Vocabulary Word Lists
Comprehensive SSAT vocabulary with pronunciations, definitions, examples, and etymology.
Definition
- To renounce or give up a throne, right, power, claim, responsibility, or the like, especially in a formal manner.
Examples
"The old president of the company decided to abdicate his role."
"King Edward VIII abdicated his throne to marry the love of his life."
Synonyms
Antonyms
Additional Notes
- Abdicate is typically used when stepping down from a higher position of power in an organization, institution, or a country.
- Originated from the Latin word ab + dicare meaning 'away from' + 'declare.'
- Can be confused with abnegate (verb) which means to deny or renounce something.
Definitions
- Deviation from what is normal, expected, or usual; Departure from truth, morality, etc.
- An irregularity from the normal.
Examples
"Mary's sudden outburst was an aberration from her calm demeanor."
"If a person can roll his tongue, he is thought to have a genetic aberration."
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Antonyms
Additional Notes
- Originated from the Latin word ab + errare meaning 'away from' + 'to stray.'
- Aberration can also mean a temporary mental irregularity or disorder.
- In Astronomy, an aberration (of light) is the appearance of a heavenly body in a position different from its actual or true location in space due to Earth's movement.
Definition
- Causing or deserving strong dislike or hatred. Feeling or showing strong dislike or hatred.
Examples
"John's abhorrent behavior caused him to get kicked out of the cafe."
"He woke up due to the abhorrent noise made by the passing train."
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- Originated from ab + horrere meaning 'away from' + 'to shudder.'
- The synonym repugnant implies a stronger meaning of disgust and aversion.
Definitions
- To act in accordance with rules.
- To endure without yielding.
Examples
"The students must abide by the rules of the school or get punished."
"I said I would abide by their decision and follow them."
Synonyms
Antonyms
Additional Notes
- Commonly used in the phrase abide by meaning 'to put up with or tolerate.'
- Originated from the Old English a + bidan or gebidan meaning 'remain, wait, or delay.'
- Might be confused with abode (noun) which means 'a place where a person lives.'
Definitions
- Any material or substance used for grinding, polishing, etc.
- Causing damage, wear, or removal of surface material by grinding or rubbing.
Examples
"The athlete was banned from playing future games for using abrasive language."
"An abrasive is used to smoothen the furniture."
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Antonyms
Additional Notes
- Originated from the Latin word ab + radere meaning 'away from' + 'to scrape.'
- Its synonym irritating denotes a stronger connotation: 'causing annoyance or pain.'
Definitions
- To hold oneself back voluntarily, especially from something regarded as improper or unhealthy.
- To choose not to do or have something.
Examples
"If you want to live healthy, you should abstain from drinking too much soda."
"Marcus found it difficult to abstain from sleeping during the movie."
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Additional Notes
- Abstain also refers to 'to refrain from casting one's vote' as in during an election.
- Originated from the French word abstinere meaning 'to withhold oneself.'
Definitions
- An extremely plentiful or over-sufficient quantity or supply.
- An ample quantity.
Examples
"New York City is a metropolis with an abundance of high rise buildings."
"There is an abundance of fruits in the forest."
Synonyms
Antonyms
Additional Notes
- Abundant is the adjective form of abundance.
- Related to the French word abundance and originated from the Latin word abundantia meaning 'fullness, plenty.'
- The word plenty connotes 'sufficient enough to supply need' while abundance means 'more than what is needed or in excess.'
Definitions
- Extremely poor or bad.
- Immeasurably low or deep, as in like an abyss.
Examples
"Since Marc played video games the whole week, he earned an abysmal score on the test."
"The number of audience attending the concert was abysmal and way lower than their expectations."
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Antonyms
Additional Notes
- The word was first recorded in mid 1600s combining abysm (an abyss) + -al.
- A related adjective is abyssal which means 'unfathomable' or 'relating to the bottom of ocean depths.'
Definitions
- Officially recognized as meeting the essential requirements, as of academic excellence.
- To give official authorization to or approval of.
Examples
"The charity is accredited by the government and officially allowed to raise funds."
"Jonathan is working hard to become an accredited teacher."
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Antonyms
Additional Notes
- Accredited is typically used to refer to a recognized educational institution that maintains a certain standard of qualification.
- It can also mean 'recognized as outstanding,' for example, 'He is an accredited scientist.'
Definitions
- A practice that emphasizes direct vigorous action especially in support of or opposition to one side of a controversial issue.
- Consists of efforts to promote, impede, or direct social, political, economic, or environmental reform with the desire to make improvements in society.
Examples
"Hunger strike is a form of activism that was used by Mahatma Gandhi."
"Participating in discussions and debates is an important part of activism."
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Additional Notes
- The plural word Movements is related to activism which means 'actions or activities by a group of people with the same advocacy.'
- Originated from the German word Aktivismus first recorded in 1905.
Definitions
- To regard with wonder, pleasure, or approval.
- To feel respect and approval for (someone or something).
Examples
"I admire his perseverance in finishing his studies despite working two jobs."
"One can just admire the beauty of nature on a nice spring day and momentarily forget all troubles."
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Antonyms
Additional Notes
- To admire a person is to 'hold someone in high regard.'
- Originated from the late 1500s' Latin word admirari meaning 'to wonder at.'
- The synonym adore implies a stronger meaning: 'to worship.'
Definitions
- To urge to a duty.
- To reprove or scold, especially in a mild and good-willed manner.
Examples
"The teacher admonished him for forgetting his homework at home."
"I admonished him to eat healthier and exercise more."
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Antonyms
Additional Notes
- While reprimand is a synonym, it implies severe and formal warning.
- Berate also denotes a stronger meaning: 'to scold vehemently.'
- Originated from the Middle English words amoncsche, admonesse, and amones.
Definition
- Expert or nimble in the use of the hands or body.
Examples
"He is proving to be an adroit doctor who has saved many lives."
"You have to be an adroit soccer player to qualify for the team."
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Additional Notes
- From the mid-17th French phrase à droit meaning 'on the' + 'according to right.'
- The related term dexterous is almost an exact synonym, meaning: 'skillful in the use of hands or body.'
Definitions
- Pleasantly easy to approach and to talk to.
- Showing warmth and friendliness.
Examples
"John is a popular boy with an affable smile."
"We need an affable salesperson to increase the number of customers."
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Antonyms
Additional Notes
- Originated from the Latin word ad + fari meaning 'to' + 'speak.'
- Affable implies being open to conversations while its synonym polite implies agreeable manner in general.
Definitions
- To state or assert positively.
- To express agreement with or commitment to.
Examples
"Signing the team anthem affirms one's loyalty to their sports team."
"The museum curator cannot affirm which of the paintings is genuine."
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Antonyms
Additional Notes
- Originated from the Latin word ad + firmus which means 'to' + 'strong.'
- In Law, affirm means 'to state something solemnly before a court or magistrate, but without an oath.'
Definitions
- Having an abundance of wealth, property, or other material goods.
- A rich person.
Examples
"He desires a more affluent lifestyle and is willing to work hard for it."
"The high-end restaurant attracts affluent customers especially on weekends."
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Antonyms
Additional Notes
- From the Latin word ad + fluere meaning 'to' + 'flow.'
- An older usage of affluent means 'a stream or river that flows into a larger stream.'
- Do not confuse with effluent which means waste liquid.
Definitions
- Formed by the conjunction or collection of particulars into a whole mass or sum.
- A sum, mass, or assemblage of particulars.
- To bring together; collect into one sum, mass, or body.
Examples
"This aggregate rock is made up of various minerals and elements."
"This group is an aggregate of students from different districts."
"The samples collected in the swamp should be aggregated in the laboratory."
Synonyms
Antonyms
Additional Notes
- Originated from the Latin word ad + greg/grex meaning 'toward' + 'a flock.'
- Aggregate is commonly used in science to describe small samples or elements being combined, specifically in Geology.
Definition
- A physical disorder or illness, especially of a minor or chronic nature.
Examples
"She is suffering from a rare ailment and several medicines have been ineffective."
"The doctor is quite good at curing common ailments."
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Antonyms
Additional Notes
- It is a two-part word ail + ment. Ail is from an old English word eglan meaning 'to trouble or plague.' -ment is a suffix from the Latin -mentum which is added to words to imply 'as a result of a certain action.'
Definitions
- To interchange repeatedly and regularly with one another in time or place.
- Being in a constant state of succession or rotation; Constituting an alternative.
- A person authorized to fill the position, exercise the duties, etc., of another who is temporarily absent.
Examples
"You have to alternate with your brother in mowing the lawn."
"Create an alternate email for your social media accounts so your school email's inbox is not flooded with notifications."
"The alternate teacher is liked by the students and the faculty."
Synonyms
Antonyms
Additional Notes
- The verb and adjective form evolved in the 1500s from the Latin alternus meaning 'one after the other.'
- Related to the word alternative which means 'giving a limited number of options.'
Definitions
- To gather for oneself.
- To collect into a mass or pile.
Examples
"My father loved comic books and amassed a great number of them in his collection."
"Amassing a large number of followers on Twitter is difficult."
Synonyms
Antonyms
Additional Notes
- Originated from the Latin word massa which means 'lump.'
- The synonym hoard implies collecting a large amount of something valuable that needs to be guarded.
• Pay attention to the etymology (word origins) to understand root meanings
• Notice patterns in synonyms to build word families in your memory
• Read the examples carefully to understand context and usage
• Look for common prefixes and suffixes (ab-, -tion, -ive, etc.)
• Practice using new words in your own sentences