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.
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.