Common Words V Flashcards
subversive
adjective: in opposition to an established system or institution
munificent
adjective: very generous
hegemony
noun: dominance over a certain area
propituous
adjective: presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs of success
winsome
adjective: charming in a childlike or naïve way
tempered
adjective: moderated in effect
sanction
verb: give authority or permission to
noun: a legal penalty for a forbidden action
precipitous
adjective: done with very great haste and without due deliberation
foment
verb: try to stir up public opinion
trite
adjective: repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
pedestrian
adjective: lacking imagination
prodigious
adjective: so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
irrevocable
adjective: incapable of being retracted or revoked
sporadic
adjective: recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances
circumscribe
verb: restrict or confine
prolific
adjective: intellectually productive
tractable
adjective: readily reacting to suggestions and influences; easily managed (controlled or taught or molded)
resurgent
adjective: rising again as to new life and vigor
inveterate
adjective: habitual
austere
adjective: practicing self denial
adjective: unadorned in style or appearance
adjective: harsh in manner of temperament
arcane
adjective: requiring secret or mysterious knowledge
antithetical
adjective: sharply contrasted in character or purpose
inscrutable
adjective: not easily understood; unfathomable
gauche
adjective: lacking social polish
arbitrary
adjective: based on a random, groundless decision
admonish
verb: to warn strongly even to the point of reprimanding
brazen
adjective: unrestrained by convention or propriety
insolent
adjective: rude and arrogant
garrulous
adjective: full of trivial conversation
constituent
noun: a citizen who is represented in a government by officials for whom he or she votes
noun: an abstract part of something
accolade
noun: an award or praise granted as a special honor
poignant
adjective: emotionally touching; keenly distressing to the mind or feelings
pernicious
adjective: exceedingly harmful; working or spreading in a hidden and injurious way
lionize
verb: assign great social importance to
myriad
noun: a large indefinite number
reverent
adjective: feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
sycophant
noun: a person who tries to please someone in order to gain personal advantage
vacillate
verb: be undecided about something; waver between between conflicted positions or courses of action
repudiate
verb: reject as untrue or unfounded
dilettante
noun: an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge
intrepid
adjective: fearless
taciturn
adjective: habitually reserved and uncommunicative
scrupulous
adjective: characterized by extreme care and great effort
adjective: having a sense of right and wrong; principled
inimical
adjective: hostile (usually describes conditions or environments
haphazard
adjective: marked by great carelessness; dependent upon or characterized by chance
obsequious
adjective: attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner; attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
ostracize
verb: exclude from a community or group
rescind
verb: cancel officially
audacity
noun: aggressive or outright boldness
ravenous
extremely hungry
