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

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1. Which meaning best matches nefarious?

2. Which meaning best matches consummate?

3. Which meaning best matches muddled?

4. Which meaning best matches inquisitor?

5. Which meaning best matches revel?

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  1. amiable — Having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.
    Example: The new teacher had an amiable manner that students loved.
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  2. absolution — Formal release from guilt, obligation, or punishment.
    Example: She sought absolution for her past mistakes through community service.
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  3. euphoric — Characterized by or feeling intense excitement and happiness.
    Example: She felt euphoric after receiving her college acceptance letter.
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  4. salve — An ointment used to promote healing of the skin or as protection.
    Example: She applied salve to the sunburned skin on her shoulders.
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  5. 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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  6. diminutive — Extremely or unusually small.
    Example: Booklet, the diminutive of book, means ‘small book’.
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  7. implicate — To show (someone) to be involved in a crime.
    Example: The evidence implicates top management in the financial scheme.
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  8. overt — Done or shown openly; plainly or readily apparent, not secret or hidden.
    Example: His overt hostility made collaboration nearly impossible.
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  9. 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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  10. alleviate — To make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe.
    Example: The medicine helped alleviate her chronic back pain.
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  11. curtail — To reduce in extent or quantity; to impose a restriction on.
    Example: Curtailing horses procured long horse-hair.
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  12. juxtaposition — The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.
    Example: The juxtaposition of wealth and poverty was striking in the city.
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  13. amorphous — Without a clearly defined shape or form.
    Example: Her plan was still amorphous and needed more concrete detail.
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  14. dependency — A subordinate territory or region controlled by another country or power.
    Example: The report examined the nation's growing dependency on imports.
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  15. behemoth — A huge or powerful creature or organization.
    Example: The new tech company quickly became a corporate behemoth.
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  16. 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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  17. 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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  18. cognizant — Having knowledge or being aware of.
    Example: The defendant is cognizant that this is a serious charge.
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  19. excursion — A short journey or trip, especially one engaged in as a leisure activity.
    Example: While driving home I took an excursion and saw some deer.
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  20. 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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  21. 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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  22. vehemently — In a forceful, passionate, or intense manner; with great feeling.
    Example: She vehemently denied any involvement in the scheme.
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  23. benevolent — Well-meaning and kindly.
    Example: Chinese and Eastern mythologies describe dragons as benevolent.
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  24. temperance — Abstinence from alcoholic drink.
    Example: He lived by the principle of temperance in all things.
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  25. 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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  26. lucid — Expressed clearly; easy to understand.
    Example: Even in his last years, he remained sharp and lucid.
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  27. trite — (of a remark, opinion, or idea) overused and consequently of little import; lacking originality or freshness.
    Example: His advice was well-meaning but trite and unhelpful.
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  28. 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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  29. entail — To involve (something) as a necessary or inevitable part or consequence.
    Example: This activity will entail careful attention to detail.
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  30. 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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  31. forsake — To abandon (someone or something).
    Example: She refused to forsake her principles for personal gain.
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  32. 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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  33. obtuse — Annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand.
    Example: The student was too obtuse to grasp the lesson's meaning.
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  34. 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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  35. maverick — An unorthodox or independent-minded person.
    Example: He made a maverick decision. She is such a maverick person.
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  36. 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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  37. fabricate — To invent or concoct (something), typically with deceitful intent.
    Example: He tried to fabricate an alibi, but the story fell apart.
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  38. synchronous — Existing or occurring at the same time.
    Example: The two clocks were not synchronous and showed different times.
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  39. cursory — Hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed.
    Example: Most junk mail requires only a cursory glance.
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  40. procure — To obtain (something), especially with care or effort.
    Example: The army needed to procure supplies before the winter came.
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  41. fickle — Changing frequently, especially as regards one's loyalties, interests, or affection.
    Example: The fickle weather changed from sunny to stormy within hours.
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  42. opaque — Not able to be seen through; not transparent.
    Example: The frosted glass was opaque enough to block the view.
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  43. servitude — The state of being a slave or completely subject to someone more powerful.
    Example: Millions were kept in servitude against their will.
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  44. 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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  45. agile — Able to move quickly and easily.
    Example: The gymnast was remarkably agile on the balance beam.
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  46. tenuous — Very weak or slight.
    Example: The connection between the two events was tenuous at best.
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  47. bard — A poet, traditionally one reciting epics and associated with a particular oral tradition.
    Example: Shakespeare is known as the bard of Avon.
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  48. punitive — Inflicted or intended as punishment.
    Example: The jury awarded $10,000 in punitive damages.
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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. raucous — Making or constituting a disturbingly harsh and loud noise.
    Example: At night, raucous sounds come from the swamp.
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  51. impervious — Not allowing fluid to pass through; unable to be affected by.
    Example: He seemed impervious to cold, refusing to wear a coat in January.
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  52. pragmatic — Dealing with things sensibly and realistically.
    Example: The sturdy furniture in the student lounge was pragmatic, but unattractive.
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  53. augment — To make something greater by adding to it; to increase.
    Example: The money from renting out a spare room can augment a salary.
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  54. frivolous — Not having any serious purpose or value.
    Example: The judge dismissed the case as frivolous and without merit.
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  55. arid — Having little or no rain; too dry or barren to support vegetation.
    Example: The arid landscape of the desert offered little vegetation or shelter.
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  56. 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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  57. myriad — A countless or extremely great number.
    Example: Earth hosts a myriad of animals.
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  58. scathing — Witheringly scornful; severely critical.
    Example: The review was scathing, calling the novel poorly written.
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  59. innuendo — An allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one.
    Example: She made a devious innuendo about her husband, who was embarrassed.
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  60. stoic — A person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining.
    Example: A true stoic, she never complained despite her pain.
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  61. sensual — Relating to or involving gratification of the senses and physical, especially sexual, pleasure.
    Example: The dance was slow, graceful, and deeply sensual in character.
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  62. disseminate — To spread (something, especially information) widely.
    Example: The values of the human rights movement have disseminated throughout the world.
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  63. plethora — A large or excessive amount of (something).
    Example: The menu offers a plethora of cuisines from around the world.
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  64. grievous — (of something bad) very severe or serious.
    Example: Plagiarism is considered a grievous offense with serious academic consequences.
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  65. injunction — An authoritative warning or order.
    Example: The court issued an injunction to halt the construction.
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  66. tranquil — Free from disturbance; calm.
    Example: The tranquil village had not seen conflict in generations.
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  67. zealous — Having or showing zeal.
    Example: He was a zealous advocate for prison reform.
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  68. discord — Disagreement between people.
    Example: The argument created discord within the once-peaceful team.
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  69. resolute — Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.
    Example: He was resolute in his decision to stay.
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  70. rife — (especially of something undesirable or harmful) of common occurrence; widespread.
    Example: Smallpox was rife after the siege had been lifted.
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  71. altercation — A noisy argument or disagreement, especially in public.
    Example: A brief altercation broke out between the two neighbors.
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  72. idiosyncratic — Relating to idiosyncrasy; peculiar or individual.
    Example: The chef's idiosyncratic cooking style won a loyal following.
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  73. cadence — A modulation or inflection of the voice.
    Example: The poem's natural cadence made it easy to memorize.
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  74. aversion — A strong dislike or disinclination.
    Example: She had a deep aversion to spiders of any kind.
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  75. dialect — A particular form of a language which is peculiar to a specific region or social group.
    Example: Home computers in the 1980s had many incompatible dialects of BASIC.
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  76. 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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  77. censure — To express severe disapproval of someone or something, especially in a formal statement.
    Example: The senator faced official censure for his misleading statements.
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  78. depravity — Moral corruption; wickedness.
    Example: The trial revealed the full depravity of his crimes.
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  79. complicit — Involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing.
    Example: She was found to be complicit in covering up the crime.
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  80. insular — Ignorant of or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one's own experience.
    Example: The insular village rarely welcomed visitors from outside.
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  81. intractable — Hard to control or deal with.
    Example: The problem proved intractable despite years of effort.
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  82. affront — An action or remark that causes outrage or offense.
    Example: Such behavior is an affront to society.
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  83. analogous — Comparable in certain respects, typically in a way which makes clearer the nature of the things compared.
    Example: The heart is analogous to a pump in its function.
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  84. derivative — Imitative of the work of another person, and usually disapproved of for that reason.
    Example: Critics dismissed the film as derivative and unoriginal.
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  85. prohibit — To formally forbid (something) by law, rule, or other authority.
    Example: The restaurant prohibits smoking on the patio.
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  86. quaint — Attractively unusual or old-fashioned.
    Example: They stayed in a quaint inn by the river.
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  87. muddled — In a state of bewilderment or bewitchment.
    Example: Young children tend to muddle their words.
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  88. reprehensible — Deserving censure or condemnation.
    Example: Abandoning a pet on the highway is reprehensible behavior.
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  89. poignant — Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.
    Example: The final letter was a deeply poignant farewell to her family.
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  90. tirade — A long, angry speech of criticism or accusation.
    Example: The coach launched into a tirade after the missed penalty.
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  91. wary — Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems.
    Example: Investors were wary of the unstable market conditions.
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  92. manifold — Many and various.
    Example: The manifold benefits of exercise are well documented.
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  93. 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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  94. 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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  95. boisterous — Noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy.
    Example: The boisterous children ran and shouted through the halls.
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  96. 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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  97. nocturnal — Done, occurring, or active at night.
    Example: Owls are nocturnal hunters that rely on darkness.
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  98. 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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  99. annihilation — Complete destruction or obliteration.
    Example: The bombing led to the complete annihilation of the village.
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  100. insatiable — (of an appetite or desire) impossible to satisfy.
    Example: He had an insatiable appetite for knowledge and history.
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  101. 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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  102. consolation — Comfort received by a person after a loss or disappointment.
    Example: His kind words were a small consolation after the loss.
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  103. solemn — Formal and dignified.
    Example: The judge's solemn expression conveyed the gravity of the verdict.
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  104. tedious — Too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous.
    Example: Grading the same error repeatedly made the work tedious.
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  105. exorbitant — (of a price or amount charged) unreasonably high.
    Example: The hotel's rates during the festival were exorbitant.
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  106. transient — Lasting only for a short time; impermanent.
    Example: The joy of winning was transient and faded within days.
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  107. reproach — To address (someone) in such a way as to express disapproval or disappointment.
    Example: She looked at him with an expression full of silent reproach.
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  108. clemency — Mercy; lenience.
    Example: The governor granted clemency to the prisoner after ten years.
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  109. 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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  110. uncanny — Strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way.
    Example: She had an uncanny ability to anticipate her opponent's next move.
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  111. kudos — Praise and honor received for an achievement.
    Example: The talented, young playwright received much kudos for his new drama.
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  112. 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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  113. antiquated — Old-fashioned or outdated.
    Example: The factory still used antiquated machinery from the 1950s.
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  114. fidelity — Faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by continuing loyalty and support.
    Example: She remained committed with absolute fidelity to her principles.
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  115. acumen — The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions.
    Example: Her business acumen helped the company triple its profits.
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  116. convoluted — Extremely complex and difficult to follow.
    Example: The convoluted instructions left most users more confused than before.
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  117. inquisitor — A person making an inquiry, especially one seen to be excessively harsh or searching.
    Example: The relentless inquisitor questioned every detail of her story.
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  118. atone — To make amends or reparation.
    Example: He tried to atone for his mistake by working extra hours.
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  119. 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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  120. 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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  121. rebuke — To express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their actions or anomalies.
    Example: The teacher firmly rebuked the student for cheating.
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  122. slack — Not taut or held tightly in position; loose.
    Example: The manager noted that effort had grown slack during the final weeks.
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  123. simultaneous — Occurring, operating, or done at the same time.
    Example: The two attacks were simultaneous, happening within seconds.
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  124. cohesive — Forming a united whole.
    Example: The team became more cohesive after the training retreat.
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  125. antithesis — A person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.
    Example: Kindness is the antithesis of cruelty.
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  126. tacit — Understood or implied without being stated.
    Example: There was a tacit understanding between them not to argue.
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  127. renown — The condition of being known or talked about by many people; fame.
    Example: The chef earned international renown for her bold flavors.
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  128. nefarious — Wicked or criminal.
    Example: The group was involved in a series of nefarious activities.
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  129. deft — Neatly skillful and quick in one's movements.
    Example: He assembled it in one fluid, deft motion.
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  130. utopia — An imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.
    Example: The reformers dreamed of building a utopia based on equality.
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  131. divisive — Tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people.
    Example: Rather than fostering unity, he becomes divisive.
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  132. subordinate — Lower in rank or position.
    Example: The captain expected every subordinate to follow orders precisely.
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  133. 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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  134. 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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  135. 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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  136. rapport — A close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas…
    Example: He always tried to maintain a rapport with his customers.
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  137. defer — To put off (an action or event) to a later time; to submit humbly to someone's wishes.
    Example: We're going to defer the decision until we have all the facts.
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  138. frugal — Sparing or economical with regard to money or food.
    Example: The frugal student lived on rice and beans all semester.
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  139. arable — Used or suitable for growing crops.
    Example: Only a third of the land was arable and fit for crops.
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  140. 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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  141. clandestine — Kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit.
    Example: The spies held a clandestine meeting in an abandoned warehouse.
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  142. contiguous — Sharing a common border; touching.
    Example: Mexico and the United States share a contiguous border.
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  143. submissive — Ready to conform to the authority or will of others; meekly obedient or passive.
    Example: She was submissive and rarely disagreed with authority figures.
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  144. increment — An unpaid increase or addition, especially one of a series on a fixed scale.
    Example: The worker received a small pay increment each year.
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  145. pathos — A quality that evokes pity or sadness.
    Example: The film's final scene was filled with deep pathos.
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  146. pernicious — Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
    Example: Social isolation can have pernicious effects on mental health.
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  147. malleable — Able to be hammered or pressed permanently out of shape without breaking or cracking.
    Example: My opinion on the subject is malleable.
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  148. ardent — Enthusiastic or passionate.
    Example: She was an ardent supporter of environmental causes.
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  149. 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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  150. 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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  151. gratuitous — Uncalled for; lacking good reason; unwarranted.
    Example: The film was criticized for its gratuitous use of violence.
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  152. complement — A thing that completes or brings to perfection.
    Example: A good wine can complement a meal beautifully.
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  153. commend — To praise formally or officially.
    Example: The schoolboy was commended for raising the alarm about the burning building.
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  154. implicit — Implied though not plainly expressed.
    Example: There was an implicit agreement not to discuss money.
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  155. innovate — To make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products.
    Example: Companies must constantly innovate to stay competitive.
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  156. elicit — To evoke or draw out (a response, answer, or fact) from someone in reaction to one's own actions…
    Example: The professor's pointed question elicited a thoughtful response from the class.
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  157. precocious — (of a child) having developed certain abilities or proclivities at an earlier age than usual.
    Example: The precocious child solved advanced math problems with remarkable ease.
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  158. exuberant — Filled with or characterized by a lively energy and excitement.
    Example: The crowd gave an exuberant cheer when the team scored.
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  159. bane — A cause of great distress or annoyance.
    Example: Procrastination was the bane of his academic career.
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  160. adorn — To make more beautiful or attractive.
    Example: Fresh flowers adorned every table at the ceremony.
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  161. 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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  162. 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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  163. affluent — Having a great deal of money; wealthy.
    Example: They were affluent, but aspired to true wealth.
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  164. patent — Easily recognizable; obvious.
    Example: The error was patent to anyone who reviewed the report carefully.
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  165. bereft — Deprived of or lacking something.
    Example: She felt utterly bereft after her mentor left the university.
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  166. onerous — (of a task, duty, or responsibility) involving an amount of effort and difficulty that is oppressively burdensome.
    Example: The task was so onerous that no one wanted to take it.
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  167. 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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  168. superfluous — Unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.
    Example: With a full rain suit, carrying an umbrella may be superfluous.
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  169. opulent — Ostentatiously rich and luxurious or lavish.
    Example: The hotel lobby was opulent, filled with gold and marble.
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  170. 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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  171. cobbler — A person who mends shoes.
    Example: The cobbler repaired the worn leather shoes with meticulous skill.
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  172. 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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  173. ruse — An action intended to deceive someone; a trick.
    Example: The distraction was just a ruse to sneak past security.
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  174. alias — A false or assumed identity.
    Example: The author published fiction under the alias of a Victorian gentleman.
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  175. 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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  176. sobriety — The state of being sober.
    Example: Years of sobriety transformed her relationship with her family.
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  177. aberration — A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected.
    Example: Her rudeness was an aberration; she was usually polite.
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  178. allocate — To distribute (resources or duties) for a particular purpose.
    Example: The city agreed to allocate more funding for public schools.
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  179. caustic — Sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way.
    Example: His caustic remarks left her feeling deeply humiliated.
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  180. inclination — A person's natural tendency or urge to act or feel in a particular way; a disposition or propensity.
    Example: The inclination of his head increased and he awoke with a start.
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  181. nascent — (especially of a process or organization) just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential.
    Example: The country's nascent democracy was still finding its footing.
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  182. colossus — A person or thing of enormous size, importance, or ability.
    Example: The Roman Empire was a colossus that dominated ancient history.
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  183. disperse — To distribute or spread over a wide area.
    Example: The Jews are dispersed among all nations.
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  184. vindictive — Having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge.
    Example: Her vindictive response to the criticism surprised everyone.
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  185. 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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  186. crescendo — A gradual increase in loudness or intensity.
    Example: Their fighting rose in a fearsome crescendo.
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  187. appease — To pacify or placate someone by acceding to their demands.
    Example: They appeased the angry gods with burnt offerings.
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  188. bourgeois — Characteristic of the middle class, typically with reference to its perceived materialistic values or conventional attitudes.
    Example: The novel satirized the bourgeois obsession with status.
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  189. lavish — Sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious.
    Example: They lavished money on the dinner.
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  190. zephyr — A soft gentle breeze.
    Example: A gentle zephyr rustled the leaves of the oak tree.
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  191. banal — So lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring.
    Example: The speech was so banal that half the audience fell asleep.
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  192. enigmatic — Difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious.
    Example: The painting's enigmatic smile has puzzled viewers for centuries.
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  193. 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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  194. nonchalant — (of a person or manner) feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm.
    Example: We handled the whole frenetic situation with a nonchalant attitude.
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  195. prudence — The quality of being prudent; cautiousness.
    Example: Prudence led her to save money rather than spend recklessly.
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  196. 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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  197. 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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  198. 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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  199. 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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  200. oblique — Not explicit or direct in addressing a point.
    Example: He made an oblique reference to the issue without addressing it directly.
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