1/2/2013 Flashcards
1
Q
abate
A
diminish - reduce - decrease - lessen - lower - subside
2
Q
abscond
A
flee - escape - run away - elope - get away
3
Q
ameliorate
A
improve - meliorate - better - mend - amend - reform
4
Q
anachronism
A
something out of place and time
5
Q
amalgamate
A
unite - merge - combine - join - consolidate - fuse - mix
6
Q
attenuate
A
dilute - weaken - thin - reduce - extenuate - rarefy
7
Q
capricious
A
whimsical - wayward - fickle - freakish - crotchety
8
Q
castigate
A
punish - chastise - chasten - scourge - discipline
9
Q
caustic
A
mordant - biting - acrid - acrimonious - sharp - pungent
10
Q
chicanery
A
chicane - deceit
11
Q
cogent
A
convincing - persuasive - conclusive - potent
12
Q
condone
A
forgive - pardon - remit - excuse - absolve - overlook
13
Q
credulous
A
gullible - trustful
14
Q
corroborate
A
affirm - verify - support - certify
15
Q
deference
A
respect - regard - esteem - reverence
16
Q
deride
A
mock - ridicule - scoff - jeer - taunt - sneer - gibe
17
Q
dessicate
A
To dry out thoroughly.
18
Q
desultory
A
incoherent - disconnected - disjointed - rambling
19
Q
diatribe
A
A forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.
20
Q
diffident
A
shy - timid - bashful - sheepish - shamefaced - coy
21
Q
dilate
A
to expand or grow
22
Q
dilatory
A
slow - tardy - sluggish
23
Q
dilettante
A
A person who claims an area of interest, such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge
24
Q
dirge
A
Noun
A lament for the dead, esp. one forming part of a funeral rite.
A mournful song, piece of music, or poem.
25
disabuse
Verb
Persuade (someone) that an idea or belief is mistaken: "he quickly disabused me of my belief".
Synonyms
undeceive - disillusion
26
dissemble
Verb
Conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs.
Disguise or conceal (a feeling or intention).
27
dogma
a strongly held opinion (usually religious)
28
dogmatic
Inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true
29
elegy
```
Noun
A poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead.
A piece of music in a mournful style.
Synonyms
lament - dirge
```
30
enervate
Verb
Cause (someone) to feel drained of energy.
Adjective
Lacking in energy or vitality.
31
engender
generate - produce - cause - beget - create - originate
32
enumerate
count - recite - list - numerate - recount
33
ephemeral
transitory - transient - momentary - short-lived
34
equivocate
Use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself.
"The politician was known to equivocate if asked about gay marriage."
"I didn't like her new hairdo, but it was better to equivocate."
"Please don't equivocate, tell me what you really think."
35
erudite
learned - scholarly - lettered - wise
36
esoteric
Adjective
Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest.
Synonyms
occult - private - mystic
37
estimable
respectable - reputable - honourable - honorable
38
exacerbate
aggravate - irritate - exasperate - sharpen
39
fervid
ardent - fervent - hot - fiery - passionate - flaming
40
florid
Adjective
Having a red or flushed complexion: "a stout man with a florid face".
Elaborately or excessively intricate or complicated: "florid operatic-style music was out".
Synonyms
ornate - ruddy - flowery
41
foment
instigate - incite - provoke
42
garrulous
talkative - loquacious - voluble - gabby - chatty
43
gregarious
someone who is outgoing (sociable - social - companionable
| )
44
guile
Noun
Sly or cunning intelligence.
Synonyms
wile - deceit - ruse - craftiness - trick - deception
45
iconoclast
a person who does not conform to generally accepted standards or customs
Synonyms bohemian, boho, counterculturist, deviant, enfant terrible, free spirit, heretic, iconoclast, individualist, loner, lone ranger, lone wolf, maverick, nonconformer
46
imperturbable
Adjective
Unable to be upset or excited; calm.
Synonyms
unruffled - calm - composed - tranquil - cool
47
impervious
Adjective
Not allowing something to pass through; not penetrable.
Unable to be affected by: "impervious to the heat".
(impermeable - impenetrable)
48
impetuous
Adjective
Acting or done quickly and without thought or care; impulsive.
Moving forcefully or rapidly: "an impetuous flow of water".
Synonyms
heady - violent - rash - vehement - hasty - impulsive
49
implacable
Adjective
Unable to be placated.
Relentless; unstoppable: "implacable advances".
Synonyms
unrelenting - inexorable - relentless - irreconcilable
50
inchoate
Adjective
| Just begun and so not fully formed or developed; rudimentary
51
ingenuous
Adjective
(of a person or action) Innocent and unsuspecting.
Synonyms
artless - naive - candid - frank - simple - guileless
52
insipid
Adjective
Lacking flavor: "insipid coffee".
Lacking vigor or interest: "insipid, shallow books".
Synonyms
tasteless - vapid - flat - flavourless - flavorless
53
inimical
Adjective
Tending to obstruct or harm: "actions inimical to our interests".
Unfriendly; hostile.
Synonyms
hostile - adverse - unfriendly - antagonistic - enemy
54
inoccuous
Adjective
Not harmful or offensive.
Synonyms
innoxious - harmless - inoffensive - innocent
55
intransigent
Adjective
Unwilling or refusing to change one's views or to agree about something.
Noun
An intransigent person.
Synonyms
uncompromising - irreconcilable - unyielding
56
irascible
```
Adjective
(of a person) Easily made angry.
Characterized by or arising from anger.
Synonyms
irritable - quick-tempered - short-tempered - testy
```
57
laconic
Adjective
(of a person, speech, or style of writing) Using very few words.
Synonyms
terse - concise - brief - succinct - short - curt
58
lament
```
Noun
A passionate expression of grief.
Verb
Mourn (a person's loss or death).
(elegy, etc.)
```
59
loquacious
talkative - garrulous - voluble - chatty - gabby
60
malinger
Verb
Exaggerate or feign illness in order to escape duty or work.
Synonyms
simulate
61
malleable
Adjective
(of a metal or other material) Able to be hammered or pressed permanently out of shape without breaking or cracking.
Easily influenced; pliable.
Synonyms
pliable - pliant - supple - flexible - yielding - ductile
62
misanthrope
Noun
| A person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society.
63
mollify
Verb
Appease the anger or anxiety of (someone).
Reduce the severity of (something); soften.
Synonyms
appease - soften - soothe - pacify - allay - mitigate
64
obdurate
Adjective
Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action.
Synonyms
obstinate - stubborn - headstrong - dogged
65
obsequious
obedient or attractive to an excessive degree
66
obstinate
Adjective
Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so.
(of an unwelcome phenomenon or situation) Very difficult to change or overcome.
Synonyms
stubborn - dogged - headstrong - obdurate - wilful
67
obviate
Verb
Remove (a need or difficulty): "the Venetian blinds obviated the need for curtains".
Avoid; prevent: "a parachute can obviate disaster".
Synonyms
avoid - prevent - evade - avert - eliminate - preclude
68
occlude
Verb
Stop, close up, or obstruct (an opening, orifice, or passage).
Shut (something) in: "they occluded the waterfront with buildings".
Synonyms
block - obturate - obstruct - close - clog - plug
69
onerous
burdensome - heavy - weighty - difficult - laborious
70
opprobrium
Noun
Harsh criticism or censure.
The public disgrace arising from someone's shameful conduct.
Synonyms
shame - disgrace - dishonour - dishonor - ignominy
71
ostentation
Noun
Vulgar display, esp. of wealth, to impress.
Synonyms
display - splurge - show - vaunt
72
paragon
(of excellence = model - pattern - example)
73
pedant
A person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules or with displaying academic learning.
74
perfidious
Adjective
Deceitful and untrustworthy.
Synonyms
treacherous - traitorous - unfaithful - disloyal
75
perfunctory
(of an action or gesture) Carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection.
76
precipitate
Verb
Cause (an event or situation, typically a bad one) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely.
Adjective
Done, made, or acting suddenly or without careful consideration.
Noun
A substance precipitated from a solution.
77
prevaricate
Verb
Speak or act in an evasive way: "he prevaricated when journalists asked questions".
Synonyms
evade - equivocate - lie
78
prodigal
lavish, wasteful
79
propitiate
placate - appease - conciliate - pacify - mollify
80
quiescent
still - quiet - calm - tranquil - placid - composed
81
rarefy
lessen the density or solidity of something
82
reticent
Adjective
Not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily.
Synonyms
taciturn - reserved - silent - uncommunicative
83
soporific
adjective. drowsy - somniferous - sleepy - narcotic - slumberous
noun. narcotic - hypnotic - drug
84
specious
```
obsolete : showy
2
: having deceptive attraction or allure
3
: having a false look of truth or genuineness : sophistic
```
85
stolid
unemotional, lacking sensitivity
86
tacit
done without words
87
taciturn
someone who is silent, or not very talkative
88
torpor
extreme mental and physical sluggishness
89
venerate
to respect deeply
90
veracity
filled with truth and accuracy
