175 ACT Vocabulary Words You Need to Master
February 16, 2024
Why do you need to learn ACT vocabulary words? Well, you probably already know that many schools require you to take the ACT exam and that your admission to those schools can partially depend upon your ACT score. And whether you’re as monosyllabic as Baby Yoda or you’ve loved being loquacious since you first read Fancy Nancy in preschool, the ACT will manage to throw some fairly esoteric (adj. likely to be understood only by a small number of people) vocab words your way that can make the test pretty arduous (adj. involving or requiring strenuous effort).
What’s more, the ACT is a timed test. The English section is comprised of 75 questions you’ll need to answer within 45 minutes. The Reading test has 40 questions and is 35 minutes long. And the Writing test is a 40-minute exam that will ask you to read a prompt and respond to it, analyzing your response in comparison to others.
On each of these test sections, ACT vocabulary words will appear in reading passages, questions and writing prompts. Since time is of the essence, it’s crucial to give yourself as much of it as possible! Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the more common ACT vocab words you may find because, simply put, you’ll be able to read the passages and questions more quickly if you have mastery over these ACT vocabulary words.
Related: For more specific information on the ACT’s structure and scoring, along with the length and requirements of each section, see our ACT Score Calculator page. Additionally, click here for a list of 250 SAT Vocabulary Words.
What if I’m a poor test-taker? How will learning vocab words help me?
For starters, if you have a language barrier or disability that may hinder you from completing the ACT, be sure to seek accommodations! Everyone deserves a fair shot at taking this test, so don’t be afraid to ask for the assistance you need. But… what if you don’t qualify for testing accommodations and you’re still not great at standardized tests? Perhaps you’re one of the 10% to 30% of high school-aged students who suffers from text-taking anxiety[i] (which can be present even if you don’t suffer from anxiety in non-evaluative situations).[ii] [iii] Or perhaps, even if you don’t believe in the right-brain / left-brain dichotomy, you still feel confident in the Math and Science portions of the ACT but find that the language-based portions of the test are a personal weakness.[iv]
Never fear! Along with studying our list of ACT vocabulary words, you can bolster (v. support or strengthen) your test-taking abilities with practice tests, reading, and physical health interventions.
A Few Tips on Studying ACT Vocabulary Words
You should be happy to hear that not all of these ACT vocab words are sesquipedalian (adj. having many syllables) and one of the easiest ways to commit them to memory is to make them into flashcards. Once made, set aside time every day to flip through your cards. After you’ve mastered a word, set it aside until your pile of unknown flashcards is completely gone. Finally, revisit the words every few days or so until it’s test time. If you’ve got a knack for memorizing vocabulary words and you’re thirsty for more, be sure to check out our list of 250 SAT vocab words as well!
As you study, be careful of ACT vocab words that sound like other words (e.g. “complement” vs. “compliment”) and words that are often used both literally and figuratively (“maelstrom”). It’s also important to brush up on words that may appear in the actual test questions – not just the sample reading passages. For instance, you can bet some ACT vocab words like “narrator,” “protagonist,” “antagonist,” “climax,” “genre,” “anecdote” and “synonym” will show up in ACT question lines. Finally, don’t forget to check out the ACT practice tests themselves – these will offer a glimpse into important vocabulary words while letting you take a spin in the driver’s seat of the exam.
Reading: A Holistic Approach to Studying
Aside from practice tests and ACT vocab word flashcards, you can take more general steps to make yourself a stronger test taker. For instance, instead of loading up on Takis and Sour Patch Kids, consider adding fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and lean proteins into your diet in the weeks and months before the exam.[v] [vi] Getting good rest, drinking lots of water, and exercising will also contribute to better scores on test day.[vii] Trust me, your brain will thank you for it!
Finally, a less direct way to boost your knowledge of potential ACT vocabulary words is reading – even for pleasure! Studies have shown that those who read for pleasure often perform better on cognitive tests than those who don’t.[viii] Additionally, though our list below is a long one, it certainly isn’t exhaustive (adj. including everything; fully comprehensive) – leisure reading can provide exposure to unlisted ACT vocab words, along with practice developing your comprehension through contextual clues.
Most importantly, remember: standardized tests don’t necessarily measure your intelligence or how well you’ll ultimately do in college – they measure how well you can take tests on a given topic. So, take a deep breath, make some ACT vocab word flashcards, and good luck!
175 ACT Vocabulary Words
1 | Abate | v. | lessen in intensity |
2 | Abscond | v. | leave hurriedly and secretly |
3 | Abundant | adj. | present in large quantities |
4 | Abysmal | adj. | extremely bad |
5 | Adamant | adj. | refusing to be persuaded or change one’s mind |
6 | Adulation | n. | high praise, flattery |
7 | Aesthetic | adj. | relating to beauty or appearance |
8 | Affable | adj. | friendly, pleasant, good-natured |
9 | Alacrity | n. | brisk and cheerful readiness |
10 | Aloof | adj. | not friendly or open; distant |
11 | Ambiguous | adj. | unclear; open to several potential interpretations or meanings |
12 | Amicable | adj. | friendly, agreeable |
13 | Anachronism | n. | something belonging to another time |
14 | Anecdote | n. | short account or description of an event |
15 | Annihilate | v. | kill or destroy |
16 | Antagonist | n. | opponent, particularly the opponent of a story’s protagonist |
17 | Antipathy | n. | dislike or aversion |
18 | Arduous | adj. | involving or requiring strenuous effort |
19 | Arid | adj. | dry |
20 | Assiduous | adj. | showing great care and perseverance |
21 | Asylum | n. | protection, sanctuary, a safe place |
22 | Arbitrary | adj. | random, based on whim |
23 | Arduous | adj. | involving or requiring strenuous effort |
24 | Belligerent | adj. | hostile and aggressive |
25 | Benevolent | adj. | kind |
ACT Vocabulary List (Continued)
26 | Bolster | v. | support or strengthen |
27 | Bombastic | adj. | inflated, but with little meaning |
28 | Bovine | adj. | cow-like |
29 | Burgeoning | adj. | growing rapidly |
30 | Cacophony | n. | harsh, discordant mixture of sounds |
31 | Candor | n. | the quality of being open and honest |
32 | Catalyst | n. | a person or thing that precipitates and event |
33 | Censorious | adj. | disapproving of others |
34 | Circuitous | adj. | indirect |
35 | Climax | n. | most exciting point of a narrative |
36 | Cognizant | adj. | being aware of |
37 | Complement | v. | add to something in a way that improves it |
38 | Concomitant | adj. | naturally accompanying or associated with |
39 | Condescending | adj. | showing patronizing superiority |
40 | Confluence | n. | act or process of merging |
41 | Conformist | n. | one who sticks to established behavior |
42 | Copious | adj. | abundant |
43 | Crude | adj. | unrefined |
44 | Cumbersome | adj. | unwieldy; heavy; difficult to move or carry |
45 | Cupidity | n. | greed |
46 | Deleterious | adj. | causing harm |
47 | Demagogue | n. | political leader who appeals to popularity rather than reason |
48 | Demur | v. | raise doubts or show objections |
49 | Denigrate | v. | criticize unfairly |
50 | Depict | v. | show or represent by a drawing |
ACT Vocab Words (Continued)
51 | Dexterity | n. | skill in performing a task |
52 | Diaphanous | adj. | light, delicate, translucent |
53 | Digress | v. | leave the main subject temporarily |
54 | Discrepancy | n. | lack of compatibility between two or more facts |
55 | Dismantle | v. | take apart |
56 | Ebullience | n. | the quality of being cheerful and energetic |
57 | Egregious | adj. | outstandingly bad |
58 | Emollient | adj. | softening, soothing or calming |
59 | Empathy | n. | the ability to understand the feelings of another |
60 | Emulate | v. | to imitate |
61 | Enervate | v. | to drain of energy; weaken |
62 | Engross | v. | to absorb the attention of |
63 | Ephemeral | adj. | lasting for a short time |
64 | Equivocate | v. | use ambiguous language to avoid committing to something |
65 | Esoteric | adj. | likely to be understood only by a small number of people |
66 | Expedite | v. | speed up |
67 | Exploit | v. | use, often in an unfair way |
68 | Facilitate | v. | make easier |
69 | Fallacious | adj. | based on a mistaken belief |
70 | Fastidious | adj. | attentive to detail |
71 | Fatuous | adj. | silly and pointless |
72 | Feign | v. | to pretend |
73 | Fleeting | adj. | lasting for a short time |
74 | Florid | adj. | intricate; in language, using complicated words |
75 | Fortuitous | adj. | happening by chance; luck |
Vocabulary Words ACT (Continued)
76 | Frenetic | adj. | fast in a wild or uncontrolled way |
77 | Frugal | adj. | sparing with money or resources |
78 | Genre | n. | a category, especially of artistic or literary composition |
79 | Glaring | adj. | obvious |
80 | Grandeur | n. | splendor and impressiveness |
81 | Grandiloquent | adj. | pompous or extravagant |
82 | Hackneyed | adj. | unoriginal |
83 | Haughty | adj. | arrogant and disdainful |
84 | Hedonist | n. | one whose primary goal in life is to pursue pleasure |
85 | Hegemony | n. | leadership or dominance |
86 | Hypothetical | adj. | supposed but not necessarily real or true |
87 | Iconoclast | n. | a person who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions |
88 | Impervious | adj. | unable to be affected by |
89 | Impetuous | adj. | acting or done quickly, without thought |
90 | Impute | v. | represent as being done or caused by someone |
91 | Inchoate | adj. | just begun; not yet fully formed |
92 | Inconceivable | adj. | not capable of being imagined |
93 | Indifference | n. | lack of interest, concern, or sympathy |
94 | Inevitable | adj. | unavoidable |
95 | Inimical | adj. | tending to obstruct or harm |
96 | Intransigent | adj. | unwilling to change one’s views |
97 | Intrepid | adj. | adventurous |
98 | Jocund | adj. | cheerful |
99 | Jubilation | n. | feeling of happiness and triumph |
100 | Jurisdiction | n. | the power to make legal decisions and judgments |
ACT Vocab Words (Continued)
101 | Languid | adj. | lazy, relaxed, slow |
102 | Latent | adj. | existing but hidden or not yet developed |
103 | Latter | adj. | situated later or near the end |
104 | Licentious | adj. | promiscuous |
105 | Lucrative | adj. | profitable |
106 | Lethargic | adj. | sleepy, sluggish |
107 | Maelstrom | n. | literally: a violent whirlpool; figuratively: turmoil |
108 | Malleable | adj. | pliable |
109 | Maudlin | adj. | self-pitying or tearfully sentimental |
110 | Mendacious | adj. | lying |
111 | Meticulous | adj. | showing attention to detail |
112 | Mundane | adj. | dull |
113 | Nadir | n. | the lowest point |
114 | Narrator | n. | the person who recounts the events of a story |
115 | Nonchalance | n. | quality of casual and calm |
116 | Novel | adj. | new |
117 | Nostalgia | n. | wistful longing for the past |
118 | Novice | n. | one who is inexperienced in a situation or field |
119 | Nuance | n. | a subtle difference |
120 | Obdurate | adj. | stubbornly refusing to change |
121 | Obsolete | adj. | no longer used or produced |
122 | Omnipotent | adj. | all-powerful |
123 | Omniscient | adj. | all-knowing |
124 | Omit | v. | to leave out |
125 | Opulent | adj. | ostentatiously rich or luxuriant |
ACT Vocabulary Words (Continued)
126 | Ostensible | adj. | appearing to be true but not necessarily so |
127 | Paucity | n. | scarcity |
128 | Paradox | n. | seemingly self-contradictory but may prove to be actually true |
129 | Paramount | adj. | the most important |
130 | Pensive | adj. | thoughtful |
131 | Pernicious | adj. | having a harmful effect |
132 | Potent | adj. | strong, having great power |
133 | Pragmatism | n. | quality of being practical and sensible |
134 | Precocious | adj. | developing earlier than usual |
135 | Prescience | n. | forethought |
136 | Pretentious | adj. | attempting to impress by pretending to greater importance |
137 | Prolific | adj. | producing in large quantities |
138 | Prosaic | adj. | lacking poetic beauty; like prose writing |
139 | Protagonist | n. | the main character of a story |
140 | Protean | adj. | tending or able to change quickly or easily |
141 | Prudence | n. | quality of acting with care and thought for the future |
142 | Puerile | adj. | childishly silly and trivial |
143 | Pungent | adj. | having a sharp odor or taste |
144 | Qualitative | adj. | involving the features, rather than the number, of something |
145 | Quasi | adj. | apparently but not really |
146 | Querulous | adj. | complaining or whining |
147 | Rancorous | adj. | characterized by bitterness or resentment |
148 | Redundancy | n. | state of being no longer needed or useful |
149 | Resiliency | n. | the quality of being able to recover quickly from difficulties |
150 | Ribald | adj. | sexually rude or irreverent |
Vocab Words ACT (Continued)
151 | Sagacity | n. | the quality of showing good judgment |
152 | Spurious | adj. | fake |
153 | Static | adj. | unchanging or unmoving |
154 | Strenuous | adj. | requiring great effort |
155 | Subsequently | adv. | after something has happened |
156 | Sumptuous | adj. | splendid and expensive-looking |
157 | Superfluous | adj. | unnecessary |
158 | Surreptitious | adj. | kept secret |
159 | Sustainable | adj. | able to be maintained |
160 | Synonym | n. | word or phrase that means the same thing as another |
161 | Tactile | adj. | related to the sense of touch |
162 | Tedious | adj. | tiresome or monotonous |
163 | Tenacious | adj. | persistent |
164 | Torpid | adj. | inactive; lethargic |
165 | Ubiquitous | adj. | everywhere |
166 | Unprecedented | adj. | never done or known before |
167 | Validate | v. | check or prove the accuracy of something |
168 | Venerable | adj. | accorded a great deal of respect, usually because of age |
169 | Viability | n. | ability to work successfully |
170 | Vicissitude | n. | change in fortune, usually negative |
171 | Vilify | v. | speak or write about in a damaging or disparaging manner |
172 | Vindicate | v. | clear of blame or suspicion |
173 | Vitriolic | adj. | filled with criticism or malice |
174 | Zeitgeist | n. | the spirit of the age |
175 | Zenith | n. | the highest point |
Works Cited – ACT Vocabulary Words
[i] Putwain, David W., Kristina Stockinger, Nathaniel P. von der Embse, Shannon M. Suldo, Martin Daumiller. “Test anxiety, anxiety disorders, and school-related wellbeing: Manifestations of the same or different constructs?” Journal of Psychology, Vol. 88, October 2021, pp. 47-67. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022440521000534
[ii] Bertrams, Alex, Chris Englert, Oliver Dickhauser. “Self-control strength in the relation between trait test anxiety and state anxiety.” Journal of Research in Personality, Volume 44, Issue 6, December 2010, pp. 738-741. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0092656610001248
[iii] Even students who have a high level of emotional well-being may suffer from test anxiety, as exams can precipitate and worsen stress. Koudela-Hamila, Sousanne, Joshua Smyth, Philip Santangelo, Ulrich Ebner-Priemer. “Examination stress in academic students: a multimodal, real-time, real-life investigation of reported stress, social contact, blood pressure, and cortisol.” Journal of American College Health, 2022 May-June. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32669059/
Works Cited (Continued)
[iv] Tania Lombrozo, “The Truth About the Left Brain /Right Brain Relationship.” NPR: Cosmos & Culture, 2 December 2013. https://www.npr.org/sections/13.7/2013/12/02/248089436/the-truth-about-the-left-brain-right-brain-relationship
[v] Kubala, Jillian. “The Top 9 Brain Foods for Studying and Exams.” Healthline. Last medically reviewed 12 October 2020. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/brain-food-for-studying
[vi] Spencer, Sarah J., Aniko Korosi, Sophie Laye, Barara Shukitt-Hale and Ruth Barrientos. “Food for thought: how nutrition impacts cognition and emotion.” NPJ Science of Food. 2017. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41538-017-0008-y
[vii] Zhang, Xueyan, Wenhao Li, and Jinghao Wang. “Effects of Exercise Intervention on Students’ Test Anxiety: A Systematic Review with a Meta-Analysis.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, June 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9180005/
[viii] Yun-Jun Sun, Barbara J. Sahakian, Christelle Langley, Anyi Yang, Yuchao Jiang, Jujiao Kang, Xingming Zhao, Chunhe Li, Wei Cheng, Jianfeng Feng. Early-initiated childhood reading for pleasure: associations with better cognitive performance, mental well-being and brain structure in young adolescence. Psychological Medicine, 2023