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.