Deck 28 Flashcards
What is the primary meaning of ‘Macabre’?
Disturbing and horrifying, especially in a way that is morbidly fascinating; related to death and gruesome subjects.
Example: ‘The movie’s macabre scenes of violence left the audience in shock.’
List synonyms for ‘Macabre’.
- Gruesome
- Grim
- Horrifying
- Morbid
- Eerie
What does ‘Unexampled’ mean?
Without precedent; unparalleled; having no equal or similar example.
Example: ‘Her success in the field of science was unexampled, and no one had achieved such breakthroughs before.’
List synonyms for ‘Unexampled’.
- Unparalleled
- Unprecedented
- Incomparable
- Exceptional
- Unique
Define ‘Profound’.
Having great depth, intensity, or seriousness; showing intellectual depth or deep knowledge.
Example: ‘The speaker delivered a profound speech on the mysteries of the universe.’
List synonyms for ‘Profound’.
- Deep
- Intense
- Thoughtful
- Serious
- Meaningful
What does ‘Proficient’ mean?
Highly skilled or competent in a particular activity or subject; having expertise.
Example: ‘She is proficient in several programming languages and can solve complex problems with ease.’
List synonyms for ‘Proficient’.
- Skilled
- Competent
- Expert
- Adept
- Capable
Define ‘Compliant’.
Willing to conform or obey; obedient; inclined to follow rules or instructions.
Example: ‘The employees were compliant with the company’s safety protocols.’
List synonyms for ‘Compliant’.
- Obedient
- Submissive
- Conforming
- Docile
- Cooperative
What is the primary meaning of ‘Fervid’?
Intensely enthusiastic or passionate; showing great fervor or zeal.
Example: ‘Her fervid support for the cause inspired others to join the movement.’
List synonyms for ‘Fervid’.
- Passionate
- Enthusiastic
- Zealous
- Intense
- Eager
What does ‘Hinder’ mean?
To create difficulties or obstacles that slow down or impede progress; to obstruct or delay.
Example: ‘The heavy traffic hindered our journey, making us arrive late.’
List synonyms for ‘Hinder’.
- Impede
- Obstruct
- Delay
- Hamper
- Inhibit
Define ‘Thrilled’.
Filled with great excitement, happiness, or enthusiasm; extremely pleased or delighted.
Example: ‘She was thrilled to receive the award for her outstanding performance.’
List synonyms for ‘Thrilled’.
- Excited
- Delighted
- Overjoyed
- Ecstatic
- Elated
What is the primary meaning of ‘Dilate’?
To become wider or larger; to expand or stretch.
Example: ‘In dim light, the pupils of the eyes naturally dilate to let in more light.’
List synonyms for ‘Dilate’.
- Expand
- Enlarge
- Stretch
- Widen
- Inflate
What does ‘Abridge’ mean?
To shorten or condense a written or spoken work while retaining its main ideas; to reduce in length.
Example: ‘The editor was tasked with abridging the lengthy manuscript into a more concise version.’
List synonyms for ‘Abridge’.
- Shorten
- Condense
- Reduce
- Abbreviate
- Trim
Define ‘Captious’.
Tending to find fault or raise objections over trivial matters; overly critical or picky.
Example: ‘Her captious comments about the minor details of the artwork irritated the artist.’
List synonyms for ‘Captious’.
- Critical
- Fault-finding
- Hypercritical
- Nitpicking
- Picky
What is the primary meaning of ‘Unappealing’?
Not attractive or pleasing in appearance or quality; lacking charm or desirability.
Example: ‘The restaurant had an unappealing decor, which deterred potential customers.’
List synonyms for ‘Unappealing’.
- Unattractive
- Repulsive
- Displeasing
- Unsightly
- Uninviting
Define ‘Blight’.
A plant disease that causes withering, discoloration, and death of parts of a plant; something that spoils or damages.
Example: ‘The blight on the crops led to a poor harvest this year.’
List synonyms for ‘Blight’.
- Disease
- Infection
- Decay
- Pestilence
- Ruin
What does ‘Antiquity’ refer to?
The ancient past, especially before the Middle Ages; the quality of being very old or ancient.
Example: ‘The artifacts from antiquity provided valuable insights into early civilizations.’
List synonyms for ‘Antiquity’.
- Ancient times
- Early history
- Olden days
- Timelessness
- Eld
Define ‘Daunting’.
Seeming difficult to deal with in anticipation; intimidating or discouraging.
Example: ‘The daunting task of climbing the mountain made many hikers hesitate.’
List synonyms for ‘Daunting’.
- Intimidating
- Discouraging
- Frightening
- Challenging
- Overwhelming
What does ‘Subside’ mean?
To become less intense, severe, or active; to diminish or decrease.
Example: ‘After the storm, the wind and rain gradually subsided, leaving behind a peaceful atmosphere.’
List synonyms for ‘Subside’.
- Diminish
- Decrease
- Abate
- Ebb
- Weaken
Define ‘Overt’.
Done or shown openly; not hidden or concealed.
Example: ‘His overt support for the new policy was evident to everyone.’
List synonyms for ‘Overt’.
- Open
- Clear
- Transparent
- Apparent
- Obvious
What does ‘Callow’ mean?
Inexperienced, immature, or lacking sophistication, especially in behavior or judgment.
Example: ‘His callow attempts at leadership were evident when he made rash decisions without considering the consequences.’
List synonyms for ‘Callow’.
- Inexperienced
- Immature
- Naive
- Green
- Unsophisticated
What is the primary meaning of ‘Stimulate’?
To encourage or excite activity, growth, or development; to arouse interest or enthusiasm.
Example: ‘The new tax incentives were designed to stimulate investment in the region.’
List synonyms for ‘Stimulate’.
- Encourage
- Excite
- Inspire
- Promote
- Galvanize
Define ‘Supplement’.
An addition or extra part added to something to enhance or complete it; to add something as a supplement.
Example: ‘She takes vitamin supplements to ensure she gets all the necessary nutrients.’
List synonyms for ‘Supplement’.
- Addition
- Add-on
- Enhancement
- Extension
- Extra
What does ‘Exacerbate’ mean?
To make a problem, situation, or feeling worse; to intensify or aggravate.
Example: ‘His criticism only served to exacerbate the tensions in the already heated debate.’
List synonyms for ‘Exacerbate’.
- Aggravate
- Worsen
- Intensify
- Escalate
- Compound
Define ‘Ascetic’.
A person who practices severe self-discipline and abstains from worldly pleasures, often for religious or spiritual reasons.
Example: ‘The ascetic monk lived a life of simplicity and self-denial in the monastery.’
What does ‘Explicit’ mean?
Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt; straightforward and clear.
Example: ‘The contract provided explicit instructions on the terms and conditions of the agreement.’
What is the primary meaning of ‘Obdurate’?
Stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion, course of action, or attitude; unyielding.
Example: ‘Despite numerous appeals, he remained obdurate in his decision not to compromise.’
Define ‘Foil’.
A thin sheet of metal or other material used to wrap or cover something; to prevent something from succeeding; a character in literature or drama who contrasts with and highlights the qualities of another character.
Example: ‘In the story, the villain serves as a foil to the hero, emphasizing the hero’s virtuous qualities.’
What does ‘Posed’ mean?
To assume a particular position or attitude, especially for a photograph or painting; to present or offer something.
Example: ‘The family posed for a group photo during their vacation.’
Define ‘Snare’.
A trap designed to catch animals or birds; to capture or entangle someone or something; a deceptive or tricky situation that entraps or ensnares someone.
Example: ‘He fell into a snare of lies and deceit that cost him his reputation.’
What does ‘Nominal’ mean?
Existing in name only; very small in amount or value compared to the actual worth or significance.
Example: ‘Although he held a nominal position in the company, his influence was substantial.’
Define ‘Obeisance’.
A gesture of respect or reverence, such as a bow or curtsy, often performed as a form of greeting or submission.
Example: ‘He greeted the king with a deep obeisance, showing his utmost respect.’
What does ‘Wane’ mean?
To decrease in strength, intensity, or size; to diminish gradually.
Example: ‘The popularity of the trend began to wane as new interests emerged.’
Define ‘Didactic’.
Intended to instruct or teach, often with a moral lesson; inclined to lecture or impart knowledge.
Example: ‘The didactic novel aimed to educate young readers about important life values.’
What does ‘Restive’ mean?
Restlessly impatient, uneasy, or agitated; unwilling to remain still or silent.
Example: ‘The restive crowd grew impatient as they awaited the delayed announcement.’
Define ‘Delicacy’.
Something pleasing or appealing to the senses, often in terms of food; fineness or intricacy in workmanship; sensitivity or refinement in behavior, speech, or manners.
Example: ‘The dessert was a delicacy, with rich flavors that delighted the palate.’
What does ‘Credible’ mean?
Able to be believed or trusted; convincing and reliable.
Example: ‘The witness provided credible evidence that supported the defendant’s innocence.’
Define ‘Lucid’.
Clear and easy to understand; rational and mentally sound.
Example: ‘His explanation was so lucid that even beginners could grasp the concept easily.’
What does ‘Relinquish’ mean?
To voluntarily give up or let go of something, such as a possession, control, or claim.
Example: ‘He had to relinquish his role as CEO due to health reasons.’
What does ‘Witty’ mean?
Showing quick and inventive verbal humor; clever and humorous in a smart way.
Example: ‘Her witty remarks kept the audience entertained throughout the comedy show.’
Define ‘Bearing’.
The way one carries or conducts oneself; one’s posture, demeanor, or behavior.
Example: ‘His confident bearing and authoritative voice made him a natural leader.’
What does ‘Resurgent’ mean?
Experiencing a revival, renewal, or comeback; becoming active and strong again.
Example: ‘After years of decline, the team’s resurgent performance brought them back to the top of the league.’
Define ‘Jocund’.
Cheerful, lively, and full of high spirits; marked by or indicating joy and happiness.
Example: ‘The jocund laughter of children playing in the park filled the air.’
What does ‘Reticent’ mean?
Reserved or inclined to be silent; not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily.
Example: ‘She was reticent about her personal life and rarely shared her emotions with others.’
Define ‘Scrutinize’.
To examine or inspect closely and thoroughly, often with great attention to detail.
Example: ‘The detective scrutinized the crime scene for any clues that might lead to the perpetrator.’
What does ‘Dilettante’ mean?
A person who dabbles in or shows an amateur interest in a subject without serious commitment or expertise.
Example: ‘He was often considered a dilettante in the art world, as he painted only occasionally and lacked formal training.’
What does ‘Arcane’ mean?
Understood by only a few; mysterious, secret, or obscure; known or understood by a limited number of people.
Example: ‘The arcane rituals of the ancient cult remained a closely guarded secret.’
Define ‘Rudimentary’.
Involving or limited to basic principles; elementary; not highly developed or advanced.
Example: ‘The rudimentary knowledge of mathematics is essential for understanding more complex concepts.’
What does ‘Goad’ mean?
To provoke or annoy someone so as to stimulate some action or reaction; to incite or urge.
Example: ‘He tried to goad his friend into taking on the challenge by questioning his abilities.’
What is a ‘Misnomer’?
A name or term that is misleading, incorrect, or inappropriate because it does not accurately describe the thing it names.
Example: ‘Calling that animal a ‘koala bear’ is a misnomer because it’s not a bear at all.’
Define ‘Undertake’.
To commit or agree to do something; to take on a task, responsibility, or project.
Example: ‘She decided to undertake the challenging project despite the risks involved.’
What does ‘Circumstantial’ mean?
Relating to or dependent on circumstances; indirect or conditional.
Example: ‘The evidence was circumstantial and did not directly link the suspect to the crime.’
What does it mean to undertake a task?
To take on a task, responsibility, or project.
Contextual Usage: ‘She decided to undertake the challenging project despite the risks involved.’
What is a secondary meaning of ‘undertake’?
To begin or engage in a particular activity or journey.
Contextual Usage: ‘He undertook a long journey to explore remote regions of the world.’
List three synonyms for ‘undertake’ in its primary meaning.
- Embark on
- Accept
- Tackle
List three synonyms for ‘undertake’ in its secondary meaning.
- Begin
- Start
- Commence
What does ‘circumstantial’ mean in a primary context?
Relating to or dependent on circumstances; indirect or incidental.
Contextual Usage: ‘His conviction was based on circumstantial evidence rather than direct proof.’
What is a secondary meaning of ‘circumstantial’?
Involving or characterized by circumstances, often implying a lack of direct evidence.
Contextual Usage: ‘The circumstantial details of the case pointed to a complex and intricate plot.’
List synonyms for ‘circumstantial’ in its primary meaning.
- Indirect
- Incidental
- Dependent on circumstances
List synonyms for ‘circumstantial’ in its secondary meaning.
- Indirect
- Implying
- Suggesting
What is the primary meaning of ‘caprice’?
A sudden and unpredictable change of mood or behavior; a whim or a sudden desire.
Contextual Usage: ‘Her caprice led her to buy a ticket to a tropical island on a whim.’
What does ‘caprice’ imply about decision-making?
A tendency to change one’s mind impulsively and unpredictably.
Contextual Usage: ‘His caprice in decision-making often left his colleagues confused and frustrated.’
List three synonyms for ‘caprice’.
- Whim
- Impulse
- Fancy
List synonyms related to ‘caprice’ that indicate unpredictability.
- Whimsicality
- Inconstancy
- Volatility
