Vocab A-Z Flashcards

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1
Q

This word describes ideas and arguments that don’t really matter. To trivial to think about.

A

Moot

A judge rejected the lawsuit on the grounds that the outcome of Prop 22 would render it “moot.”If your plane is crashing, whether or not your socks match is a moot point. When someone accuses you of making a moot point, he’s basically saying, “Come on! Let’s talk about what’s important.” As with so many things, people don’t always agree on what’s moot and what’s not.

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2
Q

This word refers to lengthy, angry, and impassioned speech. It is the action of speaking, writing, or shouting in a loud, uncontrolled, or angry way, often saying confused or silly things.

A

Rantings

“His letters were the rantings of a crazy person.”

“This isn’t an argument, it’s just meaningless ranting.”

“At this point, we are not commenting on Michael Avenatti‘s rantings, Mark C. Moore told USA Today. He said, he didn’t think the conversation with him would have been as civil if it had not happened at the courthouse.”

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3
Q

This word is another way to say that someone is crazy, insane, or out to lunch.

A

Unhinged

“Babysitting six kids between the ages of three and ten for an entire day might leave you feeling a little unhinged.”“More serious is when voters begin to worry that one of the presidential candidates is actually unhinged, appearing irrational and unpredictable.”

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4
Q

This word is used to describe someone who has a bad disposition.

A

I’ll Tempered

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5
Q

This is another word for criticism.

A

Flak

“But first, how does this keep happening?Another botched art restoration in Spain is gettingflak online because it looks like… Mr. Potato Head.”

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6
Q

If you do something with this, you have exemptionorfreedomfrom punishment,harm, orloss.

A

Impunity

“Seldom has any country demonstrated a similar ability to strike with apparent impunity inside the territory of its fiercest enemy, said Bruce Riedel, a researcher at the Brookings Institution and a former official of the Central Intelligence Agency with experience in Israel.”

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7
Q

This word means to scold, or express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner.

A

Admonish

“He admonished the child for his bad behavior”“Admonish is always used with an eye on improving someone’s behavior. The exact meaning of this formal verb varies in intensity depending generally on who is being corrected. If a child or subordinate is being admonished, it means “scold” or “rebuke” whereas if someone admonishes a person with equal standing, warn or advise are closer synonyms.”

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8
Q

This word is used to describe someone who is stubbornly adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion.

A

Obstinate

“Elizabeth disagreed forcefully, citing advice Theranos had received from its lawyers. She was so defensive and obstinate that Shoemaker quickly realized that prolonging the argument would be a waste of time. She clearly didn’t want to hear anything that contradicted her point of view.”

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9
Q

This word means to reduce or play down. To make something small and less serious. To intentionally underestimate. Synonyms include diminish and play down.

A

Minimize

“Through it all, the coronavirus and its ravages on the country hung over the election and shaped the choice for voters. Facing an electorate already fatigued by his aberrant conduct, the president effectively sealed his defeat by minimizing a pandemic that has created simultaneous health and economic crises.”

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10
Q

This word means devoid of strength or resources. Lacking the authority or capacity to act.

A

Powerless

“Barrett was grilled by Democrats who were strongly opposed to her nomination, yet virtually powerless to stop her.”

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11
Q

This word describes a strong negative reaction or response by someone, or more often by a large number of people to a controversial political or social development.

A

Backlash

“Rapaport seems to be unbothered by the backlash, instead choosing to fan the flames rather than expressing remorse: “EAT SHIT SnowFlakes.”

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12
Q

These type of words are insulting, disrespectful, unflattering, unkind, or demeaning.

A

Derogatory

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13
Q

This word refers to something that seems like it was thought about after the fact and not during the initial phases of a project or process.

A

An afterthought

“Anyone with siblings and a father in their 70s knows him getting everyone’s names straight isn’t always guaranteed. Such was the case during Donald Trump’s post-impeachment-acquittal statement, when he mentioned his ‘whole” family and then seemed to throw Barron Trump in as an afterthought.”

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14
Q

This word means to be thoroughly proficient or an expert. A highly skilled or well trained individual.

A

Adept

“Some of these predators are adept at covering their tracks online, using software to mask their location.”“Nadal is as adept at the net as he is at the baseline and he showed Thompson that flair for risk-taking to great advantage in a first set that lasted barely half an hour.”

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15
Q

This word means a difficult, perplexing, or trying situation. Synonyms include dilemma, conundrum quagmire, pickle, and rabbit hole.

A

Predicament

“Yet even if Trump might cost Republicans the Senate and some of their most prominent members, he isn’t getting blamed, at least publicly, for their predicament.”

“The governor has gotten himself into quite a predicament.”

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16
Q

This word means later than usual or when expected.

A

Belatedly

“As of Monday evening, Biden hadn’t commented on Murphy’s decision to belatedly do her job. But many Twitter users had strong opinions about her letter, specifically its tone.”

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17
Q

This word means a minute or minor detail-usually used in its plural form.

A

Minutia

“He was bewildered by the contract’s minutiae.”

“The minutiae of meetings remains private, but the general gist is that it was a problem and it has been addressed.”

“I have a disturbing fascination with minutiae, general knowledge, pointless facts and other trivia.”

“He added it was only possible to iron out the minutiae of the details once the centre was open.”

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18
Q

This word means occurring merely by chance or without intention or calculation.

A

Incidental

“Many said in interviews that any favorable outcome was incidental to their patronage.”

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19
Q

This word means to make an official decision about who is right in a dispute or to come to an official conclusion about something.

A

Adjudicate

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20
Q

This word is a synonym for pull or influence.

A

Clout

“Maine will have far less clout, it will receive far less by way of federal funding. And I would be replaced by an individual who’s…”

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21
Q

This word is used to describe someone who favors or is inclined to start quarrels or wars. Synonyms include argumentative, belligerent, combative, confrontational, feisty, and quarrelsome.

A

Bellicose

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22
Q

This word can be used to describe behavior or speech that is meant to excite factions, quarrels, or sedition.

A

Incendiary

“He also defended his incendiary attacks on the press.”

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23
Q

This word refers to parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw light on its meaning.

A

Context

“The Vatican has sought to clarify Pope Francis’ comments in support of same-sex civil unions, saying they were taken out of context and do not signal a change in doctrine.

“The book puts these events in their proper historical and social contexts.

“We need to consider these events in context.”

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24
Q

This word means to decrease in size, extent, or degree. To become less brilliant and powerful. To diminish.

A

Wane

“Mortar and rocket attacks against the embassy have waned over the past several weeks, and the task to shutter the largest American diplomatic mission in the world could take months to complete.”

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25
Q

When someone takes liberties, doing things too boldly, you can describe them with this adjective…

A

Presumptuous

“At the end of a lengthy, contentious interview, the anchor asked if Barr would serve in President Trump’s second term if he wins reelection, a question Barr thought was “presumptuous” for him to answer.”“I said it was “presumptuous” for white people like me to say we knew Native Americans’ interests better than they did.”

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26
Q

This word is used to describe behavior in keeping with good taste, propriety, conduct, appearance, and professionalism. Orderliness. Etiquette.

A

Decorum

“The president downplayed a federal judges decision to restore CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s White House press pass but derided an alleged lack of decorum among reporters who cover the administration.”“She accepted his report, not without obvious sadness but with business-like decorum and no sign of tears.”

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27
Q

This word means to lack the least bit of courage. Cowardly.

A

Craven

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28
Q

This word means helping to commit a crime or do wrong in some way.

A

Complicit

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29
Q

This word means to disqualify (oneself) as judge in a particular case. Broadly, it means to remove (oneself) from participation to avoid a conflict of interest.

A

Recuse

“Barrett was grilled by Democrats who were strongly opposed to her nomination, yet virtually powerless to stop her. The democrats did not like that she would not agree to recuse herself from post election related cases.”

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30
Q

This word refers to a concept or belief about something.

A

Notion

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31
Q

This phrase refers to an instance or example that illustrates what is being discussed.

A

Case in Point

“Americans are increasingly and understandably impatient about tight and even draconian restrictions on their daily lives because of the pandemic. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that they become outraged when those who impose the rules fail to live by them. Case in point: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent fancy dinner in Napa Valley.”

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32
Q

This word means to accept, comply, or submit tacitly or passively —often used with in or to.

A

Acquiesce

“They demanded it, and he acquiesced.”“Apparently, the contractor expected me to acquiesce to my own fleecing.”

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33
Q

This word refers to a framework, discipline, standard, perspective, or set of ideas. It is a way of looking at something.

A

Paradigm

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34
Q

This word refers to a feeling of contempt for someone or something regarded as unworthy or inferior.

A

Disdain

The divided judgment — a rare example of ticket splitting in partisan times — demonstrated that, for many voters, their disdain for the president was as personal as it was political.

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35
Q

To suggest or introduce something gradually or in a subtle, indirect, or covert way.

A

Insinuate

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36
Q

This idiom means what is expected. Normal.

A

Par For The Course

“For Mike, that is just par for the course.”

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37
Q

This word refers to a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, color, or sound.

A

Nuance

“Critics say the new test is harder for English learners. It features more nuanced questions and highlights such issues as states’ rights and the Vietnam War.”

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38
Q

This word means essentially similar, related, or compatible.

A

Akin

If two things are akin, then they’re similar or related. A cupcake is akin to a cake and relatives are akin to each other.Football is akin to the sport of rugby; baseball is akin to the British sport cricket. Mice are akin to rats, and rats are akin to gerbils, hamsters, and squirrels. Things that are akin are alike.

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39
Q

This word means nervously excited. Synonyms include antsy, edgy, and jittery.

A

Aflutter

“Six weeks ago, eight weeks ago, you never heard of this. All of a sudden, it’s got the world aflutter,” Trump said.

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40
Q

This word means to make less by or as if by cutting off or away some part.

A

Curtail

“Trump’s critics have slammed the administration for failing to impose a genuine plan to curtail the infections.”

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41
Q

This word refers to something that is interpreted in a wrong or inaccurate way. It is…

A

Misconceived

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42
Q

This word describes bitter criticism or malice. Bitterly harsh or caustic language or criticism.

A

Vitriol

“For some of her supporters, the vitriol Ms. Harris had to withstand was another aspect of her experience they found relatable.

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43
Q

This word means to actually or appear to make great or greater.

A

Aggrandize

If you are a window washer, but you refer to yourself as a “vista enhancement specialist,” then you are aggrandizing your job title — that is, making it sound greater than it is.The verb aggrandize not only means “to make appear greater”; it can also be used to mean simply “to make greater.” If you buy an estate and sink millions of dollars into its improvement, then you are actually aggrandizing the estate. If you are making yourself seem greater, then people may say you are “self-aggrandizing.”

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44
Q

This word refers to a violation of a rule of behavior, manners, or etiquette.

A

Impropriety

“So while it is fitting and proper to wear a bikini top and a sarong to the beach, to do so at church would be considered an impropriety.”

“A federal judge in Pennsylvania on Saturday night dismissed a lawsuit by the Trump campaign that had claimed there were widespread improprieties* with mail-in ballots in the state, ending the last major effort to delay the certification of Pennsylvania’s vote results, which is scheduled to take place on Monday.”

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45
Q

This word means to make a doubt, feeling, or belief disappear.

A

Dispel

“What was needed was fast, transparent and science-based communication todispelmisinformation and conspiracy theories and to show that these deaths were likely just coincidences.”

“As millions of converts download chess apps and buy boards, it’s time todispela few myths about this ancient game.”

46
Q

This word is a synonym for something or someone that is timeless or lasting. Synonyms include ageless, timeless, continuing, and perpetual.

A

Enduring

“Even in defeat, though, Mr. Trump demonstrated his enduring appeal to many white voters and his intense popularity in rural areas, underscoring the deep national divisions that Mr. Biden has vowed to heal.”

47
Q

This word means to criticize someone severely. To rebuke. To censure or scold severely.

A

Chastise

“Minutes before, Oswalt chastised Trump’s press conference, writing, “Some solid ‘Top Kia Salesman in Southeastern Kansas Award Ceremony’ energy at this Trump press conference right now.”

“About an hour later, at a second stop in Philadelphia, Biden chastised the effort by Trump supporters to intimidate his campaign over the past few days.”

48
Q

This word is used when you want to make something appear less important than it really is. You are…

A

Downplaying

“The president downplayed a federal judges decision to restore CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s White House press pass but derided an alleged lack of decorum among reporters who cover the administration.”

49
Q

This word refers to the repetition of words ideas or acts that you or someone else may have said.

A

Echoed

In a June 10 column in USA TODAY, Biden said: “Across the board –from our classrooms to our courtrooms to the president’sCabinet– we have to make sure that our leadership and our institutions actually look like America.”

In his first speech as president-elect, Biden echoed that message: “I said from the outset I wanted a campaign that represented America, and I think we did that. Now that’s what I want the administration to look like.”

50
Q

This word means to fall into obscurity or decline.

A

Eclipse

“The politicians of the Gilded Age faded from the public eye, their luster eclipsed by those who had influenced America outside of political office during that time: therobber Barron’s, the inventors, those who had sought social reform, and others who had lived as America rapidly changed.”

51
Q

This word describes instruction of an individual or group of people, a guiding influence.

A

Tutelage

“Each year US officials swear that the Iraqi military is getting ever closer to combat readiness, but the half-steps that military takes under American tutelage never seem to get it into fighting shape.”

52
Q

This word means to not be bound by formal rules, procedures, or guidelines. To be loose and undisciplined.

A

Freewheeling

“But the days of unsupervised, freewheeling medical experimentation by the military were long gone.”

53
Q

This word means to withdraw or repudiate (a statement or belief) formally and publicly.

A

Recant

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Attorney General William Barr each cited a federal postal worker who claims that supervisors tampered with ballots. But the worker subsequently recanted in a sworn statement to investigators. (He has since recanted his recantation.)”

54
Q

This word describes a principal item of a policy or program.

A

Plank

“President Trump’s White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows made quite a telling admission. “We’re not going to control the pandemic,” Meadows said Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union, suggesting that the spread of the virus was fate acompli (a thing accomplished, and presumably irreversible) and that containment was not a central plank* (principal item of a policy or program) of the White House’s strategy.”

55
Q

This word means to be loud, excited, and emotional. It could also mean something or someone that is marked by violent or overwhelming turbulence or upheaval.

A

Tumultuous

“Biden Wins Presidency, Ending Four Tumultuous Years Under Trump”Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was elected the 46th president of the United States on Saturday, promising to restore political normalcy and a spirit of national unity to confront raging health and economic crises, and making Donald J. Trump a one-term president after four years of tumult in the White House.

56
Q

This word is used to describe someone who is awkwardly blundering or faltering. They can be prone to or marked by foolish mistakes.

A

Bumbling

57
Q

This type of person is arrogant or conceited. He’ll walk into a party with an inflated ego, ready to tell anyone who will listen that “I’m kind of a big deal.”

A

Pompous

“In the first season episode titled “The Gunslinger” he encounters a band during a bounty hunting mission with a pompous rookie eager to prove himself.”

58
Q

This word means to be light heartedly silly, joyfully elated or euphoric.

A

Giddy

59
Q

This word is used to describe someone who feels perfect assured of themselves even though they may be wrong. Synonyms include cocky, brazen, impudent, insolent, and sassy.

A

Cocksure

60
Q

Serving as conclusive evidence of something. Giving proof. Serving to demonstrate, explanatory or illustratively.

A

Demonstrative

61
Q

This word means to observe or think about something with triumphant and often malicious satisfaction, gratification, or delight.

A

Gloat

“Russia quiet after gloating over U.S. election disarray.”

62
Q

This word describes someone who is dressed in an unattractive way. They are dull and drab. They are out of date style-wise. If you want to get on your mom’s bad side, tell her she looks this way.

A

Frumpy

“At eighteen, Elizabeth Manwill was an easy target for mockery: glasses perpetually sliding down her nose, forehead knobby with acne, clothes frumpy and ill fitting”

63
Q

This word is used to describe a high point or a climactic stage in a process.

A

Culminate/Culminating/Culminated

“The legal battle culminated in a Supreme Court ruling this summer in which the justices said the president had not followed proper procedures to end the program.”

64
Q

This word refers to overtly and often exaggeratedly threatening actions or statements (such as verbal threats or ostentatious displays of military power) that are meant to intimidate an enemy by suggesting possible use of force. It also means to issue threatening statements or actions when the word is not used in a military sense.

A

Saber Rattling

“But Jager insists that North Korean saber-rattling was aimed mostly at extorting economic aid from Washington, Seoul and other governments anxious to preserve peace at almost any price.”

“Iran’s noisy saber rattling is only the latest lurch in its erratic foreign policy.”

“But if Theranos thought this saber rattling would make us stand down, it was mistaken. Over the next three weeks, we published four more articles.”

65
Q

This word means to reject something. To refuse to accept or support it.

A

Repudiate

“This verb usually refers to rejecting something that has authority, such as a legal contract, doctrine, or claim. In connection with debts or other obligations, repudiate is used in the specialized sense “to refuse to recognize or pay.” If referring to a child or a lover, repudiate is used in the sense “to disown, cast off.” This verb is derived from Latin repudiare “to put away, divorce.”

66
Q

This word is used to describe someone who is marked by or given to offhand and often disdainful. They may dismiss important matters. This can describe themselves or their attitude.

A

Cavalier

67
Q

This word refers to a survey or review of a past course of events or period of time.

A

Retrospect

68
Q

This word means to have a lot of freedom or action of choice.

A

Latitude

“Journalists have considerable latitude in criticizing public figures.”

69
Q

This word means to set (someone) free from an obligation or the consequences of guilt.

A

Absolve

“The jury absolved the defendants of their crimes.”“Her youth does not absolve her of responsibility for her actions.”

70
Q

This word describes a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.ru

A

Respite

“If you’ve been fighting with your partner, a visit from a friend might offer a brief respite from the argument, but the fight will pick up again when she leaves.”

71
Q

This word means to manipulate someone or a group of people into questioning their own sanity.

A

Gaslight

“If your narrative is accurate, I’d say that Paula is an abusive girlfriend who is using your insecurity and the power deficit in your relationship to gaslight and control you.”

72
Q

This word is used to describe someone who is easily upset or irritable. They are requiring or give close attention to details. Synonyms include choosy, demanding, fastidious, finicky, particular, and picky.

A

Fussy

73
Q

This word means to approach and speak to (someone) in an often challenging or aggressive way.

A

Accost

“He was accosted by a stranger on the street.”“He was accosted by three gang members on the subway.”

74
Q

This word means to free of confusion and to make something understandable.

A

Clarify

75
Q

This word means in spite of. It is used as a preposition when something happens even though it might have been prevented by something else.

A

Despite

“You might go see a movie despite hearing a review calling it worse than Ishtar.”

“We just need somebody with courage to do what they have to do,” said Trump, who has pressured legislators in several Biden states to push for pro-Trump electors, despite the factthat state officials lack the legal authority to do that in defiance of their states’ voters.”

76
Q

This word is used to describe a capricious or eccentric and often sudden idea or turn of the mind.

A

Whim

As we’ve seen with the President’s haphazard approach to Syria, our national defense is too important to be subjected to the President’s erratic whims.”

“He quit his job on a whim”

77
Q

This word is used to describe someone who’s grief, sense of loss, or trouble can’t be alleviated or consoled. Synonyms include despondent, down, low spirited, miserable, mournful, or sad.

A

Inconsolable

78
Q

This word is used to describe someone who is removed or distant, either physically or emotionally.

A

Aloof

79
Q

This word means friendly or goodwill. Peaceable. Use it when describing relations one might otherwise expect to beunfriendly.

A

Amicable

“Megan lists the couple’s date of separation as November 2019. Brian filed a response agreeing to all of her requests … which means things were amicable.”

80
Q

This word is used to describe something that is marked by a lack of a plan, order, or direction. All over the place.

A

Haphazard

“As we’ve seen with the President’s haphazard approach to Syria, our national defense is too important to be subjected to the President’s erratic whims.”

81
Q

This is a pejorative term for someone perceived as entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is appropriate or necessary. A common stereotype is that of a white woman who uses her privilege to demand her own way at the expense of others. Depictions also include demanding to “speak to the manager”, being racist, being anti-vaccination, or sporting a particular bob cut hairstyle. As of 2020, the term was increasingly being used as a general-purpose term of disapproval for middle-aged white women.

A

Karen

82
Q

This is another word for hard and blunt.

A

Stark

“What started as a lopsided election cycle with Republicans defending 23 seats, compared with 12 for Democrats, quickly became a more stark referendum on the president as Democrats reached deeper into Trump country and put the GOP on defense.”

83
Q

This word means to proceed to what follows without pause. To make a transition without interruption from one activity, topic, scene, or part to another.

A

Segued

“She quickly segued to the next topic.”

“The band smoothly segued from one song to the next.”

“In the movie, a shot of the outside of the house segued neatly to a shot of the family inside the house.”

“Sarmiento, a 2017 Air Force Academy graduate, segued eas- ily, she said.”

84
Q

This word is used to describe someone who is noisily turbulent, exuberant, and in high spirits. Stormy and tumultuous are also good descriptors.

A

Boisterous

85
Q

This word means something that is extremely complex and difficult to understand or follow (especially of an argument, story, or sentence).

A

Convoluted

“ It was a convoluted explanation that left the listeners even more confused than they were before.”

86
Q

This word refers to something that is so old, that it’s no longer useful, popular, or accepted.

A

Antiquated

87
Q

This word means with undue hurry and confusion. Lacking a visible order and organization. Helter-skelterthings are disorganized, hasty, and completely random.Synonyms include haphazard and all over the place.

A

Helter Skelter

Yourhelter-skelter housekeeping style will definitely not impress your tidy grandmother when she comes to visit.”

88
Q

This word is used to describe someone who is a rude or vulgar fool. Buffoon. They were badly brought up and they show a bad upbringing. They are impolite.

A

Clown

89
Q

This word can be used to describe behavior or speech that is meant to excite factions, quarrels, or sedition.

A

Incendiary

90
Q

This word means to meditate on or ponder a subject. It also means to review something idly or casually and often inconclusively. You don’t want to assume anything.

A

Speculate

“If you want me to speculate, I’d say it ran far deeper than that.”

“I’m not going to speculate on…”

91
Q

This word is used to describe things that are trivial and shouldn’t matter much. Contemptible narrow in outlook. Most uses of petty since the 16th century are negative, as in “narrow-minded,” “trivial,” and “of little importance.”

A

Petty

A “petty argument” is a popular expression, because many people get all worked up over something that isn’t very important — a petty concern — that seems much smaller after the heat of the moment.

92
Q

This word means to sooth or mollify, especially by concessions. Appease. Synonyms include pacify and mollify.

A

Placate

93
Q

This term is used to describe a person or plan that has no chance of succeeding or being effective.

A

A Non Starter

94
Q

If someone is described as this, they are friendly, pleasant, and easy to talk to.

A

Affable

“An affable host offers you something to drink and makes you feel at home.”

“It recounts his Hollywood years and the skills he learned as an actor — the bright smile, his affable if slightly inscrutable affect — that made him such a powerful candidate for president.”

The adjective affable entered English by way of the Latin word affābilis, which means “kind, friendly.” If you’re stuck on an airplane next to someone affable, the trip won’t be so bad because that person will be easy to chat with but won’t talk your ear off. Synonyms of affable also refer to a pleasant and mild friendliness, such as genial, hospitable, and gracious. Affable people generally seem like they’re in a good mood and are happy to see you.

95
Q

This adjective describes things that are unpredictable, unusual, and that deviate from the norm. Having no fixed course. Characterized by lack of consistency, regularity, or uniformity.

A

Erratic

Even as they scarcely hide their strong preference for Biden after what they see as years of erratic Trumpian abuse and abdication of U.S. leadership, allies in Western Europe say they are under no illusions.

96
Q

This word describes a person or thing that is chronologically out of place.

A

Anachronism

“And there will be new demands that the Electoral College be abolished as an awful anachronism, especially if Trump loses the popular vote.”

97
Q

This word means to draw special attention to a fact, idea, or situation. You want to make something evident, you want to stress it.

A

Underscore

“Even in defeat, though, Mr. Trump demonstrated his enduring appeal to many white voters and his intense popularity in rural areas, underscoring the deep national divisions that Mr. Biden has vowed to heal.”

Literally, underscore means “to underline,” or draw a line beneath a word to emphasize it. In common speech, to underscore something is to call attention to it. If a worker sustained an injury on the job, for instance, the event would underscore the need for workplace safety.

Underscore is also used to mean “emphasize.” During a job interview, you want to underscore any experience that relates to the job you are applying for.

98
Q

This word means to divide. Something that’s been split into two sides that are so different, it seems as though they’re from opposite ends of the earth — like the North Pole and the South Pole.

A

Polarize

Political parties have long been polarized by different views and approaches to government. But you’ll also find polarized soda devotees arguing over the merits of Coke vs. Pepsi. Any topic that is controversial can polarize a population, especially if the topic inspires either a fiercely “pro” or fiercely “con” reaction. Topics such as gun control and health care reform have been known to polarize Congress.

“The issue has polarized the nation.”

99
Q

This word means a significant or embarrassing error or mistake. Blunder.

A

Faux Pas

“Mr. Newsom breached his own administration’s public-health guidance to attend an extravagant birthday gathering at the French Laundry restaurantfor a longtime political adviser.” Critics have seized on the faux pas, adding to the challenges Mr. Newsom already has as his state grapples with…”

100
Q

This word refers to a remedy for all ills and difficulties. A cure all.

A

Panacea

101
Q

This phrase describes an immovableblockorobstruction.

A

A Brick Wall

102
Q

This word refers to placing (different things) side by side (as to compare them or contrast them or to create an interesting effect).

A

Juxtapose

See the word “pose” in juxtapose? When you juxtapose, you are “posing” or positioning things side by side.The verb juxtapose requires contrasting things placed next to one other:

“The collage juxtaposed pictures of Jane while she was growing up and as an adult.” Juxtapose is used often when referring to contrasting elements in the arts.”

“The music juxtaposed the instrumentation of jazz with the harmonies of soul.”

103
Q

This word refers to someone who works for someone else and tries to get ahead by kissing up to his superiors. Similar to sycophant or brown nosers.

A

Lackey

“A lot of Twitter users were describing her letter as Self-pitying, self-righteous, self-justifying, and self aggrandizing. Someone described her as a Trump lackey.”

104
Q

This word is used to describe someone who causes displeasure, annoyance, or anger. Synonyms include abrasive, aggravating, annoying, bothersome, frustrating, irksome, maddening, peeving, or vexing.

A

Irritating

105
Q

This word describes foreknowledge of events. Foresight. Human anticipation of the course of events.

A

Prescient

“Almost two months before the 2016 presidential election, Dave Wasserman, an editor at the non partisan Cook Political Report, wrote a prescient piece.”

106
Q

This word means tending to overwhelm or intimidate.

A

Daunting

Joseph R. Biden Jr. achieved victory offering a message of healing and unity. He will return to Washington facing a daunting set of crises.Few things are more daunting than having to speak in front of a large crowd.Shakespeare’s plays can be daunting for a young reader.Often used in the phrases “daunting prospect” and “daunting task,” daunting describes something that you are not looking forward to doing. Having to fill out complicated tax forms every year is a daunting task for many people. Once a daunting task is complete, you no longer describe it as daunting, but instead can call it a job well done, or at least another life experience survived.

107
Q

This word means to echo what someone else has said without understanding or thinking about its meaning.

A

Parrot/Parroted

“Flynn also lied to Vice President Mike Pence about those convos – and Pence parroted those to the media.”

108
Q

A comment that is considered this, is very stupid and shows that the speaker doesn’t care about other people’s feelings. It shows grossness of mind, precludes delicacy and discrimination.

A

Crass

“A woman who stopped to argue as Rose campaigned recently outside a supermarket said, “The president is crass and rude but he didn’t deserve to be impeached.”“Also, not to be crass here again, but making the confirmation process a spectacle would definitely be good for fundraising.”

109
Q

This word means to almost do something but not quite. You decide to…

A

Stop Short of

“While Mr. Biden stopped short of claiming victory as the week unfolded, he appeared several times in his home state, Delaware, to express confidence that he could win, while urging patience as the nation awaited the results.”

110
Q

This word refers to a statement (such as a response) that does not follow logically from or is not clearly related to anything previously said.

A

Non Sequitur

“We were talking about the new restaurant when she threw in some non sequitur about her dog.”

111
Q

This word means to laugh at or insult contemptuously. To subject to usually bitter or contemptuous ridicule or criticism. It can also be used to express a lack of respect or approval of.

A

Deride

“The president downplayed a federal judges decision to restore CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s White House press pass but derided an alleged lack of decorum among reporters who cover the administration.

“The politicians derided their opponents after…”

“They were derided after saying…”