Deck 2 Flashcards
GRE words - w
patronize
treat in a way that is apparently kind or helpful but that betrays a feeling of superiority.
“she was determined not to be put down or patronized”
Similar:
treat condescendingly
baneful
harmful or destructive.
“the baneful effects of envy and jealousy”
Officious
assertive of authority in a domineering way, especially with regard to trivial matters.
“the security people were very officious”
Officious
assertive of authority in a domineering way, especially with regard to trivial matters.
“the security people were very officious”
Intrusive
causing disruption or annoyance through being unwelcome or uninvited.
“that was an intrusive question
Supersede
take the place of (a person or thing previously in authority or use); supplant.
“the older models of car have now been superseded”
Similar:
replace
supplant
paean
a song of praise or triumph.
“a paean of praise for the great poets”
a creative work expressing enthusiastic praise.
“he’s created a filmic paean to his hero
Plaudits
plaudits
an expression of praise or approval.
“the network has received plaudits for its sports coverage”
Faculty
an inherent mental or physical power.
“her critical faculties”
Similar:
power
capability
poultice
a soft, moist mass of material, typically consisting of bran, flour, herbs, etc., applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation and kept in place with a cloth.
verb
apply a poultice to.
“he poulticed the wound”
Mores
the essential or characteristic customs and conventions, traditions of a society or community.
“an offence against social mores”
Foibles
a minor weakness or eccentricity in someone’s character.
“they have to tolerate each other’s little foibles”
peccadillo
a relatively minor fault or sin.
“the sexual peccadilloes of celebrities aren’t necessarily news”
Buttress
noun
1.
a structure of stone or brick built against a wall to strengthen or support it.
“the cathedral’s massive buttresses”
Similar:
prop
support
abutment
shore
pier
reinforcement
stanchion
stay
strut
2.
a source of defence or support.
“the political police were the main buttress of the regime”
verb
1.
provide (a building or structure) with buttresses.
“we buttressed the wall as it was showing signs of cracking and collapse”
2.
increase the strength of or justification for; reinforce.
“authority was buttressed by religious belief”
Discern
verb
recognize or find out.
“I can discern no difference between the two policies”
distinguish (someone or something) with difficulty by sight or with the other senses.
“she could faintly discern the shape of a skull”
Similar:
perceive
make out
Ubiquitous
adjective
present, appearing, or found everywhere.
“his ubiquitous influence was felt by all the family”
Similar:
omnipresent
ever-present
Scathing
adjective
witheringly scornful; severely critical.
“she launcheda scathing attack onthe Prime Minister”
Aloof
adjective
not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant.
“they were courteous but faintly aloof”
Similar:
distant
detached
unresponsive
remote
unapproachable
forbidding
stand-offish
formal
impersonal
stiff
austere
stuffy
withdrawn
reserved
unforthcoming
uncommunicative
indifferent
unfriendly
unsympathetic
unsociable
antisocial
cool
cold
chilly
frigid
frosty
haughty
supercilious
disdainful
Opposite:
familiar
friendly
conspicuously uninvolved.
“he stayedaloof fromthe bickering”
Skittish
adjective
(of an animal, especially a horse) nervous or excitable; easily scared.
“a skittish chestnut mare”
Similar:
restive
excitable
nervous
easily frightened
skittery
jumpy
fidgety
highly strung
Opposite:
calm
(of a person) playfully frivolous or unpredictable.
“my skittish and immature mother”
Similar:
playful
lively
Obviated
verb
remove (a need or difficulty).
“the presence of roller blinds obviated the need for curtains”
Similar:
preclude
prevent
remove
Forestall
verb
prevent or obstruct (an anticipated event or action) by taking advance action.
“they will present their resignations to forestall a vote of no confidence”
Similar:
pre-empt
Snare
noun
1.
a trap for catching birds or mammals, typically one having a noose of wire or cord.
Similar:
trap
gin
net
noose
springe
2.
a length of wire, gut, or hide stretched across a drumhead to produce a rattling sound.
verb
catch (a bird or mammal) in a snare.
“the foxes were humanely snared”
Similar:
trap
catch
net
Diffident
adjective
modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence.
“a diffident youth”
Similar:
shy
bashful
modest
self-effacing
Beholden to
adjective
owing thanks or having a duty to someone in return for help or a service.
“I don’t like to bebeholden toanybody”
Similar:
indebted
obligated
under an obligation
obliged
bound
duty-bound
honour-bound
owing a debt of gratitude
grateful
thankful
appreciative
in someone’s debt
owing someone thanks
