SSAT Vocabulary Practice: List 57

Twenty-word practice set from the Ubiquitous Essentials SSAT/SAT academic glossary.

Vocabulary List 57: ST-SY Words

1. StrifeSSAT vocabularyConflict or bitter disagreement.
2. StringentSSAT vocabularyStrict and demanding.
3. StymieSSAT vocabularyTo block or hinder.
4. ThwartSSAT vocabularyTo prevent from succeeding.
5. SubjugateSSAT vocabularyTo bring under control or domination.
6. SublimeSSAT vocabularyExtremely beautiful, noble, or awe-inspiring.
7. ExaltedSSAT vocabularyRaised in rank, power, or dignity.
8. SubordinateSSAT vocabularyLower in rank or importance.
9. SubstantiveSSAT vocabularyImportant, real, and meaningful.
10. SubtleSSAT vocabularyDelicate, slight, or not obvious.
11. SubversiveSSAT vocabularySeeking to undermine an established system.
12. SuccinctSSAT vocabularyBrief and clearly expressed.
13. SuccumbSSAT vocabularyTo give in or yield.
14. Supercilious/ haughty/ patronizingSSAT vocabularyActing arrogantly superior toward others.
15. SuperficialSSAT vocabularyShallow or concerned only with the surface.
16. SuperfluousSSAT vocabularyMore than needed; unnecessary.
17. SurfeitSSAT vocabularyAn excessive amount.
18. SurreptitiousSSAT vocabularySecretive, especially because improper.
19. SurrogateSSAT vocabularyA substitute.
20. SycophantSSAT vocabularyA flatterer who seeks advantage.

Exercise 1: Matching

Match each word with the correct definition.

Words

  1. Strife _____
  2. Stringent _____
  3. Stymie _____
  4. Thwart _____
  5. Subjugate _____
  6. Sublime _____
  7. Exalted _____
  8. Subordinate _____
  9. Substantive _____
  10. Subtle _____
  11. Subversive _____
  12. Succinct _____
  13. Succumb _____
  14. Supercilious/ haughty/ patronizing _____
  15. Superficial _____
  16. Superfluous _____
  17. Surfeit _____
  18. Surreptitious _____
  19. Surrogate _____
  20. Sycophant _____
A. Acting arrogantly superior toward others.
B. A flatterer who seeks advantage.
C. Important, real, and meaningful.
D. Shallow or concerned only with the surface.
E. Delicate, slight, or not obvious.
F. A substitute.
G. To prevent from succeeding.
H. Extremely beautiful, noble, or awe-inspiring.
I. To block or hinder.
J. Secretive, especially because improper.
K. To give in or yield.
L. More than needed; unnecessary.
M. Raised in rank, power, or dignity.
N. To bring under control or domination.
O. An excessive amount.
P. Seeking to undermine an established system.
Q. Lower in rank or importance.
R. Conflict or bitter disagreement.
S. Brief and clearly expressed.
T. Strict and demanding.
Show Matching Answer Key

1-R, 2-T, 3-I, 4-G, 5-N, 6-H, 7-M, 8-Q, 9-C, 10-E, 11-P, 12-S, 13-K, 14-A, 15-D, 16-L, 17-O, 18-J, 19-F, 20-B

Exercise 2: Gap Filling

Choose the best word from the word bank to complete each sentence.

surreptitious, superficial, substantive, sycophant, stringent, exalted, supercilious/ haughty/ patronizing, strife, subversive, succinct, subtle, surfeit, superfluous, succumb, thwart, surrogate, stymie, sublime, subordinate, subjugate
  1. The coach tried to end the _____ between rival players.
  2. The _____ praised every idea just to gain favor.
  3. The student took a _____ look at the answer sheet.
  4. The government feared the pamphlet was _____.
  5. After Halloween, there was a _____ of candy in the kitchen.
  6. A locked gate could _____ the hikers before they reached the trail.
  7. The empire attempted to _____ smaller kingdoms along its border.
  8. The meeting finally produced _____ changes, not just promises.
  9. The scholarship had _____ requirements.
  10. The assistant coach served as a _____ when the head coach was sick.
  11. The champion received an _____ place in school history.
  12. Her _____ answer explained the rule in one sentence.
  13. The extra decorations were _____ and made the poster crowded.
  14. The analysis was _____ because it ignored the central conflict.
  15. After hours of hiking, the group had to _____ to exhaustion.
  16. The mountain view was _____ at sunrise.
  17. The joke was so _____ that only a few students noticed it.
  18. Heavy rain threatened to _____ the outdoor concert.
  19. The assistant had a _____ role on the project.
  20. His _____ smile made the apology sound fake.
Show Gap Filling Answer Key

1. Strife, 2. Sycophant, 3. Surreptitious, 4. Subversive, 5. Surfeit, 6. Stymie, 7. Subjugate, 8. Substantive, 9. Stringent, 10. Surrogate, 11. Exalted, 12. Succinct, 13. Superfluous, 14. Superficial, 15. Succumb, 16. Sublime, 17. Subtle, 18. Thwart, 19. Subordinate, 20. Supercilious/ haughty/ patronizing

Exercise 3: Paragraph Using All Words

Read the paragraph and notice how each vocabulary word is used in context.

In one busy school week, every conversation seemed to introduce a new vocabulary word. His Supercilious/ haughty/ patronizing smile made the apology sound fake. The assistant had a Subordinate role on the project. The Sycophant praised every idea just to gain favor. The mountain view was Sublime at sunrise. After hours of hiking, the group had to Succumb to exhaustion. Her Succinct answer explained the rule in one sentence. The assistant coach served as a Surrogate when the head coach was sick. The extra decorations were Superfluous and made the poster crowded. The student took a Surreptitious look at the answer sheet. The analysis was Superficial because it ignored the central conflict. A locked gate could Stymie the hikers before they reached the trail. The champion received an Exalted place in school history. After Halloween, there was a Surfeit of candy in the kitchen. The meeting finally produced Substantive changes, not just promises. The joke was so Subtle that only a few students noticed it. The coach tried to end the Strife between rival players. The government feared the pamphlet was Subversive. The scholarship had Stringent requirements. The empire attempted to Subjugate smaller kingdoms along its border. Heavy rain threatened to Thwart the outdoor concert.

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