BETTER WORDS Flashcards
I heard a very (interesting) story.
3x
fascinating
compelling
riveting
Thank you for being (very open) with me.
2
transparent
straightforward
The country is (very poor)
3
destitute.
impoverished.
penniless
He’s (very rich)
2x
well-off
prosperous
I was very (scared of) snakes.
2
terrified
petrified
I am very (intelligent)
4x
astute
ingenious
adroit
shrewd
an adroit reaction/answer/movement of the hand
She became adroit at dealing with difficult questions.
The storm on the ocean created (very big) waves.
2x
The storm on the ocean created gigantic waves.
The storm on the ocean created enormous waves.
Trains are (very crowded)
2x
jam-packed
cramped.
The (angry) customer has complained about the bad service.
5
enraged indignant furious fuming livid
It’s been (very rainy) for over an hour.
It’s been pouring for over an hour.
The prices are (very expensive) in this store.
1x
exorbitant
The food in that restaurant is (very good)
1
superb [soo·purb].
I was (very surprised) by the news.
1x
stunned
terrible
5x
horrible
horrific
dreadful
gruesome
horrendous
She had a (very painful) headache. 2x
excruciating
unbearable
agonizing
Your problems are (very small), compared to theirs.
Your problems are (minuscule), compared to theirs.
That’s a (very old ) building.
2x
decrepit
grizzled
You look (very beautiful) in that dress.
2x
You look stunning in that dress.
You look gorgeous in that dress.
The explosion caused a (very loud) noise.
2x
deafening
booming
thunderous
blaring
Everyone was (very full) after the big meal.
stuffed
He’s very positive about his future.
2x
optimistic
upbeat
It’s (very important) that you call a doctor.
It’s crucial that you call a doctor.
He had a (very confused) look on his face.
bewildered
The (very fat) man went on a diet.
obeset.
You did a (very good) job on that report.
outstanding
The question is (not clear)
2x
vague
ambiguous
That stone is (worth a lot).
precious
He is (excessicely eager to please) his boss.
3x
fawning, subservient, servile.
He’s subservient to his boss.
With new technology, some jobs have become (out of date).
With new technology, some jobs have become obsolete.
He is a (passionate) sports fan.
ardent
Be (tough) in times of conflicts.
resilient
not enough
inadequate
It was an exhausting trip but it was (worth the effort)
worthwhile
She has (amazing) talent in music.
extraordinary
The (continuous)noise kept him awake.
incessant
A sudden (frightening) noise woke everyone up.
startling
This job requires a (careful and organized) person.
3x
meticulous
scrupulous
fastidious
Please don’t (delay) an important matter.
put off
He faces up to 20 years (in jail)
2x
in the link
behind bars
His (careless) driving caused an accident.
reckless
The meeting ended (suddenly).
abruptly
That employee was (excited) to help us.
eager / thrilled
Barack Obama gave a (well-spoken) speech.
eloquent
He lost his job because of his (strange) behavior.
eccentric
I’m tried of this (dark and depressing) weather.
gloomy
Because nobody’s perfect, mistakes are (unavoidable)
inevitable
He’s (very shy) but his sister is social.
34
diffident
timid
trepid
introverted
His writing is not clear (? hint: i).
His writing is almost illegible.
Know what to say when giving her the bad news.
Please find a tactful way to give her the bad news.
Which word is stressed in:
Good day!
Good job!
Nice weather!
Day
Job
Weather
Which word is stressed in:
Cell Phone Credit Card Water Bottle Thought Group Hair Style
Cell Credit Water Group Style
Please be careful before you give her the bad news.
Please find a tactful way to tell her the bad news.
Do you have someone that you can trust?
Do you have a trustworthy person?
Modifying existing applications are difficult and often introduces subtle and (persistent) bugs.
tenacious
John is persistent. He never gives in [accepts defeat].
John is tenacious. He never gives in.
The funny man entertained everyone at the party.
The witty man entertained everyone at the party.
John is a (very hardworking) team member and his colleagues always rely on him.
1
conscientious
He’s very careful with spending money.
2 definitions
frugal
thrift
The dishonest salesman convinced easily fooled customer to buy the old car.
The dishonest salesman convinced a gullible customer to buy the old car.
My friend is too direct. He doesn’t normally look at other people’s emotions.
My friend is outspoken. He doesn’t normally look at other people’s emotions.
He’s too proud. He always talks about how much he earns.
The conceited man always talks about how much he earns.
The proud man always talks about his expensive sports car.
The conceited man always talks about his expensive sports car.
He has very good memory (3x) of remembering things.
He has tenacious [retentive, recollective] memory of remembering things.
There is a small chance of rain today.
There is a remote chance of rain today.
He is a changeable person. He doesn’t know what he wants.
He is fickle. He doesn’t know what he wants.
Everyone was surprised when the average (=?) team won the championship.
Everyone was surprised when the mediocre team won the championship.
After being lost in the desert, the man was very thirsty and (hungry)
3x
famished
ravenous
starving
If you don’t add any spices, the soup will taste flavorless.
If you don’t add any spices, the soup will taste bland.
Please clean this (dirty) room at once.
filthy
grimy /’graimi/
dilapidated (old, dilapidated buildings)
squalid
The knowledgeable businessman made a lot of money on his investment.
The savvy businessman made a lot of money on his investment.
When she took off her glasses, the letters became unclear.
When she took off her glasses, the letters became blurry.
The changeable customer changed his order many times.
The fickle customer changed his order many times.
Your attempt to achieve this goal is never (useless)
Your attempt to achieve this goal is never futile [fyoo·tl].
Your attempt to achieve this goal is never nugatory.
Q: How’s your work?
A: Boring (5x)
tedious monotomous mind-numbing dreary run-of-the-mill
uninteresting
I find skydiving is risky.
I find skydiving is hazardous.
This guy is known for his bad character.
This guy is infamous for his bad character.
I always love to read books.
I’m a (bookaholic) person.
studious
she was working on an interesting project and became so absorbed, unaware/unconscious of (= 2x) the passage of time.
she was working on an interesting project and became so absorbed, oblivious to of the passage of time.
she was working on an interesting project and became so absorbed, incognizant of the passage of time.
Smoking is dangerous for your health.
1 x verb form
3 x adj form
Smoking jeopardizes your health.
Smoking is perilous for your health.
Smoking is treacherous /ˈtrɛtʃ(ə)rəs/ for your health.
Smoking is precarious for your health.
The doctor warned against doing (very hard) activities.
vigorous activities
I’ve made (impressive) progress in my English.
3
tremendous
remarkable
extraordinary
The politician apologized for his (negative) comments.
derogatory
I only have a (basic) understanding of physics.
rudimentary
Because people don’t follow traffic laws, driving in that country is (out of order)
chaotic
He behaves as if he’s (not interested).
He behaves as if he’s indifferent.
His school attendance was (irregular)
sporadic
Everyone agreed with the jury’s decision that he was guilty of murder.
(? passive voice, hint: decision was ..)
The jury’s decision was unanimous that he was guilty of murder.
/ˈdʒʊəri/
We live in an increasingly (non-religious) society, in which religion has less and less influence on our daily lives.
secular
The doctor advised him to change his (inactive) lifestyle.
sedentary
A true entrepreneur is always looking for (profitable) business ideas.
lucrative
His (cruel/harsh) voice made the child cry.
2x
His grating voice made the child cry.
His strident voice made the child cry.
The little boy had a (very short) interest in taking karate classes.
fleeting
The politician promised to fix the (slow) economy.
stagnant
The workers were (not doing anything) while the equipment was repaired.
idle
She has been late(? adj) in paying her taxes.
She has been delinquent in paying her taxes.
“delinquent” commonly refers to a situation where a borrower is late or overdue on a payment
It’s over one week that I have not returned my library books.
(? hints: my books are … o)
My library books are one week overdue.
The boss expects every staff is ready to (obey his commands) .
The boss expects every staff is at his beck and call.
This programming language triggered(?) my interest.
This programming language piqued my interest.
She got irritated(?) when they refused her invitation.
She was piqued when they refused her invitation.
(Reduce) your enthusiasm and keep it within limits.
1x
Curb
to cause something to happen in a violent and often uncontrolled way.
wreak
e.g wreak havoc
A powerful tornado wreaked havoc on the small village.
The recent storms have wreaked havoc on crops.
e.g. wreak revenge/vengeance
She was determined to wreak revenge/vengeance on both him and his family.
The virus caused(?) damager (?) on my computer.
The virus wreaked havoc on my computer.
Speaking about sex is a practice (?) that is prohibited in his country due to religious custom.
Speaking about sex is a taboo in his country.
Gossiping affects(?) the relationship.
Gossiping erodes the relationship.
Don’t conclude(?) things yet.
Don’t jump to the conclusion yet.
It didn’t take long for news of his resignation to become known(?).
It didn’t take long for news of his resignation to get round.
He has a tendency(? hint: one word) to get easily offended by something.
He’s sensitive.
The banquet was an expensive-looking(?) meal.
The banquet was a sumptuous luxurious meal.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciation/english/sumptuous
Minor or unimportant restrictions could trigger (=?) the anger (=?) of a creative artist.
1
Petty/trivial
(Eating food quickly) in large amounts can create indigestion.
Gulping food can cause indigestion.
Singapore’s weather is (unpredictable).
Singapore’s weather is capricious.
It’s impossible to understand what he is thinking or feeling from his facial expression.
(? hint: his face looks ..)
His face looks inscrutable.
The landlord tried to (cheat) our deposit.
swindle
We were (unable to leave) because of the tides.
We were stranded because of the tides.
The singer received (noisy and excited) applause.
The singer received tumultuous applause.
The steak looks (tender, juicy, and tasty).
The steak looks succulent.
He found himself in a (dangerous situation) from which it is hard to escape.
He found himself in a quicksand.
He had a guilty (sense) about his desires.
conscience
Though I was in pain, I was (aware of) my surroundings.
conscious.
He does his duty well and thoroughly.
? hint: he is a
He is a conscientious person.
I hope he didn’t think I was (disrespectful) when I asked him about his private life.
impertinent
Don’t make your boss (annoyed)
2x
vexed
irked / urk/
irritated
Meditation is what makes me (stop worrying) about life.
Meditation is what makes me sane.
Bukit Timah Railway Station is now (no longer functioning) (?)
Bukit Timah Railway Station is now defunct.
The more shocking(?) details of the massacre are too frightening for children.
The more lurid details of the massacre are too frightening for children.
“Why do these things always happen to me?” is a question, asked in order to make a statement, that does not expect an answer,
(? hint is … is a ___ question)
“Why do these things always happen to me?” is a rhetorical question.
In response to the question, he produced a lot of empty (response that sounds good but is not sincere)(?).
In response to the question, he produced a lot of empty rhetoric. /ˈretərɪk/
Breaking laws may lead you to (unintended consequences)(?).
Breaking laws may lead you to repercussions.
(After careful thought)(?), I decided to choose this career.
On reflection, I decided to choose this career.
My great work performance is the result (?) of the company giving me good training.
My great work performance is the reflection of the company giving me good training.
Stop wasting time(?).
Stop dawdling. Make the call now!
A priest /priːst/ takes a vow of abstaining from marriage and sexual relations (?),
A priest /priːst/ takes a vow of celibacy.
Our honeymoon was (extremely happy), without any problems
4x
idyllic
ecstatic
elated
overjoyed
Myanmar has many beautiful (?) scenes.
Myanmar has many idyllic scenes.
She begged(?) her parents to let her choose this career.
She implored her parents to let her choose this career.
Abuse of power among government officials in my country was spreading in an uncontrollable way (?) during that time.
Abuse of power among government officials in my country was rampant during that time.
He’s unwilling to believe that people have good, honest, or sincere reasons for doing something. (? noun form)
He has a cynical view of human nature.
