testmasters vocab 1-50 Flashcards
abashed
embarrassed; disconcerted
abated
decreased; stopped
abstemious
not self-indulgent, especially when eating and drinking; restrained
acclaim
to praise enthusiastically and often publicly; applaud
acerbic
(especially of a comment or style of speaking) sharp and forthright; caustic; bitter; sardonic
acolyte
a novice; a neophyte; someone who follows and admires a leader; a follower
acrimonious
(typically of speech or a debate) angry and bitter
acumen
the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain; e.g. “business acumen”, “If you have acumen, you are very sharp at what you do. You hope your accountant and your surgeon are both known for their acumen.”
adamant
impervious to pleas, appeals, or reason; stubbornly unyielding
adept
skilled; proficient; accomplished
adhere/adherence
to carry out a plan, a scheme, or an operation without deviation
adroit
dexterous; deft; skillful and deft under pressing conditions
advocate
to speak, plead, or argue in favor of
aeon
an indefinitely long period of time; an age
affability
sociability; friendliness; a readiness to chat
affectation/affected
behavior that is assumed rather than natural; artificiality
agent
an entity that exerts some force or effect or is responsible for events or results
agrarian/agrarianism
of or relating to farms and farming; a person who advocates a redistribution of landed property, especially as part of a social movement; a social or political movement designed to bring about land reforms or to improve the economic status of the farmer
aloof
distant physically or emotionally; reserved and remote
altruistic/altruism
unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness
amalgam
a combination of diverse elements; a mixture
amalgamate
to combine into a unified or integrated whole; unite
ambiguous
open to more than one interpretation
ambivalent
having opposing attitudes or feelings, such as love and hate, toward a person, an object, or an idea
ameliorate
to make or become better; improve
analogy
a comparison of two things that shows that they are alike in some way
anecdote
a short account of an interesting or humorous incident
anguished
extreme anxiety or emotional torment
animus
a feeling of animosity; ill will; bitterness
anomalies/anomalous
a deviation or departure from the normal or common order, form, or rule; an exception
antagonized
provoked hostility; to cause to act angrily
antecendent
one that precedes another
antediluvian
extremely old and antiquated
anxious
experiencing worry, unease, and nervousness
apathy
indifference
aplomb
self-confidence or assurance, especially when in a demanding situation
apoplectic
extremely angry; furious
apropos
at an appropriate time; opportunely
apt
fitting; having a tendency to do something
archaic
of, relating to, or characteristic of a much earlier, often more primitive period
arduous
demanding great effort or labor; difficult
arrest
to stop or curtail
articulate
to express oneself easily in clear and effective language
assiduous/assiduity
hardworking
assuage
to satisfy or appease; to pacify or calm
astute
having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one’s advantage; e.g. “an astute businessman”, “Someone good at solving difficult puzzles is an example of astute.”, “You have always been an astute observer of human behavior, which is why I trust you when you have a good feeling about someone.”
atypical
not conforming to a type, group, or class; unusual or irregular
auspicious
favorable; giving or being a sign of future success
authenticity
the quality or condition of being authentic, trustworthy, or genuine
autodidact
a self-taught person
