Advanced Vocab Words - Set 1 Flashcards

Question

# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. relating to open seas rather than waters adjacent to land

Answer 1

pelagic | (puh-**ladj**-ik) ## Footnote synonyms: aquatic, oceanic, marine, deep-sea, oceanic The _pelagic_ fish are adapted to life far from the shores, swimming in the deep ocean.

Answer 2

froward | (**froh**-werd) ## Footnote synonyms: antagonistic, conflicting, obstinate, refractory, unruly The _froward_ child refused to listen to any instructions from his teacher.

Answer 3

punctilious | (puhngk-til-ee-uhs) ## Footnote synonyms: meticulous, careful, finicky, scrupulous, exacting, detailed She was _punctilious_ about every detail of the formal dinner, ensuring everything was perfect.

Answer 4

aphorism | (**af**-uh-riz-uhm) ## Footnote synonyms: axiom, precept; principle, truth, saying, maxim, proverb His speech was filled with insightful _aphorisms_ that resonated with the audience. Actions speak louder than words” is a classic example of an _aphorism_.

Answer 5

purloin | (per-**loin**, **per**-loin) ## Footnote synonyms: burglarize, cheat, swindle, filch, pilfer, take The thief managed to _purloin_ several valuable paintings from the gallery.

Answer 6

esoteric | (es-uh-**ter**-ik) ## Footnote synonyms: obscure, secret, cryptic, arcane, hidden, specialized The professor’s _esoteric_ lecture was difficult for those unfamiliar with the subject. The company’s _esoteric_ plans for the merger were only shared with top executives.

Answer 7

succor | (**suhk**-er) ## Footnote synonyms: aid, comfort, refuge, support, assistance, help The refugees sought _succor_ in neighboring countries after fleeing the conflict.

Answer 8

protean | (**proh**-tee-uhn) ## Footnote synonyms: versatile, adaptable, dexterous, flexible, multifaceted, changeable His _protean_ talent allowed him to excel in both acting and directing.

Answer 9

callous | (**kal**-uhs) ## Footnote synonyms: soulless, cruel, heartless, unfeeling, unsympathetic Her _callous_ remarks about the disaster shocked everyone.

Answer 10

proscribe | (proh-**skrahyb**) ## Footnote synonyms: condemn, banish, forbid, outlaw, prohibit The government decided to _proscribe_ the use of certain chemicals due to their harmful effects.

Answer 11

denouement | (dey-noo-**mahn**) ## Footnote synonyms: finale, final achievement, resolution, conclusion, outcome The _denouement_ of the mystery novel tied together all the loose ends.

Answer 12

supercilious | (soo-per-**sill**-ee-uhs) ## Footnote synonyms: bossy, condescending, haughty, patronizing, disdainful Her _supercilious_ attitude made her unpopular among her colleagues.

Answer 13

parley | (**pahr**-lee) ## Footnote synonyms: conference, mediation, negotiation, dialogue, discussion The generals held a _parley_ to negotiate the terms of the ceasefire.

Answer 14

apoplectic | (ap-uh-**plek**-tik) ## Footnote synonyms: angry, wrathful, furious, incensed, irate He became _apoplectic_ when he discovered the mistake in the report. The doctor explained the symptoms of an _apoplectic_ attack and the urgency of seeking medical attention.

Answer 15

simper | (**sim**-per) ## Footnote synonyms: grin, leer, sneer, smirk, smirk, smile coyly She _simpered_ at the compliment, clearly enjoying the attention.

Answer 16

miscegenation | (mih-sedj-uh-**ney**-shuhn) ## Footnote synonyms: interbreeding, mixing races, crossbreeding, hybridization The laws against _miscegenation_ were finally repealed in the 20th century. *Miscegenation*, the intermarriage or mixing of different racial groups, was historically met with social and legal barriers in many societies. But today, miscegenation is widely accepted in many societies, and interracial relationships are common and often celebrated as a sign of cultural diversity and tolerance

Answer 17

adj. not distinguishable between male and female ## Footnote The name Sam is _androgynous_ because it could stand for Samantha or Samuel.

Answer 18

n. a family of partridges n. a small group ## Footnote Outside the classroom was a _covey_ of giggling schoolgirls.

Answer 19

adj. inactive, lying on one's back apathetically adj. morally slack ## Footnote The officials exhibited a _supine_ acceptance of corruption.

Answer 20

v. to cheat, beguile, or deceive ## Footnote The corrupt televangelist _cozened_ money from viewers by lying about charitable intentions.

Answer 21

adj. calm, untroubled, serene adj. transparent, clear (as of water, air, or crystal) ## Footnote The family flew a kite down by the _limpid_ blue pond.

Answer 22

adj. shining radiantly; brilliant ## Footnote The _refulgent_ palace seemed out of place amid the poverty of the villages surrounding it.

Answer 23

adj. hard to excite, calm, sluggish adj. unemotional, stoic ## Footnote Pete's _phlegmatic_ response was difficult for his friends to read.

Answer 24

v. to weaken or reduce in force or value v. to make small or fine ## Footnote The medicine _attenuated_ the fever's effect.

Answer 25

adj. lacking in sincerity or candor ## Footnote When the oil prospector's promises were discovered to be _disingenuous_, he was run out of town.

Answer 26

n. a written message, usually a formal letter ## Footnote The _epistle_ was hand-delivered by a confidant in order to avoid interception.

Answer 27

adj. produced artificially; not natural adj. fake ## Footnote The _factitious_ laughter of insincere talk show hosts makes my skin crawl.

Answer 28

adj. containing patches of two or more colors, usually in blotches ## Footnote The jester's _pied_ coat was stitched together from scraps of blue and red fabric.

Answer 29

v. to have substantial weight on preventing; to argue against; discourage. ## Footnote The volatility of the situation _militated_ against any rash action.

Answer 30

adj. dark, gloomy, dismal adj. infernal, hellish ## Footnote The _stygian_ murk of the cave made it difficult to navigate.

Answer 31

v. to declare false v. to deny v. to contradict or claim exception to ## Footnote Evidence and witness testimony all _gainsaid_ the defendant's claims.

Answer 32

v. to make something appear less serious; to mitigate; to alleviate ## Footnote The student tried to _palliate_ the significance of his plagiarism.

Answer 33

n. cure-all, questionable remedy, or a placebo ## Footnote An ad on television depicted a _nostrum_ that claims to cure hangovers.

Answer 34

adj. unruly, noisy, loudly stubborn ## Footnote The _obstreperous_ two-year-old cried the entire train ride.

Answer 35

adj. unusually quick development or maturation, especially in intelligence ## Footnote The child's _precocious_ understanding of calculus stunned his teachers.

Answer 36

v. to entertain; to supply lavishly ## Footnote Steve _regaled_ his guests with exciting tales.

Answer 37

androgynous | (an-**drodj**-uh-nuhs) ## Footnote synonyms: cross-sexual, unisexual, trans-sexual, gender-neutral, ambiguous The creature in the myth was portrayed as _androgynous_, embodying both male and female traits. The _androgynous_ fashion trend blurred traditional gender lines in clothing.

Answer 38

covey | (**kuhv**-ee) ## Footnote synonyms: a small group, a small flock of birds, cluster, bunch, assembly We spotted a _covey_ of partridges in the field during our hike. A _covey_ of students gathered around the teacher to ask questions after the lecture.

Answer 39

supine | (adj. soo-**pahyn**) ## Footnote synonyms: lying down, flat; apathetic, lazy, prostrate, recumbent He lay _supine_ on the couch, unwilling to do anything productive. The government’s _supine_ attitude towards corruption allowed it to flourish.

Answer 40

cozen | (**kuhz**-uhn) ## Footnote synonyms: hoodwink, swindle, dupe, trick, defraud, mislead The con artist _cozened_ people into giving him their life savings.

Answer 41

limpid | (**lim**-pid) ## Footnote synonyms: tranquil, peaceful; glassy, translucent, clear, unclouded, bright The _limpid_ expression on her face showed she wasn’t worried at all. The _limpid_ water of the lake made it easy to see the fish swimming below.

Answer 42

refulgent | (rih-**fuhl**-juhnt) ## Footnote synonyms: glowing, luminous, gleaming, radiant, brilliant, incandescent The _refulgent_ glow of the setting sun bathed the landscape in golden light.

Answer 43

phlegmatic | (fleg-**mat**-ik) ## Footnote synonyms: apathetic, dispassionate, lethargic, unemotional, placid, indifferent His _phlegmatic_ response to the exciting news surprised everyone. The _phlegmatic_ soldier remained composed even in the face of danger.

Answer 44

attenuate | (uh-**ten**-yoo-eyt) ## Footnote synonyms: deflate, cripple, lessen, diminish, reduce, dilute The long drought _attenuated_ the strength of the river’s current. The sound of the music _attenuated_ as we moved further away from the concert.

Answer 45

disingenuous | (diss-in-**djen**-yoo-uhs) ## Footnote synonyms: dishonest, crooked, deceitful, duplicitous, insincere His _disingenuous_ apology did little to mend the rift between them.

Answer 46

epistle | (uh-**piss**-uhl) ## Footnote synonyms: card, letter, memo, communication, note, missive The scholar wrote an _epistle_ to his colleagues, detailing his latest findings.

Answer 47

factitious | (fak-**tish**-uhs) ## Footnote synonyms: artificial, false, sham, manufactured, synthetic, spurious The diamonds in the necklace were _factitious_ but still looked stunning. His _factitious_ enthusiasm at the event was apparent to everyone.

Answer 48

pied | (**pahyd**) ## Footnote synonyms: patches of color, uneven coloring, multicolored, variegated, speckled The _pied_ horse stood out with its distinct black and white markings.

Answer 49

militate | (**mill**-ih-teyt) ## Footnote synonyms: weigh, important, influential, affect, contribute, determine The evidence presented in the trial will _militate_ heavily against the defendant.

Answer 50

Stygian | (**stidj**-ee-uhn) ## Footnote synonyms: inky, sombre, gloomy, shadowy, murky The forest at night had a _Stygian_ atmosphere, making it feel eerie and foreboding. The novel’s depiction of the underworld was described as a _Stygian_ realm of torment.

Answer 51

gainsay | (**geyn**-sey) ## Footnote synonyms: deny, disaffirm, disprove, contradict, refute, challenge No one could _gainsay_ the facts presented in the report. It was difficult to _gainsay_ her argument given the strong data backing it up.

Answer 52

palliate | (**pal**-ee-eyt) ## Footnote synonyms: gloss over, condone, lessen, alleviate, relieve, soothe The doctor prescribed medication to _palliate_ the symptoms of the disease.

Answer 53

nostrum | (**nos**-truhm) ## Footnote synonyms: elixir, quick fix, aid, remedy, potion, fix The herbalist claimed to have a _nostrum_ for every ailment, but none of them worked.

Answer 54

obstreperous | (uhb-**strep**-er-uhs) ## Footnote synonyms: boisterous, loud, riotous, disorderly, rowdy, disruptive The _obstreperous_ crowd refused to leave, even after the event was over.

Answer 55

precocious | (prih-**koh**-shuhs) ## Footnote synonyms: advanced, developed, quick, intelligent, mature, ahead of one's years, gifted The _precocious_ child was reading at a college level by the age of 10.

Answer 56

regale | (rih-**geyl**) ## Footnote synonyms: delight, amuse; treat, entertain, captivate, charm He _regaled_ the guests with stories of his adventures abroad.

Answer 57

n. the extent, boundary or scope of something ## Footnote Though I find her actions reprehensible, she was acting within the _ambit_ of the law and so my hands are tied.

Answer 58

n. one who abandons a belief, cause, party or religion ## Footnote The _apostate_ is dealt with very harshly in many religious traditions.

Answer 59

n. fallacious reasoning; faulty, although plausible, logic ## Footnote The students were quickly convinced by the professor's _sophistry_ and did not inquire further.

Answer 60

n. clarity or perceptiveness in speech, thought, or writing ## Footnote The _perspicuity_ of the writing made a complicated topic easy for all to understand.

Answer 61

v. to command or direct an action with authority v. to prohibit or forbid an action ## Footnote The captain _enjoined_ his men to respect the local laws while on shore leave.

Answer 62

adj. offensively flattering or insincere. adj. offensive to the taste adj. generous or abundant ## Footnote I prefer Sara's sincere criticism to all the _fulsome_ praise I receive from Deb.

Answer 63

n. a curse ## Footnote The witch cast an _imprecation_ on the villagers.

Answer 64

v. to lessen the magnitude or seriousness of; to mitigate ## Footnote The prisoner's illness may _extenuate_ the conditions of his captivity, but it shall not lead me to order his early release.

Answer 65

adj. certain, inevitable, unavoidable ## Footnote A hectic lifestyle seems to be the _ineluctable_ product of modernity.

Answer 66

v. to reduce the quality of v. to corrupt ## Footnote The tear in the painting _vitiated_ its overall appeal and halved its appraisal cost.

Answer 67

n. depravity, baseness n. a vile act ## Footnote Because of stealing, he was dismissed on grounds of moral _turpitude_.

Answer 68

adj. mournful, sorrowful, melancholy ## Footnote The procession was led by the _plaintive_ strains of the bagpipe.

Answer 69

adj. holding tenaciously to a belief adj. stubbornly unyielding ## Footnote Her _pertinacious_ devotion to the debunked theory led her to be marginalized in the scientific community.

Answer 70

adj. unfaithful, disloyal to belief or principle adj. cowardly or craven n. one who is a coward, unfaithful, or disloyal ## Footnote The _recreant_ knight ran from the battle.

Answer 71

v. to offer as proof in an argument ## Footnote Seth _adduced_ several recent studies in support of his hypothesis.

Answer 72

v. to slander or speak maliciously of ## Footnote As a "green energy" campaigner, I distrust politicians who habitually _traduce_ the motivations of environmentalists.

Answer 73

adj. relevant, suitable, or fitting ## Footnote Though clever, Dmitry's pun was not _apposite_ to the solemn occasion.

Answer 74

adj. rambling aimlessly through a wide range of subjects. ## Footnote The poor speaker gave a rambling, _discursive_ speech

Answer 75

n. an extracurricular activity; a hobby ## Footnote My favorite _avocation_ is playing baseball in the summertime.

Answer 76

v. to foreshadow vaguely v. to produce a faint outline or resemblance of something ## Footnote The first volume merely _adumbrates_ the basics of the story to be developed in the next two books.

Answer 77

ambit | (**am**-bit) ## Footnote synonyms: compass, extension, range, scope, reach, limits The discussion remained within the _ambit_ of the assigned topics for the meeting.

Answer 78

apostate | (uh-**poss**-teyt) ## Footnote synonyms: traitor, defector, unfaithful, renegade, turncoat, dissenter The _apostate_ was shunned by his former comrades after leaving the movement.

Answer 79

sophistry | (**sof**-uh-stree) ## Footnote synonyms: fallacy, inconsistency, misleading argument, specious reasoning The politician's argument was nothing more than _sophistry_, designed to mislead the public.

Answer 80

perspicuity | (purr-spih-**kyoo**-ih-tee) ## Footnote synonyms: comprehensibility, articulateness, clarity, lucidity, transparency The _perspicuity_ of her speech made even the most complex ideas easy to understand.

Answer 81

enjoin | (en-**join**) ## Footnote synonyms: order, command; disallow, outlaw, dictate, direct, mandate The court _enjoined_ the company to halt its illegal practices immediately. The rules _enjoin_ students from bringing their phones to class.

Answer 82

fulsome | (**fool**-suhm) ## Footnote synonyms: overdone, copious, distasteful, excessive, lavish, insincere His _fulsome_ praise made everyone uncomfortable, as it felt exaggerated and fake. The _fulsome_ sweetness of the dessert made it difficult to finish.

Answer 83

imprecation | (im-prih-**key**-shuhn) ## Footnote synonyms: spell, hex, malediction, anathema, curse The angry witch muttered an _imprecation_ under her breath as she walked away.

Answer 84

extenuate | (ik-**sten**-yoo-eyt) ## Footnote synonyms: mitigate, lessen, lighten, alleviate, excuse, diminish The lawyer tried to _extenuate_ the defendant's actions by highlighting his difficult upbringing.

Answer 85

ineluctable | (in-ih-**luhk**-tuh-buhl) ## Footnote synonyms: inescapable, destined, inevitable, unavoidable, certain The _ineluctable_ passage of time affects everyone, no matter their status.

Answer 86

vitiate | (**vish**-ee-eyt) ## Footnote synonyms: cheapen, deteriorate; blemish, debase, impair, spoil, undermine His repeated lies _vitiated_ the credibility of his testimony. The scandal _vitiated_ the integrity of the entire organization.

Answer 87

turpitude | (**tur**-pih-tood) ## Footnote synonyms: depravity, baseness, wickedness, immorality, corruption The _turpitude_ of the criminal’s actions shocked the entire community. His _turpitude_ was evident when he betrayed his own family for money.

Answer 88

plaintive | (**pleyn**-tiv) ## Footnote synonyms: sad, wistful, forlorn, sorrowful, lamenting The _plaintive_ melody of the violin expressed a deep sense of loss.

Answer 89

pertinacious | (purt-n-**ey**-shuhs) ## Footnote synonyms: stubbornly unyielding, tenacious, persistent, dogged, resolute The _pertinacious_ activist refused to back down, despite the opposition. His _pertinacious_ nature made it difficult to convince him to change his mind.

Answer 90

recreant | (**rek**-ree-uhnt) ## Footnote synonyms: cowardly, disloyal, traitorous, unfaithful, craven The _recreant_ knight abandoned his comrades in their hour of need. The _recreant_ fled the battlefield, leaving his fellow soldiers behind.

Answer 91

adduce | (uh-**doos**) ## Footnote synonyms: introduce, exhibit, cite, bring forward, present, mention The lawyer _adduced_ several pieces of evidence to support her client's innocence.

Answer 92

traduce | (truh-**doos**) ## Footnote synonyms: defame, slander, malign, disparage, vilify He was quick to _traduce_ his rivals, spreading false rumors to damage their reputations.

Answer 93

apposite | (**app**-uh-zit) ## Footnote synonyms: pertinent, timely, appropriate, fitting, applicable, relevant His _apposite_ remarks during the meeting helped to clarify the situation.

Answer 94

discursive | (diss-**kurr**-siv) ## Footnote synonyms: digressive, erratic; inclusive, absolute, wandering, rambling, aimless His _discursive_ lecture covered topics ranging from philosophy to pop culture. The _discursive_ analysis of the data led to several logical conclusions.

Answer 95

avocation | (av-uh-**key**-shuhn) ## Footnote synonyms: hobby, recreation, pastime, interest, pursuit, diversion Her _avocation_ of painting provided a creative outlet outside of her day job.

Answer 96

adumbrate | (uh-**duhm**-breyt) ## Footnote synonyms: bode, suggest, indicate, outline, foreshadow, sketch The author _adumbrated_ the tragic ending early in the novel. The sketch _adumbrated_ the final design of the building.

Answer 97

n. the medieval study of transforming lead into gold ## Footnote Although it was never proven possible, _alchemy_ is in many ways related to the chemistry we study today.

Answer 98

v. to state that something is true without providing proof ## Footnote The neighbors _alleged_ that it was the store owner who started the fire, but it turned out that he had been out of town after speaking with him.

Answer 99

v. to refer to another concept indirectly ## Footnote She would occasionally _allude_ to a summer house, though nobody knew exactly where it was.

Answer 100

n. selfless concern for others ## Footnote Many charities were formed thanks to Rajiv's _altruism_ and generosity.

Answer 101

n. confused or contradicting feelings ## Footnote The bride's _ambivalence_ towards the color of the roses meant the groom had to decide.

Answer 102

v. to walk slowly ## Footnote The old man _ambled_ over to our table and started up a conversation.

Answer 103

v. to make better ## Footnote The new medicine _ameliorated_ her condition rather quickly.

Answer 104

adj. open to suggestion or criticism adj. accountable ## Footnote A good manager is _amenable_ to his employee's new ideas.

Answer 105

n. pain reliever ## Footnote After the surgery, the doctor prescribed an _analgesic_ for her patient's leg.

Answer 106

n. a story of a specific incident, used as an example or for entertainment ## Footnote The actor's acceptance speech included an _anecdote_ about his first audition.

Answer 107

v. to declare invalid ## Footnote The couple had their marriage _annulled_ when it was revealed that the groom was still married to another woman.

Answer 108

adj. overly instructive, educational ## Footnote He may mean well, but Pat's efforts to help came across as fussy and _didactic_.

Answer 109

adj. lacking confidence; restrained or reserved ## Footnote Since it was her first day, Lucy ventured only _diffident_ answers to her superiors' requests for input.

Answer 110

v. to spread out adj. widely spread, scattered adj. wordy and rambling ## Footnote Such a _diffuse_ network of law enforcement will not be able to eliminate all instances of crime.

Answer 111

adj. ruined, worn down ## Footnote The abandoned house was _dilapidated_ from years of neglect.

Answer 112

v. to widen or enlarge v. to give a long speech on a subject ## Footnote The eye drops _dilated_ his pupils so the eye doctor could better examine them.

Answer 113

n. a person with an interest in a topic without really commiting n. a patron of the arts ## Footnote The dance school accepted *_dilettante_*s as well as trained professionals.

Answer 114

n. a mournful song ## Footnote We heard a chorus singing a _dirge_ as the funeral procession began.

Answer 115

v. to free from a misconception or error in thought ## Footnote Luke made it his goal to _disabuse_ his students of the notion that they didn't need to work hard to do well.

Answer 116

v. to make someone lose loyalty or affection ## Footnote Her attention-seeking behavior _disaffected_ many of her classmates.

Answer 117

alchemy | (**al**-kuh-me) ## Footnote synonyms: sorcery, wizardry, medieval science, magical transformation, mysticism, theurgy Medieval scientists pursued _alchemy_, hoping to turn base metals into gold.

Answer 118

allege | (uh-**ledge**) ## Footnote synonyms: assert, claim, contend, proclaim, argue He _alleged_ that the company was involved in illegal activities, but no evidence was presented.

Answer 119

allude | (uh-**lewd**) ## Footnote synonyms: bring up, imply, mention, hint at, suggest, insinuate The author _alluded_ to a famous historical event in the opening chapter of the novel.

Answer 120

altruism | (**al-**true-iz-um) ## Footnote synonyms: charity, kindness, selflessness, benevolence, philanthropy Her decision to volunteer at the shelter was an act of pure _altruism_.

Answer 121

ambivalence | (am-**biv**-uh-lunce) ## Footnote synonyms: confusion, dilemma, hesitation, uncertainty, mixed feelings, conflict His _ambivalence_ about moving to a new city made the decision difficult.

Answer 122

amble | (**am**-bul) ## Footnote synonyms: saunter, drag, stroll, meander, roam They _amble_ along the park path, enjoying the sunny afternoon.

Answer 123

ameliorate | (uh-**meal**-yuh-rate) ## Footnote synonyms: amend, help, improve, enhance, alleviate The government launched several initiatives to _ameliorate_ living conditions in the city.

Answer 124

amenable | (uh-**men**-ih-bull) ## Footnote synonyms: willing, cooperative; chargeable, liable, receptive, compliant, flexible She was _amenable_ to feedback and worked hard to improve her skills. As the team leader, he was _amenable_ for any issues that arose during the project.

Answer 125

analgesic | (ann-ul-**djee**-zick) ## Footnote synonyms: painkiller, soother, anodyne, remedy, analgesic agent The doctor prescribed an _analgesic_ to help manage the patient's pain after surgery.

Answer 126

anecdote | (**ann**-ik-dote) ## Footnote synonyms: episode, account, chronicle, tale, narrative, story He shared a humorous _anecdote_ about his childhood during the family gathering.

Answer 127

annul | (uh-**null**) ## Footnote synonyms: void, abolish, cancel, invalidate, nullify, revoke The court decided to _annul_ the contract due to a breach of terms.

Answer 128

didactic | (die-**dak-**tick) ## Footnote synonyms: advisory, sermonic, bookish, pedagogical, moralistic, instructive His _didactic_ tone made it difficult for the students to engage with the lesson.

Answer 129

diffident | (**diff**-ih-dunt) ## Footnote synonyms: hesitant, unconfident, shy, timid, self-doubting Her _diffident_ manner made her seem shy during the presentation, though her ideas were strong.

Answer 130

diffuse | (v. dih-**fewz**; adj. dih**-fewss**) ## Footnote synonyms: delocalized, verbose, prolix, dispersed, scattered, extended The scent of flowers _diffused_ through the air as we entered the garden. The organization’s goals were too _diffuse_, leading to a lack of focus.

Answer 131

dilapidated | (dih-**lap**-ih-date-id) ## Footnote synonyms: ramshackle, wasted, decayed, crumbling, deteriorated, neglected The _dilapidated_ house on the corner had been abandoned for years.

Answer 132

dilate | (**die-**late) ## Footnote synonyms: stretch, amplify; hold forth, expand, broaden, enlarge The doctor used eye drops to _dilate_ his pupils for the examination. He began to _dilate_ on the importance of education during the town hall meeting.

Answer 133

dilettante | (**dill**-ih-tont) ## Footnote synonyms: green, unskilled; artist, connoisseur, amateur, enthusiast, hobbyist As a _dilettante_, he dabbled in painting but never took it seriously. The wealthy _dilettante_ often attended art exhibitions and supported local artists.

Answer 134

dirge | (**durge**) ## Footnote synonyms: death song, lament, funeral hymn, elegy, requiem, lamentation The choir sang a somber _dirge_ at the funeral.

Answer 135

disabuse | (diss-uh-**bewz**) ## Footnote synonyms: correct, debunk, enlighten, clarify, set straight He worked hard to _disabuse_ his friend of the belief in a common conspiracy theory.

Answer 136

disaffect | (diss-uh-**fect**) ## Footnote synonyms: alienate, antagonize, estrange, turn away, alienate The manager’s harsh treatment of employees began to _disaffect_ many from the company.

Answer 137

v. to recognize, to recognize as different ## Footnote From a distance, it was difficult for Josh to _discern_ who was waving at him.

Answer 138

v. to unsettle v. to upset or prevent from succeeding ## Footnote The presence of the victim's family at the trial _discomfited_ the accused.

Answer 139

adj. overdone or cliché ## Footnote The student's poem contained the _hackneyed_ expressions that typically fill teenage diaries.

Answer 140

n. a unique, identifying trait n. a mark used to indicate the purity of certain metals ## Footnote Complete obedience is the _hallmark_ of a good soldier.

Answer 141

v. to speak with intense emotions n. a rant ## Footnote The lobbyists arrived at the senator's office expecting to make a deal, but instead they received a 45-minute _harangue_ from the angry politician.

Answer 142

n. dedication to pursuing pleasure ## Footnote Jake's _hedonism_ became apparent when he quit his job rather than cancel his trip to the Bahamas.

Answer 143

v. to whip v. to make leather out of animal hide ## Footnote He spent days _tanning_ the leather properly.

Answer 144

adj. differing from official beliefs ## Footnote Galileo's discoveries of the nature of Earth's place in the universe were considered _heretical_ at the time.

Answer 145

adj. difficult to understand, mysterious ## Footnote The students could not read the teacher's _hieroglyphic_ writing on the board.

Answer 146

adj. composed of similar or identical parts ## Footnote The audience was mostly a _homogenous_ group of fashion design students, though one or two engineering students also attended.

Answer 147

v. to perfect v. to sharpen ## Footnote The swimmers spent all day in the water trying to _hone_ their skills before the meet.

Answer 148

v. to conserve ## Footnote The campers knew they would have to _husband_ their supplies on their trip.

Answer 149

adj. confused ## Footnote She was _nonplussed_ when her mother scolded her for no apparent reason.

Answer 150

adj. harmful in a physical or moral way ## Footnote Unfortunately, the group did not notice the _noxious_ gas until it had claimed several victims.

Answer 151

n. a small difference ## Footnote A trained scientist is sensitive to the _nuances_ between these two seemingly identical procedures.

Answer 152

adj. stubborn; inflexible and unyielding adj. emotionally cold; not compassionate ## Footnote Even when the witness began to cry, the accused remained _obdurate_ and detached.

Answer 153

adj. very submissive and flattering ## Footnote In industries where _obsequious_ service is expected, one generally leaves a tip.

Answer 154

adj. stubborn, unyielding to change an opinion ## Footnote The _obstinate_ woman refused to move out of the other customers' way.

Answer 155

v. to anticipate and prevent v. to make obsolete ## Footnote The Internet has all but _obviated_ the need for radio stations.

Answer 156

v. to close or block off v. to combine opposite surfaces ## Footnote The only way out of the cabin was _occluded_ by a mound of fresh snow.

Answer 157

discern | (dih-**surn**) ## Footnote synonyms: note, notice, focus, detect, perceive, distinguish She was able to _discern_ the hidden meaning behind his words after careful reflection.

Answer 158

discomfit | (diss-**kum**-fit) ## Footnote synonyms: frustrate, annoy, embarrass, confuse, thwart The unexpected question _discomfited_ the speaker, causing him to lose his train of thought. Their attempts to _discomfit_ the opposing team by changing tactics were ultimately successful.

Answer 159

hackneyed | (**hack-**need) ## Footnote synonyms: tired, common, trite, stale, unoriginal The movie’s plot was filled with _hackneyed_ dialogue that felt tired and unoriginal.

Answer 160

hallmark | (**hall**-mark) ## Footnote synonyms: authentication, emblem, brand, signature, indicator, symbol Attention to detail is the _hallmark_ of a great designer. The jeweler inspected the _hallmark_ on the gold ring to verify its authenticity.

Answer 161

harangue | (huh-**rang**) ## Footnote synonyms: diatribe, tirade, speech, lecture, oration, tirade The coach _harangued_ his team after their lackluster performance. His _harangue_ about politics lasted for nearly an hour.

Answer 162

hedonism | (**heed-**in-iz-um) ## Footnote synonyms: seeking pleasure and happiness, sensualism, indulgence, self-indulgence His lifestyle of constant parties and indulgence was a clear example of _hedonism_.

Answer 163

tan | (**tan**) ## Footnote synonyms: flog, beat, treat, process, skin In old times, sailors were often _tanned_ for disobedience. The workers _tanned_ the hides to create durable leather goods.

Answer 164

heretical | (huh-**ret**-ih-kull) ## Footnote synonyms: unorthodox, disagreeing, dissenting, radical, nonconformist, unconventional His _heretical_ views on religion caused him to be ostracized by the community.

Answer 165

hieroglyphic | (high-ruh-**glif**-ik) ## Footnote synonyms: unclear, unreadable, cryptic, enigmatic, puzzling, obscure The professor’s notes were so _hieroglyphic_ that no one could make sense of them.

Answer 166

homogenous | (hoe-**modj**-ih-nuss) ## Footnote synonyms: same, of like parts, uniform, identical, consistent, congruent The population of the small town was largely _homogeneous_, with little cultural diversity.

Answer 167

hone | (**hone**) ## Footnote synonyms: train, discipline; whet, grind, refine, enhance, improve She spent years _honing_ her skills as a pianist to reach a professional level. He used a stone to _hone_ the blade of his knife.

Answer 168

husband | (**huz**-bund) ## Footnote synonyms: retain, preserve, manage, conserve, safeguard They carefully _husbanded_ their resources to ensure they would last through the winter.

Answer 169

nonplussed | (non-**plust**) ## Footnote synonyms: perplexed, baffled, puzzled, bewildered, astonished, flabbergasted He was _nonplussed_ by the strange behavior of his coworkers.

Answer 170

noxious | (**knock**-shuss) ## Footnote synonyms: dangerous, corrupt, harmful, toxic, deleterious The factory emitted _noxious_ fumes that were dangerous to both the environment and the workers.

Answer 171

nuance | (**new**-awnss) ## Footnote synonyms: degree, subtlety, shade, distinction, variation The actor’s performance captured every _nuance_ of the character’s emotions.

Answer 172

obdurate | (**ob**-duh-ritt) ## Footnote synonyms: insensitive, apathetic, unyielding, stubborn, relentless Despite their pleas, the judge remained _obdurate_ in his decision to impose the harshest penalty.

Answer 173

obsequious | (ob-**see**-kwee-us) ## Footnote synonyms: flattering, sycophantic, servile, fawning, subservient His _obsequious_ behavior towards his boss made him seem insincere and desperate for approval.

Answer 174

obstinate | (**ob**-stuh-nitt) ## Footnote synonyms: stubborn, determined, headstrong, unyielding, persistent Despite all the evidence, he remained _obstinate_ in his opinion.

Answer 175

obviate | (**ob**-vee-ehyt) ## Footnote synonyms: anticipate, counteract; inhibit, stymie, prevent, eliminate, preclude The new safety measures were put in place to _obviate_ potential accidents. The introduction of digital cameras quickly _obviated_ the need for film.

Answer 176

occlude | (uh-**clued**) ## Footnote synonyms: clog, prevent, choke, congest, smother, block, obstruct, seal The dentist noticed that the patient’s teeth were _occluding_ improperly, causing discomfort. The doctor had to _occlude_ the blood vessels during the surgery to prevent bleeding.

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Advanced Vocab Words - Set 1 Flashcards

Learn to understand and effectively use 100 advanced vocabulary words. Improve your test scores, or simply be more articulate in your daily life. Each word is used in context in a sample sentence and includes synonyms and a pronunciation guide.

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