SAT Vocabulary Lesson 16

SAT Vocabulary Lesson 16

Words like anomaly, dogmatic, and rescind — 25 challenging vocabulary words with definitions, exercises, and an answer key.

The printable PDF here is a Full Member resource

Unlock the complete SAT prep library: all 20 vocabulary lessons (500 words) with answer keys, 12 SAT Writing and Language worksheets, 7 SAT Reading worksheets, and all seven practice formats — flashcards, matching, fill-in-the-blank, crossword puzzles, word searches, quizzes, and the complete printable workbook. Cancel anytime.

See membership options →

A free account is enough for the complete SAT word list and the full-length practice test.

Word List with Definitions

Study these 25 vocabulary words. Each word includes its part of speech and definition. Use the printable worksheet to practice recalling each word from its meaning.

WordPart of SpeechDefinition
allay(v)to reduce fear, worry, or pain
anomaly(n)something that differs from what is normal or expected
arduous(adj)requiring great effort; difficult and tiring
belie(v)to give a false impression of
compliant(adj)willing to obey or agree
conjecture(n)an opinion formed on incomplete information
decorum(n)behavior that is polite and suited to the occasion
discern(v)to perceive or recognize clearly
dogmatic(adj)asserting opinions as if they were certainly true
eclectic(adj)drawn from a wide variety of sources
foment(v)to stir up trouble or unrest
garner(v)to gather or collect, especially gradually
impede(v)to slow or block the progress of
incisive(adj)sharply clear and direct
laud(v)to praise, especially in public
malleable(adj)easily shaped; easily influenced
obscure(v)to make hard to see or understand
partisan(adj)strongly supporting one side or party
prevalent(adj)widespread; common in a particular place or time
quell(v)to put an end to, especially by force
rescind(v)to cancel or revoke officially
stringent(adj)strict and demanding
subtle(adj)so delicate or precise as to be hard to notice
tirade(n)a long, angry speech
wary(adj)cautious about possible danger or trouble

Practice Exercises

The printable worksheet includes two types of exercises, covering every word on the list:

  • Write the Word — A meaning is given; write the word from the list that matches it.
  • Choose the Best Word — A meaning is given with four choices; circle the word that matches.

Printable Worksheet

The printable PDF includes the word list, both exercises, and a full answer key. Every word on the list is practiced exactly once across the two exercises.


The other half of the test: SAT Writing and Language

Twelve printable worksheets on the conventions the SAT checks — commas, semicolons and dashes, apostrophes, sentence boundaries, agreement, pronouns, verb tense, modifiers, parallel structure, transitions, rhetorical synthesis, and conciseness. Each teaches the rule, then drills it as four-choice questions with a key that explains every answer. The Commas worksheet needs only a free account.

See all SAT practice worksheets →

New: SAT Reading worksheets

Seven printable worksheets on the Reading skills the test scores — words in context, central ideas, command of evidence in text and in data, inferences, text structure and purpose, and cross-text connections. Each teaches the skill and the wrong-answer types the test relies on, then asks about two original passages. The Words in Context worksheet needs only a free account.

See all SAT practice worksheets →

SAT Vocabulary Quiz — Lesson 16

Test your knowledge of the Lesson 16 words. Select the best answer for each question and submit to see your score.

SAT Vocabulary Quiz — Lesson 16

  1. Which word means 'something that differs from what is expected'?

  2. Which word means 'to slow or block the progress of'?

  3. Which word means 'to cancel or revoke officially'?

  4. Which word means 'drawn from a wide variety of sources'?

  5. Which word means 'a long, angry speech'?


← Lesson 15    Lesson 17 →