Test prep
This list is for students preparing for the ACT English and Reading sections, where vocabulary is tested through context rather than isolated definitions. Study these words in sample sentences, then practice spotting their meaning inside real passages so you build speed and confidence for test day.
| Word | Meaning | In a sentence | Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| ambiguousadjective | Open to more than one reasonable interpretation. | The ambiguous instruction left us unsure which door to use. | |
| candidadjective | Honest and direct about what you think or know. | Please give me a candid assessment of the draft before I submit it. | |
| coherentadjective | Organized and connected in a way that is clear and makes sense. | The final paragraph turns the separate observations into a coherent argument. | |
| conciseadjective | Expressing the needed information clearly in few words. | Please send a concise update before the meeting. | |
| contradictverb | To assert the opposite of a statement, or to be inconsistent with something already stated. | The witness's new testimony seemed to contradict what she had told police earlier. | |
| deteriorateverb | To become progressively worse in condition, quality, or health. | His health began to deteriorate rapidly after he stopped taking his medication. | |
| diligentadjective | Working with steady care and effort. | The diligent researcher checked every quotation against its source. | |
| discernverb | To perceive, recognize, or understand something clearly, especially when it is not obvious at first. | Through the thick fog, the sailors could barely discern the shape of the lighthouse. | |
| eloquentadjective | Expressing ideas or feelings clearly, gracefully, and powerfully. | Her eloquent speech helped the audience understand why the park mattered. | |
| empiricaladjective | Based on observation or experiment rather than theory or pure reasoning. | The scientist gathered empirical evidence before drawing any conclusions. | |
| enhanceverb | To improve the quality, value, or attractiveness of something. | New lighting enhanced the mood of the restaurant's dining room. | |
| exemplaryadjective | Serving as a desirable model or standard of excellence; outstandingly good. | The nurse received an award for her exemplary care of patients during the outbreak. | |
| explicitadjective | Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt. | The contract gave explicit instructions about exactly when payments were due. | |
| feasibleadjective | Possible to do easily or conveniently, given the available resources, time, and conditions. | Engineers concluded that the underwater tunnel was technically feasible but extremely expensive. | |
| hypothesisnoun | A proposed explanation that can be tested using observations or an investigation. | Our hypothesis was that the seedlings would grow taller with more light. | |
| inevitableadjective | Certain to happen and unable to be avoided. | With every road flooded, a delay was inevitable. | |
| inferverb | To reach a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning rather than direct statement. | From her tired eyes, I could infer that she had barely slept. | |
| integritynoun | The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that one follows consistently. | The auditor was known for her integrity, refusing to overlook even minor discrepancies. | |
| meticulousadjective | Taking great care over small details so that work is accurate or complete. | The model required meticulous measurements before any wood was cut. | |
| notableadjective | Worthy of attention or notice because of being remarkable, significant, or distinguished. | The museum's notable collection includes several paintings by famous impressionists. | |
| objectivenoun | A goal or result that a person or organization is working to achieve. | The team's main objective this quarter is to reduce customer complaints by half. | |
| paradoxnoun | A statement or situation that seems contradictory or absurd but may nonetheless be true. | It's a paradox that the more choices we have, the harder it becomes to decide. | |
| perceiveverb | To become aware of something through the senses, or to understand or interpret it in a certain way. | From the hilltop, she could perceive the faint outline of the coastline. | |
| plausibleadjective | Seeming reasonable, likely, or believable. | The detective needed a plausible explanation for why the suspect was near the scene. | |
| precedeverb | To come before something else in time, order, rank, or position. | A brief introduction will precede the keynote speaker's main presentation. | |
| pragmaticadjective | Focused on what will work in the actual situation. | With rain approaching, we took the pragmatic step of moving the tables indoors. | |
| prevalentadjective | Widespread or common within a particular area, group, or time period. | Malaria remains especially prevalent in regions with warm, humid climates. | |
| rhetoricaladjective | Relating to the art of effective speaking or writing, or intended for persuasive or stylistic effect rather than a literal answer. | "Who wouldn't want a raise?" she asked, clearly posing a rhetorical question. | |
| subsequentadjective | Coming after something else in time or order. | The initial trial succeeded, and subsequent tests confirmed the results. | |
| tentativeadjective | Not certain or fixed; done cautiously because plans might still change. | We made a tentative reservation for eight people, but the number could still change. |
No matching words in this collection.
The ACT does not include a standalone vocabulary section; instead it tests word meaning through context in the English and Reading passages.
There's no fixed number, but reviewing a broad set of common academic words and practicing them in context is more useful than memorizing an exhaustive list.