SAT Vocabulary Lesson 9

SAT Vocabulary Lesson 9

Words like admonish, gullible, and veracity — 25 challenging vocabulary words with definitions, exercises, and an answer key.

Word List with Definitions

Study these 25 vocabulary words. Each word includes its part of speech and definition. Use the printable worksheet to practice synonyms, antonyms, analogies, and sentence completion.

WordPart of SpeechDefinition
admonish(v)to criticize or rebuke gently for a fault
apathy(n)a lack of emotion or caring
bemoan(v)to complain
caricature(n)a representation, often a drawing that exaggerates or distorts features of the subject
cower(v)to cringe or crouch fearfully
cranium(n)a skull, especially the case of the brain
desist(v)to stop; to discontinue an action
duplicity(n)purposeful misrepresentation to deceive or defraud
extravagant(adj)immoderate and excessive in spending money
gullible(adj)easily fooled or tricked
impugn(v)to challenge or attack an idea or statement as being untrue, especially to bring up arguments or facts against an idea or statement
liberate(v)to put at liberty; to set free
meager(adj)a small amount, often less than what is needed
melodious(adj)similar to or characterized by a pleasing and musical succession of sounds
opinion(n)a belief or judgment; something held to be true but without conclusive knowledge
paralyze(v)to make incapable of motion or movement
petrify(v)to cause to become hardened or stone like
priggish(adj)excessively conceited or snobbish
rebuff(n)a refusal or rejection, especially one that is unexpected, harsh, or abrupt
rhapsody(n)an expression of exaltation or elation in writing or speech
skepticism(n)an attitude of doubt or questioning that maintains a need for proof
teem(v)to be excessively or abundantly filled with things
turgid(adj)enlarged by fluid; swollen or engorged
veracity(n)honesty; the quality of keeping to the truth
zephyr(n)a gentle, low wind

Practice Exercises

The printable worksheet includes four types of exercises to reinforce each word:

  • Synonyms — Write the word from the list that means the same as the word given.
  • Antonyms — Write the word from the list that means the opposite of the word given.
  • Analogies — Choose the word that best completes the word-relationship pattern.
  • Sentence Completion — Write the correct word to complete each sentence.

Printable Worksheet

The printable PDF includes the word list, all four exercises, and a full answer key.


SAT Vocabulary Quiz — Lesson 9

Test your knowledge of the Lesson 9 words. Select the best answer for each question and submit to see your score.

SAT Vocabulary Quiz — Lesson 9

  1. Which word means 'to scold or criticize gently'?

  2. Which word means 'lack of emotion or caring'?

  3. Which word means 'easily fooled or tricked'?

  4. Which word means 'honesty or truthfulness'?

  5. Which word means 'a gentle, low wind'?


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