Vocab Junkie - Set 1 Flashcards
Learn this group of tough but common English vocab words - in chunks of 10 at a time. Just rate your confidence on each word, and it will repeat in an interval of time optimized for your brain's maximum retention.
Define:
odium
(oh-dee-um)
n. blame
n. strong dislike
The popular odium of attorneys is often unmerited.
Define:
officious
(uh-fish-us)
adj. assertive of authority in a domineering way, especially with regard to petty or trivial matters
adj. prone to give unwanted advice
The security people at the concert were very officious.
I make a habit of giving honest opinions, but I try to avoid being officious with my friends.
Define:
opaque
(owe-peyk)
adj. blocking all light
adj. hard to understand
The windows became so dirty they were almost opaque.
Define:
opportune
(opp-er-tune)
adj. happening under fitting circumstances
The students waited for an opportune moment to surprise their teacher with the bouquet of flowers they had prepared.
Define:
superfluous
(suh-per-flu-us)
adj. more than necessary; unnecessary
The student’s essay was full of superfluous phrases that needed to be deleted.
Define:
supersede
(sue-per-seed)
v. to substitute; to take precedence over
It had been my understanding that the new tax code supersedes the old one, but actually both are in vigor simultaneously.
Define:
supplant
(suh-plant)
v. to replace
The higher-ups tried to supplant rebellious teachers with conformists.
Define:
supplicate
(sup-lih-kate)
v. to humbly ask
The churchgoers then bowed their heads and supplicated God to answer their prayers.
Define:
surmount
(ser-mount)
v. to overcome
v. to rise above
Through sheer determination, he was able to surmount his disadvantages and win the contest outright.
Define:
surreptitious
(ser-up-tish-us)
adj. secretive
Since they were not allowed to speak, the couple exchanged surreptitious glances from across the room.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. blame
n. strong dislike
odium
(oh-dee-um)
synonyms: shame, dishonor; disgust, detestation
She faced intense odium from the community for her controversial decision, deemed unjust and poorly thought out.
His actions sparked widespread odium due to his betrayal, creating deep animosity among friends.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. prone to give unwanted advice
officious
(uh-fish-us)
synonyms: forward, meddlesome
Her officious comments on project management were well-meaning but often unwelcome.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. blocking all light
adj. hard to understand
opaque
(owe-peyk)
synonyms: blurred, darkened, lusterless; baffling, cryptic
The opaque curtains in the room prevented any light from coming through, creating a dark and gloomy atmosphere inside.
The professor’s opaque explanations left many students confused, as the complex theories were difficult to grasp.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. happening under fitting circumstances
opportune
(opp-er-tune)
synonyms: advantageous, favorable
The team’s decision to launch their product during the holiday season proved to be opportune, as demand surged with festive shoppers.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. more than necessary; unnecessary
superfluous
(suh-per-flu-us)
synonyms: extra, excessive, overdone
The report was filled with superfluous details that distracted from the main points, making it harder for readers to grasp the essential information.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to substitute; to take precedence over
supersede
(sue-per-seed)
synonyms: usurp, succeed
The new policy will supersede the outdated guidelines, providing a more effective framework for the organization.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to replace
supplant
(suh-plant)
synonyms: substitute, usurp
Many technologies have supplanted traditional methods, transforming the way we communicate and access information.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to ask humbly
supplicate
(sup-lih-kate)
synonyms: ask, pray for, desire
During the meeting, she chose to supplicate for assistance, humbly requesting support from her colleagues in completing the project.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to overcome
v. to rise above
surmount
(ser-mount)
synonyms: vanquish, transcend
Despite numerous obstacles, the team managed to surmount the challenges and successfully completed the project on time.
Her ability to surmount personal difficulties and maintain a positive outlook inspired everyone around her.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. secretive
surreptitious
(ser-up-tish-us)
synonyms: sneaky, secret, covert
The agent’s surreptitious movements through the building were designed to avoid detection and ensure the success of the covert operation.
Define:
symbiotic
(sim-bee-ott-ik)
adj. related to a relationship that is beneficial for all involved
The whale and the small fish that cling to its body have a symbiotic relationship.
Define:
synapse
(sin-apse)
n. the small gap between the cells of nerves
Neurotransmitters travel across the synapse between brain cells.
Define:
synchronous
(sing-kruh-nuss)
adj. operating at the same time or at the same rate
The film was notable for its synchronous premiere in 11 capital cities around the globe.
Define:
tacit
(tass-it)
adj. implied or unspoken
There was a tacit agreement between the two companies that neither would expand into the other’s city.
Define:
taciturn
(tass-ih-turn)
adj. tending to be silent; quiet
Some of the students were quite taciturn and had to be asked to participate more.
Define:
exacerbate
(ig-zass-er-bate)
v. to make worse
The children’s screaming exacerbated their father’s headache.
Define:
exact
(ig-zact)
v. to forcibly demand and obtain
The detectives finally exacted the truth from the witness.
Define:
exculpate
(ek-skull-pate)
v. to free from blame
The political prisoner was fully exculpated only when the dictatorship was overthrown and an independent truth commission established.
Define:
exhort
(ig-zort)
v. to urge by strong appeal
Taking the loudspeaker in her hand, the policewoman exhorted the kidnapper to release his hostage.
Define:
exigent
(ek-suh-djunt)
adj. requiring immediate attention
The show’s run was cut short by an exigent lack of funds.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. related to a relationship that is beneficial for all involved
symbiotic
(sim-bee-ott-ik)
synonyms: coactive, harmonious, joining
The relationship between the bee and the flower is symbiotic; the bee gains nectar while helping the flower with pollination.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. the small gap between the cells of nerves
synapse
(sin-apse)
synonyms: break, gap, divide
The transmission of nerve impulses occurs at the synapse, where chemical signals bridge the small gap between neurons.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. operating at the same time or at the same rate
synchronous
(sing-kruh-nuss)
synonyms: concurrent, simultaneous
The dancers performed their routine with synchronous precision, moving in perfect harmony and at the same tempo.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. implied or unspoken
tacit
(tass-it)
synonyms: suggested, unsaid, understood
Although no words were exchanged, there was a tacit understanding between the two friends that they would support each other through any challenge.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. tending to be silent; quiet
taciturn
(tass-ih-turn)
synonyms: aloof, silent, mum
Despite his intelligence, his taciturn nature often led others to misinterpret him as unfriendly or disinterested.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to make worse
exacerbate
(ig-zass-er-bate)
synonyms: intensify, worsen
Failing to address the underlying issues will only exacerbate the situation, leading to more significant problems down the line.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to demand, to require
exact
(ig-zact)
synonyms: claim, take
The project manager had to exact strict compliance with the safety regulations to ensure the well-being of all workers on the site.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to urge by strong appeal
exhort
(ig-zort)
synonyms: warn, beseech
The coach would exhort his players to give their best effort, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and dedication.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to free from blame
exculpate
(ek-skull-pate)
synonyms: forgive, excuse
The new evidence served to exculpate the defendant, proving that he was not at the scene of the crime.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. requiring immediate attention
exigent
(ek-suh-djunt)
synonyms: urgent, pressing
The patient’s exigent condition required the doctors to act quickly in order to save his life.
Define:
exonerate
(ig-zawn-ih-rate)
v. to clear of blame or guilt
Though the defendant had clearly done something wrong, the court had no choice but to exonerate her on the present charges.
Define:
expedient
(ek-spee-dee-unt)
adj. beneficial for one’s goal
n. a hastily prepared solution to a sudden problem
The politician tended to bring up his humble origins when it was politically expedient.
Define:
expedite
(ek-spuh-dahyt)
v. to speed up
For an extra fee, the post office can expedite your package’s delivery.
Define:
expiate
(ek-spee-ate)
v. to atone for wrongdoing
After destroying his friend’s car, Jim hoped the fruit basket he sent would expiate his guilt.
Define:
extemporaneous
(ik-stem-puh-ray-nee-us)
adj. made up on the spot, ad-libbed
To be a news anchor, she would have to improve her extemporaneous speaking skills.
Define:
extol
(ik-stole)
v. to praise
Melinda was often heard extolling her daughter’s many talents.
Define:
extrapolate
(ek-strap-ih-late)
v. to make a guess based on facts
Pete figured it was possible to extrapolate her personality from her Facebook profile.
Define:
extricate
(ek-strih-kate)
v. to disentangle, to break free from
It was heartbreaking to watch the butterfly struggle in vain to extricate itself from the spider web.
Define:
churl
(churl)
n. a rude person
n. a cheap person
I had been waiting in line for hours when some churl tried to cut in front of me.
Define:
circuitous
(sir-cue-ih-tuss)
adj. roundabout
Because of the traffic accident, we had to take a circuitous route to the bank.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to clear of blame or guilt
exonerate
(ig-zawn-ih-rate)
synonyms: absolve, acquit, vindicate
The new DNA evidence was able to exonerate the wrongly convicted man, restoring his freedom and reputation.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. beneficial for one’s goal
n. a hastily prepared solution to a sudden problem
expedient
(ek-spee-dee-unt)
synonyms: worthwhile, advantageous; means
To maximize their profits, the company found it expedient to cut costs by streamlining their operations.
When the main power source failed, the team had to devise an expedient workaround to keep the project on track.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to speed up
expedite
(ek-spuh-dahyt)
synonyms: accelerate, hasten
The manager implemented new procedures to expedite the approval process, ensuring projects moved forward more quickly.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to atone for wrongdoing
expiate
(ek-spee-ate)
synonyms: amend, atone
He sought to expiate his mistake by making a public apology and offering to make amends.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. made up on the spot, ad-libbed
extemporaneous
(ik-stem-puh-ray-nee-us)
synonyms: improvised, impromptu
Her extemporaneous speech was impressive, as she delivered it smoothly without any prior preparation.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to praise
extol
(ik-stole)
synonyms: praise, celebrate, laud
The critics extolled the novel for its innovative narrative style and compelling characters.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to make a guess based on facts; to conjecture
extrapolate
(ek-strap-ih-late)
synonyms: assume, hypothesize
From the current data trends, the researchers were able to extrapolate future sales figures with a reasonable degree of accuracy.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to disentangle, to break free from
extricate
(ek-strih-kate)
synonyms: clear, disburden, extract
The manager had to extricate himself from a difficult situation with a difficult client by diplomatically addressing their concerns.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a rude person
n. a cheap person
churl
(churl)
synonyms: lout, oaf; miser, peasant
Despite his churl demeanor, the guest at the party was met with patience and courtesy by everyone around him.
His reputation as a churl was well-earned after he repeatedly avoided paying his fair share of the expenses.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. roundabout
circuitous
(sir-cue-ih-tuss)
synonyms: indirect, labyrinthine
The circuitous route through the mountains added several hours to their journey, but the scenic views made it worthwhile.
Define:
circumscribe
(sir-come-skrahyb)
v. to draw or contain in a circle
v. to limit or restrain
I believe our government’s actions are circumscribed by financial interests as well as moral imperatives.
Define:
circumspect
(sir-come-spekt)
adj. prudent; cautious
Though her mother’s boyfriend attempted to win affection with toys and treats, Elise remained circumspect around him.
Define:
circumvent
(sir-kum-vent)
v. to get around an obstacle
She managed to circumvent security and approached her favorite actor backstage.
Define:
cleave
(kleev)
v. to cut off with force
v. to be loyal to
v. to develop an emotional bond with
She vowed that even when tempted she would cleave to her principles.
Define:
cloister
(cloy-stur)
v. to isolate
n. a place for religious isolation
The boy’s parents tended to cloister him from the harsher realities of the world.
Define:
coagulate
(koh-ag-yuh-late)
v. to clot or solidify
The poorly-made syrup began to coagulate on the pancakes after a few minutes.
Define:
coalesce
(koh-ih-less)
v. to come together to form a single unit
Our county’s many poverty initiatives are too different to coalesce into an effective whole.
Define:
cogent
(koh-djunt)
adj. clear and convincing
adj. relevant
We won the debate because the other team was unable to mount a cogent counterargument.
Define:
cohere
(koh-heer)
v. to be logically connected to
v. to stick to each other
These short stories are quite charming when taken separately, but they will not cohere if published together as a collection.
Define:
intransigent
(in-tran-suh-junt)
adj. unwilling to compromise
The government remained intransigent despite the people’s protest.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to draw or contain in a circle
v. to limit or restrain
circumscribe
(sir-come-skrahyb)
synonyms: mark off, bound, confine
The committee decided to circumscribe the project’s budget, ensuring that expenses did not exceed their allocated funds.
The artist chose to circumscribe the main figure within a circle, emphasizing its importance in the composition.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. prudent; cautious
circumspect
(sir-come-spekt)
synonyms: discreet, guarded
Her circumspect approach to investing ensured that she carefully evaluated all options before making a decision.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to get around an obstacle
circumvent
(sir-kum-vent)
synonyms: avoid, bypass
To avoid the lengthy construction delay, they decided to circumvent the blocked road by taking a different route.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to cut off with force
v. to be loyal to
v. to develop an emotional bond with
cleave
(kleev)
synonyms: divide, split; devote, join; bond, affix
The lumberjack used his axe to cleave the thick log in half with a single powerful swing.
Throughout the challenges they faced, she chose to cleave to her principle.
Over time, the team began to cleave to each other, forming strong emotional bonds.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to isolate
n. a place for religious isolation
cloister
(cloy-stur)
synonyms: secluded; convent
He chose to cloister himself in his study to focus on his writing.
The monks chose to live in a cloister, dedicating their lives to prayer and contemplation.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to clot or solidify (for liquids)
coagulate
(koh-ag-yuh-late)
synonyms: condense, concrete, thicken
After being exposed to air, the blood began to coagulate, forming a protective clot over the wound.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to come together to form a single unit
coalesce
(koh-ih-less)
synonyms: adhere, cling
The diverse group of activists managed to coalesce around a common goal, uniting their efforts for social change.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. believable
adj. relevant
cogent
(koh-djunt)
synonyms: apt, compelling, valid
Her cogent argument convinced the jury, as it was well-researched and clearly presented.
The professor appreciated the student’s cogent points during the discussion, as they directly addressed the topic at hand.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to be logically connected to
v. to stick to each other
cohere
(koh-heer)
synonyms: adhere, conform
The various sections of her essay cohere effectively, creating a strong overall argument.
The glue was designed to cohere quickly, allowing the materials to bond within minutes.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. unwilling to compromise
intransigent
(in-tran-suh-junt)
synonyms: stubborn, unwilling, bullheaded
The negotiations broke down because both sides were intransigent.
Define:
intrepid
(in-trep-id)
adj. courageous
The intrepid naturalist routinely braved storms and mudslides to document new species.
Define:
intrinsic
(in-trin-zik)
adj. related to an object’s essence
Unfortunately, some degree of inefficiency is intrinsic to all democracies.
Define:
inure
(in-your)
v. to accustom to something negative or unpleasant
Nearby residents soon became inured to the noise from the construction project.
Define:
invective
(in-vek-tiv)
adj. verbally abusive
n. abusive or stern language
What this debate needs is a little less invective language and a little more substance
Define:
irrevocable
(ih-rev-ih-kuh-bull)
adj. unable to be revoked; permanent
The laws the king decreed were irrevocable even after he left the throne.
Define:
jocular
(jock-yuh-lur)
adj. related to jokes
The boy was popular with his classmates due to his cheerful, jocular nature.
Define:
kernel
(kur-null)
n. the central part of a situation or seed
The kernel of the matter was that she didn’t even know where to begin looking for a new house.
Define:
lackluster
(lack-luss-tur)
adj. not lively; not bright
Tired from a long day, Susan gave a very lackluster performance during the dress rehearsal.
Define:
refractory
(rih-frack-tuh-ree)
adj. stubborn; difficult to treat or handle
The doctors did not know how to deal with such a refractory infection.
Define:
regiment
(redj-ih-munt)
n. a military unit of troops
v. to enforce a strict order or conformity
Four army regiments occupied the city last week.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. courageous
intrepid
(in-trep-id)
synonyms: brave, heroic
The intrepid explorer ventured into uncharted territory, undeterred by the dangers that lay ahead.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. related to an object’s essence
intrinsic
(in-trin-zik)
synonyms: basic, inborn, fundamental
The value of the artwork lies in its intrinsic beauty, which captivates viewers regardless of its market price.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to accustom to something negative or unpleasant
inure
(in-your)
synonyms: desensitize, familiarize, habituate
After years of living in a bustling city, he became inured to the constant noise and chaos around him.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. verbally abusive
n. abusive or stern language
invective
(in-vek-tiv)
synonyms: berating, abuse, denunciation
His invective comments during the debate shocked the audience, as he resorted to personal attacks instead of focusing on the issues.
The speaker’s use of invective against his opponents undermined his credibility and turned the audience against him.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. unable to be revoked; permanent
irrevocable
(ih-rev-ih-kuh-bull)
synonyms: unchangeable, unalterable
Once the contract was signed, the decision became irrevocable, binding both parties to its terms.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. related to jokes
jocular
(jock-yuh-lur)
synonyms: amusing, campy, jokey
His jocular demeanor made him the life of the party, as he effortlessly kept everyone entertained with his witty remarks.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. the central part of a situation or seed
kernel
(kur-null)
synonyms: core, crux
The scientist focused on the_ kernel_ of the problem, seeking to understand the fundamental issues at play in the experiment.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. not lively; not bright
lackluster
(lack-luss-tur)
synonyms: dull, colorless, muted
His lackluster attitude during the meeting suggested he wasn’t invested in the project’s success.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. stubborn; difficult to treat or handle
refractory
(rih-frack-tuh-ree)
synonyms: resistant, immune, unresponsive
The refractory nature of the disease required a specialized treatment plan, as standard medications were ineffective.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a military unit of troops
v. to enforce a strict order or conformity
regiment
(redj-ih-munt)
synonyms: military unit, command, designate
The general commanded his regiment with precision, ensuring that every soldier understood their role in the upcoming mission.
The new manager sought to regiment the team’s workflow to enhance productivity.
