Princeton Vocab Words Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

depict

A

v. Depiction-to portray

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

controversy

A

n,a prolonged public dispute, an argument

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

undermine

A

v. to weaken, sabotage, subvert, debilitate, destabilize

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

advocate

A

v. to support or urge by argument, especially publically

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

arrogant

A

adj. having exaggerated self opinion, egotistical or overproud

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

cynic

A

noun, one who believes that only selfishness motivates human actions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

dispute

A

v. to engage in argument or debate, to argue vehemently, quarrel

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

provoke

A

v. to anger, or vex; to stir up or call forth (feelings, desires, or activity)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

contradict

A

v. to challenge, confront, counter, deny or oppose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

empathy

A

n. identification with and understanding of another’s situations, feelings, and motives

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

perceive

A

v. to become aware of by means of the sense, to recognize or understand

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

phenomenon

A

n. a fact, occurrence, or circumstance observed or observable; something remarkable or extraordinary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

contempt

A

n. a feeling of disdain for anything considered mean or worthless

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

resolve

A

v. to come to a firm decision about, determine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

speculate

A

v. to engage in thought, especially conjectural thought

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

intricate

A

adj. having many interrelated parts or facets; hard to understand, work, or make

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

skepticism

A

n. a questioning or doubting attitude; doubt regarding religion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

assert

A

v. to state positively; declare

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

distinct

A

adj, not identical, seperate; different in nature or quality, dissimilar

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

divisive

A

adj. dissenting, at odds with, alienating; creating dissension or discord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

consume

A

v. to expend by use, to use up

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

digress

A

v. to wander away from the main topic or argument in speaking or writing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

innovate

A

v. to introduce (something new)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

diminish

A

v. to make or become smaller, less, or less important

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

nostalgia

A

n. a sentimental longing for something in the past

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

practical

A

adj. involving or resulting from practice or action; adapted or suited for actual use

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

versatile

A

adj. capable of turning easily from one thing to another; having many uses or applications

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

profound

A

adj. showing deep insight or understanding; originating in the depths of one’s being

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

tenacity

A

n. persistence, strong character, perserverance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

insight

A

n. intuitiveness, awareness, observation, understanding, wisdom

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

endure

A

v. to tolerate, withstand, sustain, undergo, bear hardship

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

perplex

A

v. to cause to be puzzled

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

denounce

A

v. to condemn openly, to attack, accuse, or criticize

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

plausibility

A

n. credibility, believability

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

vulnerable

A

adj. capable of or susceptible to being wounded; open to or defenseless against criticism or attack

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

pragmatic

A

adj. practical, sensible

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

rigor

A

n. the quality of being strict or inflexible, harshness as of attitude, severity; hardship

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

adept

A

adj. very skilled; expert

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

disparage

A

v. to speak of negatively; to belittle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

aesthetic

A

n, adj. having to do with the appreciation of beauty

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

superficial

A

adj.being at, on, or near the surface; apparent rather than real

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

foster

A

v. to promote the growth or development of; to bring up

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

ambivalent

A

adj. simultaneously experiencing opposing feelings; uncertain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

elaborate

A

adj. worked out in great detail, painstaking; ornate, showy or gaudy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

beneficial

A

adj. producing or promoting a favorable result; helpful

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

embellish

A

v. to ornament or decorate, to exaggerate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

imply

A

v. to indicate, suggest, refer, hint

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

esoteric

A

adj. intended or understood by only a small group

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

inevitable

A

adj. unable to be avoided or escaped

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

resent

A

v. to feel or show displeasure or indignation at

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

scarce

A

adj. insufficient to satisfy a need or demand; rarely encountered

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

ingenuity

A

n. the quality of being cleverly inventive or resourceful

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

substantiate

A

v. to support with proof or evidence; to verify

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

isolated

A

adj. detached or separated, alone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

subtle

A

adj. difficult to perceive, fine or delicate; characterized by or requiring mental acuteness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

presume

A

v. to take for granted, assume, or suppose; to undertake(do something without right or permission)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

sentiment

A

n. an attitude, feeling, or opinion; refined or tender emotion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

rhetoric

A

n. the art of using language effectively and persuasively

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

defiance

A

n. a bold resistance to authority or force; open disregard, contempt

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

abstruse

A

adj. difficult to understand

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

deliberate

A

adj. studied or intentional; careful or slow in deciding

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
62
Q

bolster

A

v. to hearten, support, or prop up

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
63
Q

eradicate

A

v. to get rid of as if by tearing up the roots, to abolish

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
64
Q

contend

A

v. to struggle, to compete

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
65
Q

indifferent

A

adj. without interest or concern; having no bias or preference

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
66
Q

conventional

A

adj. conforming to accepted standards

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
67
Q

autonomy

A

independence; self determination

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
68
Q

discern

A

v. to catch sight of; to recognize and understand

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
69
Q

futile

A

adj. incapable or producing a useful result; vain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
70
Q

trivial

A

adj. of very little importance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
71
Q

elitism

A

n. the practice of or belief in rule by an elite

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
72
Q

endorse

A

v. to express approval or support of, especially publicly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
73
Q

resign

A

v. to give up (office/position), especially formally, to submit (oneself, one’s mind) without resistance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
74
Q

forbear

A

v. to refrain from; to be patient or self controlled

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
75
Q

frivolous

A

adj. characterized by a lack of seriousness or sense; not worthy of serious notice, trivial

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
76
Q

fundamental

A

adj. of or being a foundation or basis; basic; of great importance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
77
Q

inadequate

A

adj. insufficient, incompetent, incapable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
78
Q

erratic

A

adj inconsistent, unpredictable, wandering, irregular, unstable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
79
Q

persuade

A

v. to prevail on ( a person) to do something as by advising or urging to induce to believe, convince

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
80
Q

exemplify

A

v. to illustrate by example

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
81
Q

prevail

A

to be widespread or current; to occur as the most important of frequent element

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
82
Q

exploit

A

v. to utilize, especially for profit; to take advantage of

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
83
Q

hostility

A

n. meanness, bitterness, animosity, resentment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
84
Q

naïve

A

adj. having unaffected simplicity of nature; lacking in experience, judgement, or information

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
85
Q

negligent

A

adj. guilty of or characterized by neglect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
86
Q

vindictive

A

adj. disposed to seek revenge; revengeful, spiteful

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
87
Q

prestige

A

n. a reputation or influence arising from success, achievement, and/or rank

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
88
Q

reconcile

A

v. to cause to accept something not desired; to cause to become friendly again; to settle a dispute

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
89
Q

tolerate

A

v. to allow without hindrance, permit; to put up with, endure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
90
Q

accumulate

A

v. to gather or collect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
91
Q

adapt

A

v. to adjust or become adjusted to new requirements or conditions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
92
Q

complacency

A

n. a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often unaware of unpleasant possibilities

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
93
Q

anachronism

A

n. the representation of something as existing or happening in the wrong time period

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
94
Q

disdain

A

n. hate, contempt, scorn, dislike, or ridicule

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
95
Q

antagonism

A

n. active hostility or opposition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
96
Q

connoisseur

A

n. an expert judge in an art or matters of taste

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
97
Q

assume

A

v. to take for granted without proof; to suppose; to take upon oneself

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
98
Q

baffle

A

v. to bewilder, perplex, astound, or confuse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
99
Q

benign

A

adj. kind and gentile

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
100
Q

brevity

A

n. the quality or state of being brief in duration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
101
Q

callous

A

adj. emotionally hardened, unfeeling

102
Q

candid

A

adj. completely honest; straightforward

103
Q

collaborate

A

v. to work with another

104
Q

integrate

A

v. to bring together into a unified or interrelated whole; to combine to produce a whole or later unit

105
Q

commemorate

A

v. to serve as a memorial of; to honor the memory of by some observance

106
Q

burden

A

n. that which is carried; a load that which is born with difficulty

107
Q

contrary

A

adj. opposite in character or direction

108
Q

inconsistent

A

adj. lacking in harmony between the different parts or elements; self contradictory; lacking agreement

109
Q

convey

A

v. to take from one place to another; to communicate

110
Q

linguistics

A

n. the study of language

111
Q

drama

A

n.. the art of writing and producing plays’ a series of vivid, exciting, or suspenseful events

112
Q

duplicitous

A

adj. deceitful, dishonest, two faced, deliberately deceptive

113
Q

inquiry

A

n. a seeking for information or knowledge; an investigation; a question, query

114
Q

erroneous

A

adj. containing an error; incorrect

115
Q

gesture

A

n. a movement or position of the hand, arm, body, head, or face that is expressive of an idea or emotion

116
Q

impression

A

n. a strong effect produced on the intellect, feelings or senses; a somewhat vague awareness or notion

117
Q

interact

A

v. to act upon one another

118
Q

lament

A

v. to express grief or regret (for or over); a vocal expression of grief

119
Q

contemporary

A

adj. existing, occurring, or living at the same time

120
Q

legitimate

A

adj. according to law, in accordance with established rules and standards; valid, logical; justified

121
Q

manipulate

A

v. to manage or influence skillfully and often unfairly

122
Q

egotism

A

n. excessive reference to oneself

123
Q

mitigate

A

v. to make or become less severe, intense, or painful

124
Q

objective

A

n. a purpose, goal, unbiased

125
Q

proximity

A

n. nearness in place, time, or relation

126
Q

obscure

A

adj. not clear to the understanding, ambiguous or vague; not easily noticed

127
Q

optimism

A

n. a tendency to look on the more favorable side of events

128
Q

vigor

A

n. active strength or force, intensity

129
Q

paradox

A

n. a contradiction

130
Q

reticence

A

n. the quality or state of keeping silent, reserve.

131
Q

penchant

A

n. a strong inclination or liking

132
Q

predict

A

v. to tell (what will happen) in the future

133
Q

refute

A

v. to prove to be false or erroneous

134
Q

rouse

A

v. to bring or come out of a state of sleep, unconsciousness, or inactivity

135
Q

somber

A

adj. gloomily dark, downcast, glum

136
Q

sustain

A

v. to bear the weight of, support, to undergo

137
Q

obligation

A

n. a moral or legal duty; a binding promise

138
Q

theorem

A

n. an explanation based on hypothesis and experiments

139
Q

debilitate

A

v. to impair the strength of; to weaken

140
Q

steadfast

A

adj. fixed in place, position or direction; firm in purpose, resolution or direction

141
Q

admonish

A

v. to caution or advise against something

142
Q

alleviate

A

v. to ease a pain or burden

143
Q

compromise

A

n. an agreement, a give and take; a bargain or settlement

144
Q

anomaly

A

n. an odd, peculiar, or strange condition

145
Q

reverence

A

n. a high opinion of something; admiration

146
Q

contrast

A

v. to compare in order to show differences

147
Q

enigma

A

n. a puzzle, mystery

148
Q

apathetic

A

adj. feeling or showing little emotion

149
Q

exaggerate

A

v. to magnify beyond the limits of truth

150
Q

disregard

A

v. to pay no attention to, ignore

151
Q

arouse

A

v. to stir up, to excite

152
Q

determine

A

v. to settle or resolve

153
Q

articulate

A

adj. uttered clearly

154
Q

atypical

A

adj. not typical, regular

155
Q

capricious

A

adj. impulsive and unpredictable

156
Q

dispense

A

v. to deal out, distribute

157
Q

commend

A

v. to mention as worthy or confidence or attention

158
Q

ascertain

A

v. to find out, as through investigation or experimentation

159
Q

commonplace

A

adj. ordinary, dull

160
Q

magnanimous

A

adj. courageously or generously noble in mind and heart

161
Q

vivid

A

adj. strikingly bright or intense

162
Q

conform

A

v. to act in accordance

163
Q

ornate

A

adj. fancily decorated

164
Q

anecdote

A

n. a short account of an interesting, biographical incident

165
Q

indulge

A

v. to treat oneself or another to; to entertain, delight, please

166
Q

spare

A

v. to refrain from harming, punishing, or killing

167
Q

devoid

A

adj. totally lacking, destitute

168
Q

mock

A

v. to ridicule, mimic, imitate

169
Q

neutral

A

adj. not taking the part of either side in a dispute or war

170
Q

distinguish

A

v. to mark off as different, to recognize as distinct

171
Q

incredulous

A

adj. disinclined or indisposed to believe; indicating disbelief

172
Q

diverse

A

adj. of a different kind

173
Q

prolong

A

v. to draw out, extend, stall, stretch

174
Q

belligerent

A

adj. eager to fight; hostile or aggressive

175
Q

edify

A

v. to instruct and improve, especially morally

176
Q

negate

A

v. to deny the existence or truth of; to nullify or invalidate

177
Q

ensure

A

v. to secure or guarantee; to make sure or certain

178
Q

voracious

A

adj. craving or consuming large quantities of food; exceedingly eager

179
Q

envy

A

n. resentment of a more fortunate person

180
Q

dominate

A

v. to rule over, contract

181
Q

hail

A

v. to salute or greet

182
Q

idiosyncrasy

A

n. peculiarity, oddity, quirk

183
Q

irony

A

n. an outcome of events contrary to what was

184
Q

lucid

A

adj. easily understood, clear

185
Q

despair

A

n. loss of hope, hopelessness

186
Q

modest

A

adj. having or showing a moderate estimate of oneself

187
Q

preoccupy

A

v. to absorb, immerse, consume engage

188
Q

redundant

A

adj. repetitive, excessive, unnecessary

189
Q

reform

A

n. the improvement of what was wrong

190
Q

reluctant

A

adj. not willing, disinclined

191
Q

supplement

A

n. something added to complete a thing

192
Q

evoke

A

v. to call up

193
Q

repute

A

v. to consider, believe

194
Q

spontaneous

A

adj. coming or resulting from a natural impulse or tendency

195
Q

stringent

A

adj. rigorously binding or exacting

196
Q

temperament

A

n. the combination of mental and emotional traits of a person

197
Q

tyrannical

A

adj. unjustly cruel or severe

198
Q

insolent

A

adj. insulting in manner or speech

199
Q

tact

A

n. skill in dealing with difficult or delicate situations

200
Q

constituent

A

n. serving to make up a thing; component

201
Q

arbitrary

A

adj. unreasonable or unsupported

202
Q

unprecedented

A

adj.without precedent; never before known or appreciated

203
Q

urgent

A

adj. requiring immediate action or attention

204
Q

rebellion

A

n. armed resistance to a government or ruler

205
Q

oblivious

A

adj. unmindful or unaware; forgetful

206
Q

volatile

A

adj. evaporating rapidly, tending, or threatening to erupt in violence

207
Q

acquire

A

v. to get possession of

208
Q

charisma

A

n. a personal magnetism that enables an individual to attract or influence people

209
Q

adverse

A

adj. unfavorable; opposing one’s interests or desires

210
Q

disposition

A

n. mental outlook; characteristic attitude

211
Q

afflict

A

v. to distress with mental or bodily pain

212
Q

allege

A

v. to assert without proof

213
Q

sufficient

A

adj. adequate for the purpose

214
Q

impractical

A

adj. not practical or useful; incapable of dealing sensibly

215
Q

consensus

A

n. solidarity of opinion, general agreement or harmony

216
Q

personage

A

n. a person of distinct or importance

217
Q

anticipate

A

v. to realize beforehand, foresee

218
Q

precursor

A

n. a person or thing that precedes as in a job or method

219
Q

demagogue

A

n. an orator or political leader who gains power by arousing people’s emotions and prejudices

220
Q

assess

A

v. to judge the value or character of

221
Q

authentic

A

adj. real

222
Q

benefactor

A

n. a kindly helper; a person who makes a bequest

223
Q

bewilder

A

v. to confuse or puzzle completely

224
Q

captivate

A

to attract intensely, enchant

225
Q

congenial

A

adj. agreeable or suitable in nature

226
Q

conviction

A

n. a firm belief, the act of being convicted

227
Q

deference

A

n. respectful yielding of the opinion or will of another

228
Q

pretension

A

n. a claim to something; an unwarranted or false claim as to merit, importance, or wealth

229
Q

detract

A

v. to take away a part, as from value or reputation; to divert

230
Q

alter

A

v. to make different, as in size or style

231
Q

dilettante

A

n. a person who takes up an art, activity or subject for amusement, especially in a superficial way

232
Q

amass

A

v. to collect

233
Q

equanimity

A

n. composure, especially under strain

234
Q

motive

A

n. something that causes a person to act

235
Q

exotic

A

adj. foreign, not native, strikingly unusual or strange as in appearance

236
Q

benevolent

A

adj. marked by or disposed to doing good

237
Q

crude

A

adj. in a raw or unrefined state; lacking culture and refinement

238
Q

forebode

A

v. to predict, warn, forecast, foresee

239
Q

predilection

A

n. a partially, preference

240
Q

indignation

A

n. strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or biased

241
Q

intuition

A

n. direct perception of truth and fact, independent of any reasoning process

242
Q

knack

A

n. a special skill or talent; a cleaver way of doing something

243
Q

longevity

A

n. long life

244
Q

context

A

n. the part before and after a statement that can influence its meaning

245
Q

misconceive

A

v. to interpret wrongly; misunderstood

246
Q

moderate

A

adj. not extreme, excessive, or intense

247
Q

pacifism

A

n. opposition to war or violence as a method of settling disputes

248
Q

faulty

A

adj. having faults; imperfect

249
Q

ambition

A

n. an earnest desire for achievement, distinction, wealth or power

250
Q

prudent

A

adj. wisely careful, showing good judgement.