Common Flashcards
aberration
a deviation from what is normal or expected
acrimony
bitterness and ill will
amalgam
a mixture of multiple things
ambiguous
open to multiple interpretations
ambivalent
having mixed feelings about something
amenable
able to be molded; easily persuadable
amorphous
without shape
anomalous
not normal (as an anomaly)
artful
skilled in art OR conniving, clever, cunning
auspicious
good, favorable
belie
to deceive of one’s true nature; to misrepresent; to give false representation to
betray
to (mistakenly) reveal or make something known
calumny
the making of a false statement to injure one’s reputation
castigate
to punish or reprimand severely
censure
to express a strong disapproval of; to renounce
chastise
to reprimand
commensurate
to be in proportion in degree or amount
demur
to object or show reluctance
disinterested
apathetic, not interested or uninterested, unbiased, neutral
egregious
notable in a bad way
enervate
to sap energy from
equivocal
confusing or ambiguous
extant
still in existence
frugal
not spending much money (spending wisely)
galvanize
to excite or inspire into action
gregarious
fond of company, sociable
harangue
(n) a pompous speech or tirade OR (v) to deliver such a speech
iconoclast
one who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions
impertinent
being disrespectful or improperly forward/bold
intimate
to imply or hint
ingenuous
naive or innocent
innocuous
unharmful or without ill effects
involved
complex and difficult to understand
laconic
of a speech, person, or writing. using few words
maintain
to assert
mercurial
(of a person) prone to sudden changes in mood
parochial
of a very narrow mindset, scope, or outlook
parsimonious
extremely frugal or miserly
prevaricate
to speak in an evasive way
prodigal
spending resources recklessly and wastefully.
profligate
spending resources recklessly or wastefully. Often with connotations of moral degeneracy.
qualify
to limit a stance or statement
restive
restless
undermine
to weaken (as an argument)
upbraid
to reproach or scold
venality
the condition of being susceptible to bribes or corruption (adj form venal)
venerate
to respect deeply
veracious
truthful
vindicate
to clear of wrongdoing through evidence
wanting
lacking
aesthete
one who professes great sensitivity to the beauty or art and nature
aesthetic
(adj) concerned with the appreciation for beauty; (n) a set of principles underlying the work of an artist/artistic movement
apathetic
marked by lack if interest
audacious
willing to be bold in social situations or take risks
banal
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
bucolic
relating to the pleasant aspects of the country (more mood than rustic)
chortle
to chuckle, laugh merrily, often in a breathy, muffled way
concede
to admit defeat; to admit to wrongdoing; to surrender or relinquish to the control of another
conspicuous
without any attempt at concealment, completely obvious
cryptic
mysterious or vague, ususally with intent
culminate
to reach the highest or most decisive point
culpability
state of guilt
decorous
characterized by good taste in manners and conduct
deferential
showing respect
dictatorial
expecting unqustioning obedience
didactic
intsructive (especially excessively)
diffident
showing modest reserve; lacking self-confidence
dogmatic
highly opinionated, unwilling to change one’s opinions
engender
to give rise to
entrenched
(metaphorically) firmly fixed (as habits, attitudes, beliefs)
eschew
avoid deliberately; stay clear of
exacerbate
to make worse
fortuitous
fortunate; occurring by happy chance
frivilous
not serious in attitude or behavior
gainsay
deny or contradict; speak against or oppose
gall
(n) the trait or being rude and impertinent; (n) the feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
germane
relevant and appropriate
glut
(n) an excessive supply; (v) to supply an excessive amount
gossamer
characterized by unusual delicacy and lightness
impudent
improperly forward or bold
incisive
having the ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
inexorable
impossible to prevent or stop
“the seemingly inexorable march of new technology”
OR (of a person) impossible to persuade by request or entreaty; intransigent
“the doctors were inexorable, and there was nothing to be done”
lambast
criticize severely or angrily
mawkish
overly sentimental in a negative way
meticulous
marked by extreme care in treatment of details
obscure
(v) to make unclear; (adj) known only by a few
perfidy
an act of betrayal; a breach of trust
platitude
a trite or obvious remark
preclude
to make impossible
predilection
a strong liking
prescience
the ability to foresee the future
querulous
habitually complaining
recondite
difficult to understand; incomprehensible to laymen
“the book is full of recondite information”
reticent
disinclined to talk; not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings
rustic
characteristic of a rural life; awkwardly simple and provincial (more describing sights than mood, as bucolic)
superfluous
serving no purpose, unnecessary
torpor
inactivity resulting from lethargy and lack on vigor or energy
vociferous
conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
volubility
the quality of talking or writing easily and continuously
mitigate
(v) to make less severe; (adj - mitigating) having the effect of making something less severe
abstain
choose not to partake in or consume something (usually something widely enjoyed)
ameliorate
make something bad better
apathy
an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
ascetic
(adj) practicing self denial; (n) one who practices self denial
avaricious
excessively greedy
belligerent
characteristic of one eager to fight
“a bull-necked, belligerent old man”
circumvent
to find away around (either a physical obstacle or one’s duties or obligations)
contrive
to pull off a plan or scheme, usually through skill or trickery
delineate
to describe in detail
denote
be a sign or indication of; have as a meaning
derivative
not original but drawing strongly on something already in existence, especially in reference to a creative product
derive
come from; or reason by dedcution
disaffected
dissatisfied with people in authority and no longer willing to support them
eclectic
comprised of a variety of styles
elucidate
to make clearer in meaning
eminent
standing above others in quality
ephemeral
lasting for a short time; impermanent
fallacious
of a belief that is based on faulty reasoning
forlorn
pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely.
frustrate
to hinder to prevent (the plans, efforts)
guileless
free of deceit
haughty
having or showing arrigant superiority to and disdain of those viewed as unworthy
heretic
a person who holds unorthodox views in any field
immutable
not able to be changed
incongruous
lacking in harmony or appropriateness
insidious
working in a subtle but destructive way
itinerant
traveling from place to place for work
jingoism
fanatical patriotism
jubilant
full of high spirited delight due to triumph or success
juxtapose
place side by side for contrast
languid
not inclined towardds exerting physical effort; slow and relaxed
magnanimous
noble and generous in spirit, especially towards rivals or someone less powerful
mollify
to make someone less angry; placate
negligible
so small to be meaningless
panache
distinctive and showy elegance
precocious
characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)
quotidian
found in the ordinary course of events
refractory
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
rudimentary
being in the earliest stages of development; being or involving basic facts or principles
spurious
plausible but false
staunch
firm and dependable; especially in loyalty
subsume
to include or absorb (something) in something else; to consider (an instance of something) as part of a general rule or principle
supplant
to take the place or move into the position of
tantamount
being essentially equal to something
tenacious
stubbornly unyielding; difficult to dispel
travesty
an absurd presentation on something; a mockery
treacherous
tending to betray (as a person); dangerously unstable and unpredictable (as terrain)
unequivocal
admitting of no doubt or misunderstanding; having only one meanign and leading to only one conclusion
vehement
marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions
vilify
to spread negative information about
aberrant
markedly different from an accepted norm
abstruse
difficult to understand; incomprehensible
adamant
refusing to change on’s mind
admonitory
serving to warn; expressing reproof or reproach especially as a corrective
apocryphal
being of questionable authenticity
ascerbic
harsh in tone
blatant
without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
bumbling
lacking physical movement skills, especially with the hands
burgeon
grow and flourish
confound
to cause confusion OR to mistake one thing for another
construe
interpret in a particular way
contingent
(n) a gathering of persons representative of some larger group; (adj) dependent (upon)
copious
in abundant supply
decorum
propriety in manner and conduct
denigrate
to treat or represent as lacking in value or importance; attack the good name and reputation of someone
discrete
constituting a separate entity or part
eradicate
to destroy completely
espouse
to adopt or support an idea or cause
exacting
requiring and demanding accuracy
exalt
praise or glorify
exonerate
to pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
expound
to add details or explanation; clarify the meaning; state in depth
forthcoming
planned or about to happen in the near future OR available when required or as promised OR at ease in talking with others
hackneyed
lacking significance through having been overused
iconoclastic
defying tradition or convention
idiosyncrasy
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
ignoble
dishonorable
implacable
incapable of making less hostile or angry
implausible
unbelievable
incorrigible
impervious to correction by punishment
indifference
the trait of seeming not to care
ingratiate
to gain favor with someone by deliberate efforts
intransigent
unwilling to change one’s opinions or course of action
largess
extreme generosity and giving
laudable
worthy of high praise
myopic
lacking foresight or imagination
opaque
not clearly understood or expressed
ostentatious
intended to attract noise and impress others; tawdry; vulgar (Trump)
pedantic
a person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules or with displaying academic learning
petulant
easily irritated or annoyed
pragmatic
guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory
provincial
characteristic of a limited perspective; not fashionable or sophisticated
pundit
someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
reconcile
to make (one thing) compatible with (another)
refute
prove to be false or incorrect
soporific
inducing mental lethargy; sleep inducing
temperance
the trait of avoiding excesses
tortuous
marked by repeated turns and bends; not straightforward
underscore
give extra weight to (a statement)
unscrupulous
without scruples or principles
accolade
an award or praise granted as a special honor
admonish
to warn strongly, even to a point of reprimanding
antithetical
directly opposed or contrasted
arbitrary
based on random, groundless decision
arcane
requiring secret or mysterious knowledge
audacity
aggressive boldness in social situations OR rudeness, impudence
austere
practicing self-denial
“conditions in the prison could hardly be more austere”
OR unadorned in style or appearance
“the cathedral is impressive in its austere simplicity”
OR harsh in manner of temperament
“an austere man, with a rigidly puritanical outlook”
brazen
unrestrained by convention or propriety
circumscribe
restrict or confine
constituent
a citizen who is represented in a government by officials whom she elects; an abstract part of something
dilettante
an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and pretends to have knowledge
foment
try to stir up public opinion
garrulous
full of trivial conversation
gauche
lacking social polish
haphazard
marked by great carelessness
hegemony
total dominion over an area
inimical
hostile (usually describes conditions or environments); OR being adverse by reason of hostility; OR having the disposition of the enemy
“an inimical alien power”
“actions inimical to our interests”
inscrutable
not easily understood; unfathomable
insolent
rude and arrogant
intrepid
fearless
inveterate
habitual
an inveterate smoker
irrevocable
incapable of being retracted or revoked
lionize
assign great social importance to
munificent
very generous
myriad
a large indefinite number
obsequious
attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner; attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
ostracize
exclude from a community or group
pedestrian
lacking imagination
“disenchantment with their present, pedestrian lives”
pernicious
exceedingly harmful; working or spreading in a hidden or injurious way
poignant
emotionally touching
precipitous
done with great haste and without due deliberation
prodigious
so great in size or force as to elicit awe
prolific
productive (as in offspring, works of art, winning games, etc.) OR present in large numbers
propituous
presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs of success
ravenous
extremely hungry; devouring or craving food in great quantities
repudiate
reject as untrue or unfounded
rescind
to cancel officially
resurgent
rising again as to new life and vigor
reverent
feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
sanction
(v) give authority or permission to; OR (n) a legal penalty for a forbidden action
scrupulous
characterized by extreme care and great effort OR having a sense of right and wrong; principled
sporadic
recurring in scattered and irregular instances
subversive
in opposition to an established system or institution
“subversive literature”
sycophant
someone who tries to please a person in order to gain a personal advantage
taciturn
habitually reserved and uncommunicative
“after such gatherings she would be taciturn and morose”
tempered
moderated in effect
tractable
readily reacting to suggestions and influences; easily managed
trite
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
vacillate
to be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
winsome
charming in a childlike or naïve way
anomaly
something that is not normal or standard
antipathy
an intense feeling of dislike or aversion
appease
pacify by acceding to the demands of someone
arduous
demanding considerable mental effort or skill; testing powers of endurance
askance
with an attitude or look of suspicion or disapproval
banality
the fact or condition of being banal; the triteness of a remark
bolster
support and strengthen
capricious
determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
contrition
the feeling of remorse or guilt that comes from doing something bad
craven
pathetically cowardly
deleterious
causing harm or damage
dilatory
slow to act.
“he had been dilatory in appointing a solicitor”
OR
intended to cause delay.
“they resorted to dilatory procedural tactics, forcing a postponement of peace talks”
dispassionate
unaffected by strong emotion
disseminate
cause to become widely known
duress
compulsory force or threat
economical
avoiding waste; efficient
edifying
providing moral or intellectual instruction.
“edifying literature”
efficacious
producing the intended result
elicit
call forth
erudite
having or showing profound knowledge
esoteric
confined to an understandable by only an enlightened inner circle
fastidious
extremely concerned with details; fussy
“he chooses his words with fastidious care”
flux
a state of uncertainty about what should be done (usually following some important event)
furtive
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
harried
troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances
ignominious
(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame; humiliating; disgraceful
“no other party risked ignominious defeat”
impartial
free from bias or preconceived opinions
imprudent
not wise
indecorous
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
jovial
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
maladroit
clumsy
maverick
someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action
mendacity
untruthfulness
“people publicly castigated for past mendacity”
mundane
repetitive and boring; not spiritual OR relating to the ordinary world
nonplussed
unsure how to act or respond
nuance
a subtle difference in opinion or meaning or attitude
opulence
the aesthetic of abundance; wealth shown by high living
pejorative
expressing disapproval (usually refers to a term)
placate
cause (someone) to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
polemic
a strong written or verbal attack on someone or something
posit
to assume as fact
rebuke
(v) criticize angrily or severely; censure OR (n) an expression of sharp disapproval or criticism
reproach
(v) to express criticism towards OR (n) an expression of criticism
specious
misleading in appearance, especially misleadingly attractive OR superficially plausible, but actually wrong.
“the music trade gives Golden Oldies a specious appearance of novelty”
“a specious argument”
stringent
demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
sullen
showing a brooding ill humor; gloomy; bad-tempered and sulky
timorous
showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or a lack of confidence
“a timorous voice”
transient
lasting a short time; impermanent
truncate
to reduce the length of something
misconstrue
interpret in the wrong way
reprove
to express disapproval
rebuff
express rejection
