Hard SAT Words Explained: Definitions, Examples, and Memory Tricks

Some SAT words are genuinely hard. They look obscure, they're rarely used in everyday speech, and a paper flashcard can't really teach them. Below are ten of the hardest words that appear on the SAT, broken down clearly.

Hard Word Breakdown

• Acquiesce — to agree reluctantly. Example: He acquiesced to her demands.
• Capricious — sudden, unpredictable change. Example: A capricious boss who changes plans hourly.
• Loquacious — extremely talkative. Example: Her loquacious uncle dominated dinner.
• Ephemeral — short-lived. Example: Cherry blossoms are ephemeral.
• Ubiquitous — everywhere at once. Example: Smartphones are ubiquitous.
• Aberration — something out of the norm. Example: A snowy day in July is an aberration.
• Austere — plain and strict. Example: The austere room had only a desk.
• Abate — to reduce. Example: The fever finally abated.
• Tenacious — refusing to give up. Example: A tenacious crab clings to a rock.
• Verbose — wordy. Example: His verbose emails are exhausting.

Memory Tricks That Work

Tie hard words to root meanings (loqu = speak, bene = good, mal = bad) and to vivid mini-images. LearnLexiq does both automatically — root analysis is built into every card.