The 369 must-know SAT words.

to reduce in amount, degree, or severity; The headache abated after taking medicine.

to hate or detest; She abhors cruelty to animals.

to refrain or hold back voluntarily; He abstained from smoking.

a gradual buildup or growth by addition; An accretion of dust covered the furniture.

sharp, biting, or caustic in tone; She made an acerbic retort.

to gain possession of; He acquired a taste for opera.

keen insight or judgment; She has excellent business acumen.

to stick fast or cleave; The stamp adhered to the envelope.

to caution or advise against; The teacher admonished the students not to be late.

friendly, good-natured, and easy to talk to; He had an affable manner that made everyone comfortable.

relating to beauty or good taste; She appreciated modernist aesthetics in art.

to relieve or make more bearable; Medication helped alleviate her pain.

friendly and good-natured; His amiable personality drew people to him.

more than sufficient in size or scope; We had ample time to finish the test.

similar or comparable in certain respects; This process is analogous to how a cell works.

something that deviates from the norm; Finding the artifact was an archaeological anomaly.

a deep dislike or aversion; He had an antipathy for crowds.

chosen at random, without reason; It seemed an arbitrary decision, without rationale.

having an exaggerated sense of self-importance; The arrogant dictator ignored the people's needs.

to strive for or ambition to achieve a goal; She aspired to become an engineer.

a strong feeling of dislike, distaste, or hostility; He had an aversion to spinach since childhood.

lacking originality, freshness, or novelty; The movie's banal plot was forgettable.

to make someone or something seem unimportant; The bullies belittled the shy student.

hostile, aggressive, or pugnacious; The belligerent gang was known for fighting.

characterized by or expressing goodwill; He made a benevolent donation to the animal shelter.

to give vital support, reinforce, or strengthen; Extra tutoring helped bolster the struggling math student's skills.

high-sounding but with little meaning; inflated or pretentious language; The politician's bombastic rhetoric failed to impress voters.

a blessing, timely benefit, or assistance; Winning the scholarship was a boon that enabled her to attend college.

concise expression without wasted words; Brevity is essential in a 30-second commercial.

abrupt or offhand in speech or manner; rudely concise; My request was met with a brusque refusal.

very complicated or intricate; The byzantine tax codes were impossible to decipher.

showing little sympathy for others; insensitive; He acted in a callous way toward those less fortunate.

free from agitation, disturbance, or tumult; absent of wind; The calm lake reflected the serene sky.

honesty, frankness, or sincere expression; I appreciated her candor and straightforward advice.

characterized by or subject to whim; impulsive; unpredictable; My capricious toddler was happy one minute, fussy the next.

to punish or criticize severely; The boss castigated the employee for repeated mistakes.

blame or condemn; The senator was censured for unethical conduct.

moral qualities distinctive to an individual; integrity and values; She is known for her outstanding character and ethics.

cautious or prudent, especially in speech or action; We were circumspect in sharing details until we understood the risks involved.

rough, harsh, or uneven in texture; lacking refinement or elegance; His coarse language was inappropriate at the dignified ceremony.

composed of interconnected or complicated parts; The complex machine required an experienced mechanic.

expressing much in few words; a concise summary of the research findings.

to act in accordance with rules, standards, or customs; She refused to conform by wearing the uniform.

guided by or in accordance with conscience or sense of right; governed by principle; a conscientious decision after much deliberation.

remaining unchanged or fixed; showing loyalty or faithfulness; Water's boiling point is a physical constant.

to consider thoughtfully; She contemplated all possible outcomes before deciding.

to give or supply along with others; We all contributed food to the potluck dinner.

scarcity or lack; There is a dearth of jobs in this struggling economy.

boldly resistant to authority or any opposing force; The defiant protestors refused to disperse.

fragile, frail, or vulnerable; requiring gentle handling; The delicate crystal shattered when dropped.

to establish or prove by example; clear explanation; The experiment demonstrated the laws of physics.

to ridicule, mock, or scornfully laugh at; The bullies derided the shy student's stutter.

depressing, bleak, lifeless; barren; The remote desert island was completely desolate.

to separate or disengage from association; He detached the document from the email before forwarding.

characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic application; The diligent student made sure to study every day.

to make known, reveal, or uncover; The CEO disclosed the company's financial problems.

causing gloom or depression; The dismal weather matched her sad mood.

to spread or scatter widely; The police dispersed the rowdy crowd that gathered in the park.

doubtful or suspect; of uncertain quality or outcome; She had dubious qualifications for the job.

boring, monotonous, lacking sharpness; The dull lecture soon put me to sleep.

deriving ideas or style from a diverse range of sources; Their home decor had an eclectic mix of modern and antique.

to instruct, improve, or enlighten; The book was both entertaining and edifying.

relating to or believing in equality for all people; He advocated an egalitarian society.

to draw forth or bring out; Skillful questioning elicited her eyewitness account.

prominent, distinguished, or noteworthy; The eminent scholar was awarded the Nobel Prize.

the ability to understand another's perspective, feelings, or difficulties; She showed genuine empathy for the grieving widow.

something or someone puzzling, mysterious, or difficult to understand; The coded message was an enigma they couldn't decipher.

open to more than one interpretation; purposefully vague or ambiguous; His equivocal instructions left me confused about what to do.

to summon or call forth; Childhood photos evoked strong memories from long ago.

precise, accurate, or correct in every detail; Could you give me the exact amount needed?

suitable for achieving a particular end; pragmatically useful; In a crisis, quick action may be more expedient than detailed planning.

clearly and directly stated, leaving no room for confusion; The teacher was explicit that assignments must be turned in on time.

to praise highly or glorify; The eulogy extolled the deceased's virtues and accomplishments.

to free or release from a difficult situation or entanglement; Firefighters extricated the injured driver from the mangled car.

to make easier or help bring about; The mediator helped facilitate an agreement.

to understand something thoroughly; I couldn't fathom his reason for quitting without notice.

silly, foolish, smugly ignorant; He made fatuous arguments that revealed little understanding of the issue.

weak, ineffective, incompetent; irresponsible; His feckless leadership led the company to ruin.

great warmth and intensity of feeling; She spoke with fervor about her political beliefs.

frequently changing, erratic; His fickle behavior left her confused.

glaringly bad or offensive; a flagrant foul during the game; flagrant disregard for the law.

thin and easily bent or damaged; lacking plausibility; She offered a flimsy excuse for missing class.

to openly disregard rules or conventions; She flouted the school dress code with her outfit.

practicing or reflecting economy in use of resources; simple, plain, cost-efficient; They lived a frugal lifestyle and saved money where they could.

excessively talkative, especially about trivial matters; My garrulous neighbor loved chatting over the fence each morning.

relevant and appropriate for the subject at hand; His rambling anecdote was not germane to the discussion.

serious; requiring consideration; The doctor had a grave expression when giving the prognosis.

sociable, seeking and enjoying the company of others; Humans are naturally gregarious and form bonds through social contact.

blatant, outrageous, or unambiguous; lacking refinement or dignity; His gross exaggerations undermined his credibility.

cunning, deceitful shrewdness or treachery; She betrayed her friend out of pure guile.

easily persuaded to believe something; naive, credulous; The scammer took advantage of gullible people.

arrogantly superior, disdainful, looking down on others; The haughty queen barely acknowledged the peasants.

to pause in uncertainty or have difficulty choosing; She hesitated before exiting the stage, nerves getting the best of her.

to hamper, obstruct, or delay; The snowstorm will likely hinder travel plans.

having or showing ill will, animosity, opposition; The hostile crowd shouted angrily at the politician.

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally; Saying he was starving was hyperbole; he just wanted a snack.

one who attacks or undermines traditional conventions or institutions; The rebel was an iconoclast who challenged the status quo.

to worship or admire intensely and often excessively; Young girls often idolize celebrities and pop stars.

to supply or brighten with light; enlighten; His lecture helped illuminate and explain Plato's philosophy.

something that deceives or misleads intellectually; The magician created illusions that seemed to defy physics.

to clarify or explain through use of examples, analogies, pictures; The textbook illustrations made the topic clearer.

unchanging; unable to be changed or transformed; The laws of mathematics are immutable, fixed pillars of logic.

treating all sides equally; unbiased, objective; As a judge, she prided herself on being impartial.

to interfere with, slow the progress of, or obstruct; The fallen tree impeded traffic for hours.

about to happen, imminent, approaching; We prepared for the impending storm.

implied but not expressly stated; There was an implicit threat that loomed without being uttered.

acting on sudden desires or whims; prone to act on instinct rather than thought; Buying the expensive luxury car was an impulsive decision she later regretted.

unintentional; not resulting from or due to a particular cause; His insult was inadvertent; he didn't realize his remark would offend.

showing keen discernment, sharpness of mind; Her incisive critiques greatly improved the manuscript.

lacking logical or meaningful connection; disjointed; scrambled; His incoherent ramblings made little sense to the rest of us.

inconsistent; not harmonious; The bright pink couch was incongruous with the room's subdued color scheme.

incapable of being corrected or reformed; naughty; mischievous; The incorrigible bully would not change his ways despite intervention.

unable or unwilling to believe something; She was incredulous that she won the lottery against such odds.

making marks that cannot be erased, washed away, or removed; Childhood memories of summers at the lake were indelible, never fading with time.

lack of interest, concern, or sympathy; His indifference towards her was obvious by his disengaged manner.

angrily offended due to perceived unfair treatment; I was indignant after being accused without cause.

impossible to question or doubt; unquestionable; The evidence was indisputable that he was guilty of the crime.

lacking power to move, lifeless, inactive; The car remained inert after the battery died.

impossible to avoid; certain to eventually happen; Death is the inevitable conclusion of life.

harmless, causing no damage or offense; The comments in her speech were innocuous enough not to provoke much reaction.

stealthily and harmfully treacherous or deceitful; Cancer can be an insidious disease, quietly spreading before detection.

firm adherence to moral principles; honesty, incorruptibility; Known for his integrity, they trusted he would do what was right.

possessing or displaying great concentration, zeal, or feeling; She spoke with intense passion that swayed the crowd.

occurring at irregular intervals; on and off; starting and stopping; The intermittent windshield wipers cleared the rain from the glass.

belonging naturally to someone or something; innate, inherent; Learning is an intrinsic reward of teaching.

immediate insight or understanding without conscious reasoning; He relied on intuition to make split-second decisions under pressure.

to overwhelm as if with a flood; My desk was inundated with paperwork.

imaginative, creative, able to think of new things or solve problems uniquely; Her inventive recipes were a big hit on her cooking blog.

turned inside out or upside down; reversed in position or order; The plane flew upside down in an inverted loop.

not applicable or related to the subject at hand; His rambling story was irrelevant to the topic being discussed.

showing lack of due respect or veneration; The student's irreverent remarks during chapel earned him a detention.

showing sound judgment; wise and prudent; After judicious thought, she made the right choice.

eagerly enthusiastic; intensely sensitive or perceptive; He had a keen interest in astronomy and could name many constellations.

relating to or resulting from motion; kinetic or dynamic

possessing expertise or extensive information; My attorney is very knowledgeable about tax law.

using few words; terse, succinct; His laconic reply gave little information.

to mourn or express grief over, usually due to loss; She lamented over a faded photo from her childhood.

lacking energy, vitality or strength; lazy and relaxed; Moving with languid grace, the cat stretched in a patch of sunlight.

clear, easy to perceive or understand; expressing oneself intelligibly and rationally; After a good night's rest, she awoke feeling lucid and refreshed.

kind, forgiving, noble in spirit; extraordinarily generous; The magnanimous victor helped his opponent to his feet.

intentionally harmful, spiteful, or evil; spreading pernicious gossip for the sake of malice.

capable of being shaped or formed; adaptable, moldable; Gold is an extremely malleable metal that can be hammered into thin sheets.

to show or demonstrate something clearly; to reveal or display; Her sadness over the breakup was manifest by her tear-streaked face.

characterized by great attention to detail; very careful and precise; The meticulous craftsman produced flawless work.

to interpret something erroneously; take in a wrong sense; She misconstrued the honking horn to be meant as an insult.

humble, unassuming, not boastful; moderate in size or amount; She had a modest upbringing but achieved wild success.

ordinary, everyday, unexciting; routine; Paying bills and cleaning are mundane household chores.

vague, cloudy, lacking clearly defined form; The future was nebulous, and no one knew exactly what to expect.

the condition of being famous or well-known, typically for negative reasons; The criminal loved the notoriety that came with his heists.

refreshingly new or different; The novel gadget seemed like something from the distant future.

a subtle difference or distinction in expression or meaning; There were subtle nuances in meaning between those two words that most people missed.

unaware; unconscious; having no memory; She was oblivious to the gossip swirling around her as she hummed a happy tune.

no longer used, out of date; Replaced by email, fax machines are now obsolete.

stubbornly adhering to an attitude, opinion, or course of action; Despite repeated warnings, he was obstinate about changing his risky ways.

threatening or foreshadowing evil, misfortune, or trouble; Dark clouds loomed ominously on the horizon before the violent storm struck.

involving heavy effort, burden, or hardship; The onerous chore of clearing the snowy driveway took several grueling hours.

impenetrable by light; not reflecting light; Heavy fog made driving conditions opaque, obscuring all visibility.

not transparent; impossible to see through; This ceramic vase has an opaque milky glaze over the outside.

characterized by extravagant luxury and sumptuousness; The opulent mansion had every expensive amenity imaginable.

to exclude or banish from a group or society; The mean girls ostracized the new student, ignoring and shunning her.

done or shown openly, plainly apparent; not hidden; His overt stare made his attraction to her obvious.

to lessen the severity of; moderate; His medication helped palliate, but not eliminate, his chronic pain.

insignificant or inadequate; The paltry sum barely covered expenses.

a statement seeming to contradict itself but that may nonetheless be true; The phrase "less is more" initially seems paradoxical but contains some truth.

deeply, seriously thoughtful; lost in thought; She grew pensive and withdrew into silent contemplation.

to become aware of through the senses; I faintly perceived the floral scent through the strong odor of coffee.

routine, mechanical, done without care; His perfunctory handshake revealed his apathy toward meeting me.

extremely hazardous or dangerous; We wisely turned back from the perilous mountain path.

to spread throughout or penetrate something; The odor of garlic permeated the entire kitchen.

uninterrupted, ceaseless, eternal; The perpetual tide ebbs and flows without pause.

to persist despite obstacles or adversity; She persevered through injuries to achieve her Olympic dream.

acutely perceptive or discerning; penetrating; The detective was known for his perspicacious observations at crime scenes.

directly and significantly related to the matter at hand; His pertinent insights shed new light on the issue being discussed.

to read or examine, typically with thoroughness or care; I perused the document carefully before signing it.

rudely impatient, irritable; childishly sulky or bad-tempered; The petulant toddler threw a tantrum when refused candy before dinner.

an observable fact or event; something extraordinary or remarkable; A meteor shower is a natural phenomenon.

relating to philosophy; calm, stoic, guided by reason; He faced hardship with a philosophical attitude, trying to understand life's deeper purpose.

to make less hostile or angry, typically by showing willingness to negotiate or compromise; The management tried to placate the dissatisfied workers by promising better conditions.

free from disturbance or tumult; calm, peaceful, undisturbed; The placid lake reflected the serene sky flawlessly.

seemingly or apparently valid, likely, or acceptable; believable; She offered a plausible excuse for missing the appointment.

a bad or unfortunate situation; Her financial plight gradually worsened until she lost her house.

to consider or reflect on something carefully and thoroughly; He pondered the implications of his momentous decision for days.

sensible, realistic, concerned with actual usage; Her idea offered a practical solution that could be easily implemented.

practical, down-to-earth, oriented toward results; We took a pragmatic approach focused on finding solutions that would actually work.

dangerously lacking stability or certainty; dependent on chance; The vase was in a precarious position on the tilting table.

an act that establishes a model or guide for subsequent situations; The legal precedent influenced similar cases for years.

marked by exactness and accuracy; Could you be more precise about the time you arrived?

to prevent from happening; exclude; Circumstances precluded her from accepting the job offer.

a preference, partiality, prepossession; His predilection for the color blue was evident in his wardrobe.

superior in achievement or standing; foremost; She is the preeminent expert in her scientific field.

to plan or plot in advance; The robbery was premeditated, not spontaneous.

a proposition upon which an argument, theory, or calculation is based; The conclusions relied on a false premise.

overstepping due bounds; taking liberties; I felt it was presumptuous of him to assume we were friends.

a false display, a claim not supported by fact; His anger was just a pretense to cover his sadness and hurt.

widespread, common, predominant; Flu was prevalent that winter, affecting thousands in the city.

guided by moral values; She was a principled leader who always tried to do what was right.

abundant in size, force, or extent; extraordinary; Gustav had prodigious strength despite his small frame.

speech that condemns or demeans that which is sacred or divine; foul, offensive language; The unruly student shouted profanity across the playground.

showing deep knowledge and insight; His speech shared profound wisdom from decades of experience.

abundantly productive; immensely creative; The prolific composer created hundreds of musical works in his lifetime.

to lengthen in duration, scope, or extent; They prolonged their vacation a few extra days.

widely known and esteemed; conspicuous, important; The prominent landmark could be seen across the countryside.

to proclaim or put a law or policy into action or force; The president promulgated a controversial new initiative.

wisely careful and sensible, marked by sound judgment; It would be more prudent to save for retirement than splurge on a fancy car.

sharply affecting the senses, stinging; having a penetrating quality; The pungent onion made my eyes water as I chopped it.

a state of perplexity, uncertainty what to do; I faced an ethical quandary between competing loyalties.

a question, inquiry; Her gracious query made me feel welcome at the event.

to argue or complain about trivial matters; He has a tendency to quibble over minor details.

at rest, dormant, temporarily inactive; The volcanoes were quiescent for centuries before unexpectedly erupting.

idealistic without regard to practicality; impractical or unrealistic; His quixotic plan had little chance of succeeding in the real world.

everyday, mundane, commonplace; Making my morning coffee was part of my quotidian routine.

having a harsh or unpleasant smell or taste, often due to decay; The rancid milk was spoiled and inedible.

refined; relating to a select group; The rarefied intellectual discussion was beyond me.

acting hastily without deliberation; abrupt decision making; It was rash of him to quit his job without another one lined up.

to reject bluntly; snub; She rebuffed his flirtatious advances.

a refutation or contradiction in argument; My opponent offered a lengthy rebuttal to each of my points.

obstinately defiant; stubbornly resistant to authority; The recalcitrant child flatly refused to obey her parents' rules.

to retract a previous statement; take back as erroneous; Under questioning, she recanted her earlier testimony.

a person who lives a solitary life, avoiding other people; a loner; After his wife passed away, the recluse rarely spoke to anyone.

to make consistent or compatible; settle; I tried to reconcile the contradictory statements.

to prove a claim false or erroneous; New evidence has refuted the old assumptions.

royal; fit for a king; dignified and majestic; She exuded regal poise and confidence.

to assign to an unimportant position; The actor was relegated to minor supporting roles after starring in films.

to savor or delight in; I relished every moment of the long-awaited vacation.

unwilling, hesitant; not eager; She was reluctant to move across the country, leaving her home and friends.

to recall and talk about past experiences or events; Grandpa loved reminiscing about the old days.

deep regret or guilt for doing wrong; He felt remorse for his unkind words.

to provide, deliver, or represent; I will render assistance any way I can.

to fail to honor a commitment or promise; She reneged on her offer to help with the bake sale.

fame, celebrated reputation; cities of great renown that attract many tourists.

deserving severe condemnation, completely unacceptable; Society considered racism utterly reprehensible.

to express disapproval or disappointment of someone or something; to criticize or rebuke; No parent likes to receive reproach from a teacher about their child.

an unprincipled, wicked person; That reprobate was nothing but trouble and should be avoided.

to refuse to accept or support; reject as untrue or unjustified; He officially repudiated the rumor and cleared up the misconception.

doubts, hesitations, qualifications; I had some reservations about attending the conference.

able to recover from adversity; flexible; The resilient tree could endure high winds, bending without breaking.

firm determination; resolve; My New Year's resolution is to exercise daily.

controlled; reserved; not showy; She gave a restrained but moving performance.

deserved punishment for wrongdoing; He avoided jail, but retribution finally caught up to him.

feeling or displaying a sense of awe and respect; She had a reverent admiration of nature's power and beauty.

language intended to persuade or impress; Though high-sounding, much political rhetoric is vague and empty.

extremely demanding; violently harsh; highly disciplined; Military training is rigorous both physically and mentally.

healthy, strong, and full of energy; able to withstand hardship; My grandfather remained robust into old age despite medical issues.

related to basic principles; elementary; of primitive simplicity; As a novice, he had only a rudimentary grasp of carpentry skills.

to feel regret, remorse, or repentance over; He rued the mistake that cost him his job.

having no pity; merciless, cruel; The ruthless conqueror showed no mercy to those defeated.

violating or misusing what is regarded as sacred; The artwork was considered sacrilegious for its irreverent depiction of religious figures.

having keen discernment and good judgment; perceptive; My sagacious grandmother gave insightful advice on life.

authoritative permission or approval; officially authorized; The government put sanctions on trade with certain nations.

harsh or ironic language intended to mock or convey contempt; Her sarcasm made it clear she disagreed with the plan.

scornfully mocking or cynical; contemptuously bitter; He made a sardonic remark that hurt more than amused me.

to satisfy fully; The lavish buffet left us satiated, unable to take another bite.

to completely fill the gaps or pores of; thoroughly soak; The sponge was saturated with water after being immersed so long.

barely sufficient; meager; lacking in quantity; I arrived with scant minutes to catch my departing train.

severely critical; harshly condemnatory; Her scathing review showed no mercy, tearing apart the flawed novel.

one who questions facts or suspended judgment; doubter; I remained skeptical of his claims until I verified them myself.

defamation; false statements harming a reputation; She sued over the slanderous accusations against her good character.

marked by serious thoughtfulness; solemnly thoughtful; She maintained a sober attitude despite the celebratory mood.

causing one to become serious or thoughtful; solemnizing; The statistics were sobering, making us reflect on what matters most.

to try to obtain by entreaty, earnest or respectful request; He solicited donations from the wealthy philanthropist.

alone or remote from others; secluded; reclusive; The solitary old hermit lived alone in the woods by choice.

gloomy; depressing; The somber rainy day matched her melancholy mood.

to calm or comfort; Her voice soothed the crying baby.

refined; complex; having acquired worldly knowledge or refinement; She acted sophisticated in her designer clothes and pearls.

vile, base; marked by immorality and squalor; He described sordid details from a childhood spent neglected and deprived.

occurring in brief, irregular, convulsive bursts; My spasmodic hiccups made it hard to speak smoothly.

deceptively plausible or attractive but actually wrong; He argued that the specious reasoning sounded good but lacked substance.

to eject or discharge in a gushing stream; The volcano spewed hot lava down its slopes.

occurring at irregular intervals; not constant; only occasional; Power outages were sporadic, but we never knew when to expect one.

sedate, sober, characterized by dignity and propriety; The staid professor conducted class with utmost seriousness.

steadfast, loyal, unwavering; The stalwart fans supported their team through years of defeat.

mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain on one's reputation; Unfair stigma still surrounds certain conditions that need better awareness.

to restrict; The miserly man stinted himself of even basic comforts.

unaffected by passion or feeling; He faced tragedy with stoic acceptance and grace.

expressing little or no sensibility; impassive; She remained stolid and composed even under immense pressure.

requiring tremendous energy or stamina; difficult; arduous; marathon training is strenuous work.

bitter conflict or rivalry; They sought to settle their strife peacefully before it escalated further.

imposed strictly; harsh; having a precise standard; Stringent security made entering difficult.

suffering arrested development; hampered growth; The sapling's stunted growth made it spindly and weak.

to block, thwart; Confusion will stymie their efforts to move forward on the project.

smoothly and effortlessly polished; charmingly tactful; He had a suave manner that put everyone at ease in conversation.

based on personal impressions or feelings; The review offered only subjective criticism rather than objective analysis.

awe-inspiring; exalted; supremely excellent; The sublime sunset over the Grand Canyon left us breathless.

writ commanding a person to appear in court under penalty for failure; She was subpoenaed to testify at the criminal trial.

to decrease in amount or intensity; The fever subsided after a few days.

to provide evidence or proof in support of a claim; Can you substantiate your alibi that you were elsewhere that night?

delicate, elusive, or quiet; I couldn't quite grasp the subtle distinction he was making.

brief and to the point; concise; Please give a succinct summary of the key events.

gloomily silent or withdrawn; She grew sullen and uncommunicative as the night wore on.

richly splendid or magnificent; luxurious; We dined on a sumptuous feast of lobster and chocolate cake.

concerning only the obvious or apparent qualities, not the true or inner nature; His analysis was superficial, not considering deeper causes.

an uncertain belief; something theoretically assumed to be true; I made the supposition he would arrive on time, but I was wrong.

rudely unfriendly or impatient; The surly cashier was clearly in a bad mood.

capable of being influenced or affected; Everyone is susceptible to catching the flu virus.

to supply necessities or nourishment; to experience or suffer; Sustained by faith, she sustained the loss of her home.

intensely hot, stifling; We sweltered in the sweltering heat without air conditioning.

one who flatters for self-gain; one who seeks favor through flattery; The celebrity was surrounded by sycophants hoping to ride her coattails.

combining parts to form a whole; the end result of assembling elements; The class presentation was a synthesis of research from various sources.

implied or indicated but not directly expressed; Her tacit disapproval was obvious though she didn't criticize out loud.

perceptible by touch; relating to the sense of touch; The tactile exhibit let blind visitors feel the sculptures.

to contaminate, corrupt, or infect with evil or undesirable elements; The scandal tainted his reputation, ending his career.

only superficially related to the matter at hand; digressing; His tangential anecdotes distracted from the core topic.

having little substance or strength; flimsy; weak; His tenuous link between the suspects was not convincing evidence.

only moderately warm; lacking in enthusiasm or conviction; She gave only a tenuous endorsement of the plans.

brief, concise, pithily expressive; His terse reply made me wonder if I had offended him.

a solemn statement of truth or fact; I was asked to provide testimony describing the night's events.

careful and prudent in use of resources; economical; wise in savings and spendings; She led a thrifty lifestyle that allowed an early retirement.

showing a lack of courage or confidence; shy; She was too timid to try out for the talent show despite her beautiful voice.

extended angry speech; The customer launched into a lengthy tirade over the poor service.

mentally or physically inert; apathetic; lethargic; The torpid man just sat staring into space all afternoon.

extremely twisted or winding; Excessively lengthy and complex; We drove down a tortuous mountain road hemmed by steep ravines.

poisonous; causing serious harm or death; The toxic chemicals contaminated the town's water supply.

free from commotion or tumult; calm; peaceful; The tranquil lagoon reflected the serene sky.

fleeting, passing quickly; impermanent; Transient shelter offered just temporary refuge, not a permanent home.

to violate a law, command, or moral code; go beyond proper bounds; He transgressed societal norms with his inappropriate behavior.

a gross distortion or misrepresentation; a mockery or parody; The unfair trial was a travesty rather than true justice.

timid or fearful; marked by trembling or quivering; She spoke in a tremulous voice, anxious addressing the large crowd.

forceful, effective, sharply perceptive; incisive; His trenchant critique exposed the film's failings.

great suffering or distress; a cause of suffering or trouble; Losing her home was a tribulation she wasn't sure she could endure.

not new or original; overused and clichéd; The trite phrases sounded meaningless to the reader.

of negligible importance or value; insignificant; Don't trivialize her feelings by dismissing her concerns as silly.

characterized by unrest, disorder, or tumult; rough, agitated; Turbulent winds shook the trees and scattered debris down the streets.

a state of extreme confusion, agitation, or commotion; Inner turmoil left her uncertain which path to take.

to weaken or subvert by stealth or deceit; undercut; The spies undermined the government by spreading false propaganda.

restrained, subtle, not obvious or bold; preferring simplicity; She has an understated beauty that is elegant and refined.

to move in waves or with a smooth wavelike motion; The flag undulated in the gentle breeze.

to bring to light; uncover through searching; The archeologists unearthed ancient pottery and tools at the site.

genuine, not false or hypocritical; sincere; My unfeigned sympathy goes out to you during this difficult time.

working together in coordinated harmony; The crew presented a unified front despite internal disputes.

disheveled; uncared for in appearance; messy; His unkempt hair and rumpled clothes gave a sloppy impression.

to make nervous or anxious; shake courage; The ominous sounds in the house unnerved me.

without previous instance; unparalleled; unprecedented success with her first album.

resistant to control or discipline; uncontrollable; The unruly crowd grew rowdy after hours of waiting in line.

difficult to carry or manage because of size or shape; The antique armoire was so unwieldy they couldn't fit it through the door.

to criticize or scold severely; He upbraided me for being thoughtless and lazy.

sophisticated; refined; elegant; The urbane socialite knew how to navigate high society gatherings.

to seize power or take control without right; The general usurped authority in a military coup.

designed to be useful and practical rather than attractive; The utilitarian water bottle was dented but still worked fine.

complete or absolute; We were left in utter darkness when the power went out.

to waver between different courses of action; fluctuate; I vacillated about which college to attend right up until the deadline.

not clearly defined; lacking preciseness; Her description of the suspect was too vague to help identify him.

excessively proud of oneself; conceited; She is vain about her appearance and constantly looks in the mirror.

possessing or acting with bravery or boldness; He made a valiant effort to finish despite injury.

boldness or bravery in the face of danger; The medal honored the pilot's valor in battle.

to conquer, defeat, or subdue an enemy or opposition force; The champion vanquished all challengers to retain his title.

offering nothing stimulating or challenging; dull; His vapid lecture put me right to sleep.

to regard with reverential respect or admiration; Many venerate the saint for his good works helping the poor.

using more words than necessary; wordy; The professor's verbose lectures were packed with tangents and repetitiveness.

annoyance or irritation; a cause of irritation; Getting stuck in traffic is a daily vexation of my commute.

capable of working or being successfully implemented; a viable plan with a high chance of succeeding.

deliberately cruel or violent; The vicious criminal showed no remorse.

alertly watchful; carefully observant; vigilant against threats to their security.

robust, full of healthy energy; forceful, intense; She maintained a vigorous workout routine into old age.

loathsome; highly offensive or disgusting; They faced vile slurs from the unruly crowd.

morally excellent; righteous; She is a virtuous person, always trying to do good.

thick or sticky, having high resistance to flow; Molasses has a viscous texture.

absolutely essential; critically important; Funding for the project is vital to move forward.

producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind; She gave a vivid depiction of life growing up poor.

readily changing to a vapor; changeable, unstable; fickle; Gasoline is a volatile, flammable liquid.

to shift back and forth between opinions; equivocate; She kept waffling on where to eat, unable to make a choice.

pale, sickly, weak; lacking color or vitality; After weeks in bed sick, she was wan and drawn.

cautiously watchful; prudent; wary of strangers and slow to trust.

quirkily playful; fanciful; whimsical art full of strange creatures and imaginary worlds.

to shrivel or decay; plants withering without water; My enthusiasm withered under his hostile criticism.

using clever, sly, understated humor; She made wry jokes that hinted at her true feelings.

eager enthusiasm; fervor; She attacked the project with zeal despite obstacles.

passionately devoted; fervent; evangelical zeal motivated the group.

peak; highest point; climax; He reached the zenith of his acting career after the Oscar win.

gentle, mild breeze; The light zephyr barely rustled the leaves.