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Verbal Advantage > Verbal Advantage Level 1 > Flashcards

Verbal Advantage Level 1 Flashcards

Learn to understand and effectively use 50 advanced vocabulary words. Improve your test scores, or simply be more articulate in your daily life. Each word is used in context in a sample sentence and includes synonyms and a pronunciation guide.

1
Q

Define:

Paraphrase (PAR-uh-frayz)

A

To restate, put what someone else has expressed into different words.

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2
Q

Define:

Ostensible (ah-STEN-suh-buul)

A

Apparent, appearing or seeming to be true, professed or declared as true without being demonstrated or proved.

Synonyms: plausible, specious.

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3
Q

Define:

Digress (di-GRES or dy-GRES)

A

To wander, stray from the point, ramble, deviate, go off in another direction.

Corresponding noun: digression.

Related words: ingress, the place you walk in, the entrance; egress, the place you walk
out, the exit.

Additional useful word: archaic (ar-KAY-ik), old-fashioned.

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4
Q

Define:

Uncanny (uhn-KAN-ee)

A

Eerie, strange, weird, mysterious.

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5
Q

Define:

Candor (KAN-dur)

A

Frankness, openness, sincere expression.

Synonyms: straightforwardness, outspokenness, forthrightness, ingenuousness (in-JENyoo-
us-nis).

Corresponding adjective: candid, frank, open, sincere. Synonyms of candid include
forthright and ingenuous.

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6
Q

Define:

Morose (muh-ROHS)

A

Gloomy, moody, glum, grumpy, ill-tempered, depressed.

Synonyms: sullen, dolorous, lugubrious, saturnine.

Antonyms: optimistic, jovial, sanguine.

Corresponding noun: moroseness.

Additional useful word: misanthropy, hatred of humankind.

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7
Q

Define:

Adept (uh-DEPT)

A

Skilled, handy.

Synonyms: clever, able, deft, expert, dexterous, proficient, adroit (Level 3, Word 41).

Corresponding noun: adept (AD-ept), a highly skilled person, an expert.

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8
Q

Define:

Saturated (SACH-uh-ray-tid)

A

Soaked, drenched, thoroughly wet, full of moisture.

Synonyms: steeped, permeated, impregnated, imbued, sodden.

Corresponding noun: saturation.

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9
Q

Define:

Pragmatic (prag-MAT-ik)

A

Practical, having to do with actual practice, concerned with everyday affairs as opposed to theory or speculation.

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10
Q

Define:

Congenial (kun-JEE-nee-ul)

A

Sympathetic, agreeable, having the same taste, nature, or temperament.

Synonyms: compatible, kindred, harmonious.

Antonyms: alien, dissident, incongruous (in-KAHNG-groo-us).

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11
Q

Define:

Capricious (kuh-PRISH-us)

A

Unpredictable, tending to change abruptly for no apparent or logical reason.

Synonyms: flighty, changeable, impulsive, fickle, erratic, whimsical, volatile, mercurial.

Antonyms: stable, reliable, unwavering, steadfast, abiding.

Corresponding noun: caprice, a sudden change of mind or change in the emotions.

Pronunciation tip: caprice is pronounced kuhPREES; capricious should rhyme with
delicious.

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12
Q

Define:

Blatant (BLAY-tint)

A

Noisy, disagreeably or offensively loud, boisterous, clamorous; also, sticking out in a glaring way, obtrusive, flagrant.

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13
Q

Define:

Obligatory (uh-BLIG-uh-tor-ee)

A

Required, necessary, binding, mandatory.

Antonyms: optional, voluntary.

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14
Q

Define:

Negligible (NEG-li-juh-buul)

A

Unimportant, trifling, of little consequence.

Synonyms: trivial, insignificant

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15
Q

Define:

Adamant (AD-uh-mint)

A

Unyielding, immovable, inflexible, refusing to give in.

Synonyms: unshakable, unrelenting, implacable.

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16
Q

Define:

Sporadic (spor-RAD-ik)

A

Occasional, infrequent, irregular, not constant, happening from time to time, occurring in scattered or random way.

Antonyms: constant, incessant, unremitting.

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17
Q

Define:

Vanguard (VAN-gard)

A

The forefront of an action or movement, leading position or persons in a movement.

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18
Q

Define:

Concur (kun-KUR)

A

(1) To agree, be in accord with, unite in opinion.
(2) To act together, combine in having an effect.
(3) To happen together, occur at the same time, coincide.

Etymology tip: One meaning of the Latin prefix con- is “together.” By derivation, that
which concurs happens together, acts together, or is together in opinion.

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19
Q

Define:

Precociousness (pruh-KOH-shus-nis)

A

Early development or maturity, especially in mental ability.

Antonym: retardation.

Corresponding adjective: precocious.

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20
Q

Define:

Aloof (uh-LOOF)

A

Apart, at a distance, removed, withdrawn, not wishing to speak or associate with others.

Synonyms: unsympathetic, unapproachable, standoffish, indifferent.

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21
Q

Define:

Creed (KREED, rhymes with seed)

A

Belief, professed faith or opinion, especially a system of religious belief.

Synonyms: doctrine, dogma, credo (KREE-doh or KRAY-doh).

Related words: incredible, credible, credulous. Credulous means willing to accept
something as true without questioning. Credulous and gullible are synonymous.

22
Q

Define:

Tawdry (TAW-dree)

A

Cheap and showy, gaudy, garish, sleazy.

Etymology: Tawdry comes from the phrase “tawdry lace,” a corruption of “Saint Audrey
lace,” an inferior type of lace sold at Saint Audrey’s fair in England.

23
Q

Define:

Pevish (as spelled, PEE-vish)

A

Irritable, cross, complaining, fretful, ill-humored and impatient, difficult to please, full of complaints.

Corresponding noun: peeve, something that irritates or annoys.

N.B. Compare cantankerous (Level 1, Word 41).

24
Q

Define:

Arduous (AHR-joo-us)

A

Very difficult, hard to achieve or accomplish, requiring great effort.

Synonyms: strenuous, laborious, toilsome.

25
Q

Define:

Personable (PUR-suh-nuh-buul)

A

Attractive, pleasing in appearance.

Synonyms: handsome, comely, fair, presentable.

Usage tip: Avoid using personable to mean having nice personality. Sociable, affable,
and amiable already suggest people who are friendly, pleasant, and approachable. An
awkward or unbecoming person, no matter how friendly and pleasant, cannot correctly be
personable. Reserve personable either for someone who is attractive in appearance or
attractive both in appearance and personality.

26
Q

Define:

Resolute (REZ-uh-loot)

A

Firmly determined or settled, resolved, having a set opinion or purpose.

Synonyms: steadfast, unwavering, persevering.

Antonyms: irresolute, unsteady, vacillating.

Corresponding verb: resolve, to decide, determine, settle once and for all.

27
Q

Define:

Supposition (SUHP-uh-ZISH-un)

A

An assumption, theory, hypothesis, conjecture.

28
Q

Define:

Arbitrary (AHR-bi-trair-ee)

A

(1) Unreasoned; based on personal feelings or preferences rather than on reason, logic, or law; making discretionary judgments or decisions that may or may not be fair or reasonable.
(2) Determined or arrived at in a random or illogical manner.
(3) Exercising unrestrained or absolute power.

Related words: Arbiter and arbitrator both mean a judge or umpire who makes a final
decision or resolves a dispute.

29
Q

Define:

Monotonous (muh-NAH-tub-nus)

A

Lacking variety, tediously uniform, unvarying and dull; literally, having one continuous sound or tone.

Etymology tip: The prefix mono- means “one, single,” as in the related words
monogamy, monocle, and monogram.

30
Q

Define:

Legacy (LEG-uh-see)

A

Something handed down from the past.

Synonyms: inheritance, bequest.

31
Q

Define:

Manifold (MAN-i-fohld)

A

Numerous and varied, consisting of many kinds, containing many elements, features, or characteristics.

Synonyms: multifarious, multitudinous.

32
Q

Define:

Pliant (PLY-int)

A

Bending easily, flexible.

Synonyms: adaptable, workable, pliable, supple.

33
Q

Define:

Retort (ri-TORT)

A

A quick reply, especially one that is cutting or witty.

Synonym: rejoinder.

34
Q

Define:

Obstinate (AHB-sti-nit)

A

Stubborn, inflexible, unwilling to give in or compromise, not yielding to argument or persuasion.

Synonyms: hidebound, intractable, intransigent, adamant (Level 1, Word 15).

  • *Pronunciation tip:** Obstinate is sometimes mispronounced as if it were spelled
    obstinant. Take care to spell obstinate correctly and pronounce it AHB-sti-nit.
35
Q

Define:

Lacerate (LAS-ur-ayt)

A

Literally, to tear, cut roughly, rend, mangle. Figuratively, to wound, afflict, cause pain.

36
Q

Define:

Omnipotent (ahm-NIP-uh-tint)

A

All-powerful, almighty, having unlimited power or authority.

Etymology tip: The element omni- means “all,” as in omnidirectional, omnipresent, and
omniscient (ahm-NISH-int), all-knowing.

37
Q

Define:

Unscrupulous (uhn-SKROO-pyoo-lus)

A

Untrustworthy, dishonorable, deceitful, corrupt, lacking integrity or moral principles.

Related words: scruple, something that causes hesitation or doubt in determining what is
appropriate and proper; scrupulous, having scruples-hence, taking pains to do something
exactly right.

38
Q

Define:

Renaissance (ren-uh-SAHNS orREN-uh-sahns)

A

A revival, renewal of life or vigor.

Synonyms: rebirth, resurgence

39
Q

Define:

Genesis (JEN-i-sis)

A

A coming into being, beginning.

Synonyms: origin, birth, creation.

40
Q

Define:

Warrant (WAH-rint or WAR-int)

A

(1) To justify, give good reason for, authorize, sanction.
(2) To guarantee, promise, give formal assurance of.

Related word: unwarranted, without good reason or authorization, unjustifiable.

41
Q

Define:

Cantankerous (kan-TANGK-uh-rus)

A

Difficult to deal with, disagreeable, argumentative, quick to quarrel or to exhibit ill will.

Synonyms: contentious, malicious, irascible (i-RAS-uh-buul).

N.B. Compare peevish (Level 1, Word 23).

42
Q

Define:

Flippant (FLIP-int)

A

Disrespectful in a frivolous way, treating something serious in a trivial manner.

Synonyms: cheeky, fresh, thoughtless, impertinent.

Antonyms: solemn, sober, sedate, grave.

43
Q

Define:

Subjugate (SUHB-juh-gayt)

A

To conquer, defeat, vanquish, overwhelm completely, bring under rigid control, make submissive, dominate, enslave.

Corresponding noun: subjugation.

44
Q

Define:

Wry (like rye, rhymes with why)

A

Twisted, crooked, lopsided, askew, distorted in an odd, amusing way.

45
Q

Define:

Urbane (ur-BAYN)

A

Polished, sophisticated, suave, cosmopolitan.

Related word: urban, pertaining to or living in a city. Urbane suggests the polished
sophistication of a city dweller.

46
Q

Define:

Jargon (JAHR-gun)

A

Specialized and often pretentious language; unnecessarily complex phraseology; speech or writing that is highly technical and difficult to understand; specifically, obscure language or a private vocabulary used and understood only by members of a particular group or profession.

47
Q

Define:

Prudent (PROO-dint)

A

(1) Cautious, careful, planning wisely, exercising sound judgment in practical matters.

Synonyms: discreet, circumspect (Level 3, Word 21).

(2) Spending carefully, using one’s resources wisely.

Synonyms: thrifty, economical, frugal (Level 2, Word 35).

Related words: provide, provident (Level 4, Word 1).

48
Q

Define:

Inviolable (in-VY’l-uh-buul)

A

Secure; safe from assault, infringement, or destruction.

Synonyms: sacred, untouchable, unassailable, incorruptible.

Etymology tip: Inviolable combines the prefix in-, not, the suffix -able, and the verb to
violate, and means literally “not able to be violated.”

49
Q

Define:

Commodious (kuh-MOH-dee-us)

A

Spacious, having plenty of room, comfortably convenient.

Synonyms: ample, capacious (kuh-PAY-shus).

Related words: commode, accommodate, accommodations.

50
Q

Define:

Proximity (prahk-SIM-i-tee)

A

Nearness, closeness, the state of being in the vicinity of something.

Usage tip: Avoid using the common phrase “close proximity.” It’s a redundancy.
Proximity means closeness; therefore “close proximity” means “close closeness.” Drop
close and let proximity do its work alone.

Verbal Advantage (6 decks)

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