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Vocabulary

20 SAT Vocab Words

Shared by Ashton · Oct 20, 2026 · 0 plays

Every word tested five ways: definition, reverse definition, correct usage and meaning in context.

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100 questions across 4 sections. After every answer you’ll see why each choice is right or wrong, not just the one you picked.

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Sections (none selected means all)

Sample questions

Open a question to see the answer choices and the correct answer.

Which word describes writing or criticism that is sharp, incisive, and forcefully effective?
  1. A. Trenchant ✓
  2. B. Cursory
  3. C. Sanguine
  4. D. Disparate

Correct answer: A. Trenchant means keen and incisive, especially forcefully effective in criticism or expression.

What does 'trenchant' mean?
  1. A. Hasty and lacking in thoroughness or care
  2. B. Keen and incisive, forcefully effective especially in criticism ✓
  3. C. Unwilling to change one's views; stubborn
  4. D. Present or found everywhere

Correct answer: B. This is trenchant's actual definition.

Which sentence uses 'trenchant' correctly?
  1. A. He gave a trenchant smile before falling asleep on the couch.
  2. B. The trenchant fog made it hard to see the road.
  3. C. Her trenchant critique of the policy exposed its flawed assumptions in just two sentences. ✓
  4. D. I felt trenchant about the whole situation, unsure what to think.

Correct answer: C. Trenchant describes sharp, incisive criticism, which is exactly what's happening here.

In the sentence 'The columnist's trenchant analysis left no room for the senator's excuses,' what does 'trenchant' mean?
  1. A. Long-winded and exhaustive
  2. B. Cautiously balanced between two sides
  3. C. Widely repeated but shallow
  4. D. Sharply incisive and forcefully persuasive ✓

Correct answer: D. This is exactly what trenchant conveys here: cutting, effective analysis.

Which sentence uses 'trenchant' correctly?
  1. A. The editor's trenchant remarks cut straight to the essay's central weakness. ✓
  2. B. The trenchant river carved a path through the valley over centuries.
  3. C. She remained trenchant throughout the negotiation, refusing to budge on price.
  4. D. It was a trenchant afternoon, warm and unremarkable.

Correct answer: A. Trenchant fits perfectly here: sharp, incisive remarks that get to the heart of a flaw.