Literary Words, Collocations, Useful Idioms and 12 More Topics · SAT Essential Vocabulary List

Learn 181 English words covering Literary Words, Collocations, Useful Idioms and 12 more topics from the SAT Essential Vocabulary List list, each with pronunciation, a definition and example sentences.

181 words SAT Essential Vocabulary List

Literary Words

order /ˈɔrdər/ noun

a group of people organized together because they share similar interests or goals

"It is a secret order."

"The clandestine order operated in the shadows, pursuing its agenda through subtle influence and manipulation."

heather /ˈhɛðɝ/ noun

yarn or fabric with mixed colors that create muted greyish shades, often with flecks of other colors

"A heather colored sweater."

"She knitted a cozy scarf using heather yarn, giving it a soft, mottled appearance."

attend /əˈtɛnd/ verb

to manage or take care of a situation, task, or responsibility successfully

"Can you attend this?"

"She managed to attend all her professional obligations while also caring for her ailing parent."

melancholy /ˈmɛɫənˌkɑɫi/ noun

a feeling of long-lasting sadness that often cannot be explained

"A deep melancholy filled the empty house after the funeral."

"A quiet melancholy settled over him as he watched the rain fall outside."

queer /ˈkwɪɹ/ adjective

deviating from what is considered conventional or expected

"He gave a queer look."

"The queer feeling in her stomach told her that something was wrong but she could not figure out what it was until she saw the note."

stale /steɪl/ adjective

lacking freshness or excitement due to overuse, age, or repetition

"The bread is stale."

"His constant complaining made the entire conversation feel stale and unproductive."

bosom /ˈbʊzəm/ noun

a person's chest

"She held the child to her bosom."

"She held the precious locket close to her bosom, a constant reminder of her loved one."

flounder /ˈflaʊndər/ verb

to move clumsily or struggle while walking

"The duck will flounder."

"Lost in the deep snow, the hiker began to flounder, his progress agonizingly slow."

languish /ˈɫæŋɡwɪʃ/ verb

to fail to be successful or make any progress

"The prisoner languished in jail for years."

"The talented actor continued to languish in obscurity for many years before finally getting his big break in Hollywood."

spoiled /ˈspɔɪɫd/ adjective

(of a person) displaying a childish behavior due to being treated very well or having been given everything they desired in the past

"The spoiled child cried."

"The spoiled child threw a tantrum when he didn't get the toy he wanted immediately."

daredevil /ˈdɛɹˌdɛvəɫ/ adjective

reckless and willing to do dangerous things

"A daredevil stunt."

"The daredevil motorcyclist jumped over ten cars in a row and the crowd cheered as he landed safely on the other side."

sequester /sɪˈkwɛstɝ/ verb

to isolate or separate something or someone from outside influence or contact

"The jury was sequestered during the trial."

"The jury was sequestered in a hotel during the trial to prevent them from being influenced by outside news or opinions."

leave /liːv/ noun

permission or authorization to do something

"She requested leave for next Monday"

"He requested annual leave for two weeks to travel to Japan with his family."

stubble /ˈstəbəɫ/ noun

the leftover plant material, like seed coverings and bits of stem or leaves, remaining after crops are harvested

"The field had stubble."

"After the harvest, the field was covered in stubble, waiting for the next planting season."

semblance /ˈsɛmbləns/ noun

a condition or situation that is similar or only appears to be similar to something

"It has a semblance of truth."

"Despite the chaos, the room maintained a semblance of order, which was quite surprising."

Collocations

out of tune /ˌaʊɾəv tˈuːn/ phrase

in a state in which the correct musical sound is not played or sung

"The singer is out of tune."

"The piano was out of tune so the music sounded terrible during the concert performance."

Useful Idioms

break even /breɪk ˈivɪn/ phrase

to reach a point where gains equal losses, resulting in a balance

"The business will break even."

"After months of careful financial planning, the struggling startup finally managed to break even."

at odds /æt ˈɑːdz/ phrase

(with reference to two things) in contrast to each other instead of correspondence

"The two brothers are always at odds."

"The two politicians are at odds over how to solve the country's economic problems and unemployment crisis."

take advantage of something /teɪk ædˈvæntɪʤ əv ˈsəmθɪŋ/ phrase

to use something for personal gain in an unfair or dishonest manner

"Don't take advantage of this."

"They were accused of taking advantage of the loopholes in the tax legislation for personal gain."

face value /feɪs ˈvælju/ noun

the obvious meaning or worth of something, without looking deeper

"It's face value."

"You shouldn't always accept things at their face value without further investigation."

Understanding Questions

quotation /kwoʊˈteɪʃən/ noun

a sentence or group of words from a movie, book, etc. that someone else repeats

"The quotation was inspiring."

"She used a quotation from the speech in her essay."

illustrate /ˈɪləˌstreɪt/ verb

to explain or show the meaning of something using examples, pictures, etc.

"These examples illustrate the problem well."

"The graph illustrates the relationship between population growth and the increasing demand for natural resources."

relevant /ˈɹɛɫəvənt/ adjective

having a close connection with the situation or subject at hand

"That is not relevant."

"That information is not relevant to our discussion so please stick to the topic at hand."

transition /tɹænˈzɪʃən/ noun

a connection that links one subject or idea to another

"Smooth transition is necessary."

"The company made a very smooth transition to the new management system without causing any major problems for employees."

conform /kənˈfɔrm/ verb

to be or act in accordance with a rule, standard, etc.

"They conform to rules."

"Many teenagers feel pressure to conform to popular trends in fashion and music to fit in with their peers."

convention /kənˈvɛnʃən/ noun

the common and proper way of doing something or appearing in a specific context or group

"That is the convention."

"Adhering to industry convention is important for maintaining professional credibility and trust among colleagues."

adapt /əˈdæpt/ verb

to change something in a way that suits a new purpose or situation better

"We adapt quickly."

"Organisms must adapt to changing environmental conditions to survive and thrive in their habitats."

specify /ˈspɛsəˌfaɪ/ verb

to clearly state or define particular details, terms, or conditions in agreements or contracts

"Please specify the date."

"The contract explicitly requires the supplier to specify the exact delivery timelines and quality standards."

point of view /pˈɔɪnt ʌv vjˈuː/ phrase

the perspective from which the narrator tells a story

"From my point of view, it is a good plan."

"From my point of view we should wait before making a final decision about the move."

Clause Connectors

however /haʊˈɛvɚ/ conjunction

in whatever way

"However you want."

"However you choose to approach this complex problem, please ensure you consider all potential consequences."

though /ðoʊ/ conjunction

used to say something surprising compared to the main idea

"He is nice though sometimes grumpy."

"He is very kind though he sometimes says things that hurt other people feelings."

still /stɪl/ adverb

despite what has been said or done

"He is still here."

"Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, the suspect maintained his innocence and is still professing his alibi."

instead /ˌɪnˈstɛd/ adverb

in contrast to what was expected or suggested

"He ate cake instead."

"She decided to pursue a career in medicine instead of following her father's footsteps into law."

besides /ˌbiˈsaɪdz/, /bɪˈsaɪdz/ adverb

used to add extra information or to introduce a reason that supports what was just said

"Besides, I am tired."

"Besides I also need a new phone because my old one is broken and the screen is cracked."

therefore /ˈðɛrˌfɔr/ adverb

as a result of something

"It rained, therefore it's wet."

"The company experienced a significant downturn in sales; therefore, they had to implement cost-cutting measures."

consequently /ˈkɑnsəˌkwɛntɫi/ adverb

used to indicate a logical result or effect

"He did not study consequently he failed."

"He did not study consequently he failed the exam and had to repeat the entire course during the summer."

meanwhile /ˈminˌwaɪl/ adverb

at the same time but often somewhere else

"Meanwhile I will prepare dinner."

"Meanwhile I will prepare dinner while you set the table and pour the drinks for everyone."

subsequently /ˈsəbsəkwəntɫi/ adverb

after a particular event or time

"He quit his job and subsequently moved away."

"He quit his job and subsequently started his own business which became very successful within a few years."

finally /ˈfaɪnəli/ adverb

used to introduce the last event or item in a series of related things

"Finally, he arrived."

"After a long and arduous journey, the weary travelers finally reached their destination."

next /nɛkst/ adverb

at the time or point immediately following the present

"Next we will dance."

"Next we will visit the museum and then go to the park for a picnic lunch together."

later /ˈleɪtɚ/ adverb

at a time following the current or mentioned moment, without specifying exactly when

"I will call you later tonight."

"I will call you later tonight after I finish my homework and have something to eat for dinner."

similarly /ˈsɪmələrli/ adverb

used to draw a parallel between two related ideas or actions

"Similarly, I agree."

"The first experiment yielded positive results, and similarly, the second attempt proved to be even more successful."

accordingly /əˈkɔrdɪŋli/ adverb

used to indicate a logical consequence based on the circumstances or information provided

"He failed, accordingly."

"The company's profits declined significantly, and accordingly, they had to implement cost-cutting measures."

specifically /spəˈsɪfɪkli/ adverb

only for one certain type of person or thing

"This book was written specifically for children."

"This book was written specifically for children aged eight to twelve who are interested in science and nature."

likewise /ˈɫaɪˌkwaɪz/ adverb

used when introducing additional information to a statement that has just been made

"He is kind likewise his brother."

"He is very kind and generous likewise his brother is also very helpful and always willing to assist others."

actually /ˈæˌkʧuəli/ adverb

used to emphasize a fact or the truth of a situation

"Did you actually see?"

"I thought it was a rumor, but he actually confirmed the surprising news himself."

Intensifiers and Mitigators

significantly /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəntɫi/ adverb

in a way that carries particular importance or meaning, often in relation to the context

"The temperature dropped significantly overnight."

"The temperature dropped significantly overnight and we had to turn on the heater to keep warm."

profoundly /pɹoʊˈfaʊndɫi/ adverb

to an extreme or total degree, especially used in medical contexts

"He was profoundly ill."

"I am profoundly grateful for your kindness and generosity during this difficult time in my life."

remarkably /ɹiˈmɑɹkəbɫi/ adverb

to a notable or extraordinary degree

"She is remarkably talented for her age."

"She is remarkably talented for her age and can play three different musical instruments very well indeed."

particularly /pɚˈtɪkjələrli/ adverb

to a degree that is higher than usual

"I particularly enjoy Italian food."

"I particularly enjoy Italian food especially pasta dishes like spaghetti and lasagna with rich tomato sauce."

quite /kwaɪt/ adverb

to the highest degree

"The movie was quite good."

"The movie was quite good actually much better than I expected from the reviews I had read online."

roughly /ˈɹəfɫi/ adverb

without being exact

"Roughly half of the students passed."

"Roughly half of the students passed the exam while the other half failed and will have to retake it."

hardly /ˈhɑrdli/ adverb

to a very small degree or extent

"I can hardly wait."

"After the long hike, he could hardly move his tired legs and felt completely exhausted."

remotely /riˈmoʊtli/ adverb

in the slightest degree, usually used with negatives

"I can't remotely see."

"He claims to have seen a ghost, but I don't remotely believe his story."

seldom /ˈsɛɫdəm/ adjective

rarely occurring or happening

"That is a seldom event."

"The seldom seen snow leopard is one of the rarest animals in the world and very few people have ever photographed one in its natural habitat."

extensive /ɪkˈstɛnsɪv/ adjective

covering a wide range, indicating thoroughness or comprehensiveness

"This is extensive work."

"The research involved an extensive review of historical documents to understand the societal impact of the industrial revolution."

immense /ɪˈmɛns/ adjective

extremely large or vast in physical size

"The building is immense."

"The immense building towered over the city and it contained more than five thousand offices and a shopping mall on the ground floor."

Support

encourage /ɪnˈkərəʤ/ verb

to provide someone with support, hope, or confidence

"Encourage the team to win."

"Her encouraging words helped the athlete overcome his self-doubt and perform exceptionally well."

uphold /əpˈhoʊɫd/ verb

to support or defend something that is believed to be right so it continues to last

"Judges must uphold the constitution."

"Judges have a duty to uphold the constitution and ensure that laws are applied fairly to all citizens."

actuate /ˈækˌtʃuˈeɪt/ verb

to provide a reason or encouragement that motivates someone to take action

"His words actuate them."

"Pressing this button will actuate the emergency alarm and alert the security team to a potential problem."

propagate /ˈpɹɑpəˌɡeɪt/ verb

to cause something, such as an idea or information, to become widely known or spread

"Ideas propagate quickly now."

"The plant can propagate easily from cuttings so you can grow new plants from a single healthy stem."

sustain /səˈsteɪn/ verb

to support an opinion, argument, theory, etc. or to prove it's credibility

"We sustain our argument."

"The scientist presented compelling evidence to sustain her groundbreaking theory about cellular regeneration."

substantiate /səbˈstænʃiˌeɪt/, /səbˈstæntʃiˌeɪt/ verb

to add to the strength of something

"This evidence will substantiate the theory."

"The researcher could not substantiate her claims with any solid evidence so the scientific community remained skeptical of her findings."

grant /grænt/ verb

to formally give something, often after careful consideration or approval, especially in a manner that acknowledges its significance or importance

"They will grant permission."

"The committee will grant an award to the scientist whose research promises significant advancements in renewable energy."

enrich /ɪnˈrɪʧ/ verb

to increase wealth or prosperity of an individual or group

"This will enrich them."

"Investing wisely in diverse assets can significantly enrich an individual's financial portfolio over time."

indulge /ˌɪnˈdəlʤ/ verb

to allow oneself or someone else to enjoy something excessively, often without restraint

"He will indulge himself."

"After a demanding period of intense work, she decided to indulge in a relaxing spa retreat."

upkeep /ˈəpˌkip/ noun

the act of providing financial support, food, etc. for a person or animal

"The upkeep of the child is expensive."

"Providing the necessary upkeep for a large family requires careful budgeting and consistent financial planning."

revival /ɹiˈvaɪvəɫ/, /ɹɪˈvaɪvəɫ/ noun

the act of bringing something back into active use, attention, or importance after a period of decline or obscurity

"Cultural revival is strong."

"There is a strong cultural revival of traditional music and dance in the region this year."

salvation /sælˈveɪʃən/ noun

preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss

"This is their salvation."

"The timely intervention of emergency services provided the stranded hikers with their only hope of salvation."

Weakness and Deterioration

decline /dɪˈklaɪn/ verb

to gradually weaken or worsen in condition or performance

"The economy will decline."

"Experts predict that the housing market may experience a gradual decline in prices due to rising interest rates."

diminish /dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/ verb

to decrease in degree, size, etc.

"The noise slowly diminished over time."

"The sound of the train gradually diminished as it traveled further away from the station until it could no longer be heard."

subside /səbˈsaɪd/ verb

to decline in intensity or strength

"The flood waters began to subside."

"After the initial storm passed, the wind began to subside, allowing the waves on the lake to become much calmer."

recede /ɹɪˈsid/ verb

to diminish in intensity, visibility, or prominence

"The flood waters finally receded."

"The floodwaters finally began to recede after three days of heavy rain stopped and the sun came out again."

wither /ˈwɪðɝ/ verb

to decline, weaken, or deteriorate, often in terms of strength, vitality, or overall condition

"The flowers withered without water."

"The beautiful flowers began to wither in the intense summer heat because no one remembered to water them for days."

incapacitate /ˌɪnkəˈpæsɪˌteɪt/ verb

to make something unable to work properly

"The injury incapacitated him for months."

"The powerful blow to his head was enough to incapacitate the boxer and he could not get up to continue the fight."

crumble /ˈkɹəmbəɫ/ verb

to become weak or begin to fail

"His resolve began to crumble."

"The old sandstone building began to crumble after years of neglect and exposure to harsh weather conditions."

degrade /dɪˈɡɹeɪd/ verb

to reduce the quality or effectiveness of something

"The signal will degrade."

"The video quality will degrade if you compress the file too much."

dilute /daɪˈɫut/ verb

to make something less forceful, potent, or intense by adding additional elements or substances

"Dilute the juice with water."

"You should dilute the concentrated cleaning solution with water before using it on your floors."

wane /ˈweɪn/ verb

to gradually decrease in intensity, strength, importance, size, influence, etc.

"The moon's light began to wane."

"The moon began to wane after reaching its full brightness and gradually became smaller and smaller each night."

stifle /ˈstaɪfəɫ/ verb

to suppress, restrain, or hinder the growth, development, or intensity of something

"Don't stifle creativity."

"The oppressive regime attempted to stifle any dissent by controlling all forms of media and public expression."

delicate /ˈdɛlɪkət/ adjective

easily harmed or destroyed

"The flower is delicate."

"The delicate flower petals fell off the stem when she touched them because they were so fragile and easily damaged by human hands."

brittle /ˈbɹɪtəɫ/ adjective

easily broken, cracked, or shattered due to the lack of flexibility and resilience

"The glass is brittle."

"The brittle glass shattered into a thousand pieces when it hit the hard tile floor in the kitchen."

tenuous /ˈtɛnjəwəs/ adjective

very delicate or thin

"The connection is tenuous."

"The scientist carefully examined the tenuous strands of DNA under the microscope."

deficiency /dɪˈfɪʃənsi/ noun

a flaw, weakness, or shortcoming that reduces the effectiveness, quality, or completeness of something

"Vitamin deficiency causes problem."

"A vitamin D deficiency can cause weak bones and increase the risk of fractures."

Inhibition

preclude /prɪˈklud/ verb

(of circumstances) to stop or prevent someone from being able to do something

"Rain will preclude our picnic."

"The ongoing investigation will unfortunately preclude any further public statements at this time."

attenuate /əˈtɛnjuˌeɪt/ verb

to take away from something's effect, value, size, power, or amount

"Cold attenuates the signal."

"The medication is designed to attenuate the severity of the patient's symptoms without causing significant side effects."

curb /ˈkɝb/ verb

to lessen the intensity of something or keep it under control, often through restraint or inhibition

"We need to curb our spending habits."

"The government needs to curb excessive spending by reducing the budget for non essential programs and projects."

inhibit /ˌɪnˈhɪbət/ verb

to restrict or reduce the normal activity or function of something

"This will inhibit growth."

"Lack of proper nutrients can inhibit the healthy development of young plants and seedlings."

repulse /ɹiˈpəɫs/ verb

to drive back or push away

"The army repulsed the attack."

"The guards were ordered to repulse any intruders attempting to enter the secure facility without authorization."

abandon /əˈbændən/ verb

to stop supporting an idea, policy, concept, etc.

"They abandon the plan."

"The government was forced to abandon its proposed tax reforms due to widespread public opposition."

elude /ɪˈɫud/ verb

to cleverly avoid or escape from someone or something

"The answer continues to elude me."

"The clever thief managed to elude the police by disappearing into the crowded marketplace."

repel /ɹɪˈpɛɫ/ verb

to push away or cause something or someone to retreat or withdraw

"The army repelled the enemy attack."

"The small army managed to repel the much larger invading force by using the mountainous terrain to their advantage during the battle."

dispose /dɪˈspoʊz/ verb

to throw away something, often in a responsible manner

"Dispose of the waste."

"It is important to dispose of electronic waste responsibly to prevent environmental contamination."

douse /ˈdaʊs/ verb

to loosen, especially by reducing tension or pressure

"She doused the flames with water."

"The firefighter used a powerful hose to douse the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to nearby buildings."

deter /dɪˈtɝ/ verb

to stop something from happening

"High prices deter many potential buyers."

"High ticket prices often deter many people from attending live theater performances even when they want to go."

depredation /ˌdɛpɹəˈdeɪʃən/ noun

(usually plural) the act of damaging and destructing

"The depredation of the forest harmed wildlife."

"The depredation caused by the hurricane left the coastal town in ruins with no power or clean water."

Challenges and Struggles

tolerate /ˈtɑləreɪt/ verb

to allow something one dislikes, especially certain behavior or conditions, without interference or complaint

"I cannot tolerate loud noises."

"I cannot tolerate rude behavior from anyone regardless of their position or status in the company."

struggle /ˈstrəgəl/ verb

to engage in a violent fight with someone, especially to get out of a difficult situation

"He will struggle."

"The hikers had to struggle through the dense forest, battling against the uneven terrain and thick undergrowth."

tackle /ˈtækəɫ/ verb

to try to deal with a difficult problem or situation in a determined manner

"We must tackle climate change now."

"The government needs to tackle the problem of unemployment by creating more jobs for young people."

encounter /ɪnˈkaʊnɝ/ verb

to be faced with an unexpected difficulty during a process

"You may encounter some difficulties."

"You may encounter some difficulties while learning a new language but do not give up easily."

confront /kənˈfɹənt/ verb

to face or deal with a problem or difficult situation directly

"She will confront her boss tomorrow."

"She finally decided to confront her colleague about the inappropriate comments he had been making."

strive /straɪv/ verb

to make great efforts or struggle in opposition, often in contention or dispute

"Strive for excellence."

"Athletes often strive for peak physical condition, pushing their bodies to the limit in pursuit of victory."

grapple /ˈgræpəl/ verb

to engage in a determined effort to confront and resolve a problem or obstacle

"Grapple the problem."

"The team will grapple with the complex ethical dilemmas presented by the new research findings."

resort /rɪˈzɔrt/ verb

to turn to or use something as a solution or means of help, especially as a last option

"Resort to violence."

"When all other options failed, they had to resort to drastic measures to save the business."

persist /pərˈsɪst/ verb

to continue a course of action with determination, even when faced with challenges or discouragement

"Rain persists throughout the entire weekend."

"The pain in his knee persisted for several weeks despite taking painkillers and resting the injured joint."

endure /ɪnˈdʊr/ verb

to persist through difficult or painful experiences

"Endure the pain."

"Despite facing numerous setbacks, she managed to endure the arduous journey with remarkable resilience and determination."

concede /kənˈsiːd/ verb

to admit defeat in a competition, election, etc.

"The candidate will concede the election."

"After counting all the votes the candidate decided to concede the election and congratulate his opponent."

withdraw /wɪðˈdɹɔ/, /wɪθˈdɹɔ/ verb

to pull back or move away from a position or situation, often in response to a threat or unfavorable conditions

"He will withdraw from the race."

"Due to the escalating conflict, the ambassador was instructed to immediately withdraw from the volatile region."

succumb /səˈkəm/ verb

to surrender to a superior force or influence

"He will succumb to the illness."

"Despite her initial resistance, she eventually began to succumb to the persuasive arguments of the salesman."

obstacle /ˈɑbstɪkəl/ noun

an intangible difficulty or challenge that must be overcome

"The biggest obstacle was lack of funding."

"The lack of funding was the biggest obstacle preventing the research team from completing their important project."

mishap /ˈmɪsˌhæp/ noun

an unexpected and unlucky event

"A small mishap."

"The planned outdoor event was unfortunately marred by a minor mishap involving a sudden downpour of rain."

barrier /ˈbæɹiɝ/, /ˈbɛɹiɝ/ noun

an obstacle that separates people or hinders any progress or communication

"Language barrier exists."

"The language barrier made communication difficult between the tourists and local people in the foreign country."

strain /streɪn/ noun

a challenging situation or pressure that causes difficulty or tension

"Feel the strain."

"The constant pressure to meet unrealistic deadlines created a significant strain on the entire department's morale."

resilient /ɹɪˈzɪɫjənt/ adjective

able to recover quickly from difficult situations

"The plant is resilient."

"Despite facing numerous setbacks, the determined entrepreneur remained resilient and continued to pursue her business goals."

Harm and Danger

threaten /θˈrɛtən/ verb

to indicate a potential danger or risk to someone or something

"The storm threaten us."

"The aggressive rhetoric from the opposing party began to threaten the stability of the government."

compromise /ˈkɑmprəˌmaɪz/ verb

to put someone or something in danger, particularly by being careless

"Don't compromise the safety."

"Leaving the gate unlocked could compromise the security of the entire neighborhood and put residents at risk."

discredit /dɪˈskrɛdət/ verb

to make people believe someone or something is not trustworthy or reliable

"Discredit the witness."

"The defense attorney attempted to discredit the prosecution's key witness by highlighting inconsistencies in their testimony."

poisonous /ˈpɔɪzənəs/ adjective

characterized by a strong intent to harm or cause trouble

"Poisonous snake."

"His poisonous remarks were clearly intended to undermine her confidence and damage her reputation within the company."

inhospitable /ˌɪnhɑˈspɪtəbəɫ/, /ɪnˈhɑspətəbəɫ/ adjective

providing an environment where life or growth is difficult or impossible

"The desert is inhospitable."

"The inhospitable desert has no water and temperatures that can kill you."

treacherous /ˈtrɛʧərəs/ adjective

posing a hidden or sudden threat

"Treacherous ice."

"The mountain path was treacherous, with loose rocks and steep drops that required extreme caution from hikers."

Difficulty and Complexity

repress /ɹiˈpɹɛs/ verb

to hold back or prevent something from being expressed, developed, or revealed

"She repressed her angry feelings completely."

"The authoritarian government used military force to repress the peaceful protests and arrested hundreds of demonstrators without any legal justification."

disrupt /dɪsˈrəpt/ verb

to cause disorder or disturbance in something that was previously orderly or calm

"The storm will disrupt the game."

"Unexpected technical failures can significantly disrupt the smooth operation of the entire production line."

intervene /ˌɪntərˈvin/ verb

to intentionally become involved in a difficult situation in order to improve it or prevent it from getting worse

"I will intervene now."

"The mediator decided to intervene in the dispute to prevent further escalation."

interfere /ˌɪnərˈfɪr/ verb

to disrupt the normal continuation or proper execution of a process or activity

"Do not interfere with my work."

"It is important that the investigators are allowed to work without any external parties attempting to interfere."

jam /dʒæm/ verb

to create disturbances in electronic signals preventing them from being received

"The signal jammed the radio."

"The hackers attempted to jam the communication signals, hoping to disrupt the military's ability to coordinate their efforts."

obstruct /əbˈstɹəkt/ verb

to deliberately create challenges or difficulties that slow down or prevent the smooth advancement or development of something

"The fallen tree will obstruct the road."

"A fallen tree will obstruct the road until the cleanup crew arrives to remove it."

severity /sɪˈvɛɹɪti/ noun

the intensity or degree of something challenging or impactful, such as pain, weather conditions, or any adverse circumstance

"The severity of the storm surprised everyone."

"The doctor explained the high severity of the illness and possible treatment options to the worried family members."

straightforward /ˌstreɪtˈfɔrwɚd/ adjective

easy to comprehend or perform without any difficulties

"The answer is straightforward."

"The instructions for assembling the furniture were surprisingly straightforward, making the process quite simple."

elaborate /ɪˈlæbərˌeɪt/ adjective

carefully developed or executed with great attention to detail

"The design was elaborate."

"The wedding cake featured an elaborate, multi-tiered design adorned with intricate sugar flowers."

digestible /daɪˈdʒɛstəbəɫ/ adjective

(of information) clear and easy for the audience to understand

"The report is digestible."

"The presenter made sure the complex scientific data was presented in a digestible format for the general audience."

rocky /ˈrɑki/ adjective

characterized by difficulty or challenges, often used to describe a situation or experience

"It was rocky."

"The initial phase of the project was rocky, with unexpected technical difficulties and budget overruns."

obscure /əbˈskjʊɹ/ adjective

difficult to comprehend due to being vague or hidden

"The path is obscure."

"The obscure path through the forest was hard to find without a guide."

readily /ˈɹɛdəɫi/ adverb

with little difficulty or trouble

"She readily agreed to help."

"She readily agreed to help because she is always kind and generous with her time and resources."

Change

alter /ˈɔɫtɝ/ verb

to cause something to change

"Do not alter the original document."

"The new medication may alter your sleep patterns so take it in the morning rather than at night."

transform /ˈtɹænsfɔɹm/ verb

to change the appearance, character, or nature of a person or object

"A caterpillar transforms into a butterfly."

"The caterpillar will transform into a beautiful butterfly after spending several weeks inside its chrysalis."

convert /ˈkɑnvərt/ verb

to change the form, purpose, character, etc. of something

"Convert the currency before traveling."

"The company plans to convert the old warehouse into modern loft apartments for young professionals seeking affordable housing in the city."

evolve /iˈvɑɫv/ verb

to develop from a simple form to a more complex or sophisticated one over an extended period

"Species evolve over long periods."

"The company's business model has evolved significantly over the past decade to keep up with changing market demands and new technologies."

adapt /əˈdæpt/ verb

to change something in a way that suits a new purpose or situation better

"We adapt quickly."

"Organisms must adapt to changing environmental conditions to survive and thrive in their habitats."

render /ˈrɛndər/ verb

to cause something to develop into a particular state, condition, or quality

"This will render the task easy."

"The new software update will render the old system completely obsolete."

fluctuate /ˈfɫəktʃəˌweɪt/ verb

to vary or waver between two or more states or amounts

"Stock prices fluctuate throughout the trading day."

"The price of gasoline tends to fluctuate depending on global oil supply and demand throughout the year."

refine /rɪˈfaɪn/ verb

to make something less intense, forceful, or vigorous

"We must refine the plan."

"The experienced chef decided to refine the sauce by adding a subtle blend of exotic spices."

oscillate /ˈɑsəˌɫeɪt/ verb

to move back and forth in a regular rhythm between two or more states, positions, or opinions

"The needle oscillates back and forth."

"The needle on the gauge began to oscillate rapidly back and forth indicating an unstable reading from the engine sensor."

escalate /ˈɛskəˌleɪt/ verb

to become much worse or more intense

"The fight will escalate."

"Without intervention, the minor disagreement between the neighbors began to escalate into a serious feud."

disintegrate /dɪˈsɪntəˌɡɹeɪt/ verb

to break or lose structure and unity over time

"The paper disintegrated in water."

"The old piece of paper disintegrated into tiny fragments when I tried to pick it up because it was so old and brittle."

deteriorate /dɪˈtɪriərˌeɪt/ verb

to make worse

"The situation will deteriorate quickly."

"Without proper maintenance, the structural integrity of the old building began to deteriorate rapidly."

dynamic /daɪˈnæmɪk/ adjective

characterized by continuous and often rapid change or progress

"The market is dynamic now."

"Her dynamic personality and innovative ideas made her an invaluable asset to the team."

volatile /ˈvɑɫətəɫ/ adjective

prone to unexpected and sudden changes, usually gets worse or dangerous

"The situation is volatile."

"The stock market is volatile and prices can rise or fall dramatically within a single day so investing carries significant risk for inexperienced traders."

constant /ˈkɑnstənt/ adjective

remaining unchanged and stable in degree, amount, or condition

"The temperature is constant."

"Despite the challenges, his constant dedication to the project never wavered, ensuring its eventual success."

Status

equilibrium /ˌikwəˈɫɪbɹiəm/ noun

a balanced state between opposing influences or powers

"The chemical reaction reached equilibrium eventually"

"The ecosystem reached equilibrium after the wolves were reintroduced to control the deer population."

stability /stəˈbɪlɪti/ noun

the quality of being fixed or steady and unlikely to change

"Stability is important."

"Political stability attracts foreign investment and helps the economy grow steadily over many years."

tangle /ˈtæŋɡəɫ/ noun

a confused or complicated mass of things that are twisted or interwoven together

"A tangled mess of wires."

"The legal matter became a complicated tangle that lasted for many years in the court."

remain /rɪˈmeɪn/ verb

to stay in the same state or condition

"The rain will remain."

"Despite the changes, their friendship continued to remain strong and unwavering through the years."

retain /rɪˈteɪn/ verb

to intentionally keep, maintain, or preserve something in its current state, resisting removal, elimination, or alteration

"Please retain the receipt."

"It is advisable to retain all original documentation for future reference and verification purposes."

preserve /pɹəˈzɝv/, /pɹiˈzɝv/, /pɹɪˈzɝv/ verb

to cause something to remain in its original state without any significant change

"We preserve food by canning it."

"We need to preserve the old building because it is an important part of our city's history and culture."

coexist /ˌkoʊəɡˈzɪst/ verb

to exist together in the same location or period, without necessarily interacting

"Different species coexist in this ecosystem."

"The different ethnic groups have managed to coexist peacefully in this diverse city for many decades without any major conflicts."

suspend /səˈspɛnd/ verb

to temporarily put on hold a process or habit

"Suspend the meeting."

"The negotiations were suspended temporarily due to unforeseen circumstances."

correspond /ˌkɔɹəˈspɑnd/ verb

to match or be similar to something else

"Your actions should correspond with your words."

"The signature on the check does not correspond to the customer's signature on file at the bank."

correlate /ˈkɔrəˌleɪt/ verb

to be closely connected or have mutual effects

"Smoking correlates with several lung diseases."

"The study found that high levels of stress correlate with an increased risk of heart disease among middle aged adults."

idle /ˈaɪdəɫ/ adjective

(of a machine, factory, or similar system) not operating or in active use

"The car is idle."

"The idle engine sat in the garage for months without being started or driven anywhere."

idyllic /aɪˈdɪɫɪk/ adjective

perfect or idealistic, often in a romantic or nostalgic sense

"They live an idyllic life."

"They spent their vacation in an idyllic cottage by a peaceful lake in the mountains."

awry /ɝˈaɪ/ adjective

not operating or happening as expected

"The plan went awry."

"Despite meticulous planning, the entire outdoor event went awry when an unexpected storm rolled in without warning."

steady /ˈstɛdi/ adjective

not subject to significant change or decline

"The economy is steady."

"The steady rain continued for three days and the farmers worried that their crops would be damaged by flooding."

derelict /ˈdɛɹəˌɫɪkt/ adjective

having a poor condition, often because of being abandoned or neglected for a long time

"The ship is derelict."

"The derelict building had broken windows and graffiti all over its crumbling walls."

quiescent /kwaɪˈɛsənt/ adjective

not currently in motion, operation, or expression

"The cells are quiescent."

"The quiescent volcano showed no signs of activity and scientists said it was safe."

stagnant /ˈstæɡnənt/ adjective

lacking movement or circulation

"The stagnant air felt heavy."

"The stagnant water in the pond smelled bad and was full of mosquitoes and algae."

Management of Items

distribute /dɪˈstɹɪbjut/ verb

to share something between a large number of people

"The charity distributes food to homeless people."

"The charity organization will distribute food and blankets to the homeless people living on the streets during winter."

intersperse /ˌɪntɝˈspɝs/ verb

to mix things together in order to make them diverse

"Intersperse colors for variety."

"The speaker interspersed her serious lecture with humorous anecdotes to keep the audience engaged and interested in the topic."

discharge /ˈdɪsˌʧɑrʤ/ verb

to give off or release a substance like gas or liquid

"The factory can discharge waste."

"The volcano will discharge lava and ash during its eruption."

emanate /ˈɛməˌneɪt/ verb

to send forth or give out energy, light, sound, or an abstract quality

"Warmth emanates from the fire."

"A strange unpleasant smell seemed to emanate from the old abandoned refrigerator that had been sitting in the basement for years."

permeate /ˈpɝmiˌeɪt/ verb

to expand to every part of a thing

"Water permeates the soil."

"The strong smell of freshly brewed coffee permeated the entire house and made everyone feel warm and cozy in the morning."

disperse /dɪˈspɝs/ verb

to spread or distribute something widely over an area

"Seeds disperse in wind."

"The large crowd slowly began to disperse after the concert ended and people headed home or to nearby bars and restaurants."

scatter /ˈskætɝ/ verb

to make things like items, people, particles, etc. spread out from a center and move in different directions

"Birds scatter from danger."

"The frightened birds scattered in all directions when the cat suddenly jumped out from behind the bushes and chased them."

stack /ˈstæk/ verb

to arrange items on top of each other in large quantities

"Stack the books neatly on the shelf."

"You should stack the plates carefully on the shelf so that they do not fall and break into many pieces."

amass /əˈmæs/ verb

to gather a large amount of money, knowledge, etc. gradually

"He amassed a fortune through hard work."

"Over many years the collector managed to amass a huge fortune and a valuable collection of rare paintings and sculptures."

integrate /ˈɪnəˌgreɪt/ verb

to bring things together to form a whole or include something as part of a larger group

"We integrate the parts."

"The new software update is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing operating systems, enhancing user experience."

merge /mərʤ/ verb

to combine different elements or components

"Let's merge our ideas."

"The two companies decided to merge their operations to become more competitive."

accumulation /əkˌjumjəˈɫeɪʃən/ noun

the process of gathering more and more of something over time

"The accumulation of wealth grew."

"The accumulation of plastic waste in the ocean has become a serious environmental problem worldwide."

assemblage /əˈsɛmbɫədʒ/, /əˈsɛmbɫɪdʒ/ noun

a collection of several different things brought together

"An assemblage of tools lay there."

"The museum displayed an impressive assemblage of ancient artifacts, each telling a unique story from a bygone era."

compilation /ˌkɑmpəˈɫeɪʃən/ noun

the act or process of gathering or putting together various items, such as information, into a single collection

"A compilation of stories."

"The compilation of folk songs included traditional ballads from several different regions of the country."

fusion /fˈjuʒən/ noun

the process or occurrence of combining or merging elements to create a unified whole

"Fusion makes new elements."

"The fusion of diverse cultures created a vibrant and unique society."

confluence /ˈkɑnfɫuəns/ noun

the process by which two or more streams or rivers merge their currents into a single flow

"The confluence of two rivers."

"The confluence of two rivers creates a beautiful natural scene in the valley."

Learn all 181 words in this list with spaced repetition

Start learning with Mnimi

SAT Essential Vocabulary List — Topics