Free SSAT Vocab Prep
60 'core' SSAT vocabulary words — each with a definition, example sentence, and difficulty rating. This is a curated starter set of core words drawn from our full preparation list.
Click any word to expand it. Use the filters below to focus on Medium or Hard words.
Or if you prefer online flashcards, visit ssatvocab.com >> 'free' 60 SSAT Vocab Words.
Definition: to make someone feel embarrassed, ashamed, or disconcerted
Example usage: The teacher's sharp rebuke did much to abash the rowdy student.
Medium difficulty
Definition: to shorten or condense a book, text, or piece of information without losing essential meaning
Example usage: The movie abridged the novel's complex plot.
Medium difficulty
Definition: able to use both hands equally well
Example usage: Being ambidextrous, she could write with either hand easily.
Hard difficulty
Definition: open to more than one interpretation; unclear
Example usage: His ambiguous answer left everyone feeling confused.
Hard difficulty
Definition: an official pardon for offenses
Example usage: The rebels were granted amnesty in exchange for a truce.
Hard difficulty
Definition: very enthusiastic and eager about something
Example usage: My grandmother is an avid gardener who grows her own food.
Medium difficulty
Definition: so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring
Example usage: The conversation was banal, focusing only on the weather.
Medium difficulty
Definition: to stand or sit with a leg on either side of
Example usage: The statue was built to bestride the entrance of the park.
Hard difficulty
Definition: cheerful and carefree
Example usage: She went about her work with a blithe and happy spirit.
Medium difficulty
Definition: noisy, energetic, and cheerful
Example usage: The boisterous children ran loudly through the hallway.
Hard difficulty
Definition: to grow or increase rapidly
Example usage: In spring, the plants in the garden begin to burgeon.
Hard difficulty
Definition: a hidden store of things, especially money or goods
Example usage: The squirrels hidden a cache of nuts for the winter.
Medium difficulty
Definition: harsh, discordant, jarring noise
Example usage: The cacophonous noise of the traffic kept me awake.
Hard difficulty
Definition: to reprimand severely
Example usage: The mother began to castigate her son for breaking the vase.
Hard difficulty
Definition: a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought
Example usage: "Home is where the heart is" is a common cliché.
Medium difficulty
Definition: to confirm or settle something conclusively
Example usage: They need one more win to clinch the title.
Medium difficulty
Definition: (of a disease or abnormality) present from birth
Example usage: The baby was born with a congenital heart defect.
Medium difficulty
Definition: to recover health after illness; to recuperate
Example usage: He went to the seaside to convalesce after his major surgery.
Medium difficulty
Definition: a ceramic or metal container in which metals or other substances may be melted or subjected to very high temperatures; a severe test or trial
Example usage: The harsh training camp served as a crucible for the young soldiers.
Medium difficulty
Definition: a sudden and ignominious failure; a fiasco
Example usage: The grand opening was a debacle due to the power failure.
Medium difficulty
Definition: neatly skillful and quick in one's movements
Example usage: With a deft movement, the magician pulled a coin from my ear.
Medium difficulty
Definition: to make known (private or sensitive information)
Example usage: The spy refused to divulge any information about his mission.
Hard difficulty
Definition: inclined to lay down principles as undeniably true
Example usage: He is so dogmatic that he refuses to listen to any other opinions.
Hard difficulty
Definition: a circular movement of water, counter to the main current, causing a small whirlpool
Example usage: The fallen leaves swirled in a small eddy behind the rock.
Medium difficulty
Definition: a building, especially a large or imposing one
Example usage: The massive stone edifice dominated the city's skyline.
Medium difficulty
Definition: the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something
Example usage: There has been a long-standing enmity between the two families.
Hard difficulty
Definition: to free (someone or something) from a constraint or difficulty
Example usage: It took the rescuers hours to extricate the driver from the wreck.
Hard difficulty
Definition: not part of the essential nature of someone or something; coming or operating from outside
Example usage: High pay is an extrinsic reward that motivates many employees.
Medium difficulty
Definition: to show or feel elation or jubilation, especially as the result of a success
Example usage: The team exulted in victory.
Medium difficulty
Definition: an exact copy, especially of written or printed material
Example usage: The library keeps a facsimile of the original ancient document.
Medium difficulty
Definition: tending to attract attention by being brightly colored, highly ornamented, or overly elaborate
Example usage: The flamboyant pianist wore a cape covered in sparkling sequins.
Medium difficulty
Definition: the substance or general meaning of a speech or piece of writing
Example usage: I didn't hear every word, but I got the gist of what he was saying.
Medium difficulty
Definition: fond of company; sociable
Example usage: The gregarious student made friends with everyone in the dorm.
Hard difficulty
Definition: a water-worn ravine or narrow channel
Example usage: Heavy rains created a deep gully in the middle of the dirt road.
Medium difficulty
Definition: a distinctive or peculiar feature or characteristic of a particular person or thing
Example usage: His habit of wearing mismatched socks was a harmless idiosyncrasy.
Hard difficulty
Definition: to treat with a vaccine to produce immunity
Example usage: Doctors recommend you inoculate children against the flu.
Medium difficulty
Definition: to overwhelm (someone) with things or people
Example usage: Fans will inundate the star with letters of support.
Hard difficulty
Definition: having a lively and cheerful manner
Example usage: He wore his hat at a jaunty, confident angle.
Medium difficulty
Definition: using very few words
Example usage: His laconic reply consisted of only a single word.
Hard difficulty
Definition: furious or extremely angry
Example usage: He was absolutely livid when he saw the scratch on his car.
Medium difficulty
Definition: an independent-minded person who does not conform to accepted group norms
Example usage: The maverick politician often voted against his own party.
Hard difficulty
Definition: the state of being famous or well known for some bad quality or deed
Example usage: The criminal gained notoriety for his daring prison escapes.
Medium difficulty
Definition: extremely unpleasant; repulsive
Example usage: The odious task of cleaning the sewers fell to the recruits.
Hard difficulty
Definition: unusually pale, as from fear, illness, or death
Example usage: The pallid face showed illness.
Medium difficulty
Definition: (an outbreak of a) disease that is prevalent over a whole country or the world
Example usage: The world struggled to contain the global flu pandemic.
Hard difficulty
Definition: a teacher, especially a strict or pedantic one
Example usage: The old pedagogue was known for his strict teaching methods.
Hard difficulty
Definition: the action of feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentance
Example usage: He showed true penitence for his past wrongdoings.
Hard difficulty
Definition: lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite time; enduring or continually recurring
Example usage: Flooding is a perennial problem for people living near the river.
Hard difficulty
Definition: to make (someone) less angry or hostile
Example usage: They tried to placate the angry crowd with promises of reform.
Hard difficulty
Definition: a sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen
Example usage: The portent was ominous.
Medium difficulty
Definition: making or constituting a disturbingly harsh and loud noise
Example usage: The raucous crowd cheered loudly when the goal was scored.
Medium difficulty
Definition: having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline
Example usage: The recalcitrant mule refused to move despite our efforts.
Hard difficulty
Definition: deceit used in order to achieve one's goal
Example usage: He used subterfuge to sneak into the high-security building.
Hard difficulty
Definition: (of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little
Example usage: The taciturn man rarely spoke more than a few words.
Hard difficulty
Definition: especially of a liquid only slightly warm; lukewarm
Example usage: The water was tepid.
Medium difficulty
Definition: a large, densely packed crowd of people or animals
Example usage: The throng gathered for the event.
Medium difficulty
Definition: to boast about or praise something excessively
Example usage: He likes to vaunt his wealth by driving expensive cars.
Medium difficulty
Definition: (especially of a disease or poison) very severe or harmful in its effects
Example usage: The city was hit by a virulent strain of the flu.
Hard difficulty
Definition: attractively lively and animated
Example usage: Her vivacious personality made her the life of the party.
Medium difficulty
Definition: the time or point at which something is most powerful or successful
Example usage: The career reached its zenith.
Medium difficulty
The complete SSAT Vocab Full Set includes 2,000+ words organized by difficulty tier, with definitions, example sentences, and root word callouts.