Next 20 Flashcards
Abstain
To restrain oneself.
Janet will abstain from smoking while she is pregnant.
Audacious
Recklessly bold.
While Harold’s business plan was risky and audacious, it promised great rewards if successful.
Desiccate
to dry out; become lifeless
Without water, the crops will quickly desiccate.
Gullible
Easily duped.
The gullible woman gave all her money to a fake charity.
Laudable
Praiseworthy
Despite her disabilities, Candace has achieved some laudable achievements.
Pedant
A person who gives too much attention to detail.
As a grammar teacher, it is hard for me to not review everything with a pedantic eye.
Vaccilate
to waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive
If you ask Paula to choose a restaurant for lunch, she will vacillate between restaurants forever.
Adulterate
To make less pure.
If you want to adulterate your alcoholic drink, you should add some water to it.
Capricious
Sudden behavior change.
Even though the couple wanted to get married outside, they knew their ceremony depended on the capricious weather.
Engender
To cause a feeling or attitude to exist.
By revealing the president’s secrets, the reporter hoped to engender feelings of distrust among the public.
Homogeneous
Of the same kind.
As races have mixed, the world’s population has become more and more homogenous.
Loquacious
Talkative
After drinking four beers, my normally quiet wife becomes quite loquacious.
Pragmatic
Practical
While many parents rely on theory when governing their children, I prefer a more pragmatic approach.
Volatile
Easily aroused; violent
Because Mary and Frank have a volatile relationship, they often argue.
Apathy
Lacking enthusiasm.
Because of voter apathy, the government was concerned about the election turnout.
