Set 4 Flashcards
Exculpate
[v] show or declare that (someone) is not guilty of wrongdoing
“the article exculpated the mayor”
Temper
[v] serve as a neutralizing or counterbalancing force to (something); to tone down, to moderate, to bring under control
“their idealism is tempered with realism”
Extemporaneous
[adj] spoken or done without preparation
“an extemporaneous speech”
Fawn
[v] to flatter or praise excessively
Glib
[adj] (of words or the person speaking them) fluent and voluble but insincere and shallow
“she was careful not to let the answer sound too glib”
Goad
[v] provoke or annoy (someone) so as to stimulate some action or reaction
“he goaded her on to more daring revelations”
Implicit
[adj] implied though not plainly expressed; with no qualification or question; absolute
“comments seen as implicit criticism of the policies”
Laconic
[adj] (of a person, speech, or style of writing) using very few words
“his laconic reply suggested a lack of interest in the topic”
Laud
[v] praise (a person or their achievements) highly, especially in a public context
“the obituary lauded him as a great statesman and soldier”
Loquacious
[adj] tending to talk a great deal; talkative.
Lucid
[adj] expressed clearly; easy to understand; bright or luminous
“a lucid account”
Mollify
[v] appease the anger or anxiety of (someone)
“nature reserves were set up around the power stations to mollify local conservationists”
Propitiate
[v] win or regain the favor of (a god, spirit, or person) by doing something that pleases them
“the pagans thought it was important to propitiate the gods with sacrifices”
Rescind
[v] revoke, cancel, or repeal (a law, order, or agreement)
“the government eventually rescinded the directive”
Rhetoric
[n] the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques; (in writing or speech) the undue use of exaggeration or display, bombast
