Deck 15 Flashcards
What does ‘conducive’ mean?
Making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible; tending to promote or encourage.
Example: ‘A peaceful environment is conducive to productive work.’
What are some synonyms for ‘conducive’?
- Favorable
- Advantageous
- Helpful
- Supportive
- Beneficial
What does ‘mortify’ mean in its primary sense?
Cause (someone) to feel embarrassed, ashamed, or humiliated.
Example: ‘His careless remark mortified her in front of her colleagues.’
What are the synonyms for ‘mortify’ in its primary meaning?
- Embarrass
- Shame
- Humiliate
- Abash
- Chagrin
What does ‘disorient’ primarily mean?
Make (someone) lose their sense of direction; confuse or bewilder.
Example: ‘The maze was designed to disorient visitors and make it challenging to find the exit.’
What are the synonyms for ‘disorient’ in its primary meaning?
- Confuse
- Bewilder
- Baffle
- Confound
- Perplex
What does ‘feeble’ mean?
Lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness; weak.
Example: ‘The elderly man’s feeble arms struggled to lift the heavy box.’
What are the synonyms for ‘feeble’ in its primary meaning?
- Weak
- Frail
- Debilitated
- Infirm
- Puny
What does ‘surly’ mean?
Bad-tempered and unfriendly.
Example: ‘The surly waiter responded to our requests with a scowl.’
What does ‘adulation’ mean?
Excessive admiration or praise.
Example: ‘The actor received adulation from his fans after his outstanding performance.’
What does ‘populous’ mean?
Inhabited by many people; densely populated.
Example: ‘The city is populous, with millions of residents living in its metropolitan area.’
What does ‘pretentious’ mean?
Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed.
Example: ‘Her pretentious behavior at the art gallery was evident as she criticized the paintings with over-the-top comments.’
What does ‘volatile’ mean?
Easily evaporated at normal temperatures; liable to change rapidly and unpredictably.
Example: ‘Gasoline is a volatile liquid that can ignite with a spark.’
What does ‘nonplussed’ mean?
(Of a person) Surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react.
Example: ‘She was nonplussed by the unexpected question and didn’t know how to answer.’
What does ‘languish’ mean?
(Of a person or other living thing) Lose or lack vitality; grow weak or feeble.
Example: ‘Without proper care, the neglected plants began to languish.’
What does ‘vitality’ refer to?
The state of being strong and active; energy.
Example: ‘Regular exercise and a healthy diet contribute to increased vitality and well-being.’
What does ‘debase’ mean?
Reduce (something) in quality or value; degrade.
Example: ‘The counterfeit money served to debase the entire currency system.’
What does ‘imperturbable’ mean?
Unable to be upset or excited; calm.
Example: ‘Even in the face of a crisis, she remained imperturbable and composed.’
What does ‘latitude’ refer to?
The distance of a place north or south of the equator; freedom from restrictions or limits.
Example: ‘The city’s latitude determines its climate and weather patterns.’
What does ‘brandish’ mean?
Wave or flourish (something, especially a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement.
Example: ‘He brandished his sword, warning his opponent to stay away.’
What does ‘ossify’ mean?
Turn into bone or bony tissue; cease developing; be stagnant or rigid.
Example: ‘As we age, some of our cartilage ossifies and turns into bone.’
What does ‘affect’ mean in its primary sense?
Have an effect on; make a difference to.
Example: ‘The new policies will affect the company’s profitability.’
What are the synonyms for ‘affect’ in its primary meaning?
- Influence
- Impact
- Change
- Alter
- Modify
What does ‘illiberal’ mean?
Opposed to liberal principles; restricting freedom of thought or behavior.
Example: ‘The illiberal government imposed strict censorship on the media.’
What does ‘solicitous’ mean?
Characterized by or showing interest or concern.
Example: ‘She was solicitous about her friend’s well-being after hearing about the accident.’
What does ‘trite’ mean?
(Of a remark, opinion, or idea) Overused and consequently of little import; lacking originality or freshness.
Example: ‘His trite jokes didn’t elicit any laughter from the audience.’
What does ‘ingrained’ mean?
Firmly fixed or established as a habit, attitude, or belief.
Example: ‘Her ingrained fear of spiders made it impossible for her to enter the room.’
What does ‘exorbitant’ mean?
(Of a price or amount charged) Unreasonably high; excessive.
Example: ‘The exorbitant cost of the luxury car was beyond his budget.’
What does ‘integrate’ mean?
Combine (one thing) with another so that they become a whole.
Example: ‘The goal is to integrate new technology into the existing infrastructure.’
What does ‘wistful’ mean?
Having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing.
Example: ‘As she gazed at the old photographs, a wistful smile crossed her face.’
What does ‘cogitate’ mean?
Think deeply about something; meditate or reflect.
Example: ‘He needed time to cogitate on the problem before coming to a decision.’
What does ‘burnish’ mean?
Polish (something, especially metal) by rubbing.
Example: ‘He used a cloth to burnish the silverware to a brilliant shine.’
What does ‘overstate’ mean?
Represent (a situation, quality, or the like) as being better or more extreme than it actually is.
Example: ‘He tends to overstate his achievements in order to impress others.’
What does ‘intractable’ mean?
Hard to control or deal with; difficult; stubborn.
Example: ‘The intractable problem required a creative solution.’
What does ‘avaricious’ mean?
Having an extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
Example: ‘His avaricious pursuit of wealth led him to make unethical decisions.’
What does ‘limpid’ mean?
(Of a liquid) Free of anything that darkens; completely clear.
Example: ‘The limpid water of the mountain stream was perfect for drinking.’
What does ‘invaluable’ mean?
Extremely useful; indispensable.
Example: ‘His experience and advice have been invaluable to the team.’
What does ‘retaliate’ mean?
Make an attack or assault in return for a similar attack.
Example: ‘He decided to retaliate against his opponents by launching a counterattack.’
What does ‘pervasive’ mean?
(Especially of an unwelcome influence or physical effect) Spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people.
Example: ‘The pervasive smell of smoke filled the room after the fire.’
What does ‘ulterior’ mean?
Existing beyond what is obvious or admitted; intentionally hidden.
Example: ‘He had an ulterior motive for offering to help; he wanted something in return.’
What does ‘jettison’ mean?
Throw or drop (something) from an aircraft or ship.
Example: ‘The pilot had to jettison some cargo to lighten the aircraft and avoid a crash.’
What does ‘redemption’ mean?
The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil; the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment or clearing a debt.
Example: ‘He sought redemption for his past mistakes by dedicating himself to helping others.’
What does ‘partiality’ mean?
Unfair bias in favor of one thing or person compared with another; favoritism.
Example: ‘His partiality towards his own children was evident in his unequal treatment of them.’
What does ‘deviate’ mean?
Depart from an established course or accepted standard.
Example: ‘She chose to deviate from the usual route and explore a new path through the forest.’
What does ‘cosmopolitan’ mean?
Familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures.
Example: ‘Living in a cosmopolitan city exposed her to a diverse range of people and traditions.’
What does ‘disconcert’ mean?
Disturb the composure of; unsettle.
Example: ‘His unexpected announcement disconcerted the entire room.’
What does ‘ideologue’ mean?
An adherent of an ideology, especially one who is uncompromising and dogmatic.
Example: ‘He was considered an ideologue who refused to consider alternative viewpoints.’
What does ‘attribute’ mean?
Regard something as being caused by (someone or something).
Example: ‘She attributed the success of the project to the hard work of the team.’
What does ‘perpetrate’ mean?
Carry out or commit (a harmful, illegal, or immoral action).
Example: ‘The criminal intended to perpetrate a robbery.’
What does the term ‘attribute’ primarily mean?
Regard something as being caused by (someone or something).
Example: ‘She attributed the success of the project to the hard work of the team.’
List synonyms for ‘attribute’.
- Ascribe
- Credit
- Impute
- Assign
- Blame
What is the primary meaning of ‘perpetrate’?
Carry out or commit (a harmful, illegal, or immoral action).
Example: ‘The criminal intended to perpetrate a robbery at the bank.’
List synonyms for ‘perpetrate’.
- Commit
- Execute
- Carry out
- Engage in
- Do
What does ‘covet’ mean?
Yearn to possess or have (something, especially something belonging to someone else).
Example: ‘She couldn’t help but covet her neighbor’s beautiful garden.’
List synonyms for ‘covet’.
- Desire
- Envy
- Want
- Crave
- Long for
What is the primary meaning of ‘exact’?
Demand and obtain (something, especially a payment) from someone.
Example: ‘The landlord decided to exact the overdue rent from the tenant.’
List synonyms for ‘exact’.
- Demand
- Require
- Levy
- Extract
- Claim
Define ‘inarticulate’.
Unable to express ideas or feelings clearly or fluently.
Example: ‘He became inarticulate with emotion when he received the award.’
List synonyms for ‘inarticulate’.
- Incoherent
- Unintelligible
- Mumbled
- Unclear
- Speechless
What does ‘immunity’ refer to in a primary context?
The state of being immune from or insusceptible to a particular disease or the like.
Example: ‘Vaccination provides immunity against certain infectious diseases.’
What is the secondary meaning of ‘immunity’?
Exemption from a legal duty, penalty, or prosecution.
Example: ‘Diplomatic immunity protects embassy staff from local laws and regulations.’
List primary synonyms for ‘immunity’.
- Resistance
- Protection
- Defense
- Invulnerability
- Inoculation
List secondary synonyms for ‘immunity’.
- Exemption
- Amnesty
- Privilege
- Impunity
- Safeguard
What does ‘ruminate’ mean?
Think deeply about something; meditate or reflect.
Example: ‘He liked to ruminate on philosophical questions during his long walks.’
List synonyms for ‘ruminate’.
- Ponder
- Contemplate
- Reflect
- Meditate
- Cogitate
Define ‘surreptitious’.
Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.
Example: ‘He made a surreptitious exit from the party to avoid confronting his ex.’
List synonyms for ‘surreptitious’.
- Secret
- Stealthy
- Furtive
- Clandestine
- Covert
