The Toughest Words I Flashcards
Lambaste
(v.) to denounce; strongly criticize
Quiescent
(adj.) marked by inactivity; a state of quiet repose
Provisional
(adj.) temporary; for the time being
Lurid
(adj.) very vivd in color, esp. so as to create an unpleasantly harsh or unnatural effect
Truculent
(adj.) defiantly agressive; eager to fight
Pugnacious
(adj.) defiantly agressive; eager to fight
Belligerent
(adj.) defiantly agressive; eager to fight
Propitiate
(v.) to win or regain the favor of
Élan
(n.) a vigorous spirit; a great enthusiasm
Perfunctory
(adj.) something performed in a spiritless, mechanical, or routine manner
Aplomb
(n.) self-confidence or assurance
Opacity
(n.) the condition of lacking transparency or translucence; opaqueness; obscurity of meaning
Craven
(adj.) characterized by acting in a cowardly manner
Venal
(adj.) corrupt; dishonest, open to bribery
Licentious
(adj.) immoral; dissolute; debauched; unprincipled in sexual matters
Noxious
(adj.) harmful; injurious to physical, mental or moral health
Superfluous
(adj.) unnecessary, extra
Extraneous
(adj.) unnecessary, extra
Duplicitous
(adj.) deliberately deceptive in behavior or speech
Profligate
(adj.) wasteful; someone who squanders (wastes) time and money by living for the moment
Epiphany
(n.) a sudden realization; an insightful moment
Insidious
(adj.) causing harm in a subtle or stealthy manner; devious
Vacuous
(adj.) empty; lacking serious purpose; vapid
Inane
(adj.) empty; lacking serious purpose; vapid
Harbinger
(n.) indications or omens that something important or calamitous is about to occur
Portent
(n.) indications or omens that something important or calamitous is about to occur
Presage
(n.) indications or omens that something important or calamitous is about to occur
Beleaguer
(v.) to beset; to surround with problems
Burgeon
(v.) to grow rapidly and expand
Imperious
(adj.) domineering and arrogant; haughty
Petuland
(adj.) peevish, irritable
Complaisant
(adj.) amiable; agreeable; marked by a pleasing personality; affable
Complacent
(adj.) over-contented and self-satisfied
Fawn
(v.) to behave in a servile manner; subervient
Obdurate
(adj.) very stubborn; obstinate; unyieldingly persistent; inflexible; intractable
Intransigient
(adj.) very stubborn; obstinate; unyieldingly persistent; inflexible; intractable
Redolent
(adj.) exuding fragrance; full of a specified smell
Chicanery
(n.) deception by subterfuge; deliberate trickery
Conundrum
(n.) a difficult problem; a dilemma with no easy solution
Slight
(n.) a disrespect or disparaging remark
Capitulate
(v.) to surrender; comply without protest
Disheartening
(adj.) very discouraging; dismaying; dispiriting
Apocryphal
(adj.) of doubtful authenticity
Magisterial
(adj.) learned and authoritative
Plasticity
(adj.) flexible; easily shaped, especially by outside influences or forces
Malleable
(adj.) flexible; easily shaped, especially by outside influences or forces
Pliable
(adj.) flexible; easily shaped, especially by outside influences or forces
Chagrin
(n. ) distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated
(v. ) to feel distressed or humiliated
Obstreperous
(adj.) noisily and stubbornly defiant; unruly; boisterous
Idyllic
(adj.) charmingly simple and carefree
Dilapidated
(adj.) having fallen into a state of disrepair; broken-down; in deplorable condition
Extemporize
(v.) to lecture or speak without notes
Improvise
(v.) to lecture or speak without notes
Myriad
(adj.) many; numerous
Ungainly
(adj.) awkward; clumsy
Dilatory
(adj.) habitually late; tardy
Vituperative
(adj.) characterized by verbal abuse; bitter criticism
Discordant
(adj.) not in harmony; incompatible; at variance with, as in a discordant detail that doesn’t fit a pattern
Perfidious
(adj.) treacherous; traitorous; deceitful
Proliferation
(n.) a rapid increase in numbers
Indomitable
(adj.) very determined; unwavering
Resolute
(adj.) very determined; unwavering
Moribund
(adj.) approaching death; about to become obsolete
Nuance
(n.) a subtle shade of meaning or feeling; a slight degree of difference
Flippant
(adj.) treating serious matters with lighthearted humor or lack of respect
Facetious
(adj.) treating serious matters with lighthearted humor or lack of respect
Credulous
(adj.) easily convinced; tending to believe too readily; gullible
Florid
(adj.) flowery in style; very ornate
Excoriating
(adj.) expressing strong disapproval; condemning; to loudly decry
Scathing
(adj.) expressing strong disapproval; condemning; to loudly decry
Interloper
(n.) an intruder; a gatecrasher
Cerebral
(adj.) intellectual rather than emotional
Visceral
(adj.) instinctive rather than rational; follow your heart
Nonplussed
(adj.) utterly perplexed; completely puzzled; totally bewildered
Confounded
(adj.) utterly perplexed; completely puzzled; totally bewildered
Ignominous
(adj.) humiliating; shameful; disgraceful