A-C Flashcards
1
Q
Abandon
A
complete lack of inhibition or restraint.
2
Q
Abrasive
A
showing little concern for the feelings of others; harsh.
3
Q
Abreast
A
up to date with the latest news, ideas, or information
4
Q
Abridge
A
shorten (a piece of writing) without losing the sense.
5
Q
Abstruse
A
difficult to understand; obscure.
6
Q
Accentuate
A
to make (something) more prominent or noticeable
7
Q
Accord
A
an official agreement or treaty.
8
Q
Acerbic
A
sharply or bitingly critical, sarcastic, or ironic in temper, mood, or tone
9
Q
Acquisitive
A
excessively interested in acquiring money or material things.
10
Q
Activism
A
the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change.
11
Q
Acumen
A
superior insight; quickness and shrewdness of judgment, especially in practical matters.
12
Q
Acute
A
a) present or experienced to a severe or intense degree.
b) having or showing a perceptive understanding or insight; shrewd.
13
Q
Adroit
A
clever or skillful in using the hands or mind.
14
Q
Adulation
A
obsequious flattery; excessive admiration or praise.
15
Q
Aesthetic
A
concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty.
16
Q
Affable
A
friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to.
17
Q
Affectation
A
behavior, speech, or writing that is artificial and designed to impress.
18
Q
Aghast
A
filled with horror or shock.
19
Q
Alacrity
A
brisk and cheerful readiness.
20
Q
Alienate
A
cause (someone) to feel isolated or estranged.
21
Q
Aloof
A
conspicuously uninvolved and uninterested, typically through distaste.
22
Q
Ambiguity
A
the quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness.
23
Q
Ambivalent
A
having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.
24
Q
Ameliorate
A
make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better, improve
25
Amiable
having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.
26
Amuse
cause (someone) to find something funny; entertain.
27
Anachronism
belonging to a period other than that being portrayed.
28
Antagonistic
showing or feeling active opposition or hostility toward someone or something.
29
Antedate
precede in time; come before (something) in date.
30
Antiquity
the ancient past, especially the period before the middle ages.
31
Antithesis
a contrast or opposition between two things.
32
Apathy
lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
33
Aplomb
complete and confident composure or self-assurance
34
Apologist
a person who offers an argument in defense of something controversial.
35
Apposite
apt in the circumstances or in relation to something.
36
Appropriate
take (something) for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission.
37
Arbitrary
based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.
38
Arcane
understood by few; mysterious or secret.
39
Arduous
involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.
40
Articulate
(of a person or a person's words) having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently.
41
Assertive
having or showing a confident and forceful personality.
42
Assiduous
showing great care and perseverance.
43
Astonish
surprise or impress (someone) greatly.
44
Astound
shock or greatly surprise.
45
Attainment
a thing achieved, especially a skill or educational achievement.
46
Attribute
regard something as being caused by (someone or something).
47
Augment
make (something) greater by adding to it; increase.
48
Austerity
extreme plainness and simplicity of style or appearance.
49
Aversion
a strong dislike or disinclination.
50
Avert
prevent or ward off (an undesirable occurrence).
51
Banal
so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring.
52
Banish
send (someone) away from a country or place as an official punishment.
53
Bearing
relation; relevance.
54
Befriend
act as a friend to (someone) by offering help or support.
55
Beguile
a) charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way.
b) help (time) pass pleasantly.
56
Beholden
owing thanks or having a duty to someone in return for help or a service.
57
Belie
(of an appearance) fail to give a true notion or impression of (something); disguise or contradict.
58
Bemuse
puzzle, confuse, or bewilder (someone).
59
Benign
harmless, kind, gentle
60
Betray
unintentionally reveal; be evidence of.
61
Bias
prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.
62
Blemish
spoil the appearance of (something) that is otherwise aesthetically perfect.
63
Blight
have a severely detrimental effect on.
64
Blithe
showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper.
65
Blunt
(of a person or remark) uncompromisingly forthright.
66
Bogus
not genuine or true; fake.
67
Bolster
support or strengthen; prop up.
68
Boon
a thing that is helpful or beneficial.
69
Braggart
a person who boasts about achievements or possessions.
70
Brandish
wave or flourish (something, especially a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement.
71
Brazen
bold and without shame. endure an embarrassing or difficult situation by behaving with apparent confidence and lack of shame.
72
Brevity
concise and exact use of words in writing or speech.
73
Bridle
bring (something) under control; curb.
74
Bucolic
relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life.
75
Buoyancy
an optimistic and cheerful disposition.
76
Calamitous
involving calamity; catastrophic or disastrous.
77
Callous
feeling or showing no sympathy for others
78
Calumny
a false and slanderous statement.
79
Canny
having or showing shrewdness and good judgment, especially in money or business matters.
80
Canonize
treat or regard as being above reproach or of great significance.
81
Caprice
a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior.
82
Catastrophe
an event causing great and often sudden damage or suffering; a disaster.
83
Cerebral
intellectual rather than emotional or physical.
84
Check
stop or slow down the progress of (something undesirable).
85
Cherish
protect and care for (someone) lovingly.
86
Circumscribe
restrict (something) within limits.
87
Circumstantial
pointing indirectly toward someone's guilt but not conclusively proving it.
88
Clangor
a continuous loud banging or ringing sound.
89
Clearheaded
alert and thinking logically and coherently.
90
Clerical
a) (of a job or person) concerned with or relating to work in an office, especially routine documentation and administrative tasks.
b) related to clergy
91
Cloak
hide, cover, or disguise (something).
92
Clumsy
done awkwardly or without skill or elegance.
93
Coalesce
come together to form one mass or whole.
94
Cogent
(of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing.
95
Coherent
(of an argument, theory, or policy) logical and consistent.
96
Collusion
secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially in order to cheat or deceive others.
97
Commensurate
corresponding in size or degree; in proportion.
98
Commonplace
a trite saying or topic; a platitude, a usual or ordinary thing.
99
Compel
force or oblige (someone) to do something.
100
Complacent
showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements.
101
Complementary
acting or serving to complete; completing.
102
Compliance
unworthy or excessive acquiescence.
103
Conditional
subject to one or more conditions or requirements being met; made or granted on certain terms.
104
Condone
accept and allow (behavior that is considered morally wrong or offensive) to continue.
105
Confound
cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially by acting against their expectations.
106
Consensus
a general agreement.
107
Conspicuous
standing out so as to be clearly visible.
108
Contemporary
living or occurring at the same time.
109
Contemptuous
feeling or expressing angry disgust, as at something unworthy or wicked; scornful.
110
Contend
a) struggle to surmount (a difficulty or danger).
b) assert something as a position in an argument.
c) engage in a competition or campaign in order to win or achieve (something).
111
Contentment
a state of happiness and satisfaction.
112
Conundrum
a confusing and difficult problem or question.
113
Convoluted
(especially of an argument, story, or sentence) extremely complex and difficult to follow.
114
Cope
(of a person) deal effectively with something difficult.
115
Copious
abundant in supply or quantity.
116
Corroborate
confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding).
117
Counterfeit
a fraudulent imitation of something else; a forgery.
118
Counterintuitive
contrary to intuition or to common-sense expectation (but often nevertheless true).
119
Counterproductive
having the opposite of the desired effect.
120
Cow
cause (someone) to submit to one's wishes by intimidation.
121
Crafty
clever at achieving one's aims by indirect or deceitful methods.
122
Crestfallen
sad and disappointed.
123
Cunning
having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.
124
Cursory
hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed.
125
Curtail
to make less by or as if by cutting off or away some part
126
Cynical
believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.
