scrutinize
Answer: to examine closely
Explanation
Auditors scrutinized the accounts.
Explore · Flashcard deck
SAT Vocabulary: 40 High-Frequency Words (High School)
S–ZN–RE–MA–D
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S–Z
skeptical
Answer: doubting; not easily convinced
Explanation
She was skeptical of the miracle cure.
substantiate
Answer: to provide evidence to support
Explanation
Can you substantiate that claim?
superfluous
Answer: unnecessary; more than enough
Explanation
Cut the superfluous words.
tenacious
Answer: holding firmly; persistent
Explanation
A tenacious reporter kept digging.
undermine
Answer: to weaken gradually
Explanation
Rumors undermined her authority.
unprecedented
Answer: never done or known before
Explanation
An unprecedented heat wave.
versatile
Answer: able to adapt to many functions
Explanation
A versatile actor plays any role.
viable
Answer: capable of working successfully
Explanation
Is the plan financially viable?
zealous
Answer: full of energetic enthusiasm
Explanation
Zealous fans camped out overnight.
N–R
novel (adj.)
Answer: new and original
Explanation
A novel approach to recycling.
obsolete
Answer: no longer in use; outdated
Explanation
Floppy disks are obsolete.
pragmatic
Answer: practical rather than idealistic
Explanation
A pragmatic solution saves time.
prevalent
Answer: widespread; common
Explanation
Smartphones are prevalent among teens.
provocative
Answer: causing strong reactions or debate
Explanation
The speaker made a provocative claim.
prudent
Answer: wise and careful
Explanation
It is prudent to save for emergencies.
reconcile
Answer: to bring into agreement or harmony
Explanation
They reconciled their differences.
refute
Answer: to prove wrong
Explanation
The data refuted the hypothesis.
resilient
Answer: able to recover quickly from difficulty
Explanation
Resilient communities rebuild after disasters.
E–M
mitigate
Answer: to make less severe
Explanation
Levees mitigate flood damage.
empirical
Answer: based on observation or experiment rather than theory
Explanation
The claim lacked empirical evidence.
enervate
Answer: to weaken or drain of energy
Explanation
The heat enervated the hikers.
exacerbate
Answer: to make worse
Explanation
Stress can exacerbate illness.
fastidious
Answer: very attentive to detail; hard to please
Explanation
A fastidious editor catches every typo.
frugal
Answer: economical; avoiding waste
Explanation
Frugal habits helped them save.
hypothetical
Answer: assumed for the sake of argument; not real
Explanation
Consider a hypothetical case.
impartial
Answer: unbiased; fair
Explanation
Judges must remain impartial.
inevitable
Answer: certain to happen; unavoidable
Explanation
Change is inevitable.
lucid
Answer: clear and easy to understand
Explanation
Her lucid explanation helped everyone.
meticulous
Answer: extremely careful and precise
Explanation
He kept meticulous records.
A–D
ambivalent
Answer: having mixed or contradictory feelings
Explanation
She felt ambivalent about moving abroad.
benevolent
Answer: kind and generous
Explanation
A benevolent donor funded the library.
candid
Answer: honest and direct
Explanation
He gave a candid assessment of the plan.
capricious
Answer: given to sudden, unpredictable changes
Explanation
The capricious weather ruined the picnic.
concise
Answer: brief and to the point
Explanation
Keep your answer concise.
conspicuous
Answer: easily seen; attracting attention
Explanation
The red hat was conspicuous in the crowd.
deter
Answer: to discourage or prevent from acting
Explanation
High fines deter illegal parking.
diligent
Answer: showing careful, persistent effort
Explanation
A diligent student reviews notes daily.
disparity
Answer: a great difference or inequality
Explanation
There is a wide disparity in incomes.
abate
Answer: to lessen in intensity or amount
Explanation
The storm abated by morning.
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