John's Dictionary of Words You Should Know
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A ~ means it is one of the 110 hardest words on the SAT.
-A-
abdicate-to resign, to give up, as in the throne
aberration-a departure from what is normal or typical
abhor-to dislike intently, despise
abhorrent-horrible in an extreme way
abscond-to depart secretly
absolve-to free from blame
~abstruse-difficult to understand, very abstract
acquit-to clear of a charge
acrid-unpleasantly pungent in taste or odor
acrimonius-full of spite, bitter, nasty
acuity-keenness of perception
acumen-mental sharpness
acute-a sharp angle, very keen
addendum-an addition or supplement to a book
adjourn-to suspend until a later time
adulation-high praise
~aesthetics-the study of beauty
~affable-pleasant, friendly
affluent-a flow in abundance, wealthy
alias-an assumed name, a false name or pseudonym
allay-calm, relieve, soothe
alleviate-calm, relieve, soothe
~ameliorate-to make better
~amenable-willing to agree, cooperative
amicable-pleasant, friendly
amity-peacful relations
amiable-friendly, affable
amorphous-having no shape or form
anachronism-something that is not happening at the proper time
anarchy-having no government, hence chaos and disorder
anomaly-not following the norm, an expection to a rule
antipathy-feeling against something or someone, dislike
apathy-having no feelings
appalling-horrible in an extreme way
appease-calm, relieve, soothe
appreciate-to rise in value
apprehension-uneasy feeling about the future
~approbation-approval
~appropriated-to take or make use of without authority or right
~arduous-long and difficult and thus hard to accomplish
ascetic-depriving oneself of luxury
assuage-calm, relieve, soothe
atheist-one who does not believe in God
~audacious-very bold
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