Vocab Flashcards
Adamant
Refusing to change an opinion.
Adverse
Unfavorable; against one’s desires.
Aggregate
To combine.
Aggressive
Assertive and pushy.
Allocate
1) To put aside for a specific purpose.
2) To distribute (resources or duties) for a particular purpose.
Amateur
Someone who is inexperienced or not highly skilled in a particular area.
Ambiguous
Having several potential meanings; unclear and difficult to understand.
Anomaly
Deviation from the norm.
Antagonize
To tease or be hostile towards a person or group.
Attribute
To give credit.
Arbitrary
Based on a whim or random decision.
Arduous
Requiring a lot of effort.
Assuage
To lessen a negative feeling.
Augment
To increase or make larger by adding to it.
Berate
To scold.
Brash
Rude and tactless.
Brusque
Abrupt to the point of rudeness.
Cacophony
A harsh, unpleasant mixture of noise.
Cease
To stop.
Censure
To express strong disapproval.
Coalesce
To combine or grow together.
Coerce
To force someone to do something against their will.
Cognizant
Being aware or having knowledge of something.
Cohesion
Uniting; becoming one.
Concur
To agree.
Constrain
To restrict or repress.
Convey
1) To make known.
2) To transport from one place to another.
Copious
Abundant.
Corrode
To gradually wear away.
Cumbersome
Burdensome; clumsy
Deplete
To significantly decrease.
Deposit
To deliver and leave an item.
Despise
To hate.
Deter
To discourage.
Devise
To plan or create.
Diatribe
A sharp criticism or attack.
Divert
To cause a change of course.
Dynamic
Constantly changing.
Eloquent
Moving speech or writing.
Epitome
A perfect example of something.
Evade
To avoid or escape.
Exemplary
Worthy of imitation.
Expertise
Expert knowledge or skill in a particular field.
Extract
To get or remove something.
Famine
A time when there is an extreme lack of food.
Feasible
Possible to do.
Frivolous
Unnecessary; of little importance
Garbled
Communication that is distorted and unclear.
Grandiose
Pompous; overly important.
Hackneyed
Overused and unoriginal.
Haphazard
Lacking planning; random
Implement
To carry out; execute
Impose
To force upon.
Incentive
A reason to do something.
Incessant
Continuing without pause.
Incidental
A minor part.
Incite
To urge on.
Indefatigable
Untiring.
Indisputable
Not able to be challenged.
Inflate
To increase in size.
Integral
Necessary to complete the whole.
Integrate
To combine.
Intrepid
Fearless.
Intricate
Highly detailed.
Invasive
Intrusive.
Irascible
Easy to anger.
Irresolute
Uncertain.
Jointly
Together.
Knack
A special talent or skill.
Lampoon
To mock or ridicule.
Languish
To become weak; to be neglected.
Leery
Wary.
Legitimate
Lawful.
Ludicrous
Ridiculous.
Morose
Gloomy, depressed.
Negligent
Lazy, neglectful.
Nonchalant
Indifferent, unexcited
Oppress
1) To unfairly burden.
2) Abuse, maltreat
3) Depress, make gloomy
Paradigm
A typical example of something.
Parsimonious
Frugal (sparing), stingy (ungenerous)
Partake
To join in.
Partial
Preferring one option over others.
Paucity
Something existing in very small amounts; scarcity.
Peripheral
Located on the side or edge.
Pertain
Relate.
Potent
Powerful.
Pragmatic
Practical, sensible.
Progeny
Offspring.
Proximity
Nearness in time or space.
Recapitulate
To give a brief summary.
Recede
To retreat.
Reproach
To express disapproval or disappointment.
Resent
To feel bitterness or anger towards someone or something.
Retain
To continue to do something or keep something.
Retract
- To draw back in.
2. To withdraw something after it’s found to be untrue.
Rhetorical
Used just for style or impact.
Safeguard
Something that serves as protection or ensures safety.
Scrutinize
To very carefully examine.
Severe
- Harsh/strict.
2. Grave, critical.
Solitary
Alone; without others.
Squalid
Filthy and unpleasant.
Stagnant
Sluggish, showing little/no movement.
Subsequent
Coming after something in time.
Supplant
To take the place of something else.
Suspend
- To temporarily stop.
2. To hang something from somewhere.
Terminal
Situated at the end.
Transparent
Easy to detect.
Unobtrusive
Not attracting attention.
Unscathed
Unharmed.
Unjust
Unfair.
Vacillate
To waver or be indecisive.
Vestige
A small trace of something that is disappearing or has already disappeared.
Vilify
To speak poorly of; to slander (make false and damaging statements)
Whereas
On the contrary.
catastrophic
extremely harmful; causing financial or physical ruin
inherent
naturally characteristic; always found within something, because it’s a basic part of that thing
bode
to indicate (something, such as a future event) by signs
1) bode well: good things will come
2) bode ill: bad things will come
deplete
to greatly decrease the supply of a resource or material
elementally
in terms of elements; basically
reservoir
a place where a liquid is collected and stored
arbitrary
chosen simply by whim or chance, not for any specific reason
infinitesimal
immeasurably small
gut
to empty or hollow out
integrally
in a whole or complete manner
retain
to keep or hold
corrode
to be slowly weakened by chemical reactions
expeditiously
quickly and efficiently
combustion
the process of burning
discretely
separately; distinctly
nucleus
a central or essential part around which other parts are gathered; a core
acquisition
the act of taking possession of something
degrade
1) treat or regard (someone) with contempt or disrespect.
2) to reduce in value or strength
3) deteriorate chemically
recede
to move back or away from
agnostic
believing that humans cannot know whether there is a god
animism
the belief that natural objects, such as trees, have souls
atheist
one who does not believe in the existence of a supreme being
deify
to worship (someone/something) as a god
ecclesiastical
relating to a church
exalt
to praise or honor
aggravate
to make worse; to anger or intensify
decrepit
weakened or worn out because of age, illness, or excessive use
prognosis
an educated guess of how something will develop, especially a disease
certifiably
in a manner that is officially recognized
astrological
related to the study of the position of stars, the sun, and the planets in the belief that they influence earthly events
divination
the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means.
intermediary
mediator
invoke
to call on for help/support
phantom
ghost
psychic
relating to the supposed ability of the human mind to sense things that cannot be observed
self-perpetuating
having the power to renew oneself for an indefinite period of time
assimilate
1) take in (information, ideas, or culture) and understand fully.
2) absorb and integrate (people, ideas, or culture) into a wider society or culture.
3) absorb & digest
4) cause something to resemble
cremation
the act of burning the dead
folklore
the traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed through the generations orally
relic
something left from a long-ago culture, time period, or person
rite
a ceremony meant to achieve a certain purpose
ritually
as part of a traditional ceremony or habit
saga
1) a long story of heroic achievement
2) a long story
de facto (adv)
in reality; actually
de facto (adj)
actual; especially: being such in effect though not formally recognized
notion
A belief; a fanciful impulse, a conception of or belief about something; an impulse or desire, esp. one of a whimsical kind
erudite
highly educated; having or showing great knowledge or learning
fortify
to strengthen as to protect against attack
implicitly
without being stated; unquestioningly; in a way that is not directly expressed
parochial
1) relating to a church parish.
2) having a limited or narrow outlook or scope; narrow-minded
rigor
1) the quality of being extremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate.
2) severity or strictness.
3) demanding, difficult, or extreme conditions.
roster
1) a list, especially of names
2) a list or plan showing turns of duty or leave for individuals or groups in an organization.
secular
denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis.
allegiance
loyalty, commitment
artillery
1) large guns that shoot powerful shells
2) army units that handle such guns
in the trenches
in the middle of the hardest fighting or work
mobilize
1) (of a country or its government) prepare and organize (troops) for active service.
2) arouse, awaken, generate
3) bring (resources) into use in order to achieve a particular goal.
4) make (something) movable or capable of movement.
strategic
1) relating to the identification of long-term or overall aims and interests and the means of achieving them; planned, calculated
2) carefully designed or planned to serve a particular purpose or advantage.
annex
Attach, add
1) to attach as a quality, consequence, or condition
2) to add to something earlier, larger, or more important annexed a bibliography to the thesis
apex
the highest point
conquest
a takeover by force or continued effort
prevailing
1) existing at a particular time; current.
2) having the most appeal or influence; prevalent (widespread)
milieu
environment
Orwellian
frightening and overcontrolled by a government that interferes in nearly every aspect of personal life
reconciliation
1) the restoration of friendly relations.
2) the action of making one view or belief compatible with another.
commodity
a thing that can be bought and sold
equity
1) fairness, impartial
2) the value of the shares issued by a company; value, worth
inflation
a situation in which prices for many items rise quite fast
net
after all costs have been subtracted from an amount
per capita
for each person
subsidy
money given by a government or other organization to support an activity
affluence
wealth and the style of life that goes with it
elite
belonging to a special, honored group; a group of people considered (by others or themselves) to be the best in a particular society or category, esp. because of their power, talent, or wealth
nobility
1) the quality of being noble in character, mind, birth, or rank.
2) the group of people belonging to the noble class in a country, especially those with a hereditary or honorary title.
working class
the social group consisting of people who are employed for wages, especially in manual or industrial work. (not poor, but not middle class)
assess
1) evaluate/estimate
2) calculate
liability
1) Legal responsibility for something
2) a person or thing whose presence or behavior is likely to cause embarrassment or put one at a disadvantage
proprietor
owner, usually of a business or a building
Propriety
1) the state or quality of conforming to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals.
2) the condition of being right, appropriate, or fitting.
safeguard
protect
sole
only
enterprising
1) having or showing initiative and resourcefulness; resourceful, entrepreneurial, imaginative
2) marked by an independent energetic spirit and by readiness to act
incentive
1) a thing that motivates or encourages one to do something.
2) a payment or concession to stimulate greater output or investment.
industrious
diligent & hard-working
marginal
not very significant or effective
distill
1) purify (a liquid) by vaporizing it, then condensing it by cooling the vapor, and collecting the resulting liquid.
2) extract the essential meaning or most important aspects of.
entrepreneurial
1) characterized by the taking of financial risks in the hope of profit; enterprising.
2)
haggle
dispute or bargain persistently, especially over the cost of something.
intrepid
fearless
prototype
the first one made of a machine or system
shuttle (v.)
to move back and forth often between two places
inaugurate
1) begin or introduce (a system, policy, or period).
2) admit (someone) formally to public office.
3) mark the beginning or first public use of (an organization or project).
allegedly
according to what people say, although there is no proof
civil
1) relating to ordinary citizens and their concerns
2) (law) relating to private relations between members of a community; noncriminal.
3) Polite
verdict
a judgment in a court case
apprehend
1) Arrest someone for a crime
2) understand or perceive.
ascertain
find (something) out for certain; make sure of.
bureaucratic
related to a large organization with a lot of complicated procedures
condemn
to speak out against something in very strong terms; express complete disapproval of; censure, criticize
implicate
1) show (someone) to be involved in a crime.
2) imply
inquiry
an official investigation
assail
1) make a concerted or violent attack on.
2) criticize (someone) strongly.
objectively
based on unbiased standards, not on personal opinion
cynical
1) believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.
2) doubtful
3) contemptuous; mocking.
4) concerned only with one’s own interests and typically disregarding accepted or appropriate standards in order to achieve them.
evade
avoid
grotesque
extremely unattractive, in a way that catches a lot of attention; comically or repulsively ugly or distorted
unmask
unmask
coerce
1) to force; to put pressure on someone to do something
2) obtain (something) by using force or threats.
detain
to prevent someone, for a relatively short time, from going on their way
deviant
in a style that is not normal/morally correct and is offensive to many
piracy
1) the practice of attacking and robbing ships at sea.
2) a practice similar to piracy but in other contexts, especially hijacking
3) the unauthorized use or reproduction of another’s work.
predicament
a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation.
villainy
wicked or criminal behavior.
cartel
1) an association of manufacturers or suppliers with the purpose of maintaining prices at a high level and restricting competition.
2) a written agreement between belligerent nations
3) a combination of political groups for common action
interdict
an authoritative prohibition.
juxtapose
place or deal with close together for contrasting effect.
potent
powerful
residual
remaining after the greater part or quantity has gone; remaining, leftover
kin
relatives
legitimate
1) true
2) in the context of family, born of a mother and father who were married to each other
proximity
closeness
sentiment
1) feelings
2) opinion
confide
tell someone about a secret or private matter while trusting them not to repeat it to others.
solidarity
unity (as of a group or class), especially among individuals with a common interest; mutual support within a group.
despondent (adj.)
feeling or showing extreme discouragement, dejection (low spirits), or depression
engender
1) to cause to exist or to develop; produce
2) (of a father) beget (offspring).
proliferation
1) rapid increase in numbers.
2) a large number of something.
reciprocity
the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit, especially privileges granted by one country or organization to another.
berate
scold or criticize (someone) angrily.
contemptuous
scornful, disrespectful
obnoxious
extremely unpleasant, highly offensive
stigmatize
describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval.
vitriolic
filled with bitter criticism or malice; acrimonious, rancorous
delinquency
1) minor crime, especially that committed by young people.
2) neglect of one’s duty.
fringe (adj.)
not part of the mainstream; unconventional, peripheral, or extreme.
hedonistic
engaged in the pursuit of pleasure; sensually self-indulgent. (usually implies that the pleasures are wrong.)
hypocritical
behaving in a way that suggests one has higher standards or more noble beliefs than is the case.
status quo
the systems and conditions that exist now
abstract (v.)
1) consider (something) theoretically or separately from something else.
2) extract or remove
depict
1) show or represent by a drawing, painting, or other art form.
2) portray in words; describe.
esthetically/aesthetically
in a way that relates to beauty
intrinsic
being part of the basic nature of something
realism
1) pragmatism
2) the quality or fact of representing a person, thing, or situation accurately or in a way that is true to life.
advent
the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.
connotation
an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning; implication
denote
1) be a sign of; indicate.
2) stand as a name or symbol for.
3) to make known
ingenious
clever, original, inventive
inscription
something written into a piece of rock or metal
phonetic
relating to speech sounds.
gala
a social occasion with special entertainments or performances.
exotic
1) originating in or characteristic of a distant foreign country.
2) strikingly, excitingly, or mysteriously different or unusual
vanity
1) excessive pride in or admiration of one’s own appearance or achievements.
2) futility, uselessness
