Basic Flashcards
acme
the highest point of achievement
affable
likable; easy to talk to
affluent
wealthy
amiable
friendly
bleak
having a depressed or gloomy outlook
candid
straightforward and honest
censor
(v) to examine and remove objectionable material (n) an official who censors
demean
to insult; cause someone to lose dignity
demure
modest and shy
diabolical
to be extremely evil like the devil
dog
to pursue relentlessly; to hound
dupe
to trick or swindle OR (n) a person who is easily tricked or swindled
embroil
involve (someone) in an argument, conflict, or situation
err
to make an error
erratic
not even or regular in pattern or movement; unpredictable.
“her breathing was erratic”
hound
to pursue relentlessly
indict
to formally charge or accuse or wrongdoing
indigenous
originating in a certain area
indignant
feeling anger over a perceived injustice
inflammatory
extremely controversial, incendiary
insolvent
unable to pay one’s bills; bankrupt
inundate
to flood or overwhelm
macabre
suggesting the horror of death and decay; gruesome
mesmerize
to spellbind or enthrall
miser
a person who doesn’t like to spend money (because they are greedy)
peruse
to read very carefully
pine
to yearn for
pinnacle
the highest point
profuse
plentiful; pouring out in abundance
remiss
to be negligent in one’s duty
reprobate
a person without morals who is disapproved of
retiring
to be shy and to be inclined to retract from company
“a gentle, retiring person who avoided conflict”
screed
an abusive rant (often tedious)
serendipity
the instance in which an accidental, fortunate discovery is made
slapdash
carelessly and hastily put together
spendthrift
one who spends money extravagantly
stipend
a regular allowance (of money)
summit
the peak or highest point OR a meeting of high-level leaders
telling
significant and revealing of another factor
telltale
revealing
tender
(v) offer up something formally
thoroughgoing
very thorough; complete
thrifty
spending money wisely
tirade
an angry speech
underwrite
to support financially
unnerve
to make nervous or upset
variance
the quality of being different
vindictive
having a strong desire for revenge
voracious
very hungry; approaching an activity with gusto
zenith
the highest point; culmination
aboveboard
open and honest
amok
in a frenzied or uncontrolled state
animosity
intense hostility
apex
the highest point
avarice
greed
badger
to pester
beatific
blissfully happy
becoming
appropriate and matches nicely
bellicose
warlike; inclined to fight
cadaverous
emaciated; gaunt
cardinal
of primary importance; fundamental
catalyst
something that speeds up an event
chauvanist
a person who believes in the superiority of their group
check
(v) to limit (usually modifying the growth of something) OR (n) the condition of being held back or limited
checkered
marked by disreputable or unfortunate happenings
cogent
clear and persuasive
contrite
remorseful
corroborate
to confirm or lend support to (usually an idea or a claim)
desecrate
to willfully violate or destroy a sacred place
disparate
two things that are fundamentally different
errant
to be wandering; not sticking to a circumscribed path
“he could never forgive his daughter’s errant ways”
exhort
strongly urge; encourage
“Come on, you guys,” exhorted Linda
extenuating
making less guilty or more forgivable
ferret
to search for something persistently
fleece
to deceive (to pull the wool over one’s eyes)
flush
to be in abundance
heyday
the pinnacle or top of a time period or career
hodgepodge
a confusing mixture or jumble
immaterial
not relevant
imponderable
impossible to estimate or figure out
junta
an aggressive takeover by a group (usually military); OR the group that executes such a takeover
lassitude
extreme tiredness, either mental or physical
“she was overcome by lassitude and retired to bed”
melee
a wild, confusing fight or struggle
misanthrope
a hater of mankind (eg. Holden Caulfield)
moment
significant and important in value
paucity
the lack of something
pittance
a small amount (of money)
preemptive
done before someone else can do it
pugnacious
eager to fight or argue; verbally combative
raft
a large number of something
replete
completely stocked or furnished with something
sanctimonious
making a show of being pious; holier-than-thou
sanguine
cheerful; optimistic OR blood-red
scintillating
(of a person) brilliant and lively; (of a thing) sparkling or shining brightly.
“the audience loved his scintillating wit”
“the scintillating sun”
start
to suddenly move in a particular direction
stem
to hold back or limit the growth of something
unconscionable
unreasonable; unscrupulous; excessive
“the unconscionable conduct of his son”
“shareholders have had to wait an unconscionable time for the facts to be established”
vicarious
felt or undergone as if one were taking part in the experience or feelings of another
virago
an ill-tempered or violent woman
wax
to gradually increase in size or intensity
advocate
speak plead, or argue in favor of OR a person to pleads for a cause
appreciable
large enough to be noticed
apprehension
fearful expectation
archaic
so old as to appear to belong to another period
ascendancy
the state that exists when one person or group has power over another
“the ascendancy of good over evil”
autonomously
adv. acting independently; self governing (as a country)
avid
marked by active interest and enthusiasm
boon
(n) a thing that is helpful or beneficial OR (adj) (of a person/friend) very close and cheerful
consummate
(adj) having or revealing complete mastery or skill OR (v) to make perfect and complete in every respect
“she dressed with consummate elegance”
“his scheme of colonization was consummated through bloodshed”
dearth
a scarcity or lack of something
degrade
reduce in worth or character, usually verbally
deter
to turn away from by persuasion OR try to prevent; show opposition to
discriminate
recognize or perceive a difference
disenfranchise
deprive of voting rights
disheartened
made less hopeful or enthusiastic
elusive
difficult to capture or remember
endemic
native; originating where it is found
entice
attract or tempt by offering pleasure or advantage
fete
(v) to celebrate a person OR (n) a celebration
fledgling
(adj) young and inexperienced OR (n) one who is young and inexperienced
flounder
to behave awkwardly; have difficulties
guffaw
laugh boisterously
impede
to hinder
impermeable
does not allow fluids to pass through OR not liable to be affected by pain or distress; insusceptible or imperturbable
“women who appear impermeable to pain”
incessant
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing; unending
inclement
unpleasant, stormy (as weather) OR showing no mercy (as a person or behavior)
ingenuity
the power of creative imagination
jocular
characterized by jokes and good humor
malady
disease or sickness
malleable
capable of being easily shaped or influenced (person or object)
meander
wander aimlessly
moot
open to argument OR meaningless or irrelevant
morose
ill-tempered and not inclined to talk; gloomy
muted
softened, subdued
obdurate
unable to be persuaded or moved emotionally; stubborn; unyielding
he was obdurate in his refusal
ornate
made in an intricate shape or decorated with complex patterns OR (of literary style) using unusual words and complex constructions
patronize
treat condescendingly
pithy
concise and full of meaning
plodding
(of movement) slow and laborious
proponent
a person who pleads for a cause or idea
quandary
a state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
raffish
unconventional and slightly disreputable, especially in an attractive manner
renege
fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
resolve
(v) reach a conclusion after discussion or deliberation OR (n) firm determination
respite
a pause from doing something (as work)
robust
sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction OR (of food) strong and rich in flavor
snide
expressive of contempt; derogatory or mocking in an indirect way
stolid
adj. (of a person) calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation.
thwart
hinder or prevent (as efforts, plans, desires)
transitory
not permanent; lasting a short time
altruism
the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
assail
to attack in speech or writing
assuage
make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense
augment
enlarge or increase; improve
banish
to expel from a community, residence, or location; drive away
benign
kind OR not dangerous to health
buck
resist
commendable
worthy of high praise
conducive
making a situation or outcome more likely to happen
cornucopia
an abundant supply of something good
contemptuous
scornful, looking down at others with a sneering attitude
credence
belief in something
debase
reduce the quality or value of something
derisive
abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule
“a harsh, derisive laugh”
detrimental
causing harm or injury
egotist
a conceited and self centered person
elaborate
(adj) marked by complexity and richness of detail OR (v) to explain in more detail
empathetic
showing understanding and ready comprehension of other peoples’ states and emotions
euphoria
a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation
facetious
treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant
fickle
liable to sudden unpredictable change, especially in affections or attachments
genial
agreeable, conducive to comfort
genteel
marked by refinement in taste and manners
glib
(of a person) speaking with ease but without sincerity
grovel
lie or crawl abjectly on the ground with one’s face downward
hamstrung
made ineffective or powerless
illicit
illegal
impeccable
without fault or error
inadvertant
happening by chance or unintentionally
irresolute
unsure of how to act
jargon
language characteristic of a particular group
lucid
(of language) very clear; easily understandable
martial
suggesting war or military life
perennial
lasting an indefinitely long time; eternal; everlasting
perpetuate
cause to continue
pertinent
having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand
precedent
an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
pristine
unspoiled, untouched OR immaculately clean and unused
rankle
cause annoyance or resentment that persists (of a comment)
sentimental
of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia
smattering
a slight or superficial understanding of a subject OR a small amount of something
“Edward had only a smattering of Spanish”
“a smattering of snow”
spurn
reject with contempt
surly
inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace
tawdry
tastelessly showy; cheap and shoddy
tumult
state of chaos, noise and confusion
uncompromising
not making concessions
unruly
noisy and lacking restraint or discipline; unwilling to submit to authority
urbane
suave, sophisticated, refined, worldly (of a person, esp. a man) (e.g. james bond)
vacuous
devoid of intelligence, matter, or significance
whimsical
determined by impulse or whim rather then by necessity or reason
aphoristic
something that is concise and instructive of a general truth or principle
brusquely
in a blunt, direct manner
candidness
the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech
collusion
agreement on a secret plot
complacent
contented to a fault with oneself or one’s actions
connive
take part in immoral and unethical plots
convoluted
highly complex or intricate
credulity
tendency to believe readily
destitute
poor enough to need help from others OR completely wanting or lacking (as in ‘destitute of’)
devolve
pass on or delegate to another OR degenerate or be split into
“measures to devolve power to the provinces”
“the Empire devolved into separate warring states”
diligent
characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks
discord
lack of agreement or harmony
eke
to live off meager resources, to scrape by
elude
escape understanding
embellish
make more attractive by adding ornament, color; make more beautiful
enmity
a state of deep-seated ill-will
exasperate
to irritate intensely
exemplify
(v) to be a typical example of OR (v) clarify by giving an example
foible
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
goad
urge on with unpleasant comments
impending
close in time; about to occur
impregnable
immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
irk
annoy
leery
openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
malevolent
wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred
maxim
a short saying expressing a general truth
obstinate
resistant to guidance or discipline; stubbornly persistent
“the obstinate problem of unemployment”
pastoral
relating to the countryside in a pleasant sense
peevish
easily irritated or annoyed
perturb
make (someone) anxious or alarmed
placid
not easily irritated; calm and peaceful
ploy
a clever plan to turn a situation to one’s advantage
presumption
an assumption that is taken for granted OR audacious (even arrogant) behavior that one has no right to
quip
a witty saying or remark OR (v) to make a witty remark
rash
marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences; imprudently incurring risk
reservation
an unstated doubt that prevents you from accepting something wholeheartedly
retract
pull inward or towards a center; formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
savvy
(n) a perceptive understanding (eg political savvy) OR (v) to get the meaning of something OR (adj) well-informed or perceptive
serene
calm and peaceful
smug
marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
squander
spend thoughtlessly; waste time, money, or an opportunity
steadfast
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
tact
consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
tarnish
make dirty or spotty; to sully or devalue
taxing
physically or mentally demanding
tout
advertise in strongly positive terms; show off
travail
painful or laborious effort
unprecedented
having never been done before; novel
unseemly
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
derogative
expressed as worthless or in negative terms
analogous
similar in some respects but otherwise different
antedate
precede in time
ascribe
attribute or credit to
avert
turn away OR ward off
begrudge
to envy someone for possessing or enjoying something OR to give reluctantly
“she begrudged Martin his affluence”
“nobody begrudges a single penny spent on health”
behoove
it is a duty or responsibility for someone to do something; it is incumbent on.
eg. “it behooves any coach to study his predecessors”
it is appropriate or suitable; it befits.
eg. “it ill behooves the opposition constantly to decry the sale of arms to friendly countries”
belittle
lessen the importance, dignity, or reputation of
besmirch
damage the good name and reputation of someone
buttress
make stronger or defensible
cavalier
showing a lack of proper concern; offhand
“Anne was irritated by his cavalier attitude”
cerebral
involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct
clemency
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
coalesce
fuse or cause or grow together
cohesive
well integrated, forming a united whole
consecrate
to make holy or set apart for a high purpose
conundrum
a difficult problem
delegate
give an assignment to (a person)
deride
treat or speak of with contempt
docile
easily handled or managed; willing to be taught or led or supervised or directed
eccentric
unconventional and slightly strange
emulate
strive to equal or match, especially by imitating; compete with successfully
evenhanded
without partiality
fawn
give a servile display of exaggerated flattery or affection, typically in order to gain favor or advantage
finagle
achieve something by means of trickery or devious methods
foolhardy
marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
forthright
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
glean
collect information bit by bit
humdrum
dull and lacking excitement
implicate
convey a meaning; imply OR to indicate in wrongdoing
incense
make furious
incumbent
necessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibility
industrious
characterized by hard work and perseverance
insipid
dull and uninteresting
intermittent
stopping and starting at irregular intervals
irascible
quickly aroused to anger
lethargic
lacking energy
melancholy
a deep, long-lasting sadness
piquant
having an agreeably pungent taste
precarious
fraught with danger
preempt
take action in order to prevent (an anticipated event) from happening; forestall.
“the government preempted a coup attempt”
presumptuous
a failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate
prevail
to be widespread in a particular area at a particular time; to be current OR prove superior
profusion
an abundance of something
rakish
having or displaying a dashing, jaunty, or slightly disreputable quality or appearance
“he had a rakish, debonair look”
redress
an act of making something right
“the power to redress the grievances of our citizens”
rile
cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
tribulation
something, especially an event, that causes difficulty and suffering
“his time of tribulation was just beginning”
uncanny
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences; surpassing the ordinary or normal
veneer
covering consisting of a superficial layer that hides the underlying substance
wanton
without check or limitation; showing no moral restraints to one’s anger, desire, or appetites
abysmal
extremely bad
amply
(adv) more than is adequate
(adj) ample - more than is adequate
antiquated
old-fashioned; belonging to an earlier period in time
aphorism
a short saying about a general truth (eg a penny saved is a penny earned)
balk
refuse to comply
“any gardener will at first balk at enclosing the garden”
besiege
harass, as with questions or requests; cause to feel distressed or worried
boorish
ill-mannered and coarse or contemptible in behavior or appearance
carping
persistently petty and unjustified criticism
champion
to fight for a cause
chivalrous
(of a man or his behavior) courteous and gallant, especially toward women.
colossal
so great in size or force or extent so as to elicit awe
complement
enhancing each others’ qualities
compound
make more intense, stronger, or more marked
constraint
something that limits or restricts
convival
(of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and enjoyable.
OR (of a person) cheerful and friendly; jovial.
cosmopolitan
comprising many cultures; global in reach and outlook
creditable
deserving public acknowledgment and praise but not necessarily outstanding or successful.
cumbersome
difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
debunk
expose as false ideas and claims, especially while ridiculing
decimation
destroying or killing a large part of the population
deliberate
(v) engage in long and careful consideration. (adj) done consciously and intentionally.
differentiate
recognize or ascertain what makes (someone or something) different. OR make or become different in the process of growth or development.
dilapidated
(of a building or object) in a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect.
discreet
careful to protect one’s speech or actions in order to avoid offense or draw attention
dispatch
(v) send off to a destination or for a purpose.
(v) deal with (a task, problem, opponent) quickly and efficiently.
(v) kill efficiently and without delay.
(n) the sending of someone or something to a destination or for a purpose.
(n) speed in action; swiftness.
(n) an official report on state or military affairs.
(n) the killing of someone or something.
enumerate
(v) determine the number or amount of OR (v) specify individually, one by one; list off
evasive
avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger or commitment OR deliberately vague or ambiguous
excruciating
extremely painful
futile
producing no result or effect; unproductive of success
hamper
prevent the progress or free movement of
inarticulate
without or deprived of the use of speech or words
inkling
a slight suggestion or vague understanding
laborious
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
malodorous
having an unpleasant smell
miscreant
a person who breaks the law
misogynist
a person who dislikes women
morph
to undergo dramatic change in a seamless and barely noticeable fashion
obliging
showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
paradoxical
seemingly contradictory but nonetheless possibly true
perquisite
a perk; a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)
“the wife of a president has all the perquisites of stardom”
provisional
under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon
qualm
an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear, especially about one’s own conduct; a misgiving.
relegate
assign to a lower position
resignation
the acceptance of something unpleasant that can’t be avoided
snub
refuse to acknowledge; reject outright and bluntly
sordid
involving ignoble actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt; foul and run-down and repulsive OR dirty and squalid
“the story paints a sordid picture of bribes and scams”
“the overcrowded housing conditions were sordid and degrading”
staid
characterized by dignity and propriety
stymie
hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
vanquish
defeat thoroughly.
vie
compete for something
