Hit Parade 1 (2 of 3)

Question 1

exculpate

Answer 1

verb - to clear of blame

After the emergence of new DNA evidence, the man was exculpated for the crime and released from prison.

Question 2

exigent

Answer 2

adj - urgent

Because the concert tickets may sell out today, it is an exigent matter that you decide whether or not you want to go.

Question 3

extemporaneous

Answer 3

adj - improvised

Because he forgot to write a speech beforehand, his graduation speech was an extemporaneous catastrophe,.

Question 4

filibuster

Answer 4

noun - intentional obstruction, especially using prolonged speech making to delay legislative action

In an attempt to filibuster the abortion bill, the senator took to the podium and read the entirety of a novel to waste time.

Question 5

fulminate

Answer 5

verb - to loudly attack or denounce

When you begin actively and passionately protesting taxes, you have begun fulminating against taxes.
When you get very sick all of a sudden with a serious illness, this is an example of when the condition fulminates.

Question 6

ingenuous

Answer 6

adj - artless; frank and candid

The little boy’s ingenuous habit of constantly telling the truth made him unpopular at school.

Question 7

inured

Answer 7

adj - accustomed to accepting something undesirable

Because it rains in Seattle almost every day, its citizens are inured to bad weather.

Question 8

irascible

Answer 8

adj- easily angered

He was known for his irascible temper, often throwing a temper tantrum when his socks are not laid out for him every morning.

Question 9

laud

Answer 9

verb - to praise highly (adj = laudatory)

His parents lauded him for being accepted into medical school as they thought it was a good career to go into.

Question 10

lucid

Answer 10

adj - easily understood

Although he discusses complex physics concepts in his novels, his writing is lucid, allowing readers to easily understand what he is referring to.

Question 11

magnanimity

Answer 11

noun - the quality of being generously noble, especially forgiving (adj = magnanimous)

Despite the slurs made against him by his opponent, the boxer was magnanimous enough to praise his competitor.

He came down from Kabul, and with characteristic magnanimity offered to share the empire with his brother.

Question 12

martial

Answer 12

adj - associated with war and the armed forces

Soldiers who desert the army are tried in martial court.

Question 13

mundane

Answer 13

adj - ordinary

I enjoy talking to people, but I would rather do so in situations that aren’t as mundane as waiting in line at the bank.

Question 14

nascent

Answer 14

adj - in early developmental stages

Online dating has gone from a nascent idea to an established concept that helps millions of people find love.

Question 15

nebulous

Answer 15

adj - vague, lacking clearly defined form

Beauty is a nebulous term until it is defined by the beholder.

Question 16

neologism

Answer 16

noun - a new word, expression, or usage; the creation or use of new words

Monica is a neologism for a beautiful woman.

Question 17

noxious

Answer 17

adj - harmful, injurious

The chemicals emitted when a nuclear bomb is dropped are noxious and can cause permanent health damage to those who breath them.

Question 18

obtuse

Answer 18

verb - stupid

Are you so obtuse that you will give away all your money to a fake charity?

Question 19

obviate

Answer 19

verb - to anticipate and make unnecessary

She called her husband to add milk to the grocery list she had given him, but he obviated her request, so she didn’t need to call.

Question 20

onerous

Answer 20

adj - troubling; burdensome

Organizing the messy stack of customer files in alphabetical order is an onerous task.

Question 21

paean

Answer 21

noun - a song or hymn of praise and thanksgiving

After losing the game, the team was disappointed not to sing their victory paean.

Question 22

parody

Answer 22

noun - a humorous imitation intended for ridicule or comedic effect, especially in literature or art

Pope wrote The Rape of the Lock as a parody of epic poetry, using a trivial dispute over a lock of hair as a story of heroism.

Question 23

perennial

Answer 23

adj - happening repeatedly

He was a perennial favorite at the old timer’s games, receiving more cheers each game than any new or old players.

Question 24

perfidy

Answer 24

noun - intentional breach of faith (adj = perfidious)

Cheating on her with her sister was a perfidy she could not tolerate.

Question 25

perfunctory

Answer 25

adj - cursory, done without care or interest

The beauty queen waved so often that her greeting was simply perfunctory.