Barron's words for TOEFL [6th edition] Flashcards
Abrupt
quick, with our warning
“I was surprised by the abrupt change of subject”
“After the incident everyone left abruptly”
Acclaim
enthusiastic approval; applause
“Issac Stern has won acclaim abroad”
“The conference was acclaimed as a considerable success”
Synonyms: Praise, Applause, Cheers, Accolade, Tribute
Adverse
preventing success or development; harmful; unfavorable.
“Adverse weather condition made it difficult to play the game”
“His indecision adversely affected his job performance”
Disruption
problems that interrupt an event, activity, or process.
“the schedule was planned to minimize disruption”
“Frequent questions during lectures can be disruptive”
Haphazardly
having no order or pattern; by chance
“It was obvious that the house was built haphazardly”
“Susan completed the assignment in a haphazard way”
Synonyms: Random, Unplanned, Unsystematic, Unmethodical, Disorganized, Disorderly
Advent
the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.
“With the advent of computers, many tasks have been made easier”
“The newspapers announced the advent of the concert season”
Agile
able to move in a quick and easy way
“Deer are very agile animals”
“She move agilely across the stage”
“An agile leap”
Synonyms: Nimber, Lithe, Supple, Limber, Acrobactic
Albeit
although.
“he was making progress, albeit rather slowly”
Appealing
attractive or interesting.
“The rural life is somehow more appealing”
“Through his sppeches, the candidate appealed to the voters”
Circumvent
find a way around (an obstacle).
“THe hacker attempted to circumvent the computer;s security system”
“Circumvention of the freshman math requirement is possible”
Synonyms: Evade, Avoid
Frail
(of a person) weak and delicate.
“A frail voice”
“The frail wings of the newborn bird could not lift it off the ground”
Heyday
the stage or period of greatest vigor, strength, success, etc.; prime
“The heyday of the vaudeville stars”
“We are liveing in the heyday of digital communicaions”
Refine
to make pure, to improve
“Sugar was refined by boiling it in huge iron vats”
“A squirt of lime juice is the perfect refinement to cola”
Ascertain
find (something) out for certain; make sure of.
“An attempt to ascertain the cause of the accident”
“I tried to ascertain if hs was telling the truth”
synonyms: Find out, Discover, Get to know
Conform
comply with rules, standards, or laws.
“The kitchen does not conform to hygiene regulations”
“She has always been a conformist”
Intensify
to make stronger in feeling or quality
“The importance of the test will sometimes intensify the nervousncess of the students”
“The chess match was played with great intensity”
Synonyms: Escalate, Increase, Boost, Raise, Strengthen, Augment
Intolerable
difficult or painful to experience,
not able to accept different ways of thought or behavior
“Any opposition to the rules is intolerable”
“His boss was intolerant of his tardiness”
Synonyms: Unbearable
Staple
a fundamental element or principal part of something
“Milk, bread, and eggs are staples of most American grocery store”
“The main staple of Asian diets is rice”
Astounding
surprisingly impressive or notable.
“the summit offers astounding views”
“The fans were astounded by their team’s success”
“The scientists made an astounding discovery”
Astute
Very intelligent, smart, clever
“He was an astute worker, finishing in half the time it took the others to finish”
“They astutely determined that there would be no chance to finish on time”
Synonyms: Shrewd, Sharp, Acute, Adroit, Crafty
Concur
be of the same opinion; agree.
“the authors concurred with the majority”
happen or occur at the same time; coincide.
“in tests, cytogenetic determination has been found to concur with enzymatic determination”
Deceptively
making something appear true or good when it is false or bad
“Don’t be fooled by the slick advertising and deceptively impressive hardware and launch titles.”
“The magician deceptively made the rabbit disapper”
“Richard deceived Joe about the cost of the coat”
Designate
to select to do a task
“The president designated the vice president to represent him at the meeting”
“The designated driver drove every one home after the party”
Elicit
to get the fact or draw out the truth
“A lawyer will elicit all the facts necessaty to proe her case”
“Elicitation of the truth can be difficult at times”
Embody
to be a good example of a concept or idea
“A team that embodies competitive spirit and skill”
“Charlotte embodies all of the qualities of a good leader”
Instigate
to cause a conflict or argument
“Dissatisfaction with government policies instigated the revolution”
“After all, the goal is to address issues, instigate debate and implement change”
Mundane
common or routine
“The student’s mundane summer job frustrated her”
“His mother asked him to do all the mundane household chores”
Petition
to make a request
“Canada petitioned the United Nations to consier its case”
“The student’s petition was denied”
Relinquish
voluntarily cease to keep or claim; give up.
“He relinquished his managerial role to become chief executive”
Resilient
(of a substance or object) able to recoil or spring back into shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed.
“Foam is resilient, keeps its shape and comes in a range of densities.”
strong enough to recover from difficulty or disease
“She has resilent personality and will soon feel better”
Tempt
to make ot attractive to do something, usually something not good
“The idea of getting rich quickly tempted him to invest his life savings”
“Desserts are more tempting when one is on a diet”
Baffle
to confuse to a point at which no progress can be made
“The caused of many harmful diseases have baffled doctors for centuries”
restrain or regulate (a fluid, sound, etc.).
“to baffle the noise further, I pad the gunwales”
Delicate
needing careful treatment; sensitive, easily broken
“Because of its controversial nature, it was a challenge to discuss such a delicate issue in public”
“You must handle the antique delicately”
Synonyms: Fragile
Enhance
to increase in a positive way, such as in value, power, or beauty
“Passing the exam should enhance your chances of being admitted to college”
Synonyms: Strengthen
Incessant
(of something regarded as unpleasant) continuing without pause or interruption.
“The woman’s incessant talking disturbed everyone watching the movie”
“The dogs’ incessant barking kept the whole neighborhood up all night”
Intrigue
to interest greatly
“He was intrigued by the acclaim that he received.”
“The intriguing question baffled historians”
Synonyms: Fascinate
Recompense
a repayment or reward for a deed
“The kight received gold as recompense for saving the kingdom”
“His boss assured him that he’d be recompensed for his extra efforts”
Synonyms: Compensation
Shed
to throw off naturally; to give out
“In order to grow, crabs must shed their shells”
“The experiments shed no new information on the cause of the disease”
Chiefly
the most important or most common
“Houses are made chiefly of wood products”
“Corn is the chief crop of the Midwest”
Coarse
Not fine or smooth; not delicate
“Sandpaper is an extremely coarse material”
“Wool clothing has a certain coarseness in texture”
Synonyms: Rough
Exclusively
No one else; nothing else; not shared with others
“This room is used exclusively by the faculty”
“They excluded everyone under 21 from the contest”
Extinguish
To bring about the end of something
“The firefighters quickly extinguished the flames”
“Modern medicine has extinguished many previously serious illnesses”
Synonyms: Terminate
Immense
extremely large or great, especially in scale or degree.
“The cost of restoration has been immense”
“She was immensely interested in the idea of teaching a foreign language”
Synonyms: Massive
Brash
Confident or aggressive; lacking regard for consequences
“The brash young man made many poor business decisions”
“Luey’s brashness often got her into trouble at school”
Discrepancy
a difference between things that should be similar or equal
“The discrepancy in her experiment data led her to believe that she had made a mistake”
“There is usually a discrepancy between how coffee smells and how it tastes”
Diverse
Variousl distinct from others
“Freud had many diverse interests in psychology”
“The diversity of life forms on the earth makes zoology an interresting area of study”
Synonyms: Different
Prosperous
successful in material terms; flourishing financially.
“In the rarly 1900s, San Francisco was a prosperous city”
“Bacteria prosper under the proper conditions”
Purposefully
done for a special reason
“The course sullabus was designed purposefully to be easy to follow”
Scarcely
only just; almost not.
“her voice is so low I can scarcely hear what she is saying”
“Due to a scarcity of water, rationing plan was established”
Synonyms: Hardly
Creep
slow movement, especially at a steady but almost imperceptible pace.
“An attempt to prevent this slow creep of costs”
move slowly and carefully, especially in order to avoid being heard or noticed.
“He crept downstairs, hardly making any noise”
Dictate
To state demands with the power to enforce
“The workers were not in a position to dictate demands to management”
“His boss resembled a dictator”
Synonyms: Impose
Docile
easy to control or train
“The moose is typically a very docile animal”
“Many rebellious young people see docility as a weakness”
Synonyms: Manageable
Engender
To cause something new to exist; to create
“The issue engendered continuing controversy”
“Economic conditions in the 1950s engendered an era of inustrial growth”
Engross
to occupy completely, as the mind or attention; absorb:
“Their discussion engrossed his attention”
“The teacher’s lecture engrossed the entire class”
“O. Henry’s short stories engross readers all the way to their surprise endings”
Settle
to establish a home; to resolve a disagreement
“People arriving from the South settled in California”
“The lawyers settled their differences and came to an agreement”
Acute
having a sudden consequence or severe effect
“The president was acutely aware of the fact that her decision would be unpopular”
Synonyms: Intense
Jargon
language specific to a profession or activity
“The legal jargor in the contract was confusing”
“Science fiction jargon used in television shows and movies oftern comes from real science”
Synonyms: Terminology
Vibrant
lively; powerful; full of action; bright
“His vibrant personality made him well liked by everyone”
“The vibrance of the city is attractive to many individuals
Synonyms: Brilliant
Distinct
clearly noticed; different
“There was a distinct aroma of coffee in the restaurant”
“The two theories are distincty different from each other”
Synonyms: Definite
Dormant
not growing or producing; asleep
“The volcano had been dormant for hundreds of tears before the eruption last month”
Synonyms: Inactive
Drab
lacking color; uninteresting, boring
“Their clothing was quite drab”
“The drabness of the desert made driving less intereting”
Synonyms: Coloress
Eclectic
to select or represent something chosen from many sources or places
“He has an eclectic taste in music, from hard rock to classical”
“The eclectic group of students came from fifteen different countries”
Synonyms: Diverse
Elaborate
something with a large number of parts; full of details
“An elaborate head dress indicated rank within the Aztec community”
“His elaboration of the issue was quite thorough”
Synonyms: Complex
Genuine
honest or true; real
“She was genuinely concerned about world hunger”
“This is a genuine artifact from the american Civil War”
Synonyms: Authentic
Minuscule
of little consequencel; very small
“The sale of the building had a minuscule effect on the profits of the corporation”
“Some leaves are covered with minute hairs”
Synonyms: Tiny
Prime
to make ready; first in importance or in time
“The directors primed the actors before the performance”
“Mozart passed away in the prime of his life”
Synonyms: Prepare
Rudimentary
simple; not complex
“He has a rudimentary knowledge of computers”
“The rudiments of grammar are taught in all English classes”
Synonyms: Basic
Superficial
simple; not deer; near the surface
“The inspector determined that the crack in the bridge was only superficial”
“You should not try to answer the question superficially”
Synonyms: Shallow
Vigorous
powerful, full of action
“His vigorous defense of the issues impressed everyone”
“He approached his work with vigor”
Synonyms: Strong
Amenity
somthing that makes life easier or more enjoyable
“She missed all the amenities of home whn she went campling”
“One expects many amenities at a five -star hotel”
Synonyms: Convenience
Disperse
to cause to move in many different directions
“The high winds and rain dispersed the crowd”
“After the hurricane, dispersed belongings cluttered the street”
Synonyms: Circulate
Dwelling
where people live
“Cavelike dwelling have been discovered throughout the world”
“City dwellers often have trouble adjusting to life in the country”
Synonyms: House
Encircle
to make a circle around
“The players encircleed their coach after winning the big game”
“The encircled celebrity actually became afraid of her fans”
Synonyms: Surround
Erratic
no regular pattern in thinking or movement; changeable without reason
“The artist’s paintings have an erratic quality, some being excellent, and others mediocre”
“The unstable chemical reacted erratically”
Synonyms: Inconsistent
Exaggerate
to make something more than what it is
“The federal government exaggerated the success of its programs”
“To say that his business is successful would be a slight exaggeration”
Synonyms: Overstate
Mortify
to embarrass
“He was mortified upon forgetting his lines during the play”
“She mortified her son by showing Alice his baby pictures”
Synonyms: Humiliate
Prevalent
Existing widely or commonly
“Comfortable trade winds are prevalent in the Caribbean islands”
“There is a prevalence of disease where poor sanitation condition exist”
Synonyms: Commonplace
Burgeon
growing at a fast pace
“The burgeoning population of major cities is creating a demand for more services”
“His talent as a piantist burgeoned at the age o f 14”
Synonyms: Thrive
Conspicuously
attracting attention
“His name was conspicuously absent from the list of winners”
“The attorneys were conspicuous for their aggressive manner in the courtroom”
Synonyms: Noticeably
Deficient
Not having enough of something
“A diet deficient in calcium can lead to bad health”
“There is a deficiency of qualified engineers in the country”
Synonyms: Lacking
Eloquent
expressing clearly, effectively, and convincingly
“Successful politicians are usually eloquent speaker”
“That student’s essay is eloquently written”
Synonyms: Articulate
Endorse
to express apprival
“The union endorsed the new contract”
“The president’s endorsement of the project guaranteed its funding”
Synonyms: Support
Noteworthy
deserving positive recognition or attention
“The university has a noteworthy collection of ancient text”
“There was a noteworthy increase in the amount of money the school raised”
Synonyms: Remarkable
Reportedly
to know by report; unconfirmed; supposedly
“The students reportedly sent a representative, but she has not yet arrived”
“The reported tornado has not been confirmed”
Synonyms: Rumored
Susceptible
to be subject to influence; capable of being affected by a person or thing
“When traveling in tropical climated, travelers are susceptible to malaria”
“Adolescents are especially susceptible to the influence of their friends”
Synonyms: Vulnerable
Dignitary
a very important of famous person, usually associated with a high position in government
“Every dignitary in Washington was invited to the wedding”
“All of the high-ranking dignitaries attended the economic summit”
Synonyms: Celebrity
Exhaust
to use completely; to expend all energy; very thorough
“They exhausted their energy in ten minutes”
“The exhaustive report was acclaimed by everyone”
Synonyms: Deplete
Facet
element or component
“The proposal had many beneficail facets”
“It was a multifaceted problem that challenged the entire student body”
Synonyms: Aspect
Oblivious
to be unaware of or forgetful
“The students were oblivious to the fact that the test would cover the entire chapter”
“The coastal inhabitants were oblivious to the dangers of the approaching hurricane”
Synonyms: Ignorant
Uphold
to support or maintain
“The tree house was upheld by three thick tree branches”
“Each president of the United States must promise to uphold the constitution”
Synonyms: Sustain
Ample
more than enough
“There is ample evidence that the young man was speeding when the accident occurred”
“She was amply paid for the work she completed”
Synonyms: Sufficient
Arduous
very dificult or challenging; requiring hard work
“The mountain tour guides climbed the mountain at an arduous pace”
“The farmer’s crops survived despite the arduous summer heat”
Synonyms: Demanding
Arid
being of little rain or water
“The area known as the Sahara Desert is one of the most arid places in the world”
“The valley on the leeward side of the mountain was extremely arid”
Synonyms: Dry
Avert
to stop from occurring; to turn away or aside
“She could have averted the accident if she had not been texting while driving”
“The citizens packed sandbags along the river bank to avert the flooding of their streets”
Synonyms: Prevent
Defy
to litter fear or ragard for rules or established norms; to challenge
“I defy you to find that book in the library’s collection”
“The circus performer demonstrated her death-defying routine”
Synonyms: Resist
Enact
to pass a law
“Congress enacted the legislation during its last session”
“The enactment of the laws was in the hands of the senate”
Synonyms: Legislate
Feign
to pretend; make believe
“She feigned illness when it was time to visit the dentist”
“The athlete feigned his injury”
Synonyms: Simulate
Fertile
able to produce abundantly
“The delta areas of rivers are known for their fertile soil”
“Fertilizers are used on crop to increse yields”
Synonyms: Rich
Indiscriminate
not chosen carefully; unplanned
“The indiscriminate arrangement of the products made the store confusing”
“The book’s chapters seem to be organized indiscriminately”
Synonyms: Arbitrary
Pinpoint
to find or describe something with precision
“The engineers were immediately able to pinpoint the problem with the bridge”
“The new, advance thermomenter measures the temperature with pinpoint accuracy”
Synonyms: Locate
Spacious
having a lot of room
“The spacious plains of the midwest make up the nation’s breadbasket”
Synonyms: Expansive
Foster
to promote growth or development
“The industrial revolution fostered the rise of the middle class”
“Parents usually foster the development of good habits in their children”
Synonyms: Stimulate
Halt
to stop or discontinue
“Bus service to the city was halted due to poor road conditions”
“The supervisor put a halt to the tardiness of the employees”
Synonyms: Stop
Harbor
to give protection; to not express a desire or opinion, usually bad
“He harbors ill feeling for her”
“They harbored the political refugee in their home”
Synonyms: Shelter
Perilous
threatening or risky; harmful
“It is perilous to exceed the speed limit”
“There are ample perils in the sport of mountain climbing”
Synonyms: Dangerous
Substantial
important; strongly made; of value
“The discovery of a vaccine for smallpox was a substantial medical achievement”
“This substantive article will change your opinion of rock music”
Synonyms: Significant
Trait
specific qualities that distinguish one from another
“Her sense of humor and cheerful personality are some of her most impressive traits”
“Alma’s blonde hair is a trait inherited from her father”
Synonyms: Characteristic
Conscientious
showing serious purpose; one who works carefully an with enthusiasm
“She is a conscientious representative of the student body”
“They approached the task conscientiously”
Synonyms: Meticulous
Encompassing
to surround completely; to envelop
“Her plan of study encompasses every aspect of computer science”
“The course encompasses all the literature of the nineteenth century”
synonyms: Include
Inadvertently
by accident; without paying attention; unexpectedly
“The reporters had inadvertently failed to include the name of one of the digniteries”
“HIs inadvertently calculation caused him to derive the wrong answer”
Synonyms: Carelessly
Inevitable
something that cannot be prevented from happpening
“When two weather systems meet, unsettled weather conditions are inevitable”
“The inevitability of the outcome made the challenge less exciting”
synonyms: Unavoidable
Infancy
in the beginning stages of development
“The new theory is in its infancy and will be thoroughly tested by its critics”
“The author’s infantile writing style appeals to young readers”
Paramount
to be of highest importance
“The club’s paramount goal is to raise awareness of the importance of community service”
“Being quiet is of paramount importance while watching a movie at the theater”
Synonyms: Foremost
Unwarranted
without good reason or cause; inappropriate
“His negative reaction was unwarranted”
“The motorist felt that the ticket for the infraction was unwarranted”
Synonyms: Unjustified
Zenith
the highest point
“He reached the zenith of his profession at a very young age”
“The publication of the book represented the zenith of his career”
Synonyms: Apex
Agitate
to shake or move; to cause worry
“The fact that she had not arrived by midnight agitated her parents”
“He was known as a political agitator”
Synonyms: Disturb
Comply
to agree to follow a request or command; to adhere to specific standards
“A well-trained dog will comply when told to sit”
“Students must maintain a B average to remain in compliance with the scholarship’s rules”
Synonyms: Acquiesce
Delighted
to be satisfied; very happy
“He was delighted with the results of the experiment”
“It was a delightful afternoon”
Synonyms: Elated
Discreet
in a careful, polite manner
“The teacher discreetly told the parents about their ‘s inappropriate behavior”
“You can count on me to discreet”
Synonyms: Cautiously
Evoke
to call up or produce memories or feelings; to cause to remember
“Hearing her favorite song evoked fond memories of her high school years”
“Most sounds evoke hints of time and place”
Synonyms: Remind
Gradual
slowly, but surely
“The bay has gradually deteriorated over the years”
“There has been a gradual change in the climate over the past decade”
Synonysm: Steadily
Impartial
showing no favoritism; being fair or just
“Teachers must be impartial judges of their student’s work”
“Judges are known for their impartiality”
Synonyms: Objective
Inordinated
a large amount or quantity; more than reasonable
“The airlines had to cancel an inordinate number of flights due to the fog”
“There was an inordinated large number of whales off the coast”
Synonyms: Excessive
Inundate
to flood
“The radio stations were inundated with reports of a severe traffic”
“The foundation experienced ad inundated of request for money”
Synonyms: Overwhelm
Nominal
very small; in form, but not in substance
“The office building was sold at nominal price”
“She was nominally successful as an actress”
Synonyms: Moderate
Presumably
reported, but not confirmed
“The old wreck was presumably located southwest of Florida”
“I presume that you have been camping before”
Synonyms: Supposedly
Absurd
clearly false; without reason
“Confidentially, I think his suggestion is absurd”
“They are absurdly irrational about the issue”
Synonyms: Ridiculous
Culminated
to finish; to reach a climax or the hight point
“The rock song culminated in a loud guitar solo”
“After four years of diligent study, the student’s hard work culminated in several offers of full scholarships for college”
Synonyms: Conclude
Demeanor
someone’s outward appearance or behavior
“The old woman had a pleasant demeanor”
“The dog was huge, but its friendly demeanor eased my fears”
Synonyms: Conduct
Exert
to put into use; to put forth an effort
“He had to exert all of his strength to move the heavy box”
“Your body will be better prepared for physical exertion if you exercise daily”
Synonyms: Apply
Limber
to be stretched; easily shaped
“The dancer has a limber body”
“She was able to make the limber movements that are required of gymnasts”
Synonyms: Flexible
Preconceived
an opinion formed in advance without experience or knowledge of something
“It is difficult to overcome preconceptions if we are not open to new ideas”
“HIs preconceived notions about Los Angeles disappeared after he visited the city”
Synonyms: Bias
Robust
showing good health; in good shape
“The robust economy is expected to continue growing quickly”
“The new product is selling robustly”
Synonyms: Energetic
Fabricate
to make up, usually with an intent to fool or trick; to lie
“The executive fabricated the story about the merger”
“His alibi is the weakest fabrication I have ever heard”
Synonyms: Invent
Nurture
to support and encourage the development of something
“The owner of the vineyard carefully nurture the grapevines in order to produce the best grapes”
“That school is well-known for having a nurturing learning environment”
Synonyms: Cultivate
Accentuate
to highlight; to give more importance to
“The colorful dress accentuate the joy of th occasion”
“The supervisor accentuate her preference for hard-working employees during the performance appraisal”
Synonyms: Emphasize
Devise
to brainstrom; to come up with an idea
“The firefighters devised a plan to safety bring the cat down form the tree”
“The scientist had to devise an entirely new experiment after the first one failed”
Synonyms: Formulate
Indifferent
being uninterested or not caring about something
“The teacher was indifferent to student requests to extend the project’s deadline”
“The player’s indifference about his error on the field upset the coach”
Synonyms: Apathetic
Omit
to leave out; not include
“She inadvertently omitted some important data from the report”
“His paper had several notable omissions”
Synonyms: Neglect
Outlandish
strange and unpleasant; beyond accepted norms
“His outlandish ideas demonstrated his creativity”
“Rebellious youth in many countries dress outlandishly”
Synonyms: Bizarre
Streamline
to update; to make more efficient or concise
“The planning process must be streamlined in order for it to be more reliable”
“Internet stores have streamlined the process of finding, buying, and selling merchandise”
Synonyms: Simplify
Outburst
a sudden and intense release of something
“An outburst of tears”
“The joke caused an outburst of laughter from the audience”
“There was an outburst of complains from the students when the teacher moved the test to Monday”
Synonyms: Eruption
Partisan
Strongly supporting a group or point of view
“Partisan political infighting cause Congress’s influence to decline”
“His view reflected his partisan bias”
Synonyms: Biased
Philanthropic
a feeling of love for people, usually resulting in financial aid to worthy causes
“The philanthropic work of the foundation benefits all sectors of society”
“His philanthropy is recognized around the world”
Synonyms: Humanitarian
Placid
quiet; not easily upset
“The pracid nature of her personality made her easy to work with”
“The waves moved placidly toward shore”
Synonyms: Calm
Scenic
concerning pleasant natural surroundings
“The scenic route to the sumit is much more interesting than the fastest route”
“The scenery in rural Japan is impressive”
Synonyms: Picturesque
Sheltered
protected from harmful element; isolated from reality
“She has led a sheltered life, her parent having done everything for her”
“Everyone looker for shelter from the blazing sun”
Synonyms: Protected
Archaic
very old; old-fashioned; no longer used
“Theses archaic methods of farming must be brought up-to-date”
“His speech was full of archaic expressions”
Synonyms: Ancient
Enlighten
to give information or understanding to someone
“Books often enlighten readers to different ways of thinking”
“The speaker enlightened the audience on how to succeed in college”
Synonyms: Instruct
Hue
color
“The hue of the sunset was beautiful”
“The hue of the room gave it a warm feeling”
Intricate
having many parts; finely detailed
“The intricate design of the vase made it a valuable price for her collection”
“I cannot begin to understand all of the intricacies of modren automobile motors”
Synonyms: Complex
Oblige
to have to do something
“She obliged her frined to choose a new lab parter”
“Payment of the student activity fee was obligatory”
Synonyms: Require
Provoke
to cause or produce negative behavior
“The installation of speed cameras provoked an angry response from the public”
“The manager did not deliberately provoke the argument among his workers”
Synonyms: Trigger
Compel
to make something happen by necessity or force
“The representatives were compelled to vote in favor of the legislation despite their personal opposition to it”
“The lawyer’s plea was made in a compelling manner”
Synonyms: Obliged
Compile
to collect
“The film club asked each of its members to compile a list of his or her favorite movies”
“The book is a compilation of Shakespeare’s play”
Synonyms: Assemble
Formidable
difficult; causing worry or fear
“Their formidable opponents gave no sign of weakness”
“The man’s voice echoed formidably throughout the hall way”
Synonyms: Overwhelming
Intrusive
the state of being inside when not desired to be there by other
“The intrusive bacteria cause his condition to worsen”
“The intrusive of the hazardous gas made it difficult to live in the house”
Synonyms: Annoying
Periodic
occurring at specific, determined periods of time
“Periodic payments must be made on home loans”
“Some people need periodic doses of medicine”
Synonyms: Regularly
Prone
likely to do something
“Most liquids are prone to contract when frozen”
“She is prone to study hard the night before her test”
Synonyms: Inclined to
Prophetic
correctly telling about future events
“His prophetic power were investigated by a team of psychologists”
“The brilliant student fulfilled his teacher’s prophecy that he would be a successful doctor”
Synonyms: Predictive
Renown
fame
“This school is of great renown”
“The renowned conductor made a guest appearance at the concert”
Synonyms: Prominence
Triumph
a victory; a success
“His career was characterized by one triumph after another”
“He triumphed over all of his diffiulties”
Synonyms: Achievement
Discernible
noticeable; easily seen
“A feeling of anxiety was discernible among the member of the team”
“The new student was unable to discern the humor of the teacher’s joke”
Synonyms: Detectable
Flourishing
active and growing; healthy
“Small flourishing companies would be harmed by an increase in the minimum wage”
“A young mind will flourish with the proper guidance”
Synonyms: Thriving
Mediocre
of average quality; not good or bad
“This is a mediocre research report”
“The mediocrity of his work was disapointing”
Synonyms: Average
Peculiar
unusual; uncommon
“This plastic has a peculiar texture”
“The puffin has many peculiarities not shared by other birds”
Synonyms: Strange
Stem from
to emerge or develop from something
“The author’s talent in wirting stems from his love of reading books”
“Many oppunities have stem from his decision to attend the university”
Synonyms: Originate
Tedious
long and tiring
“The tedious lecture bored most of the audience”
“Some people become frustrated by the tedium of daily living”
Synonyms: Monotonous
Circulate
to cause to move along a fixed path; move freely
“The news of the president’s visit circulated quickly throughout the city”
“A dollar bill remains in circulation for approximately one and a half years”
Synonyms: Distribute
Exhibit
to show or demonstrate
“The compound exhibits the qualities of an acid”
“it was the best exhibition of talent that I have ever seen”
Synonyms: Display
Improperly
not following established rules; not desirable
“The disappointing outcome was a result of an improperly prepared petri dish”
“There was an impropriety with the way the funds were spent”
Synonyms: Inappropriately
Impulsively
acting without thinking
“She reacted impulsively to the loud noise”
“Many shoppers buy items on impulse”
Synonyms: Capriciously
Overtly
in a way clearly seen; not done secretly
“He overtly disregarded the regulations”
“Her overtly attempt to take control of the discussion failed”
Synonyms: Openly
Profoundly
in a deep way; showing deep knowledge of a subject
“Everyone was profoundly impressed by the news reports”
“The nobel prize is a profound recognition of outstanding achievement”
Synonyms: Significantly
Subsequently
following; coming after something
“The public applauded the president’s actions and subsequently his rating in the polls improved”
“This report, and all subsequent reports, must be writing in the appropriate style”
Synonyms: Afterward
Upstanding
marked by integrity; good, honest
“The school only accepts upstanding young adults”
“The neighborhood has been kept clean and beautiful thanks to its upstanding residents”
Synonyms: Moral
Controversial
causing disagreement or argument
“The governor made a contrversial decision to raise taxes”
“The controversy was caused by the proposal to build an airport in the area”
Synonyms: Divisive
Exemplify
to give an example
“The recent downturn in the housing industry exemplifies the poor economic conditions”
“Her exemplary academic achievement is representative of most students at this institution”
Synonyms: Symbolize
Factor in
to account for something while making a decision or analysis
“The family had to factor in the price of gasoline as they planned their road trip”
“The architect did not factor in the required distance from the sidewalk in his design”
Synonyms: Consider
Gratifying
giving pleasure or a feeling of accomplishment; showing thanks
“Studying abroad can be a very gratifying experience”
“She was grateful for all the work he had done for her”
Synonyms: Satisfying
Ridge
the top of a mountain range; a raised part of any surface
“A bald eagle stood on the ridge of the tall office building”
“The mountain ridge was heavily forested”
Synonyms: Crest
Span
the length of time or distance from one limit to the other; to cross
“The old man’s life spanned two centuries”
“The span of the bridge is three miles”
Synonyms: Cover
Striking
drawing special attenion to
“His striking proposal save the company from bankruptcy”
“That was a strikingly convincing argument that the speaker delivered”
Synonyms: Remarkable
Aptly
having a tendency to do something; likely
“It was an aptly time remark”
“Emotional problems are apt to damage personal relationships”
Synonyms: Appropriately
Involuntarily
in an unthinking manner; not chosen
“He involuntarily work overtime”
“Reflexes are involuntary reaction to external stimuli”
Synonyms: Automatically
Profuse
to be very generous, often in excess
“The company apologized profusely for the defects in its product”
“She deserved the profuse praise from her teacher”
Synonyms: Abundant
Tangible
real; that which can be felt
“The work of a teacher seldom produces tangible results until years after a student has graduated”
“The solution to this problem can be tangibly demonstrated”
Synonyms: Concrete
Aggravating
making worse; annoying
“The aggravating deley was caused by road repairs”
“The shortage of work aggravated the crisis in the small town”
Synonyms: Irritating
Conceivably
feasibly; believably
“They could conceivably earn first place with their science project”
“It is conceivable that humans will travel to distant planets one day”
Synonyms: Possibly
Curative
being able to restore to good condition
“The curative properties of certain plants have been well documented”
“There is no simple cure for the ills of society”
Synonyms: Healing
Debilitating
weakening
“The lack of investment savings has a debilitating effect on the economy”
“The patient’s debility limited his mobility”
Tranquility
calm; quietness
“The tranquility of the lake at sunrise inspired a profound sense of well-being”
“His tranquil manner of expression made us all feel more secure”
Synonyms: Pracefulness
Assimilate
to become a part of
“The United States of America has assimilated people from all parts of the world”
“Assimilation of a new cultural environment can be difficult”
Synonyms: Incorporate
Assortment
a variety
“You have an assortment of elective courses from which to choose”
“He bought a box of assorted books at the book fair”
Synonyms: Selection
Caliber
the standard of; the degree of goodness
“The high caliber of her work earned her a raise in pay”
“Only parts of the highest caliber can be used to make repairs on the spacecraft”
Synonyms: Quality
Condensed
made smaller; shortened; merge
“This is a condensed version of the original research report”
“Try to condense the two chapters into one”
Synonyms: Summarize
Contradictory
not agreeing with the facts or previous statements made on the subject; declared wrong
“It is contradictory to say that you know French after studying it for only three months”
“The expert contradicted himself during his presentation”
Synonyms: Inconsistent
Disregard
to pay no attention
“They disregarded the no parking sign and were ticketed by the police”
“His disregard of the lab instruction caused him to make many error”
Synonyms: Ignore
Prominent
famous; having a high position
“Their talent for locating oit deposits made them prominent geologists in the corporation”
“He gained prominence through his telelvision appearances”
Synonyms: Renowned
Requisite
needed for a specific purpose; a formal request
“Here is the list of requisite courses for the master’s degree in biology”
“The project team made a requisition for a new set of reference books”
Synonyms: Demanded
Unravel
to organize; make clear
“The detective was not able to unravel the mystery of the missing money”
“The unraveling of the Soviet Union took place in the span of a few months”
Synonyms: Separate
Vague
not clear; ambiguous
“She has only vague memories of her childhood”
“The vagueness of his directions caused us to get lost”
Synonyms: Unclear
Forfeit
to give up; have something taken away; usually by rule or regulation
“Usually you must forfeit your native country’s citizenship to become citizen of another country”
“The forfeit occurred because not enough players showed up”
Synonyms: Relinquish
Precarious
not safe, firm, or steady
“The diver put himself in a precarious situation among the sharks”
“The cup was positioned precariously on the edge of the table”
Synonyms: Hazardous
Truncate
to shorten; to end something suddenly
“The television program was truncated because the soccer match went into extra time”
“The publishers of the newspaper asked the writer to truncate her report”
Synonyms: Cut
Wanton
done without thought or consideration
“Her wanton disregard of rules was enexplainable”
“The jealous man was wantonly impolite to the winner”
Synonyms: Senseless
Witticism
a joke; a funny story
“His witticisms captivated the audience”
“Mark Twain was famous for his sharp wit”
Synonyms: Humor
Woo
to make efforts to attain or gain something
“The directors tried to woo the support of the union”
“The opponents of the proposed highway wooed nearby residents to defend their position”
Synonyms: Attract
Stoic
showing no emotion; appearing disinterested
“His stoicism was unusual, since he is normally an emotional boy”
“His stoic reaction to the event surprised his friends”
Synonyms: Indifferent
Legitimate
reasonable; lawful
“The engineer had a legitimate reason for changing the design of the building”
“The legitimacy of the theory has yet to be determined”
Synonyms: Authentic
Lethargy
a lack of energy or commitment; lazy; indifferent
“The hippopotamus basking in the sun displayed almost total lethargy”
“Whne it is time to do homework assignment, many students become lethargic”
Synonyms: Sluggishness
Spontaneous
unplanned; uncontrolled
“The spontaneous combustion inside the cylinder creates the power of the motor”
“The crowd reacted sopntaneously to the danger”
Synonyms: Instinctive
