Vocab 1-3 Flashcards
Turgid (adj)
ostentatiously lofty in style OR swollen and distended or congested.
Ex:
The professor’s turgid lecture on philosophical theories left the students feeling overwhelmed.
After spraining his ankle, John noticed it became turgid and swollen.
Bombast (n)
pompous or pretentious talk or writing
Ex: The book was criticized for its excessive bombast, as the author seemed more interested in showing off their vocabulary than conveying a clear message.
Ornate (adj)
marked by complexity and richness of detail
Ex: The palace’s interior was adorned with ornate chandeliers, intricate carvings, and luxurious tapestries.
Cerebral (adj)
of or relating to the brain
Ex: The book delves into the cerebral aspects of human psychology, exploring the inner workings of the mind.
Cogent (adj)
powerfully persuasive
Ex: The lawyer presented a cogent argument, providing compelling evidence and logical reasoning.
Transience (n)
the attribute of being brief or fleeting
Ex: The beauty of cherry blossoms lies in their transience, as they bloom for only a short period each year.
Subversive (adj)
in opposition to an established system or government
Ex:
The rebellious group planned subversive actions to undermine the oppressive regime.
Sadistic (adj)
deriving pleasure from inflicting pain on another
Ex: The villain in the movie derived sadistic pleasure from torturing his victims.
Panegyric (n)
formally expressing praise in a public speech or published text
Ex: The author wrote a panegyric in honor of her favorite poet, expressing admiration and adoration for his work.
Frivolous (adj)
not serious in content or attitude or behavior
Ex: The judge dismissed the frivolous lawsuit, deeming it without merit or serious grounds.
Sardonic
disdainfully or ironically humorous
Ex: His sardonic wit often left others unsure whether he was joking or being serious.
Nihilistic
relating to a complete rejection of moral values and beliefs
Ex: The protagonist in the novel embraced a nihilistic philosophy, rejecting all traditional values and beliefs.
Optimistic
hopeful that the best will happen in the future
Ex: The team’s coach gave an optimistic speech, instilling confidence and hope in the players.
Accusatory
containing or expressing blame
Ex: Her accusatory tone made it clear that she believed he was responsible for the mistake.
Strident
unpleasantly loud and harsh
Ex: The strident sound of the alarm pierced through the quiet morning, jolting everyone awake.
Rueful
feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses
Ex: With a rueful expression, he apologized for his thoughtless comment and realized the impact it had.
Capricious
determined by chance or impulse rather than by necessity
Ex: His capricious decision-making often led to unpredictable outcomes and confusion.
Meticulous
marked by precise accordance with details
Ex: The surgeon’s meticulous approach to surgery ensured precision and minimized potential risks.
Exuberance
joyful enthusiasm
Ex: The children played with exuberance, their laughter filling the air as they ran and jumped.
Irreverent
showing lack of due respect or veneration
Ex: The comedian’s irreverent jokes pushed the boundaries of social norms and challenged conventional beliefs.
Tempestuous (adj)
characterized by violent emotions or behavior
Ex: Her tempestuous emotions often led to impulsive decisions and outbursts.
Pertinacity (n)
persistent determination
Ex: Despite facing numerous obstacles, his pertinacity kept him focused on achieving his goals.
Obstinacy (n)
resolute adherence to your own ideas or desires
Ex: His obstinacy prevented him from considering alternative viewpoints or compromising.
Perspicacity (n)
the capacity to assess situations or circumstances shrewdly
Ex: With great perspicacity, she quickly assessed the situation and identified the underlying issues.
