This list includes 134 SAT words that start with R, from “radical” to “ruthless”. These words range from conversational to academic vocabulary, useful across reading, writing, and verbal sections.
SAT words that start with R are a focused set of vocabulary items commonly tested on college entrance exams. Many come from Latin roots like “radic-” and include lasting examples such as “radical” and “ruthless”.
Below you’ll find the table with Word, Difficulty, Definition, and Example sentence.
Word: You see the headword here so you can locate each term quickly and check exact spelling and form.
Difficulty: Shows an easy/medium/hard label to help you prioritize study and focus on higher-value words first efficiently.
Definition: Gives a concise, dictionary-style definition so you understand usage quickly and remember the core sense.
Example sentence: Provides one clear contextual sentence so you see natural usage and can model your own sentences.
SAT words that start with R
| Word | Part of speech | Difficulty | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| radical | adj. | medium | Favoring thorough or extreme change; fundamental. |
| rancor | n. | medium | Bitter resentment or long-standing ill will. |
| rancorous | adj. | hard | Marked by deep-seated resentment or bitterness. |
| raucous | adj. | medium | Loud and harsh; disorderly and rowdy. |
| raze | v. | hard | To completely destroy or tear down. |
| rebut | v. | medium | To offer opposing evidence or argument; refute. |
| recant | v. | hard | To formally withdraw or disavow a previously held belief. |
| receptive | adj. | medium | Willing to consider or accept new ideas or suggestions. |
| reconciliation | n. | medium | Restoration of friendly relations after disagreement. |
| reconcile | v. | medium | To restore friendly relations or make consistent. |
| recondite | adj. | hard | Difficult to understand; obscure; abstruse. |
| reciprocal | adj. | medium | Mutual; given or felt by each toward the other. |
| reciprocity | n. | hard | Mutual exchange of privileges or favors. |
| recount | v. | easy | To tell or describe events or experiences. |
| recourse | n. | medium | A source of help or protection in difficulty. |
| recreant | adj. | hard | Cowardly or unfaithful to a duty; betraying trust. |
| recriminations | n. | hard | Accusations exchanged during mutual blame. |
| rectify | v. | medium | To correct or make right; remedy. |
| rectitude | n. | hard | Moral correctness or righteousness. |
| recumbent | adj. | hard | Lying down or reclining; inactive position. |
| recur | v. | easy | To happen again or repeatedly. |
| recurrent | adj. | medium | Occurring repeatedly or periodically. |
| redolent | adj. | hard | Strongly reminiscent or evocative of something. |
| redoubtable | adj. | hard | Formidable, especially as an opponent; commanding respect. |
| redundant | adj. | easy | Unnecessarily repetitive or superfluous. |
| refulgent | adj. | hard | Shining brightly; radiant. |
| refute | v. | medium | To prove a statement or theory wrong. |
| relegate | v. | medium | To assign to a lower position or place; demote. |
| relent | v. | medium | To become less severe or give in. |
| relinquish | v. | medium | To give up or surrender something voluntarily. |
| relish | v. | easy | To enjoy or take pleasure in something. |
| remedial | adj. | medium | Intended to correct or improve skills or defects. |
| remonstrate | v. | hard | To make a forceful protest or objection. |
| remorse | n. | easy | Deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed. |
| remunerate | v. | hard | To pay someone for work or services rendered. |
| rend | v. | hard | To tear apart violently. |
| renege | v. | hard | To renege is to go back on a promise or agreement. |
| renounce | v. | medium | To formally give up or reject a claim or belief. |
| renown | n. | medium | Widespread acclaim or fame. |
| rent | v. | medium | To tear or split; or past tense of rend (also n. rent). |
| repatriate | v. | hard | To return someone to their country of origin. |
| reparable | adj. | medium | Able to be repaired or remedied. |
| reparation | n. | medium | Compensation for wrongdoing or injury. |
| repast | n. | hard | A meal or the time of eating. |
| replete | adj. | medium | Filled or well-supplied with something. |
| replica | n. | medium | An exact copy or reproduction. |
| replicate | v. | hard | To make an exact copy; reproduce. |
| reprehensible | adj. | hard | Deserving strong criticism or condemnation. |
| reprieve | n. | medium | A temporary relief or postponement of punishment. |
| reproach | v. | medium | To express disapproval or disappointment. |
| reprobate | n. | hard | A morally unprincipled person; rogue. |
| reproof | n. | hard | An expression of blame or criticism. |
| reprove | v. | medium | To reprimand or criticize gently. |
| repudiate | v. | hard | To reject or refuse to accept as valid. |
| repulse | v. | medium | To drive back; to cause disgust or aversion. |
| requisite | adj. | medium | Required or necessary for a particular purpose. |
| rescind | v. | hard | To officially repeal or cancel (a law or order). |
| resilient | adj. | medium | Able to recover quickly from difficulties; adaptable. |
| resolute | adj. | medium | Determined and unwavering in purpose. |
| resolve | v. | easy | To find a solution or settle a problem. |
| resonant | adj. | hard | Deep, clear, and continuing to sound; evocative. |
| respite | n. | medium | A short period of rest or relief from difficulty. |
| resplendent | adj. | hard | Shining brilliantly; splendid in appearance. |
| restive | adj. | hard | Impatient, uneasy, or difficult to control. |
| restrain | v. | medium | To hold back or limit; control actions or feelings. |
| resurgent | adj. | hard | Increasing or reviving after a period of decline. |
| reticent | adj. | hard | Habitually silent or reserved; reluctant to speak. |
| retort | v. | medium | To reply sharply or retaliate verbally. |
| retract | v. | medium | To draw back or withdraw a statement or offer. |
| retrospect | n. | medium | A review or contemplation of past events. |
| revere | v. | medium | To feel deep respect or admiration for someone or something. |
| reverent | adj. | hard | Showing deep respect and solemnity. |
| reverie | n. | hard | A state of dreamy meditation or fanciful musing. |
| revile | v. | hard | To criticize with abusive language; vilify. |
| riveting | adj. | medium | Extremely engaging or engrossing. |
| rife | adj. | medium | Widespread or abundant, often negative. |
| riddle | v. | medium | To fill or perforate with many holes; to perplex. |
| rife | adj. | medium | Widespread or abundant, often negative. |
| rigor | n. | medium | Strictness, thoroughness, or severity in procedure. |
| rigorous | adj. | medium | Extremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate. |
| riveting | adj. | medium | Extremely interesting or absorbing. |
| rivalry | n. | easy | Competition between individuals or groups. |
| robust | adj. | medium | Strong and healthy; vigorous or durable. |
| rote | n. | easy | Memorization by repetition rather than understanding. |
| rudimentary | adj. | medium | Basic or elementary; not fully developed. |
| rue | v. | hard | To feel sorrow, regret, or remorse about something. |
| ruffian | n. | hard | A violent person or scoundrel. |
| ruminate | v. | hard | To think deeply or repeatedly about something. |
| rumor | n. | easy | Unverified information or gossip spread informally. |
| rupture | v. | medium | To break apart or burst suddenly. |
| ruse | n. | medium | A clever trick or stratagem used to deceive. |
| ruthless | adj. | medium | Showing no pity or compassion; cruelly determined. |
| ruth | n. | hard | Compassion or pity (rare; mostly in legal contexts). |
| rut | n. | easy | A habitual routine or fixed way of thinking. |
| rampant | adj. | medium | Flourishing or spreading unchecked; widespread. |
| ramification | n. | hard | A consequence or branching outcome of an action. |
| rampant | adj. | medium | Widespread and unchecked in growth or occurrence. |
| rancid | adj. | hard | Having an unpleasant stale smell or taste, usually fat. |
| rapacious | adj. | hard | Aggressively greedy or predatory in taking resources. |
| rapport | n. | medium | A close and harmonious relationship in which people understand each other. |
| rapt | adj. | hard | Completely absorbed or enthralled by something. |
| rash | adj. | easy | Acting without careful consideration; hasty or reckless. |
| rebuttal | n. | medium | A counterargument or refutation in response to criticism. |
| recidivism | n. | hard | Relapse into criminal behavior after punishment or rehabilitation. |
| reconnaissance | n. | hard | Military or exploratory survey to gather information. |
| rectitude | n. | hard | Moral integrity and correctness of behavior. |
| redress | v. | medium | To set right; remedy or compensate for a wrong. |
| remission | n. | hard | A temporary reduction of disease symptoms or penalty. |
| renege | v. | hard | To fail to fulfill a promise or obligation; go back on. |
| repartee | n. | hard | Witty, quick reply or conversation; banter. |
| repose | n. | hard | A state of rest, sleep, or calmness. |
| reprobate | n. | hard | An unprincipled person; morally depraved individual. |
| rescind | v. | hard | To officially revoke or cancel a decision or law. |
| resignation | n. | medium | Acceptance of something undesirable but inevitable. |
| resolve | n. | easy | Firm determination to do something. |
| restoration | n. | medium | Return of something to a former condition or position. |
| resurgent | adj. | hard | Experiencing a revival after decline or dormancy. |
| retaliate | v. | medium | To return like for like, especially harm for harm. |
| retrospective | adj. | medium | Looking back on or dealing with past events. |
| rhapsodic | adj. | hard | Expressing ecstatic or enthusiastic emotion. |
| rhetoric | n. | medium | The art of persuasive speaking or writing; persuasive language. |
| rhetorical | adj. | medium | Relating to rhetoric; often asking questions for effect. |
| rivet | v. | medium | To hold attention firmly; engross. |
| robust | adj. | medium | Strong and effective; able to withstand stress. |
| rookie | n. | easy | A beginner or inexperienced person in a field. |
| rotund | adj. | hard | Round in shape; full or rich in sound (figurative). |
| routine | n. | easy | A regular, habitual sequence of actions or tasks. |
| rubric | n. | medium | A guide listing criteria for evaluation or performance. |
| rummage | v. | medium | To search thoroughly by moving things around. |
| rumor | n. | easy | Unverified information spread informally. |
| rupture | n. | medium | A break or breach in relations or structure. |
| ruse | n. | medium | A deceptive trick or stratagem. |
| ruthless | adj. | medium | Without pity; merciless in achieving aims. |
| ruth | n. | hard | Compassion or pity (rare usage). |
Descriptions
radical
Common on SAT lists for politics and science contexts. Example: “The activist proposed radical reforms to the education system.”
rancor
Often tested as a noun for hostile feelings. Example: “Despite the truce, rancor remained between the two families.”
rancorous
Adjective form useful in literary passages. Example: “Her rancorous tone made reconciliation unlikely.”
raucous
Appears in descriptive SAT passages. Example: “The raucous crowd delayed the lecture.”
raze
Used in reading passages about urban change. Example: “The older buildings were razed for a new mall.”
rebut
Common in argumentative contexts. Example: “He rebutted the accusation with clear data.”
recant
Often appears in historical or religious contexts. Example: “The scientist refused to recant her findings.”
receptive
Useful for tone and attitude questions. Example: “She was receptive to feedback on her essay.”
reconciliation
Common in social and historical contexts. Example: “The treaty led to reconciliation between the countries.”
reconcile
Often used in argument passage questions. Example: “They needed to reconcile their differing accounts.”
recondite
Appears in academic passages; high difficulty. Example: “The paper treated recondite philosophical problems.”
reciprocal
Common in math and social contexts. Example: “They enjoyed a reciprocal respect for each other’s work.”
reciprocity
Appears in social-science passages. Example: “Reciprocity underpinned trade agreements between nations.”
recount
Common in narrative passages. Example: “She recounted her journey across the desert.”
recourse
Used in legal or policy contexts. Example: “He sought recourse through the appeals process.”
recreant
Less common but appears in literature. Example: “The recreant soldier fled the battlefield.”
recriminations
Useful for conflict passages. Example: “The meeting descended into recriminations over funding.”
rectify
Common verb in academic writing. Example: “They worked to rectify the accounting error.”
rectitude
Seen in formal texts; higher difficulty. Example: “Her rectitude earned widespread admiration.”
recumbent
Occasional in descriptive passages. Example: “The recumbent statue lay in shadow.”
recur
Common in reasoning about patterns. Example: “The problem tends to recur in summer months.”
recurrent
Useful in science or history contexts. Example: “Recurrent droughts affected crop yields.”
redolent
Often used in literary descriptions. Example: “The attic was redolent of old books.”
redoubtable
High-difficulty descriptive word. Example: “He faced a redoubtable competitor in the finals.”
redundant
Common in editing/writing contexts. Example: “The essay contained several redundant phrases.”
refulgent
Rare but appears in descriptive SAT passages. Example: “The refulgent sun broke through the clouds.”
refute
Important in argument-based questions. Example: “The study refuted earlier claims about diet.”
relegate
Found in social and workplace contexts. Example: “They relegated the files to an archive folder.”
relent
Common in narrative tone shifts. Example: “After hours of pleading, he finally relented.”
relinquish
Common in legal or personal contexts. Example: “She relinquished control of the project.”
relish
Useful in tone/vocabulary questions. Example: “He relished the chance to lead.”
remedial
Appears in education contexts. Example: “She took remedial classes in math.”
remonstrate
Higher-level verb found in formal texts. Example: “Citizens remonstrated against the policy.”
remorse
Common in literature and argument passages. Example: “He felt deep remorse after the mistake.”
remunerate
Seen in economic or formal contexts. Example: “The company remunerated consultants fairly.”
rend
Archaic-ish but appears in literature. Example: “The storm seemed to rend the sky.”
renege
Useful in contract or moral passages. Example: “They reneged on the initial agreement.”
renounce
Often used in ideological contexts. Example: “He renounced his former allegiance.”
renown
Common in biographies and histories. Example: “Her renown grew after the discovery.”
rent
Useful in older literary contexts. Example: “The sea rent the hull of the ship.”
repatriate
Appears in global affairs contexts. Example: “The refugees were repatriated last spring.”
reparable
Used in legal and practical contexts. Example: “The damage was reparable with proper care.”
reparation
Appears in historical and ethical discussions. Example: “The treaty demanded reparations from the aggressor.”
repast
Literary but occurs in reading passages. Example: “They enjoyed a simple repast by candlelight.”
replete
Common descriptive word on SAT lists. Example: “The report was replete with statistical tables.”
replica
Used in art and science contexts. Example: “The museum displayed a replica of the artifact.”
replicate
Appears in scientific writing and studies. Example: “Researchers replicated the experiment twice.”
reprehensible
Common in moral-judgment passages. Example: “His actions were morally reprehensible.”
reprieve
Used in legal and narrative contexts. Example: “The governor granted a reprieve to the prisoner.”
reproach
Useful for analyzing tone. Example: “Parents reproached the committee for poor planning.”
reprobate
Literary and moral-judgment contexts. Example: “He was labeled a reprobate by his peers.”
reproof
Formal word for criticism. Example: “She received a gentle reproof for tardiness.”
reprove
Common in formal or literary passages. Example: “The teacher reproved the student for talking.”
repudiate
High-value SAT verb. Example: “The committee repudiated the flawed report.”
repulse
Used both physically and emotionally. Example: “They were repulsed by the offensive remark.”
requisite
Useful in academic and formal contexts. Example: “A requisite skill is strong critical reading.”
rescind
Common in policy and law passages. Example: “The board rescinded the earlier decision.”
resilient
Common in psychology and nature contexts. Example: “Children can be remarkably resilient after trauma.”
resolute
Useful for character descriptions. Example: “She remained resolute despite setbacks.”
resolve
Common in problem-solving contexts. Example: “They resolved the dispute before trial.”
resonant
Literary and persuasive passages use this. Example: “His speech had a resonant moral appeal.”
respite
Common in narrative and policy texts. Example: “A brief respite followed the storm.”
resplendent
High-difficulty descriptive adjective. Example: “The ballroom looked resplendent in candlelight.”
restive
Useful in political or crowd descriptions. Example: “The restive crowd grew louder as night fell.”
restrain
Common in tone and passage analysis. Example: “Officials tried to restrain spending.”
resurgent
Often appears in economic or political contexts. Example: “A resurgent economy boosted employment.”
reticent
High-value for tone questions. Example: “He was reticent about his personal life.”
retort
Useful in dialogue or argument passages. Example: “She retorted that the claim was unfair.”
retract
Common in journalism and science contexts. Example: “The author retracted the erroneous claim.”
retrospect
Used in reflective passages. Example: “In retrospect, the decision was risky.”
revere
Appears in historical and biographical passages. Example: “The community revered its founding leader.”
reverent
Useful in tone analysis. Example: “The crowd was reverent during the ceremony.”
reverie
Literary word found in passages. Example: “She sank into a pleasant reverie on the commute.”
revile
Strong negative verb often in opinion pieces. Example: “Columnists reviled the corrupt official.”
riveting
Useful adjective for descriptive passages. Example: “The novel was a riveting page-turner.”
rife
Common in reports and editorials. Example: “Corruption was rife in the organization.”
riddle
Used figuratively in some SAT passages. Example: “The story was riddled with inconsistencies.”
rife
(Duplicate avoided – see above)
rigor
Common in academic contexts. Example: “The research demanded methodological rigor.”
rigorous
Frequently appears in science and policy text. Example: “They applied rigorous statistical tests.”
riveting
(Duplicate avoided – earlier entry kept)
rivalry
Common in social and historical contexts. Example: “A long rivalry defined the two teams.”
robust
Used in science, economics, and description. Example: “The company showed robust growth last quarter.”
rote
Common in education passages. Example: “Rote learning doesn’t ensure deep comprehension.”
rudimentary
Common in science and historical development contexts. Example: “They had only rudimentary tools available.”
rue
Literary and reflective passages. Example: “He would later rue his hasty decision.”
ruffian
Occasional in literary and historical texts. Example: “The town was terrorized by a local ruffian.”
ruminate
High-value verb for analysis and tone. Example: “She ruminated on the implications all night.”
rumor
Common in social and news contexts. Example: “A rumor about layoffs circulated the office.”
rupture
Used literally and figuratively. Example: “The pipe ruptured under pressure.”
ruse
Common in reading passages about plots. Example: “They used a ruse to distract the guards.”
ruthless
Useful in character analysis. Example: “The negotiator was ruthless in pursuit of advantage.”
ruth
Archaic but occasionally tested. Example: “There was little ruth for the defeated leader.”
rut
Common metaphor in essays. Example: “She feared falling into a career rut.”
rampant
Common in editorial and scientific writing. Example: “Speculation was rampant after the announcement.”
ramification
High-value noun for complex analysis. Example: “They considered the legal ramifications carefully.”
rampant
(Duplicate avoided – earlier entry kept)
rancid
Less common but can appear in descriptive contexts. Example: “The oil had gone rancid after months.”
rapacious
Used in economic and historical critiques. Example: “Rapacious landlords exploited tenants’ labor.”
rapport
Useful in social and interpersonal contexts. Example: “She built a quick rapport with clients.”
rapt
Literary and descriptive passages. Example: “He listened with rapt attention to the lecture.”
rash
Common in character description. Example: “A rash decision cost them the contract.”
rebuttal
Used in essays and debates. Example: “Her rebuttal undermined the opponent’s statistics.”
recidivism
Policy and criminology passages may use this. Example: “Programs aim to reduce recidivism rates.”
reconnaissance
Appears in historical and technical passages. Example: “Reconnaissance planes mapped the coastline.”
rectitude
(Duplicate avoided earlier entry)
redress
Used in legal and ethical discussions. Example: “Victims sought redress through the courts.”
remission
Appears in medical and legal contexts. Example: “The patient entered a period of remission.”
renege
(Duplicate avoided – earlier entry kept)
repartee
Literary and descriptive usage. Example: “Their repartee enlivened the debate.”
repose
Literary term for writing tone. Example: “The garden offered repose from city noise.”
reprobate
(Duplicate avoided earlier)
rescind
(Duplicate earlier)
resignation
Common in tone and theme questions. Example: “She accepted the verdict with quiet resignation.”
resolve
(Duplicate of resolve v., noun form noted) Example: “His resolve never wavered during training.”
restoration
Used in art, history, and policy passages. Example: “The restoration of the monument took years.”
resurgent
(Duplicate avoided)
retaliate
Used in history and international relations. Example: “The nation threatened to retaliate against sanctions.”
retrospective
Common in analytical essays. Example: “The book offered a retrospective evaluation of the era.”
rhapsodic
Literary and tone descriptions. Example: “Critics gave the film rhapsodic reviews.”
rhetoric
Central to SAT argument analysis. Example: “Her speech relied on stirring rhetoric.”
rhetorical
Common in passage analysis. Example: “He used a rhetorical question to provoke thought.”
rivet
Useful for descriptive verbs. Example: “The testimony riveted the courtroom.”
robust
(Duplicate avoided earlier)
rookie
Occasional in informal passages. Example: “The rookie made a critical error during training.”
rotund
Literary descriptive adjective. Example: “His rotund voice filled the hall.”
routine
Common in everyday contexts. Example: “Her morning routine includes a short run.”
rubric
Common in education contexts and SAT scoring. Example: “Follow the essay rubric to earn full credit.”
rummage
Used in narrative descriptions. Example: “He rummaged through the drawer for the keys.”
rumor
(Duplicate avoided earlier)
rupture
(Duplicate earlier but noun form clarity) Example: “The rupture between partners ended the alliance.”
ruse
(Duplicate earlier)
ruthless
(Duplicate earlier)
ruth
(Duplicate avoided)