SAT Vocabulary Words

For her sixteenth birthday, Sarah received LAVISH gifts.

Next to me on the bus sat a TACITURN girl who said nothing.

Becky is so NARCISSISTIC, she spends half the day in front of a mirror adoring herself.

The MERCENARY owner of the leather store was too money-hungry to ever hold a sale.

GARRULOUS gatherings of students are unwelcome in a library.

Migrating whales caused the TURBULENCE in the water.

The principal's TERSE reply was clear: "No Crocs at school."

After the attempt o his life, the Pope MAGNAIMOUSLY forgave his attacker.

Bob's motives were not altogether ALTRUISTIC. She had much to gain.

Confronted with the QUANDRY of staying home or working, my sister chose to work.

Laura's LACKLUSTER grades may prevent her from going to a top college.

Mike used GRANDILOQUENT language to conceal his ignorance of the subject.

Parent should teach tolerance, not breed CONTEMPT for people's differences.

"No INSOLENT remarks on the ball field," warned the coach.

Bill Gates donates millions of dollars a year to education, medical research and other PHILANTHROPIC causes.

FRUGALITY kept the old woman from spending a penny on anything she didn't need.

You can't talk to CONTENTIOUS Cal without getting into an argument.

The plumbing system in my house is a LABYRINTH of tunnels, criss-crossing passageways and dead ends.

Flames from the CONFLAGRATION lit up the sky for miles around.

A long soak in a hot tub can ALLEVIATE her arthritic pain.

A QUAGMIRE of troubles kept Julia awake at night.

The ENIGMATIC carvings on the ancient Egyptian tomb never have been fully interpreted.

PARSIMONIOUS Paul never buys anyting unless it's on sale.

Mother PACIFIED her crying baby by rubbing his tummy.

A sudden shift in the wind MITIGATED the intensity of the storm.

Jake is a party animal, one of the most CONVIVIAL guys I know.

Keith is patient, friendly, and kind - an altogether AMIABLE person.

What expresses affection more PITHILY than the three words, I love you?

RAMBLING on and on, Harold lost his audience's attention.

His PENURIOUS childhood taught my father the value of every penny.

COMPLACENT in his role as manager, he was eventually demoted.

The book tells how he overcame the ADVERSITY of an improverished childhood.

A little LEVITY is needed to lighten up this melancholic music channel.

"Don't SQUANDER your paycheck on designer clothes," advised my mother.

If you think imaginatively, you'll avoid HACKNEYED phrases such as ruby lips.

There's nothing like a few JOCULAR students to enliven a sleepy class.

AVARICE motivates many people to cheat on their income tax.

Ready to help anyone at any time, Tina is about the most BENEVOLENT person I know.

Mr. and Mrs. Evans are a CONGENIAL couple. They share a passion for gardening.

The restaurant tried to PLACATE us with free appetizers after an hour wait.

Jay MOLLIFIED his mother by bringing home all A's on his report card.

Roy and Mike used to be friends, but an argument over Millie turned them into ANTAGONISTS.

The children PRATTLED on for hours during the trip.

The poet had lived an AUSTERE life, foregoing all luxuires and creature comforts.

Terry took a long walk in the woods to escape the TURMOIL in her house.

Mr. Gray was amused but not APPEASED, so Albert's grade suffered.

Putting on airs, the BOMBASTIC speaker used a bunch of big words that said nothing.

The speech of politicians is often thick with RHETORIC.

Tired of VAPID advertising gimmicks, the company resorted to skywriting.

The world was fascinated by the COUNFOUNDING disappearance of Amelia Earhart.

Mr. Gill claims that TRITENESS is a sign of an air-filled brain.

Mount St. Helens has been QUIESCENT since its last eruption.

We don't have time to DIGRESS from the main issue right now.

To survive on the street, beggars often depend on the LARGESS of passerbys.

BANALITY is boring because it's so predictable.

Limited space in the text box makes BREVITY essential.

Ken loves to argue. With such a DISPUTATIOUS personality, he is sure to be a lawyer.

"The essay lacks focus," said the teacher. "It's too DIFFUSE.

Bungee jumping is too PRECARIOUS for me.

The speech was full of BELLICOSE threats, suggesting war was at hand.

An SAT prep course can ALLAY test anxiety for students.

To avoid answering the question, John resorted to CIRCUMLOCUTION.

Among American presidents, Lincoln wins the prize for ELOQUENCE.

The audience showed its DISDAIN by heckling the singer who couldn't sing.

Watch out for PREDATORY schemers who'll take your money.

Video games can offer an escape from the MUNDANE character of daily life.

The customer RANTED on and on about the poor service.

It is a pleasure to talk with Lisa because she's so AFFABLE and upbeat.

You can enhance your career (and your public image) by getting involved in charity work or ALTRUISTIC causes.

My boss does nothing but bicker with the staff. His CAPTIOUSNESS forced me to quit my job.

"Love is Blind" is a popular CLICHE'.

Tia's EXCESSIVE spending caused her to lose her car.

Ken boasted endlessly about his academic qualifications, demonstrating his ELITIST mindset.

After two decades of war, the BELLIGERENT countries made peace.

When time is short, VERBOSE explanations are inappropriate.

A CONCISE explanation is preferable to a long-winded one.

English is a DERIVATIVE language.

The GREGARIOUS crowds kept the place buzzing all evening.

The conversation at the table was so INSIPID that Monica fell asleep at the table.

Usually RETICENT, Mr. Worthy surprised us all with a long story.

The 45-0 score suggests that the game was a DEBACLE for the losing side.

The twins used a CRYPTIC, incomprehensible language to talk with each other.

Unable to control his expenses, John spent PRODIGALLY until he was broke.

The AMICABLE negotiations ended when the parties began to insult each other.

HAUGHTY Hannah has no use for others; she's too busy thinking and talking about herself.

The title SUCCINCTLY conveys the point of my blog.

Her ARROGANT attitude made it hard for others to warm up to her.

So much ANIMOSITY grew between Mark and Mike that they never were buddies again.

With a CORDIAL welcome, Harry made everyone feel glad to be at the meeting.

Although Tanya is very proud of her talents, she isn't a BRAGGART.

Someone who is careful with their money is THRIFY?

In a MUNIFICENT act of friendship, Eileen gave up her tickets to a concert so her friend could go with her boyfriend.

For a sun burn, try aloe vera gel to ASSUAGE the pain.

The LOQUACIOUS class gave the teacher a headache.

Nathan is so EGOTISTICAL; he thinks every girl on campus likes him.

A nightlight helped to QUELL the baby's fear of the dark.

Beware of PUGNACIOUS salesmen who'll bully you into buying things you don't need.

Hal is impartial that is why he makes a good MEDIATOR.

Grandma and Grandpa are a CANTANKEROUS old couple.

Sometimes a COLLOQUIAL word becomes standard in English usage.