The Most Common Vocabulary Words
on the Wonderlic SLE
Abate - ANSTo make something less intense or bad.
"After many hours of torrential rain, the storm abated and the sun began to
shine."
Abbreviate - ANSTo shorten something.
"We planned on staying at Mithell's house for the game, but we decided to
abbreviate our stay in order to beat the traffic home."
Abdicate - ANSTo give up or renounce one's leadership or responsibility.
"After ferocious rebellion by his people, the King decided to abdicate his
throne and flee the country."
Abstain - ANSTo restrain yourself from doing something.
"I abstain from alcohol if I plan on driving that evening."
Abstract - ANSExisting in thought or as an idea but not having a tangible existence.
"Love and beauty are examples of abstract concepts."
Adapt - ANSTo become adjusted to new conditions.
"Some sharks are able to adapt to different ocean temperatures to hunt their
prey."
Adopt - ANSTo legally take another's child and bring it up as one's own (or) to start to
follow a new idea or method.
"The government has adopted a new financial policy to help pay off its debts."
Adversity - ANSDifficulty or misfortune.
"The musician became very successful despite a difficult childhood filled with
adversity."
Affect - ANSTo make a difference.
"Her change in diet and exercise affected the child's weight."
Ambiguous - ANSTo have multiple meanings or be open to multiple interpretations; to be
unclear.
"Her answer to the reporter's question was ambiguous, not providing any real
clarity or substance."
Apathetic - ANSShowing little to no interest in something.
"He was apathetic about the election and didn't even vote."
, Apprehensive - ANSTo be anxious or fearful that something bad might happe.
"The girl felt apprehensive about going into the dark woods alone."
Ardent - ANSEnthusiastic or passionate.
"She was an ardent fan of the Boston Celtics."
Arid - ANSDry; a place with little to no rain.
"The desert is an arid place."
Benevolent - ANSKind; good.
"She is a benevolent nurse with a kind and caring bedside manner."
Capricious - ANSHaving random moodswings.
"He was a capricious boss. His temper was scary and unpredictable"
Cautious - ANSTo do something with care so you avoid problems or danger.
"She was cautious when drawing blood from the patient, taking care to not
hurt him."
Chicanery - ANSThe use of trickery to get what you want.
"The business engaged in schemes and chicanery in order to steal money from
their investors."
Collaborate - ANSTo work together to create something.
"The students collaborated on a final project, completing it together."
Complex - ANSComplicated; not easy.
"The puzzle was very complex so no one could solve it."
Compromise - ANSA settlement to an argument where both sides give something up.
"The two children came to a compromise. One could play video games on
Fridays and the other could play on Mondays"
Consequence - ANSThe (typically negativ) result of one's choices.
"A possible consequence of not studying for final exams is failing."
Contemplate - ANSTo carefully think about something.
"She took a week to contemplate which nursing school she would attend."
Cryptic - ANSHaving a mysterious or unclear meaning.
"Some musicians write cryptic lyrics so people don't know what they are
singing about."
Cultivate - ANSTo acquire, develop, or maintain.
"She cultivated a great deal of confidence by working hard."
Cursory - ANSQuick; not thorough.
"The judge gave only a cursory review of the evidence before coming to a
on the Wonderlic SLE
Abate - ANSTo make something less intense or bad.
"After many hours of torrential rain, the storm abated and the sun began to
shine."
Abbreviate - ANSTo shorten something.
"We planned on staying at Mithell's house for the game, but we decided to
abbreviate our stay in order to beat the traffic home."
Abdicate - ANSTo give up or renounce one's leadership or responsibility.
"After ferocious rebellion by his people, the King decided to abdicate his
throne and flee the country."
Abstain - ANSTo restrain yourself from doing something.
"I abstain from alcohol if I plan on driving that evening."
Abstract - ANSExisting in thought or as an idea but not having a tangible existence.
"Love and beauty are examples of abstract concepts."
Adapt - ANSTo become adjusted to new conditions.
"Some sharks are able to adapt to different ocean temperatures to hunt their
prey."
Adopt - ANSTo legally take another's child and bring it up as one's own (or) to start to
follow a new idea or method.
"The government has adopted a new financial policy to help pay off its debts."
Adversity - ANSDifficulty or misfortune.
"The musician became very successful despite a difficult childhood filled with
adversity."
Affect - ANSTo make a difference.
"Her change in diet and exercise affected the child's weight."
Ambiguous - ANSTo have multiple meanings or be open to multiple interpretations; to be
unclear.
"Her answer to the reporter's question was ambiguous, not providing any real
clarity or substance."
Apathetic - ANSShowing little to no interest in something.
"He was apathetic about the election and didn't even vote."
, Apprehensive - ANSTo be anxious or fearful that something bad might happe.
"The girl felt apprehensive about going into the dark woods alone."
Ardent - ANSEnthusiastic or passionate.
"She was an ardent fan of the Boston Celtics."
Arid - ANSDry; a place with little to no rain.
"The desert is an arid place."
Benevolent - ANSKind; good.
"She is a benevolent nurse with a kind and caring bedside manner."
Capricious - ANSHaving random moodswings.
"He was a capricious boss. His temper was scary and unpredictable"
Cautious - ANSTo do something with care so you avoid problems or danger.
"She was cautious when drawing blood from the patient, taking care to not
hurt him."
Chicanery - ANSThe use of trickery to get what you want.
"The business engaged in schemes and chicanery in order to steal money from
their investors."
Collaborate - ANSTo work together to create something.
"The students collaborated on a final project, completing it together."
Complex - ANSComplicated; not easy.
"The puzzle was very complex so no one could solve it."
Compromise - ANSA settlement to an argument where both sides give something up.
"The two children came to a compromise. One could play video games on
Fridays and the other could play on Mondays"
Consequence - ANSThe (typically negativ) result of one's choices.
"A possible consequence of not studying for final exams is failing."
Contemplate - ANSTo carefully think about something.
"She took a week to contemplate which nursing school she would attend."
Cryptic - ANSHaving a mysterious or unclear meaning.
"Some musicians write cryptic lyrics so people don't know what they are
singing about."
Cultivate - ANSTo acquire, develop, or maintain.
"She cultivated a great deal of confidence by working hard."
Cursory - ANSQuick; not thorough.
"The judge gave only a cursory review of the evidence before coming to a
