The top 1,000 vocabulary words have been carefully chosen to represent difficult but common words that appear in everyday academic and business writing. These words are also the most likely to appear on the SAT, ACT, GRE, and ToEFL.
To create this list, we started with the words that give our users the most trouble and then ranked them by how frequently they appear in our corpus of billions of words from edited sources. If you only have time to study one list of words, this is the list.
oppress, contend, stake, toil, perish, disposition, rail, cardinal, boast, advocate, bestow, allege, notwithstanding, lofty, multitude, steep, heed, modest, partial, apt, esteem, credible, provoke, tread, ascertain, fare, cede, perpetual, decree, contrive, derived, elaborate, substantial, frontier, facile, cite, warrant, sob, rider, dense, afflict, flourish, ordain, pious, vex, gravity, suspended, conspicuous, retort, jet, bolt, assent, purse, plus, sanction, proceeding, exalt, siege, malice, extravagant, wax, throng, venerate, assail, sublime, exploit, exertion, kindle, endow, imposed, humiliate, suffrage, ensue, brook, gale, muse, satire, intrigue, indication, dispatch, cower, wont, tract, canon, impel, latitude, vacate, undertaking, slay, predecessor, delicacy, forsake, beseech, philosophical, grove, frustrate, illustrious, device, pomp, entreat
come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority
Example Sentence: Those who managed to survive were later oppressed by Poland's post-war communist authorities.
—Reuters (Jan 18, 2012)
compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
Example Sentence: But eight men, however bold and stout-hearted, could not long contend with an enemy at least four times their number.
—Strang, Herbert
a strong wooden or metal post with a point at one end so it can be driven into the ground
Example Sentence: His remains were buried in Cannon Street, and a stake was driven through the body.
—Andrews, William
work hard
Example Sentence: He toiled in the sweat of his brow, tilling the stubborn ground, taking out stones, building fences.
—Adler, Felix
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
Example Sentence: Simon Wiesenthal's parents are long since deceased, with his father dying in World War I and his mother perishing in the Holocaust.
—BBC (Feb 14, 2012)
your usual mood
Example Sentence: Melancholia — the state of mind — can hide behind seemingly sunny dispositions.
—Seattle Times (Dec 28, 2011)
complain bitterly
Example Sentence: Mr. Gray railed against lengthy stage directions, saying he crossed them out in scripts before he would begin rehearsals with his actors.
—New York Times (Feb 7, 2012)
(Roman Catholic Church) one of a group of more than 100 prominent bishops in the Sacred College who advise the Pope and elect new Popes
Example Sentence: Each time he names cardinals he puts his stamp on Roman Catholicism's future by choosing men who share his views.
—Chicago Tribune (Feb 18, 2012)
show off
Example Sentence: Mr. Estes was also well connected politically, boasting that the president of the United States took his calls.
—New York Times (Dec 10, 2011)
a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
Example Sentence: Well, safety advocates, consumers and the government dragged the automobile industry toward including seat belts, air bags, more visible taillights and other safety features.
—New York Times (Feb 19, 2012)
present
Example Sentence: He bestowed public buildings and river improvements in return for votes.
—Gilbert, Clinton W. (Clinton Wallace)
report or maintain
Example Sentence: It is being fired into enclosed areas and homes, the human rights group alleges.
—BBC (Feb 7, 2012)
despite anything to the contrary (usually following a concession)
Example Sentence: He seems to have taken things easily enough, notwithstanding the sorrow and suffering that surrounded him on every side.
—Adams, W. H. Davenport (William Henry Davenport)
of imposing height; especially standing out above others
Example Sentence: He found himself in an enormous hall with a lofty ceiling.
—Blasco Ib??ez, Vicente
a large indefinite number
Example Sentence: Department store chains in general have been strained in recent years as a "multitude" of alternatives has emerged, all competing for customers.
—Chicago Tribune (Dec 28, 2011)
having a sharp inclination
Example Sentence: It was narrow and very steep, and had precipices in all parts, so that they could not mount upward except one at a time.
—Various
pay close attention to; give heed to
Example Sentence: But Cain was already too far gone to heed the warning voice.
—Adler, Felix
not large but sufficient in size or amount
Example Sentence: A healthy person living in an unfashionable city with no student loans to pay off can get by on a fairly modest income.
—Slate (Feb 17, 2012)
being or affecting only a part; not total
Example Sentence: Generalizations of this sweeping order are apt to contain only partial truth.
—Clarke, Helen Archibald
(usually followed by `to') naturally disposed toward
Example Sentence: Another reason to display beds at an electronics show: consumers are apt to use high-tech devices while tucked in.
—New York Times (Jan 9, 2012)
the condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded)
Example Sentence: Despite being held in the highest esteem by his fellow poets, Redgrove never quite achieved the critical reception or readership he deserved.
—The Guardian (Feb 10, 2012)
appearing to merit belief or acceptance
Example Sentence: Mike Mullen, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has acknowledged receiving the memo but said he ignored it as not credible.
—New York Times (Dec 19, 2011)
provide the needed stimulus for
Example Sentence: It provoked a bigger reaction than we could ever have anticipated.
—The Guardian (Feb 10, 2012)
a step in walking or running
Example Sentence: The farmer went down, his clumsy boots making no sound on the uncarpeted stairway, so careful was his tread.
—Woolson, Constance Fenimore
learn or discover with certainty
Example Sentence: Health care providers and manufacturers can ascertain alternative treatment more effectively by tackling predicted drug shortage incidences early in the process.
—Forbes (Feb 13, 2012)
proceed or get along
Example Sentence: A recent study breaks down how graduates with various college degrees are faring in today’s difficult job market.
—Washington Post (Feb 17, 2012)
relinquish possession or control over
Example Sentence: Some militia chiefs say they will only cede command of their fighters once an organized military and security apparatus is in place.
—Reuters (Jan 3, 2012)
continuing forever or indefinitely
Example Sentence: The river is a perpetual enjoyment, always something going on.
—Waddington, Mary King
a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
Example Sentence: While the decree takes effect immediately, it requires Parliament’s approval within 60 days to remain in force.
—BusinessWeek (Jan 28, 2012)
make or work out a plan for; devise
Example Sentence: The wily Roc, never taken much by surprise, contrived to escape, but old Tributor and his men were all captured.
—Thornbury, Walter
formed or developed from something else; not original
Example Sentence: Modern kale, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi are all members of the same species, derived from a single prehistoric plant variety.
—Slate (Feb 21, 2012)
marked by complexity and richness of detail
Example Sentence: But the tobacco industry and owners of other convenience stores say tribal cigarette manufacturing is just an elaborate form of tax evasion.
—New York Times (Feb 22, 2012)
having substance or capable of being treated as fact; not imaginary
Example Sentence: Defence lawyers said the large number of forensic tests which had been carried out had failed to find any substantial evidence linked to the accused.
—BBC (Feb 23, 2012)
a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country
Example Sentence: Adding to the precarious security situation, tribesmen kidnapped 18 Egyptian border guards along the frontier with Israel in Sinai Peninsula.
—New York Times (Feb 9, 2012)
arrived at without due care or effort; lacking depth
Example Sentence: As one teacher remarks about a troubled student, “There is no facile solution.”
—New York Times (Oct 11, 2011)
make reference to
Example Sentence: The Federal Reserve has pledged low interest rates until late 2014, citing in part the weakness of the job market.
—BusinessWeek (Feb 21, 2012)
show to be reasonable or provide adequate ground for
Example Sentence: In the United Kingdom and Europe the devices are not used unless the need is warranted by the patient's medical condition.
—US News (Jan 17, 2012)
weep convulsively
Example Sentence: He cried and trembled, sobbing, while they spoke, like the child he was.
—Weyman, Stanley J.
a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
Example Sentence: In horseback riding, a rider will give commands by squeezing or lengthening the reins and altering the position of his legs.
—Time (Jan 5, 2012)
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
Example Sentence: Dense black smoke rose in the distance as demonstrators burned tires in Shiite villages.
—BusinessWeek (Feb 14, 2012)
cause physical pain or suffering in
Example Sentence: Melanoma globally afflicts nearly 160,000 new people each year.
—Reuters (Dec 16, 2011)
grow vigorously
Example Sentence: His business had been all along steadily flourishing, his patrons had been of high social position, some most illustrious, others actually royal.
—Petherick , Horace William
invest with ministerial or priestly authority
Example Sentence: One of the present bishops was consecrated when quite a young boy, and deacons are often ordained at sixteen, and even much earlier.
—Bird, Isabella L. (Isabella Lucy)
having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity
Example Sentence: Mother, you see, is a very pious woman, and she attributes it all to Providence, saying that it was the Divine interference in her behalf.
—Various
cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
Example Sentence: There are vexing problems slowing the growth and the practical implementation of big data technologies.
—Forbes (Oct 21, 2011)
(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface
Example Sentence: Once captured, the combined object will have a new center of gravity and may be spinning in an uncontrolled way.
—Science Magazine (Feb 15, 2012)
(of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment
Example Sentence: Frustrating enough at ground level, but can you imagine the agony about a stranded, ever-soggier Oreo being suspended 11 feet above the ground?
—Washington Post (Feb 21, 2012)
obvious to the eye or mind
Example Sentence: Its bright scarlet fruits are conspicuous in late autumn.
—Anonymous
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
Example Sentence: Having put him in ill humour with this retort, she fled away rejoicing.
—Coster, Charles Th?odore Henri de
an airplane powered by one or more jet engines
Example Sentence: Typhoon fighter jets, helicopters, two warships and bomb disposal experts will also be on duty to guard against security threats.
—Seattle Times (Feb 20, 2012)
run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
Example Sentence: The blare of bugles was heard, and a few seconds afterwards Jackson, still facing the enemy, shouted: "By Jupiter, they're bolting, sir."
—Strang, Herbert
to agree or express agreement
Example Sentence: His two companions readily assented, and the promise was mutually given and received.
—Keightley, Thomas
a sum of money spoken of as the contents of a money purse
Example Sentence: She watched over her husband, kept his accounts, held the family purse, managed all his affairs.
—Shorter, Clement K.
the arithmetic operation of summing; calculating the sum of two or more numbers
Example Sentence: The survey’s margin of error was plus or minus four percentage points.
—BusinessWeek (Dec 29, 2011)
give authority or permission to
Example Sentence: The Securities and Exchange Commission said last year it had sanctioned 39 senior officers for conduct related to the housing market meltdown.
—BusinessWeek (Feb 19, 2012)
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
Example Sentence: Chu attended the special court-martial proceeding on Monday in Hawaii, Hill said.
—Reuters (Jan 30, 2012)
praise, glorify, or honor
Example Sentence: Some exalt themselves by anonymously posting their own laudatory reviews.
—New York Times (Jan 26, 2012)
the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
Example Sentence: Rebellion broke out, and finally the aged Caliph, after enduring a siege of several weeks, was murdered in his own house.
—Nicholson, Reynold
feeling a need to see others suffer
Example Sentence: He viewed the moths with malice, their fluttering wings fanning his resentment.
—Lyman, Olin L.
recklessly wasteful
Example Sentence: Advisers say new millionaires are prone to mistakes, like making extravagant purchases or risky deals with friends.
—Reuters (Feb 2, 2012)
increase in phase
Example Sentence: Carols had existed for centuries, though their popularity waxed and waned as different governments and religious movements periodically declared them sinful.
—Time (Dec 12, 2011)
press tightly together or cram
Example Sentence: Deafening cheers rent the air as he landed; hundreds thronged around him to clasp his hand.
—Strang, Herbert
regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
Example Sentence: He venerated me like a being descended from an upper world.
—Blasco, Vicente
attack someone physically or emotionally
Example Sentence: His campaign even issued a press release assailing other rivals for, in Mr. Paul’s view, taking Mr. Romney’s quote about firing people out of context.
—New York Times (Feb 16, 2012)
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
Example Sentence: He was uneven, disproportioned, saying ordinary things on great occasions, and now and then, without the slightest provocation, uttering the sublimest and most beautiful thoughts.
—Ingersoll, Robert Green
draw from; make good use of
Example Sentence: As humans increasingly exploit the deep seas for fish, oil and mining, understanding how species are dispersed is crucial, Copley said.
—Scientific American (Jan 3, 2012)
use of physical or mental energy; hard work
Example Sentence: One day overcome by exertion, she fainted in the street.
—Ingersoll, Robert Green
catch fire
Example Sentence: Then a match was kindled and fire applied.
—Warner, Susan
furnish with an endowment
Example Sentence: The grammar school here, founded in 1533, is liberally endowed, with scholarships and exhibitions.
—Various
set forth authoritatively as obligatory
Example Sentence: The Arab League has already suspended Syria and imposed economic sanctions.
—BusinessWeek (Feb 22, 2012)
cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of
Example Sentence: The letter claims pensioners are too often patronised, humiliated, denied privacy or even medical treatment.
—BBC (Feb 22, 2012)
a legal right guaranteed by the 15th amendment to the US Constitution; guaranteed to women by the 19th amendment
Example Sentence: There has been a great deal said in this country of late in regard to giving the right of suffrage to women.
—Ingersoll, Robert Green
issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end
Example Sentence: An uproar ensued months after the approval, when opponents realized the online gambling measure had been slipped in.
—New York Times (Feb 16, 2012)
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
Example Sentence: He walked across the little bridge over the brook and at once his mood changed.
—Mason, A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley)
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
Example Sentence: The gale was accompanied, as usual, by incessant rain and thick weather, and a heavy confused sea kept our decks always flooded.
—Fitzroy, Robert
reflect deeply on a subject
Example Sentence: Musing about the Big Picture may be a lot more gratifying than focusing on the details of the specific policies that aren’t working.
—Time (Jan 24, 2012)
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
Example Sentence: There’s plenty of humor on Russian television, though not much political satire; Mr. Putin put a stop to that long ago.
—New York Times (Feb 13, 2012)
cause to be interested or curious
Example Sentence: Designing and building models that intrigue and educate without overwhelming has been challenging.
—Science Magazine (Nov 24, 2011)
something that serves to indicate or suggest
Example Sentence: Authorities said an autopsy found no indications of foul play or obvious signs of trauma on Houston.
—Seattle Times (Feb 15, 2012)
send away towards a designated goal
Example Sentence: More than one assassin was dispatched by the Turkish authorities to murder Napoleon.
—Various
crouch or curl up
Example Sentence: The knaves lowered their weapons and shrank back cowering before him.
—Weyman, Stanley J.
an established custom
Example Sentence: He made his customary slick feeds to open teammates, but as is their wont, the Nets struggled at times to convert points on his passes.
—New York Times (Feb 20, 2012)
a system of body parts that together serve some particular purpose
Example Sentence: When probiotics flourish in the digestive tract, nutrients are better absorbed and bad bugs are held at bay, research suggests.
—Seattle Times (Jan 10, 2012)
a collection of books accepted as holy scripture especially the books of the Bible recognized by any Christian church as genuine and inspired
Example Sentence: For me, all novels of any consequence are literary, and they take their place, high and low, in the canon of English literature.
—The Guardian (Jan 10, 2011)
cause to move forward with force
Example Sentence: Some power beyond his comprehension was impelling him toward the neighboring city.
—Blasco Ibez, Vicente
freedom from normal restraints in conduct
Example Sentence: Great employees often get more latitude to bring up controversial subjects in a group setting because their performance allows greater freedom.
—Inc (Feb 21, 2012)
leave behind empty; move out of
Example Sentence: Their number diminished sharply after Villaraigosa announced last week that he wanted protesters to vacate the grounds by Monday or be forcibly removed.
—Chicago Tribune (Nov 30, 2011)
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
Example Sentence: "Let my epitaph be, Here lies Joseph, who was unsuccessful in all his undertakings."
—Marvin, Frederic Rowland
kill intentionally and with premeditation
Example Sentence: "It were shame," said Lancelot, "for an armed to slay an unarmed man."
—Unknown
one who precedes you in time (as in holding a position or office)
Example Sentence: Heller fills in the blanks about Taft, overshadowed by colorful predecessor Teddy Roosevelt.
—Seattle Times (Feb 22, 2012)
the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance
Example Sentence: This refinement appears in his works, which are full of artistic grace and dainty delicacy.
—Drake, Samuel Adams
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
Example Sentence: "I'm surprised," said Philip, cautiously opening fire, "that you were ever allowed to forsake your native land."
—Hay, Ian
ask for or request earnestly
Example Sentence: Utterly distraught, he ran up and down the bank, hunting for his clothes, calling, crying out, imploring, beseeching help from somewhere.
—Frank , Ulrich
of or relating to philosophy or philosophers
Example Sentence: His arguments, like Einstein’s, were qualitative, verging on highly philosophical.
—Scientific American (Jan 30, 2012)
a small growth of trees without underbrush
Example Sentence: Soon after we came to Pasadena, father bought an orange grove of twenty-five acres.
—Chamberlain, James Franklin
hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
Example Sentence: Frustrated after two years of missed budget targets, finance chiefs demanded Greek officials put their verbal commitments into law.
—BusinessWeek (Feb 13, 2012)
widely known and esteemed
Example Sentence: She will be joining an illustrious list of recipients that include Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul II and Princess Diana.
—BBC (Feb 24, 2012)
an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
Example Sentence: You’ve probably also noticed that the telephone and computer are no longer the only devices on your employees’ desks.
—Forbes (Feb 26, 2012)
cheap or pretentious or vain display
Example Sentence: Throughout U.S. history, Americans have been fascinated by royal pomp -- even on a movie screen.
—Reuters (Feb 21, 2011)
ask for or request earnestly
Example Sentence: "Let me go now, please," she entreated, her eyes unable to meet his any longer.
—Hope, Anthony