QUIZ: Are You Enough of a Brainiac to Pass This SAT Vocab Quiz?

When there is a problem involving the difficulty of making choices, or if there is any problem that is generally unfavorable, it is said to be a dilemma.

When a place is said to be bleak and empty, it is considered desolate. The word can also be used to describe something that is uninhabited. For example, Mars is a desolate world because it is devoid of life.

Historically, someone holding this rank is somewhere between a sergeant and a groom or a squire and a page, according to Oxford Languages. But “Star Trek” fans might be familiar with the term as it was used to describe a beloved character named Yeoman Rand.

It means regard, respect or polite submission. It may also be used to describe being courteous to people’s feelings. For example, “He addressed his grandmother with deference because she was his elder.”

The word abscond refers to leaving secretly and in a hurry. In most cases, this is best used to describe when someone is fleeing from the scene of a crime in order to avoid getting arrested.

When someone goes to church on Sunday, they will likely hear a moral sermon, which is simply another way of saying homily. It is intended to offer spiritual edification.

It means to be in contrast with someone or something else, or the opposite of something. For example, the evidence would contradict the suspect’s story if they claimed they were at home, but security cameras showed him robbing a convenience store.

When someone is forced to agree or surrender, they are conceding. But the word concede can also be used when someone is owning up to a mistake they have made.

To say that something is chimerical means that it’s impossible to achieve. For example, one could say that the thought of colonizing Mars before the end of the year is chimerical. The word is also used to describe a mythical creature made out of other animal parts.

The word is used to describe a strong preference for something in particular, like chocolate. For example, “Mary had a predilection for all things that are made of chocolate.”

It means fate or destiny and is often used to refer to something that is meant to happen. In Islam, the word also refers to the will of Allah or the will of God.

This word describes a loud, intense fight. It can also be used to describe someone who is fighting loudly. For example, “After a verbal argument, that students got into a brawl in the hallway.”

Another word for acquiescence is acceptance, which means to comply or submit without resistance or silently. If an employee accepts a reduction to their work hours without complaining, they are accepting or demonstrating acquiescence.

It means to fortify, strengthen, or support. For example, one might say that an extender was required to bolster the weak wi-fi signal from a router, or a piece of wood was needed to bolster a tree branch.

This word is used to describe a young wolf or coyote. But it can also be used to describe a young human child. And it can even be used to describe the process of giving birth.

This word is used to describe something that was not naturally created as a result of nature. Therefore, it was constructed by human means to act in the same way as something natural.

It refers to a formal declaration over a firm belief in something. For example, someone who is stating the reasons for their religious affiliations is said to take pride in their convictions.

Potentate is used to describe a sovereign, a ruler, or pretty much anyone who wields great power over others. This can include the captain of a ship or an orchestra conductor.

To permit or allow means to give consent for something. For example, a parent must give consent before allowing their child to go on a field trip to the zoo.

Someone who is lachrymose is said to be weeping. It can also be used to describe a situation that causes tears like a funeral that can make someone mournful and lachrymose.

It means to subvert someone or weaken them subtly so that the person isn’t necessarily aware that it’s happening to them over a long period of time.

Anyone who has the habit of joking around with their friends, family, co-workers, or perfect strangers is said to have a jocose personality. This can also be used to describe someone who is playful.

It means to remove or force someone out. The word is often used to describe someone who has been removed from a position of power like a senator, governor or even a president.

This word is used to describe a restraint or something that is confining, like shackles or a chain. For example, to put fetters on can be used to say to chain someone’s hands or feet. It can also be used to describe restraining someone’s actions or progress.

When something is an abstract, it only exists in someone’s mind. For example, abstract art can look like anything to different people and doesn’t necessarily resemble a realistic object, a place or a person.

Someone who is difficult to manage or something that is complicated to operate is considered recalcitrant. But it can also be used in the medical community to describe someone who is not responsive to treatment or to describe a viral strain that is resistant to medication.

It means to destroy someone or something or cause devastating destruction. For example, one could say that a category 5 hurricane has the power to annihilate an entire city.

The word garrulous is used to describe someone who talks a lot to the point that they are rambling. It can also be defined as someone who is wordy or talks annoyingly.

If someone is focused solely on material wealth, then they are considered superficial, or in this case, materialistic because they value possessions above all else.

This word is used to describe someone who has behaved in a manner that is shameful or disgraceful. It can also be used to describe a humiliating loss. For example, “the king’s army suffered an ignominious defeat at the hands of their enemies.”

When someone is showing signs of extreme jealousy, they are showing signs of envy. The word can also be used as both a noun and a verb.

When something gets expurgated, it means that it gets cleansed or expunged of something that is either offensive, harmful, or written by mistake.

It’s used to describe something or a situation that is so morally offensive that it can ruin someone’s reputation at school, at work, or even in their own personal life.

Someone who is attentive and servile to a point of excessiveness is said to be obsequious. For example, if the maid was waiting on the lord or lady of the house hand and foot, then they were probably being obsequious.

It’s used to refer to something that is unstable or rises and falls. For example, an injured patient’s vital signs might fluctuate when they first arrive at the emergency room.

When someone is considered shy or modest due to a lack of confidence, they are called diffident. For example, “the student was acting diffident after years of being bullied by their peers.”

It describes a rough texture or a surface or object that lacks refinement. For example: “The sand was so coarse that it hurt my feet,” or “Store brand toilet paper is coarse, therefore it irritates my skin.”

A quay is a metal or stone structure built parallel to the back of a waterway and it is used as a platform to load and unload ships.

Alacrity means cheerful readiness or someone who responds promptly and with enthusiasm. For example, if someone proposes to their girlfriend, they might say that she accepted with alacrity.

Someone who is gull is easily deceived and foolish. However, the word gull is also used to describe a certain type of bird.

It means a small portion or a limited quantity of something. For example, “A first year medical student has only a modicum of the knowledge of an attending physician.”

When someone or something is inchoate, it means that they are imperfectly formed or formulated. For example, one could say that an idea is inchoate during its early stages.

Someone who is lighthearted and pleasing is considered winsome. It can also be used to describe someone who is charming, innocent and childlike in behavior. But it’s not just used to describe someone’s behavior. Someone could also say that someone has a winsome smile, too.

If someone uses a lot of swear words when discussing or arguing over something, they are using invective language, or insulting, abusive or highly critical language.

Anyone who pretends to be sick in order to avoid school, work, or some other form of responsibility is said to be a malingerer. For example, a teacher or a boss might suspect someone of malingering because of their excessive absences.

Intimation refers to an indirect suggestion or a subtle hint. For example, someone might make intimations that they are ready to give their notice to quit a job.

Someone may be overcome with tears and become emotionally silly and act self-pityingly if they are drunk enough. If that’s the case, then they’re probably acting maudlin. Then again, the word can also be used to describe someone who gets highly sentimental over a song or a film.

When something is obviated, the situation is often anticipated and prevented. For example, a person will wear a mask before going out in order to prevent themselves from getting sick.

Another definition for the word abrogate is to annul. For example, one could say that a treaty between two warring countries was abrogated. Shortly after, the war resumed.

During an argument, someone might accuse someone of being specious, which means that someone’s statement or reasoning is false or misleading. It can also be used to describe someone who has a deceptive allure.