Magoosh Basic - IV Flashcards
empathetic
adjective: having the ability to imagine how someone else feels:
Most discrimination and hatred is based on a lack of empathetic awareness of people that have the same aspirations and fears.
unruly
adjective: Unruly people are difficult to control and often do not obey rules:
Walk in to any preschool and I am sure that you will find an unruly and chaotic scene—unless it’s nap time.
egotist
noun: a conceited and self-centered person
An egotist, Natasha had few friends because of her inability to talk about anything except her dream of becoming the next American Idol.
surly
adjective: often in a bad mood, unfriendly, and not polite:
Every morning, Bhavin was a surly, unhappy person, but once he ate breakfast, he became loving, laughing, and a joy to be around.
conducive
adjective: making a situation or outcome more likely to happen
Studying in a quiet room is conducive to learning; studying in a noisy environment makes learning more difficult.
tumult
noun: 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.
fickle
adjective: likely to change your opinion or your feelings suddenly and without a good reason:
She was so fickle in her politics, it was hard to pinpoint her beliefs; one week she would embrace a side, and the next week she would denounce it.
uncompromising
adjective: not making concessions
The relationship between Bart and Hilda ultimately failed because they were both so uncompromising, never wanting to change their opinions.
benign
adjective: kind
I remember my grandfather’s face was wrinkled, benign, and calm.
adjective: (medicine) not dangerous to health; not recurrent or progressive
The tumor located in your ear lobe seems to be benign and should not cause you any trouble.
sentimental
adjective: 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.
grovel
verb: show submission or fear
Every time Susan comes to the office, Frank grovels as if she were about to fire him.
smattering
noun: a slight or superficial understanding of a subject; a small amount of something
I know only a smattering of German, but Helen is able to read German newspapers and converse with natives.
perennial
adjective: lasting an indefinitely long time; eternal; everlasting
Even at the old-timers games, Stan Musial would get the loudest cheer: he was a perennial favorite of the fans there.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
illicit
adjective: 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.
genial
adjective: friendly and pleasant:
Betty is a genial young woman: everyone she meets is put at ease by her elegance and grace.
glib
adjective: (of a person) speaking with ease but without sincerity
I have found that the more glib the salesman, the worse the product.
assail
verb: to attack someone violently or criticize someone strongly:
example:
- The victim had been assailed with repeated blows to the head and body.
- He was assailed with insults and abuse as he left the court.
verb: If you are assailed by something unpleasant such as fears or problems, you are greatly troubled by a large number of them.
example: She is assailed by self-doubt and emotional insecurity.
precedent
noun: an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
example:
- There are several precedents for promoting people who don’t have formal degrees.
- Some politicians fear that agreeing to the concession would set a dangerous precedent.
martial
adjective: 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.
genteel
adjective: being very polite, gentle, or graceful:
example: a genteel southern lady
derisive
adjective: A derisive noise, expression, or remark expresses contempt.
I was surprised by her derisive tone; usually, she is sweet, soft spoken, and congenial.
augment
verb: enlarge or increase; improve
Ideally, the restaurant’s augmented menu will expand its clientele and increase its profits.
lucid
adjective: (of language) 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.
altruism
noun: Altruism is unselfish concern for other people’s happiness and welfare.
Albert Schweitzer spent most of his life doing missionary work as a doctor in Africa, seeking no reward, apparently motivated only by altruism.
