Hit Parade Flashcards
depict (v.)
to represent by drawing, portray; to characterize in words, describe
controversy (n.)
a usually prolonged public dispute; an argument
undermine (v.)
to weaken, sabotage, subvert, debilitate, destabilize
advocate (v.)
to support or urge by argument, especially publicly
arrogant (adj.)
having exaggerated self-opinion; egotistical or overproud
cynic (n.)
one who believes that only selfishness motivates human actions
dispute (v.)
to engage in argument or debate; to argue vehemently, quarrel
provoke (v.)
to anger or vex; to stir up or call forth (feelings, desires, or activity)
contradict (v.)
to challenge, confront, counter, deny, or oppose
empathy (n.)
identification with and understanding of another’s situation, feelings, and motives
perceive (v.)
to become aware of by means of the senses; to recognize or understand
phenomenon (n.)
a fact, occurrence, or circumstance observed or observable; something remarkable or extraordinary
contempt (n.)
a feeling of disdain for anything considered mean or worthless
resolve (v.)
to come to a firm decision about, determine; to settle or solve
speculate (v.)
to engage in thought, especially conjectural thought
intricate (adj.)
having many interrelated parts or facets; hard to understand, work, or make
skepticism (n.)
a questioning or doubting attitude; doubt regarding religion
assert (v.)
to state positively; declare
distinct (adj.)
not identical, separate; different in nature or quality, dissimilar
divisive (adj.)
dissenting, at odds with, alienating; creating dissension or discord
consume (v.)
to expend by use; to use up
digress (v.)
to wander away from the main topic or argument in speaking or writing
innovate (v.)
to introduce (something new)
diminish (v.)
to make or become smaller, less, or less important
nostalgia (n.)
a sentimental longing for something in the past
practical (adj.)
of, involving, or resulting from practice or action; adapted or suited for actual use
versatile (adj.)
capable of turning easily from one thing to another; having many uses or applications
profound (adj.)
showing deep insight or understanding; originating in the depths of one’s being
tenacity (n.)
persistence, strong character, perseverance
insight (n.)
intuitiveness, awareness, observation, understanding, wisdom
endure (v.)
to tolerate, withstand, sustain, undergo, bear hardship
perplex (v.)
to cause to be puzzled or bewildered; to confuse
denounce (v.)
to condemn openly; to attack, accuse, or criticize
plausibility (n.)
credibility, believability
vulnerable (adj.)
capable of or susceptible to being wounded; open to or defenseless against criticism or attack
pragmatic (adj.)
practical, sensible, logical
rigor (n.)
the quality of being strict or inflexible; harshness, as of attitude, severity; hardship
adept (adj.)
very skilled; expert
disparage (v.)
to speak of negatively; to belittle
aesthetic (n., adj.)
having to do with the appreciation of beauty
superficial (adj.)
being at, on, or near the surface; apparent rather than real
foster (v.)
to promote the growth or development of; to bring up
ambivalent (adj.)
simultaneously experiencing opposing feelings; uncertain
elaborate (adj.)
worked out in great detail, painstaking; ornate, showy, or gaudy
beneficial (adj.)
producing or promoting a favorable result; helpful
embellish (v.)
to ornament or decorate; to exaggerate
imply (v.)
to indicate, suggest, refer, hint
esoteric (adj.)
intended for or understood by only a small group
inevitable (adj.)
unable to be avoided or escaped
resent (v.)
to feel or show displeasure or indignation at
scarce (adj.)
insufficient to satisfy a need or demand; rarely encountered
ingenuity (n.)
the quality of being cleverly inventive or resourceful
substantiate (v.)
to support with proof or evidence; to verify
isolated (adj.)
detached or separated, alone
subtle (adj.)
difficult to perceive; fine or delicate; characterized by or requiring mental acuteness
presume (v.)
to take for granted, assume, or suppose; to undertake (do something) without right or permission
sentiment (n.)
an attitude, feeling, or opinion; refined or tender emotion
rhetoric (n.)
the art of using language effectively and persuasively
defiance (n.)
a bold resistance to authority or force; open disregard; contempt
abstruse (adj.)
difficult to understand
deliberate (adj.)
studied or intentional; careful or slow in deciding
bolster (v.)
to hearten, support, or prop up
eradicate (v.)
to get rid of as if by tearing it up by the roots; to abolish
contend (v.)
to struggle; to compete
indifferent (adj.)
without interest or concern; having no bias or preference
conventional (adj.)
conforming to accepted standards
autonomy (n.)
independence; self-determination
discern (v.)
to catch sight of; to recognize and understand
futile (adj.)
incapable of producing a useful result; vain
trivial (adj.)
of very little importance
elitism (n.)
the practice of or belief in rule by an elite
endorse (v.)
to express approval or support of, especially publicly
resign (v.)
to give up (an office or position), especially formally; to relinquish; to submit (oneself, one’s mind) without resistance
forbear (v.)
to refrain from; to be patient or self-controlled
frivolous (adj.)
characterized by lack of seriousness or sense; not worthy of serious notice, trivial
fundamental (adj.)
of or being a foundation or basis; basic; of great importance, essential
inadequate (adj.)
insufficient, incompetent, incapable, weak
erratic (adj.)
inconsistent, unpredictable, wandering, irregular, unstable
persuade (v.)
to prevail on (a person) to do something, as by advising or urging; to induce to believe, convince
exemplify (v.)
to illustrate by example
prevail (v.)
to be widespread or current; to occur as the most important or frequent element
exploit (v.)
to utilize, especially for profit; to take advantage of
hostility (n.)
meanness, bitterness, animosity, resentment
naive (adj.)
having unaffected simplicity of nature; lacking in experience, judgment, or information
negligent (adj.)
guilty of or characterized by neglect
vindictive (adj.)
disposed to seek revenge; revengeful, spiteful
prestige (n.)
a reputation or influence arising from success, achievement, and/or rank
reconcile (v.)
to cause to accept something not desired; to cause to become friendly again; to settle a dispute
tolerate (v.)
to allow without hindrance, permit; to put up with, endure
accumulate (v.)
to gather or collect
adapt (v.)
to adjust or become adjusted to new requirements or conditions
complacency (n.)
a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of unpleasant possibilities
anachronism (n.)
the representation of something as existing or happening in the wrong time period
disdain (n.)
hate, contempt, scorn, dislike, or ridicule
antagonism (n.)
active hostility or opposition
connoisseur (n.)
an expert judge in an art or matters of taste
assume (v.)
to take for granted without proof; to suppose; to take upon oneself
baffle (v.)
to bewilder, perplex, astound, or confuse
benign (adj.)
kind and gentle
brevity (n.)
the quality or state of being brief in duration
callous (adj.)
emotionally hardened; unfeeling
candid (adj.)
completely honest; straightforward
collaborate (v.)
to work with another
integrate (v.)
to bring together into a unified or interrelated whole; to combine to produce a whole or a larger unit
commemorate (v.)
to serve as a memorial of; to honor the memory of by some observance
burden (n.)
that which is carried; a load; that which is borne with difficulty
contrary (adj.)
opposite in character of direction
inconsistent (adj.)
lacking in harmony between the different parts or elements; self-contradictory; lacing agreement, as one thing with another or two or more things in relation to each other; at variance
convey (v.)
to take from one place to another; to communicate
linguistics (n.)
the study of language
drama (n.)
the art of writing and producing plays; a series of vivid, exciting, or suspenseful events
duplicitous (adj.)
deceitful, dishonest, two-faced, deliberately deceptive
inquiry (n.)
a seeking for information or knowledge; an investigation; a question, query
erroneous (adj.)
containing an error; incorrect
gesture (n.)
a movement or position of hand, arm, body, head, or face that is expressive of an idea or an emotion
impression (n.)
a strong effect produced on the intellect, feelings, or senses; a somewhat vague awareness or notion
interact (v.)
to act upon one another
lament (v.)
to express grief or regret (for or over); a vocal expression of grief
contemporary (adj.)
existing, occurring, or living at the same time
legitimate (adj.)
according to law; in accordance with established rules and standards; valid, logical; justified
manipulate (v.)
to manage or influence skillfully and often unfairly
egotism (n.)
excessive reference to oneself; self-centeredness
mitigate (v.)
to make or become less severe, intense, or painful
objective (n.)
a purpose, goal; not influenced by personal feelings, unbiased
proximity (n.)
nearness in place, time, or relation
obscure (adj.)
not clear to the understanding; ambiguous or vague; not easily noticed; inconspicuous
optimism (n.)
a tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions; the belief that good will ultimately triumph over evil
vigor (n.)
active strength or force, intensity; healthy physical or mental energy, vitality
paradox (n.)
a contradiction, a puzzle, an inconsistency
reticence (n.)
the quality or state of keeping silence; reserve
penchant (n.)
a strong inclination or liking
predict (v.)
to tell (what will happen) in advance; foretell
refute (v.)
to prove to be false or erroneous
rouse (v.)
to bring or come out of a state of sleep, unconsciousness, or unactivity
somber (adj.)
gloomily dark; downcast, glum; extremely serious, grave
sustain (v.)
to bear the weight of, support; to undergo without giving away; to endure
obligation (n.)
a moral or legal duty; a binding promise, contract
theorem (n.)
an explanation based on hypothesis and experiments
debilitate (v.)
to impair the strength of; to weaken
steadfast (adj.)
fixed in place, position, or direction; firm in purpose, resolution, or direction; unwavering
admonish (v.)
to caution or advise against something
alleviate (V.)
to ease a pain or burden
compromise (n.)
an agreement, a give-and-taken; a bargain or settlement
anomaly (n.)
an odd, peculiar, or strange condition, situation, or quality; something abnormal
reverence (n.)
a high opinion of something; admiration
contrast (v.)
to compare in order to show differences
enigma (n.)
a puzzle, mystery, or riddle
apathetic (adj.)
feeling or showing little emotion
exaggerate (v.)
to magnify beyond the limits of truth; to overstate or overemphasize
disregard (v.)
to pay no attention to, ignore; to treat without due respect or attentiveness
arouse (v.)
to stir up; to excite
determine (v.)
to settle or resolve conclusively
articulate (adj.)
uttered clearly; capable of, expressed with, or marked by clarity and effectiveness of language
atypical (adj.)
not typical; irregular
capricious (adj.)
impulsive and unpredictable
dispense (v.)
to deal out, distribute; to do without, do away with
commend (v.)
to mention as worthy of confidence or attention
ascertain (v.)
to find out, as through investigation or experimentation
commonplace (adj.)
ordinary; dull or platitudinous
magnanimous (adj.)
courageously or generously noble in mind and heart
vivid (adj.)
strikingly bright or intense; brilliant; presenting the appearance, freshness, and spirit of life
conform (v.)
to act in accordance; comply
ornate (adj.)
fancily decorated; beautiful, brilliant, flashy, showy
anecdote (n.)
a short account of an interesting, often biographical incident
indulge (v.)
to treat oneself or anther to; to entertain, delight, please
spare (v.)
to refrain from harming, punishing, or killing; to save, as from discomfort; kept in reserve
devoid (adj.)
totally lacking; destitute
mock (v.)
to ridicule, mimic, imitate
neutral (adj.)
not taking the part of either side in a dispute or war; of no particular kind or characteristic
distinguish (v.)
to mark off as different; to recognize as distinct; to make prominent or eminent
incredulous (adj.)
disinclined or indisposed to believe; indicating disbelief
diverse (adj.)
of a different kind, unlike; of various kinds, varied
prolong (v.)
to draw out, extend, stall, stretch
belligerent (adj.)
eager to fight; hostile or aggressive
edify (v.)
to instruct and improve, especially morally; to enlighten
negate (v.)
to deny the existence or truth of (something); to nullify or invalidate (something)
ensure (v.)
to secure or guarantee; to make sure or certain
voracious (adj.)
craving or consuming large quantities of food; exceedingly eager
envy (n.)
resentment of a more fortunate person; jealousy, spite, hared
dominate (v.)
to rule over, control; to occupy a commanding position
hail (v.)
to salute or greet; to acclaim
idiosyncrasy (n.)
peculiarity, oddity; quirk, characteristic, trait, singularity
irony (n.)
the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning; an outcome of events contrary to what was, or what might have been, expected
lucid (adj.)
easily understood; clear
despair (n.)
loss of hope; hopelessness
modest (adj.)
having or showing a moderate estimate of oneself
preoccupy (v.)
to absorb, immerse, consume, engage
redundant (adj.)
repetitive, excessive, unnecessary
reform (n.)
the improvement of what was wrong, corrupt, or unsatisfactory; improvements, as of conduct or belief
reluctant (adj.)
not willing; disinclined
supplement (n.)
something added to complete a thing
evoke (v.)
to call up (e.g., memories or feelings); to draw forth
repute (v.)
to consider, believe
spontaneous (adj.)
coming or resulting from a natural impulse or tendency
stringent (adj.)
rigorously binding or exacting; strict
temperament (n.)
the combination of mental and emotional traits of a person; nature
tyrannical (adj.)
unjustly cruel or severe
insolent (adj.)
insulting in manner or speech
tact (n.)
skill in dealing with difficult or delicate situation
constituent (n.)
serving to make up a thing; component
arbitrary (adj.)
unreasonable or unsupported
unprecedented (adj.)
without precedent; never before known or appreciated
urgent (adj.)
requiring immediate action or attention; insistent in urging; importunate
rebellion (n.)
armed resistance to a government or ruler; defiance of any authority
oblivious (adj.)
unmindful or unaware; forgetful
volatile (adj.)
evaporating rapidly; tending or threatening to erupt in violence, explosive
acquire (v.)
to get possession of
charisma (n.)
a personal magnetism that enables an individual to attract or influence people
adverse (adj.)
unfavorable; opposing one’s interests or desires
disposition (n.)
mental outlook; characteristic attitude
afflict (v.)
to distress with mental or bodily pain
allege (v.)
to assert without proof
sufficient (adj.)
adequate for the purpose; enough
impractical (adj.)
not practical or useful; incapable of dealing sensibly with practical matters
consensus (n.)
solidarity of opinion; general agreement or harmony
personage (n.)
a person of distinction or importance
anticipate (v.)
to realize beforehand; foresee
precursor (n.)
a person or thing that precedes, as in a job or method; forerunner
demagogue (n.)
an orator or political leader who gains power by arousing people’s emotions and prejudices
assess (v.)
to judge the value or character of
authentic (adj.)
not false or copied; real
benefactor (n.)
a kindly helper; a person who makes a bequest or endowment characterized by goodwill; desiring to help others
bewilder (v.)
to confuse or puzzle completely
captivate (v.)
to attract intensely; enchant
congenial (adj.)
agreeable or suitable in nature
conviction (n.)
a firm belief; the act of convicting or state of being convicted
deference (n.)
respectful yielding of the opinion or will of another
pretension (n.)
a claim to something; an unwarranted or false claim, as to merit, importance, or wealth
detract (v.)
to take away a part, as from value or reputation; to divert
alter (v.)
to make different, as in size or style
dilettante (n.)
a person who takes up an art, activity, or subject for amusement, especially in a superficial way; dabbler
amass (v.)
to collect; to accumulate
equanimity (n.)
composure, especially under strain; evenness
motive (n.)
something that causes a person to act; incentive
exotic (adj.)
foreign, not native; strikingly unusual or strange, as in appearance
benevolent (adj.)
marked by or disposed to doing good
crude (adj.)
in a raw or unrefined state; lacking culture and refinement; vulgar
forebode (v.)
to predict, warn, forecast, foresee
predilection (n.)
a partiality; preference
indignation (n.)
strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or biased
intuition (n.)
direct perception of truth and fact, independent of any reasoning process; a keen and quick insight
knack (n.)
a special skill or talent; a clever way of doing something
longevity (n.)
long life; length of life
context (n.)
the parts before and after a statement that can influence its meaning
misconceive (v.)
to interpret wrongly; misunderstood
moderate (adj.)
not extreme, excessive, or intense; average in quantity, extent, or amount
pacifism (n.)
opposition to war or violence as a method of settling disputes
faulty (adj.)
having faults; imperfect
ambition (n.)
an earnest desire for achievement, distinction, wealth, or power
prudent (adj.)
wisely careful, showing good judgement
