Magoosh Basic Words 6 and 7

Question 1

piquant

Answer 1

having a pleasantly sharp taste or appetizing flavor
e.g. “The toast was overdone, but the chicken had a piquant flavour.”

Synonyms: Spicy, tangy, spiced, flavorsome

Question 2

avert

Answer 2

1. prevent or ward off (an undesirable occurrence).
2. turn away (one’s eyes or thoughts)

e.g. “A vigilant driver managed to stop the locomotive and avert a major disaster.”

Synonyms: ward off, avoid, prevent, frustrate, fend off, preclude, stave off, forestall

Question 3

ascribe

Answer 3

regard something as being due to (a cause)
e.g. “Many people in the department ascribe his odd behaviour to drunkenness and encroaching senility.”

Synonyms: attribute, assign, put down, set down, accredit, credit

Question 4

rile

Answer 4

make (someone) annoyed or irritated
e.g. “He smiled faintly, knowing how hard it was to rile up his trusted Guardian.”

Synonyms: irritate, annoy, bother, vex, provoke, displease, upset, exasperate

Question 4

precarious

Answer 4

dangerously likely to fall or collapse
e.g. “But today’s results certainly emphasise the precarious state of the group’s finances.”

Synonyms: dangerous, delicate, dicey, hazardous, insecure, perilous, problematic

Question 5

incense

Answer 5

make very angry
e.g. “Her arrogance so incensed them that they refused to speak to her.”

Synonyms: enrage, infuriate, anger, madden, outrage, inflame, exasperate, antagonize, provoke, irate

Question 5

melancholy

Answer 5

state of deep sadness
e.g. “She was left all alone and feeling melancholy.”

Synonyms: gloomy, grim, mournful, dreary

Question 6

lethargic

Answer 6

inactivity; slow-moving
e.g. “The boy was lethargic and confused but seemed to recognise his mother.”

Synonyms: sluggish, inert, inactive, slow, torpid, somnolent, torpor

Question 7

industrious

Answer 7

diligent and hard-working
e.g. “Anyway, he is very industrious and energetic in his sweeping.”

Synonyms: hard-working, diligent, assiduous, sedulous, conscientious

Question 8

tribulation

Answer 8

a state of great trouble or suffering
e.g. “The play is about the tribulations of a family of immigrants in New York.”

Synonyms: distress, agony, misery, anguish, adversity, misfortune

Question 9

forthright

Answer 9

(of a person or their manner or speech) direct and outspoken
e.g. “She was honest and forthright in her views and opinions.”

Synonyms: frank, direct, straightforward, honest, candid, open, sincere, outspoken

Question 10

delegate

Answer 10

entrust (a task or responsibility) to another person, typically one who is less senior than oneself.
e.g. “She must delegate duties so as to free herself for more important tasks”

Synonyms: accredit, assign, authorize, designate, consign

Question 11

uncanny

Answer 11

strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way; beyond the ordinary
e.g. “Google’s success stems from its uncanny ability to sort useful web pages from dross.”

Synonyms: eerie, unnatural, preternatural, supernatural, unearthly, other-worldly, astonishing, astounding

Question 12

cerebral

Answer 12

involving intelligence
e.g. “He gave me a very cerebral explanation of the problem”

Synonyms: analytical, intelligent

Question 13

emulate

Answer 13

match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation
e.g. “My ambition from the time I can remember was to emulate what he did.”

Synonyms: follow suit, imitate, mimic, mirror.

Question 14

besmirch

Answer 14

damage (someone’s reputation)
e.g. “We are not going to besmirch his client in the press.”

Synonyms: Blacken, defame, dishonor, slander, smear

Question 15

redress

Answer 15

remedy or set right (an undesirable or unfair situation)
e.g. “They tried to redress the economic imbalance between developed and developing countries.”

Synonyms: amend, correct, counteract, even out, mend, remedy

Question 16

analogous

Answer 16

comparable in certain respects but otherwise different
e.g. “An analogous role is played by the PAM complex in mitochondria.”

Synonyms: akin, comparable, corresponding, related

Question 17

conundrum

Answer 17

a confusing and difficult problem or question
e.g. “The answer to this conundrum is buried in the depths of the article.”

Synonyms: mystery, enigma, puzzle, riddle, problem

Question 18

prevail

Answer 18

prove more powerful or superior
e.g. “Your nation endured the blitz to prevail over an implacable foe.”

Synonyms: abound, beat, overcome, prove, reign, succeed

Question 19

coalesce

Answer 19

come together to form one mass or whole
e.g. “Immediately popular, it helped to coalesce people around the movement.”

Synonyms: unite, join together, combine, merge, fuse, mingle, blend

Question 20

docile

Answer 20

passive; ready to accept control or instruction; submissive
e.g. “The population will not remain docile for long under such repressive measures”

Synonyms: compliant, obedient, meek, deferential, tractable

Question 21

buttress

Answer 21

make stronger; fortify
e.g. “Huge ‘flying shores’ had to be fitted to buttress the structure against movement.”

Synonyms: abutment, column, mainstay, pier, prop, fortify

Question 22

cavalier

Answer 22

showing a lack of proper concern; offhand
e.g. “This kind of cavalier attitude to the democratic process is intolerable.”

Synonyms: offhand, indifferent, casual, dismissive, insouciant, uninterested

Question 23

implicate

Answer 23

1. show (someone) to be involved in a crime e.g. "He never discussed actions, which would implicate him in a crime." Synonyms: incriminate, compromise, involve, connect, embroil, enmesh, ensnare 2. convey (a meaning) indirectly through what one says, rather than stating it explicitly. e.g. "Blocking the platform implicates the speech rights of both TikTok itself and the millions of Americans." Synonyms: imply, suggest, hint, intimate, signal

Question 23

cohesive

Answer 23

well-integrated; forming a united whole e.g. "To make perfect pie dough, you must mix the ingredients until they are cohesive." Synonyms: close-knit, united

Question 24

wanton

Answer 24

(of a cruel or violent action) deliberate and unprovoked e.g. "Their wanton vandalism causes money to be wasted and toilets to close." Synonyms: Deliberate, willful, malicious, malevolent, spiteful, vicious

Question 25

insipid

Answer 25

1. lacking vigour or interest 2. lacking taste e.g. "Suddenly the lights dimmed and there was music, terrible insipid, tinny music." Synonyms: dull, uninteresting, bland, boring

Question 26

intermittent

Answer 26

stopping at irregular intervals e.g. "The patient was having intermittent pains in his side." Synonyms: sporadic, irregular, fitful, spasmodic

Question 27

consecrate

Answer 27

to set apart for a high purpose e.g. "The little company of seven determined to consecrate their union by vows." Synonyms: beatify, bless, dedicate, hallow, honor, venerate

Question 28

eccentric

Answer 28

(of a person or their behaviour) unconventional and slightly strange e.g. "The novel is peopled with an assortment of eccentric characters" Synonyms: erratic, unconventional, uncommon, abnormal, irregular, aberrant, anomalous

Question 29

belittle

Answer 29

dismiss (someone or something) as unimportant e.g. "He took a perverse pleasure out of trying to belittle people around him." Synonyms: disparage, denigrate, downgrade

Question 30

foolhardy

Answer 30

1. recklessly bold or rash 2. to disregard the consequences of something e.g. "It is foolhardy to not go to the doctor when one is having chest pains." Synonyms: reckless, rash, incautious, careless, heedless

Question 31

humdrum

Answer 31

lacking excitement or variety; boringly monotonous e.g. "I used to feel almost trapped by the normal, everyday, humdrum life." Synonyms: mundane, boring, banal, monotonous

Question 31

clemency

Answer 31

mercy; lenience e.g. "They were granted an order of clemency by the king." Synonyms: compassion, indulgence, leniency, mercy

Question 32

glean

Answer 32

obtain (information) from various sources, often with difficulty e.g. "From several library resources, Sara was able to glean enough information to write her research paper." Synonyms: ferret, cull, deduce, extract, garner, gather

Question 33

behoove

Answer 33

a duty or responsibility for someone to do something e.g. "It would behoove you to study hard and work for the future you desire." Synonyms: befit, beseem, suit

Question 33

veneer

Answer 33

a covering consisting of a thin layer that hides the underlying substance e.g. "Where once there was walnut veneer on the floor, there is now proper stripped wood." Synonyms: coating, exterior, facade, gloss, layer, mask

Question 34

finagle

Answer 34

obtain by dishonest or devious means e.g. "He finagled an invitation to the conference by claiming to be a reporter." Synonyms: cheat, contrive, deceive, manipulate, plot

Question 35

antedate

Answer 35

precede in time; come before (something) in date e.g. "Dinosaurs antedated the first human beings by almost 65 million years." Synonyms: precede, predate

Question 36

profusion

Answer 36

an abundance or large quantity of something e.g. "The stage turns round and there is a profusion of pink." Synonyms: copious, cornucopia, glut

Question 36

fawn

Answer 36

seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention e.g. "He fawns upon them and makes them believe they are intelligent." Synonyms: suck up, obsequious, ingratiating, cajole

Question 36

begrudge

Answer 36

1. to give reluctantly 2. to be jealous over someone for being happy/enjoying e.g. "I don't begrudge anybody a right to a square meal and some help." Synonyms: envy, grudge, resent

Question 37

deride

Answer 37

express contempt for; ridicule e.g. "He derided the effort, stating that they were too low in quality to be useful." Synonyms: disdain, disparage, mock, ridicule, scoff, scorn

Question 38

incumbent

Answer 38

necessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility e.g. "It is incumbent on the new chief executive when he takes office in the new year to take stock and then take action." Synonyms: binding, obligatory, mandatory, necessary, compulsory

Question 39

rakish

Answer 39

having or displaying a dashing, jaunty, or slightly disreputable quality or appearance. e.g. "It was a little on one side and gave the good clergyman a decidedly rakish appearance." Synonyms: dashing, jaunty, raffish

Question 40

evenhanded

Answer 40

fair and impartial in treatment or judgement e.g. "She had been even-handed with her fortune, discriminating against no one." Synonyms: balanced, equitable, fair-minded, impartial, unbiased

Question 41

irascible

Answer 41

having or showing a tendency to be easily angered e.g. "Dunmore was certainly a haughty, irascible man, who made enemies easily and often." Synonyms: cantankerous, grumpy, angry

Question 42

presumptous

Answer 42

(of a person or their behaviour) failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate e.g. "I hope I won't be considered presumptuous if I offer some advice." Synonyms: overconfident, arrogant, bold, audacious

Question 43

enumerate

Answer 43

1. to determine the quantity of 2. to specify individually; establish the number of e.g. "For their part, the miners enumerate the number of jobs the industry provides." Synonyms: list, itemize, catalogue, set out, set forth

Question 44

debunk

Answer 44

expose the falseness or hollowness of (an idea or belief) e.g. "The results of the study debunk his theory." Synonyms: demystify, deflate, expose

Question 45

provisional

Answer 45

arranged or existing for the present, possibly to be changed later e.g. "The government has given provisional approval for the use of the new drug." Synonyms: conditional, interim, temporary, transitional

Question 46

paradoxical

Answer 46

seeming impossible or difficult to understand because of containing two opposite facts or characteristics e.g. "Both appear to have a paradoxical effect of either increasing or decreasing the stress response." Synonyms: antithetical, conflicting, contrary, incompatible

Question 47

complementary

Answer 47

combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize the qualities of each other or another e.g. "As complementary medicine grows the public may become more careful of its claims." Synonyms: harmonizing, harmonious, complementing, supportive, compatible

Question 48

cosmopolitan

Answer 48

including people from many different countries e.g. "It claims to be a cosmopolitan town with 150 different nationalities and countless parks." Synonyms: cultured, metropolitan, international, multiracial

Question 49

excruciating

Answer 49

intensely painful e.g. "We sat through two excruciating hours of the worst film I've ever seen." Synonyms: acute, agonizing, painful

Question 50

colossal

Answer 50

extremely large or great e.g. "So colossal was the output that Blackburn was the greatest weaving town in the world." Synonyms: enormous, gargantuan, gigantic, huge, immense

Question 51

vanquish

Answer 51

defeat thoroughly e.g. "He did this by calling a special party conference where he vanquished his opponents." Synonyms: conquer, crush, overcome, overpower

Question 52

constraint

Answer 52

a limitation or restriction e.g. "The availability of water is the main constraint on food production." Synonyms: pressure, restraint, duress, hindrance, impediment

Question 53

morph

Answer 53

to undergo transformation e.g. "The picture of a dog morphed into a picture of a cat." Synonyms: transform, mutate, metamorphose, change, transmute, transpose

Question 54

staid

Answer 54

1. sedate, respectable, and unadventurous 2. characterized by dignity e.g. "He was senior pastor of a staid old church full of money, manners, and momentum." Synonyms: decorous, dignified, sedate, sober, solemn

Question 55

obliging

Answer 55

willing to do a service or kindness; helpful e.g. "He was not frightened to help people out and was a very obliging fellow." Synonyms: accommodating, willing, compliant

Question 56

malodorous

Answer 56

smelling very unpleasant e.g. "Now I'm worried it might make the house seem in some way malodorous." Synonyms: noxious, noisome, pungent, foul-smelling

Question 57

snub

Answer 57

rebuff, ignore, or spurn disdainfully e.g. "He snubbed her in public and made her feel an idiot." Synonyms: disregard, humiliate, ignore, neglect, rebuff

Question 58

miscreant

Answer 58

a person who has done something wrong or unlawful e.g. "Despite his protestations, the authorities have wisely decided to cage the miscreant youth." Synonyms: criminal, culprit, wrongdoer, malefactor, offender

Question 59

deliberate

Answer 59

plan and think carefully e.g. "His movements were gentle and deliberate." Synonyms: careful, cautious, unhurried, measured, regular, methodical

Question 60

laborious

Answer 60

requiring considerable time and effort e.g. "But he became more and more irritated by the slow, laborious process of filming." Synonyms: arduous, backbreaking, burdensome, onerous, strenuous, tiresome

Question 61

chivalrous

Answer 61

courteous and gallant, especially towards women (typically used of a man or his behaviour) e.g. "The sword and the mail made him look downright medieval, like some chivalrous knight." Synonyms: gallant, gentlemanly, honorable, respectful, thoughtful, considerate

Question 62

resignation

Answer 62

the acceptance of something undesirable but inevitable e.g. "His coach shrugged his shoulders in resignation." Synonyms: premonition

Question 63

antiquated

Answer 63

old-fashioned or outdated e.g. "Hard cases make bad law, but antiquated conventions make bad legal practice." Synonyms: ancient, archaic, old-fashioned

Question 64

abysmal

Answer 64

extremely bad; appalling e.g. "Sadly, it was an abysmal offer, some £25,000 below the asking price." Synonyms: dreadful, atrocious, bad, terrible

Question 65

dispatch

Answer 65

1. dispose of rapidly without delay 2. the property of being efficient e.g. "He is not allowed to dispatch any messages back to shore." Synonyms:

Question 66

decimation

Answer 66

the killing or destruction of a large proportion of a group or species. e.g. "Our growing hunger for fish has resulted in the decimation of fish stocks." Synonyms: destruction, devastation, extinction, havoc, extermination, annihilation

Question 67

cumbersome

Answer 67

large or heavy and therefore difficult to carry or use; unwieldy e.g. "Both don the heavy, cumbersome diving suits and have their huge helmet clamped on." Synonyms: bulky, burdensome, unwieldy

Question 68

inarticulate

Answer 68

unable to express one's ideas or feelings clearly or easily e.g. "She was unable to speak and could only make inarticulate sounds." Synonyms: incoherent, tongue-tied

Question 68

convivial

Answer 68

(of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and enjoyable e.g. "The atmosphere was convivial and the crowds thronged accordingly." Synonyms: friendly, genial, affable, amiable, congenial, jovial

Question 69

creditable

Answer 69

(of a performance, effort, or action) deserving public acknowledgement and praise but not necessarily outstanding or successful e.g. "It was smoothly run and the Japanese, in particular, made a creditable on-field contribution." Synonyms: commendable, praiseworthy, laudable, admirable, meritorious

Question 70

misogynist

Answer 70

a person who dislikes, despises, or is strongly prejudiced against women e.g. "I am astonished that anyone would think I am a misogynist." Synonyms: sexist

Question 71

boorish

Answer 71

rough and bad-mannered; coarse e.g. "The boorish behaviour of some tourists is embarrassing." Synonyms: coarse, uncouth, rude, discourteous, impolite

Question 72

differentiate

Answer 72

recognize or ascertain what makes (someone or something) different e.g. "It's important to differentiate between fact and opinion." Synonyms: comprehend, discern

Question 73

amply

Answer 73

enough or more than enough; plentifully e.g. "This was a production which amply deserved its sell-out success." Synonyms: abundantly, adequately, extensively, generously, lavishly

Question 74

besiege

Answer 74

crowd around oppressively; surround and harass e.g. "She was besieged by the press and the public." Synonyms: beleaguer, beset, blockade, encircle, hem in, trap

Question 75

discreet

Answer 75

careful and prudent in one's speech or actions, especially in order to avoid embarrassment e.g. "He made discreet inquiries about the job." Synonyms: circumspect, cautious, wary, chary

Question 76

perquisite

Answer 76

a benefit which one enjoys or is entitled to on account of one's job or position e.g. "The special interior ministry troops, who are not part of the army, are better paid and enjoy perquisites such as looting." Synonyms: dividend, benefit

Question 76

evasive

Answer 76

1. escaping from danger/commitment e.g. "The aim is for them to see you and to take evasive action." 2. deliverately ambiguous/vague e.g. "After a few months of evasive answers, they had all but given up." Synonyms: equivocal, prevaricate, elusive

Question 77

futile

Answer 77

incapable of producing any useful result; pointless e.g. "I glanced carelessly at the door, in a futile attempt to change the subject." Synonyms: fruitless, vain, pointless, useless, worthless, inefficacious

Question 78

compound

Answer 78

make something intense/strong (can also mean make worse in another connotation) e.g. "I'm not sure we didn't compound problems." Synonyms: aggravate, heighten, magnify

Question 79

dilapidated

Answer 79

(of a building or object) in a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect e.g. "There were only a few dilapidated pieces of furniture left in the house" Synonyms: battered, broken-down, crumbling, damaged, derelict, ramshackled

Question 80

inkling

Answer 80

a slight knowledge or suspicion; a hint; a vague understanding e.g. "It took them by surprise even though they had an inkling I wasn't happy." Synonyms: hunch, indication

Question 81

hamper

Answer 81

to prevent someone doing something easily e.g. "He has made no attempt to hide the injury since then with heavy strapping around the knee and his movement has been hampered." Synonyms: hinder, restrain, handicap, hamstring, thwart

Question 82

vie

Answer 82

compete eagerly with someone in order to do or achieve something e.g. "She was surrounded by men all vying for her attention." Synonyms: contend, strive, compete

Question 83

sordid

Answer 83

involving immoral or dishonourable actions and motives e.g. "The book is a sordid tale of betrayal and dishonour." Synonyms: tawdry, debased, immoral

Question 84

qualm

Answer 84

an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear e.g. "She had/felt some qualms about moving to the big city." Synonyms: anxiety, apprehension, disquiet, hesitation, trepidation

Question 85

stymie

Answer 85

prevent or hinder the progress of e.g. "The bad weather has stymied the police in their investigations." Synonyms: impede, hamper, hinder, obstruct, inhibit, frustrate, thwart

Question 85

aphorism

Answer 85

a pithy observation which contains a general truth e.g. "He had no final answer to these questions, or rather, no neat aphorism that he cared to formulate as a philosophical truth." Synonyms: adage, axiom, dictum, maxim

Question 86

champion

Answer 86

vigorously support or defend the cause of e.g. "She champions the view that individual autonomy ought to be linked with the ideals of a person's well-being and happiness in a just society." Synonyms: advocate, endorse, proponent

Question 87

carping

Answer 87

continually complaining or finding fault about trivial matters; difficult to please e.g. "She has silenced the carping critics with a successful debut tour" Synonyms: complain, cavil, grumble, moan, grouse, grouch

Question 88

relegate

Answer 88

assign an inferior rank or position to e.g. "Women were relegated to a subordinate position in society." Synonyms: demote, dismiss

Question 89

balk

Answer 89

hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking e.g. "The price reduction comes after investors balked at the higher valuation." Synonyms: eschew, resist, evade