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CAT 2026 Vocabulary

Common Admission Test 2026

Complete list of 100 vocabulary words for CAT 2026 exam preparation. Essential for VARC section with detailed explanations and contextual examples.

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About Common Admission Test 2026

CAT is a computer-based test for admission to MBA programs at IIMs and other top B-schools in India. It tests quantitative ability, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and verbal ability.

Exam Sections

1

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

2

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

3

Quantitative Ability (QA)

Why Vocabulary Matters

Strong vocabulary is essential for VARC section, especially for reading comprehension, para-jumbles, and vocabulary-based questions. CAT tests your ability to understand complex texts and nuanced meanings.

Essential Vocabulary Words

Master these 100 high-frequency words to excel in your CAT 2026 exam

1

abstruse

adjective
hardhigh

Difficult to understand; obscure

Example: The professor's abstruse theories confused most students.

2

acumen

noun
mediumhigh

The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions

Example: Her business acumen helped the company thrive.

3

adroit

adjective
mediumhigh

Clever or skillful in using hands or mind

Example: The diplomat was adroit in handling sensitive negotiations.

4

aesthetic

adjective
easyhigh

Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty

Example: The building has great aesthetic appeal.

5

altruistic

adjective
mediumhigh

Showing a disinterested and selfless concern for others

Example: Her altruistic nature led her to volunteer at the shelter.

6
ambivalentadjective
mediumhigh

Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas

Example: She felt ambivalent about accepting the job offer.

7

anachronism

noun
hardmedium

Something belonging to a period other than that in which it exists

Example: The old typewriter was an anachronism in the modern office.

8

anecdote

noun
easyhigh

A short amusing or interesting story about a real incident

Example: He shared an amusing anecdote from his childhood.

9

antagonist

noun
easyhigh

A person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone

Example: The protagonist faced his antagonist in the final chapter.

10

antipathy

noun
hardmedium

A deep-seated feeling of dislike

Example: There was mutual antipathy between the two rivals.

11
apocryphaladjective
hardlow

Of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated

Example: The story about his heroism is probably apocryphal.

12
mediumhigh

To pacify or placate someone by acceding to their demands

Example: The government tried to appease the protesters.

13

archaic

adjective
mediumhigh

Very old or old-fashioned

Example: The law is archaic and needs to be updated.

14

ardent

adjective
mediummedium

Enthusiastic or passionate

Example: She is an ardent supporter of environmental causes.

15

articulate

adjective
easyhigh

Having the ability to speak fluently and coherently

Example: He is an articulate speaker who expresses ideas clearly.

16

ascetic

adjective
hardmedium

Characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention

Example: The monk led an ascetic lifestyle.

17
assiduousadjective
hardmedium

Showing great care and perseverance

Example: Her assiduous efforts led to success.

18

assuage

verb
hardmedium

To make an unpleasant feeling less intense

Example: The medicine helped assuage the pain.

19

astute

adjective
mediumhigh

Having the ability to accurately assess situations

Example: She made an astute observation about the market.

20
audaciousadjective
mediummedium

Showing a willingness to take bold risks

Example: The audacious plan surprised everyone.

21

auspicious

adjective
hardmedium

Conducive to success; favorable

Example: It was an auspicious beginning to the new venture.

22

avarice

noun
hardlow

Extreme greed for wealth or material gain

Example: His avarice led to his downfall.

23
banaladjective
hardmedium

So lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring

Example: The movie's plot was banal and predictable.

24

belligerent

adjective
mediummedium

Hostile and aggressive

Example: His belligerent attitude made negotiations difficult.

25

benign

adjective
mediumhigh

Gentle and kindly; not harmful

Example: The tumor was benign and easily removed.

26
mediumhigh

To support or strengthen

Example: The evidence bolstered their argument.

27

bombastic

adjective
hardlow

High-sounding but with little meaning

Example: His bombastic speech failed to impress the audience.

28

boorish

adjective
hardlow

Rough and bad-mannered; coarse

Example: His boorish behavior offended the guests.

29

brevity

noun
mediummedium

Concise and exact use of words

Example: The brevity of his speech was appreciated.

30

burgeon

verb
hardmedium

To begin to grow or increase rapidly

Example: The tech industry is burgeoning in the region.

31

cacophony

noun
hardlow

A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds

Example: The cacophony of car horns was deafening.

32

callous

adjective
mediummedium

Showing or having an insensitive disregard for others

Example: His callous remarks hurt her feelings.

33

candor

noun
mediummedium

The quality of being open and honest

Example: I appreciate your candor in this matter.

34

capitulate

verb
hardmedium

To cease to resist; surrender

Example: The army was forced to capitulate.

35

castigate

verb
hardlow

To reprimand severely

Example: The critic castigated the film for its poor quality.

36
mediumhigh

A person or thing that precipitates an event

Example: The incident was a catalyst for change.

37

caustic

adjective
hardmedium

Sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way

Example: Her caustic wit made people uncomfortable.

38

censure

verb
hardmedium

To express severe disapproval of

Example: The committee censured him for his actions.

39

charlatan

noun
hardlow

A person falsely claiming to have special knowledge

Example: The doctor turned out to be a charlatan.

40
circumspectadjective
hardmedium

Wary and unwilling to take risks

Example: He was circumspect in his dealings with strangers.

41
clandestineadjective
hardmedium

Kept secret or done secretively

Example: They held a clandestine meeting.

42

coalesce

verb
hardmedium

To come together to form one mass or whole

Example: The various groups coalesced into a single movement.

43
cogentadjective
hardmedium

Clear, logical, and convincing

Example: She presented a cogent argument.

44

colloquial

adjective
mediummedium

Used in ordinary or familiar conversation

Example: The essay was written in colloquial language.

45

commensurate

adjective
hardmedium

Corresponding in size or degree; proportionate

Example: The salary is commensurate with experience.

46

compendium

noun
hardlow

A collection of concise information

Example: The book is a compendium of useful facts.

47

complacency

noun
mediumhigh

A feeling of smug satisfaction with oneself

Example: Complacency can lead to failure.

48

complicity

noun
mediummedium

The state of being involved with others in an illegal activity

Example: He denied complicity in the crime.

49

conciliatory

adjective
hardmedium

Intended to placate or pacify

Example: He adopted a conciliatory tone.

50

connoisseur

noun
mediummedium

An expert judge in matters of taste

Example: She is a connoisseur of fine wine.

51

contentious

adjective
mediumhigh

Causing or likely to cause an argument

Example: The proposal is highly contentious.

52

contrite

adjective
hardmedium

Feeling or expressing remorse

Example: He was contrite about his mistake.

53

copious

adjective
mediummedium

Abundant in supply or quantity

Example: She took copious notes during the lecture.

54

cosmopolitan

adjective
mediummedium

Familiar with and at ease in many different countries

Example: She has a cosmopolitan outlook.

55

craven

adjective
hardlow

Contemptibly lacking in courage

Example: His craven behavior disappointed everyone.

56

credulous

adjective
hardmedium

Having or showing too great a readiness to believe things

Example: He was too credulous and easily deceived.

57

cryptic

adjective
mediummedium

Having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure

Example: He left a cryptic message.

58

culpable

adjective
hardmedium

Deserving blame

Example: He was found culpable for the accident.

59

cursory

adjective
hardmedium

Hasty and therefore not thorough

Example: He gave the document a cursory glance.

60

dearth

noun
hardmedium

A scarcity or lack of something

Example: There is a dearth of qualified candidates.

61

decorum

noun
hardmedium

Behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety

Example: The ceremony was conducted with decorum.

62

defamatory

adjective
mediummedium

Damaging the good reputation of someone

Example: The article contained defamatory statements.

63
deferentialadjective
hardmedium

Showing respect and esteem

Example: He was deferential to his elders.

64

deleterious

adjective
hardmedium

Causing harm or damage

Example: Smoking has deleterious effects on health.

65

demagogue

noun
hardlow

A political leader who seeks support by appealing to prejudices

Example: The demagogue stirred up the crowd.

66

demure

adjective
hardlow

Reserved, modest, and shy

Example: She gave a demure smile.

67

denigrate

verb
hardmedium

To criticize unfairly; disparage

Example: He denigrated his opponent's achievements.

68

derivative

adjective
mediummedium

Imitative of the work of another person

Example: The film was criticized as derivative.

69

despondent

adjective
mediummedium

In low spirits from loss of hope

Example: He felt despondent after the failure.

70

despot

noun
mediummedium

A ruler with absolute power, typically one who exercises it cruelly

Example: The country was ruled by a despot.

71

dexterous

adjective
hardmedium

Showing or having skill, especially with the hands

Example: The surgeon's dexterous movements were impressive.

72
didacticadjective
hardmedium

Intended to teach, particularly in a moral way

Example: The novel has a didactic tone.

73

diffident

adjective
hardmedium

Modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence

Example: He was diffident about his abilities.

74

digress

verb
mediummedium

To leave the main subject temporarily in speech or writing

Example: I don't mean to digress, but this is important.

75

dilapidated

adjective
mediummedium

In a state of disrepair or ruin

Example: The dilapidated building was unsafe.

76

dilettante

noun
hardlow

A person who cultivates an area of interest without real commitment

Example: He was dismissed as a dilettante.

77

discerning

adjective
mediumhigh

Having or showing good judgment

Example: She has a discerning eye for quality.

78

discord

noun
easyhigh

Disagreement between people

Example: There was discord among the team members.

79

discrepancy

noun
mediumhigh

A lack of compatibility between facts or claims

Example: There was a discrepancy in the accounts.

80

disdain

noun
mediummedium

The feeling that someone is unworthy of respect

Example: She looked at him with disdain.

81

disinterested

adjective
mediumhigh

Not influenced by personal involvement; impartial

Example: A judge must be disinterested.

82
hardmedium

To regard or represent as being of little worth

Example: Don't disparage his efforts.

83

disseminate

verb
hardmedium

To spread widely

Example: The organization disseminates information about health.

hardmedium

Lack of harmony among musical notes or opinions

Example: There was cognitive dissonance in his beliefs.

85

divergent

adjective
mediumhigh

Tending to be different or develop in different directions

Example: They held divergent views on the issue.

86

dogmatic

adjective
mediummedium

Inclined to lay down principles as undeniably true

Example: His dogmatic approach stifled debate.

87

dormant

adjective
easyhigh

Temporarily inactive

Example: The volcano has been dormant for centuries.

88

ebullient

adjective
hardlow

Cheerful and full of energy

Example: She was in an ebullient mood.

89

eclectic

adjective
mediummedium

Deriving ideas from a broad range of sources

Example: She has eclectic taste in music.

90

efficacious

adjective
hardmedium

Successful in producing a desired result

Example: The treatment proved efficacious.

91
effusiveadjective
hardmedium

Expressing feelings of gratitude or approval in an unrestrained manner

Example: She was effusive in her praise.

92

egregious

adjective
hardmedium

Outstandingly bad; shocking

Example: It was an egregious error.

93

elicit

verb
mediumhigh

To evoke or draw out a response

Example: The question elicited an angry response.

94

eloquence

noun
mediummedium

Fluent or persuasive speaking or writing

Example: His eloquence moved the audience.

95
hardmedium

To make something clear; explain

Example: Could you elucidate your position?

96
mediumhigh

To match or surpass, typically by imitation

Example: He tried to emulate his mentor.

97

endemic

adjective
hardmedium

Regularly found among particular people or in a certain area

Example: Malaria is endemic in tropical regions.

98

enervate

verb
hardlow

To cause someone to feel drained of energy

Example: The heat enervated the workers.

99

enigmatic

adjective
hardmedium

Difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious

Example: She gave an enigmatic smile.

100
ephemeraladjective
hardmedium

Lasting for a very short time

Example: Fame can be ephemeral.

Expert Preparation Tips

Proven strategies to master vocabulary for CAT 2026

Read The Hindu, The Economist, and other quality publications regularly
Focus on understanding context clues in reading comprehension
Learn word families and related forms (e.g., aesthetic, aesthetically, aesthetics)
Practice para-jumbles and para-completion questions
Maintain a personal vocabulary journal with new words encountered daily

Master CAT 2026 Vocabulary

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Quick Facts

Exam Type

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Difficulty Level

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100 essential words

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CAT 2026 Vocabulary: Top 100 Words for Common Admission Test 2026 | WordFlippin