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200 Medium SAT Words You Should Know (2026) — Meanings & Quiz

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1. Which meaning best matches reactive?

2. Which meaning best matches collusion?

3. Which meaning best matches veracity?

4. Which meaning best matches emulate?

5. Which meaning best matches ardent?

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  1. annihilation — Complete destruction or obliteration.
    Example: The bombing led to the complete annihilation of the village.
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  2. rash — Displaying or proceeding from a lack of careful consideration of the possible consequences of an action.
    Example: There has been a rash of vandalism lately.
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  3. obtuse — Annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand.
    Example: The student was too obtuse to grasp the lesson's meaning.
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  4. vex — To make (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters.
    Example: Small delays continued to vex the already impatient client.
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  5. curt — Rudely brief.
    Example: His curt reply made it clear he wanted to be alone.
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  6. respite — A short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.
    Example: A short vacation offered welcome respite from the long project.
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  7. refute — To prove (a statement or theory) to be wrong or false; to disprove.
    Example: She used data to refute every point in his argument.
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  8. ascetic — Characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence.
    Example: The monk lived an ascetic life with few possessions.
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  9. dissent — The expression or holding of opinions at variance with those previously, commonly, or officially held.
    Example: One judge filed a written dissent from the majority ruling.
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  10. reprieve — To cancel or postpone the punishment of (someone, especially someone condemned to death).
    Example: The governor granted a last-minute reprieve to the prisoner.
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  11. pathos — A quality that evokes pity or sadness.
    Example: The film's final scene was filled with deep pathos.
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  12. arcane — Understood by few; mysterious or secret.
    Example: The professor specialized in arcane ancient languages.
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  13. utilitarian — Designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive.
    Example: The design was purely utilitarian with no decorative elements.
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  14. eminent — Famous and respected within a particular sphere or profession.
    Example: His eminent good sense has been a godsend to this project.
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  15. heinous — (of a person or wrongful act, especially a crime) utterly odious or wicked.
    Example: I hope they catch the person responsible for that heinous crime.
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  16. soluble — (of a substance) able to be dissolved, especially in water.
    Example: The compound was highly soluble and dissolved quickly in the solution.
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  17. derelict — In a very poor condition as a result of disuse and neglect.
    Example: There was a derelict ship on the island.
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  18. surrogate — A substitute, especially a person deputizing for another in a specific role or office.
    Example: A surrogate mother carried the baby on behalf of the couple.
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  19. boisterous — Noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy.
    Example: The boisterous children ran and shouted through the halls.
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  20. subordinate — Lower in rank or position.
    Example: The captain expected every subordinate to follow orders precisely.
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  21. spurious — Not being what it purports to be; false or fake.
    Example: His spurious reasoning did not hold up under examination.
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  22. ubiquitous — Present, appearing, or found everywhere.
    Example: To Hindus, Jews, Christians, and Muslims, God is ubiquitous.
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  23. sobriety — The state of being sober.
    Example: Years of sobriety transformed her relationship with her family.
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  24. accolade — An award or privilege granted as a special honor or as an acknowledgment of merit.
    Example: Winning the award was the greatest accolade of her career.
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  25. altercation — A noisy argument or disagreement, especially in public.
    Example: A brief altercation broke out between the two neighbors.
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  26. implicit — Implied though not plainly expressed.
    Example: There was an implicit agreement not to discuss money.
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  27. propensity — An inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way.
    Example: He has a propensity for lengthy discussions of certain favorite topics.
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  28. colloquial — Used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary.
    Example: Her writing used colloquial expressions that readers found relatable.
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  29. coerce — To persuade an unwilling person to do something by using force or threats.
    Example: He was coerced into signing the contract under threat.
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  30. amorphous — Without a clearly defined shape or form.
    Example: Her plan was still amorphous and needed more concrete detail.
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  31. immutable — Unchanging over time or unable to be changed.
    Example: The government has enacted an immutable law.
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  32. implicate — To show (someone) to be involved in a crime.
    Example: The evidence implicates top management in the financial scheme.
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  33. ominous — Giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious.
    Example: Dark clouds gathered in an ominous sky above the valley.
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  34. forlorn — Pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely.
    Example: The abandoned puppy looked forlorn at the shelter door.
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  35. frivolous — Not having any serious purpose or value.
    Example: The judge dismissed the case as frivolous and without merit.
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  36. resilient — Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
    Example: The resilient community rebuilt its homes within a year.
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  37. euphoric — Characterized by or feeling intense excitement and happiness.
    Example: She felt euphoric after receiving her college acceptance letter.
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  38. placid — (of a person or animal) not easily upset or excited.
    Example: The placid lake reflected the surrounding mountains perfectly.
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  39. lucid — Expressed clearly; easy to understand.
    Example: Even in his last years, he remained sharp and lucid.
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  40. callous — Showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others.
    Example: His callous response to their suffering disturbed many observers.
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  41. elated — Make (someone) ecstatically happy.
    Example: She was elated with her new car.
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  42. injunction — An authoritative warning or order.
    Example: The court issued an injunction to halt the construction.
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  43. cognizant — Having knowledge or being aware of.
    Example: The defendant is cognizant that this is a serious charge.
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  44. presumptuous — (of a person or their behavior) failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate.
    Example: It was presumptuous of him to assume he had the job.
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  45. avenge — To inflict harm in return for an injury or wrong done to oneself or another.
    Example: He swore to avenge his brother's betrayal.
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  46. wrath — Extreme anger (chiefly used for humorous or rhetorical effect).
    Example: The official faced the full wrath of an angry public.
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  47. noxious — Harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant.
    Example: Workers wore masks to avoid the noxious factory fumes.
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  48. synchronous — Existing or occurring at the same time.
    Example: The two clocks were not synchronous and showed different times.
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  49. paragon — A person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality.
    Example: She was widely regarded as a paragon of honesty.
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  50. concord — Agreement or harmony between people or groups.
    Example: The two nations finally reached a state of concord.
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  51. vehemently — In a forceful, passionate, or intense manner; with great feeling.
    Example: She vehemently denied any involvement in the scheme.
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  52. anomalous — Deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected.
    Example: The anomalous result suggested a flaw in the experiment.
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  53. quell — To put an end to (a rebellion or other disorder), typically by the use of force.
    Example: Officers struggled to quell the riot in the city streets.
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  54. cohesive — Forming a united whole.
    Example: The team became more cohesive after the training retreat.
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  55. contemporaneous — Existing or occurring in the same period of time.
    Example: The two artists were contemporaneous, working in the same decade.
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  56. iridescent — Showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.
    Example: The butterfly's wings were iridescent in the morning light.
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  57. austere — Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance.
    Example: The austere office had bare walls and a single wooden desk.
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  58. conspicuous — Standing out so as to be clearly visible.
    Example: He was conspicuous by his absence.
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  59. palette — A thin board or slab on which an artist lays and mixes colors.
    Example: The artist carefully selected colors from her limited palette.
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  60. nocturnal — Done, occurring, or active at night.
    Example: Owls are nocturnal hunters that rely on darkness.
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  61. indignation — Anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment.
    Example: The unfair ruling was met with widespread public indignation.
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  62. etymology — The study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history.
    Example: The etymology of 'school' traces back to ancient Greek.
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  63. antiseptic — Scrupulously clean or pure; preventing the growth of disease-causing microorganisms.
    Example: The nurse cleaned the wound with an antiseptic solution.
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  64. consummate — Showing a high degree of skill and flair; complete or perfect.
    Example: She was a consummate professional in every aspect of her work.
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  65. tenacious — Tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely.
    Example: The tenacious lawyer refused to drop the case for years.
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  66. sublime — Of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration.
    Example: The view from the summit was truly sublime.
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  67. nuance — A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.
    Example: Understanding the basics is easy, but appreciating the nuances takes years.
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  68. veneer — A thin decorative covering of fine wood applied to a coarser wood or other material; an attractive appearance…
    Example: His politeness was just a veneer hiding deep contempt.
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  69. impeccable — In accordance with the highest standards of propriety; faultless.
    Example: He grew up in Norway, but he writes impeccable English.
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  70. tacit — Understood or implied without being stated.
    Example: There was a tacit understanding between them not to argue.
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  71. luminous — Full of or shedding light; bright or shining, especially in the dark.
    Example: The luminous full moon lit the entire field.
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  72. feral — In a wild state, especially after escape from captivity or domestication.
    Example: The feral cats avoided any contact with humans.
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  73. hiatus — A pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process.
    Example: The band took a three-year hiatus before releasing new music.
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  74. culmination — The highest or climactic point of something.
    Example: The concert was the culmination of six months of rehearsal.
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  75. illicit — Forbidden by law, rules, or custom.
    Example: The police seized a large supply of illicit drugs.
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  76. vocation — A strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation.
    Example: Teaching was not just a job to her but a true vocation.
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  77. speculative — Engaged in, expressing, or based on conjecture rather than knowledge.
    Example: The investment was highly speculative with no guarantee of return.
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  78. flagrant — (of something considered wrong or immoral) conspicuously or obviously offensive.
    Example: Parking in front of the hydrant was a flagrant violation.
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  79. archetypal — Very typical of a certain kind of person or thing.
    Example: He was the archetypal hero: brave, honest, and selfless.
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  80. acumen — The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions.
    Example: Her business acumen helped the company triple its profits.
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  81. maxim — A short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct.
    Example: Her guiding maxim was: never promise what you cannot deliver.
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  82. opaque — Not able to be seen through; not transparent.
    Example: The frosted glass was opaque enough to block the view.
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  83. blemish — A small mark or flaw which spoils the appearance of something.
    Example: A small blemish on the painting lowered its selling price.
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  84. extraneous — Irrelevant or unrelated to the subject being dealt with.
    Example: Extraneous substances were found on my cup of water.
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  85. commend — To praise formally or officially.
    Example: The schoolboy was commended for raising the alarm about the burning building.
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  86. adamant — Refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind.
    Example: She was adamant that she had not taken the money.
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  87. venerable — Accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character.
    Example: The venerable professor had taught at the school for fifty years.
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  88. salient — Most noticeable or important.
    Example: She highlighted the most salient points in the report.
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  89. cursory — Hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed.
    Example: Most junk mail requires only a cursory glance.
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  90. wane — (of the moon) have a progressively smaller part of its visible surface illuminated, so that it appears to…
    Example: Interest in the project began to wane after the first month.
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  91. abrasive — Showing little concern for the feelings of others; harsh or rough.
    Example: An abrasive person can grate on one's sensibilities.
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  92. interject — To say (something) abruptly, especially as an interruption.
    Example: She interjected a sharp comment before he could finish speaking.
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  93. nefarious — Wicked or criminal.
    Example: The group was involved in a series of nefarious activities.
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  94. circumvent — To find a way around (an obstacle).
    Example: She found a way to circumvent the school's strict dress code.
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  95. calamity — An event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster.
    Example: The earthquake was a calamity for the entire region.
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  96. apathetic — Showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
    Example: Voters grew apathetic after years of broken promises.
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  97. scant — Barely sufficient or adequate.
    Example: After his previous escapades, Mary had scant reason to believe John.
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  98. prowess — Skill or expertise in a particular activity or field.
    Example: Her athletic prowess earned her a full college scholarship.
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  99. canny — Having or showing shrewdness and good judgment, especially in money or business matters.
    Example: The politician gave a canny response to the reporter's questions.
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  100. deft — Neatly skillful and quick in one's movements.
    Example: He assembled it in one fluid, deft motion.
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  101. incite — To encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behavior).
    Example: The speaker tried to incite the crowd to act against the law.
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  102. brazen — Bold and without shame.
    Example: His brazen lie in front of witnesses shocked the courtroom.
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  103. yoke — A wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or…
    Example: The oppressive regime kept citizens under a heavy yoke of control.
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  104. discern — To perceive or recognize (something).
    Example: He was too young to discern right from wrong.
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  105. viscous — Having a thick, sticky consistency between solid and liquid.
    Example: Honey is a viscous liquid that pours slowly.
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  106. retract — To withdraw (a statement or accusation) as untrue or unjustified.
    Example: The newspaper was forced to retract the misleading headline.
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  107. camaraderie — Mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together.
    Example: Years of working together built a strong sense of camaraderie.
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  108. zenith — The time at which something is at its most powerful or successful.
    Example: Winning the continental championship was the zenith of my career.
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  109. esoteric — Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge…
    Example: The topic was so esoteric that only specialists could follow it.
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  110. innate — Inborn; natural.
    Example: She had an innate ability to read people's emotions.
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  111. empathy — The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
    Example: She listened with deep empathy as he described his loss.
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  112. grandiose — Impressive and imposing in appearance or style, especially pretentiously so.
    Example: His grandiose plans rarely matched his modest resources.
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  113. divulge — To make known (private or sensitive information).
    Example: I will never divulge that secret to anyone.
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  114. arbitration — The process of settling a dispute by an impartial third party.
    Example: The two sides agreed to resolve the dispute through arbitration.
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  115. discrepancy — A lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts.
    Example: There was a discrepancy between his two statements to police.
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  116. ingenious — (of a person) clever, original, and inventive.
    Example: The engineer devised an ingenious solution to the drainage problem.
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  117. penchant — A strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something.
    Example: He has a penchant for fine wine.
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  118. adversary — One's opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute.
    Example: He prepared to fight his adversary.
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  119. hapless — (especially of a person) unfortunate.
    Example: The hapless traveler missed every single connecting flight.
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  120. stingy — Unwilling to give or spend; ungenerous.
    Example: The stingy host served tiny portions to his guests.
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  121. affluent — Having a great deal of money; wealthy.
    Example: They were affluent, but aspired to true wealth.
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  122. precarious — Not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse.
    Example: He balanced in a precarious position on the narrow ledge.
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  123. disseminate — To spread (something, especially information) widely.
    Example: The values of the human rights movement have disseminated throughout the world.
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  124. exacerbate — To make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse.
    Example: The proposed shutdown would exacerbate unemployment problems.
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  125. whimsical — Playfully quaint or fanciful.
    Example: The children loved the illustrator's whimsical and playful style.
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  126. encore — A repeated or additional performance of an item at the end of a concert, as called for by…
    Example: The audience demanded an encore after the final performance.
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  127. harrowing — Acutely distressing.
    Example: The survivors recounted a harrowing ordeal of three days without shelter.
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  128. dearth — A scarcity or lack of something.
    Example: A dearth of rainfall left the crops dry and withered.
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  129. defunct — No longer existing or functioning.
    Example: The company has been defunct for nearly ten years.
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  130. allege — To claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal, typically without proof.
    Example: The agency alleged my credit history had problems.
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  131. desolate — Deserted of people and in a state of bleak and dismal emptiness.
    Example: The abandoned campus felt desolate and eerily silent during winter break.
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  132. prudence — The quality of being prudent; cautiousness.
    Example: Prudence led her to save money rather than spend recklessly.
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  133. penultimate — Last but one in a series of things; second last.
    Example: The penultimate episode ended on an unexpected cliffhanger.
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  134. pretense — An attempt to make something that is not the case appear true.
    Example: She dropped all pretense of being happy in the marriage.
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  135. pervasive — Spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people.
    Example: The medication had a pervasive effect on the patient's health.
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  136. muddled — In a state of bewilderment or bewitchment.
    Example: Young children tend to muddle their words.
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  137. abstain — To restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something.
    Example: In order to improve his health, Rob decided to abstain from smoking.
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  138. complacent — Showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements.
    Example: The coach warned the players not to become complacent.
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  139. conundrum — A confusing and difficult problem or question.
    Example: How to cut costs without layoffs was a real conundrum.
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  140. amiable — Having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.
    Example: The new teacher had an amiable manner that students loved.
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  141. insatiable — (of an appetite or desire) impossible to satisfy.
    Example: He had an insatiable appetite for knowledge and history.
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  142. figurative — Departing from a literal use of words; metaphorical.
    Example: The phrase 'break a leg' has a figurative, not literal, meaning.
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  143. agrarian — Relating to cultivated land or the cultivation of land.
    Example: The country's economy was largely agrarian and rural.
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  144. medley — A varied mixture of people or things; a miscellany.
    Example: They played a medley of favorite folk songs as an encore.
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  145. metamorphosis — The process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages.
    Example: The caterpillar undergoes a metamorphosis to become a butterfly.
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  146. denounce — To publicly declare to be wrong or evil.
    Example: The president was quick to denounce the violent protest.
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  147. arbiter — A person who settles a dispute or has ultimate authority in a matter.
    Example: The referee served as the final arbiter of the rules.
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  148. boon — A thing that is helpful or beneficial.
    Example: Anaesthetics are a great boon to modern surgery.
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  149. collusion — Secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially to cheat or deceive others.
    Example: The executives were convicted of collusion to fix prices.
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  150. maverick — An unorthodox or independent-minded person.
    Example: He made a maverick decision. She is such a maverick person.
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  151. profane — Relating or devoted to that which is not sacred or biblical; secular rather than religious.
    Example: One should not profane the name of God.
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  152. impenetrable — Impossible to pass through or enter.
    Example: The fortress is impenetrable, so it cannot be taken.
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  153. apathy — Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
    Example: Public apathy toward the issue made reform difficult.
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  154. veracity — Conformity to facts; accuracy.
    Example: Investigators questioned the veracity of his official report.
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  155. insurgent — Rising in active revolt.
    Example: Insurgent forces seized the border town overnight.
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  156. intractable — Hard to control or deal with.
    Example: The problem proved intractable despite years of effort.
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  157. tome — A book, especially a large, heavy, scholarly one.
    Example: The legal history of the case filled an entire thick tome.
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  158. resolute — Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.
    Example: He was resolute in his decision to stay.
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  159. imperative — Of vital importance; crucial.
    Example: It is imperative that you leave the building immediately.
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  160. copious — Abundant in supply or quantity.
    Example: She took copious notes during the three-hour lecture.
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  161. confluence — The junction of two rivers; an act or process of merging.
    Example: The settlement grew at the confluence of two rivers.
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  162. edict — An official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority.
    Example: The king issued an edict banning all public gatherings.
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  163. ardent — Enthusiastic or passionate.
    Example: She was an ardent supporter of environmental causes.
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  164. reluctance — Unwillingness or disinclination to do something.
    Example: She accepted the promotion with visible reluctance.
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  165. absolution — Formal release from guilt, obligation, or punishment.
    Example: She sought absolution for her past mistakes through community service.
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  166. benevolent — Well-meaning and kindly.
    Example: Chinese and Eastern mythologies describe dragons as benevolent.
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  167. paradigm — A typical example or pattern of something; a model.
    Example: The discovery shifted the paradigm of how scientists view cells.
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  168. procure — To obtain (something), especially with care or effort.
    Example: The army needed to procure supplies before the winter came.
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  169. eloquent — Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.
    Example: The senator gave an eloquent speech on human rights.
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  170. anesthesia — Insensibility to pain, especially as induced by drugs before an operation.
    Example: The patient was given anesthesia before the surgery began.
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  171. defamatory — Damaging the good reputation of someone; slanderous or libelous.
    Example: The article contained defamatory lies about the celebrity.
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  172. revel — To enjoy oneself in a lively and noisy way, especially with drinking and dancing.
    Example: They reveled in their team's unexpected championship victory.
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  173. opulent — Ostentatiously rich and luxurious or lavish.
    Example: The hotel lobby was opulent, filled with gold and marble.
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  174. alleviate — To make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe.
    Example: The medicine helped alleviate her chronic back pain.
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  175. caustic — Sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way.
    Example: His caustic remarks left her feeling deeply humiliated.
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  176. culpable — Deserving blame.
    Example: The company was found culpable for violating safety regulations.
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  177. intrepid — Fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect).
    Example: The intrepid explorer mapped rivers no one had charted before.
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  178. reactive — Acting in response to a situation rather than creating or controlling it.
    Example: The company's reactive approach meant problems were never prevented.
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  179. fraught — (of a situation or course of action) filled with or likely to result in (something undesirable).
    Example: The negotiation was fraught with tension from the start.
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  180. emulate — To match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation.
    Example: Young athletes often try to emulate their favorite professionals.
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  181. mercurial — (of a person) subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind.
    Example: His mercurial temper made working with him very unpredictable.
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  182. candid — Truthful and straightforward; frank.
    Example: She gave a candid account of her struggles during the interview.
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  183. propagate — To spread and promote (an idea, theory, etc.
    Example: It takes 24 hours for password changes to propagate throughout the system.
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  184. spiteful — Showing or caused by malice.
    Example: He made spiteful remarks to embarrass her in public.
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  185. meritorious — Deserving reward or praise.
    Example: The policeman received the Award of Meritorious Service from his grateful department.
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  186. pragmatic — Dealing with things sensibly and realistically.
    Example: The sturdy furniture in the student lounge was pragmatic, but unattractive.
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  187. paradox — A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement.
    Example: It is a paradox that resting sometimes makes you more tired.
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  188. latent — (of a quality or state) existing but not yet developed or manifest; hidden; concealed.
    Example: The virus remained latent in the body for years.
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  189. diligent — Having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties.
    Example: Scientists are very diligent in their work.
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  190. divisive — Tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people.
    Example: Rather than fostering unity, he becomes divisive.
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  191. condemn — To express complete disapproval of, typically in public; to censure.
    Example: The committee condemned the proposal as reckless and poorly reasoned.
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  192. aggrieved — Feeling resentment at having been unfairly treated.
    Example: I am aggrieved at the conditions which have been forced upon me.
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  193. sedentary — (of a person) tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive.
    Example: The oyster is a sedentary mollusk; the barnacles are sedentary crustaceans.
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  194. ecstatic — Feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement.
    Example: She was ecstatic when she found out she had been accepted.
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  195. anarchist — A person who believes in or tries to bring about anarchy.
    Example: The pamphlet was written by a passionate anarchist.
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  196. patent — Easily recognizable; obvious.
    Example: The error was patent to anyone who reviewed the report carefully.
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  197. ornate — Made in an intricate shape or decorated with complex patterns.
    Example: The ornate ceiling of the palace took years to paint.
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  198. absolve — To declare someone free from guilt, obligation, or punishment.
    Example: The evidence helped absolve the defendant of all charges.
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  199. mitigate — To make less severe, serious, or painful.
    Example: Shade trees help mitigate the effects of summer heat.
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  200. complacency — A feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements.
    Example: Complacency after early success led to the team's downfall.
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