Learn SAT Vocabulary with Mnemonics and Cartoons for the Digital SAT!
Bookmark this page! Every day, you'll get a fresh batch of SAT vocab words, each one illustrated with a funny cartoon and a mnemonic hook so the definition sticks. You get to pick how many words you see per day, too. Scroll down for more about how to use this page.
Table of Contents
How to use these SAT words of the day
This page is meant to be low-effort and high-return. Here's the simplest routine that works:
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Look at the cartoon first. (That's the hook.)
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Cover the definition and try to recall it. If you can't, reread it and try again.
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Say the word out loud once or twice. (Yes, seriously.)
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Write your own sentence (even a dumb one). If you can use the word, you know it.
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Review the word later using spaced repetition:
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later the same day
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2 days later
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1 week later
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If you want the spaced repetition done for you automatically, that's what my app is for.
If you like this learning style, check out my vocab cartoons app, which illustrates 1,359 words and word roots with cartoons like the ones above. It's branded for the GRE, but most GRE words are words the SAT can test. Every word on this page is in there, plus hundreds more.
No one ever said, "my vocabulary is too big"!
24 SAT Vocabulary Words With Cartoons
SAT Word of the Day: Demagogue
demagogue (dem a GOG) (noun): a leader who gains power by trickery.
Think: demigod.
SAT Word of the Day: Expedient
expedient (ex PEED ee int) (adjective): helpful in a practical way.
Think: speedy.
SAT Word of the Day: Exult
exult (eggs ult) (verb): to show great happiness.
Think: ultimate ex
SAT Word of the Day: Augment
augment (awwg MEANT) (verb): to increase the size of or to improve.
Think: Aug. meant.
SAT Word of the Day: Sanguine
sanguine (SAN gwin) (adjective): optimistic.
Think: Penguin sang win.
SAT Word of the Day: Underscore
underscore (UN der score) (verb): to highlight.
Think: to score = to write.
SAT Word of the Day: Coherence
coherence (Co HERE ents) (noun): the quality of being understandable.
Think: can hear it.
SAT Word of the Day: Substantiate
substantiate (sub STANCH ee ate) (verb): to support with proof or evidence.
Think: substance.
SAT Word of the Day: Decried
decried (duh CRIED) (verb): expressed strong disapproval about.
Think: cried.
SAT Word of the Day: Posit
posit (PAUSE it) (verb): to assume to be true; to suggest.
Think: positive.
SAT Word of the Day: Tumid
tumid (TYOO mid) (adjective): swollen.
Think: tumor-ed.
SAT Word of the Day: Coin
coin (KOIN) (verb): to invent a new word or phrase.
Think: coin (noun).
SAT Word of the Day: Pinnacle
pinnacle (PIN a cull) (noun): the highest point of something.
Think: Pinocchio.
SAT Word of the Day: Stricture
stricture (STRICT sure) (noun): a restraint; a criticism.
Think: restrict.
SAT Word of the Day: Cynical
cynical (SIN ick ull) (adjective): believing that people are generally selfish and dishonest.
Think: sin ick.
SAT Word of the Day: Flotsam
flotsam (FLOT sim) (noun): floating debris.
Think: float.
SAT Word of the Day: Ascetic
ascetic (uh SET ick) (adjective): practicing self-denial.
Think: asset? ick!
SAT Word of the Day: Climax
climax (CLY max) (noun): the most intense, exciting, or important part of something.
Think: climb ax.
SAT Word of the Day: Sullen
sullen (SULL en) (adjective): sad, gloomy, resentful.
Think: mullet.
SAT Word of the Day: Penurious
penurious (peh NUR y us) (adjective): stingy.
Think: penny furious.
SAT Word of the Day: Desecrate
desecrate (DEH suh krate) (verb): to violate something sacred.
Think: de-sacred.
SAT Word of the Day: Physiological
physiological (fizz y yo LOG ih cull) (adjective): related to the body.
Think: physical.
SAT Word of the Day: Ethereal
ethereal (uh THEER ee ul) (adjective): delicate; heavenly; insubstantial.
Think: other than real.
SAT Word of the Day: Adulterate
adulterate (uh DULT er ate) (verb): to corrupt; to make impure.
Think: adultery.
Does SAT vocabulary still matter on the Digital SAT?
Yep. The Digital SAT tests vocab through Words in Context questions in the Reading and Writing module, up to about 8 per module. You'll either fill in a blank in a passage or swap out an underlined word for a better one.
Here's the annoying part: it's usually not testing whether you can recite a dictionary definition. The question is which one fits the logic and tone of that specific sentence. So knowing the word (which is exactly what these cartoons are for) gets you most of the way there, but you still have to read the sentence and pick the word that logically fits the context. Knowing the vocab frees up your working memory so that you can do that.
More free ways to practice
I post these cartoons on Instagram (@GRE_vocab_cartoons) with quizzes, plus a bunch of hand-drawn YouTube shorts — about 8 seconds each. Everything's branded GRE because that's what I originally made it for, but since SAT words are basically a subset of GRE words, it all still applies here.
SAT Word of the Day FAQ
How many SAT vocabulary words should I learn per day?
The more the better, but I'd shoot for between 10 and 30 - remember, you have to review old words frequently to make sure you don't forget them.
Are these words enough for a high SAT Reading and Writing score?
They're a good start, but vocab is only part of it. You'll still want reps on the passage-based reasoning questions themselves. A bigger vocabulary just means you stop losing points on Words in Context.
What's the best way to stop forgetting SAT words?
Two things: spaced repetition, and using the word in your own sentence. Recognizing a word when you see it is easy. Recalling it on command is harder, and that's what Words in Context questions actually make you do.
Should I learn word roots too?
Yes. Roots won't replace real vocabulary, but they let you make a smart guess when you hit a word you've never seen on test day.
Do you offer tutoring if vocab or reading is my weak spot?
Yes, our lead SAT tutor Blake Jensen helps people work on the entire SAT including reading & vocab. He's been doing this nearly 20 years and it's his full-time job.
Text or call Blake directly at (858) 367-0187, or reach him through the contact page — he'll do a free 15-minute consultation to figure out a game plan. He works out of our Carmel Valley office in San Diego, or over Zoom if you're not local. I've also got a free 10-week SAT study plan if you want a full roadmap, not just vocab.
Blake offers SAT tutoring out of Carmel Valley and online everywhere. Reach Blake directly at (858) 367-0187.