The Toughest Words I Flashcards

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1
Q

Lambaste

A

(v.) to denounce; strongly criticize

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2
Q

Quiescent

A

(adj.) marked by inactivity; a state of quiet repose

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3
Q

Provisional

A

(adj.) temporary; for the time being

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4
Q

Lurid

A

(adj.) very vivd in color, esp. so as to create an unpleasantly harsh or unnatural effect

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5
Q

Truculent

A

(adj.) defiantly agressive; eager to fight

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6
Q

Pugnacious

A

(adj.) defiantly agressive; eager to fight

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7
Q

Belligerent

A

(adj.) defiantly agressive; eager to fight

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8
Q

Propitiate

A

(v.) to win or regain the favor of

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9
Q

Élan

A

(n.) a vigorous spirit; a great enthusiasm

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10
Q

Perfunctory

A

(adj.) something performed in a spiritless, mechanical, or routine manner

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11
Q

Aplomb

A

(n.) self-confidence or assurance

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12
Q

Opacity

A

(n.) the condition of lacking transparency or translucence; opaqueness; obscurity of meaning

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13
Q

Craven

A

(adj.) characterized by acting in a cowardly manner

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14
Q

Venal

A

(adj.) corrupt; dishonest, open to bribery

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15
Q

Licentious

A

(adj.) immoral; dissolute; debauched; unprincipled in sexual matters

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16
Q

Noxious

A

(adj.) harmful; injurious to physical, mental or moral health

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17
Q

Superfluous

A

(adj.) unnecessary, extra

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18
Q

Extraneous

A

(adj.) unnecessary, extra

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19
Q

Duplicitous

A

(adj.) deliberately deceptive in behavior or speech

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20
Q

Profligate

A

(adj.) wasteful; someone who squanders (wastes) time and money by living for the moment

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21
Q

Epiphany

A

(n.) a sudden realization; an insightful moment

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22
Q

Insidious

A

(adj.) causing harm in a subtle or stealthy manner; devious

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23
Q

Vacuous

A

(adj.) empty; lacking serious purpose; vapid

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24
Q

Inane

A

(adj.) empty; lacking serious purpose; vapid

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25
Q

Harbinger

A

(n.) indications or omens that something important or calamitous is about to occur

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26
Q

Portent

A

(n.) indications or omens that something important or calamitous is about to occur

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27
Q

Presage

A

(n.) indications or omens that something important or calamitous is about to occur

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28
Q

Beleaguer

A

(v.) to beset; to surround with problems

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29
Q

Burgeon

A

(v.) to grow rapidly and expand

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30
Q

Imperious

A

(adj.) domineering and arrogant; haughty

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31
Q

Petuland

A

(adj.) peevish, irritable

32
Q

Complaisant

A

(adj.) amiable; agreeable; marked by a pleasing personality; affable

33
Q

Complacent

A

(adj.) over-contented and self-satisfied

34
Q

Fawn

A

(v.) to behave in a servile manner; subervient

35
Q

Obdurate

A

(adj.) very stubborn; obstinate; unyieldingly persistent; inflexible; intractable

36
Q

Intransigient

A

(adj.) very stubborn; obstinate; unyieldingly persistent; inflexible; intractable

37
Q

Redolent

A

(adj.) exuding fragrance; full of a specified smell

38
Q

Chicanery

A

(n.) deception by subterfuge; deliberate trickery

39
Q

Conundrum

A

(n.) a difficult problem; a dilemma with no easy solution

40
Q

Slight

A

(n.) a disrespect or disparaging remark

41
Q

Capitulate

A

(v.) to surrender; comply without protest

42
Q

Disheartening

A

(adj.) very discouraging; dismaying; dispiriting

43
Q

Apocryphal

A

(adj.) of doubtful authenticity

44
Q

Magisterial

A

(adj.) learned and authoritative

45
Q

Plasticity

A

(adj.) flexible; easily shaped, especially by outside influences or forces

46
Q

Malleable

A

(adj.) flexible; easily shaped, especially by outside influences or forces

47
Q

Pliable

A

(adj.) flexible; easily shaped, especially by outside influences or forces

48
Q

Chagrin

A

(n. ) distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated
(v. ) to feel distressed or humiliated

49
Q

Obstreperous

A

(adj.) noisily and stubbornly defiant; unruly; boisterous

50
Q

Idyllic

A

(adj.) charmingly simple and carefree

51
Q

Dilapidated

A

(adj.) having fallen into a state of disrepair; broken-down; in deplorable condition

52
Q

Extemporize

A

(v.) to lecture or speak without notes

53
Q

Improvise

A

(v.) to lecture or speak without notes

54
Q

Myriad

A

(adj.) many; numerous

55
Q

Ungainly

A

(adj.) awkward; clumsy

56
Q

Dilatory

A

(adj.) habitually late; tardy

57
Q

Vituperative

A

(adj.) characterized by verbal abuse; bitter criticism

58
Q

Discordant

A

(adj.) not in harmony; incompatible; at variance with, as in a discordant detail that doesn’t fit a pattern

59
Q

Perfidious

A

(adj.) treacherous; traitorous; deceitful

60
Q

Proliferation

A

(n.) a rapid increase in numbers

61
Q

Indomitable

A

(adj.) very determined; unwavering

62
Q

Resolute

A

(adj.) very determined; unwavering

63
Q

Moribund

A

(adj.) approaching death; about to become obsolete

64
Q

Nuance

A

(n.) a subtle shade of meaning or feeling; a slight degree of difference

65
Q

Flippant

A

(adj.) treating serious matters with lighthearted humor or lack of respect

66
Q

Facetious

A

(adj.) treating serious matters with lighthearted humor or lack of respect

67
Q

Credulous

A

(adj.) easily convinced; tending to believe too readily; gullible

68
Q

Florid

A

(adj.) flowery in style; very ornate

69
Q

Excoriating

A

(adj.) expressing strong disapproval; condemning; to loudly decry

70
Q

Scathing

A

(adj.) expressing strong disapproval; condemning; to loudly decry

71
Q

Interloper

A

(n.) an intruder; a gatecrasher

72
Q

Cerebral

A

(adj.) intellectual rather than emotional

73
Q

Visceral

A

(adj.) instinctive rather than rational; follow your heart

74
Q

Nonplussed

A

(adj.) utterly perplexed; completely puzzled; totally bewildered

75
Q

Confounded

A

(adj.) utterly perplexed; completely puzzled; totally bewildered

76
Q

Ignominous

A

(adj.) humiliating; shameful; disgraceful