Advanced Vocab Words - Set 1 Flashcards

Question 1

Q

Define:

temerity

(tuh-mer-i-tee)

Answer

A

n. reckless confidence

The temerity of the pirate crew cost them their ship.

Question 2

Q

Define:

depredate

(dep-rih-deyt)

Answer

A

v. to plunder, pillage, destroy

v. to exploit

The Vikings depredated the whole valley.

Question 3

Q

Define:

genuflect

(djen-yoo-flekt)

Answer

A

v. to bend knee to ground (as in worship)

v. to grovel

The king’s subjects genuflected when he entered the room.

Question 4

Q

Define:

wend

(wend)

Answer

A

v. to go, proceed, walk

We wended our way through the market.

Question 5

Q

Define:

pelagic

(puh-ladj-ik)

Answer

A

adj. relating to open seas rather than waters adjacent to land

The pelagic organism was only found in the deepest part of the ocean.

Question 6

Q

Define:

froward

(froh-werd)

Answer

A

adj. intractable, stubbornly disobedient, difficult to manage

The froward mule sat down and refused to move all afternoon.

Question 7

Q

Define:

punctilious

(puhngk-til-ee-uhs)

Answer

A

adj. precise, paying attention to trivialities of etiquette

A secretary who punctiliously records every detail.

Question 8

Q

Define:

aphorism

(af-uh-riz-uhm)

Answer

A

n. a tersely phrased truth or opinion; adage; epigram

n. a brief statement of principle; or general truth

The children had finally learned the meaning of the aphorism “You can’t have your cake and eat it too”.

Question 9

Q

Define:

purloin

(per-loin, per-loin)

Answer

A

v. to steal

The manipulative thief purloined the diamonds after gaining the confidence of their location.

Question 10

Q

Define:

esoteric

(es-uh-ter-ik)

Answer

A

adj. intended for or understood only by a particular group

adj. not publicly disclosed; confidential

The esoteric ideas of the cult failed to enlighten many outsiders.

Question 11

Q

Define:

succor

(suhk-er)

Answer

A

n. relief during a time of struggle

The Red Cross provides succor to refugees in emergency shelters.

Question 12

Q

Define:

protean

(proh-tee-uhn)

Answer

A

adj. readily assuming different forms or characters, versatile

Fans regarded the protean actress as capable of playing any role.

Question 13

Q

Define:

callous

(kal-uhs)

Answer

A

adj. insensitive; having no feeling

The callous remark upset the entire family.

Question 14

Q

Define:

proscribe

(proh-skrahyb)

Answer

A

v. to prohibit or forbid as harmful or unlawful

Citizens pushed to proscribe swimming in the polluted lake.

Question 15

Q

Define:

denouement

(dey-noo-mahn)

Answer

A

n. an outcome or solution to a complex series of events

Though public interest slackened after the arsonist was caught, the denouement of the case was just as interesting as the manhunt that had preceded it.

Question 16

Q

Define:

supercilious

(soo-per-sill-ee-uhs)

Answer

A

adj. arrogant, overbearing; displaying condescending superiority over someone else

His supercilious behavior drove away many of his peers.

Question 17

Q

Define:

parley

(pahr-lee)

Answer

A

n. discussion between enemies, often to prepare terms of surrender

The longtime enemies held a parley to work on peace negotiations.

Question 18

Q

Define:

apoplectic

(ap-uh-plek-tik)

Answer

A

adj. furious; enraged; overcome with anger

When Jim found out he was fired, he apoplectically stormed out of the office.

Question 19

Q

Define:

simper

(sim-per)

Answer

A

v. to say with a coy smile; to smirk

Dave simpered a feeble attempt at an apology.

Question 20

Q

Define:

miscegenation

(mih-sedj-uh-ney-shuhn)

Answer

A

n. the interbreeding of different races

n. any mixture or hybrid

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.

Question 21

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. recklessness

Answer

A

temerity

(tuh-mer-i-tee)

synonyms: arrogance, brashness, foolhardiness, audacity, impudence

His temerity in challenging the seasoned lawyer surprised everyone in the courtroom.

Question 22

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to plunder, pillage, destroy

v. to exploit

Answer

A

depredate

(dep-rih-deyt)

synonyms: despoil, ravish, defile, loot, pillage, maraud

The invaders depredated the village, leaving little behind.

They feared the corporation would depredate the natural resources without concern for the environment.

Question 23

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to bend knee to ground (as in worship)

v. to grovel

Answer

A

genuflect

(djen-yoo-flekt)

synonyms: kneel, beg, bow, prostrate, submit

The faithful genuflect before the altar during the ceremony.

He would rather leave the company than genuflect to the unreasonable demands of his boss.

Question 24

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to go, proceed, walk

Answer

A

wend

(wend)

synonyms: go, journey, travel, meander, proceed, venture

After the meeting, she wended her way through the crowded streets back home.

Question 25

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. relating to open seas rather than waters adjacent to land

Answer

A

pelagic

(puh-ladj-ik)

synonyms: aquatic, oceanic, marine, deep-sea, oceanic

The pelagic fish are adapted to life far from the shores, swimming in the deep ocean.

Question 26

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. intractable, stubbornly disobedient, difficult to manage

Answer

A

froward

(froh-werd)

synonyms: antagonistic, conflicting, obstinate, refractory, unruly

The froward child refused to listen to any instructions from his teacher.

Question 27

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. precise, paying attention to trivialities of etiquette

Answer

A

punctilious

(puhngk-til-ee-uhs)

synonyms: meticulous, careful, finicky, scrupulous, exacting, detailed

She was punctilious about every detail of the formal dinner, ensuring everything was perfect.

Question 28

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a tersely phrased truth or opinion; adage; epigram

n. a brief statement of principle; or general truth

Answer

A

aphorism

(af-uh-riz-uhm)

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.

Question 29

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to steal

Answer

A

purloin

(per-loin, per-loin)

synonyms: burglarize, cheat, swindle, filch, pilfer, take

The thief managed to purloin several valuable paintings from the gallery.

Question 30

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. intended for or understood only by a particular group

adj. not publicly disclosed; confidential

Answer

A

esoteric

(es-uh-ter-ik)

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.

Question 31

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. relief during a time of struggle

Answer

A

succor

(suhk-er)

synonyms: aid, comfort, refuge, support, assistance, help

The refugees sought succor in neighboring countries after fleeing the conflict.

Question 32

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. readily assuming different forms or characters, versatile

Answer

A

protean

(proh-tee-uhn)

synonyms: versatile, adaptable, dexterous, flexible, multifaceted, changeable

His protean talent allowed him to excel in both acting and directing.

Question 33

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. insensitive; having no feeling

Answer

A

callous

(kal-uhs)

synonyms: soulless, cruel, heartless, unfeeling, unsympathetic

Her callous remarks about the disaster shocked everyone.

Question 34

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to prohibit or forbid as harmful or unlawful

Answer

A

proscribe

(proh-skrahyb)

synonyms: condemn, banish, forbid, outlaw, prohibit

The government decided to proscribe the use of certain chemicals due to their harmful effects.

Question 35

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. an outcome or solution to a complex series of events

Answer

A

denouement

(dey-noo-mahn)

synonyms: finale, final achievement, resolution, conclusion, outcome

The denouement of the mystery novel tied together all the loose ends.

Question 36

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. arrogant, overbearing; displaying condescending superiority over someone else

Answer

A

supercilious

(soo-per-sill-ee-uhs)

synonyms: bossy, condescending, haughty, patronizing, disdainful

Her supercilious attitude made her unpopular among her colleagues.

Question 37

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. discussion between enemies, often to prepare terms of surrender

Answer

A

parley

(pahr-lee)

synonyms: conference, mediation, negotiation, dialogue, discussion

The generals held a parley to negotiate the terms of the ceasefire.

Question 38

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. furious; enraged; overcome with anger

adj. relating to a stroke

Answer

A

apoplectic

(ap-uh-plek-tik)

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.

Question 39

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to say with a coy smile; to smirk

Answer

A

simper

(sim-per)

synonyms: grin, leer, sneer, smirk, smirk, smile coyly

She simpered at the compliment, clearly enjoying the attention.

Question 40

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. the interbreeding of different races

n. any mixture or hybrid

Answer

A

miscegenation

(mih-sedj-uh-ney-shuhn)

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

Question 41

Q

Define:

androgynous

(an-drodj-uh-nuhs)

Answer

A

adj. not distinguishable between male and female

The name Sam is androgynous because it could stand for Samantha or Samuel.

Question 42

Q

Define:

covey

(kuhv-ee)

Answer

A

n. a family of partridges

n. a small group

Outside the classroom was a covey of giggling schoolgirls.

Question 43

Q

Define:

supine

(adj. soo-pahyn)

Answer

A

adj. inactive, lying on one’s back apathetically

adj. morally slack

The officials exhibited a supine acceptance of corruption.

Question 44

Q

Define:

cozen

(kuhz-uhn)

Answer

A

v. to cheat, beguile, or deceive

The corrupt televangelist cozened money from viewers by lying about charitable intentions.

Question 45

Q

Define:

limpid

(lim-pid)

Answer

A

adj. calm, untroubled, serene

adj. transparent, clear (as of water, air, or crystal)

The family flew a kite down by the limpid blue pond.

Question 46

Q

Define:

refulgent

(rih-fuhl-juhnt)

Answer

A

adj. shining radiantly; brilliant

The refulgent palace seemed out of place amid the poverty of the villages surrounding it.

Question 47

Q

Define:

phlegmatic

(fleg-mat-ik)

Answer

A

adj. hard to excite, calm, sluggish

adj. unemotional, stoic

Pete’s phlegmatic response was difficult for his friends to read.

Question 48

Q

Define:

attenuate

(uh-ten-yoo-eyt)

Answer

A

v. to weaken or reduce in force or value

v. to make small or fine

The medicine attenuated the fever’s effect.

Question 49

Q

Define:

disingenuous

(diss-in-djen-yoo-uhs)

Answer

A

adj. lacking in sincerity or candor

When the oil prospector’s promises were discovered to be disingenuous, he was run out of town.

Question 50

Q

Define:

epistle

(uh-piss-uhl)

Answer

A

n. a written message, usually a formal letter

The epistle was hand-delivered by a confidant in order to avoid interception.

Question 51

Q

Define:

factitious

(fak-tish-uhs)

Answer

A

adj. produced artificially; not natural

adj. fake

The factitious laughter of insincere talk show hosts makes my skin crawl.

Question 52

Q

Define:

pied

(pahyd)

Answer

A

adj. containing patches of two or more colors, usually in blotches

The jester’s pied coat was stitched together from scraps of blue and red fabric.

Question 53

Q

Define:

militate

(mill-ih-teyt)

Answer

A

v. to have substantial weight on preventing; to argue against; discourage.

The volatility of the situation militated against any rash action.

Question 54

Q

Define:

Stygian

(stidj-ee-uhn)

Answer

A

adj. dark, gloomy, dismal

adj. infernal, hellish

The stygian murk of the cave made it difficult to navigate.

Question 55

Q

Define:

gainsay

(geyn-sey)

Answer

A

v. to declare false

v. to deny

v. to contradict or claim exception to

Evidence and witness testimony all gainsaid the defendant’s claims.

Question 56

Q

Define:

palliate

(pal-ee-eyt)

Answer

A

v. to make something appear less serious; to mitigate; to alleviate

The student tried to palliate the significance of his plagiarism.

Question 57

Q

Define:

nostrum

(nos-truhm)

Answer

A

n. cure-all, questionable remedy, or a placebo

An ad on television depicted a nostrum that claims to cure hangovers.

Question 58

Q

Define:

obstreperous

(uhb-strep-er-uhs)

Answer

A

adj. unruly, noisy, loudly stubborn

The obstreperous two-year-old cried the entire train ride.

Question 59

Q

Define:

precocious

(prih-koh-shuhs)

Answer

A

adj. unusually quick development or maturation, especially in intelligence

The child’s precocious understanding of calculus stunned his teachers.

Question 60

Q

Define:

regale

(rih-geyl)

Answer

A

v. to entertain; to supply lavishly

Steve regaled his guests with exciting tales.

Question 61

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. hermaphroditic

adj. not distinguishable between male and female

Answer

A

androgynous

(an-drodj-uh-nuhs)

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.

Question 62

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a family of partridges

n. a small group

Answer

A

covey

(kuhv-ee)

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.

Question 63

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. inactive, lying on one’s back apathetically

adj. morally slack

Answer

A

supine

(adj. soo-pahyn)

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.

Question 64

Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to cheat, beguile, or deceive

Answer

A

cozen

(kuhz-uhn)

synonyms: hoodwink, swindle, dupe, trick, defraud, mislead

The con artist cozened people into giving him their life savings.

Answer 65

A

limpid

(lim-pid)

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 66

A

refulgent

(rih-fuhl-juhnt)

synonyms: glowing, luminous, gleaming, radiant, brilliant, incandescent

The refulgent glow of the setting sun bathed the landscape in golden light.

Answer 67

A

phlegmatic

(fleg-mat-ik)

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 68

A

attenuate

(uh-ten-yoo-eyt)

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 69

A

disingenuous

(diss-in-djen-yoo-uhs)

synonyms: dishonest, crooked, deceitful, duplicitous, insincere

His disingenuous apology did little to mend the rift between them.

Answer 70

A

epistle

(uh-piss-uhl)

synonyms: card, letter, memo, communication, note, missive

The scholar wrote an epistle to his colleagues, detailing his latest findings.

Answer 71

A

factitious

(fak-tish-uhs)

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 72

A

pied

(pahyd)

synonyms: patches of color, uneven coloring, multicolored, variegated, speckled

The pied horse stood out with its distinct black and white markings.

Answer 73

A

militate

(mill-ih-teyt)

synonyms: weigh, important, influential, affect, contribute, determine

The evidence presented in the trial will militate heavily against the defendant.

Answer 74

A

Stygian

(stidj-ee-uhn)

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 75

A

gainsay

(geyn-sey)

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 76

A

palliate

(pal-ee-eyt)

synonyms: gloss over, condone, lessen, alleviate, relieve, soothe

The doctor prescribed medication to palliate the symptoms of the disease.

Answer 77

A

nostrum

(nos-truhm)

synonyms: elixir, quick fix, aid, remedy, potion, fix

The herbalist claimed to have a nostrum for every ailment, but none of them worked.

Answer 78

A

obstreperous

(uhb-strep-er-uhs)

synonyms: boisterous, loud, riotous, disorderly, rowdy, disruptive

The obstreperous crowd refused to leave, even after the event was over.

Answer 79

A

precocious

(prih-koh-shuhs)

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 80

A

regale

(rih-geyl)

synonyms: delight, amuse; treat, entertain, captivate, charm

He regaled the guests with stories of his adventures abroad.

Answer 81

A

n. the extent, boundary or scope of something

Though I find her actions reprehensible, she was acting within the ambit of the law and so my hands are tied.

Answer 82

A

n. one who abandons a belief, cause, party or religion

The apostate is dealt with very harshly in many religious traditions.

Answer 83

A

n. fallacious reasoning; faulty, although plausible, logic

The students were quickly convinced by the professor’s sophistry and did not inquire further.

Answer 84

A

n. clarity or perceptiveness in speech, thought, or writing

The perspicuity of the writing made a complicated topic easy for all to understand.

Answer 85

A

v. to command or direct an action with authority

v. to prohibit or forbid an action

The captain enjoined his men to respect the local laws while on shore leave.

Answer 86

A

adj. offensively flattering or insincere.

adj. offensive to the taste

adj. generous or abundant

I prefer Sara’s sincere criticism to all the fulsome praise I receive from Deb.

Answer 87

A

n. a curse

The witch cast an imprecation on the villagers.

Answer 88

A

v. to lessen the magnitude or seriousness of; to mitigate

The prisoner’s illness may extenuate the conditions of his captivity, but it shall not lead me to order his early release.

Answer 89

A

adj. certain, inevitable, unavoidable

A hectic lifestyle seems to be the ineluctable product of modernity.

Answer 90

A

v. to reduce the quality of

v. to corrupt

The tear in the painting vitiated its overall appeal and halved its appraisal cost.

Answer 91

A

n. depravity, baseness

n. a vile act

Because of stealing, he was dismissed on grounds of moral turpitude.

Answer 92

A

adj. mournful, sorrowful, melancholy

The procession was led by the plaintive strains of the bagpipe.

Answer 93

A

adj. holding tenaciously to a belief

adj. stubbornly unyielding

Her pertinacious devotion to the debunked theory led her to be marginalized in the scientific community.

Answer 94

A

adj. unfaithful, disloyal to belief or principle

adj. cowardly or craven

n. one who is a coward, unfaithful, or disloyal

The recreant knight ran from the battle.

Answer 95

A

v. to offer as proof in an argument

Seth adduced several recent studies in support of his hypothesis.

Answer 96

A

v. to slander or speak maliciously of

As a “green energy” campaigner, I distrust politicians who habitually traduce the motivations of environmentalists.

Answer 97

A

adj. relevant, suitable, or fitting

Though clever, Dmitry’s pun was not apposite to the solemn occasion.

Answer 98

A

adj. rambling aimlessly through a wide range of subjects.

The poor speaker gave a rambling, discursive speech

Answer 99

A

n. an extracurricular activity; a hobby

My favorite avocation is playing baseball in the summertime.

Answer 100

A

v. to foreshadow vaguely

v. to produce a faint outline or resemblance of something

The first volume merely adumbrates the basics of the story to be developed in the next two books.

Answer 101

A

ambit

(am-bit)

synonyms: compass, extension, range, scope, reach, limits

The discussion remained within the ambit of the assigned topics for the meeting.

Answer 102

A

apostate

(uh-poss-teyt)

synonyms: traitor, defector, unfaithful, renegade, turncoat, dissenter

The apostate was shunned by his former comrades after leaving the movement.

Answer 103

A

sophistry

(sof-uh-stree)

synonyms: fallacy, inconsistency, misleading argument, specious reasoning

The politician’s argument was nothing more than sophistry, designed to mislead the public.

Answer 104

A

perspicuity

(purr-spih-kyoo-ih-tee)

synonyms: comprehensibility, articulateness, clarity, lucidity, transparency

The perspicuity of her speech made even the most complex ideas easy to understand.

Answer 105

A

enjoin

(en-join)

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 106

A

fulsome

(fool-suhm)

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 107

A

imprecation

(im-prih-key-shuhn)

synonyms: spell, hex, malediction, anathema, curse

The angry witch muttered an imprecation under her breath as she walked away.

Answer 108

A

extenuate

(ik-sten-yoo-eyt)

synonyms: mitigate, lessen, lighten, alleviate, excuse, diminish

The lawyer tried to extenuate the defendant’s actions by highlighting his difficult upbringing.

Answer 109

A

ineluctable

(in-ih-luhk-tuh-buhl)

synonyms: inescapable, destined, inevitable, unavoidable, certain

The ineluctable passage of time affects everyone, no matter their status.

Answer 110

A

vitiate

(vish-ee-eyt)

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 111

A

turpitude

(tur-pih-tood)

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 112

A

plaintive

(pleyn-tiv)

synonyms: sad, wistful, forlorn, sorrowful, lamenting

The plaintive melody of the violin expressed a deep sense of loss.

Answer 113

A

pertinacious

(purt-n-ey-shuhs)

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 114

A

recreant

(rek-ree-uhnt)

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 115

A

adduce

(uh-doos)

synonyms: introduce, exhibit, cite, bring forward, present, mention

The lawyer adduced several pieces of evidence to support her client’s innocence.

Answer 116

A

traduce

(truh-doos)

synonyms: defame, slander, malign, disparage, vilify

He was quick to traduce his rivals, spreading false rumors to damage their reputations.

Answer 117

A

apposite

(app-uh-zit)

synonyms: pertinent, timely, appropriate, fitting, applicable, relevant

His apposite remarks during the meeting helped to clarify the situation.

Answer 118

A

discursive

(diss-kurr-siv)

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 119

A

avocation

(av-uh-key-shuhn)

synonyms: hobby, recreation, pastime, interest, pursuit, diversion

Her avocation of painting provided a creative outlet outside of her day job.

Answer 120

A

adumbrate

(uh-duhm-breyt)

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 121

A

n. the medieval study of transforming lead into gold

Although it was never proven possible, alchemy is in many ways related to the chemistry we study today.

Answer 122

A

v. to state that something is true without providing proof

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 123

A

v. to refer to another concept indirectly

She would occasionally allude to a summer house, though nobody knew exactly where it was.

Answer 124

A

n. selfless concern for others

Many charities were formed thanks to Rajiv’s altruism and generosity.

Answer 125

A

n. confused or contradicting feelings

The bride’s ambivalence towards the color of the roses meant the groom had to decide.

Answer 126

A

v. to walk slowly

The old man ambled over to our table and started up a conversation.

Answer 127

A

v. to make better

The new medicine ameliorated her condition rather quickly.

Answer 128

A

adj. open to suggestion or criticism

adj. accountable

A good manager is amenable to his employee’s new ideas.

Answer 129

A

n. pain reliever

After the surgery, the doctor prescribed an analgesic for her patient’s leg.

Answer 130

A

n. a story of a specific incident, used as an example or for entertainment

The actor’s acceptance speech included an anecdote about his first audition.

Answer 131

A

v. to declare invalid

The couple had their marriage annulled when it was revealed that the groom was still married to another woman.

Answer 132

A

adj. overly instructive, educational

He may mean well, but Pat’s efforts to help came across as fussy and didactic.

Answer 133

A

adj. lacking confidence; restrained or reserved

Since it was her first day, Lucy ventured only diffident answers to her superiors’ requests for input.

Answer 134

A

v. to spread out

adj. widely spread, scattered

adj. wordy and rambling

Such a diffuse network of law enforcement will not be able to eliminate all instances of crime.

Answer 135

A

adj. ruined, worn down

The abandoned house was dilapidated from years of neglect.

Answer 136

A

v. to widen or enlarge

v. to give a long speech on a subject

The eye drops dilated his pupils so the eye doctor could better examine them.

Answer 137

A

n. a person with an interest in a topic without really commiting

n. a patron of the arts

The dance school accepted dilettantes as well as trained professionals.

Answer 138

A

n. a mournful song

We heard a chorus singing a dirge as the funeral procession began.

Answer 139

A

v. to free from a misconception or error in thought

Luke made it his goal to disabuse his students of the notion that they didn’t need to work hard to do well.

Answer 140

A

v. to make someone lose loyalty or affection

Her attention-seeking behavior disaffected many of her classmates.

Answer 141

A

alchemy

(al-kuh-me)

synonyms: sorcery, wizardry, medieval science, magical transformation, mysticism, theurgy

Medieval scientists pursued alchemy, hoping to turn base metals into gold.

Answer 142

A

allege

(uh-ledge)

synonyms: assert, claim, contend, proclaim, argue

He alleged that the company was involved in illegal activities, but no evidence was presented.

Answer 143

A

allude

(uh-lewd)

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 144

A

altruism

(al-true-iz-um)

synonyms: charity, kindness, selflessness, benevolence, philanthropy

Her decision to volunteer at the shelter was an act of pure altruism.

Answer 145

A

ambivalence

(am-biv-uh-lunce)

synonyms: confusion, dilemma, hesitation, uncertainty, mixed feelings, conflict

His ambivalence about moving to a new city made the decision difficult.

Answer 146

A

amble

(am-bul)

synonyms: saunter, drag, stroll, meander, roam

They amble along the park path, enjoying the sunny afternoon.

Answer 147

A

ameliorate

(uh-meal-yuh-rate)

synonyms: amend, help, improve, enhance, alleviate

The government launched several initiatives to ameliorate living conditions in the city.

Answer 148

A

amenable

(uh-men-ih-bull)

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 149

A

analgesic

(ann-ul-djee-zick)

synonyms: painkiller, soother, anodyne, remedy, analgesic agent

The doctor prescribed an analgesic to help manage the patient’s pain after surgery.

Answer 150

A

anecdote

(ann-ik-dote)

synonyms: episode, account, chronicle, tale, narrative, story

He shared a humorous anecdote about his childhood during the family gathering.

Answer 151

A

annul

(uh-null)

synonyms: void, abolish, cancel, invalidate, nullify, revoke

The court decided to annul the contract due to a breach of terms.

Answer 152

A

didactic

(die-dak-tick)

synonyms: advisory, sermonic, bookish, pedagogical, moralistic, instructive

His didactic tone made it difficult for the students to engage with the lesson.

Answer 153

A

diffident

(diff-ih-dunt)

synonyms: hesitant, unconfident, shy, timid, self-doubting

Her diffident manner made her seem shy during the presentation, though her ideas were strong.

Answer 154

A

diffuse

(v. dih-fewz; adj. dih-fewss)

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 155

A

dilapidated

(dih-lap-ih-date-id)

synonyms: ramshackle, wasted, decayed, crumbling, deteriorated, neglected

The dilapidated house on the corner had been abandoned for years.

Answer 156

A

dilate

(die-late)

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 157

A

dilettante

(dill-ih-tont)

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 158

A

dirge

(durge)

synonyms: death song, lament, funeral hymn, elegy, requiem, lamentation

The choir sang a somber dirge at the funeral.

Answer 159

A

disabuse

(diss-uh-bewz)

synonyms: correct, debunk, enlighten, clarify, set straight

He worked hard to disabuse his friend of the belief in a common conspiracy theory.

Answer 160

A

disaffect

(diss-uh-fect)

synonyms: alienate, antagonize, estrange, turn away, alienate

The manager’s harsh treatment of employees began to disaffect many from the company.

Answer 161

A

v. to recognize, to recognize as different

From a distance, it was difficult for Josh to discern who was waving at him.

Answer 162

A

v. to unsettle

v. to upset or prevent from succeeding

The presence of the victim’s family at the trial discomfited the accused.

Answer 163

A

adj. overdone or cliché

The student’s poem contained the hackneyed expressions that typically fill teenage diaries.

Answer 164

A

n. a unique, identifying trait

n. a mark used to indicate the purity of certain metals

Complete obedience is the hallmark of a good soldier.

Answer 165

A

v. to speak with intense emotions

n. a rant

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 166

A

n. dedication to pursuing pleasure

Jake’s hedonism became apparent when he quit his job rather than cancel his trip to the Bahamas.

Answer 167

A

v. to whip

v. to make leather out of animal hide

He spent days tanning the leather properly.

Answer 168

A

adj. differing from official beliefs

Galileo’s discoveries of the nature of Earth’s place in the universe were considered heretical at the time.

Answer 169

A

adj. difficult to understand, mysterious

The students could not read the teacher’s hieroglyphic writing on the board.

Answer 170

A

adj. composed of similar or identical parts

The audience was mostly a homogenous group of fashion design students, though one or two engineering students also attended.

Answer 171

A

v. to perfect

v. to sharpen

The swimmers spent all day in the water trying to hone their skills before the meet.

Answer 172

A

v. to conserve

The campers knew they would have to husband their supplies on their trip.

Answer 173

A

adj. confused

She was nonplussed when her mother scolded her for no apparent reason.

Answer 174

A

adj. harmful in a physical or moral way

Unfortunately, the group did not notice the noxious gas until it had claimed several victims.

Answer 175

A

n. a small difference

A trained scientist is sensitive to the nuances between these two seemingly identical procedures.

Answer 176

A

adj. stubborn; inflexible and unyielding

adj. emotionally cold; not compassionate

Even when the witness began to cry, the accused remained obdurate and detached.

Answer 177

A

adj. very submissive and flattering

In industries where obsequious service is expected, one generally leaves a tip.

Answer 178

A

adj. stubborn, unyielding to change an opinion

The obstinate woman refused to move out of the other customers’ way.

Answer 179

A

v. to anticipate and prevent

v. to make obsolete

The Internet has all but obviated the need for radio stations.

Answer 180

A

v. to close or block off

v. to combine opposite surfaces

The only way out of the cabin was occluded by a mound of fresh snow.

Answer 181

A

discern

(dih-surn)

synonyms: note, notice, focus, detect, perceive, distinguish

She was able to discern the hidden meaning behind his words after careful reflection.

Answer 182

A

discomfit

(diss-kum-fit)

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 183

A

hackneyed

(hack-need)

synonyms: tired, common, trite, stale, unoriginal

The movie’s plot was filled with hackneyed dialogue that felt tired and unoriginal.

Answer 184

A

hallmark

(hall-mark)

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 185

A

harangue

(huh-rang)

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 186

A

hedonism

(heed-in-iz-um)

synonyms: seeking pleasure and happiness, sensualism, indulgence, self-indulgence

His lifestyle of constant parties and indulgence was a clear example of hedonism.

Answer 187

A

tan

(tan)

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 188

A

heretical

(huh-ret-ih-kull)

synonyms: unorthodox, disagreeing, dissenting, radical, nonconformist, unconventional

His heretical views on religion caused him to be ostracized by the community.

Answer 189

A

hieroglyphic

(high-ruh-glif-ik)

synonyms: unclear, unreadable, cryptic, enigmatic, puzzling, obscure

The professor’s notes were so hieroglyphic that no one could make sense of them.

Answer 190

A

homogenous

(hoe-modj-ih-nuss)

synonyms: same, of like parts, uniform, identical, consistent, congruent

The population of the small town was largely homogeneous, with little cultural diversity.

Answer 191

A

hone

(hone)

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 192

A

husband

(huz-bund)

synonyms: retain, preserve, manage, conserve, safeguard

They carefully husbanded their resources to ensure they would last through the winter.

Answer 193

A

nonplussed

(non-plust)

synonyms: perplexed, baffled, puzzled, bewildered, astonished, flabbergasted

He was nonplussed by the strange behavior of his coworkers.

Answer 194

A

noxious

(knock-shuss)

synonyms: dangerous, corrupt, harmful, toxic, deleterious

The factory emitted noxious fumes that were dangerous to both the environment and the workers.

Answer 195

A

nuance

(new-awnss)

synonyms: degree, subtlety, shade, distinction, variation

The actor’s performance captured every nuance of the character’s emotions.

Answer 196

A

obdurate

(ob-duh-ritt)

synonyms: insensitive, apathetic, unyielding, stubborn, relentless

Despite their pleas, the judge remained obdurate in his decision to impose the harshest penalty.

Answer 197

A

obsequious

(ob-see-kwee-us)

synonyms: flattering, sycophantic, servile, fawning, subservient

His obsequious behavior towards his boss made him seem insincere and desperate for approval.

Answer 198

A

obstinate

(ob-stuh-nitt)

synonyms: stubborn, determined, headstrong, unyielding, persistent

Despite all the evidence, he remained obstinate in his opinion.

Answer 199

A

obviate

(ob-vee-ehyt)

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 200

A

occlude

(uh-clued)

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.

Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

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.

Brainscape's Knowledge Genome^TM