This list includes 96 SAT words that start with D, from “daunt” to “dynamic”. These entries are mostly verbs and adjectives common in reading passages, argument prompts, and high-value vocabulary practice.
SAT words that start with D are concise, exam-focused vocabulary items you can use in reading, writing, and essays. Many trace back to Latin or Greek roots, showing patterns that help you remember meanings quickly.
Below you’ll find the table with Word, Difficulty, Definition, and Example sentence.
Word: The vocabulary entry itself, shown alphabetically so you can locate each term quickly during study or review.
Difficulty: A concise tag (easy/medium/hard) that helps you prioritize which words to learn first and track progress.
Definition: A one-line dictionary-style meaning that gives you a clear, exam-relevant sense of each word quickly.
Example sentence: A single clear sentence showing typical usage so you can see context and remember meaning.
SAT words that start with D
| Word | Part of speech | Difficulty | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| daunt | verb | medium | make afraid or discourage |
| debacle | noun | hard | sudden, disastrous failure or collapse |
| debase | verb | medium | lower in quality, value, or dignity |
| debilitate | verb | hard | weaken or reduce strength |
| decadence | noun | hard | moral or cultural decline via excess |
| decadent | adjective | medium | marked by luxury and moral decay |
| deceive | verb | easy | cause someone to believe something false |
| deceptive | adjective | medium | misleading or giving a false impression |
| decorum | noun | medium | polite or proper behavior; etiquette |
| decree | noun | medium | official order issued by authority |
| deduce | verb | medium | reach a conclusion by reasoning from evidence |
| deference | noun | medium | respectful submission or yielding to another |
| deferential | adjective | medium | showing respectful submission or yielding |
| defiant | adjective | medium | openly resisting authority or opposition |
| deflate | verb | medium | reduce in size, importance, or confidence |
| deflect | verb | medium | cause to change direction or divert attention |
| deleterious | adjective | hard | harmful or damaging to health or conditions |
| deliberate | adjective | medium | done intentionally and with careful consideration |
| delineate | verb | hard | describe or portray with accuracy; outline precisely |
| delude | verb | medium | cause someone to hold a false belief |
| denounce | verb | medium | publicly condemn or criticize severely |
| dense | adjective | easy | closely packed; hard to understand or penetrate |
| depict | verb | medium | represent or show in words or images |
| deplete | verb | medium | use up a resource or reduce supply greatly |
| deplore | verb | medium | strongly disapprove of; lament |
| deploy | verb | medium | position strategically or put into use |
| deprecate | verb | hard | express disapproval of; belittle |
| deride | verb | medium | mock or ridicule openly |
| derivative | adjective | hard | lacking originality; copied from something else |
| desiccate | verb | hard | remove moisture; dry out thoroughly |
| desist | verb | hard | cease doing something; stop |
| desolate | adjective | medium | lonely, barren, or devastated |
| despot | noun | medium | ruler with absolute oppressive power |
| destitute | adjective | hard | lacking basic necessities; extremely poor |
| desultory | adjective | hard | lacking plan or purpose; random or sporadic |
| deterrent | noun | medium | something that discourages or prevents an action |
| deter | verb | medium | discourage from acting through fear or doubt |
| detrimental | adjective | medium | causing harm or damage |
| deviate | verb | medium | depart from a norm, path, or standard |
| devious | adjective | medium | dishonest or indirect in a cunning way |
| devolve | verb | medium | transfer power downward or degenerate into worse state |
| dexterous | adjective | medium | skillful with hands or mental agility |
| diatribe | noun | hard | bitter and forceful verbal attack |
| dichotomy | noun | hard | division into two sharply contrasting parts |
| didactic | adjective | hard | intended to instruct often in a moralizing way |
| diffident | adjective | hard | shy or lacking self-confidence |
| diffuse | adjective | medium | spread out over a large area; not concentrated |
| digress | verb | medium | stray from the main subject temporarily |
| dilapidated | adjective | medium | in very poor condition from neglect or age |
| dilate | verb | medium | make wider or expand; speak at length |
| diligent | adjective | easy | showing steady, careful effort and work |
| diminution | noun | hard | a reduction in size, importance, or intensity |
| diminutive | adjective | medium | very small or indicating small size |
| discerning | adjective | medium | showing good judgment and insight |
| disavow | verb | hard | deny responsibility for or connection with |
| disconcert | verb | hard | upset or disturb one’s composure; unsettle |
| discord | noun | medium | disagreement or lack of harmony among people or notes |
| discredit | verb | medium | harm reputation or cause disbelief about something |
| discrepancy | noun | hard | lack of agreement between facts or accounts |
| discrete | adjective | medium | distinct, separate, and individual, not continuous |
| discriminate | verb | medium | recognize differences; sometimes treat unfairly based on group |
| disingenuous | adjective | hard | not candid or sincere; pretending honesty |
| disinterested | adjective | medium | unbiased or impartial, not influenced by self-interest |
| disparate | adjective | hard | fundamentally different in kind; not allowing comparison |
| disparity | noun | hard | noticeable and often unfair difference or inequality |
| dispassionate | adjective | hard | impartial and calm; free from emotion |
| dispel | verb | medium | make a doubt, feeling, or belief vanish |
| disperse | verb | medium | scatter or distribute over a wide area |
| dissemble | verb | hard | conceal true motives or feelings; feign |
| disseminate | verb | hard | spread information or ideas widely |
| dissent | noun | medium | opposition to a prevailing idea or official decision |
| dissolute | adjective | hard | lacking moral restraint; indulging in sensual pleasures |
| dissolution | noun | hard | the act of breaking apart or formally ending something |
| dissonance | noun | hard | lack of harmony or agreement between elements |
| distinct | adjective | easy | clearly different or easily perceived |
| distinction | noun | medium | recognition of difference or an honor for excellence |
| distinctive | adjective | medium | having a special quality that distinguishes it |
| distraught | adjective | medium | deeply agitated, worried, or upset |
| diverge | verb | medium | move or extend in different directions; differ in opinion |
| diverse | adjective | easy | showing a range of different types or elements |
| diversion | noun | medium | an activity that distracts or amuses; redirection |
| divert | verb | medium | cause to change course or shift attention |
| diversity | noun | medium | variety among members of a group or system |
| docile | adjective | medium | easily taught or managed; submissive |
| doctrine | noun | medium | set of beliefs or principles held by a group |
| document | verb | easy | record or provide evidence of something |
| dogmatic | adjective | hard | asserting opinions as incontrovertible facts |
| doleful | adjective | hard | expressing sorrow; mournful |
| domestic | adjective | easy | relating to the home or internal affairs of a country |
| dormant | adjective | medium | inactive for a period but able to become active |
| draconian | adjective | hard | excessively harsh or severe, especially laws |
| dubious | adjective | medium | doubtful or questionable in validity or honesty |
| dupe | verb | medium | trick or deceive someone easily |
| duplicity | noun | hard | deceitfulness in speech or conduct; double-dealing |
| durable | adjective | medium | able to withstand wear or last a long time |
| dynamic | adjective | medium | characterized by continuous change or energetic activity |
Descriptions
daunt
Neutral; common in writing about challenges or obstacles. The steep climb did not daunt the young hikers.
debacle
Formal; used in reporting, history, criticism. The campaign ended in a political debacle.
debase
Formal; used about morals, currency, or art. Critics argued the remake debased the original.
debilitate
Formal; used in medicine, policy, and rhetoric. The long illness debilitated him.
decadence
Formal; used in cultural criticism and history. The novel depicts society’s decadence.
decadent
Formal; used in cultural criticism and descriptions. The decadent celebration shocked conservative observers.
deceive
Neutral; used in everyday and literary contexts. He attempted to deceive his classmates.
deceptive
Neutral; used in advertising, tests, and critique. The advertisement was deceptively simple.
decorum
Formal; used in social and literary contexts. She observed proper decorum at the ceremony.
decree
Formal; used in law and history. The ruler issued a decree banning the practice.
deduce
Formal; used in logic, science, and law. From the clues we deduce the motive.
deference
Formal; used in social and legal situations. He showed deference to elder colleagues.
deferential
Formal; used to describe tone or behavior. Her deferential reply calmed the committee.
defiant
Neutral; used about behavior or attitude. The protester remained defiant despite warnings.
deflate
Neutral; used literally and metaphorically. Harsh criticism deflated the author’s confidence.
deflect
Neutral; used physically and rhetorically. She deflected the awkward question skillfully.
deleterious
Formal; used in science, medicine, and policy. The chemical proved deleterious to wildlife.
deliberate
Formal; used in planning and judgment. His deliberate pause emphasized the point.
delineate
Formal; used in analysis, policy, and art. The report delineates responsibilities clearly.
delude
Neutral; used about self-deception or trickery. He deluded himself about the project’s prospects.
denounce
Formal; common in politics and media. Activists denounced the unjust policy.
dense
Neutral; used in physical and figurative contexts. The fog was dense that morning.
depict
Neutral; used in literature and visual arts. The mural depicts daily life in the town.
deplete
Formal; used in environmental and economic contexts. Overfishing depleted the coastal stocks.
deplore
Formal; used in moral and public statements. Many deplored the violence after the protest.
deploy
Formal; used in military, tech, and policy contexts. The army deployed reinforcements overnight.
deprecate
Formal; used in criticism and technical contexts. She deprecated the simplistic solution.
deride
Neutral; used in criticism and satire. Critics derided the proposal as naive.
derivative
Formal; used in art and criticism. Reviewers found the plot derivative.
desiccate
Formal; used in science and literary description. The drought desiccated the farmland.
desist
Formal; used in legal and authoritative commands. Protesters were ordered to desist immediately.
desolate
Formal; used in landscape and emotional description. The desolate village showed signs of abandonment.
despot
Formal; used in history and politics. The despot suppressed dissent for decades.
destitute
Formal; used in social and economic contexts. Many families were left destitute after the flood.
desultory
Formal; used in critiques of speech or activity. His desultory comments confused the audience.
deterrent
Formal; used in policy and law enforcement. Tough penalties can serve as a deterrent.
deter
Neutral; used in policy and behavior. High costs deter many potential buyers.
detrimental
Formal; used in health, environment, and policy. Smoking has detrimental health effects.
deviate
Formal; used in behavior, statistics, and travel. The pilot deviated from the flight plan.
devious
Neutral; used about tactics or people. He used devious methods to win.
devolve
Formal; used in politics and social commentary. Authority devolved to local officials over time.
dexterous
Neutral; used in crafts, sports, and work. The dexterous pianist impressed the audience.
diatribe
Formal; used in opinion pieces and rhetoric. The editorial was a fierce diatribe.
dichotomy
Formal; used in theory, science, and critique. The book examines the urban-rural dichotomy.
didactic
Formal; used in literature and education criticism. The lecture felt overly didactic.
diffident
Formal; used in personality descriptions. She was diffident during her first presentation.
diffuse
Formal; used in science and prose critique. The essay’s argument was diffuse and unfocused.
digress
Neutral; used in speeches and writing. The lecturer frequently digressed from the topic.
dilapidated
Neutral; used in descriptions of buildings. The dilapidated house was unsafe to enter.
dilate
Formal; used medically and figuratively. Her pupils dilated in the dim light.
diligent
Neutral; used in academics and work contexts. He is a diligent student who studies nightly.
diminution
Formal; used in economics and analysis. The policy led to a diminution of funds.
diminutive
Neutral; used in physical description or language. She had a diminutive stature but strong presence.
discerning
Formal; used in criticism and consumer contexts. A discerning reader notices subtle themes.
disavow
Formal; used in public statements and politics. The senator disavowed the controversial remark.
disconcert
Formal; used in social and formal settings. The sudden question disconcerted the witness.
discord
Neutral; used in relationships and music. Discord among team members slowed progress.
discredit
Formal; used in media and law. New evidence discredited the witness.
discrepancy
Formal; used in accounting, research, and reporting. Auditors found a discrepancy in the records.
discrete
Formal; used in math, data, and analysis. The samples fall into discrete categories.
discriminate
Formal; used in law, analysis, and ethics. Employers must not discriminate in hiring.
disingenuous
Formal; often used in politics and critique. His apology sounded disingenuous to listeners.
disinterested
Formal; used in law and journalism. A disinterested arbiter resolved the dispute.
disparate
Formal; used in analysis and policy. Funding addressed two disparate community needs.
disparity
Formal; used in economics and sociology. Scholars noted the disparity in educational access.
dispassionate
Formal; used in analysis, law, and criticism. A dispassionate review improved the debate.
dispel
Formal; used in myths, rumors, and fears. The study helped dispel earlier doubts.
disperse
Neutral; used for crowds, particles, or information. Police dispersed the demonstrators peacefully.
dissemble
Formal; used in literature and politics. He dissembled his frustration with a smile.
disseminate
Formal; used in research, media, and public health. Scientists disseminate findings through journals.
dissent
Formal; used in law, politics, and organizations. There was significant dissent within the committee.
dissolute
Formal; used in literature and history. The novel describes a dissolute aristocrat.
dissolution
Formal; used in law, chemistry, and institutions. The dissolution of the partnership surprised many.
dissonance
Formal; used in music, psychology, and critique. The dissonance between words and actions was obvious.
distinct
Neutral; widely used in many contexts. The two species are distinct in appearance.
distinction
Formal; used in awards and analysis. She graduated with distinction in biology.
distinctive
Neutral; used in branding and description. His writing has a distinctive voice.
distraught
Neutral; used in reports and literature. The family was distraught after the accident.
diverge
Formal; used in paths, analysis, and opinions. Their views diverged on the proposal.
diverse
Neutral; used in demographics and ideas. The program attracts a diverse student body.
diversion
Neutral; used in entertainment and strategy. The play was a welcome diversion from work.
divert
Neutral; used in transport and tactics. The crew diverted the ship to safer waters.
diversity
Neutral; used in society, ecology, and organizations. Workplace diversity can spark innovation.
docile
Neutral; used in behavior contexts. The docile apprentice followed every instruction.
doctrine
Formal; used in religion, law, and politics. The doctrine guided the party’s policies.
document
Neutral; used in reporting and research. Researchers documented each stage of the experiment.
dogmatic
Formal; used in criticism and religion. His dogmatic stance shut down debate.
doleful
Formal; used in literary and emotional description. The song’s doleful tone lingered in her mind.
domestic
Neutral; used in policy and everyday contexts. Domestic issues dominated the news cycle.
dormant
Neutral; used in biology and business. The company remained dormant for years.
draconian
Formal; used in policy and critique. Critics called the measures draconian and punitive.
dubious
Neutral; used in judgment contexts. The evidence for the claim seemed dubious.
dupe
Neutral; used in everyday and news contexts. Scammers duped elderly victims with false offers.
duplicity
Formal; used in politics and law. The diplomat’s duplicity undermined trust.
durable
Neutral; used in products and economics. They chose durable materials for construction.
dynamic
Neutral; used in business, science, and personality description. The company pursued a dynamic growth strategy.