GregMat List Part 1 Flashcards
abound
be present in large quantities
amorphous
lacking structure; unclear
austere
- (of a person) strict and stern in character
- (of living conditions) lacking luxury; extremely harsh
belie
give a false impression of; mask
capricious
having varying moods; fickle
cerebral
- related to the brain
- intellectual; focused on learning rather than emotion
congenial
- (of a person) likable and friendly, often due to shared interests 2. (of a thing) enjoyable because it aligns with one’s tendencies
conspicuous
easily noticed; obvious
cursory
lacking effort; without care
daunting
scary or frightening; (of a task) seeming impossible
deify
look up to someone or something as a god
didactic
meant for teaching; educational, sometimes in a condescending manner
disseminate
distribute or circulate broadly
feasible
likely to be achieved; practical
flout
break a rule without guilt
homogeneous
composed of similar parts; alike
humdrum
boring; unlikely to excite
insipid
without flavor; lacking energy
loquacious
likely to talk a lot; wordy
misanthropic
having a distaste for humans and society
misnomer
a misleading or inaccurate name
negligent
lacking care or attention
obsequious
excessively submissive to authority
placate
decrease someone’s anger or other negative emotion
proclivity
a fondness or liking for something
puerile
immature and childish
quixotic
excessively visionary; unfeasible
spendthrift
someone who spends money recklessly
taciturn
of few words; speaking little
wary
exercising caution; careful
adulterate
damage the quality of; corrupt
advocate
- support; be in favor of - 2. someone who supports a cause, organization, or person
aggrandize
enhance one’s power or standing
alacrity
eagerness to do something
ambivalent
having conflicting emotions; unsure
ameliorate
improve a bad feeling or bad situation
amenable
(of a person) receptive to change; open (of a thing) responsive to
anachronistic
of the wrong time or era
audacious
- bold; unafraid of risks - 2. rude; exhibiting disrespect
avaricious
greedy; always wanting more
banal
unoriginal and dull; lacking creativity
benign
- harmless; having little effect – 2. (of a person’s character) kind hearted; nice
brazen
shameless and excessively forward
calumny
slander and defamation
candid
honest; without deception
castigate
scold someone harshly
caustic
- (of speech) hostile and bitter sometimes in a sarcastic way
- (of a chemical) corrosive; acidic
construe
understand something subjectively - interpret
contrite
feeling regretful or guilty
convoluted
difficult to understand or follow.
covet
strongly desire; yearn for
craven
lacking bravery; cowardly; weak
level c raver - scared
decorum
politeness and proper behavior
deft
highly proficient; skilled
demur
- hesitate or object; express doubt – 2. hesitation
derivative
based on someone else’s work (often used in a negative sense)
desiccate
dry out; remove all moisture
diatribe
an angry rant; verbal abuse
incredulous
doubtful and disbelieving
ingenuous
naive and lacking experience
abate
decrease in intensity; lessen
abjure
strongly reject (an idea); forgo
anomalous
differing from what is normal; atypical
antipathy
profound hostility or hatred
arcane
comprehended by very few people; secret
arcane agreement
arduous
very challenging; needing great effort
artless
- naive; inexperienced 2. plain and simple 3. lacking skill
ascetic
- (of a lifestyle) very strict and lacking luxury 2. someone who adopts an ascetic lifestyle
assuage
- decrease a negative feeling 2. fulfill a certain desire
from assuaviare - hacer mas suave
betray
unknowingly disclose or reveal
eg. His nervous behavior seemed to betray his anxiety
bucolic
associated with tranquil rural life
burgeon
quickly increase or grow; skyrocket
cacophonous
extremely noisy; grating (rasping)
greek: kakos - bad, phone - sound
canonize
treat like a god; deeply venerate
censure
strongly criticize or disapprove
chicanery
using deception to attain a certain goal
coalesce
bring elements together; unite
cogent
persuasive and clear; compelling
compelling
- persuasive and clear
- attracting interest; fascinating
contend
- argue a certain point of view; assert
- compete
- struggle or attempt to overcome something
copious
existing in great supply; abundant
cosmopolitan
- (of a city) highly diverse
- (of a person) sophisticated and urbane
deference
high regard and respect; esteem
desultory
Random
Aimless
unplanned; without enthusiasm, consistency or focus
study habits were desultory
diffident
reserved or shy; without confidence
dilatory
slow and unhurried; meant to stall
equivocate
speak evasively; avoid taking a stance
polarize
separate into two opposing groups
prodigal
- carelessly wasteful; extravagant
- a person who is excessively wasteful
verbose
excessively talkative; wordy
abstain
avoid taking part in something
approbation
appreciation toward someone
cherish
greatly love or protect something
corroborate
lend support to; bolster
disparate
different or contrasting
emulate
imitate someone or something
enervate
sap the energy out of someone; fatigue
ephemeral
extremely short lasting
fervid
excessively energetic or eager
garrulous
tending to talk too much; wordy
incendiary
provocative; causing conflict
inimical
damaging; hostile in manner or tone
intimate (verb)
subtly suggest or imply
invigorate
provide energy or vitality to
mitigate
diminish negative feelings or situation, painkillers are used to mitigate headaches
obsolete
no longer useful; outmoded
opaque
- unclear; hard to comprehend 2. not able to be seen through
paradigmatic
representing the standard example
pedantic
overly concerned with (minor) details
placid
calm; free from activity or irritation
polemical
giving a strong, controversial opinion
precipitate
- cause to happen
- done quickly or suddenly
profundity
great wisdom or intelligence
prophetic
able to correctly predict the future
prudent
wise in decision-making
punctilious
highly concerned with details or manners
recondite
obscure and difficult to understand
scrupulous
- careful with details
- possessing moral integrity
tranquil
peaceful; free from activity
vacillate
go back and forth with one’s view
like oscillate
aloof
not warm or friendly; impersonal; distant
to remain aloof
clangor
a disturbingly loud noise
conventional
adhering to established practices or accepted standards
debunk
prove a belief or idea false
diminutive
exceptionally small in size or stature
discernible
able to be recognized or understood
enigmatic
hard to understand; mysterious
estranged
emotionally distanced from someone
extravagant
excessive, especially in terms of cost
fanciful
highly imaginative; unrealistic
frivolous
- lacking in seriousness or importance; silly 2. (of a person) not taking things seriously
heterogeneous
composed of varying, diverse elements
imperious
having an arrogant or domineering manner
impertinent
- disrespectful or inappropriate
- irrelevant or unrelated to something
invasive
- infringing on others privacy
- spreading rapidly and causing harm
irresolute
uncertain or lacking determination
laudable
worthy of admiration or praise
lax
not diligent or careful; casual
marginalize
treat someone or something as insignificant
panache
a stylish and confident manner
plodding
moving slowly or laboriously
prosaic
straightforward; unoriginal; unimaginative
unglamorous
remedial
serving to correct or cure something
restive
demonstrating difficulty in staying still
sporadic
happening occasionally and irregularly
stigmatize
label or mark as disgraceful
undermine
weaken or sabotage, often subtly
utterly
Completely
weary
feeling tired or exhausted
zealous
intensely passionate
admonish
- scold someone seriously
- give someone urgent advice
aesthetic
pertaining to beauty or the appreciation thereof
affectation
a pretense or show meant to impress others
eg) His affectation of calmness didn’t fool anyone during the crisis
alleviate
lessen the intensity or severity of something negative
analogous
comparable or similar to
bolster
lend support or boost
chauvinistic
excessively patriotic or biased in favor of a group or cause
connoisseur
a discerning expert in matters of taste
dissemble
hide or misrepresent one’s true feelings or beliefs
dogged
demonstrating tenacity and an unwillingness to give up
dupe
trick or fool someone
empirical
based on observation or experience rather than conjecture
engender
produce or stimulate the development of something
entitled
assuming oneself to be deserving of special rights or privileges
pertinacious
stubbornly holding onto a belief or course of action
presumptuous
overstepping boundaries, often in an overconfident way
probity
the characteristic of having strong ethical standards
proliferate
rapidly increase or multiply in number
specious
seemingly reasonable but actually wrong
specious argument
spurious
not genuine; bogus
subjective
pertaining to personal feelings rather than objective reality
subvert
undermine or weaken, typically an authority of some sort , eg) subvert the government
timorous
displaying nervousness; lacking confidence
tortuous
- marked by numerous twists or turns 2. overly complicated and long
tractable
- easily managed or controlled
- (of a situation) easy to solve or handle
transient
not lasting, enduring, or permanent; transitory
ubiquitous
being everywhere at once
underscore
emphasize or show the importance of something
venal
open to bribery or corruption
venerate
regard with deep respect or reverence
appease
- calm someone down
- satisfy a demand or desire
arbitrary
determined by chance, not reason
archaic
ancient or outmoded; out of date
clamorous
characterized by extremely loud noise
dearth
lack of something in a particular area
explicable
able to be explained or understood
hyperbole
exaggeration to make a point or be funny
immutable
not capable of being changed
indefatigable
highly determined; resistent to tiring out
indolent
habitually lazy; averse to activity
insular
limited in outlook or experience; narrow
intransigent
refusing to compromise; stubborn
intrepid
resolutely fearless; brave
irreverent
lacking proper respect or seriousness
loathe
dislike greatly, often with disgust
to malign (v)
- evil and harmful
- speak about someone in a bitter and critical manner
malleable
changeable or flexible; capable of being influenced
neophyte
an amateur or novice in a field
plastic
- capable of being molded; flexible 2. artificial; unnatural
platitude
a trite, overused, cliché or banal remark or statement
time will tell…
prescient
possessing foresight of upcoming events
pristine
in its original, unspoiled state
reproach
express criticism towards; reprimand
robust
- capable of surviving despite adverse conditions
- (of an object, person, or organization) strong and powerful
salubrious
- promoting health or well-being
- (of a place or accommodation) pleasant
sanction
- authorize; permit 2. penalize; punish
sedulous
paying attention to details; diligent
soporific
causing sleep or lethargy
eg) torturous lecutre, drug
stern
hard, harsh, or severe in manner
tendentious
biased toward a particular view, often a provocative one
accentuate
give emphasis or draw attention to something
conjectural
pertaining to a guess or inference made with limited data
convivial
demonstrating a jovial nature or a fondness for festivities and companionship
decadent
displaying excessive indulgence, sometimes to a morally degenerate extent
egregious
remarkably bad or shocking, to a conspicuous degree
evanescent
vanishing or fading away quickly, like mist or a phantom
flamboyant
characterized by a showy, confident, or audacious display
forestall
prevent something by taking strategic action in advance
gainsay
deny or refute an assertion or argument
galvanize
inspire or stir up to action or heightened activity
indiscriminate
lacking selectivity or judgment, often with potentially harmful effects
innocuous
harmless, having no ill effect
momentary
lasting for a brief moment or interval
mundane
commonplace or ordinary, lacking excitement
nettlesome
causing irritation or annoyance
nullify
To render ineffective, cancel out or invalidate.
obviate
sidestep or bypass a potential problem or difficulty; eschew
ob VIAte - take another path
omnipresent
existing or seeming to exist everywhere at once
oust
displace or eject from a position or place
palpable
to be able to be touched or felt, noticeable
perfidy
act of betrayal or unfaithfulness
profuse
abundant, plentiful, or occurring in large amounts
pugnacious
quick to engage in a conflict or argument; combative
sagacious
demonstrating wisdom or sound judgment
sanguine
cheerfully optimistic, particularly in a difficult situation
scant
hardly sufficient, meager, or minimal
scant regard for
skullduggery
sneaky or dishonest actions
trivial
of minor significance or value
utilitarian
emphasizing practicality and functionality over aesthetics
vapid
uninteresting, lacking flavor or spark
boorish
rude or unrefined in manners or behavior
brook
to tolerate or endure something, especially an annoyance
circumspect
cautious or wary, especially when considering potential consequences
comity
a courteous harmony or mutual respect toward others
commensurate
comparable in size, extent, or degree; proportionate
cordial
characterized by warmth and sincerity
deleterious
having a harmful effect
dichotomy
a split into two contrasting or opposite parts
edify
enlighten or uplift through knowledge; teach
edify someones mind
elicit
extract a reply or action; provoke
erudite
possessing great knowledge, typically from study or research
fecund
fertile or highly productive
feeble
weak; deficient in strength
felicitous
- well-suited or apt
- causing delight or satisfaction
forbear
refrain or abstain from doing something
haphazard
lacking clear planning, order, or direction
hodgepodge
a mixture or assortment of different things
impede
obstruct or hinder progress
impetuous
rash or hasty in decision or in action, like
something that moves with force (eg. an impetuous river)
irascible
easily angered or irritated
mercenary
motivated primarily by a desire for monetary or material gain
meticulous
exhibiting great care to detail
mordant
biting or sharply critical in thought or expression
outstrip
surpass or do better than
precarious
uncertain and likely to cause danger
quirky
unusual in an endearing or peculiar way
repudiate
reject or refute
tact
skill in handling difficult situations without causing offense
trifling
lacking significance or importance
turbulent
full of conflict or chaos
acumen
quickness and keenness in understanding and judgment
antithesis
the direct opposite or contrast
ascribe
attribute or credit something to a particular cause or source
befuddled
confused, bewildered, or perplexed
eschew
intentionally avoid or abstain from
esoteric
understood by few or a small group of people
evasive
indirect or not straightforward; avoiding confrontation
exculpate
clear from blame or guilt
expedite
accelerate or speed up a process or action
fastidious
showing great care and attention to detail; hard to please
feign
pretend or simulate
furtive
sneaky or secretive, especially due to guilt
hamper
obstruct or hinder progress
indispensable
completely necessary; essential
lament
express deep sorrow or regret
myopic
short-sighted; lacking creativity
nonchalant
appearing casually calm or indifferent
partial
prejudiced or biased toward one side
pensive
deep in thought
portend
indicate or warn that something, often unpleasant, is going to happen
provincial
narrow in perspective; not sophisticated
rudimentary
basic or elementary; in the earliest stages of development
salutary
beneficial, especially in promoting health or well-being
sever
cut off or put an end to
slight
treat with disrespect or neglect; insult
somnolent
sleepy or drowsy
stoic
unaffected by pain or distress; showing no emotion
supersede
replace or take the place of
tout
promote or praise energetically
wane
decrease in power, size, or intensity
abhor
detest or regard with deep hatred
boisterous
energetic, noisy, and lively
like a boost of energy
chivalrous
honorable and polite
churlish
rude or lacking good manners
clandestine
secretive; avoiding attention
complacent
smugly self-satisfied, often without awareness of potential dangers
cumbersome
large, heavy, slow or complicated
debilitating
weakening or impairing strength
deliberate
- think over or discuss carefully 2. intentional
droll
amusing in a quirky or unusual way
eccentric
deviating from conventional behavior; quirky
out of the center
fractious
quarrelsome and irritable; unruly
eg. fractious horse - easy to give a fracture to someone
limpid
clear, transparent, or easy to understand
mawkish
overly sentimental in a way that seems exaggerated or insincere
obeisance
reverence for an individual
ostentatious
showy or designed to impress
panacea
a perfect cure for something
perfunctory
done without enthusiasm or effort;
perilous
risky and hazardous
from pericolo
pervasive
spreading quickly and in great numbers
preclude
prevent something from occurring
predilection
preference or bias towards something
rapacious
very greedy
relish
take great pleasure or delight in
satirical
using humor or irony to criticize or mock
sham
fake; not genuine
skirt
go around or avoid something, especially an issue or obstacle
sluggish
lacking energy; slow and listless
spartan
marked by simplicity, frugality, and avoidance of luxury
truculent
aggressively combative or confrontational
acrimonious
bitter and sharp in language or tone
belligerent
argumentative, threatening, or aggressive
beneficent
kind and charitable, producing good results or benefits
canny
shrewd (perceptive) and cautious, clever, astute
cavalier
exhibiting an overly casual attitude; unconcerned - nonchalant
distressed
experiencing nervousness, irritation, or sadness
dwindling
decreasing steadily in size or quantity
eclipse
overshadow or surpass
encyclopedic
thorough; comprehensive in scope
exacerbate
make a situation or condition worse
exasperated
severely irritated or angry
fungible
Replaceable
hackneyed
lacking creativity; derivative and overused
incongruous
out of place; lacking harmony
interchangeable
capable of being used in place of each other
laconic
economical with words; quiet and reserved
lucrative
producing a significant amount of money
magisterial
- possessing great authority
- exercising authority in an excessive manner
onerous
involving a heavy burden; challenging or difficult
opprobrium
severe criticism or public shame
parsimonious
extremely frugal or stingy
peripheral
of marginal importance; minor
provocative
causing outrage or irritation, often intentionally
renounce
reject or give up
tempestuous
- (of emotions or actions) unrestrained and turbulent 2. (of weather) extremely stormy
tenable
(of an idea or method) justifiable and rational
transgression
a violation of a law, rule, or social norm
urbane
refined, sophisticated, and courteous
verisimilitude
The Appearance of Being True or Real: The quality of seeming to be real or believable, even if it isn’t ; believability.
vitiate
impair or corrupt the quality of something
affinity
- a natural liking or connection to a person, thing, or idea 2. a similarity between two things
altruistic
showing generosity and concern for the welfare of others
baroque
overly detailed or ornamental
byzantine
overly complex or intricate
compromise
weaken or diminish in quality, character, or value
conciliatory
intended to appease or calm someone down
countenance
- accept or permit
- the look of a person’s face or expression
covert
hidden or concealed; not openly practiced
credible
able to be trusted; persuasive
diffuse
- spread or disperse widely 2. scattered over a large area
documentary
based on or reproducing real events or facts
exhaustive
thorough and comprehensive
exhilarating
intensely exciting
extraneous
lacking relevance; unnecessary
fervor
intense enthusiasm toward something
futile
incapable of resulting in anything worthwhile, ineffective, fruitless
illusory
unreal or based on illusion
invidious
- likely to cause resentment or envy
- unfair; prejudiced against someone or something
lethargic
sluggish; tired
metaphorical
symbolic rather than literal
mimic
to imitate or copy someone or something
numinous
having a spiritual or divine quality
obscure
- not clearly expressed or understood 2. making something unclear and vague
overt
open and observable; not hidden or secret
pellucid
- transparently clear in meaning or style
- (of a body of water or substance) transparent and clear
perpetuate
make (something) continue for an indefinite time
rational
based on clear thought or reason
scathing
harshly or bitterly critical; vitriolic
subtle
delicate or slight; not obvious
superficial
- existing, occurring, or located on the surface 2. not profound or thorough
acquiesce
agree or consent quietly without objection
adroit
deft, dexterous, or skillful
amend
make changes to a document, law, or statement, usually to improve it
animus
strong dislike or enmity; hostile attitude
apologist
a person who defends or supports something that is being criticized
astringent
sharp or harsh in demeanor or style
collaborate
- work together on a project
- cooperate deviously with an enemy
competent
having sufficient skill, knowledge, ability, or qualifications
correlate
show a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things
deride
ridicule or mock
dictate
give orders or commands
discreet
respectful of privacy or secrecy; inconspicuous
divorced
separate from something that was previously connected
elitist
- a person who believes in the rule of an elite or privileged group 2. believing oneself or a group to be superior to others
exacting
requiring a lot of care, effort, or attention
flummoxed
completely unable to understand; bewildered
fruitful
producing good or abundant results
inborn
present from birth; innate
polymath
a person with extraordinarily broad and comprehensive knowledge
reticent
keeping one’s thoughts and opinions to oneself; reserved or restrained
stringent
strict or severe; tight
subservient
- obedient to an authority or other people 2. less important; inferior to
surreptitious
done secretly or stealthily
tantalizing
arousing desire or interest without fulfillment
tantamount
equivalent in effect or value
torpor
a state of apathy or lethargy, inertia
trenchant
keen and biting; vigorously articulate
umbrage
a feeling of anger or annoyance caused by something offensive
versatile
having varied uses or many functions; capable of doing many things
wayward
obstinate, contrary and unpredictable - willful disobedient child - wandering away from the set path
alienate
make someone feel isolated and estranged
apathy
lack of interest or enthusiasm towards something
apropos
appropriate or relevant to the situation.
apt
- suitable or appropriate
- having a tendency toward something 3. quick to learn
cloak
conceal or disguise
consensus
general agreement among the members of a group
distort
give a false or misleading account of
divergent
growing further apart; disagreeing
elated
very happy or proud
enchant
capture the attention or to charm
entrenched
firmly ingrained and unlikely to change
exotic
foreign, especially in an exciting way
exploitative
taking unfair advantage of a person, group, or situation
foreseeable
able to be predicted or expected
forsake
abandon or give up
gratify
please or satisfy; make content
heed
mind or regard with care; pay attention - heed someones advice
judicious
having, characterized by, or done with good judgment or sound thinking
lucid
clear and easy to understand
pertinent
important with regard to (a subject or matter); pertaining; relevant
propriety
conformity to established standards of good or proper behavior
scintillating
brilliantly or impressively clever, exciting, amusing or witty
sensational
exaggerated for effect, often sacrificing accuracy
sophisticated
- experienced, worldly, or cultured 2. advanced or intricate, often in tech
strife
conflict or struggle
understated
expressed in a subtle, restrained, or low-key manner
unscrupulous
without moral principles
veracity
conformity to truth or accuracy
virulent
extremely hostile or malicious; intensely acrimonious
volatile
likely to change unpredictably and quickly (usually for the worse)
antedate
occur before (something) in time
banish
expel from a place, especially as punishment; get rid of
bridle
control or restrain
comply
obey someone’s rules or wishes; meet certain standards
crestfallen
disappointed, dispirited, or depressed
curtail
restrict or limit; decrease in quantity
elucidate
make clear; clarify or shed light on
evade
- avoid or escape from, typically in a cunning way 2. deflect from giving a clear answer
feckless
without skill, ineffective, incompetent
fester
(of a negative feeling or a problem) worsen, especially due to lack of attention
iconoclastic
challenging or overthrowing tradition or established beliefs
immure
imprison or isolate
improvise
create something spontaneously without preparation
inhibit
make difficult to accomplish; act as an obstacle
inscrutable
not easily understood; mysterious
lionize
treat someone as a celebrity or hero
monotonous
lacking in variety, repetitively dull
peculiar
strange or unusual; specific to a particular place or group
premeditate
consider or plan beforehand
profligate
inclined to waste resources or behave extravagantly
reconcile
bring back or return to harmony; restore a relationship
refine
- purify; bring to a pure state
- improve in accuracy or excellence
relinquish
give up or release a claim, right, or possession
ruminate
meditate or reflect; ponder over
skittish
easily scared or startled; timid; difficult to control
superfluous
more than is necessary; excessive
synoptic
providing a general overview or summary
thorough
careful and complete concerning every detail
visionary
showing foresight or imagination
vociferous
expressing opinions or feelings loudly and forcefully
erstwhile
former or previous, in the past
fealty
Loyalty, allegiance, fidelity, devotion
an oath of fealty
magnanimity
generosity, nobility, altruism
zealots
Fanatics, extremists, partisans, diehards, militants, radicals - way too zealous (passionate) about their beliefs
hinging on
depending on
retching
gagging, heaving, puking
jeer
rude and mocking remark or sound - like cheer but bad
bleacher
bleach or tribunes in stadium
infirmity
physical or mental illness
boondoggle
unnecessary or wasteful project or use of time
rout
defeat, debacle, disaster, humiliation
aver
to state or affirm with confidence and force
plum
A valuable or desirable thing, often used metaphorically (e.g., a plum job) - mem: plum is something to want
touchstone
benchmark, criterion, reference - something used to make judgements about other things
cornerstone
something society is built upon
rudder
what is used to steer a boat
stanchion
a bar or post that is holding something - figurv. for support
masquerade
to pretend to be someone vs mask: to hide something
apex
highest point
conceit
- like a concept but fancy
- arrogance, pretention
part and parcel
an essential piece of something
travesty
parody, mockery, misrepresentation
piety
devotion, faith, religiousness
distinguished
renowned, respected, NOT distinct
for eons
for an indefinitely long period of time; an age or era.
voluble
someone who talks incessantly
languid
slow and relaxed
specter
ghost, or something generally feared
hedonism
doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the most important thing in life
mendacious
dishonest, deceptive
mellifluous
smooth, sweet-sounding, form mel (miel)