized by bitterness or resentment.
  88. Reclusive (adjective): avoiding the company of others; solitary.
  89. Reconciliation (noun): the restoration of friendly relations.
  90. Resilient (adjective): able to recover quickly from difficult conditions.
  91. Spurious (adjective): false or fake; not genuine.
  92. Superfluous (adjective): unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.
  93. Surreptitious (adjective): kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.
  94. Tactful (adjective): having or showing sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues.
  95. Tenacious (adjective): persistent, determined.
  96. Transient (adjective/noun): temporary or short-lived; a person who stays only temporarily.
  97. Venerable (adjective): accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character.
  98. Vindicate (verb): to clear someone of blame or suspicion.
  99. Wary (adjective): feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems.
  100. Zealous (adjective): having or showing enthusiasm or energy in pursuit of a cause or objective.

Strategies for Learning and Memorizing New Vocabulary Words

It’s most likely been a while (think: elementary school) since you were memorizing new vocabulary words. As you’re now prepping for a standardized test, here are our best tips for building up your word bank:

  • Flashcards: They’re old-school but always effective. We suggest starting with two piles—a know-it pile and a need-some-work Once you’ve mastered the know-it pile, move to the need-some-work pile. Repeat this process, refining your stacks until you’ve got every word down.
  • Practice Tests: What better way to prepare for test day than by actually taking one of the practice tests yourself? As you go through the passages, highlight unfamiliar words and then use context clues to figure them out. Not only will you learn the meanings of the words, but you’ll also be practicing through a full-length, timed test.
  • Read, Read, Read: And we aren’t just referring to a textbook. Open any book or online article to read for your enjoyment. The bonus? You’re exposed to new words and it doesn’t feel like studying.
  • Play Word Games: Who doesn’t love a good game? Try Scrabble, Boggle, or apps like Wordscapes to build your vocabulary.

There are a lot of words in the English language (try millions), so don’t get overwhelmed—no one expects you to know them all. But if you practice a little bit each day, you’ll be surprised how quickly your vocabulary grows. The more you explore, the more you’ll learn. And when test day rolls around and you realize you don’t know a word, don’t stress. Use your context clues and make your best educated guess. You’ve got this!

You know what you don’t have to use context clues for? Finding your perfect college match—College Raptor’s College Match tool has you covered!

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