This list includes 28 SAT words that start with W, from “Waffle” to “Wry”. They are mostly verbs and adjectives useful for reading passages, essays, and test practice.
SAT words that start with W are vocabulary items beginning with W that often appear on tests. The letter W has Germanic roots and yields many useful English words like “wry”.
Below you’ll find the table with Word, Difficulty, Definition, and Example sentence.
Word: The vocabulary entry itself; you use it to learn spelling, pronunciation, and to locate related examples quickly.
Difficulty: A simple easy/medium/hard tag to help you prioritize study and focus your review time efficiently.
Definition: A one-line, dictionary-style meaning that shows the word’s basic sense you need for test questions.
Example sentence: A single clear sentence showing how the word appears in typical contexts, aiding recall and usage.
SAT words that start with W
| Word | Difficulty | Part of Speech | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waffle | medium | verb | To be indecisive; to speak or write evasively. |
| Waft | easy | verb | To pass gently through the air. |
| Waggish | medium | adjective | Humorous in a playful, mischievous, or facetious manner. |
| Waif | medium | noun | A homeless, neglected, or abandoned person, especially a child. |
| Wallow | medium | verb | To indulge in an unrestrained way in something that creates a pleasurable sensation. |
| Wan | medium | adjective | Pale and giving the impression of illness or exhaustion. |
| Wane | easy | verb | To decrease in vigor, power, or extent; to become weaker. |
| Wanton | hard | adjective | Deliberately and unprovokedly cruel or violent; malicious. |
| Warrant | medium | verb | To justify or necessitate a particular course of action. |
| Wary | easy | adjective | Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems. |
| Wax | easy | verb | To become larger or stronger; to increase in size or intensity. |
| Wayward | medium | adjective | Difficult to control or predict because of unusual or perverse behavior. |
| Weather | medium | verb | To wear away or change the appearance or texture of (something) by long exposure. |
| Wheedle | hard | verb | To use flattery or coaxing in order to persuade someone to do something. |
| Whet | medium | verb | To excite or stimulate (a person’s desire, interest, or appetite). |
| Whimsical | easy | adjective | Playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way. |
| Wield | easy | verb | To hold and use (a weapon or tool); to have and be able to use (power). |
| Wily | medium | adjective | Skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully; cunning. |
| Wince | easy | verb | To give a slight involuntary grimace or shrinking movement of the body. |
| Winsome | hard | adjective | Attractive or appealing in a fresh, innocent way; charming. |
| Wistful | medium | adjective | Having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing. |
| Wither | easy | verb | To become dry and shriveled; to cause to feel humiliated or mortified. |
| Wizen | hard | adjective | Shriveled or wrinkled with age. |
| Woe | easy | noun | Great sorrow or distress. |
| Wont | hard | adjective | In the habit of doing something; accustomed. |
| Wrath | medium | noun | Extreme anger. |
| Writhe | medium | verb | To make continual twisting, squirming movements or contortions of the body. |
| Wry | hard | adjective | Using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor. |
Descriptions
Waffle
Don’t confuse this with breakfast! On the SAT, it means failing to make a clear decision. The politician waffled when asked about his new policy, frustrating reporters.
Waft
This word describes a light movement, like a scent or sound. The smell of baking cookies began to waft from the kitchen. It’s often used in descriptive passages.
Waggish
Describes a specific kind of witty, playful humor. His waggish comments kept the mood light during the stressful meeting. The SAT uses words like this to test tone.
Waif
This noun carries a strong sense of pity and vulnerability. The old story featured a poor waif who was adopted by a kind family. It describes a character type.
Wallow
Often used negatively, as in “wallowing in self-pity.” He chose to wallow in his misery instead of looking for a solution. It implies excessive, self-indulgent behavior.
Wan
A more sophisticated word than just “pale.” After staying up all night to study, her face was wan and tired. It’s a useful adjective for character descriptions in reading passages.
Wane
This is the classic opposite of “wax.” As the quarterback’s energy began to wane, the team’s performance suffered. Look for it in contexts describing a decline.
Wanton
This word describes an action that is extreme and without justification. The vandals committed wanton destruction of the school’s property. It signifies a very negative moral judgment.
Warrant
Often seen in formal arguments or legal contexts. The severity of the crime did not warrant such a harsh punishment. On the SAT, it tests your understanding of logic and justification.
Wary
A very common SAT word for “cautious” or “suspicious.” After being tricked once, the fox was wary of the clever crow. It’s a key word for understanding character motivation.
Wax
The opposite of “wane.” The moon waxes until it is full. Her enthusiasm for the project began to wax as she saw positive results. Look for this in passages about growth.
Wayward
This word describes someone who is willful and unpredictable, often in a negative way. The wayward teenager often skipped school and ignored his parents’ rules.
Weather
This verb form is a classic SAT trick. The ancient statue had been weathered by centuries of wind and rain. It can also mean to withstand or endure a difficult situation.
Wheedle
This is a more negative and manipulative form of persuasion than simply asking. He tried to wheedle his way into a promotion by flattering his boss constantly.
Whet
Often seen in the phrase “whet your appetite.” The movie trailer was designed to whet the audience’s interest for the full film. It describes creating anticipation or desire.
Whimsical
Describes something imaginative and unpredictable, often with a magical feel. The author was known for her whimsical stories filled with talking animals and enchanted forests.
Wield
Goes beyond physical objects to abstract concepts like power or influence. The CEO wields enormous power over the company’s direction. It is often about control.
Wily
A great word for a clever, tricky character. The wily detective set a trap to catch the elusive thief. It implies intelligence used for deceptive purposes.
Wince
A physical reaction to pain or distress. She could not help but wince when the doctor administered the shot. It’s a verb that shows a character’s feeling without telling.
Winsome
This is a high-level, positive adjective. With her winsome smile and kind personality, she easily made friends wherever she went. It suggests a pure, childlike charm.
Wistful
Describes a specific kind of gentle sadness or nostalgia. He felt wistful as he looked at old photos from his childhood. This is a key tone word for reading passages.
Wither
Can be used literally for plants or figuratively for people or emotions. The harsh criticism made his confidence wither. It suggests shrinking, fading, or weakening.
Wizen
A less common but powerful descriptive word. The old sailor’s face was wizen from a lifetime of exposure to the sun and sea. It paints a vivid picture of old age.
Woe
An old-fashioned but still relevant word for deep sadness. The villagers shared their tales of woe after the devastating flood. It’s often found in literature or historical texts.
Wont
An unusual word structure that can trip up students. He was wont to wake up at dawn, a habit he’d kept for 50 years. It essentially means “accustomed to.”
Wrath
A much stronger word than “anger,” often with a sense of righteous or divine punishment. In the myth, the hero had to face the wrath of the gods.
Writhe
Often associated with severe pain or discomfort. The captured snake began to writhe in the net. It’s a very vivid verb used to describe physical struggle.
Wry
Describes a clever, ironic, and often understated sense of humor. She gave a wry smile when her friend complained about a problem she had predicted weeks ago.