Advanced Vocab Words - Set 6 Flashcards

Question

# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. rule by scientists

Answer 1

technocracy | (teck-**knock**-ruh-see) ## Footnote synonyms: scientific rule, technological governance, expert management In a _technocracy_, decisions are made based on scientific data and expertise rather than politics.

Answer 2

tedium | (**tee**-dee-um) ## Footnote synonyms: monotony, boredom, routine, dullness, sameness, ennui The _tedium_ of the repetitive tasks made him dread going to work each day. She could hardly mask her _tedium_ during the lengthy lecture.

Answer 3

tenacious | (tuh-**nay**-shuss) ## Footnote synonyms: adamant, persistent, determined, resolute, unyielding The _tenacious_ grip of the adhesive ensured that the tiles stayed firmly in place. His _tenacious_ attitude made it difficult for him to accept any form of criticism.

Answer 4

timorous | (**tim**-er-us) ## Footnote synonyms: fearful, nervous, rattled, apprehensive, shy, trepidatious Her _timorous_ nature made her hesitant to speak in public.

Answer 5

tirade | (**tahy**-raid) ## Footnote synonyms: abuse, outburst, berating, diatribe, rant, harangue His _tirade_ against the new policy left everyone in the room stunned.

Answer 6

torpid | (**tore**-pid) ## Footnote synonyms: dormant, drained, motionless, lethargic, sluggish, inert After the long meeting, he felt _torpid_ and needed a break.

Answer 7

torpor | (**tore**-per) ## Footnote synonyms: dormancy, apathy, stagnation, lethargy, indifference During the heat of summer, many people experience a sense of _torpor_.

Answer 8

torrid | (**tore**-id) ## Footnote synonyms: arid, blazing, impassioned, scorching, fervent, heated The _torrid_ sun beat down on the desert, making it unbearable to walk outside. Her _torrid_ love letters revealed the depth of her feelings.

Answer 9

totalitarianism | (toe-tal-ih-**tare**-ee-un-izm) ## Footnote synonyms: dictatorship, tyranny, authoritarianism, oppression, despotism, regime In a _totalitarianism_, the state exerts complete control over all aspects of public and private life.

Answer 10

tractable | (**track**-tuh-bul) ## Footnote synonyms: manageable, compliant, adjustable, docile, obedient, pliable The dog was surprisingly _tractable_, following commands without hesitation. The _tractable_ material allowed the artist to create intricate designs.

Answer 11

anomalous | (uh-**nom**-ih-luss) ## Footnote synonyms: unusual, abnormal, strange, atypical, irregular, aberrant The _anomalous_ results of the experiment prompted further investigation.

Answer 12

antipathy | (an-**tip**-uh-thee) ## Footnote synonyms: disgust, abhorrence, hostility, animosity, enmity His _antipathy_ toward injustice drove him to become an activist.

Answer 13

approbate | (**ap**-ruh-behyt) ## Footnote synonyms: affirm, accept, endorse, sanction, ratify The committee will _approbate_ the new policy after reviewing its implications.

Answer 14

appropriate | (uh-**pro**-pree-ehyt) ## Footnote synonyms: steal, embezzle; allocate, assign, misappropriate, pilfer, confiscate The conquerors sought to _appropriate_ the land for their own use. The funds were _appropriated_ for educational programs.

Answer 15

arbiter | (**are**-bih-ter) ## Footnote synonyms: mediator, negotiator, referee, judge, authority, adjudicator The _arbiter_ was respected for his fair judgment in complex cases.

Answer 16

archetype | (**are**-kih-tahyp) ## Footnote synonyms: prototype, paradigm, model, standard, exemplar She is considered the _archetype_ of a successful entrepreneur. The classic novel serves as an _archetype_ for many modern stories.

Answer 17

n. feeling of great warmth or intensity ## Footnote His sense of justice manifests itself in the _ardor_ with which he throws himself into his legal work.

Answer 18

adj. requiring mental or physical strain adj. demanding ## Footnote The beach was practically empty, as reaching it entailed an _arduous_ journey through a bramble thicket.

Answer 19

n. a solo vocal piece in an opera ## Footnote During her _aria_, the opera singer expressed her character's sorrow to the audience with great skill.

Answer 20

adj. extremely dry adj. lacking spirit or vitality ## Footnote The _arid_ climate of the desert is ideal for plants that do not require much water, such as cacti.

Answer 21

adj. various, miscellaneous, separate ## Footnote The _sundry_ items at the garage sale ranged from antique to almost brand new.

Answer 22

n. a repetition of an action v. to repeat or resume ## Footnote The _reprise_ of the song had the audience dancing in the aisles.

Answer 23

v. to distress, torment ## Footnote Any talk of layoffs would always leave the entire division _harrowed_ and unable to focus on their work.

Answer 24

adj. cynical, mocking ## Footnote The class clown's _sardonic_ remark landed him in detention.

Answer 25

n. a deliberate deception to avoid a consequence ## Footnote Policemen who stop drunk drivers can see right through the _subterfuge_ of hastily chewing a piece of gum.

Answer 26

n. a generally accepted truth ## Footnote In math class, we learned about the different _axioms_ we could use to develop geometric proofs.

Answer 27

v. to deny the truth of ## Footnote Recent experiments seem to _controvert_ the predictions of previous theories.

Answer 28

n. one born or derived from another; an offspring or descendent n. a product of creative effort ## Footnote That family claims to be the _progeny_ of the king of France, but they refuse to submit to a DNA test to prove their bloodline.

Answer 29

n. one with absolute power to rule; a monarch ## Footnote While the _potentate_ sipped wine, the peasants toiled in the field.

Answer 30

adj. of paramount importance adj. dark red ## Footnote At the graduation speech, the valedictorian gave them _cardinal_ rules to live by.

Answer 31

adj. rigid, dry, unmoving ## Footnote The _hidebound_ rules of organized religion have never appealed to me much.

Answer 32

adj. very cautious; not giving or spending freely adj. shy ## Footnote Joe was _chary_ of his praise for his daughters, but when he did congratulate them, they beamed.

Answer 33

n. a complex, ornate design ## Footnote The kimono was trimmed with an _arabesque_ of tiny yellow curlicues.

Answer 34

adj. expressing great pleasure or enthusiasm ## Footnote The presidential decree was greeted with _rapturous_ applause.

Answer 35

v. to combine several elements into a whole; to blend ## Footnote Our county will _amalgamate_ with the neighboring county in order to cut administrative costs.

Answer 36

v. to babble or speak foolishly ## Footnote The confused student _prattled_ for a few minutes before sitting back down.

Answer 37

ardor | (**are**-der) ## Footnote synonyms: admiration, passion, fervor, zeal, enthusiasm His _ardor_ for the project inspired everyone on the team.

Answer 38

arduous | (**ar**-djew-us) ## Footnote synonyms: burdensome, exhausting, laborious, strenuous, grueling The hike was _arduous_, demanding both stamina and determination. She faced an _arduous_ task in completing the report by the deadline.

Answer 39

aria | (**are**-ee-uh) ## Footnote synonyms: descant, hymn, song, melody, solo, duet The soprano's _aria_ captivated the audience with its emotional depth.

Answer 40

arid | (**air**-id) ## Footnote synonyms: dry, barren, desiccated, parched, lifeless The _arid_ landscape made it difficult for plants to survive. The presentation was so _arid_ that many attendees struggled to stay awake.

Answer 41

sundry | (**suhn**-dree) ## Footnote synonyms: assorted, different, diverse, varied, disparate The shop sells _sundry_ items, from books to kitchenware.

Answer 42

reprise | (ruh-**preez**) ## Footnote synonyms: recurrence, repetition, return, reiteration, revival, comeback The _reprise_ of the song brought back fond memories for the audience. The composer decided to include a _reprise_ of the main theme in the final act.

Answer 43

harrow | (**hair**-oh) ## Footnote synonyms: depredate, harass, torment, afflict, trouble The memories of the event continued to _harrow_ him for years.

Answer 44

sardonic | (sahr-**don**-ik) ## Footnote synonyms: derisive, scornful, sarcastic, biting, contemptuous His _sardonic_ humor often left others feeling uncomfortable.

Answer 45

subterfuge | (**suhb**-ter-fyoodj) ## Footnote synonyms: cheating, dishonesty, dissimulation, deceit, trickery, evasion She used _subterfuge_ to evade the question and shift the conversation.

Answer 46

axiom | (**ack**-see-um) ## Footnote synonyms: principle, fundamental, maxim, truth, postulate It is an _axiom_ that hard work leads to success.

Answer 47

controvert | (**kon**-truh-vurt) ## Footnote synonyms: oppose, argue, deny, dispute, refute, challenge, contradict Many experts tried to _controvert_ the claim with counter-evidence.

Answer 48

progeny | (**prodj**-uh-nee) ## Footnote synonyms: offspring, children, lineage, result, descendant, heir, output The _progeny_ of the famous scientist continue to make significant contributions to research. His latest painting was the _progeny_ of years of artistic development.

Answer 49

potentate | (**poht**-n-teyt) ## Footnote synonyms: autocrat, chief, leader, sovereign, ruler, despot The _potentate_ of the small kingdom wielded immense influence over his subjects.

Answer 50

cardinal | (**kahr**-dn-uhl) ## Footnote synonyms: important, key, crucial, vital, burgundy Safety is a _cardinal_ rule when operating heavy machinery. The _cardinal_ dress added a vibrant touch to the festive decorations.

Answer 51

hidebound | (**hahyd**-bound) ## Footnote synonyms: fixed, immovable, strict, inflexible, unyielding, conservative The _hidebound_ policies of the organization stifled innovation.

Answer 52

chary | (**chair**-ee) ## Footnote synonyms: stingy, cautious; abashed, modest, hesitant, wary She was _chary_ about lending money to friends after a bad experience. His _chary_ demeanor made it difficult for him to join in on group discussions.

Answer 53

arabesque | (air-uh-**besk**) ## Footnote synonyms: design, frill, adornment, flourish, ornamentation, embellishment, motif The _arabesque_ patterns on the wall added elegance to the room.

Answer 54

rapturous | (**rap**-cher-uhs) ## Footnote synonyms: delighted, happy, ecstatic, euphoric, exuberant The audience gave a _rapturous_ applause at the end of the performance.

Answer 55

amalgamate | (uh-**mal**-guh-meyt) ## Footnote synonyms: integrate, combine, merge, fuse, consolidate The two companies decided to _amalgamate_ their resources to improve efficiency.

Answer 56

prattle | (**prat**-uhl) ## Footnote synonyms: chatter, gab, gush, babble, jabber, blather The children _prattled_ on about their day, oblivious to the time.

Answer 57

adj. relating to apes ## Footnote Humans have many _simian_ characteristics.

Answer 58

n. a steep rock or cliff face ## Footnote The climber faced the largest _precipice_ of his career.

Answer 59

n. divination n. an omen, portent ## Footnote _Augury_ is often performed by observing a crystal ball.

Answer 60

adj. of little value, paltry, petty n. something of little value ## Footnote His craftsmanship wasn't worth a _picayune_.

Answer 61

adj. having human characteristics ## Footnote Many people believe that aliens will be _anthropomorphic_, but there is no evidence to support that.

Answer 62

v. to be divided, to branch out ## Footnote The dispute _ramified_ as more factions got involved.

Answer 63

v. to scold sharply, reprimand, or blame ## Footnote Mom _upbraided_ me for not doing the dishes last night.

Answer 64

n. triviality n. something overused and trite ## Footnote The once-funny joke had become a _banality_ in the camp.

Answer 65

adj. immoral adj. made of low quality materials ## Footnote The young man was criticized by his parents for his _base_, degrading lifestyle.

Answer 66

adj. thoroughly soaked, saturated ## Footnote My clothes were _sodden_ from the rainstorm.

Answer 67

adj. stoic, emotionless ## Footnote People in old-time photographs tend to have _stolid_ expressions.

Answer 68

n. a disease characterized by body-part atrophy (especially of the lungs) ## Footnote His _phthisis_ was interfering with work more every day.

Answer 69

n. one who makes or sells wine ## Footnote In Italy there are a great number of _vintners_.

Answer 70

adj. prominent or conspicuous ## Footnote The cover of the study guide listed its _salient_ features, such as diagnostic and practice exams.

Answer 71

adj. arrogant, snobbish ## Footnote I prefer the company of one or two good friends to a party full of _haughty_, self-absorbed socialites.

Answer 72

v. to whiten or turn pale ## Footnote During the biology dissection, Jennifer _blanched_ and ran out of the room.

Answer 73

adj. incapable of being imitated or duplicated ## Footnote The Broadway debut was a spellbinding performance thanks mainly to the _inimitable_ stamina of the female lead.

Answer 74

n. growth; increase by successive or gradual addition ## Footnote The _accretion_ of dirt has changed the floor's color.

Answer 75

adj. forceful and effective adj. extremely perceptive ## Footnote The experienced CEO offered _trenchant_ criticisms of the young company.

Answer 76

adj. swollen or distended adj. excessively ornate; grandiloquent ## Footnote Marcy's _turgid_ leg was enough to concern her parents.

Answer 77

simian | (**sim**-ee-uhn) ## Footnote synonyms: ape-like, primate, anthropoid The _simian_ characteristics of the monkey were evident in its agile movements.

Answer 78

precipice | (**press**-uh-piss) ## Footnote synonyms: crag, bluff, cliff, ledge, escarpment The climbers stood at the edge of the _precipice_, gazing down at the valley below.

Answer 79

augury | (**aw**-gyuh-ree) ## Footnote synonyms: fortunetelling, forewarning, omen, prophecy The ancient practice of _augury_ involved interpreting the flight patterns of birds. Seeing a black cat was considered an _augury_ of bad luck.

Answer 80

picayune | (pik-ee-**yoon**) ## Footnote synonyms: diminutive, frivolous; a trifle, insignificant, trivial His _picayune_ complaints about the weather were tiresome. She dismissed the _picayune_ details, focusing instead on the bigger picture.

Answer 81

anthropomorphic | (an-thruh-puh-**mawr**-fik) ## Footnote synonyms: humanlike, personified, anthropoidal The _anthropomorphic_ characters in the cartoon made the story more relatable.

Answer 82

ramify | (**ram**-uh-fahy) ## Footnote synonyms: diverge, diversify, fork, split, extend The organization began to _ramify_ into various departments to better serve its members.

Answer 83

upbraid | (uhp-**breyd**) ## Footnote synonyms: berate, criticize, reprimand, reproach, chastise The manager did not hesitate to _upbraid_ the team for missing the deadline.

Answer 84

banality | (buh-**nal**-ih-tee) ## Footnote synonyms: cliché, quotidian, sameness, monotony The film suffered from _banality_, offering nothing new to the genre. The speech was filled with _banality_ that failed to inspire the audience.

Answer 85

base | (**behyss**) ## Footnote synonyms: vulgar, low; shoddy, cheap, inferior, contemptible His _base_ actions shocked everyone who knew him as a moral person. The furniture was so _base_ that it fell apart after just a few months.

Answer 86

sodden | (**sod**-n) ## Footnote synonyms: soaked, soggy, wet, drenched, saturated The _sodden_ ground made it difficult to walk without slipping.

Answer 87

stolid | (**stawl**-id) ## Footnote synonyms: apathetic, indifferent, impassive, unemotional, phlegmatic His _stolid_ demeanor made it hard for others to read his feelings.

Answer 88

phthisis | (**thigh**-sis) ## Footnote synonyms: infection, decay, tuberculosis, wasting disease _Phthisis_ was once a common cause of death before the advent of antibiotics.

Answer 89

vintner | (**vint**-ner) ## Footnote synonyms: winemaker, wine merchant, brewer, oenologist The _vintner_ proudly showcased his finest bottles at the annual wine festival.

Answer 90

salient | (**sehy**-lee-uhnt) ## Footnote synonyms: noticeable, important, pertinent, obtrusive, striking, remarkable Her _salient_ features made her stand out in the crowd.

Answer 91

haughty | (**haw**-tee) ## Footnote synonyms: egotistic, conceited, snobbish, disdainful, supercilious His _haughty_ attitude alienated many of his colleagues.

Answer 92

blanch | (**blanch**) ## Footnote synonyms: discolor, fade, wash out, lighten, pale, whiten She began to _blanch_ at the thought of giving a speech in front of the audience.

Answer 93

inimitable | (in-**im**-ih-tuh-buhl) ## Footnote synonyms: unique, matchless, peerless, singular, distinctive, incomparable Her _inimitable_ style made her a fashion icon.

Answer 94

accretion | (uh-**kree**-shuhn) ## Footnote synonyms: increase, build-up, growth, accumulation, expansion The _accretion_ of knowledge over the years has made him an expert in his field.

Answer 95

trenchant | (**tren**-chuhnt) ## Footnote synonyms: sharp, observant, incisive, keen, astute His _trenchant_ remarks during the debate swayed many opinions. She had a _trenchant_ understanding of the complex issues at hand.

Answer 96

turgid | (**tur**-djid) ## Footnote synonyms: bloated, enlarged, grandiose, pompous, verbose, inflated The _turgid_ river overflowed its banks after the heavy rainfall. His _turgid_ prose made the otherwise simple story difficult to read.

Answer 97

v. to speak or worry about something at length v. to attack ## Footnote She was known to _belabor_ the point when it came to environmentalism, so we tried not to bring it up.

Answer 98

v. to give a false impression v. to reveal as untrue ## Footnote She greeted us with a smile, but the redness of her eyes _belied_ her cheerful attitude.

Answer 99

adj. pleasant adj. not harmful, especially to health ## Footnote The doctor's _benign_ manner endeared him to patients.

Answer 100

n. a natural talent n. an inclination or interest ## Footnote Lisa had a true _bent_ for working with animals, so people often told her to consider a career as a veterinarian.

Answer 101

v. to scold or criticize angrily ## Footnote Jane's boss was so mean that he _berated_ her for even the smallest mistakes.

Answer 102

adj. carefree and happy ## Footnote When he lost his job, John struggled to maintain his _blithe_ and optimistic attitude toward life.

Answer 103

adj. having a lot of room ## Footnote The _capacious_ living room often impressed their guests.

Answer 104

v. to surrender; to give in ## Footnote The mother _capitulated_ after hours of tantrums and finally bought her son the toy.

Answer 105

n. a sudden desire ## Footnote Her decision to come along on the trip was a mere _caprice_; she had never expressed a desire to come before then.

Answer 106

v. to raise trivial objections n. a type of fish ## Footnote She hated when her coworkers _carped_ about the minimal work they had to do.

Answer 107

n. a waterfall n. something that falls or progresses like a waterfall ## Footnote I knew the wire was badly damaged when a _cascade_ of sparks fell the moment I touched it.

Answer 108

v. to give harsh criticism v. to punish harshly ## Footnote His parents _castigated_ him for his bad grades by taking away his car keys.

Answer 109

adj. capable of corroding adj. harsh or sarcastic in tone ## Footnote The comedian was known for his _caustic_ jokes about political scandals.

Answer 110

n. strong disapproval, esp. official disapproval v. to condemn ## Footnote The professor was _censured_ by the administration for his controversial and politically incorrect lectures.

Answer 111

n. fanatical patriotism n. prejudiced support of one's own group, sex, or cause ## Footnote My father's _chauvinism_ was characterized by a rather dim view of other races.

Answer 112

n. a creature possessing the body parts of different animals n. a fanciful mental illusion ## Footnote The ability to make easy money is a _chimera_; it only works until the next economic downturn.

Answer 113

n. a conspiracy or secret plot ## Footnote Acting in _collusion_ with several high officials, the rebels completed the government takeover successfully.

Answer 114

adj. satisfied and thus not wanting to improve ## Footnote Kate became _complacent_ after years of success as a model and so was unprepared when younger women challenged her position at the top.

Answer 115

adj. eager to please ## Footnote Although usually argumentative, Paul is surprisingly _complaisant_ with his girlfriend.

Answer 116

adj. brief; able to express a lot in few words ## Footnote Before the show, the director gave a _concise_ introduction that explained his reasons for getting involved in the production.

Answer 117

belabor | (buh-**lehy**-burr) ## Footnote synonyms: dwell on, repeat; invade, assail, harp on, reiterate, bombard He tends to _belabor_ his point, making discussions unnecessarily long. The critic did not hesitate to _belabor_ the flaws in the new film.

Answer 118

belie | (buh-**lahy**) ## Footnote synonyms: falsify, garble, distort; disprove, contradict, refute Her smile seemed to _belie_ her true feelings of sadness. The evidence will _belie_ the claims made during the trial.

Answer 119

benign | (buh-**nahyn**) ## Footnote synonyms: amiable, friendly, gentle; harmless, innocuous The _benign_ atmosphere of the garden made it a perfect spot for relaxation. The doctor assured her that the tumor was _benign_.

Answer 120

bent | (**bent**) ## Footnote synonyms: ability, gift; propensity, intent, talent, inclination She has a _bent_ for music, playing multiple instruments with ease. His _bent_ toward science led him to pursue a career in biology.

Answer 121

berate | (bih-**rate**) ## Footnote synonyms: abuse, discipline, rebuke, reprimand, chastise The coach _berated_ the players for their lack of effort during the game.

Answer 122

blithe | (**blahyth**) ## Footnote synonyms: animated, buoyant, cheerful, lighthearted, carefree, jovial Her _blithe_ spirit brought joy to everyone around her.

Answer 123

capacious | (kuh-**pay**-shuss) ## Footnote synonyms: spacious, roomy, expansive, ample, extensive, vast The _capacious_ trunk of the car easily accommodated all the luggage.

Answer 124

capitulate | (kuh-**pitch**-ih-lehyt) ## Footnote synonyms: bow, concede, succumb, yield, relent, surrender After weeks of negotiations, the company decided to _capitulate_ to the union's demands.

Answer 125

caprice | (kuh-**prees**) ## Footnote synonyms: fancy, impulse, whim, inclination, whimsy His decision to travel was a _caprice_, inspired by a spontaneous thought.

Answer 126

carp | (**karp**) ## Footnote synonyms: nag, bother, complain, criticize, quibble She began to _carp_ about the details of the plan, which frustrated the team. The _carp_ swam gracefully in the pond.

Answer 127

cascade | (kass-**kehyd**) ## Footnote synonyms: chute, downpour, flood, fall, rush, waterfall The _cascade_ of water tumbled down the rocky cliff, creating a beautiful sight. The project had a _cascade_ of delays that pushed the deadline further back.

Answer 128

castigate | (**kast**-ih-gehyt) ## Footnote synonyms: criticize, berate; punish, batter, scold, reprimand, chastise The teacher did not hesitate to _castigate_ the student for his poor behavior. She felt it was unfair to _castigate_ him for a mistake everyone else had made.

Answer 129

caustic | (**kaw**-stick) ## Footnote synonyms: abrasive, erosive; ironic, bitter, scathing, sardonic The _caustic_ chemical burned through the metal container. His _caustic_ remarks often left others feeling hurt and offended.

Answer 130

censure | (**sen**-shur) ## Footnote synonyms: criticism; blame, chide, incriminate, rebuke, reprimand The senator faced _censure_ for his inappropriate comments. The board decided to _censure_ the employee for violating company policies.

Answer 131

chauvinism | (**show**-vuh-niz-um) ## Footnote synonyms: jingoism, ethnocentricity, nationalism, partisanship His _chauvinism_ was evident in his dismissive attitude toward other cultures.

Answer 132

chimera | (kahy-**mere**-uh) ## Footnote synonyms: dream, fantasy, illusion, mirage, fabrication The mythological _chimera_ was said to breathe fire and have the body of a lion. Her dream of becoming a famous artist was a _chimera_ she held onto for years.

Answer 133

collusion | (kuh-**loo**-zhun) ## Footnote synonyms: pact, trick, connivance, conspiracy, collaboration, secret agreement The two companies were accused of _collusion_ to fix prices in the market.

Answer 134

complacent | (kum-**plehy**-sunt) ## Footnote synonyms: self-assured, unconcerned, gratified, content, smug, indifferent His _complacent_ attitude toward his grades prevented him from striving for better.

Answer 135

complaisant | (kum-**plehy**-sunt) ## Footnote synonyms: obliging, compliant, accommodating, agreeable, helpful The _complaisant_ assistant went out of her way to ensure her boss's satisfaction.

Answer 136

concise | (kun-**sahys**) ## Footnote synonyms: short, succinct, terse, to the point, compact The report was _concise_, highlighting only the most important information.

Answer 137

n. inference based on inconclusive or incomplete evidence ## Footnote The scientist's paper was criticized by his peers for being based purely on _conjecture_.

Answer 138

n. a state of confused terror or apprehension ## Footnote A feeling of _consternation_ filled the room as the teacher began to hand back papers immediately after the students had handed them in.

Answer 139

v. to make complete or perfect adj. perfect in every aspect ## Footnote The team's victory was _consummated_ by a spontaneous celebration on the field.

Answer 140

n. a point or argument in a debate n. a competition ## Footnote The ceasefire is holding, but a few points of _contention_ must still be resolved before a final peace can be reached.

Answer 141

adj. full of remorse ## Footnote The letter explained that he was truly _contrite_ and wanted to apologize in person.

Answer 142

v. to recover ## Footnote After the accident, Tom was told to _convalesce_ for at least two weeks.

Answer 143

adj. causing harm or damage ## Footnote It is now common knowledge that smoking is _deleterious_ to one's health.

Answer 144

n. a speaker who targets his or her audience's emotions or prejudices ## Footnote The candidate's opponent accused him of being a _demagogue_ and relying upon the public's fear of change.

Answer 145

v. to attack the reputation of ## Footnote The columnist _denigrated_ the baseball coach for his string of high-profile losses.

Answer 146

v. to mark or indicate ## Footnote The red text on her report card _denoted_ which classes she was failing.

Answer 147

v. to cause to lose moisture ## Footnote Mary had her wart removed at the doctor's office by _desiccating_ it.

Answer 148

v. to become dejected ## Footnote His campaign team _desponded_ when they heard the official results of the election.

Answer 149

adj. having no plan or purpose; random ## Footnote The _desultory_ thoughts running through Mick's mind prevented him from concentrating on the essay he had to write.

Answer 150

n. a harsh rant or critical review ## Footnote After hours of waiting with me in the lobby, my mother began her usual _diatribe_ on the various failings of airport management.

Answer 151

adj. distinctly separate ## Footnote The U.S. government has three _discrete_ branches: the judiciary, the legislature, and the executive.

Answer 152

v. to express a negative opinion of ## Footnote She _disparaged_ her friend behind his back, yet praised him to his face.

Answer 153

adj. completely different ## Footnote The two had such _disparate_ opinions on the topic that it seemed impossible for them to work together effectively.

Answer 154

adj. unbiased; objective ## Footnote A _dispassionate_ judge will favor neither the prosecution nor the defense.

Answer 155

adj. having a tendency or partiality to ## Footnote Kate was particularly stubborn when she was angry and was not _disposed_ to listen to reason.

Answer 156

adj. exhibiting a trend; having an ulterior motive or bias ## Footnote Wendy's _tendentious_ assessment of the war mentions only its positive effects, skipping over the negative points.

Answer 157

conjecture | (kun-**jeck**-chur) ## Footnote synonyms: assumption, guess, presumption, hypothesis, speculation, inference His _conjecture_ about the missing documents turned out to be correct.

Answer 158

consternation | (kon-stur-**nehy**-shun) ## Footnote synonyms: dismay, distress, panic, alarm, fear, anxiety The sudden news of the layoffs caused _consternation_ among the employees.

Answer 159

consummate | (v. **kon**-suh-meyt; adj. **kon**-suh-muht) ## Footnote synonyms: fulfill, finish, achieve; flawless, complete, ideal, supreme The artist hoped to _consummate_ his vision with this final piece. Her performance was _consummate_, leaving the audience in awe.

Answer 160

contention | (kun-**ten**-shun) ## Footnote synonyms: allegation, claim; altercation, contest, dispute, rivalry His _contention_ that the policy would benefit the economy was met with skepticism. The two teams were in _contention_ for the championship title.

Answer 161

contrite | (kun-**trahyt**) ## Footnote synonyms: regretful, atoning, remorseful, penitent, apologetic, repentant She felt _contrite_ after realizing the hurt she had caused her friend.

Answer 162

convalesce | (kon-vuh-**less**) ## Footnote synonyms: grow strong, rest, recharge physically, recuperate, heal, regain strength After her surgery, she needed several weeks to _convalesce_.

Answer 163

deleterious | (dell-uh-**teer**-ee-us) ## Footnote synonyms: destructive, injurious, hurtful, harmful, detrimental, dangerous The chemicals in the product were found to have _deleterious_ effects on health.

Answer 164

demagogue | (**dem**-uh-gog) ## Footnote synonyms: agitator, rabble-rouser, firebrand, instigator, provocateur The politician was criticized as a _demagogue_ for exploiting public fears.

Answer 165

denigrate | (**den**-ih-grehyt) ## Footnote synonyms: malign, slander, defame, disparage, belittle, vilify The article aimed to _denigrate_ her achievements and undermine her credibility.

Answer 166

denote | (dih-**noht**) ## Footnote synonyms: assign, signify, represent, indicate, express The red color on the map _denotes_ areas of high risk.

Answer 167

desiccate | (**dess**-ih-kehyt) ## Footnote synonyms: dehydrate, dry out, evaporate, parch, wither The hot sun will _desiccate_ the soil if it is not watered regularly.

Answer 168

despond | (dih-**spond**) ## Footnote synonyms: despair, dishearten, surrender, dismay, lose hope, falter After hearing the bad news, she began to _despond_ and lost her motivation.

Answer 169

desultory | (**dess**-uhl-tore-ee) ## Footnote synonyms: aimless, erratic, random, haphazard, disconnected His _desultory_ remarks during the meeting left everyone confused about his position.

Answer 170

diatribe | (**die**-uh-trahyb) ## Footnote synonyms: criticism, tirade, harangue, invective, polemic The critic's _diatribe_ against the film was scathing and left no stone unturned.

Answer 171

discrete | (diss-**kreet**) ## Footnote synonyms: detached, disconnected, separate, distinct, individual, isolated The data was divided into _discrete_ categories for easier analysis.

Answer 172

disparage | (dih-**spare**-idj) ## Footnote synonyms: insult, belittle, denigrate, demean, criticize She felt hurt when her colleague chose to _disparage_ her efforts publicly.

Answer 173

disparate | (**diss**-puh-rit) ## Footnote synonyms: contrary, unlike, various, distinct, diverse, heterogeneous The two proposals were so _disparate_ that it was hard to compare them.

Answer 174

dispassionate | (diss-**pash**-ih-nut) ## Footnote synonyms: unbiased, fair, not affected by emotion, impartial, unemotional, level-headed As a _dispassionate_ observer, he was able to provide fair feedback.

Answer 175

disposed | (diss-**pohzd**) ## Footnote synonyms: inclined, prone to, willing, apt, susceptible He seemed _disposed_ to agree with the majority opinion.

Answer 176

tendentious | (ten-**den**-chuss) ## Footnote synonyms: biased, calculated, partisan, slanted, prejudiced The article had a _tendentious_ slant, clearly favoring one political party. His _tendentious_ comments during the discussion revealed his hidden agenda.

Advanced Vocab Words - Set 6 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.