300 Most Difficult SAT Words

1. abject- of the most contemptible kind

2. aberration- a state or condition markedly different from the norm
3. abjure- formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief
4. abnegation-the denial and rejection of a doctrine or belief
5. abrogate-revoke formally
6. abscond-run away, often taking something or somebody along
7. abstruse-difficult to penetrate
8. accede-yield to another's wish or opinion
9. accost- speak to someone
10. accretion-an increase by natural growth or addition
11. acumen-shrewdness shown by keen insight
12. adamant- impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, reason
13. admonish-scold or reprimand; take to task
14. adumbrate- describe roughly or give the main points or summary of
15. adverse- in an opposing direction
16. advocate- a person who pleads for a person, cause, or idea
17. affluent- having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value
18. aggrandize- add details to
19. alacrity- liveliness and eagerness
20. alias- a name that has been assumed temporarily
21. ambivalent- uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow
22. amenable- disposed or willing to comply
23. amorphous- having no definite form or distinct shape
24. anachronistic- chronologically misplaced
25. anathema- a formal ecclesiastical curse accompanied by excommunication
26. annex- attach to
27. antediluvian- of or relating to the period before the biblical flood
28. antiseptic- thoroughly clean and free of disease-causing organisms
29. apathetic- showing little or no emotion or animation
30. antithesis- exact opposite
31. apocryphal- being of questionable authenticity
32. approbation- official approval
33. arbitrary-based on or subject to individual discretion or preference
34. arboreal- of or relating to or formed by trees
35. arcane- requiring secret or mysterious knowledge
36. archetypal- of an original type after which other things are patterned
37. arrogate- seize and take control without authority
38. ascetic- someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
39. aspersion- a disparaging remark
40. assiduous- marked by care and persistent effort
41. atrophy- a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse
42. bane- something causing misery or death
43. bashful- self-consciously timid
44. beguile- influence by slyness
45. bereft- sorrowful through loss or deprivation
46. blandishment- flattery intended to persuade
47. bilk- cheat somebody out of what is due, especially money
48. bombastic- ostentatiously lofty in style
49. cajole- influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
50. callous- emotionally hardened
51. calumny- a false accusation of an offense
52. camaraderie- the quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability
53. candor- the quality of being honest and straightforward
54. capitulate- surrender under agreed conditions
55. carouse- engage in boisterous, drunken merrymaking
56. carp- any of various freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae
57. caucus- meet to select a candidate or promote a policy
58. cavort- play boisterously
59. circumlocution- an indirect way of expressing something
60. circumscribe- draw a geometric figure around another figure
61. circumvent- surround so as to force to give up
62. clamor- utter or proclaim insistently and noisily
63. cleave- separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument
64. cobbler- a person who makes or repairs shoes
65. cogent- powerfully persuasive
66. cognizant- having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization
67. commensurate- corresponding in size or degree or extent
68. complement- something added to embellish or make perfect
69. compunction- a feeling of deep regret, usually for some misdeed
70. concomitant- following or accompanying as a consequence
71. conduit- a passage through which water or electric wires can pass
72. conflagration- a very intense and uncontrolled fire
73. congruity- the quality of agreeing; being suitable and appropriate
74. connive- form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner
75. consign- give over to another for care or safekeeping
76. constituent- one of the individual parts making up a composite entity
77. construe- make sense of; assign a meaning to
78. contusion-an injury in which the skin is not broken
79. contrite- feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses
80. contentious- showing an inclination to disagree
81. contravene- go against, as of rules and laws
82. convivial- occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company
83. corpulence- the property of excessive fatness
84. covet- wish, long, or crave for
85. cupidity- extreme greed for material wealth
86. dearth- an insufficient quantity or number
87. debacle- a sudden and violent collapse
88. debauch- a wild gathering involving excessive drinking
89. debunk- expose while ridiculing
90. defunct- no longer in force or use; inactive
91. demagogue- a leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions
92. denigrate- charge falsely or with malicious intent
93. derivative- a compound obtained from another compound
94. despot- a cruel and oppressive dictator
95. diaphanous- so thin as to transmit light
96. didactic instructive, especially excessively
97. dirge a song or hymn of mourning as a memorial to a dead person
98. disaffected-discontented as toward authority
99. discomfit- cause to lose one's composure
100. disparate- fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind
101. dispel- to cause to separate and go in different directions
102. disrepute- the state of being held in low esteem
103. divisive- dissenting with the majority opinion
104. dogmatic- pertaining to a code of beliefs accepted as authoritative
105. dour- showing a brooding ill humor
106. duplicity- acting in bad faith
107. duress - compulsory force or threat
108. eclectic- selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas
109. edict- a formal or authoritative proclamation
110. ebullient- joyously unrestrained
111. egregious- conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
112. elegy- a mournful poem; a lament for the dead
113. elicit- call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
114. embezzlement-the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property
115. emend- make corrections to
116. emollient- a substance with a soothing effect when applied to the skin
117. empirical- derived from experiment and observation rather than theory
118. emulate- strive to equal or match, especially by imitating
119. enervate- weaken mentally or morally
120. enfranchise- grant freedom to, as from slavery or servitude
121. engender- call forth
122. ephemeral- anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day
123. epistolary- written in the form of letters or correspondence
124. equanimity- steadiness of mind under stress
125. equivocal- open to two or more interpretations
126. espouse- choose and follow a theory, idea, policy, etc.
127. evanescent-tending to vanish like vapor
128. evince- give expression to
129. exacerbate- make worse
130. exhort- spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts
131. execrable- unequivocally detestable
132. exigent- demanding immediate attention
133. expedient- appropriate to a purpose
134. expiate- make amends for
135. expunge- remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line
136. extraneous- not belonging to that in which it is contained
137. extol-praise, glorify, or honor
138. extant-still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost
139. expurgate-edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
140. fallacious-containing or based on incorrect reasoning
141. fatuous-devoid of intelligence
142. fetter- a shackle for the ankles or feet
143. flagrant- conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
144. foil-hinder or prevent, as an effort, plan, or desire
145. forbearance- good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
146. fortuitous-occurring by happy chance
147. fractious- easily irritated or annoyed
148. garrulous- full of trivial conversation
149. gourmand- a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
150. grandiloquent- lofty in style
151. gratuitous- unnecessary and unwarranted
152. hapless-unfortunate and deserving pity
153. hegemony- the dominance or leadership of one social group over others
154. heterogenous- consisting of elements that are not of the same kind
155. iconoclast- someone who attacks cherished ideas or institutions
156. idiosyncratic- peculiar to the individual
157. impecunious- not having enough money to pay for necessities
158. impetuous- characterized by undue haste and lack of thought
159. impinge- infringe upon
160. impute- attribute or credit to
161. inane- devoid of intelligence
162. inchoate- only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
163. incontrovertible- impossible to deny or disprove
164. incumbent- necessary as a duty or responsibility; morally binding
165. inexorable- not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
166. inimical- not friendly
167. injunction- a judicial remedy to prohibit a party from doing something
168. inoculate- inject or treat with the germ of a disease to render immune
169. insidious- working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way
170. instigate- provoke or stir up
171. insurgent- in opposition to a civil authority or government
172. interlocutor- a person who takes part in a conversation
173. intimation- a slight suggestion or vague understanding
174. inure- cause to accept or become hardened to
175. invective- abusive language used to express blame or censure
176. intransigent- impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, reason
177. inveterate- habitual
178. irreverence-a mental attitude showing lack of due respect
179. knell- the sound of a bell rung slowly to announce a death
180. laconic- brief and to the point
181. largesse- liberality in bestowing gifts
182. legerdemain- an illusory feat
183. libertarian- an advocate of freedom of thought and speech
184. licentious- lacking moral discipline
185. linchpin- a central cohesive source of support and stability
186. litigant- (law) a party to a lawsuit; someone involved in litigation
187. maelstrom- a powerful circular current of water
188. maudlin- effusively or insincerely emotional
189. maverick- someone who exhibits independence in thought and action
190. mawkish- effusively or insincerely emotional
191. maxim- a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
192. mendacious- given to lying
193. modicum- a small or moderate or token amount
194. morass- a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
195. mores- the conventions embodying the fundamental values of a group
196. munificent-very generous
197. multifarious- having many aspects
198. nadir- the lowest point of anything
199. negligent- characterized by undue lack of attention or concern
200. neophyte- any new participant in some activity
201. noisome- offensively malodorous
202. noxious- injurious to physical or mental health
203. obdurate- stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing
204. obfuscate- make obscure or unclear
205. obstreperous- noisily and stubbornly defiant
206. officious- intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
207. onerous- not easily borne; wearing
208. ostensible- appearing as such but not necessarily so
209. ostracism- the act of excluding someone from society by general consent
210. palliate- lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
211. panacea- hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases
212. paradigm-a standard or typical example
213. pariah- a person who is rejected from society or home
214. partisan- a fervent and even militant proponent of something
215. paucity- an insufficient quantity or number
216. pejorative- expressing disapproval
217. pellucid- transparently clear; easily understandable
218. penchant- a strong liking
219. penurious- excessively unwilling to spend
220. pert- characterized by a lightly exuberant quality
221. pernicious- exceedingly harmful
222. pertinacious- stubbornly unyielding
223. phlegmatic- showing little emotion
224. philanthropic- of or relating to charitable giving
225. pithy-concise and full of meaning
226. platitude- a trite or obvious remark
227. plaudit- enthusiastic approval
228. plenitude-a full supply
229. plethora-extreme excess
230. portent- a sign of something about to happen
231. potentate- a ruler who is unconstrained by law
232. preclude- make impossible, especially beforehand
233. predilection- a predisposition in favor of something
234. preponderance- exceeding in heaviness; having greater weight
235. presage- a foreboding about what is about to happen
236. probity- complete and confirmed integrity
237. proclivity- a natural inclination
238. profligate-unrestrained by convention or morality
239. promulgate- state or announce
240. proscribe- command against
241. protean- taking on different forms
242. prurient- characterized by lust
243. puerile- displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity
244. pugnacious- tough and callous by virtue of experience
245. pulchritude- physical beauty, especially of a woman
246. punctilious- marked by precise accordance with details
247. quaint- attractively old-fashioned
248. quixotic- not sensible about practical matters
249. quandary- state of uncertainty in a choice between unfavorable options
250. recalcitrant-stubbornly resistant to authority or control
251. redoubtable- inspiring fear
252. relegate- assign to a lower position
253. remiss- failing in what duty requires
254. reprieve- postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal
255. reprobate- a person without moral scruples
256. rescind- cancel officially
257. requisition- an authoritative request or demand
258. rife-excessively abundant
259. sanctimonious-excessively or hypocritically pious
260. sanguine- confidently optimistic and cheerful
261. scurrilous- expressing offensive reproach
262. semaphore- an apparatus for visual signaling
263. serendipity- good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries
264. sobriety- the state of being sober and not intoxicated by alcohol
265. solicitous- full of anxiety and concern
266. solipsism- the philosophical theory that the self is all that exists
267. spurious- plausible but false
268. staid- characterized by dignity and propriety
269. stolid- having or revealing little emotion or sensibility
270. subjugate- make subservient; force to submit or subdue
271. surfeit- indulge (one's appetite) to satiety
272. surreptitious- marked by quiet and caution and secrecy
273. swarthy- naturally having skin of a dark color
274. tangential- of superficial relevance if any
275. tome- a large and scholarly book
276. toady- a person who tries to please someone to gain an advantage
277. torpid- in a condition of biological rest or suspended animation
278. travesty- a composition that imitates or misrepresents a style
279. trenchant- having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought
280. trite repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
281. truculent- defiantly aggressive
282. turpitude- a corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice
283. ubiquitous- being present everywhere at once
284. umbrage- a feeling of anger caused by being offended
285. upbraid-express criticism towards
286. utilitarian- having a useful function
287. veracity- unwillingness to tell lies
288. vestige- an indication that something has been present
289. vicissitude- a variation in circumstances or fortune
290. vilify- spread negative information about
291. virtuoso- someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
292. vitriolic- harsh, bitter, or malicious in tone
293. vituperate- spread negative information about
294. vociferous- conspicuously and offensively loud
295. wanton- a lewd or lascivious person
296. winsome- charming in a childlike or naive way
297. yoke=join with stable gear, as two draft animals
298. zephyr- a slight wind
299. wily- marked by skill in deception
300. tirade- a speech of violent denunciation

demure --quiet, modest, reserved

deride --to ridicule, laugh at with contempt
despot----a dictator with absolute power
diligent--showing care in doing one's work
elated--full of high-spirited delight
eloquent-expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively
embezzle-to steal money by falsifying records
empathy-sensitivity to another's feelings as if they were one's own
enmity-ill will; hatred; hostility
erudite- learned or scholarly
extol- to praise, revere
fabricate- to make up, invent
feral- Savage; wild
flabbergasted- Astounded
forsake- to give up, renounce; to leave, abandon
fractious- (adj.) troublesome or irritable
furtive- secretive; sly
gluttony- excessive eating or drinking
gratuitous-uncalled for; lacking good reason; unwarranted
haughty- proud, arrogant
hypocrisy- Pretending to have feelings, beliefs, or virtues that one does not have.
Impeccable-perfect, flawless
Impertinent- insolent; rude
Implacable- (adj.) incapable of being appeased or mitigated
Impudent-casually rude, insolent
Incisive- clear and sharp in analysis or expression
Indolent- lazy
Inept- not suitable or capable, unqualified
Infamy- (n.) notoriety, extreme ill repute
Inhibit- restrain; prohibit; retard or prevent
Innate-(adj.) natural, inborn, inherent; built-in
Insatiable- not capable of being fully satisfied
Insular-(adj.) separated and narrow-minded; tight-knit, closed off
Intrepid-brave in the face of danger
Inveterate- (adj.) stubbornly established by habit
Jubilant- extremely joyful
Knell-the solemn sound of a bell, often indicating a death
Lithe-Flexible, graceful.
Lurid-shocking; sensational
Maverick- an independent, nonconformist person
Maxim- common saying expressing a principle of conduct
Meticulous-extremely careful about details
Modicum-a small amount of something
Morose-gloomy or sullen
Myriad-a very large number
Nadir-(n.) the lowest point of something
Nominal- insignificant, trifling
Novice-one who is just a beginner at some activity requiring skill and experience
Nuance-a slight variation in meaning, tone, expression
Oblivious-(adj.) lacking consciousness or awareness of something
Obsequitous- obeying/performing a service for someone in an overly attentive manner
Obtuse-lacking quickness of sensibility or intellect
Panacea-a remedy for all ills; cure-all; an answer to all problems
Parody-humorous or ridiculous imitation
Penchant-a tendency, partiality, or preference
Perusal- a careful examination, review
Plethora- excess, overabundance
Predilection-preference or preferred way of doing something
Quaint-charmingly old fashioned
Rash-hasty, incautious
Refurbish-to brighten, freshen or polish; to restore or improve
Repudiate-to reject, decline
Rife-abundant or plentiful, full of sth bad or unpleasant
Salient-significant; conspicuous; standing out from the rest
Serendipity-(n.) luck, finding good things without looking for them
Staid-(adj.) sedate, serious, self-restrained
Superfluous- exceeding what is sufficient or necessary
Sycophant-one who sucks up to others
Taciturn-Inclined to silence; reserved in speech; reluctant to join in conversation
Truculent-ready to fight; cruel
Umbrage-resentment, offense
Venerable- respected because of age, distinguished
Vex-(v.) to confuse or annoy
Vociferous-(adj.) loud, boisterous
Wanton-(adj.) undisciplined, lewd, lustful
Zenith- the point of culmination; peak