Memly's SAT® Vocabulary Foundations: 300 Words in Context

Master 300 high-value words for reading arguments and evidence in context.

300 cardsLast updated 2026-08-21

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Digital SAT Reading and Writing questions test how words and transitions function in context, which is why a list of rare words moves the score so little. These 300 independently written cards build precise meaning, evidence language, rhetorical relationships and high-utility transition logic; the final section concentrates on qualification, cross-text synthesis, inference and sentence-to-sentence connection. Each answer supplies a concise meaning, a context cue and an original sentence. Import it and the whole deck joins your spaced-repetition schedule. Words you already know stretch out and drop out of sight; the ones that keep slipping come back until they stop slipping. What goes down is the number of words you still don't know — not the time it takes to flip past 300 cards you mostly do.

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What's inside

Showing 100 representative cards from the full 300-card deck.

Front	Back
assertion (noun) — what does it mean?	A statement presented as true, often without full proof yet. look for a writer making a claim that needs support.
proposition (noun) — what does it mean?	A statement or idea proposed for consideration, especially one that can be argued for or against. often appears as a plan, suggestion, or thesis.
thesis (noun) — what does it mean?	The main controlling claim of a speech or essay. it tells you what the writer is trying to prove.
interpretation (noun) — what does it mean?	An explanation of what evidence, words, or events mean. different readers may have different interpretations of the same passage.
induction (noun) — what does it mean?	Reasoning that starts with examples or observations and builds toward a broader conclusion. one clue is not enough; repeated patterns matter.
evidence (noun) — what does it mean?	Facts, details, or examples used to support a claim. ask whether the evidence is strong, relevant, and sufficient.
support (noun) — what does it mean?	Material that backs up a claim or idea. support can be facts, quotations, examples, or data.
citation (noun) — what does it mean?	A reference to a source used to show where information came from. citations make evidence traceable and credible.
indicator (noun) — what does it mean?	A sign or piece of evidence that suggests something is true. indicators point toward a larger pattern, but they may not prove it alone.
validate (verb) — what does it mean?	To confirm that an idea, result, or claim is sound or accurate. validation often comes from a trusted source or repeated result.
demonstrate (verb) — what does it mean?	To clearly show or prove something through evidence, action, or example. a strong example can demonstrate an abstract idea.
attest (verb) — what does it mean?	To confirm or give evidence that something is true. often used when a person or record supports a fact.
sustain (verb) — what does it mean?	To maintain or support a claim with evidence over time. in arguments, support must sustain the point, not just mention it once.
supportive (adjective) — what does it mean?	Giving help, proof, or encouragement. a supportive detail backs up the argument rather than distracting from it.
reliable (adjective) — what does it mean?	Dependable and likely to be accurate or consistent. reliable evidence is something you can trust again and again.
compelling (adjective) — what does it mean?	Very persuasive because it is clear, powerful, or interesting. a compelling claim pulls the reader in and feels hard to ignore.
charge (noun) — what does it mean?	An accusation that someone has done something bad or illegal. in an argument, a charge may need proof.
speculation (noun) — what does it mean?	A guess or theory based on limited information. speculation is weaker than evidence-based conclusion.
hypothesis (noun) — what does it mean?	A tentative explanation that can be tested with evidence. in science and analysis, a hypothesis is an informed starting point.
logic (noun) — what does it mean?	Clear, orderly reasoning that connects evidence to a conclusion. logic helps you see whether a claim actually follows.
analysis (noun) — what does it mean?	Careful study of parts of something to understand how it works or what it means. analysis often goes beyond summary by explaining relationships.
clarification (noun) — what does it mean?	Extra detail that makes a statement easier to understand or less ambiguous. clarification often removes confusion about an argument.
explicit (adjective) — what does it mean?	Stated clearly and directly, with little chance for confusion. explicit evidence or language leaves fewer gaps to infer.
inconclusive (adjective) — what does it mean?	Not strong enough to prove one answer or one final conclusion. inconclusive evidence leaves the issue open.
tenable (adjective) — what does it mean?	Able to be defended with reason or evidence. if a position is no longer tenable, it cannot hold up well under scrutiny.
correlative (adjective) — what does it mean?	Showing a relationship where two things change together, though one may not directly cause the other. correlation is not the same as causation.
correlation (noun) — what does it mean?	A connection or pattern in which two things vary together. correlation suggests a relationship, not necessarily cause.
cause (noun) — what does it mean?	The reason something happens. ask what triggered the event or change.
prompt (verb) — what does it mean?	To cause or encourage something to happen. a prompt can be a signal, event, or detail that leads to a response.
stem (verb) — what does it mean?	To arise from or be caused by something else. if a problem stems from a cause, that cause is the source.
responsible (adjective) — what does it mean?	Being the likely cause of something or accountable for it. in analysis, “responsible for” often points to cause.
related (adjective) — what does it mean?	Connected by topic, cause, family, or pattern. related ideas may belong in the same argument or paragraph.
equivalent (adjective) — what does it mean?	Equal in value, meaning, or effect. equivalent choices or claims match closely enough for comparison.
difference (noun) — what does it mean?	A way in which things are not the same. differences often matter more than surface resemblance when analyzing texts.
comparison (noun) — what does it mean?	The act of examining two or more things to see how they are alike or different. comparison can help reveal patterns or priorities.
equate (verb) — what does it mean?	To treat two things as equal or the same. be careful not to equate correlation with causation.
resemble (verb) — what does it mean?	To look like or be similar to something else. resemblance supports comparison, but it does not prove identity.
divergent (adjective) — what does it mean?	Moving apart or becoming different in view, direction, or result. divergent ideas often signal disagreement or contrast.
analogy (noun) — what does it mean?	A comparison that explains one thing by relating it to another, usually more familiar thing. analogies help readers understand relationships.
coherence (noun) — what does it mean?	The quality of being logically connected and easy to follow. coherent arguments move smoothly from claim to evidence to conclusion.
admiring (adjective) — what does it mean?	Showing respect, approval, or appreciation. language that highlights strengths rather than flaws.
apprehensive (adjective) — what does it mean?	Anxious about what might happen next. a cautious tone that expects trouble or uncertainty.
baffled (adjective) — what does it mean?	Completely confused or puzzled. a reaction to language or events that do not fit together.
blunt (adjective) — what does it mean?	Direct and plain, sometimes to the point of sounding rude. a speaker who says the thing without softening it.
calculated (adjective) — what does it mean?	Carefully planned for a specific effect, not accidental or spontaneous. a choice that seems strategic rather than natural.
caustic (adjective) — what does it mean?	Sharply critical, often in a way that burns emotionally. a remark meant to sting rather than merely inform.
churlish (adjective) — what does it mean?	Rude, ill-mannered, or ungracious. behavior that violates basic social warmth.
contemplative (adjective) — what does it mean?	Thoughtful, reflective, and quietly attentive. a mood that pauses to consider meaning before acting.
deferential (adjective) — what does it mean?	Respectful in a way that shows submission or deference. a character who yields politely to authority or expertise.
detached (adjective) — what does it mean?	Emotionally distant, uninvolved, or not personally invested. a narrator who reports events without visible feeling.
dubious (adjective) — what does it mean?	Uncertain, doubtful, or not fully trustworthy. a claim that makes the reader hesitate.
eloquent (adjective) — what does it mean?	Expressive and fluent in a powerful, graceful way. words that sound polished and persuasive.
endearing (adjective) — what does it mean?	Earning affection by being charming, lovable, or appealing. a trait that makes a person or thing hard not to like.
evasive (adjective) — what does it mean?	Avoiding direct answers or clear commitment. a reply that circles around the point instead of stating it.
exuberant (adjective) — what does it mean?	Full of energetic joy and excitement. a lively tone that spills over with enthusiasm.
flippant (adjective) — what does it mean?	Not serious enough; casually disrespectful toward something important. a joke that feels out of place because the topic is serious.
fussy (adjective) — what does it mean?	Hard to please because of too much attention to small details. a person who wants things arranged just so.
harsh (adjective) — what does it mean?	Severe, rough, or unpleasant in sound, treatment, or judgment. a voice or opinion that feels hard-edged.
hypocritical (adjective) — what does it mean?	Claiming beliefs or standards while behaving in the opposite way. a character whose actions clash with their public values.
impertinent (adjective) — what does it mean?	Rude, disrespectful, or too boldly intrusive. a question that crosses a social boundary.
insincere (adjective) — what does it mean?	Not genuine; pretending to feel something that is not real. praise that sounds polished but empty.
judgmental (adjective) — what does it mean?	Quick to criticize or make negative evaluations. a tone that feels more like condemning than understanding.
mild (adjective) — what does it mean?	Gentle, not severe, and not strongly expressed. a tone or condition that stays on the softer end.
nuanced (adjective) — what does it mean?	Showing subtle distinctions and careful complexity. an idea that cannot be reduced to a simple yes or no.
ornery (adjective) — what does it mean?	Bad-tempered, stubborn, or hard to deal with. a person who resists cooperation and seems easily annoyed.
perceptive (adjective) — what does it mean?	Quick to notice and understand things that others might miss. a reader who sees subtext or implication.
poignant (adjective) — what does it mean?	Deeply moving, often because it touches sadness, longing, or memory. a scene that stirs emotion without being melodramatic.
prudish (adjective) — what does it mean?	Overly concerned with propriety, especially about sex or manners. a reaction that treats ordinary things as scandalous.
reserved (adjective) — what does it mean?	Quiet, restrained, and not openly expressive. a person who reveals little emotion or opinion.
scathing (adjective) — what does it mean?	Extremely harsh and cutting in criticism. a review that burns through politeness.
skeptical (adjective) — what does it mean?	Doubtful and not easily convinced. a reader who waits for evidence before accepting a claim.
spiteful (adjective) — what does it mean?	Intentionally hurtful or mean, often out of resentment. a comment meant to wound rather than solve a problem.
suspicious (adjective) — what does it mean?	Inclined to distrust or question motives; also seeming questionable. a reader who senses something is not right.
assess (verb) — what does it mean?	To judge the value, quality, or importance of something after considering evidence. often signals evaluation, comparison, or a reasoned opinion.
infer (verb) — what does it mean?	To figure out a likely conclusion from clues and evidence rather than from direct statement. a strong signal for reading between the lines.
indicate (verb) — what does it mean?	To point to, show, or signal something. often used with evidence, trends, and signs in graphs or texts.
establish (verb) — what does it mean?	To set up, prove, or make something clearly accepted. in academic writing, it can mean building a case or founding an institution.
outline (verb) — what does it mean?	To describe the main points briefly and in order. signals a summary of structure rather than full detail.
transform (verb) — what does it mean?	To change something greatly in form, appearance, or function. stronger than simple change; it suggests a major shift.
adapt (verb) — what does it mean?	To change in order to fit a new situation or purpose. may refer to organisms, people, or texts that are modified for a different setting.
classify (verb) — what does it mean?	To place people, things, or ideas into categories based on shared features. often used with data, species, genres, or historical periods.
modify (verb) — what does it mean?	To change something a little so it works better or fits a new need. less dramatic than transform; often used for plans, methods, or wording.
question (verb) — what does it mean?	To doubt, challenge, or ask whether something is valid. in academic contexts, it often means to examine critically rather than simply ask.
specify (verb) — what does it mean?	To state clearly and exactly. often used when an author narrows a broad idea into a precise detail.
obvious (adjective) — what does it mean?	Easy to see, understand, or notice. signals something plain or unmistakable, sometimes so clear it needs no explanation.
complex (adjective) — what does it mean?	Made of many connected parts; not simple. often describes systems, emotions, arguments, or historical events.
effective (adjective) — what does it mean?	Able to produce the intended result. focus on whether something works, not just whether it sounds good.
historical (adjective) — what does it mean?	Related to the past or to history. can describe events, evidence, or context from earlier times.
subjective (adjective) — what does it mean?	Based on personal views, feelings, or opinions. often signals interpretation rather than hard evidence.
versatile (adjective) — what does it mean?	Able to do many different things well or adapt to many uses. often describes tools, skills, or people with flexible value.
evolving (adjective) — what does it mean?	Gradually changing and developing over time. common in science, society, and interpretation of ideas.
gradual (adjective) — what does it mean?	Happening slowly over time, not all at once. often used for trends, changes, or recovery.
qualification (noun) — what does it mean?	a limitation or condition that narrows a claim. identify what the word does in the local sentence or argument.
synthesis (noun) — what does it mean?	the combination of ideas or evidence into a coherent whole. identify what the word does in the local sentence or argument.
undermine (verb) — what does it mean?	to weaken the force, credibility or effectiveness of something. identify what the word does in the local sentence or argument.
extrapolate (verb) — what does it mean?	to infer an unknown value or trend from existing information. identify what the word does in the local sentence or argument.
implication (noun) — what does it mean?	a conclusion or consequence suggested but not stated directly. identify what the word does in the local sentence or argument.
consequently (adverb) — what does it mean?	as a result; introducing an effect that follows from prior information. identify what the word does in the local sentence or argument.
similarly (adverb) — what does it mean?	in a comparable way; linking parallel evidence or reasoning. identify what the word does in the local sentence or argument.
notwithstanding (preposition) — what does it mean?	despite a fact or condition. identify what the word does in the local sentence or argument.

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Who writes these cards?

Memly writes all of them — every meaning and context cue. That is deliberate: the digital SAT tests how a word functions inside a sentence, and a borrowed glossary entry cannot show function.

Why does this deck include rhetorical and logical words?

SAT vocabulary is tested in context. Words that signal claims, evidence, contrast, cause, tone and degree help with both vocabulary-in-context and passage reasoning.

Editorial method and sources

Memly's editors use the primary sources below to check scope and terminology, then independently write and review the cards.

College Board: SAT Reading and Writing content domains