25 words the Digital SAT draws on when a passage turns to courage and fear — each with its part of speech, a plain-English definition, and an example sentence showing how it behaves in context.
Vocabulary on the Digital SAT is tested in context, not in isolation: a Words in Context question hands you a sentence with a blank and four plausible-looking candidates, and the winner is the one whose shade of meaning fits. Studying words in a meaning-group like this one is the fastest way to build that discrimination — you learn courage and fear as a spectrum rather than as 25 unrelated definitions.
Read the definition, then the example sentence. Say the word aloud. Come back to this theme a few days later and cover the definitions — recalling a word cold is what fixes it, and rereading it is not.
The 25 words
Alphabetical. Everything in the Courage & Fear guide.
001
apprehensiveadjective
anxious or fearful about the future
She was apprehensive about the interview.
002
audaciousadjective
showing bold willingness to take risks
Her audacious plan surprised everyone.
003
boldadjective
showing courage and confidence; daring
Her bold decision to speak up changed the direction of the meeting.
004
boldadjective
showing a willingness to take risks
Her bold decision changed everything.
005
courageousadjective
not deterred by danger or pain
The courageous witness testified.
006
cowardlyadjective
lacking courage
The cowardly bully backed down.
007
cravenadjective
lacking courage; cowardly
The craven betrayal shocked everyone.
008
dangerousadjective
able or likely to cause harm or injury
The icy roads made driving conditions dangerous for commuters.
009
daringadjective
adventurous or audaciously bold
The daring rescue made headlines.
010
dauntlessadjective
showing fearlessness and determination
The dauntless firefighters entered the building.
011
faintheartedadjective
lacking courage; timid
This job is not for the fainthearted.
012
fearfuladjective
feeling afraid; showing fear
The fearful passengers gripped their seats.
013
gallantadjective
brave; heroic
The gallant knight rescued the princess.
014
heroicadjective
having the characteristics of a hero
His heroic efforts saved lives.
015
intrepidadjective
fearless; adventurous
The intrepid explorer ventured into the unknown.
016
irresoluteadjective
showing hesitation; uncertain
The irresolute leader lost support.
017
pluckyadjective
having or showing determined courage
The plucky underdog won the match.
018
pusillanimousadjective
showing a lack of courage
The pusillanimous retreat was criticized.
019
riskyadjective
full of the possibility of danger, failure, or loss
Test Ninjas puts these words back where you will meet them — full-length adaptive practice tests, a complete Reading & Writing course, and an explanation on every question. Free account, no card.
