gre Flashcards
voracious
very hungry: approaching something with gusto.
she’s a voracious reader.
synonym:
insatiable
unquenchable
unappeasable
prodigious
uncontrollable
inflammatory
extremely controversial, Incendiary.
“inflammatory remarks”
inflammatory remarks
synonyms:
provocative
provoking
inflaming
incendiary
remiss
to be negligent in one’s duty.
it would be very remiss of me not to pass on that information.
synonyms:
negligent
neglectful
irresponsible
careless
dog
to pursue relentlessly; to hound
Eric had a reputation for dogging it a little
pursue
follow
stalk
track
profuse
very plentiful; abundant.
I offered my profuse apologies
copious
prolific
abundant
ample
underwrite
to support financially
“The council had agreed to underwrite the costs of repair work.”
summit
the peak of the highest point or meeting of high-level leaders.
she climbed back up the path towards the summit
top
peak
mountaintop
crest
meeting
negotiation
conference
talk(s)
embroiled
involve (someone) deeply in an argument, conflict, or difficult situation.
she became embroiled in a dispute between two women she hardly knew
involve
entangle
ensnare
enmesh
inundate
overwhelm or flood
we’ve been inundated with complaints from listeners
overwhelm
overpower
overburden
overrun
mesmerize
to spellbind or enthrall
they were mesmerized by his story”
enthrall
spellbind
entrance
hold spellbound
Acme
the point at which something is at its best or most highly developed.
The highest point of achievement.
physics is the acme of scientific knowledge
peak
pinnacle
zenith
highest point
spendthrift
a person who spends money in an extravagant, irresponsible way.
“Putt was a spendthrift and a heavy gambler”
profligate
prodigal
squanderer
waster
miser
a person who hoards wealth and spends as little money as possible.
“a typical miser, he hid his money in the house in various places”
penny-pincher
pinchpenny
cheese-parer
Scrooge
frugal
sparing or economical as regards money or food.
“I’m a bit too frugal to splash out on designer clothes”
thrifty
sparing
variance
the fact or quality of being different, divergent, or inconsistent.
“her light tone was at variance with her sudden trembling”
difference
variation
discrepancy
dissimilarity
unnerve
make (someone) lose courage or confidence.
to make nervous or upset.
“the journey over the bridge had unnerved me”
demoralize
discourage
dishearten
dispirit
avidly
with great interest or enthusiasm.
“I came across her avidly reading a magazine”
dupe
deceive; trick.
“the newspaper was duped into publishing an untrue story”
hoax
swindle
a victim of deception.
“men who were simply the dupes of their unscrupulous leaders”
victim
gull
pawn
puppet
decried
publicly denounce.
“they decried human rights abuses”
denounce
condemn
criticize
censure
bleak
having a depressing or glommy outlook.
unremitting
never relaxing or slackening; incessant.
unremitting drizzle”
relentless
unrelenting
continual
constant
lugubrious
looking or sounding sad and dismal.
his face looked even more lugubrious than usual”
mournful
gloomy
sad
unhappy
retiring
shy and fond of being on one’s own.
a gentle, retiring person who avoided conflict”
departing
shy
diffident
bashful
screed
an abusive rant ( often tedious)
“her criticism appeared in the form of screeds in a local film magazine”
vindictive
having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge.
“the criticism was both vindictive and personalized”
vengeful
out for revenge
revengeful
avenging
diabolical
to be extremely wicked like the devil.
“ they hatched a diabolical plan”
devilish
diabolic
fiendish
satanic
macabre
disturbing because concerned with or causing a fear of death; gruesome.
“a macabre series of murders”
gruesome
grisly
grim
gory
demean
to insult; to cause someone to lose respect or dignity.
good potential MPs would not demean themselves by setting out to acquire popularity”
degrading
humiliating
discredit
lower
demure
reserved, modest, and shy (typically used of a woman).
“a demure young lady”
modest
unassuming
meek
mild
telling
having a striking or revealing effect; significant.
“a telling argument against this theory”
revealing
significant
convincing
persuasive
candid
truthful and straightforward; frank.
“his responses were remarkably candid”
frank
outspoken
forthright
unposed
informal
uncontrived
indignant
feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.
“he was indignant at being the object of suspicion”
aggrieved
resentful
affronted
disgruntled
peruse
read (something), typically in a thorough or careful way.
“he has spent countless hours in libraries perusing art history books and catalogues”
read
study
scrutinize
inspect
telltale
revealing, indicating, or betraying something.
“the telltale bulge of a concealed weapon”
revealing
revelatory
suggestive
meaningful
err
be mistaken or incorrect; make a mistake.
“the judge had erred in ruling that the evidence was inadmissible”
make a mistake
be wrong
misbehave
do wrong
underwrite
to support financially
the latest symphony broadcast was made possible with underwriting from the carneige endowment.
sponsor
support
back
insure
stipend
a fixed regular sum paid as a salary or as expenses to a clergyman, teacher, or public official.
thoroughgoing
involving or attending to every detail or aspect of something.
“a thoroughgoing reform of the whole economy”
erratic
not even or regular in pattern or movement; unpredictable; strange and unconventional.
She can be very erratic; one day she is friendly and the next shell hardly speak to you.
Amiable
having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.
“the amiable young man greeted me enthusiastically”
friendly
affable
amicable
cordial
zenith
the time at which something is most powerful or successful.
the highest point; culmination.
At the zenith of his artistic career, Elvis was outselling any other artist on the charts.
tender
offer up something formally
The government was loath to tender more money in the fear that it might set off inflation.
thrifty
spending money wisely
He was economical, spending his money thriftily and on items considered essential.
provident
prudent
canny
economical
indigenous
originating in a certain area.
“coriander is indigenous to southern Europe”
native
endemic
local
domestic
censor
verb: to examine and remove objectionable material.
“the report had been censored ‘in the national interest’”
noun: an official who censors material
The censor insisted that every reference to drugs should be removed from the manuscript.
reprobate
noun: a person without morals who is disapproved of
Mr. Smith’s two boys couldn’t be more different; one was a hard-working and principled, the other was the town reprobate, always having run-ins with the law.
rogue
rascal
scoundrel
pinnacle
the highest point
“he had reached the pinnacle of his career”
pine
verb: to yearn for
Standing forlornly by the window, she pined for her lost love.
insolvent
unable to pay one’s bills; bankrupt
With credit card bills skyrocketing, a shockingly large number of Americans are truly insolvent.
hound
to pursue relentlessly
“she was hounded by the Italian press”
harass
persecute
harry
pester
serendipity
the instance in which an accidental, fortunate discovery is made
By pure serendipity, Sarah discovered, at a flea market in Peoria, a matching earring to replace the one that fell down the storm drain back home.
indict
verb: to formally charge or accuse of wrong-doing
The bankrobber was indicted on several major charges, including possession of a firearm.
affluent
wealthy
“the affluent societies of the western world”
wealthy
rich
prosperous
opulent
slapdash
carelessly and hastily put together.
The office building had been constructed in a slapdash manner, so it did not surprise officials when, during a small earthquake, a large crack emerged on the façade of the building.
careless
slipshod
lackadaisical
hasty
tirade
an angry speech
n terms of political change, a tirade oftentimes does little more than make the person speaking red in the face.
diatribe
invective
polemic
denunciation
affable
likeable; easy to talk to
For all his surface affability, Marco was remarkably glum when he wasn’t around other people.
friendly
amiable
genial
congenial
catalyst
noun: something that speeds up an event
Rosa Parks’s refusal to give up her bus seat acted as a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement, setting into motion historic changes for African-Americans.
spur
stimulus
impetus
prompt
pugnacious
eager to fight or argue; verbally combative
The comedian told one flat joke after another, and when the audience started booing, he pugnaciously spat back at them, “Hey, you think this is easy – why don’t you buffoons give it a shot?”
Similar:
combative
aggressive
antagonistic
belligerent
check
verb: to limit (usually modifying the growth of something)
Deserted for six months, the property began to look more like a jungle and less like a residence—weeds grew unchecked in the front yard
noun: the condition of being held back or limited
When government abuses are not kept in check, that government is likely to become autocratic.
becoming
appropriate, and matches nicely
Her dress was becoming and made her look even more beautiful.
flattering
fetching
attractive
lovely
pittance
a small amount (of money)
“he paid his workers a pittance”
corroborate
to confirm or lend support to (usually an idea or claim)
“the witness had corroborated the boy’s account of the attack”
confirm
verify
endorse
ratify
authenticate
sanguine
cheerful; optimistic
With the prospect of having to learn 3,000 words during the course of the summer, Paul was anything but sanguine.
sanctimonious
making a show of being pious; holier-than-thou
making a show of being morally superior to other people.
“what happened to all the sanctimonious talk about putting his family first?”
self-righteous
holier-than-thou
churchy
pious
checkered
marked by disreputable or unfortunate happenings
One by one, the presidential candidates dropped out of the race, their respective checkered pasts— from embezzlement to infidelity—sabotaging their campaigns.
apex
the highest point
The Ivy League is considered the apex of the higher education system.
paucity
a lack of something
There is a paucity of jobs hiring today that require menial skills, since most such jobs have either been automated or outsourced.
scarcity
sparseness
sparsity
dearth
replete
completely stocked or furnished with something
Only weeks after the hurricane made landfall, the local supermarket shelves were replete with goods, so quick was the disaster relief response.
well fed
sated
satiated
filled
full
flush
to be in abundance
The exam’s passage is flush with difficult words, words that you may have learned only yesterday.
start
to suddenly move in a particular direction
All alone in the mansion, Henrietta started when she heard a sound.
a sudden movement of surprise or alarm.
jerk
twitch
flinch
wince
scintillating
describes someone who is brilliant and lively
“the audience loved his scintillating wit”
brilliant
sparkling
shining
bright
brilliant
dazzling
exciting
exhilarating
misanthrope
a hater of mankind
Kevin is such a misanthrope that he refused to attend the Christmas party, claiming that everyone’s happiness was “fake” and “annoying.”
hater of mankind
cynic
sceptic
churl
disparate
two things are fundamentally different
The two cultures were so utterly disparate that she found it hard to adapt from one to the other.
contrasting
different
differing
dissimilar
chauvinist
a person who believes in the superiority of their group
“she now reports to a new boss, who is a chauvinist”
sexist
male chauvinist
anti-feminist
bigot
melee
a wild, confusing fight or struggle
“several people were hurt in the melee”
tumult(a loud, confused noise)
disturbance
rumpus
commotion(a state of confused and noisy disturbance)
cardinal
of primary importance; fundamental
Most cultures consider gambling a cardinal sin and thus have outlawed its practice.
fundamental
basic
main
chief
fleece
to deceive
Many people have been fleeced by Internet scams and never received their money back.
preemptive
done before someone else can do it.
just as Martha was about to take the only cookie left on the table, Noah preemptively swiped it
avarice
extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
“he was rich beyond the dreams of avarice”
greed
acquisitiveness
cupidity
virago
a domineering, violent, or bad-tempered woman.
Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, a powerful virago of the 12th century, was imprisoned by her husband, King Henry II of England, after she encouraged their sons to rebel against him.
harridan
shrew
immaterial
unimportant under the circumstances; irrelevant.
“the difference in our ages is immaterial”
irrelevant
unimportant
inconsequential
insignificant
hodgepodge
a confused mixture or jumble.
“Rob’s living room was a hodgepodge of modern furniture and antiques”
desecrate
to willfully violate or destroy a sacred placed
“more than 300 graves were desecrated”
violate
profane
treat sacrilegiously
bellicose
warlike; inclined to quarrel
known for the bellicose ways, the Spartans were once the most feared people from Peloponnesus to Persia.
belligerent
aggressive
hostile
threatening
apex
the highest point
The Ivy league is considered the apex of the higher education system.
imponderable
a factor that is difficult or impossible to estimate or assess or figure out
.
According to many lawmakers, the huge variety of factors affecting society make devising an efficient healthcare system an imponderable task.
extenuating
making less guilty or more forgiving
“even the fact that you once helped to save my life could not extenuate your offence”
excuse
mitigate
palliate
make allowances for
raft
a large number of something
“We’ve identified a whole raft of problems affecting traffic flow”.
beatific
feeling or expressing blissful happiness.
often we expect monks to wear a beatific smile of buddha, but like any of us, monk can have a bad day and not look very happy
rapturous
joyful
ecstatic
seraphic
lassitude
extreme tiredness, either physical or mental
“she was overcome by lassitude and retired to bed”
lethargy
listlessness
weariness
badger
to pester
“Tom had finally badgered her into going”
pester
harass
bother
junta
an aggressive takeover by a group(usually the military), the group that executes such takeover.
“the country’s ruling military junta”
faction
group
cabal
clique
cogent
clear and persuasive
A cogent argument will change the minds of even the most skeptical audience
convincing
compelling
strong
forceful
contrite
to be remorseful
Though he stole his sisters candy, Chucky soon became contrite when his little sister wouldn’t stop crying.
remorseful
repentant
penitent
regretful
errant
to be wandering; not sticking to a circumscribed path.
Unlike his peers who spent their hours studying in the library, Matthew preferred errant walks throughout the university.
heyday
the period of a person’s or thing’s greatest success, popularity, activity, or vigour.
“the paper has lost millions of readers since its heyday in 1964”
prime
peak
height
high point
vicarious
experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person.
“this catalogue brings vicarious pleasure in luxury living”
indirect
second-hand
secondary
derivative
wax
to gradually increase in size or intensity.
Her enthusiasm for the diva’s new album only waxed with each song; by the end of the album, it was her favourite CD yet.
ferret
to search for something persistently.
Even the resourceful lexicographer, Fenton was able to ferret out the word origin of highly obscure words.
cadaverous
emaciated; gaunt
very pale, thin, or bony.
some actors take challenging roles in which they have to lose so much weight that they appear cadaverous.
unconscionable
unreasonable; unscrupulous; excessive
The lawyers demands were so unconscionable that rather than pay an exorbitant sum or submit himself to any other inconveniences, the defendant decided to find a new lawyer.
exhort
to strongly urger on; encourage
“I exhorted her to be a good child”
urge
encourage
call on
enjoin
animosity
intense hostility
The governor’s animosity towards his rival was only inflamed when the latter spread false lies regarding the governor’s first term.
antipathy
hostility
friction
antagonism
stem
to hold back or limit the flow or growth of something
To stem the tide of applications the prestigious Ivy requires that the applicant score at least 330 on the revised GRE.
aboveboard
legitimate, honest, and open.
“we felt the judging was all above board and fair”
moment
significant and important value
Despite the initial hullabaloo , the play was of no great moment in Hamptons writing career, and within a few years the public quickly forgot his foray into theater arts.
amok
in a frenzied or uncontrolled state.
“the kids are running amok around the house”
flounder
behave awkwardly; have difficulties
Raj has excelled at advanced calculus, but ironically, when he has to deal with taxes he flounders.
jocular
characterized by jokes and humor.
My uncle was always in a jocular mood at family gatherings, messing up people’s hair or telling knock knock jokes to anyone who would listen.
humorous
funny
witty
comic
ingenuity
the power of creative imagination.
the quality of being clever, original, and inventive.
“considerable ingenuity must be employed in writing software”
discriminate
recognize or perceive the difference.
“babies can discriminate between different facial expressions”
transitory
lasting a very short time
If we lived forever and life was not transitory, do you think we would appreciate life less or more?
temporary
transient
brief
short
inclement
adjective: (of weather) unpleasant, stormy
After a week of inclement weather, we finally are able to go out and enjoy the sun.
adjective: used of persons or behavior; showing no mercy
Marcus, though a fair man, was inclement to Christians during his reign, persecuting them violently
cold
chilly
bitter
bleak
disheartened
made less hopeful or enthusiastic.
“a disheartened tone of voice”
quandary
state of uncertain or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavourable options.
I’ve had two job offers, and I’m in a real quandary about/over which one to accept.
disenfranchise
deprive of voting
The U.S. Constitution disenfranchised women until 1920 when they were given the right to vote.
fete
to celebrate a person
After World War II, war heroes were feted at first but quickly forgotten
entice
get someone to do something through (often false)promises
“a show which should entice a new audience into the theatre”
tempt
allure
lure
attract
renege
fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
We will no longer work with that vendor since it has reneged on nearly every agreement.
default on
fail to honour
go back on
break
resolve
reach a conclusion after a discussion or deliberation
After much thought, Ted resolved not to travel abroad this summer because he didn’t have much money in his bank account.
proponent
a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
“a strong proponent of the free market and liberal trade policies”
advocate
supporter
upholder
exponent
dearth
a lack or shortage
I am surprised by the dearth of fast food chains; this is America and I assumed they were on every street.
lack
scarcity
scarceness
shortage
patronize
treat condescendingly
She says she genuinely wanted to help me, but instead she patronized me, constantly pointing out how I was inferior to her.
autonomously
Acting independently; self-governing (of a country)
Many of the factory workers are worried about being replaced by machines and computers that will work completely autonomously.
malady
a disease or sickness
The town was struck by a malady throughout the winter that left most people sick in bed for two weeks.
illness
sickness
ailment
disorder
pithy
concise and full of meaning
I enjoy reading the Daodejing for its pithy and insightful prose; it always gives me something to think about.
succinct
terse
concise
compact
fledgling
adjective: young and inexperienced
noun: any new participant in some activity
Murray has years of experience in family practice, but he is just a fledgling in surgery.
morose
ill-tempered and not inclined to talk; gloomy
After Stanley found out he was no longer able to go on vacation with his friends, he sat in his room morosely.
sullen
sulky
gloomy
bad-tempered
moot
open to argument or debate; undecidable in a meaningless or irrelevant way
Since the Board just terminated Steve as the CEO, what the finance committee might have thought of his proposed marketing plan for next year is now a moot point.
meander
to wander aimlessly
A casual observer might have thought that Peter was meandering through the city, but that day he was actually seeking out those places where he and his long lost love had once visited.
zigzag
wind
twist
deter
verb: turn away from by persuasion
His mother tried to deter him from joining the army, but he was too intoxicated with the idea of war to listen.
verb: try to prevent; show opposition to
The government’s primary job should involve deterring paths to war, not finding ways to start them.
put off
discourage
dissuade
scare off
ornate
elaborately or highly decorated.
The ornate Victorian and Edwardian homes spread throughout San Francisco are my favorite part of the city.
degrade
reduce in worth or character, usually verbally
Jesse had mockingly pointed out all of Nancy’s faults in front of their friends, publicly degrading the poor girl.
demean
debase
cheapen
devalue
obdurate
unable to be persuaded or moved emotionally; stubborn; unyielding.
No number of pleas and bribes would get him to change his obdurate attitude.
stubborn
obstinate
unyielding
unbending
snide
expressive of contempt; derogatory or mocking in an indirect way
“snide remarks about my mother”
disparaging
derogatory
deprecating
plodding
slow and laborious
Charlie may seem to run at a plodding pace, but he is an ultramarathoner
advocate
speak, plead, or argue in favor of
While the senator privately approved of gay marriage, he was unwilling to advocate for the cause in a public venue.
impermeable
does not allow fluids to pass through
The sand bags placed on the river formed an impermeable barrier, protecting the town from flooding.
watertight
waterproof
damp-proof
water-resistant
archaic
so old as to appear to belong to a different period
“prisons are run on archaic methods”
obsolete
obsolescent
out of date
anachronistic
guffaw
laugh boisterously
“both men guffawed at the remark”
hearty laugh
loud laugh
raffish
unconventional and slightly disreputable, especially in an attractive way.
rakish
jaunty
dapper
dashing
avid
marked by active interest or enthusiasm
“she was avid for information about the murder inquiry”
keen
eager
enthusiastic
ardent
ascendancy
the state that exists when one person or group has power over another
“the ascendancy of good over evil”
dominance
domination
supremacy
superiority
consummate
having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
Tyler was the consummate musician: he could play the guitar, and drum at the same time.
To make perfect and complete in every respect.
perfect
exemplary
supreme
ultimate
elusive
difficult to capture or difficult to remember
Many first time skydivers say that describing the act of falling from the sky is elusive.
thwart
hinder or prevent
I wanted to spend a weekend in New York but the high travel costs thwarted my plans
stolid
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited.
Elephants may appear stolid to casual observers, but they actually have passionate emotional lives.
impassive
phlegmatic
unemotional
calm
impede
be a hindrance or obstacle to
“the sap causes swelling which can impede breathing”
hinder
obstruct
hamper
handicap
robust
sturdy and strong in form, constitution or construction.
Chris preferred bland and mild beers, but Bhavin preferred a beer with more robust flavor
boon
a desirable state; something helpful or beneficial.
modern technology has been a boon to the travel industry.
Very close and convivial
he was a boon companion to many and will be sadly missed.
endemic
native; originating where it is found
Ireland cuisine makes great use of potatoes but ironically potatoes are not endemic to Ireland
incessant
continuing without pause or interruption.
I dont mind small children in brief doeses, but i think incessant exposure that their parents have to them would quickly wear me down.
ceaseless
unceasing
constant
continual
appreciable
large or important enough to be noticed.
There is an appreciable difference between people who say they can get the job done and those who actually get the job done.
considerable
substantial
significant
sizeable
malleable
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
The clay was much malleable and easy to work with once water was added to it.
easily influenced
My little sister is malleable.
muted
softened, subdued
Helen preferred muted colours
respite
a pause from doing something
Every afternoon, the small company has a respite in which workers play foosball or board games
rest
break
breathing space
interval
conducive
making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible.
Studying in a quiet room is conducive to learning; studying in a noisy environment makes learning more difficult.
fickle
changing frequently, especially as regards one’s loyalties or affections.
“celebs trying to appeal to an increasingly fickle public”
capricious
changeable
variable
volatile
unruly
noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline; unwilling to submit to authority
Walk in to any preschool and I am sure that you will find an unruly and chaotic scene—unless it’s nap time.
:
disorderly
rowdy
wild
unmanageable
precedent
an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
The principal explained that even though one student had done modelling work outside of school, the outfits that student wore in those photographs in no way established a precedent for what could be worn at school dances.
model
exemplar
example
pattern
perennial
lasting an indefinitely long time; eternal; everlasting
“her perennial distrust of the men”
everlasting
perpetual
eternal
continuing
jargon
a characteristic language of a particular group
To those with little training in medicine, the jargon of doctors can be very difficult to understand.
contemptuous
scornful, looking down at others with a sneering attitude
“she was intolerant and contemptuous of the majority of the human race”
grovel
show submission or fear
Every time Susan comes to the office, Frank grovels as if she were about to fire him.
crawl
creep
impeccable
adjective: without fault or error
He was impeccably dressed in the latest fashion without a single crease or stain.
urbane
courteous and refined in manner (typically used of a man).
“the supposedly urbane, restrained English gentleman”
suave
sophisticated
debonair
worldly
tumult
a state of chaos, noise and confusion
Riots broke out just in front of our apartment building, and the tumult continued late into the night.
altruism
the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
Albert Schweitzer spent most of his life doing missionary work as a doctor in Africa, seeking no reward, apparently motivated only by altruism.
unselfishness
selflessness
self-sacrifice
self-denial
irresolute
uncertain how to act or proceed
“she stood irresolute outside his door”
indecisive
hesitant
tentative
nervous
smattering
a slight or superficial understanding of a subject; a small amount of something
know only a smattering of German, but Helen is able to read German newspapers and converse with natives.
hamstrung
made ineffective or powerless
The FBI has made so many restrictions on the local police that they are absolutely hamstrung, unable to accomplish anything.
cripple
lame
hock
disable
empathetic
showing understanding and ready comprehension of other peoples’ states and emotions
“she’s compassionate and empathetic towards her daughter”
assuage
make something intense less severe
Her fear that the new college would be filled with unknown faces was assuaged when she recognized her childhood friend standing in line.
relieve
ease
alleviate
soothe
satisfy (an appetite or desire).
benign
kind
I remember my grandfather’s face was wrinkled, benign, and calm.
medicine) not dangerous to health; not recurrent or progressive
egotist
a conceited and self-centered person
“he is a self-absorbed egotist”
vacuous
devoid of intelligence, matter, or significance
to the journalist’s pointed question, the senator gave a vacuous response,
empty
blank
vacant
expressionless
deadpan
sentimental
effusively or insincerely emotional, especially in art, music, and literature
I don’t like romanticism for the same reason I don’t like melodramatic acting and soap operas—overly sentimental.
facetious
cleverly amusing in tone
Facetious behavior will not be tolerated during sex education class; it’s time for all of you to treat these matters like mature adults.
treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humour; flippant.
derisive
abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule
I was surprised by her derisive tone; usually, she is sweet, soft spoken, and congenial.
mocking
ridiculing
jeering
scoffing
rankle
gnaw into; make resentful or angry
His constant whistling would rankle her, sometimes causing her to leave in a huff.
inadvertent
happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
“an inadvertent administrative error occurred that resulted in an overpayment”
unintentional
unintended
accidental
unpremeditated
lucid
transparently clear; easily understandable
Though Walters writes about physics and time travel, his writing is always lucid, so readers with little scientific training can understand difficult concepts.
intelligible
comprehensible
rational
sane
in one’s right mind
tawdry
tastelessly showy; cheap and shoddy
“tawdry jewellery”
gaudy
flashy
showy
garish
assail
attack in speech or writing
In the weekly paper, the editor assailed the governor for wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars in public projects that quickly failed.
criticize
censure
attack
condemn
surly
inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace
Every morning, Bhavin was a surly, unhappy person, but once he ate breakfast, he became loving, laughing, and a joy to be around.
bad-tempered
ill-natured
grumpy
glum
cornucopia
an abundant supply of something good
The International Food Expo was a cornucopia of culinary delights: gourmet foods from every continent were under one roof.
glib
speaking with ease but without sincerity
I have found that the more glib the salesman, the worse the product.
elaborate
marked by complexity and richness of detail
Thomas, on returning from Morocco, replaced his dirty gray carpet with an elaborate one he’d brought back with him.
explain in more detail
Most high school physics teachers find themselves elaborating the same point over and over again, since many concepts confuse students.
whimsical
determined by impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
Adults look to kids and envy their whimsical nature at times, wishing that they could act without reason and play without limitation.
volatile
capricious
temperamental
impulsive
fanciful
playful
mischievous
waggish
perpetuate
verb: cause to continue
If you do not let him do things for himself, you are merely perpetuating bad habits that will be even harder to break in the future.
martial
suggesting war or military life
Americans tend to remember Abraham Lincoln as kindly and wise, not at all martial, despite the fact that he was involved in the fiercest war America has even fought.
credence
belief in something
He placed no credence in psychics, claiming that they offered no special powers beyond the ability to make people part with their money.
acceptance
belief
faith
trust
detrimental
causing harm or injury
Many know that smoking is detrimental to your health, but processed sugar in large quantities is equally bad.
harmful
damaging
injurious
hurtful
uncompromising
not making concessions
The relationship between Bart and Hilda ultimately failed because they were both so uncompromising, never wanting to change their opinions.
The relationship between Bart and Hilda ultimately failed because they were both so uncompromising, never wanting to change their opinions.
genial
agreeable, conducive to comfort
Betty is a genial young woman: everyone she meets is put at ease by her elegance and grace.
friendly
affable
cordial
congenial
genteel
marked by refinement in taste and manners
A live string quartet would provide a more genteel air to the wedding than would a folk singer.
refined
respectable
polished
decorous
illicit
contrary to or forbidden by law
Though Al Capone was engaged in many illicit activities, he was finally arrested for income tax evasion, a relatively minor offense.
illegal
unlawful
illegitimate
against the law
commendable
worthy of high praise
The efforts of the firefighters running into the burning building were commendable.
pristine
Unspoiled, untouched
“a pristine white shirt”
Immaculately clean and unused
augment
enlarge or increase; improve
“he augmented his summer income by painting houses”
buck
resist
The profits at our firm bucked the general downturn that affected the real estate industry.
resist
oppose
contradict
defy
euphoria
a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation
“in his euphoria, he had become convinced he could defeat them”
elation
happiness
joy
pertinent
having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand
“she asked me a lot of very pertinent questions”
relevant
to the point
apposite
appropriate
banish
expel from a community, residence, or location; drive away
The most difficult part of the fast was banishing thoughts of food.
spurn
reject with contempt
She spurned all his flattery and proposals, and so he walked off embarrassed and sad.
malevolent
wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred
Villains are known for their malevolent nature, oftentimes inflicting cruelty on others just for enjoyment.
malicious
spiteful
hostile
evil-minded
eke
To live off meager resources, to scrape by
Stranded in a cabin over the winter, Terry was able to eke out an existence on canned food.
irk
irritate or vex
My little sister has a way of irking and annoying me like no other person.
irritate
annoy
vex
gall
tarnish
make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
Pete Rose was one of the best baseball players of his generation, but his involvement with gambling on baseball games has tarnished his image in the eyes of many.
squander
spend thoughtlessly; waste time, money, or an opportunity
Fearing his money would be squandered by his family, he gave all of it to charity when he died.
waste
misspend
misuse
throw away
discord
lack of agreement or harmony
“a prosperous family who showed no signs of discord”
strife
conflict
friction
hostility
obstinate
resistant to guidance or discipline; stubbornly persistent
The coach suggested improvements Sarah might make on the balance beam, but she remained obstinate, unwilling to modify any of the habits that made her successful in the past.
stubborn
headstrong
wilful
unyielding
perturb
disturb in mind or cause to be worried or alarmed
Now that Henry is recovering from a major illness, he no longer lets the little trivialities, such as late mail, perturb him.
worry
upset
unsettle
disturb
concern
tout
advertize in strongly positive terms; show off
At the conference, the CEO touted the extraordinary success of his company’s Research & Development division.
savvy
noun: a perceptive understanding
Although a great CEO, he did not have the political savvy to win the election.
verb: get the meaning of something
The student savvies the meaning of astrophysics with little effort.
adjective: well-informed or perceptive
With his savvy business partner, the company was able to turn a profit within a year.
shrewd
astute
sharp-witted
tact
consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
In a tremendous display of tact, Shelly was able to maintain a strong friendship with Marcia, even though Marcia’s husband, Frank, confessed to finding Shelly more attractive than Marcia.
aphoristic
something that is concise and instructive of a general truth or principle
Sometimes I can’t stand Nathan because he tries to impress everyone by being aphoristic, but he just states the obvious.
pastoral
relating to the countryside in a pleasant sense
Those who imagine America’s countryside as a pastoral region are often disappointed to learn that much of rural U.S. is filled with cornfields extending as far as the eye can see.
smug
marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
When Phil was dating the model, he had a smug attitude that annoyed his buddies.
ploy
a clever plan to turn a situation to one’s advantage
exemplify
be characteristic of
Mozart exemplified the poor, starving artist who dies young.
verb: clarify by giving an example of
Please present some case studies that exemplify the results that you claim in your paper.
convoluted
highly complex or intricate
instead of solving the math problem in three simple steps, Kumar used a convoluted solution requiring fifteen steps.
complicated
complex
involved
intricate
reservation
an unstated doubt that prevents you from accepting something wholeheartedly
“some generals voiced reservations about making air strikes”
doubt
qualm
scruple
misgivings
retract
pull inward or towards a center; formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
Email is wonderfully efficient, but once something awkward or damaging has been sent, there is no way to retract it.
brusquely
in a blunt, direct manner
Not one for social pleasantries, the Chief of Staff would brusquely ask his subordinates for anything he wanted, even coffee.
rash
marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences; imprudently incurring risk
Although Bruce was able to make the delivery in time with a nighttime motorcycle ride in the rain, Susan criticized his actions as rash.
presumption
noun: an assumption that is taken for granted
When Mr. Baker found out the family car was gone, he acted under the presumption that his rebellious son had taken the car, calling his son’s phone and yelling at him; only later did Mr. Baker realize that Mrs. Baker had simply gone out to get her nails done.
noun: audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to
collusion
agreement on a secret plot
Many have argued that Lee Harvey Oswald, JFK’s assassin, was in collusion with other criminals; others maintain that Oswald was a lone gunman.
enmity
a state of deep-seated ill-will
The rude remark Charles made toward Sarah yesterday was due to his illness, not due to any real enmity toward Sarah.
hostility
animosity
antagonism
friction
peevish
easily irritated or annoyed
Our office manager is peevish, so the rest of us tip-toe around him, hoping not to set off another one of his fits.
irritable
irascible
fractious
fretful
leery
openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
Without checking his references and talking to previous employers, I am leery of hiring the candidate.
wary
cautious
careful
guarded
taxing
use to the limit; exhaust
The hike to the summit of Mt. Whitney was so taxing that I could barely speak or stand up.
demanding
exacting
challenging
burdensome
serene
calm and peaceful
“her eyes were closed and she looked very serene”
calm
composed
collected
cool
cloudless
devolve
pass on or delegate to another
The company was full of managers known for devolving tasks to lower management, but never doing much work themselves.
grow worse (usually “devolve into”)
The dialogue between the two academics devolved into a downright bitter argument.
placid
not easily irritated
Doug is normally placid, so we were all shocked to see him yelling at the television when the Mets lost the game.
derogative
expressed as worthless or in negative terms
Never before have we seen a debate between two political candidates that was so derogative and filthy.
diligent
characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks
Michael was a diligent gardener, never leaving a leaf on the ground and regularly watering each plant.
industrious
hard-working
assiduous
conscientious
impending
close in time; about to occur
The impending doom of our world has been discussed and debated for 2000 years—maybe even longer.
credulity
tendency to believe readily
Virginia’s wide-eyed credulity as a five-year old was replaced by suspicion after she learned that Santa Claus didn’t really exist.
gullibility
naiveness
maxim
a short saying expressing a general truth
“the maxim that actions speak louder than words”
saying
adage
aphorism
proverb
unseemly
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
He acted in an unseemly manner, insulting the hostess and then speaking ill of her deceased husband.
indecorous
improper
inappropriate
unbecoming
impregnable
immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
As a child, Amy would build pillow castles and pretend they were impregnable fortresses.
invulnerable
impenetrable
unassailable
elude
escape understanding
“he tried to elude the security men by sneaking through a back door”
exasperate
to irritate intensely
As a child, I exasperated my mother with strings of never-ending questions.
infuriate
incense
anger
annoy
unprecedented
having never been done or known before; novel
“the emphasis has been on shaping bold solutions to save lives and livelihoods in these unprecedented times”
unparalleled
unequalled
unmatched
unrivalled
steadfast
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
A good captain needs to be steadfast, continuing to hold the wheel and stay the course even during the most violent storm.
loyal
faithful
committed
devoted
destitute
poor enough to need help from others
“the charity cares for destitute children”
completely wanting or lacking
Now that the mine is closed, the town is destitute of any economic activity.
devoid
bereft
deprived
complacent
showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements.
After the water polo team won their sixth championship, they became complacent and didn’t even make it to the playoffs the next year.
smug
self-satisfied
pleased with oneself
proud of oneself
connive
taking part in immoral and unethical plots
With the help of the prince, the queen connived to overthrow the king
conspire
collude
quip
a witty saying or remark
In one of the most famous quips about classical music, Mark Twain said: “Wagner’s music is better than it sounds.”
verb: to make a witty remark, to say in jest
When an old English teacher criticized Churchill for ending a sentence with a preposition, he quipped, “This is the kind of criticism up with which we will not put!”
embellish
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.; make more beautiful
“blue silk embellished with golden embroidery”
candidness
the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech
Although I was unhappy that the relationship ended, I appreciated her candidness about why she was ready to move on from the relationship.
goad
urge on with unpleasant comments
Doug did not want to enter the race, but Jim, through a steady stream of taunts, goaded him into signing up for it.
provoke
spur
prick
sting
foible
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
When their new roommate sat staring at an oak tree for an hour, Marcia thought it indicated a mental problem, but Jeff assured her it was a harmless foible.
fawn
try to gain favor by extreme flattery
The media fawned over the handsome new CEO, praising his impeccable sense of style instead of asking more pointed questions.
evenhanded
without partiality
Teachers often have trouble being evenhanded to all of their varied students.
fair
just
equitable
impartial
unbiased
cavalier
showing a lack of proper concern; offhand.
given to haughty disregard of others
Percy dismissed the issue with a cavalier wave of his hand.
glean
collect information bit by bit
Herb has given us no formal statement about his background, but from various hints, I have gleaned that he grew up in difficult circumstances.
obtain
get
take
draw
derive
forthright
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
I did not expect the insurance agent to give us any straight answers, but I was pleasantly surprised by how forthright he was.
belittle
lessen the importance, dignity, or reputation of
A good teacher will never belittle his students, but will instead empower them.
disparage
denigrate
run down
deprecate
docile
easily handled or managed; willing to be taught or led or supervised or directed
“a cheap and docile workforce”
compliant
obedient
pliant
dutiful
deride
treat or speak of with contempt
The nun derided the students for trying to sneak insects and worms into the classroom.
ridicule
mock
jeer at
scoff at
tribulation
something, especially an event, that causes difficulty and suffering
As of 2013, nearly 1.5 million Syrians have fled their country hoping to escape the tribulations of a civil war tearing their country to pieces.
wanton
without check or limitation; showing no moral restraints to one’s anger, desire, or appetites
Due to wanton behavior and crude language, the drunk man was thrown out of the bar and asked to never return.
preempt
take the place of or have precedence over
“many tables were already pre-empted by family parties”
forestall
prevent
presumptuous
excessively forward
Many felt that Barney was presumptuous in moving into the large office before the management even made any official announcement of his promotion.
brazen
overconfident
arrogant
egotistical
clemency
mercy; lenience.
In the final moments of the trial, during his closing speech, Phillips was nearly begging the judge for clemency.
humdrum
dull and lacking excitement
dull and lacking excitement
mundane
dull
dreary
boring
analogous
similar in some respects but otherwise different
In many ways, the Internet’s transformative effect on society has been analogous to that of the printing press.
rile
cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
Dan is usually calm and balanced, but it takes only one intense glare from Sabrina to rile him.
irritate
annoy
bother
vex
behoove
it is a duty or responsibility for someone to do something.
It would behoove you to study hard and work for the future you desire.
prevail
be widespread in a particular area at a particular time; be current:
During the labor negotiations, an air of hostility prevailed in the office.
verb: prove superior
Before the cricket match, Australia was heavily favored, but India prevailed.
ascribe
attribute or credit to
“a quotation ascribed to Thomas Cooper”
regard something as being due to (a cause).
“he ascribed Jane’s short temper to her upset stomach”
avert
turn away
Afraid to see the aftermath of the car crash, I averted my eyes as we drove by.
verb: ward off or prevent
The struggling video game company put all of its finances into one final, desperate project to avert bankruptcy.
precarious
fraught with danger
People smoke to relax and forget their cares, but ironically, in terms of health risks, smoking is far more precarious than either mountain-climbing or skydiving.
dependent on chance; uncertain.
“he made a precarious living as a painter”
Similar:
uncertain
insecure
unreliable
unsure
consecrate
to make holy or set apart for a high purpose
“after the priest had consecrated the bread and wine, it was immortal and divine”
sanctify
bless
make holy
cerebral
involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct
A cerebral analysis of most pop music finds it to be simple and childish, but that ignores the point–the music’s effect on the listener.
besmirch
damage the good name and reputation of someone
“he had besmirched the good name of his family”
conundrum
a difficult problem
Computers have helped solve some of the mathematical conundrums which have puzzled man for many centuries.
profusion
the property of being extremely abundant
“a rich profusion of flowers”
abundance
lot
mass
host
plenitude
buttress
make stronger or defensible
China’s economy has been buttressed by a global demand for the electronic parts the country manufactures.
finagle
achieve something by means of trickery or devious methods
Steven was able to finagle one of the last seats on the train by convincing the conductor that his torn stub was actually a valid ticket.
redress
an act of making something right
Barry’s redress for forgetting his wife’s birthday two years in a row was surprising her with a trip to Tahiti.
compensation
reparation
restitution
recompense
coalesce
fuse or cause to grow together
Over time, the various tribes coalesced into a single common culture with one universal language.
combine
merge
fuse
unite
cohesive
well integrated, forming a united whole
A well-written, cohesive essay will keep on topic at all times, never losing sight of the main argument.
lethargic
lacking energy
Nothing can make a person more lethargic than a big turkey dinner.
uncanny
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences; surpassing the ordinary or normal
Reggie has an uncanny ability to connect with animals: feral cats will readily approach him, and sometimes even wild birds will land on his finger.
emulate
strive to equal or match, especially by imitating; compete with successfully
To really become fluent in a new language, emulate the speech patterns of people who speak the language.
melancholy
a deep, long-lasting sadness
Hamlet is a figure of tremendous melancholy: he doesn’t have a truly cheerful scene throughout the entire play.
sad
sorrowful
desolate
begrudge
to envy someone for possessing or enjoying something
Sitting all alone in his room, Harvey begrudged the happiness of the other children playing outside his window.
to give reluctantly
We never begrudge money spent on ourselves.
incense
make furious
When Herb bought football tickets for a game on the day of their wedding anniversary, Jill was incensed.
incumbent
necessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibility
Middle managers at times make important decisions, but real responsibility for the financial well-being of the corporation is ultimately incumbent on the CEO.
binding
obligatory
mandatory
necessary
currently holding office.
piquant
having an agreeably pungent taste
The chef, with a mere flick of the salt shaker, turned the bland tomato soup into a piquant meal.
pleasantly stimulating or exciting to the mind.
intriguing
stimulating
interesting
fascinating
veneer
covering consisting of a thin superficial layer that hides the underlying substance
Mark Twain referred to the Victorian Period in America as the “Gilded Age”, implying the ample moral corruption that lay beneath a mere veneer of respectability.
industrious
characterized by hard work and perseverance
Pete was an industrious student, completing every assignment thoroughly and on time.
antedate
precede in time
Harry was so unknowledgeable that he was unaware the Egyptian pharaohs antedated the American Revolution.
rakish1
having or displaying a dashing, jaunty, or slightly disreputable quality or appearance.
As soon as he arrived in the city, the rakish young man bought some drugs and headed straight for the seedy parts of town.
debonair
intermittent
stopping and starting at irregular intervals
“intermittent rain”
foolhardy
recklessly bold or rash.
marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
The police regularly face dangerous situations, so for a police officer not to wear his bullet-proof vest is foolhardy.
implicate
convey a meaning; imply
By saying that some of the guests were uncomfortable, the manager implicated to the hotel staff that it needed to be more diligent.
verb: to indicate in wrongdoing, usually a crime
The crime boss was implicated for a long list of crimes, ranging from murder to disturbing the peace.
irascible
quickly aroused to anger
If Arthur’s dog is not fed adequately, he becomes highly irascible, even growling at his own shadow.
eccentric
highly unconventional or unusual (usually describes a person)
Mozart was well-known for his eccentricities, often speaking words backward to confuse those around him.
insipid
dull and uninteresting
The movie director was known for hiring beautiful actors in order to deflect attention away from the insipid scripts he would typically use.
lacking flavour; weak or tasteless.
decimation
destroying or killing a large part of the population
The decimation after atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is incomprehensible.
resignation
the acceptance of something unpleasant that can’t be avoided
Since Jack could not think of a convincing reason why he had to miss the seminar, he attended it with a sense of resignation.
forbearance
tolerance
stoicism
endurance
cosmopolitan
comprising many cultures; global in reach and outlook
There are few cities in the world as diverse and cosmopolitan as New York.
antiquated
old-fashioned; belonging to an earlier period in time
Aunt Betty had antiquated notions about marriage, believing that a man should court a woman for at least a year before receiving a kiss.
evasive
avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger or commitment
His responses were clearly evasive; he obviously did not want to take on any responsibility or any new work.
adjective: deliberately vague or ambiguous
Every time I call the bank, I receive the same evasive answers about our mortgage and never get a clear response.
inarticulate
unable to express one’s ideas or feelings clearly or easily.
Although a brilliant economist, Professor Wilson was completely inarticulate, a terrible lecturer.
tongue-tied
lost for words
laborious
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
The most laborious job I’ve had was working 20 hours a day as a fisherman in King Salmon, Alaska.
abysmal
extremely bad
Coach Ramsey took his newest player off the field after watching a few painful minutes of her abysmal performance.
very deep.
profound
extreme
utter
complete
compound
make more intense, stronger, or more marked
Her headache was compounded by the construction crew outside, which had six jackhammers going at the same time.
excruciating
extremely painful
After the boulder rolled a couple of feet, pinning my friend’s arm, he experienced excruciating pain.
very embarrassing, awkward, or tedious.
“he explained the procedure in excruciating detail”
relegate
assign to a lower position
When Dexter was unable to fulfill his basic duties, instead of firing him, the boss relegated him to kitchen cleanup.
champion
to fight for a cause
Martin Luther King Jr. championed civil rights fiercely throughout his short life.
debunk
expose as false ideas and claims, especially while ridiculing
Richard Dawkins tries to debunk religious belief, but his ridicule tends to push people away from his points rather than convince them.
paradoxical
seemingly contradictory but nonetheless possibly true
That light could be both a particle and a wave seems paradoxical, but nonetheless, it is true.
morph
To undergo dramatic change in a seamless and barely noticeable fashion.
“the characters can be morphed on screen”
colossal
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
Few appreciate the colossal scale of the sun: if hollow, it could contain a million Earths.
cumbersome
difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
Only ten years ago, being an avid reader and a traveler meant carrying a cumbersome backpack stuffed with books–these days we need only an e-reader.
snub
refuse to acknowledge; reject outright and bluntly
Wheeler was completely qualified for the committee, but the board snubbed him, choosing an obviously lesser qualified candidate instead.
boorish
ill-mannered and coarse or contemptible in behavior or appearance
Bukowski was known for being a boorish drunk and alienating close friends and family.
coarse
uncouth
besiege
harass, as with questions or requests; cause to feel distressed or worried
After discovering a priceless artifact in her backyard, Jane was besieged by phone calls, emails, and reporters all trying to buy, hold or see the rare piece of history.
obliging
showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
Even after all his success, I found him to be accommodating and obliging, sharing with me his “secret tips” on how to gain wealth and make friends.
aphorism
a short instructive saying about a general truth
Nietzsche was known for using aphorisms, sometimes encapsulating a complex philosophical thought in a mere sentence.
saying
maxim
stymie
hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
The engineers found their plans stymied at every turn and were ultimately able to make almost no progress on the project.
convivial
describing a lively atmosphere
The wedding reception was convivial; friends who hadn’t seen each other for ages drank and ate together before heading to the dance floor.
friendly
genial
affable
amiable
congenial
dispatch
the property of being prompt and efficient
She finished her thesis with dispatch, amazing her advisors who couldn’t believe she had written 60 scholarly pages so quickly.
verb: dispose of rapidly and without delay and efficiently
miscreant
a person who breaks the law
“Come back you miscreant!” yelled the woman who just had her purse stolen.
hamper
prevent the progress or free movement of
As the rain water began to collect in pools on the highway, it began to hamper the flow of traffic.
perquisite
a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)
Even as the dishwasher at the French restaurant, Josh quickly learned that he had the perquisite of being able to eat terrific food for half the price diners would pay.
perk
fringe benefit
additional benefit
benefit
chivalrous
being attentive to women like an ideal knight
Medieval tales are full of stories of chivalry, in which a young knight must commit deeds of heroism to win the hand of a fair maiden.
gallant
gentlemanly
honourable
respectful
staid
characterized by dignity and propriety
Frank came from a staid environment, so he was shocked that his college roommate sold narcotics.
respectable
quiet
serious
serious-minded
enumerate
determine the number or amount of
The survey enumerates the number of happy workers and the number of unhappy workers.
verb: specify individually, one by one
I sat and listened as she enumerated all of the things she did not like about the past three months.
creditable
deserving of praise but not that amazing
Critics agreed the movie was creditable, but few gave it more than three out of five stars.
laudable
dilapidated
in terrible condition
The main house has been restored but the gazebo is still dilapidated and unusable.
futile
producing no result or effect; unproductive of success
I thought I could repair the car myself, but after two days of work with no success, I have to admit that my efforts were futile.
vain
pointless
useless
worthless
vie
compete for something
While the other teams in the division actively vie for the championship, this team seems content simply to go through the motions of playing.
compete
contend
contest
struggle
differentiate
be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait (sometimes in positive sense)
Mozart’s long melodic lines differentiate his compositions from other works of late 18th century music.
verb: evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment
Animals on Madagascar differentiated from other similar animal species due to many years of isolation on the island.
transform
metamorphose
evolve
convert
provisional
under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon
Until the corporate office hands down a definitive decision on use of the extra offices, we will share their use in a provisional arrangement
interim
temporary
sordid
involving ignoble actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt; foul and run-down and repulsive
The nightly news simply announced that the senator had had an affair, but the tabloid published all the sordid details of the interaction.
sleazy
seedy
dirty
filthy
misogynist
a person who dislikes women in particular
Many have accused Hemingway of being a quiet misogynist, but recently unearthed letters argue against this belief.
malodorous
having an unpleasant smell
Some thermally active fountains spew sulfur fumes–the air around them is sometimes so malodorous that many have to plug their noses.
vanquish
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
balk
refuse to comply
The students were willing to clean up the broken glass, but when the teacher asked them to mop the entire floor, they balked, citing reasons why they needed to leave.
eschew
resist
amply
more than is adequate
The boat was amply supplied for its year at sea—no man would go hungry or thirsty.
constraint
something that limits or restricts
We don’t have many resources, so we’ll have to work with some very tight constraints.
discreet
careful to protect one’s speech or actions in order to avoid offense or draw attention
The professor thought that he was discreet, subtly wiping the stain off of his shirt, but as soon as he stepped off the podium a heckler in the audience burst out, “You missed a spot”.
unobtrusive
complementary
enhancing each other’s qualities (for two things or more).
The head waiter was careful to tell the amateur diners that red wine was complementary with beef, each bringing out subtle taste notes in the other.
qualm
uneasiness about the fitness of an action
While he could articulate no clear reason why Harkner’s plan would fail, he nevertheless felt qualms about committing any resources to it.
misgiving
doubt
reservation
second thought
carping
persistently petty and unjustified criticism
or adjective continually complaining about trivial matters; hypercritical
NOUN: The author was very upset about the constant carping of his critics who posted reviews on social media.
ADJECTIVE: Although my mother seemed like a carping critic during my teenage years, her advice turned out to be wise and useful later in life.
inkling
a slight suggestion or vague understanding
“the records give us an inkling of how people saw the world”
idea
vague idea
notion
glimmering
amalgam
a mixture of multiple things
The band’s music was an amalgam of hip-hop, flamenco and jazz, blending the three styles with surprising results.
censure
to express strong disapproval
After being caught in bed with a mistress, the mayor was quickly censured by the city council.
condemn
criticize
castigate
chastise
ambiguous
open to more than one interpretation
“the election result was ambiguous”
equivocal
ambivalent
open to debate
ingenuous
to be naïve and innocent
Two-years in Manhattan had changed Jenna from an ingenuous girl from the suburbs to a jaded urbanite, unlikely to fall for any ruse, regardless of how elaborate.
naive
innocent
simple
childlike
amorphous
shapeless
His study plan for the GRE was at best amorphous; he would do questions from random pages in any one of seven test prep books.
mercurial
prone to unexpected and unpredictable changes in mood
The fact that Ella’s moods were as mercurial as the weather was problematic for her relationships—it didn’t help that she lived in Chicago.
fickle
volatile
capricious
temperamental
excitable
galvanize
to excite or inspire (someone) to action
At mile 23 of his first marathon, Kyle had all but given up, until he noticed his friends and family holding a banner that read, “Go Kyle”; galvanized, he broke into a gallop, finishing the last three miles in less than 20 minutes.
jolt
shock
startle
impel
prodigal
rashly or wastefully extravagant
Successful professional athletes who do not fall prey to prodigality seem to be the exception—most live decadent lives.
harangue
a long pompous speech; a tirade
Dinner at Billy’s was more a punishment than a reward, since anyone who sat at the dinner table would have to listen to Billy’s father’s interminable harangues against the government.
verb: to deliver a long pompous speech or tirade
Tired of his parents haranguing him about his laziness and lack of initiative, Tyler finally moved out of home at the age of thirty-five.
tirade
lecture
diatribe
chastise
to reprimand harshly
Though chastised for eating the snacks for the party, Lawrence shrugged off his mother’s harsh words, and continued to plow through jars of cookies and boxes of donuts.
profligate
spending resources recklessly or wastefully
Most lottery winners go from being conservative, frugal types to outright profligates who blow millions on fast cars, lavish homes, and giant yachts.
laconic
using very few words
While Martha always swooned over the hunky, laconic types in romantic comedies, her boyfriends inevitably were very talkative—and not very hunky.
brief
concise
terse
succinct
disinterested
unbiased; neutral
“a banker is under an obligation to give disinterested advice”
unbiased
unprejudiced
impartial
neutral
qualify
to make less severe; to limit (a statement)
Chris qualified his love for San Francisco, adding he didn’t like the weather there as much as he liked the weather in Los Angeles.
parsimonious
extremely frugal; miserly
Katie is so parsimonious that she only buys a pair of socks if all of her other socks have holes in them.
iconoclast
somebody who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions
Lady Gaga, in challenging what it means to be clothed, is an iconoclast for wearing a “meat dress” to a prominent awards show.
critic
sceptic
questioner
heretic
innocuous
harmless and doesn’t produce any ill effects
Everyone found Nancy’s banter innocuous—except for Mike, who felt like she was intentionally picking on him.
commensurate
to be in proportion or corresponding in degree or amount
The convicted felon’s life sentence was commensurate with the heinousness of his crime.
equivalent
equal
corresponding
venality
the condition of being susceptible to bribes or corruption
Even some of the most sacred sporting events are not immune to venality, as many of the officials have received substantial bribes to make biased calls.
egregious
standing out in a negative way; shockingly bad
he dictator’s abuse of human rights was so egregious that many world leaders demanded that he be tried in an international court for genocide.
shocking
appalling
horrific
horrifying
extant
still in existence (usually refers to documents.)
Despite many bookstores closing, experts predict that some form of book dealing will still be extant generations from now.
artful
exhibiting artistic skill
Picasso is generally considered the most artful member of the Cubist movement.
adjective: clever in a cunning way
Bernie Madoff’s artful Ponzi scheme stole billions of dollars from investors and is considered the largest financial fraud in U.S. history.
acrimony
bitterness and ill will
The acrimony between the president and vice-president sent a clear signal to voters: the health of the current administration was imperiled.
bitterness
rancour
resentment
rancour: bitterness or resentfulness, especially when long standing.
gregarious
to be likely to socialize with others
Often we think that great leaders are those who are gregarious, always in the middle of a large group of people; yet, as Mahatma Gandhi and many others have shown us, leaders can also be introverted.
Similar-sounding words
egregious: extremely bad
aberration
a deviation from what is normal or expected
Aberrations in climate have become the norm: rarely a week goes by without some meteorological phenomenon making headlines.
anomaly
deviation
divergence
abnormality
enervate
to sap energy from
“the heat enervated us all”
lacking in energy or vitality.
involved
complicated, and difficult to comprehend
The physics lecture became so involved that the undergraduate’s eyes glazed over.
venerate
to respect deeply
The professor, despite his sleep-inducing lectures, was venerated amongst his colleagues, publishing more papers yearly than all of his peers combined.
revere
reverence
respect
worship
calumny
making of a false statement meant to injure a person’s reputation
With the presidential primaries well under way, the air is thick with calumny, and the mud already waist-high.
demur
to object or show reluctance
Wallace disliked the cold, so he demurred when his friends suggested they go skiing in the Alps.
demur is sometimes confused with demure
amenable
easily persuaded
Even though she did not like the outdoors, Shirley was generally amenable and so her brother was able to persuade her to go camping.
compliant
acquiescent
biddable
compliant
acquiescent
biddable
veracious
truthful
While we elect our leaders in the hope that every word they speak will be veracious, history has shown that such a hope is naive.
Similar-sounding words: voracious: eager reader, approach something with enthusiasm
ambivalent
mixed or conflicting emotions about something
“some loved her, some hated her, few were ambivalent about her”
Similar:
equivocal
uncertain
unsure
doubtful
upbraid
to reproach; to scold
Bob took a risk walking into the “Students Barbershop”—in the end he had to upbraid the apparently drunk barber for giving him an uneven bowl cut.
maintain
to assert
The scientist maintained that the extinction of dinosaurs was most likely brought about by a drastic change in climate.
auspicious
favorable, the opposite of sinister
Despite an auspicious beginning, Mike’s road trip became a series of mishaps, and he was soon stranded and penniless, leaning against his wrecked automobile.
wanting
lacking
She did not think her vocabulary was wanting, yet there were so many words that inevitably she found a few she didn’t know.
belie
to give a false representation to; misrepresent
The smile on her face belies the pain she must feel after the death of her husband.
castigate
to reprimand harshly
Drill sergeants are known to castigate new recruits so mercilessly that the latter often break down during their first week in training.
undermine
to weaken (usually paired with an abstract term)
The student undermined the teacher’s authority by questioning the teacher’s judgment on numerous occasions.
parochial
narrowly restricted in scope or outlook
Jasmine was sad to admit it, but her fledgling relationship with Jacob did not work out because his culinary tastes were simply too parochial; “After all,” she quipped on her blog, “he considered Chef Boyardee ethnic food.”
prevaricate
to speak in an evasive way
The cynic quipped, “There is not much variance in politicians; they all seem to prevaricate”.
anomalous
not normal
According to those who do not believe in climate change, the extreme weather over the last five years is simply anomalous—daily temperatures should return to their old averages, they believe.
intimate
to suggest something subtly
“he had already intimated that he might not be able to continue”
impertinent
being disrespectful; improperly forward or bold
Dexter, distraught over losing his pet dachshund, Madeline, found the police officer’s questions impertinent—after all, he thought, did she have to pry into such details as to what Madeline’s favorite snack was?
vindicate
to clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting arguments or proof
acquit
equivocal
confusing or ambiguous
The findings of the study were equivocal—the two researchers had different opinions on what the results signified.
betray
to reveal or make known something, usually unintentionally
With the gold medal at stake, the gymnast awaited his turn, his quivering lip betraying his intense emotions.
restive
restless
The crowd grew restive as the comedian’s opening jokes fell flat.
obscure
make unclear
On the Smith’s drive through the Grand Canyon, Mr. Smith’s big head obscured much of Mrs. Robinson’s view, so that she only saw momentary patches of red rock.
adjective: known by only a few
Many of the biggest movie stars were once obscure actors who got only bit roles in long forgotten films.
rustic
characteristic of rural life; awkwardly simple and provincial
The vacation cabin had no electricity and no indoor plumbing, but despite these inconveniences, Nigel adored its rustic charm.
superfluous
serving no useful purpose
How can we hope to stay open if we don’t eliminate all superfluous spending, like catered meetings and free acupuncture Tuesday?
adjective: more than is needed, desired, or required
The third paragraph in your essay is superfluous and can be deleted.
culminate
reach the highest or most decisive point
“weeks of violence culminated in the brutal murder of a magistrate”
preclude
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
The manager specified that all other gates be locked, to preclude the possibility of persons without tickets entering the arena undetected.
banal
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
The professor used such banal expression that many students in the class either fell asleep from boredom or stayed awake to complete his sentences and humor friends.
trite
hackneyed
clichéd
platitudinous
impudent
improperly forward or bold
In an impudent move, the defendant spoke out of order to say terribly insulting things to the judge.
impertinent
insolent
cheeky
audacious
recondite
difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
I found Ulysses recondite and never finished the book, waiting instead to read it with someone else so we could penetrate its meaning together.
obscure
abstruse
arcane
esoteric
platitude
a trite or obvious remark
The professor argued that many statements regarded as wise in previous times, such as the Golden Rule, are now regarded as mere platitudes.
chortle
to chuckle, laugh merrily, often in a breathy, muffled way
Walking into the cafe, I could hear happy, chortling people and smell the rich aroma of roasted coffee beans.
apathetic
marked by a lack of interest
Mr. Thompson was so talented at teaching math that even normally apathetic students took interest.
vociferous
conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
In giving Marcia a particular vociferous response, Paul caused people at every other table in the restaurant to turn around and look at them angrily.
meticulous
marked by extreme care in treatment of details
The Japanese noodle maker was meticulous in making his noodles and would never let another person take over the task.
eschew
avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
“he appealed to the crowd to eschew violence”
lambast
criticize severely or angrily
Showing no patience, the manager utterly lambasted the sales team that lost the big account.
frivolous
not serious in content or attitude or behavior
Compared to Juliet’s passionate concern for human rights, Jake’s non-stop concern about football seems somewhat frivolous.
gossamer
characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy
The gossamer wings of a butterfly, which allow it to fly, are also a curse, so delicate that they are often damaged.
bucolic
relating to the pleasant aspects of the country
The noble families of England once owned vast expanses of beautiful, bucolic land.
rustic
rural
pastoral
querulous
habitually complaining
The querulous old woman was beginning to wear down even the happier members of the staff with her ceaseless complaining.
petulant
complaining
pettish
prescience
the power to foresee the future
Baxter’s warnings about investing in technology stocks seemed like an act of prescience after the whole market declined significantly.
predilection
a strong liking
Monte had a predilection for the fine things in life: Cuban cigars, 200 dollar bottles of wine, and trips to the French Riviera.
mawkish
overly sentimental to the point that it is disgusting
The film was incredibly mawkish, introducing highly likeable characters only to have them succumb to a devastating illness by the end of the movie.
deferential
showing respect
If you ever have the chance to meet the president, stand up straight and be deferential.
obsequious
humble
respectful
considerate
torpor
inactivity resulting from lethargy and lack of vigor or energy
After work, I was expecting my colleagues to be enthusiastic about the outing, but I found them in a state of complete torpor.
glut
an excessive supply
The Internet offers such a glut of news related stories that many find it difficult to know which story to read first.
verb: supply with an excess of
In the middle of economic crises, hiring managers find their inboxes glutted with resumes.
fortuitous
occurring by happy chance; having no cause or apparent cause
Missing my train turned out to be quite fortuitous since I ran into a childhood friend on the next train and we were able to reconnect after so many years.
decorous
characterized by good taste in manners and conduct
Sally’s parties are decorous affairs, and instead of the usual beer and music, there is tea and intellectual conversation.
exacerbate
make worse
Her sleeplessness exacerbated her cold–when she woke up the next day, her sinuses were completely blocked.
Similar-sounding words
exasperate: make furious
culpability
a state of guilt
Since John had left his banana peel at the top of the stairwell, he accepted culpability for Martha’s broken leg.
inexorable
impossible to stop or prevent
The rise of the computer was an inexorable shift in technology and culture.
relentless
intransigent
unbending
entrenched
fixed firmly or securely
By the time we reach 60-years old, most of our habits are so entrenched that it is difficult for us to change.
gall
the trait of being rude and impertinent
The speeding car had the gall to switch five lanes at once, run through a red light, and then cut off a police car before finally coming to a stop in front of a sea of flashing red lights.
feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
to strongly bother, vex, annoy, exasperate
dogmatic
highly opinionated, not accepting that one’s own beliefs may not be correct
Bryan is dogmatic in his belief that the earth is flat, claiming that all pictures of a spherical earth are computer generated.
opinionated
peremptory
assertive
imperative
diffident
showing modest reserve; lacking self-confidence
As a young girl she was diffident and reserved, but now as an adult, she is confident and assertive.
shy
bashful
modest
self-effacing
audacious
willing to be bold in social situations or to take risks
As all of the other campers cowered in their tents, Bill, armed only with a flashlight, audaciously tracked down the bear that had raided their food.
aesthetic
concerned with the appreciation of beauty
The director, not known for his aesthetic sensibilities, decided not to use costumes at all, and put on the play in everyday clothing.
a set of principles underlying and guiding the work of a particular artist or artistic movement.
Tip
Similar-sounding words
ascetic: characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention
aesthete
one who professes great sensitivity to the beauty of art and nature
A true aesthete, Marty would spend hours at the Guggenheim Museum, staring at the same Picasso.
perfidy
an act of deliberate betrayal; a breach of a trust
Sure, he was the best salesman in the company; but Michael had abused the trust of the firm, sharing product secrets with a competitor, and for such perfidy he was terminated.
incisive
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
The lawyer had an incisive mind, able in a flash to dissect a hopelessly tangled issue and isolate the essential laws at play.
dictatorial
expecting unquestioning obedience; characteristic of an absolute ruler
The coach was dictatorial in his approach: no players could ever argue or question his approach.
autocratic
tyrannical
domineering
despotic
concede
acknowledge defeat
I concede. You win!
admit (to a wrongdoing)
After a long, stern lecture from her father, Olivia conceded to having broken the window.
verb: give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
mitigate
make less severe or harsh
I can only spend so much time mitigating your disagreements with your wife, and at certain point, you need to do it on your own.
lessen the severity of an offense
cryptic
mysterious or vague, usually intentionally
Since Sarah did not want her husband to guess the Christmas present she had bought him, she only answered cryptically when he would ask her questions about it.
enigmatic
mysterious
didactic
instructive (especially excessively)
Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich is a didactic novel, instructing the reader on how to live a good life.
gainsay
deny or contradict; speak against or oppose
I can’t gainsay a single piece of evidence James has presented, but I still don’t trust his conclusion
volubility
the quality of talking or writing easily and continuously
The professor’s volubility knows no bounds; he could talk through a hurricane and elaborate a point from one St. Patrick’s Day to the next.
loquacity
conspicuous
without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
“he was very thin, with a conspicuous Adam’s apple”
engender
give rise to
The restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles were so severe that they engendered deep hatred and resentment in the German people.
reticent
disinclined to talk, not revealing one’s thoughts
When asked about her father, Helen lost her outward enthusiasm and became rather reticent.
germane
relevant and appropriate
The professor wanted to tell the jury in detail about his new book, but the lawyer said it wasn’t germane to the charges in the cases.
panache
distinctive and showy elegance
Jim, with his typical panache, came to the wedding reception with a top hat and cane.
flamboyance
haughty
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
The haughty manager didn’t believe that any of his subordinates could ever have an insight as brilliant as his own.
conceited
snobbish
quotidian
of or occurring every day; daily.
“the car sped noisily off through the quotidian traffic”
guileless
free of deceit
At first I thought my niece was guileless, but I then found myself buying her ice cream every time we passed a shop.
ingenuous
tantamount
being essentially equal to something
In many situations, remaining silent is tantamount to admitting guilt, so speak to prove your innocence.
insidious
working in a subtle but destructive way
Plaque is insidious: we cannot see it, but each day it eats away at our enamel, causing cavities and other dental problems.
mollify
to make someone who is angry less angry; placate
In the morning, Janine was unable to mollify Harry, if he happened to become angry, unless he’d had his cup of coffee.
vehement
marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions
While the other employees responded to the bad news in a measured way, Andrew responded in a vehement manner, tipping over his desk and shouting at the top of his lungs.
immutable
not able to be changed
Taxes are one of the immutable laws of the land, so there is no use arguing about paying them.
vilify
spread negative information about
Todd was noble after the divorce, choosing to say only complimentary things about Barbara, but Barbara did not hesitate to vilify Todd.
heretic
a person who holds unorthodox opinions in any field (not merely religion)
Though everybody at the gym told Mikey to do cardio before weights, Mikey was a heretic and always did the reverse.
derivative
not original but drawing strongly on something already in existence, especially in reference to a creative product (e.g. music, writing, poetry etc.).
Because the movies were utterly derivative of other popular movies, they did well at the box office.
jubilant
full of high-spirited delight because of triumph or success
My hardwork paid off, and I was jubilant to receive a perfect score on the GRE.
magnanimous
noble and generous in spirit, especially towards a rival or someone less powerful
He was a great sportsman: in defeat he was complimentary and in victory he was magnanimous.
treacherous
tending to betray
Even though Jesse James was an outlaw, his killer, Robert Ford, is remembered more for his treacherous actions than for eliminating a criminal and murderer.
dangerously unstable and unpredictable
precocious
characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)
Though only seven years old, she was a precocious chess prodigy, able to beat players twice her age.
ascetic
practicing self-denial
His ascetic life is the main reason he inspired so many followers, especially since he gave up wealth and power to live in poverty.
Historically, ascetics like Gandhi are often considered wise men partially because of their restraint.
incongruous
lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
The vast economic inequality of modern society is incongruous with America’s ideals.
denote
be a sign or indication of; have as a meaning
Even if the text is not visible, the red octagon denotes “stop” to all motorists in America.
fallacious
of a belief that is based on faulty reasoning
The widespread belief that Inuit have forty different words for “snow” has been considered fallacious, based on a single report by Anthropologist Franz Boas.
itinerant
traveling from place to place to work
Doctors used to be itinerant, traveling between patients’ homes.
juxtapose
place side by side for contrast
The appeal of her paintings comes from a classical style which is juxtaposed with modern themes.
delineate
describe in detail
After a brief summary of proper swimming technique, the coach delineated the specifics of each stroke, spending 30 minutes alone on the backstroke.
unequivocal
leaving no doubt; unambiguous.
The President’s first statement on the subject was vague and open to competing interpretations, so when he spoke to Congress about the same subject later, he was careful to make his position completely unequivocal.
contrive
to pull off a plan or scheme, usually through skill or trickery
Despite a low GPA, he contrived to get into college, going so far as to write his own glowing letters of recommendation.
belligerent
characteristic of one eager to fight
Tom said that he was arguing the matter purely for philosophical reasons, but his belligerent tone indicated an underlying anger about the issue.
eminent
standing above others in quality or position
Shakespeare is an eminent author in the English language, but I find his writing uninteresting and melodramatic.
disaffected
dissatisfied, especially with people in authority or a system of control.
After watching his superior take rations from the soldiers, he quickly became disaffected and rebelled.
dissatisfied
disgruntled
discontented
tenacious
stubbornly unyielding
Even the most tenacious advocates for gun ownership must admit some of the dangers that firearms present.
ephemeral
lasting a very short time
The lifespan of a mayfly is ephemeral, lasting from a few hours to a couple of days.
transitory
transient
avaricious
excessively greedy
“avaricious corporate bosses looking to maximize profits”
jingoism
fanatical patriotism
North Korea maintains intense control over its population through a combination of jingoism and cult of personality.
languid
not inclined towards physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed
As the sun beat down and the temperature climbed higher, we spent a languid week lying around the house.
forlorn
marked by or showing hopelessness
After her third pet dog died, Marcia was simply forlorn: this time even the possibility of buying a new dog no longer held any joy.
frustrate
hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
I thought I would finish writing the paper by lunchtime, but a number of urgent interruptions served to frustrate my plan.
thwart
circumvent
cleverly find a way out of one’s duties or obligations
One way of circumventing the GRE is to apply to a grad school that does not require GRE scores.
rudimentary
being in the earliest stages of development; being or involving basic facts or principles
I would love to be able to present a fully polished proposal to the board, but right now, our plans for the product are still in the most rudimentary stages.
abstain
choose not to consume or take part in (particularly something enjoyable)
Considered a health nut, Jessica abstained from anything containing sugar–even chocolate.
spurious
plausible but false
When listening to a politician speak, it is hard to distinguish the spurious claims from the authentic ones.
derive
come from; be connected by a relationship of blood, for example
Many words in the English language are derived from Latin, including the word “derive.”
reason by deduction; establish by deduction
ameliorate
make something bad better
“Three Cups of Tea” tells the story of western man who hopes to ameliorate poverty and the lack of education in Afghanistan.
negligible
so small as to be meaningless; insignificant
The GRE tests cumulative knowledge, so if you cram the night before it is, at best, likely to only have a negligible impact on your score.
staunch
firm and dependable especially in loyalty
No longer a staunch supporter of the movement, Todd now will openly question whether its goals are worthwhile.
stalwart
loyal
supplant
take the place or move into the position of
“domestic production has been supplanted by imports and jobs have been lost”
subsume
: contain or include
The rogue wave quickly subsumed the pier and boardwalk, destroying everything in its path.
elucidate
make clearer and easier to understand
Youtube is great place to learn just about anything–an expert elucidates finer points so that even a complete novice can learn.
travesty
an absurd presentation of something; a mockery
What I expected to be an intelligent, nuanced historical documentary turned out to be a poorly-produced travesty of the form.
refractory
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
Used to studious high school students, Martha was unprepared for the refractory Kindergarteners who neither sat still nor listened to a single word she said.
apathy
an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
Widespread apathy among voters led to a very small turnout on election day.
denigrate
charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
“doom and gloom merchants who denigrate their own country”
decorum
propriety in manners and conduct
“You will obey the rules of decorum for this courtroom or spend the night in a jail cell,” said the judge to the prosecutor.
intransigent
unwilling to change one’s beliefs or course of action
Despite many calls for mercy, the judge remained intransigent, citing strict legal precedence.
laudable
worthy of high praise
To say that Gandhi’s actions were laudable is the greatest understatement; he overthrew an empire without violence.
apocryphal
being of questionable authenticity
The web is notorious for sandwiching apocryphal stories between actual news.
expound
add details or explanation; clarify the meaning; state in depth
The CEO refused to expound on the decision to merge our department with another one, and so I quit.
discrete
constituting a separate entity or part
What was once known as Czechoslovakia has since split into two discrete, independent nations.
Tip
Similar-sounding words: discreet
idiosyncrasy
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
Peggy’s numerous idiosyncrasies include wearing mismatched shoes, laughing loudly to herself, and owning a pet aardvark.
contingent
a gathering of persons representative of some larger group
A small contingent of those loyal to the king have gathered around the castle to defend it.
adjective: dependent on (usually used with upon)
Whether the former world champions can win again this year is contingent upon none of its star players getting injured.
construe
interpreted in a particular way
The author’s inability to take a side on the issue was construed by both his opponents and supporters as a sign of weakness.
hackneyed
lacking significance through having been overused
Cheryl rolled her eyes when she heard the lecturer’s hackneyed advice to “be true to yourself.”
indifference
the trait of seeming not to care
In an effort to fight indifference, the president of the college introduced a new, stricter grading system.
exalt
praise or glorify
The teenagers exalted the rock star, covering their bedrooms with posters of him.
provincial
characteristic of a limited perspective; not fashionable or sophisticated
Maggie’s enthusiasm about her high school teams seemed provincial to her college classmates, all of whom were following a nationally ranked college team.
aberrant
markedly different from an accepted norm
When the financial director started screaming and throwing food at his co-workers, the police had to come in to deal with his aberrant behavior.
admonitory
serving to warn; expressing reproof or reproach especially as a corrective
At the assembly, the high school vice-principal gave the students an admonitory speech, warning them of the many risks and dangers of prom night.
implacable
incapable of making less angry or hostile
Win or lose, the coach was always implacable, never giving the athletes an easy practice or a break.
abstruse
difficult to understand; incomprehensible
Physics textbooks can seem so abstruse to the uninitiated that readers feel as though they are looking at hieroglyphics.
obscure
arcane
esoteric
exacting
requiring and demanding accuracy
Though his childhood piano teacher was so exacting, Max is thankful now, as a professional pianist.
pedantic
marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects
Professor Thompson was regarded as an expert in his field, but his lectures were utterly pedantic, focused on rigorous details of the most trivial conventions in the field.
unscrupulous
having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair.
“unscrupulous landlords might be tempted to harass existing tenants”
ignoble
dishonorable
In 1919, the World Series was rigged–an ignoble act which baseball took decades to recover from.
forthcoming
available when required or as promised
The President announced that the senators were about to reach a compromise, and that he was eager to read the forthcoming details of the bill.
at ease in talking to others
temperance
the trait of avoiding excesses
Welles wasn’t known for his temperance–he usually ate enough for two and drank enough for three.
blatant
without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
Allen was often punished in school for blatantly disrespecting teachers.
myopic
lacking foresight or imagination
The company ultimately went out of business because the myopic managers couldn’t predict the changes in their industry.
acerbic
harsh in tone
Most movie critics are acerbic towards summer blockbusters, often referring to them as garbage.
eradicate
to completely destroy
I tried eradicating the mosquitos in my apartment with a rolled up newspaper, but there were too many of them.
soporific
inducing mental lethargy; sleep inducing
Although the professor is brilliant, his bland monotone gives his lectures a soporific effect.
somnolent
largess
extreme generosity and giving
Uncle Frank was known for his largess, so his nephew was sad when he did not receive a present for his birthday.
petulant
easily irritated or annoyed
Although the three year old was often described as mature for his age, he was petulant and whiny whenever his father forgot to remove the crust from his sandwiches.
copious
in abundant supply
In midsummer, there are copious popsicle stands at the beach; in the winter, there are none.
implausible
describing a statement that is not believable
The teacher found it implausible that the student was late to school because he had been kidnapped by outlaws on horseback.
tortuous
marked by repeated turns and bends; not straightforward
“the route is remote and tortuous”
exonerate
pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
The document clearly indicated that Nick was out of the state at the time of the crime, and so served to exonerate him of any charges.
absolve
clear
acquit
underscore
give extra weight to (a communication)
ingratiate
gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts
Even though Tom didn’t like his new boss, he decided to ingratiate himself to her in order to advance his career.
bumbling
lacking physical movement skills, especially with the hands
Within a week of starting, the bumbling new waiter was unceremoniously fired.
opaque
not clearly understood or expressed
The meaning of the professor’s new research was opaque to most people, so no one asked any questions.
burgeon
grow and flourish
China’s housing market is burgeoning, but some predict that the growth is merely a bubble and will burst much like the U.S. real estate bubble of 2008.
incorrigible
impervious to correction by punishment
“he’s an incorrigible liar”
Similar:
inveterate
habitual
confirmed
refute
prove to be false or incorrect
No one could refute his theories or propositions, and that is why he was esteemed by all his colleagues in the philosophy department.
iconoclastic
criticizing or attacking cherished beliefs or institutions.
Jackson Pollock was an iconoclastic artist, totally breaking with tradition by splashing paint on a blank canvas.
critical
sceptical
questioning
heretical
espouse
to adopt or support an idea or cause
As a college student, Charlie espoused Marxism, growing his beard out and railing against the evils of the free-market.
pragmatic
guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory
“a pragmatic approach to business ethics”
reconcile
make (one thing) compatible with (another)
Peggy was unable to reconcile her kind friend Jane with the cruel and merciless character Jane played on television.
ostentatious
intended to attract notice and impress others; tawdry or vulgar
“a simple design that is glamorous without being ostentatious”
confound
to cause confusion
Though Harry loved numbers, calculus confounded him.
mistake one thing for another
Americans often confound sweet potatoes with yams, and refer to both vegetables by the same name.
adamant
refusing to change one’s mind
“he is adamant that he is not going to resign”
pundit
someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
Steven Pinker’s credentials are unquestioned as a pundit; he has taught at MIT and Stanford, teaches at Harvard, and has published a number of influential books on cognition, language, and psychology.
pedestrian
lacking imagination
While Nan was always engaged in philosophical speculation, her brother was occupied with far more pedestrian concerns: how to earn a salary and run a household.
sanction
give authority or permission to
The authorities have sanctioned the use of the wilderness reserve for public use;
a legal penalty for a forbidden action
International sanctions have been placed on certain shipping lanes that were thought to be involved in human trafficking.
rescind
cancel officially
The man’s driver’s license was rescinded after his tenth car accident, which meant he would never be allowed to legally drive again.
revoke
sycophant
a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
The CEO was unaware of the damaging consequences of his choices, largely because he surrounded himself with sycophants who would never dare criticize him.
foment
try to stir up public opinion
After having his pay cut, Phil spread vicious rumors about his boss, hoping to foment a general feeling of discontent.
inscrutable
not easily understood; unfathomable
His speech was so dense and confusing that many in the audience found it inscrutable.
enigmatic
resurgent
rising again as to new life and vigor
The team sank to fourth place in June, but is now resurgent and about to win the division.
tractable
readily reacting to suggestions and influences; easily managed (controlled or taught or molded)
Compared to middle school students, who have an untamed wildness about them, high school students are somewhat more tractable.
dilettante
an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge
“a wealthy literary dilettante”
winsome
charming in a childlike or naive way
She was winsome by nature, and many people were drawn to this free and playful spirit.
poignant
emotionally touching
After the Montagues and Capulets discover the dead bodies of Romeo and Juliet, in the play’s most poignant moment, the two grief-stricken families agree to end their feud once and for all.
lionize
assign great social importance to
“modern sportsmen are lionized and feted”
trite
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
Many style guides recommend not using idioms in writing because these trite expressions are uninteresting and show a lack of imagination on the part of the writer.
hackneyed
banal
sporadic
recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances
The signals were at first sporadic, but now we detect a clear, consistent pattern of electromagnetic radiation emanating from deep space.
audacity
aggressive boldness in social situations
Mike was upset at the man who not only cut in front of him at the ticket counter but also had the audacity to cut in front of him at the bathroom line.
hegemony
dominance over a certain area
“Germany was united under Prussian hegemony after 1871”
subversive
in opposition to an established system or institution.
The ruling political party has begun a campaign to shut down subversive websites that it deems as a threat to “national safety.”
garrulous
excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.
Lynne was garrulous: once, she had a fifteen minute conversation with a stranger before she realized the woman didn’t speak English.
inveterate
habitual
He is an inveterate smoker and has told his family and friends that there is no way he will ever quit.
admonish
to warn strongly, even to the point of reprimanding
Before the concert began, security personnel admonished the crowd not to come up on stage during the performance.
reprimand
accolade
an award or praise granted as a special honor
Jean Paul-Sartre was not a fan of accolades, and as such, he refused to accept the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1964.
brazen
bold and without shame.
Their large “donations” to the local police department gave the drug cartel the brazen confidence to do their business out in the open.
obsequious
attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner; attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
The obsequious waiter did not give the couple a moment’s peace all through the meal, constantly returning to their table to refill their water glasses and to tell them what a handsome pair they made.
scrupulous
characterized by extreme care and great effort
Because of his scrupulous nature, Mary put him in charge of numbering and cataloging the entire collection of rare stamps.
adjective: having a sense of right and wrong; principled
munificent
very generous
Uncle Charley was known for his munificence, giving all seven of his nephews lavish Christmas presents each year.
inimical
hostile (usually describes conditions or environments)
Venus, with a surface temperature that would turn rubber to liquid, is inimical to any form of life.
insolent
rude and arrogant
Lilian could not help herself from being insolent, commenting that the Queen’s shoes were showing too much toe.
circumscribe
restrict or confine
Their tour of South America was circumscribed so that they saw only popular destinations and avoided the dangerous parts of cities.
ravenous
extremely hungry; devouring or craving food in great quantities
John didn’t eat much at all during the week he had the flu, so now that he is regaining his health, it’s not surprising that he has a ravenous appetite.
intrepid
fearless
Captain Ahab was an intrepid captain whose reckless and fearless style ultimately led to his downfall.
austere
severe or strict in manner or attitude.
(of living conditions or a way of life) having no comforts or luxuries.
“conditions in the prison could hardly be more austere”
having a plain and unadorned appearance.
“the cathedral is impressive in its austere simplicity”
arbitrary
based on a random, groundless decision
One of the arbitrary decrees in place during the emperor’s rule is that all citizens pay him weekly homage at his palace.
pernicious
exceedingly harmful; working or spreading in a hidden and injurious way
“the pernicious effects of air pollution”
myriad
a large indefinite number
There are a myriad of internet sites hawking pills that claim to boost energy for hours on end.
ostracize
exclude from a community or group
Later in his life, Leo Tolstoy was ostracized from the Russian Orthodox Church for his writings that contradicted church doctrine.
haphazard
marked by great carelessness; dependent upon or characterized by chance
Many golf courses are designed with great care, but the greens on the county golf course seem entirely haphazard.
repudiate
reject as untrue or unfounded
Many in the public believed the rumors of a UFO crash outside town, so the chief of police did everything he could to repudiate the rumors.
prodigious
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
After the relatively small homerun totals in the “dead ball” era, Babe Ruth’s homerun totals were truly prodigious: every year, he set a new all-time record.
colossal
vacillate
waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive.
Some students vacillate between schools when deciding which to attend, while others focus only on one school.
dither
taciturn
habitually reserved and uncommunicative
While the CEO enthusiastically shares his plans and agenda with all who will listen, the CFO is far more taciturn, rarely revealing his perspective.
reticent
arcane
requiring secret or mysterious knowledge
Most college fraternities are known for arcane rituals that those hoping to join the fraternity must learn.
precipitous
(of an action) done suddenly and without careful consideration.
Instead of calling his financial advisor, Harold acted precipitously, buying 4,000 shares of the latest “hot” stock, only to find out that the company had a history of inflating its year end numbers.
constituent
a citizen who is represented in a government by officials for whom he or she votes
The mayor’s constituents are no longer happy with her performance and plan to vote for another candidate in the upcoming election.
an abstract part of something
gauche
lacking social polish
unsophisticated and socially awkward.
Sylvester says the most gauche things, such as telling a girl he liked that she was much prettier when she wore makeup.
irrevocable
incapable of being retracted or revoked
Once you enter your plea to the court, it is irrevocable so think carefully about what you will say.
prolific
intellectually productive
Schubert was the most prolific composer, producing hundreds of hours of music before he died at the age of 31.
propitious
presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs of success
The child’s heartbeat is still weak, but I am seeing many propitious signs and I think that she may be healing.
tempered
moderated in effect
The wide-eyed optimism of her youth was now tempered after she had worked many years in the criminal justice system.
reverent
feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
The professor could speak objectively about the other composers, but he always lectured about Brahms with a particularly reverent air, unable to offer a single criticism of his compositions.
antithetical
sharply contrasted in character or purpose
His deep emotional involvement with these ideas is, in fact, antithetical to the detachment Buddhism preaches.
economical
avoiding waste, efficient
Journalists favor an economical style of writing, in which no unnecessary words are used and every sentence is as short as possible.
antipathy
an intense feeling of dislike or aversion
Maria had an antipathy for tour groups, often bolting to the other side of the museum as soon as she saw a chaperone leading a group of wide-eyed tourists.
nonplussed
unsure how to act or respond
Shirley was totally nonplussed when the angry motorist cut her off and then stuck his finger out the window.
posit
assume as fact
Initially, Einstein posited a repulsive force to balance Gravity, but then rejected that idea as a blunder.
capricious
determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
Nearly every month our capricious CEO had a new plan to turn the company around, and none of them worked because we never gave them the time they needed to succeed.
polemic
a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something.
The professor launched into a polemic, claiming that Freudian theory was a pack of lies that absolutely destroyed European literary theory.
reproach
to express criticism towards
At first, Sarah was going to yell at the boy, but she didn’t want to reproach him for telling the truth about the situation.
opulence
wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living
Russian oligarchs are famous for their opulence, living in fancy homes and dining on expensive caviar.
contrition
the feeling of remorse or guilt that comes from doing something bad
Those who show contrition during their prison terms–especially when under review by a parole board–often get shortened sentences.
placate
cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
I was able to placate the angry mob of students by promising to bring cookies on Monday.
anomaly
something that is not normal, standard, or expected
After finding an anomaly in the data, she knew that she would have to conduct her experiment again.
duress
compulsory force or threat
The witness said he signed the contract under duress and argued that the court should cancel the agreement.
disseminate
cause to become widely known
Before the effects of anesthesia were disseminated, patients had to experience the full pain of a surgery.
harried
troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances
With a team of new hires to train, Martha was constantly harried with little questions and could not focus on her projects.
indecorous
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
Eating with elbows on the table is considered indecorous in refined circles.
jovial
cheerful and friendly.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
The presidential candidate and her supporters were jovial once it was clear that she had won.
askance
with a look of suspicion or disapproval
The old couple looked askance on the teenagers seated next to them, whispering to each other, “They’ve got rings through their noses and purple hair!”
craven
pathetically cowardly
Though the man could have at least alerted the police, he crouched cravenly in the corner as the old woman was mugged.
bolster
support and strengthen
The case for the suspect’s innocence was bolstered considerably by the fact that neither fingerprints nor DNA were found at the scene.
deleterious
harmful to living things
The BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was deleterious to the fishing industry in the southern states.
truncate
reduce the length of something
The soccer game was truncated when the monsoon rain began to fall.
timorous
timid by nature or revealing fear and nervousness
Since this was her first time debating on stage and before an audience, Di’s voice was timorous and quiet for the first 10 minutes.
nuance
a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
Because of the nuances involved in this case, I hired an outside consultant to advise us and help.
mendacity
the tendency to be untruthful
I can forgive her for her mendacity but only because she is a child and is seeing what she can get away with.
banality
a trite or obvious remark
Herbert regarded the minister’s remark as a mere banality until Sharon pointed out profound implications to the seemingly obvious words.
maverick
someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action
Officer Kelly was a maverick, rarely following police protocols or adopting the conventions for speech common among his fellow officers.
appease
pacify by acceding(agreeing) to the demands of
Neville Chamberlain, the British prime minister during WWII, tried to appease Hitler and in doing so sent a clear message: you can walk all over us.
misconstrue
interpret in the wrong way
The politician never trusted journalists because he thought that they would misconstrue his words and misrepresent his positions.
erudite
having or showing profound knowledge
Before the Internet, the library was typically where you would find erudite readers.
edifying
enlightening or uplifting so as to encourage intellectual or moral improvement
I recently read an article in the Times about whether good literature is edifying or not; specifically, does reading more make a person more moral.
esoteric
confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle
flux
a state of uncertainty about what should be done (usually following some important event)
Ever since Elvira resigned as the head of marketing, everything about our sales strategy has been in a state of flux.
transient
lasting a very short time
The unpredictable and transient nature of deja vu makes it a very difficult phenomenon to study properly.
fastidious
overly concerned with details; fussy
Whitney is fastidious about her shoes, arranging them on a shelf in a specific order, each pair evenly spaced.
imprudent
not wise
not showing care for the consequences of an action; rash.
Hitler, like Napoleon, made the imprudent move of invading Russia in winter, suffering even more casualties than Napoleon had.
pejorative
expressing disapproval (usu. refers to a term)
Most psychologists object to the pejorative term “shrink”, believing that they expand the human mind, not limit it.
sullen
showing a brooding ill humor
Herbert took board games too seriously, often appearing sullen after losing.
specious
based on pretense; deceptively pleasing
Almost every image on TV is specious and not to be trusted.
adjective: plausible but false
He made a career out of specious arguments and fictional lab results, but lost his job and reputation when his lies were exposed by an article in The New York Times.
arduous
demanding considerable mental effort and skill; testing powers of endurance
In order to deal with the arduous cross-country journey, truck drivers often survive on a string of caffeinated drinks, staying awake for up to 30 hours at a time.
efficacious
producing the intended result
Since Maggie’s cough syrup, which had expired five years back, was no longer efficacious, she coughed through the night.
furtive
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
While at work, George and his boss Regina felt the need to be as furtive as possible about their romantic relationship.
mundane
repetitive and boring; not spiritual
Nancy found doing dishes a thoroughly mundane task, although Peter found a kind of Zen pleasure in the chore.
adjective: relating to the ordinary world
dispassionate
unaffected by strong emotion or prejudice
A good scientist should be dispassionate, focusing purely on what the evidence says, without personal attachment.
elicit
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
Just smiling–even if you are depressed–can elicit feelings of pleasure and happiness.
stringent
demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
Most of the students disliked the teacher because of his stringent homework policy, but many students would later thank him for demanding so much from them
ignominious
(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
Since the politician preached ethics and morality, his texting of revealing photographs was ignominious, bringing shame on both himself and his party.
impartial
free from undue bias or preconceived opinions
The judge was not impartial since he had been bribed by the witness’s family.
rebuke
criticize severely or angrily; censure
The police chief rebuked the two officers whose irresponsible decisions almost led to the deaths of seven innocent by-standers.
maladroit
clumsy
As a child she was quite maladroit, but as an adult, she has become an adept dancer.
dilatory
wasting time
Lawyers use dilatory tactics so that it takes years before the case is actually decided.
