SAT Direct Hits ALL Flashcards

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1
Q

Ambivalent

A

Having mixed or opposing feelings at the same time.

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2
Q

Anomaly

A

Deviation from the norm or what is expected.

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3
Q

Sardonic

A

Mocking; derisive; taunting; stinging

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4
Q

Dearth, Paucity

A

A scarcity or shortage of something (x2)

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5
Q

Prattle

A

To speak in a foolish manner; to babble incessantly

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6
Q

Wry, Droll

A

Dry; humorous with a clever twist and a touch of irony (x2)

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7
Q

Unorthodox

A

Not ordinary or typical; characterized by avoiding customary conventions and behaviors

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8
Q

Meticulous, Fastidious

A

Extremely careful; very EXACTING (x2)

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9
Q

Audacious

A

Fearlessly, often recklessly daring; very bold

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10
Q

Apathetic

A

Marked by a lack of interest or concern; nonchalant

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11
Q

Diffident, Self-effacing

A

Hesitant due to a lack of self-confidence; unassertive; shy; retiring (x2)

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12
Q

Pragmatic

A

Practical, sensible, NOT idealistic or romantic

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13
Q

Evocation

A

An imaginative re-creation of something; a calling forth

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14
Q

Presumptuous

A

Taking liberties, brashly overstepping one’s place, impertinently bold; displaying effrontery

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15
Q

Recalcitrant

A

Stubbornly resistant and defiant; obstinate; obdurate; refractory (disobedient)

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16
Q

Boon

A

A timely benefit; blessing

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17
Q

Bane

A

A source of harm and ruin

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18
Q

Clandestine, Surreptitious

A

Secret; covert; not open; not ABOVEBOARD (x2)

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19
Q

Affable, Amiable, Genial, Gregarious

A

Agreeable; marked by a pleasing personality; warm and friendly (x4)

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20
Q

Austere

A

Having no adornment or ornamentation; bare; not ORNATE

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21
Q

Altruism

A

Unselfish concern for the welfare of others

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22
Q

Ambiguity

A

The quality or state of having more than one possible meaning; doubtful; equivocal

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23
Q

Upbraid, Reproach, Castigate

A

To express disapproval; to scold; to rebuke; to CENSURE (x3)

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24
Q

Nostalgia

A

A WISTFUL sentimental longing for a place or time in the past

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25
Q

Conjecture

A

An inference based upon guesswork; a SUPPOSITION

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26
Q

Antiquated

A

No longer in use; outmoded in design or style

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27
Q

Auspicious, Propitious

A

Very favorable (x2)

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28
Q

Gaffe

A

A blunder; a faux pas; a clumsy social or diplomatic error

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29
Q

Impasse

A

A deadlock, stalemate; failure to reach an agreement

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30
Q

Anachronism

A

The false agreement of an event, person, scene or language to a time when the person, scene or word did not exist

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31
Q

Belie

A

To contradict, to prove false, used of appearances that are misrepresentative

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32
Q

Mitigate, Mollify, Assuage, Alleviate

A

To relieve, to lessen, to ease (x4)

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33
Q

Covet

A

To strongly desire; to crave

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34
Q

Trite, Hackneyed, Banal, Platitudinous, Insipid

A

Unoriginal; commonplace; overused; clichツd (x5)

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35
Q

Antecedent

A

A preceding event; forerunner; precursor

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36
Q

Prudent

A

Careful; cautious; sensible

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37
Q

Aesthetic

A

Relating to the nature of beauty, art and taste; having a sense of what is beautiful, attractive or pleasing

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38
Q

Paradox

A

A seemingly contradictory statement that nonetheless expresses a truth

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39
Q

Enigmatic, Inscrutable

A

Mysterious; puzzling; unfathomable; baffling (x2)

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40
Q

Acquiesce

A

To comply; to agree; to give in

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41
Q

Naive, Gullible

A

Unaffectedly simple; lacking worldly expertise; overly CREDULOUS; unsophisticated; immature; inexperienced; INGENUOUS (x2)

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42
Q

Autonomy

A

Independence; self-governance

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43
Q

Indigenous, Endemic

A

Native to an area (x2)

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44
Q

Ubiquitous, Prevalent

A

Characterized by being everywhere; omnipresent; widespread, PERVASIVE (x2)

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45
Q

Pandemic

A

An epidemic that is geographically widespread and affects a large proportion of the population

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46
Q

Fortitude

A

Strength of mind that allows one to endure pain or adversity with courage.

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47
Q

Diminutive

A

Very small

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48
Q

Minutiae

A

Minor everyday details

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49
Q

Exhort

A

To encourage, to urge, to give a pep talk, to IMPLORE

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50
Q

Antipathy

A

Strong dislike, ill will, the state of detesting someone; ENMITY; RANCOR

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51
Q

Digress

A

To depart from a subject; to wander; to ramble

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52
Q

Tenacious

A

Characterized by holding fast to something valued; showing great determination

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53
Q

Indulgent

A

Characterized by excessive generosity; overly tolerant

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54
Q

Polarize

A

To create disunity or dissension; to break up into opposing factions or groups; to be divisive

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55
Q

Nebulous

A

Vague; cloudy; misty; lacking a fully-developed form

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56
Q

Analogy

A

A similarity or likeness between things - events, ideas, actions, trends - that are otherwise unrelated

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57
Q

Ephemeral, Fleeting, Evanescent

A

Very brief, lasting for a short time, transient (x3)

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58
Q

Penchant, Predilection, Propensity

A

A liking or preference for something; a BENT; an INCLINATION (x3)

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59
Q

Capricious, Mercurial, Fickle

A

Very changeable; characterized by constantly-shifting moods (x3)

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60
Q

Boorish, Uncouth, Crass

A

Vulgar, characterized by rude behavior and deplorable manners; unrefined (x3)

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61
Q

Indignant

A

Characterized by outrage at something that is perceived as unjust

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62
Q

Innuendo

A

A veiled reference; an insinuation

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63
Q

Thwart, Stymie

A

To stop; to frustrate; to prevent (x2)

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64
Q

Adroit, Deft, Adept

A

Having or showing great skill, dexterous, nimble (x3)

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65
Q

Admonish

A

To earnestly caution; to warn another to avoid a course of action

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66
Q

Incontrovertible

A

Impossible to deny or disprove; demonstrably true

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67
Q

Voracious, Ravenous, Rapacious

A

Having a huge appetite that cannot be satisfied; INSATIABLE (x3)

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68
Q

Callous

A

Emotionally hardened; insensitive; unfeeling

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69
Q

Intrepid, Undaunted

A

Courageous, RESOLUTE, fearless (x2)

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70
Q

Nonchalant

A

Having an air of casual indifference, UNFLAPPABLE

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71
Q

Convoluted

A

Winding, twisting, and therefore difficult to understand; intricate

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72
Q

Itinerant

A

Migrating from place to place, NOT SEDENTARY

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73
Q

Poignant

A

Moving, touching, heartrending

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74
Q

Impetus

A

A stimulus or encouragement that results in increased activity

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75
Q

Bucolic, Rustic, Pastoral

A

Characteristic of charming, unspoiled countryside and the simple, rural life (x3)

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76
Q

Equanimity

A

Calmness, composure, even-temperedness, poise

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77
Q

Panache, Verve, Flamboyance, ミlan

A

Great vigor and energy; dash, especially in artistic performance and composition (x4)

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78
Q

Provocative

A

Provoking discussion; stimulating controversy; arousing a reaction

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79
Q

Placid, Serene

A

Calm or quiet, undisturbed by tumult or disorder (x2)

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80
Q

Fortuitous

A

Of accidental but fortunate occurrence; having unexpected good fortune

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81
Q

Dispel

A

To drive away; scatter, as to a misconception

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82
Q

Amalgam

A

A mixture; a blend; a combination of different elements

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83
Q

Viable, Feasible

A

Capable of being accomplished, possible (x2)

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84
Q

Anguish

A

Agonizing physical or mental pain; torment

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85
Q

Intemperate

A

Lacking restraint; excessive

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86
Q

Temperate

A

Exercising moderation and restraint

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87
Q

Superficial

A

Shallow; lacking in depth; concerned with surface appearances

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88
Q

Laud, Extol, Tout, Acclaim

A

To praise; to applaud (x4)

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89
Q

Dismissive

A

Showing overt intentional INDIFFERENCE or disregard; rejecting

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90
Q

Remiss

A

Negligent, lax, careless

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91
Q

Remit

A

To send back, pay money, diminish in intensity

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92
Q

Missive

A

A note sent by an emissary

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93
Q

Disparage

A

To speak in a slighting or disrespectful way; to belittle

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94
Q

Pompous

A

Filled with excessive self-importance, PRETENTIOUS; OSTENTATIOUS; boastful

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95
Q

Cryptic

A

Having a hidden or AMBIGUOUS meaning; mysterious

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96
Q

Disparity

A

An inequality; a gap; an imbalance

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97
Q

Curtail

A

To cut short or reduce

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98
Q

Innocuous

A

Harmless; unlikely to give offense or to arouse strong feelings or hostility; not INIMICAL

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99
Q

Diatribe, Tirade, Harangue

A

A bitter, abusive denunciation; a thunderous verbal attack; to RANT (x3)

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100
Q

Charlatan

A

A fake; fraud; imposter; cheat

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101
Q

Skeptic

A

A person who doubts; asks questions; and lacks faith

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102
Q

Rhetorician

A

An eloquent writer or speaker; a master of rhetoric (the art of speaking and writing)

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103
Q

Hedonist

A

A person who believes that pleasure is the chief goal of life

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104
Q

Ascetic

A

A person who gives up material comforts and leads a life of self-denial, especially as an act of religious devotion

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105
Q

Raconteur

A

A person who excels in telling Anecdotes

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106
Q

Iconoclast

A

A person who attacks and ridicules cherished figures, ideas, and institutions

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107
Q

Partisan

A

A supporter of a person, party or cause; a person with strong and perhaps biased beliefs

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108
Q

Polymath

A

A person whose expertise spans a significant number of subject areas

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109
Q

Dilettante

A

An amateur or dabbler; a person with SUPERFICIAL interest in an art of a branch of knowledge; a trifler

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110
Q

Mentor

A

An advisor, a teacher, a guide

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111
Q

Acolyte

A

Devoted follower

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112
Q

Demagogue

A

A leader who appeals to the fears, emotions and prejudices of the populace

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113
Q

Automaton

A

A self-operating machine; a mindless follower; a person who acts in a mechanical fashion

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114
Q

Recluse

A

A person who lives a secluded or solitary life

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115
Q

Bungler

A

A person who is clumsy or inept; a person who makes mistakes because of incompetence

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116
Q

Clairvoyant

A

Having the supposed power to see objects and events that cannot be perceived with the five traditional senses; as a noun, a SEER

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117
Q

Prognosticator

A

A person who makes predictions based upon current information and data

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118
Q

Pundit

A

An expert commentator; an authority who expresses his or her opinon; usually on political issues

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119
Q

Zealot

A

A very enthusiastic person; a champion; a true believer, perhaps to an excessive degree; a fanatic

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120
Q

Neophyte, Novice, Greenhorn

A

A beginner; someone new to a field or activity (x3)

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121
Q

Dissembler, Prevaricator

A

A liar and deceiver (x2)

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122
Q

Proponent

A

One who argues in support of something; an ADVOCATE; a champion of a cause

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123
Q

Oracle

A

A person considered to be ORACULAR, a source of wise counsel or prophetic opinions

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124
Q

Misanthrope

A

A person who hates or distrusts humankind

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125
Q

Innovator

A

A person who introduces something new

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126
Q

Sycophant

A

A person who seeks favor by flattering people of influence; a TOADY; someone who behaves in an OBSEQUIOUS or SERVILE manner

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127
Q

Stoic, Stolid

A

Seemingly INDIFFERENT to or unaffected by joy, grief, pleasure or pain; impassive and emotionless (x2)

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128
Q

Reprobate

A

A morally unprincipled person

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129
Q

Renegade

A

A disloyal person who betrays his or her cause; a traitor; a deserter

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130
Q

Draconian

A

Characterized by very strict laws, rules and punishments

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131
Q

Laconic

A

Very brief; concise; SUCCINCT; TERSE

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132
Q

Spartan

A

Plain; simple; AUSTERE

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133
Q

Halcyon

A

Idyllicaly calm and peaceful; an untroubled golden time of satisfaction, happiness, and tranquility

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134
Q

Sophistry

A

A plausible but deliberately misleading or FALLACIOUS argument designed to deceive someone

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135
Q

Chimerical

A

Given to fantastic schemes; existing only in the imagination; impossible; vainly conceived

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136
Q

Ostracize

A

To deliberately exclude from a group; to BANISH

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137
Q

Impecunious

A

Poor; penniless; NOT AFFLUENT

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138
Q

Nefarious

A

Famous for being wicked; VILLAINOUS; vile

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139
Q

Jovial

A

Good-humored; cheerful; JOCULAR

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140
Q

Dirge

A

A funeral hymn; a slow, mournful, LUGUBRIOUS musical composition

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141
Q

Maudlin

A

Tearful; excessively sentimental, but not MAWKISH

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142
Q

Quixotic

A

Foolishly impractical in the pursuit of ideals; impractical idealism

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143
Q

Pandemonium

A

A wild uproar; tumult

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144
Q

Martinet

A

A strict disciplinarian; a person who demands absolute adherence to forms and rules.

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145
Q

Fiasco

A

A complete failure; a DEBACLE

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146
Q

Bowdlerize

A

To remove or delete parts of a book, song, or other work that are considered offensive; to EXPURGIATE

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147
Q

Galvanize

A

To electrify; to stir into action as if with an electric shock

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148
Q

Picayune

A

Small value or importance; petty; trifling

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149
Q

Gerrymander

A

To divide a geographic area into voting districts so as to give unfair advantage to one party in elections

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150
Q

Maverick

A

An independent individual who does not go along with a group or party; a nonconformist

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151
Q

Juggernaut

A

An irresistible force that crushes everything in its path

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152
Q

Serendipity

A

Discovery by fortunate accident

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153
Q

Zenith

A

The highest point; the peak; the APEX

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154
Q

Nadir

A

The lowest point; the bottom

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155
Q

Expunge, Excise, Expurgate

A

To take OUT; to delete; to remove (x3)

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156
Q

Eccentric

A

Literally OUT of the center; departing from a recognized, conventional, or established norm; an odd, UNCONVENTIONAL person

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157
Q

Extricate

A

To get OUT of a difficult situation or entanglement

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158
Q

Exemplary

A

Standing OUT from the norm; outstanding; worthy of imitation

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159
Q

Enumerate

A

To count OUT; to list; to tick off the reasons for

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160
Q

Elusive

A

OUT of reach and therefore difficult to catch, define, or describe

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161
Q

Exorbitant

A

Literally OUT of orbit and therefore unreasonably expensive

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162
Q

Redundant

A

Needlessly repetitive; saying things AGAIN and AGAIN

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163
Q

Repudiate, Recant, Renounce

A

To take BACK; to reject; to DISAVOW (x3)

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164
Q

Relinquish

A

To surrender or give BACK a possession, right, or privilege

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165
Q

Resilient

A

Bouncing BACK from ADVERSITY or misfortune; recovering quickly

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166
Q

Reaffirm

A

To assert AGAIN; to confirm; to state positively

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167
Q

Reticent

A

Holding BACK one’s thoughts, feelings and personal affairs; restrained or reserved

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168
Q

Rebuff

A

To repel or drive BACK; to bluntly reject

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169
Q

Renovate

A

To make new AGAIN; to restore by repairing and remodeling

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170
Q

Rejuvenate

A

To make young AGAIN; to restore youthful vigor and appearance

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171
Q

Resurgent

A

Rising AGAIN; sweeping or surging BACK

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172
Q

Repugnant

A

Abhorrent; offensive to the mind or senses; causing distaste or AVERSION

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173
Q

Deleterious

A

Going DOWN in the sense of having a harmful effect; injurious

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174
Q

Decry

A

To put DOWN in the sense of openly condemning; to express strong disapproval

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175
Q

Despondent, Morose

A

DOWNCAST; very dejected; FORLORN (x2)

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176
Q

Denounce

A

To put DOWN in the sense of a making a formal accusation; to speak against

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177
Q

Demise

A

Sent DOWN in the sense of ending in death; the cessation of existence or activity

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178
Q

Debunk

A

To put DOWN by exposing false and exaggerated claims

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179
Q

Deride (–> Derisive)

A

To put DOWN with contemptuous jeering; to ridicule or laugh at

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180
Q

Devoid

A

DOWN in the sense of being empty; completely lacking in substance or quality; BEREFT; vacant

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181
Q

Impeccable

A

Having NO flaws; perfect

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182
Q

Implacable

A

Not capable of being PLACATED or appeased

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183
Q

Inexorable

A

NOT capable of being stopped; relentless; inevitable

184
Q

Incoherent

A

NOT coherent and therefore lacking organization; lacking logical or meaningful connections

185
Q

Insurmountable

A

NOT capable of being surmounted or overcome

186
Q

Irreverent

A

Lacking proper respect or seriousness; disrespectful

187
Q

Irresolute

A

NOT RESOLUTE; uncertain how to act or proceed; INDECISIVE; VACILLATING

188
Q

Circumspect

A

Looking carefully AROUND–thus cautious and careful; PRUDENT; discreet

189
Q

Circuitous

A

CIRCULAR and therefore indirect in language, behavior, or action, roundabout

190
Q

Circumvent

A

To circle AROUND and therefore bypass; to avoid by artful maneuvering

191
Q

Circumscribe

A

To draw a line AROUND and therefore to narrowly limit or restrict actions

192
Q

Magnanimous

A

FILLED WITH generosity and forgiveness; forgoing resentment and revenge

193
Q

Erroneous

A

FILLED WITH errors; wrong

194
Q

Momentous

A

FILLED WITH importance; very significant

195
Q

Mellifluous

A

Smooth and sweet; flowing like honey

196
Q

Ominous

A

FILLED WITH menace; threatening

197
Q

Acrimonious

A

FILLED WITH bitterness; sharpness in words; RANCOROUS

198
Q

Copious

A

FILLED WITH abundance; plentiful

199
Q

Abstemious

A

FILLED WITH moderation; TEMPERATE in eating and drinking

200
Q

Malodorous

A

FILLED WITH an unpleasant odor; foul-smelling

201
Q

Tedious

A

FILLED WITH boredom; very tiresome; dull and fatiguing

202
Q

Heinous, Egregious

A

Flagrantly, conspicuously bad; abominable; shockingly evil; monstrous; outrageous (x2)

203
Q

Gratuitous

A

Unwarranted; not called for by the circumstances; unnecessary

204
Q

Precarious, Perilous

A

Uncertain; characterized by a lack of security or stability (x2)

205
Q

Impugn

A

To fight against, attack, challenge the motives of

206
Q

Pugilist

A

A boxer, one who fights with his fists

207
Q

Wistful

A

Longing and yearning, tinged with MELANCHOLY (long-lasting sadness) and PENSIVENESS

208
Q

Earnest

A

Serious in intention or purpose; showing depth and SINCERITY of feelings

209
Q

Disgruntled, Discontented

A

Angry; dissatisfied; annoyed; impatient; irritated (x2)

210
Q

Authoritative

A

Commanding and self-confident; likely to be respected and obeyed, based on competent authority

211
Q

Frivolous

A

Lacking any serious purpose or value; given to trifling or levity

212
Q

Acerbic, Acid

A

Harsh; bitter; sharp; CAUSTIC (x2)

213
Q

Solemn, Grave, Somber

A

Not cheerful or smiling; serious; gloomy (x3)

214
Q

Inquisitive

A

Curious; inquiring

215
Q

Reflective, Pensive

A

Engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought, usually marked by sadness or MELANCHOLY (x2)

216
Q

Equivocal

A

AMBIGUOUS; open to interpretation; having an uncertain significance or meaning

217
Q

Equivocate

A

To avoid making an explicit statement; to hedge; to use vague or AMBIGUOUS language

218
Q

Deferential

A

Respectful; dutiful

219
Q

Ebullient, Elated, Ecstatic, Euphoric, Exuberant

A

Feeling or expressing great happiness or triumph (x5)

220
Q

Benevolent

A

Well-meaning; kindly

221
Q

Malevolent

A

Wishing evil to others, showing ill will

222
Q

Whimsical

A

Playful; fanciful; CAPRICIOUS; given to whimsies or odd notions

223
Q

Vindictive

A

Having a strong desire for revenge

224
Q

Prosaic, Mundane

A

Dull; uninteresting; ordinary; commonplace; tedious; PEDESTRIAN; VAPID; BANAL; HACKNEYED; unexpceptional (x2)

225
Q

Vitriolic

A

Bitter; CAUSTIC; ACERBIC; filled with malice

226
Q

Conciliatory

A

Appeasing; intending to PLACATE

227
Q

Despairing

A

Showing the loss of all hope

228
Q

Inflammatory

A

Arousing; intended to inflame a situation or ignite angry or violent feelings

229
Q

Abject

A

Humble, Servile, Wretched

230
Q

Antediluvian

A

Before the Biblical flood, a hyperbolic word describing something extremely old

231
Q

Anteroom

A

A waiting room outside a larger room

232
Q

Idiosyncrasy

A

A trait or mannerism that is peculiar to an individual

233
Q

Censorious, Captious

A

Highly critical; fault-finding (x2)

234
Q

Consternation

A

A state of great dismay and confusion

235
Q

Didactic

A

Tending to give instruction or advice; inclined to teach or lecture others too much; containing a political or moral lesson

236
Q

Elucidate

A

To make clear or plan, especially by explanation

237
Q

Effusive

A

Expressing excessive emotion in an unrestrained manner; gushing

238
Q

Prolific

A

Very productive

239
Q

Furor

A

A general commotion; an uproar

240
Q

Paranoia

A

A tendency toward excessive or irrational suspiciousness; irrational fear; delusions of persecution

241
Q

Marginal, Peripheral

A

Of secondary importance; NOT central; on the perimeter (x2)

242
Q

Obfuscate

A

To deliberately confuse; to make something so confusing that it is hard to understand

243
Q

Flummoxed

A

Confused or perplexed; utterly dumbfounded

244
Q

Spate

A

A large number or amount

245
Q

Ineffable

A

Too overwhelming to be put into words; indescribable; inexpressible

246
Q

Histrionic, Overwrought

A

Excessively dramatic or MELODRAMATIC; theatrical; overacted (x2)

247
Q

Placate

A

To soothe or calm; to appease

248
Q

Eschew

A

To avoid; to shun; to stay clear of

249
Q

Stopgap

A

A temporary solution designed to meet an urgent need

250
Q

Flotsam

A

The floating wreckage of a ship; debris

251
Q

Jetsam

A

Part of a ship, its cargo or equipment that is purposefully thrown overboard or JETTISONED to lighten the load in an emergency and that sinks or is washed up on shore.

252
Q

Churlish, Sullen, Surly

A

Ill-tempered; rude; lacking civility (x3)

253
Q

Restitution

A

The act of making good or compensating for a loss, damage or injury

254
Q

Disquieting

A

Disturbing; upsetting; vexing; causing unease; worrisome

255
Q

Ornate

A

Characterized by elaborate and expensive decorations; LAVISH

256
Q

Execrable, Odious, Repugnant

A

Detestable; repulsive; extremely bad (x3)

257
Q

Perspicacious, Prescient, Discerning

A

Insightful, perceptive (x3)

258
Q

Eclectic

A

Choosing or using a variety of sources

259
Q

Hiatus

A

An interruption in time or continuity; a break

260
Q

Vertiginous

A

Characterized by or suffering from dizziness; having VERTIGO

261
Q

Esoteric, Arcane

A

Characterized by knowledge that is known only to a small group of specialists; obscure; RECONDITE; ABSTRUSE (x2)

262
Q

Supercilious

A

Showing haughty DISDAIN or arrogant superiority

263
Q

Blithe

A

Joyous; sprightly; mirthful; light; vivacious

264
Q

Underwrite

A

To assume financial responsibility for

265
Q

Discomfited

A

Uneasy; in a state of embarassment

266
Q

Taciturn

A

Habitually quiet; uncommunicative

267
Q

Sinecure

A

An office or position that provides an income for little or no work

268
Q

Cosmopolitan

A

Worldly; sophisticated; open-minded and aware of the big picture

269
Q

Provincial, Parochial, Insular

A

Limited in perspective; narrow; restricted in scope and outlook (x3)

270
Q

Lugubrious

A

Sad, mournful, MELANCHOLIC

271
Q

Fecund

A

Intellectually productive or inventive; fertile

272
Q

Ostentatious

A

Showy, intended to attract notice, PRETENTIOUS

273
Q

Guile

A

Treacherous cunning; skillful deceit; DUPLICITY

274
Q

Sanguine

A

Cheerfully confident; optimistic

275
Q

Scintillating

A

Sparkling; shining; brilliantly clever

276
Q

Pristine

A

Remaining in a pure state; uncorrupted by civilization

277
Q

Rampant

A

Unrestrained, unchecked

278
Q

Pernicious

A

Highly INJURIOUS; destructive; deadly

279
Q

Oblivious

A

Lacking conscious awareness; unmindful; unaware

280
Q

Refractory

A

RECALCITRANT; OBSTINATELY resistant to authority; hard to manage

281
Q

Garrulous, Verbose, Loquacious, Voluble

A

Annoyingly talkative; speaking INCESSANTLY; babbling (x4)

282
Q

Convivial

A

Sociable; fond of feasting, drinking and good company

283
Q

Brusque, Curt

A

Abrupt in manner or speech; discourteously blunt (x2)

284
Q

Tepid

A

Lukewarm; mild; half-hearted

285
Q

Protean

A

Readily taking on varied forms and meanings

286
Q

Solicitous

A

Showing great care and concern; attentive

287
Q

Ingenuous

A

Free from deviousness, innocent, NA?VE; GUILELESS; sincere

288
Q

Disingenuous

A

INSINCERE; NOT CANDID; NOT straightforward; calculating; OBLIQUE

289
Q

Venerate, Revere

A

To regard with great respect; to hold in high esteem (x2)

290
Q

Contentious

A

Quarrelsome; argumentative; likely to provoke a controversy; DISPUTATIOUS

291
Q

Preclude

A

To make impossible; to rule out; to prevent

292
Q

Compunction, Contrition, Remorse, Penitence

A

Feelings of sincere and deep regret (x4)

293
Q

Demography

A

The study of the characteristics of human populations

294
Q

Aphorism, Axiom

A

A statement that is universally accepted as true; a MAXIM (x2)

295
Q

Juxtapose

A

To place side by side or in close PROXIMITY (nearness)

296
Q

Juxtaposition

A

The position of being close together or side by side

297
Q

Bombastic

A

POMPOUS of PRETENTIOUS in speech or writing; OSTENTATIOUSLY lofty in style

298
Q

Forbearance

A

Abstaining from the enforcement of a right; the act of refraining from acting on a desire or impulse

299
Q

Unfettered

A

Free of restraint of any kind; liberated

300
Q

Prescribe

A

To require; to order; to direct

301
Q

Proscribe

A

To forbid; to prohibit; to outlaw

302
Q

Puerile, Callow, Sophomoric

A

Childishly foolish; inexperienced; immature (x3)

303
Q

Pellucid

A

Clear, transparent, DIAPHANOUS, LIMPID

304
Q

Pugilist

A

A boxer, one who fights with his fists

305
Q

Impugn

A

To fight against, attack, challenge the motives of

306
Q

Lambaste

A

Denounce; strongly criticize

307
Q

Quiescent

A

Marked by inactivity; in a state of quiet repose

308
Q

Provisional

A

Tentative; temporary; for the time being

309
Q

Lurid

A

Sensational; shocking; ghastly

310
Q

Truculent, Pugnacious, Belligerent

A

Defiantly aggressive; eager to fight (x3)

311
Q

Propitiate

A

To appease; to conciliate; to regain the favor of or goodwill of

312
Q

ミlan

A

A vigorous spirit; great enthusiasm

313
Q

Perfunctory

A

In a spiritless, mechanical and routine manner

314
Q

Aplomb

A

Self-assurance; confident composure; admirable poise under pressure

315
Q

Opaque

A

Hard to understand; impenetrably dense and obscure

316
Q

Craven

A

Cowardly; CONTEMPTIBLY faint-hearted; BASE

317
Q

Venal

A

Corrupt; dishonest; open to bribery

318
Q

Licentious

A

Immoral; DISSOLUTE; DEBAUCHED

319
Q

Noxious

A

Harmful; injurious to physical, mental or moral health; PERNICIOUS

320
Q

Superfluous, Extraneous

A

Unnecessary; extra (x2)

321
Q

Duplicitous

A

Deliberately deceptive in behavior or speech

322
Q

Profligate

A

Wasteful; SQUANDERING in time and money by living for the moment

323
Q

Epiphany

A

A sudden realization; an insightful moment

324
Q

Insidious

A

Causing harm in a SUBTLE or stealthy manner; INJURIOUS

325
Q

Vacuous, Inane

A

Empty; lacking in serious purpose; VAPID (x2)

326
Q

Harbinger, Portent, Presage

A

Something that FORESHADOWS a future event; an omen; a PROGNOSTIC (x3)

327
Q

Beleaguer

A

To beset; to surround with problems

328
Q

Burgeon

A

To grow rapidly; to expand

329
Q

Imperious

A

Domineering and arrogant; haughty

330
Q

Petulant, Querulous

A

Peevish; irritable; whining or complaining in a childlike way (x2)

331
Q

Complaisant

A

Agreeable; marked by a pleasing personality; AFFABLE; AMIABLE

332
Q

Fawning, Obsequious

A

Behaving in a SERVILE or SUBSERVIENT manner; SYCOPHANTIC; overly obedient; submissive (x2)

333
Q

Obdurate, Intransigent

A

Very stubborn; OBSTINATE; unyieldingly persistent; inflexible; INTRACTABLE (x2)

334
Q

Redolent, Reminiscent

A

Having a strong specific smell; bringing to mind; suggestive of (x2)

335
Q

Chicanery

A

Deception by SUBTERFUGE; deliberate trickery and ARTIFICE

336
Q

Conundrum

A

A difficult problem; a dilemma with no easy solution

337
Q

Slight

A

To treat in a disparaging manner; to deliberately ignore; to disrespect

338
Q

Capitulate

A

To surrender; to comply without protest

339
Q

Disheartening

A

Very discouraging; dismaying; dispiriting

340
Q

Apocryphal

A

Of doubtful authenticity; false; SPURIOUS

341
Q

Magisterial

A

Learned and authoritative

342
Q

Plastic, Malleable, Pliable

A

Flexible; easily shaped, especially by outside influences or forces (x3)

343
Q

Chagrin

A

The feeling of distress caused by humiliation, failure, or embarrassment

344
Q

Obstreperous

A

Noisily and stubbornly defiant; unruly; boisterous

345
Q

Idyllic

A

Charmingly simple and carefree

346
Q

Dilapidated

A

In a state of disrepair; broken-down; in deplorable condition

347
Q

Extemporize, Improvise

A

To lecture or speak without notes in an IMPROMPTU way (x2)

348
Q

Myriad

A

Many; numerous

349
Q

Ungainly

A

Awkward; clumsy; NOT graceful

350
Q

Dilatory

A

Habitually late; tardy

351
Q

Vituperative

A

Characterized by verbal abuse and bitter criticism

352
Q

Discordant

A

Not in harmony; incompatible; at variance with; as in a detail that doesn’t fit a pattern

353
Q

Perfidy

A

Deliberate breach of faith or trust; disloyalty

354
Q

Perfidious

A

Treacherous; traitorous; deceitful; faithless

355
Q

Proliferate

A

To increase rapidly

356
Q

Indomitable, Resolute

A

Very determined; unwavering (x2)

357
Q

Moribund

A

Approaching death; about to become OBSOLETE

358
Q

Nuance

A

A SUBTLE shade of meaning or feeling a degree of difference

359
Q

Flippant, Facetious

A

Treating serious matters with lighthearted humor or lack of respect (x2)

360
Q

Credulous

A

Easily convinced; tending to believe too readily; GULLIBLE

361
Q

Incredulous

A

Disbelieving, SKEPTICAL

362
Q

Florid

A

Flowery in style; very ORNATE

363
Q

Excoriating, Scathing

A

Expressing strong disapproval; condemning; loudly DECRYING (x2)

364
Q

Interloper

A

An intruder; a gatecrasher

365
Q

Cerebral

A

Intellectual rather than emotional

366
Q

Visceral

A

Instinctive rather than rational

367
Q

Nonplussed, Confounded

A

Utterly PERPLEXED; completely puzzled; totally bewildered (x2)

368
Q

Ignonimous

A

Humiliating; shameful; disgraceful

369
Q

Euphony

A

Soothing or pleasant sounds; harmony

370
Q

Cacophany

A

Harsh, clashing, jarring, grating sounds; disharmony

371
Q

Vacillate

A

To WAVER; to hesitate; to swing back and forth; to be indecisive

372
Q

Timorous

A

Showing nervousness or fear

373
Q

Narcissist

A

A person with a psychological condition characterized by self-preoccupation, lack of EMPATHY, vanity, and a feeling of self-entitlement

374
Q

Insolent, Impudent

A

Boldly insulting; brash; rude (x2)

375
Q

Arrest

A

To bring to a stop; to halt

376
Q

Gravity

A

Seriousness; dignity; solemnity; weight

377
Q

Precipitate

A

To cause, to bring about prematurely, hastily or suddenly; IMPULSIVE

378
Q

Relief

A

Elevation of a land surface

379
Q

Check

A

To restrain; halt; hold back; contain

380
Q

Flag

A

To become weak, feeble or spiritless; to lose interest

381
Q

Discriminating

A

Characterized by the ability to make fine distinctions; having refined taste

382
Q

Eclipse

A

To overshadow; to outshine; to surpass

383
Q

Coin

A

To devise a new word or phrase

384
Q

Stock

A

A stereotypical and formulaic character in a novel or film

385
Q

Currency

A

General acceptance or use; prevalence

386
Q

Bent

A

A strong tendency; a leaning; an inclination; a PROPENSITY

387
Q

Court

A

To attempt to gain the favor or support of a person or group; to woo

388
Q

Negotiate

A

To successfully travel through, around, or over an obstacle or terrain

389
Q

Temper

A

To soften; to moderate; to MITIGATE

390
Q

Pedestrian

A

Undistinguished; ordinary; CONVENTIONAL

391
Q

Cavalier

A

Having an arrogant attitude or a HAUGHTY disregard for others.

392
Q

Sanction

A

An official approval or disapproval for an action.

393
Q

Compromise

A

To reduce the quality or value of something; to jeopardize or place at risk

394
Q

Channel

A

To direct or guide along a desired course

395
Q

Qualify

A

To modify; to limit by adding exceptions or restricting conditions

396
Q

Personification

A

A perfect example; embodiment; EPITOME; PARAGON; QUINTESSENCE

397
Q

Catalyst

A

Any agent that provokes or triggers change.

398
Q

Caustic

A

Causing damage; hurting or burning

399
Q

Crystallize

A

To give definite form to an idea or plan

400
Q

Osmosis

A

The gradual, often unconscious process of ASSIMILATION

401
Q

Sedentary

A

Settled and therefore accustomed to sitting or doing little exercise

402
Q

Virulent

A

The quality of being bitterly hostile, hateful and antagonistic (esp. language)

403
Q

Empirical

A

Guided by practical experience, not theory.

404
Q

Entomology

A

The scientific study of insects

405
Q

Gestate

A

To conceive and develop in the mind

406
Q

Cathartic

A

Purgative, either physically or emotionally, cleansing

407
Q

Paradigm

A

A framework or model of thought.

408
Q

Avarice, Cupidity

A

Excessive desire for material wealth; greed; COVETOUSNESS (x2)

409
Q

Glut, Plethora, Surfeit

A

A surplus or excess of something (x3)

410
Q

Destitute, Impoverished, Indigent

A

Very poor, lacking basic resources (x3)

411
Q

Affluent, Opulent

A

Very rich, having abundant resources (x2)

412
Q

Munificent

A

Very generous

413
Q

Parsimonious

A

Excessively cheap with money; stingy

414
Q

Remunerate

A

To compensate; to make payment for; to pay a person

415
Q

Accord

A

A formal concurrence, agreement or harmony of minds

416
Q

Enlighten, Edify

A

To inform, instruct, illuminate, remove darkness and ignorance (x2)

417
Q

Appeasement

A

The policy of granting concessions to maintain peace

418
Q

Nullify

A

To make null; to declare invalid

419
Q

Pretext

A

An excuse; an alleged cause

420
Q

Watershed

A

Critical point that marks a change of course; a turning point

421
Q

Autocrat, Despot

A

A ruler or other person with unlimited power and authority (x2)

422
Q

Manifesto

A

A public declaration of beliefs, policies or intentions

423
Q

Enfranchise

A

To endow with the rights of citizenship, esp. the right to vote

424
Q

Disenfranchise

A

To deprive of some privilege or right, esp. the right to vote

425
Q

Coerce

A

To force to act or think in a certain way by use of pressure, threats, or torture; to compel

426
Q

Egalitarian

A

Favoring social equality; believing in a society in which all people have equal political, economic and civil rights

427
Q

Inquisition

A

A severe interrogation; a systematic questioning

428
Q

Ameliorate

A

To make a situation better

429
Q

Exacerbate

A

To make a situation worse

430
Q

Desiccated

A

Thoroughly dried out; lifeless; totally arid

431
Q

Contiguous

A

Sharing an edge or boundary; touching

432
Q

Pertinent

A

Relevant; to the point; clearly illustrative of a major point

433
Q

Complicity

A

Association or participation in a wrongful act

434
Q

Exonerate, Exculpate

A

To free from guilt or blame (x2)

435
Q

Indisputable

A

Not open to question; undeniable; irrefutable

436
Q

Precedent

A

An act or instance that is used as an example in dealing with subsequent similar instances

437
Q

Unprecedented

A

Without previous example, never known before

438
Q

Malfeasance

A

Misconduct or wrongdoing, esp. by a public official; intentionally performing an act that is illegal

439
Q

Probity

A

Integrity and uprightness; honesty; high moral standards.

440
Q

Figurative/Metaphorical Language

A

A general term referring to language that describes a thing in terms of something else – the resemblance is FIGURATIVE, not LITERAL

441
Q

Simile

A

An EXPLICIT(clearly stated) figure of speech that is a comparison between two essentially unlike things, usually using the two words “like” or “as”, which points out a FIGURATIVE way that two things are alike.

442
Q

Metaphor

A

In its more narrow sense, a figure of speech in which one thing is described in terms of another using an IMPLICIT (implied) comparison, without the use of “like” or “as”

443
Q

Personification

A

A figure of speech in which an inanimate object is given human qualities or abilities

444
Q

Parallelism/Parallel Structure

A

A rhetorical device or SYNTACTICAL (relating to sentence structure) construction which involves using matching grammatical patterns to establish the equivalent relationship or importance of two or more items.

445
Q

Literary Irony

A

A figure of speech in which what we say or write conveys the opposite of its literal meaning

446
Q

Situational Irony

A

Incongruity between the actual result of a sequence of events and the normal or expected result

447
Q

Synopsis

A

A brief summary of the major points of a thesis, theory, story or literary work, a PRミCIS

448
Q

Satire, Lampoon, Parody

A

A work that ridicules human vices, follies, and FOIBLES; comic criticism. Note that LAMPOON and PARODY are often used as verbs meaning to ridicule

449
Q

Hyperbole

A

A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect; extreme exaggeration

450
Q

Caricature

A

Visual art or descriptive writing that deliberately exaggerates distinctive features or peculiarities of a subject for comic or absurd effect.

451
Q

Epic

A

A long narrative poem written in a grand style to celebrate the feats of a legendary hero.

452
Q

Foreshadowing

A

A suggestion or indication that something will happen in a story; a hint that PRESAGES

453
Q

Anecdote

A

A short account of an interesting or humorous incident

454
Q

Eulogy

A

A LAUDATORY speech or written tribute, especially one praising someone who has died.

455
Q

Allusion

A

An indirect or brief reference to a person, event, place, phrase, piece of art, or literary work that assumes a common knowledge with the reader or listener.