Vocab Junkie - Set 6 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:
covert
(koe-vert)
adj. hidden; secret
The government’s covert operations were laid bare by the shocking article.
Define:
craven
(kray-vun)
adj. cowardly
The craven man ran away at the first sign of danger.
Define:
eugenics
(yoo-djen-iks)
n. the study of heredity improvements by genetic control
Nazi Germany is known to have carried out many eugenics experiments that provoked outrage once they came to light.
Define:
credence
(creed-enss)
n. belief that something is true
n. plausibility
She gave credence to the rumors when she failed to deny them.
Define:
execrate
(ek-si-kreyt)
v. to declare to be hateful or abhorrent; denounce
v. to loathe
v. to curse
The rival teams appeared on the news to execrate one another.
Define:
sempiternal
(sem-pih-tur-nl)
adj. eternal, infinite
Nothing in life is sempiternal, alas.
Define:
credulous
(kredj-uh-luss)
adj. easily convinced that something is true
His lies were so ridiculous that only the most credulous child would have believed them.
Define:
plumb
(pluhm)
v. to measure the depth
v. to examine critically
I think she is the only architect working today who has the courage to truly plumb the possibilities of recycled construction materials.
Define:
culpable
(kull-puh-bull)
adj. deserving of blame or punishment
He confessed that he was culpable for the crime and faced the consequences.
Define:
debase
(dih-base)
v. to corrupt or lower the value of
Many argue that modern society has been debased by materialism.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. hidden; secret
n. a covered place for hiding
covert
(koe-vert)
synonyms: cloaked, secret, sly
The spy operated under a covert identity to gather intelligence without being detected.
The soldiers found refuge in a covert, waiting for the enemy to pass.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. cowardly
craven
(kray-vun)
synonyms: weak, timid, fearful
His craven refusal to stand up for his friends disappointed everyone.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. the study of heredity improvements by genetic control
eugenics
(yoo-djen-iks)
synonyms: genetic enhancement, genetic manipulation
Eugenics involves the study and practice of enhancing heredity through genetic manipulation.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. belief that something is true
n. plausibility
credence
(creed-enss)
synonyms: credulity, confidence, possibility
His testimony lent credence to the theory that had been previously dismissed.
The new evidence added credence to the suspect’s alibi, making it more plausible.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to declare to be hateful or abhorrent; denounce
v. to loathe
v. to curse
execrate
(ek-si-kreyt)
synonyms: accurse, condemn; hate, detest
The community execrated the corrupt practices of the former mayor.
She came to execrate the unfair treatment she received at work.
He would often execrate his bad luck when things went wrong.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. eternal, infinite
sempiternal
(sem-pih-tur-nl)
synonyms: ageless, constant
The sempiternal beauty of the landscape left visitors in awe.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. easily convinced that something is true
credulous
(kredj-uh-luss)
synonyms: gullible, too trusting
The credulous child believed every story he heard without question.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to measure the depth
v. to examine critically
plumb
(pluhm)
synonyms: probe, gauge; assess, study
The divers were sent down to plumb the depths of the ocean trench.
She decided to plumb the complexities of the issue before making a decision.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. deserving of blame or punishment
culpable
(kull-puh-bull)
synonyms: guilty, liable
The jury found him culpable of the crime after reviewing the evidence.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. to corrupt or lower the value of
debase
(dih-base)
synonyms: degrade, cheapen
The scandal served to debase the reputation of the once-respected organization.
Define:
decadent
(deck-ih-dunt)
adj. in a state of decline
adj. self-indulgent
Louis XIV was known for his decadent displays of wealth and power.
Define:
decorous
(dek-core-us)
adj. conforming to what is acceptable to society
adj. marked by propriety and etiquette
One must always behave in a decorous manner at formal events.
Define:
decry
(dih-cry)
v. to strongly disapprove of
The preacher decried society’s indifference towards the poor.
Define:
artless
(art-liss)
adj. simple and natural
adj. unable to mask true feelings
adj. without artistic merit; crudely made
She had an artless grace about her that endeared her to strangers.
Define:
ascetic
(uh-set-ik)
adj. relating to self-denial
n. a person who practices self-denial
The ascetic monks rejected modern comforts such as electricity.
Define:
ascendant
(uh-sen-dent)
adj. rising
adj. most powerful
n. a position of being dominant or in control
In this game, newcomers are ascendant because of their youth.
Define:
ascribe
(uh-scribe)
v. to attribute or assign to a cause
Her success was ascribed to the hours she had spent studying.
Define:
assiduous
(uh-sidj-oo-us)
adj. making careful and persistent effort
John was an assiduous student who always tried his best.
Define:
assuage
(uh-swaydj)
v. to relieve
Her anger was assuaged by her friend’s soothing words.
Define:
astute
(uh-stewt)
adj. having practical intelligence and good judgment
An astute teacher always checks for plagiarism.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. in a state of decline
adj. self-indulgent
decadent
(deck-ih-dunt)
synonyms: decaying; hedonistic, spoiled
The once-thriving town fell into a decadent state, with abandoned buildings and empty streets.
His decadent lifestyle was marked by excessive luxury and indulgence.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. conforming to what is acceptable to society
adj. marked by propriety and etiquette
decorous
(dek-core-us)
synonyms: acceptable, befitting; civil, courtly
Her decorous behavior at the formal event impressed the guests.
The decorous conversation at the dinner table reflected the guests’ adherence to etiquette.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to strongly disapprove of
decry
(dih-cry)
synonyms: denounce, deplore
The activists decried the government’s decision to cut funding for education.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. simple and natural
adj. unable to mask true feelings
adj. without artistic merit; crudely made
artless
(art-liss)
synonyms: genuine, pure; naive, straightforward; awkward, amateurish
Her artless charm made her endearing to everyone she met.
His artless honesty often revealed his true feelings in any situation.
The artless design of the furniture lacked any aesthetic appeal.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. relating to self-denial; and
n. a person who practices self-denial
ascetic
(uh-set-ik)
synonyms: abstinent, restrained
The ascetic lifestyle of the monk emphasized simplicity and self-discipline.
The ascetic lived alone in the mountains, devoted to meditation and self-denial.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. rising
adj. most powerful
n. a position of being dominant or in control
ascendant
(uh-sen-dent)
synonyms: ruling, superior, dominant
The ascendant sun brightened the sky as it rose above the horizon.
In the ascendant position, the leader commanded the respect and loyalty of her followers.
The company’s ascendant in the market was evident after its recent success.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to attribute or assign to a cause
ascribe
(uh-scribe)
synonyms: assign, appoint, accredit
She would often ascribe her success to hard work and determination.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. making careful and persistent effort
assiduous
(uh-sidj-oo-us)
synonyms: hardworking, attentive
Her assiduous study habits led to excellent grades throughout the semester.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to relieve
assuage
(uh-swaydj)
synonyms: soothe, alleviate
He tried to assuage her fears by offering reassurance and support.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. having practical intelligence and good judgment
astute
(uh-stewt)
synonyms: adroit, perspicacious, sagacious
Her astute observations during the meeting impressed everyone in the room.
Define:
suppliant
(suhp-lee-uhnt)
adj. asking humbly, beseeching
n. a person who requests or begs
The boy was peering into the pet store window with the look of a suppliant on his face.
Define:
atrophy
(at-ruh-fee)
n. deterioration (esp. due to inactivity)
v. to deteriorate, to waste away (esp. due to inactivity)
The paralyzed patient began to show signs of atrophy in his leg muscles.
Define:
anosmia
(an-oz-mee-uh)
n. loss of the sense of smell
Melissa has been afflicted with anosmia since birth; she likes to say that sometimes it is a curse, and sometimes a blessing.
Define:
austere
(aw-steer)
adj. severe, strict, or very plain
The austere room was anything but inviting.
Define:
autonomous
(aw-tawn-ih-muss)
adj. independent
The revolutionaries are fighting to make their country autonomous.
Define:
rapacious
(ruh-pey-shuhs)
adj. voracious, greedy, plundering
The Vikings were rapacious warriors.
Define:
avarice
(av-uh-riss)
adj. insatiable greed
The rich man’s avarice led him to buy up most of the neighborhood.
Define:
unflappable
(uhn-flap-uh-buhl)
adj. not easily upset or excited (e.g., in a crisis)
The unflappable hero maintained his level-headed mentality during the disaster.
Define:
aver
(uh-vurr)
v. to declare as true
When interviewed, Susan’s friends all averred that she was a trustworthy person.
Define:
emasculate
(uh-mass-kyuh-leyt)
v. to castrate or make effeminate
v. to weaken
Wearing the frilly pink shirt made him feel emasculated.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. asking humbly, beseeching
n. a person who requests or begs
suppliant
(suhp-lee-uhnt)
synonyms: begging; beggar, seeker
The suppliant tone of his voice conveyed his deep desire for forgiveness.
As a suppliant, she approached the committee to plead for their assistance.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. deterioration (esp. due to inactivity)
v. to deteriorate, to waste away (esp. due to inactivity)
atrophy
(at-ruh-fee)
synonyms: disintegration; to disintegrate
The patient’s muscles showed signs of atrophy after months of bed rest.
Without regular exercise, the muscles began to atrophy, leading to weakness.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. loss of the sense of smell
anosmia
(an-oz-mee-uh)
synonyms: without smell
Anosmia can significantly impact a person’s ability to enjoy food and detect dangers like smoke.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. severe, strict, or very plain
austere
(aw-steer)
synonyms: bare, stark, simple
The monk lived an austere life, devoid of luxuries and distractions.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. independent
autonomous
(aw-tawn-ih-muss)
synonyms: self-determining, independent
The region gained autonomous status, allowing it to govern itself.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. voracious, greedy, plundering
rapacious
(ruh-pey-shuhs)
synonyms: marauding, ravenous, avaricious
The rapacious pirates seized every ship they encountered on the high seas.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. insatiable greed
avarice
(av-uh-riss)
synonyms: selfishness, ambition
His avarice drove him to accumulate wealth at the expense of his relationships.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. not easily upset or excited (e.g., in a crisis)
unflappable
(uhn-flap-uh-buhl)
synonyms: calm, collected
Her unflappable demeanor during the emergency reassured everyone around her.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to declare as true
aver
(uh-vurr)
synonyms: affirm, assert
He could aver his innocence with complete confidence in his alibi.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to castrate or make effeminate
v. to weaken
emasculate
(uh-mass-kyuh-leyt)
synonyms: desexualize, neuter; devitalize
The harsh criticism served to emasculate his confidence and deter him from speaking up.
The prolonged stress began to emasculate his ability to perform well at work.
Define:
dormant
(door-munt)
adj. inactive for a period of time
The dormant volcano erupted unexpectedly, injuring many.
Define:
recumbent
(rih-kuhm-buhnt)
adj. leaning, lying down
He sat recumbent on the picnic blanket.
Define:
dote
(dote)
v. to show excessive affection
Her parents were strict but her grandparents always doted on her and showered her with gifts.
Define:
frangible
(fran-djuh-buhl)
adj. fragile; easily broken
The frangible statue was accidently pushed over and shattered.
Define:
dupe
(dewp)
n. a person who is easily tricked
v. to deceive
The lying politician made those who had voted for him seem like dupes.
Define:
magnanimous
(mag-nan-uh-muhss)
adj. noble in spirit, generous in forgiving others
Susan’s magnanimous personality made her many life-long friends.
Define:
ebb
(eb)
v. to decrease or recede
n. a decline
n. the outward flow of the tide
Her affection for him began to ebb a few days after the hasty wedding.
Define:
wizen
(wiz-uhn)
v. to shrivel, wrinkle, or wither, as of with old age
A wizened old man was walking through the park.
Define:
countermand
(koun-ter-mand)
v. to annul, cancel, make a contrary order
The general countermanded his previous order to retreat, telling the men to march straight into battle.
Define:
ebullient
(ih-buhl-yunt)
adj. very excited; joyously enthusiastic
Linda was ebullient when she made it into the semifinals.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. inactive for a period of time
dormant
(door-munt)
synonyms: inactive, sleeping, inoperative
The volcano had been dormant for decades, showing no signs of activity.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. leaning, lying down
recumbent
(rih-kuhm-buhnt)
synonyms: sprawling, reclining
The recumbent figure on the couch seemed to be in a deep sleep.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to show excessive affection
dote
(dote)
synonyms: favor, cherish
Grandparents often dote on their grandchildren, showering them with love and attention.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. fragile; easily broken
frangible
(fran-djuh-buhl)
synonyms: brittle, flimsy
The frangible glass ornament shattered at the slightest touch.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a person who is easily tricked
v. to deceive
dupe
(dewp)
synonyms: chump, sucker, victim
He felt like a dupe after falling for the scam.
The con artist managed to dupe several investors with his false promises.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. noble in spirit, generous in forgiving others
magnanimous
(mag-nan-uh-muhss)
synonyms: big-hearted, forgiving
Her magnanimous gesture of forgiveness surprised everyone after the betrayal.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to decrease or recede
n. a decline
n. the outward flow of the tide
ebb
(eb)
synonyms: subside; regression, decline
The tide began to ebb, revealing the rocky shore beneath.
The ebb of interest in the project was evident as funding dwindled.
The fishermen took advantage of the ebb to navigate the shallow waters.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to shrivel, wrinkle, or wither, as of old age
wizen
(wiz-uhn)
synonyms: sag, crinkle, dry up
As he aged, his skin began to wizen, developing fine lines and wrinkles.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to annul or cancel; to give a contrary order
countermand
(koun-ter-mand)
synonyms: override, recall, revoke
The manager had to countermand the previous order due to new information.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. very excited; joyously enthusiastic
ebullient
(ih-buhl-yunt)
synonyms: bouncy, chipper, effervescent
The crowd was ebullient, cheering and celebrating the team’s victory.
Define:
apogee
(ap-uh-djee)
n. the highest point, zenith
The apogee of the roller coaster terrified even the most seasoned riders.
Define:
ecclesiastical
(ih-klee-zee-ass-tih-kuhl)
adj. relating to the church
Mary decided to take up her ecclesiastical concerns with the local priest.
Define:
eclectic
(ih-klek-tik)
adj. composed of parts from many different sources
The girl’s fashion sense was an eclectic mix of conservative Victorian and colorful modern styles.
Define:
edify
(ed-ih-fahy)
v. to educate
John attempted to edify the impolite young man.
Define:
efficacious
(eff-ih-kay-shuss)
adj. producing or able to produce a desired result
The woman insisted that her herbal medicines would be the most efficacious remedy for the young patient.
Define:
puerile
(pyoo-er-ill)
adj. childish, immature
The comedian had a puerile sense of humor, invoking the bathroom in practically every joke.
Define:
effrontery
(ih-frun-tuh-ree)
adj. unjustified arrogance or boldness
Although my sister had not invited me to her party, she had the effrontery to ask me for help setting up.
Define:
effusive
(ih-few-siv)
adj. related to excessive or unchecked emotion
Susan’s effusive praise of Ramon’s new car made him think that perhaps she didn’t really like it.
Define:
tortuous
(tawr-choo-uhs)
adj. winding, excessively complicated
The philosopher made a tortuous argument that not many of his students followed.
Define:
debauchery
(dih-baw-chuh-ree)
n. extreme sensual indulgence
The debauchery in the movie was enough to make me blush.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. the highest point, zenith
apogee
(ap-uh-djee)
synonyms: pinnacle, apex
The project reached its apogee when it received international recognition.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. relating to the church
ecclesiastical
(ih-klee-zee-ass-tih-kuhl)
synonyms: clerical, parochial
The conference focused on ecclesiastical matters and their impact on the community.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. composed of parts from many different sources
eclectic
(ih-klek-tik)
synonyms: heterogeneous, multifarious
Her eclectic taste in music included everything from jazz to classical.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to educate
edify
(ed-ih-fahy)
synonyms: enlighten, teach
The documentary aimed to edify viewers about the importance of conservation.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. producing or able to produce a desired result
efficacious
(eff-ih-kay-shuss)
synonyms: efficient, capable
The new medication proved to be efficacious in treating the illness.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. childish, immature
puerile
(pyoo-er-ill)
synonyms: babyish, callow, infantile
His puerile jokes were amusing to children but fell flat with adults.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. unjustified arrogance or boldness
effrontery
(ih-frun-tuh-ree)
synonyms: audacity, impudence
She had the effrontery to challenge the CEO during the meeting.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. related to excessive or unchecked emotion
effusive
(ih-few-siv)
synonyms: overdone, extravagant
His effusive praise for her work made her feel appreciated.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. winding, excessively complicated
tortuous
(tawr-choo-uhs)
synonyms: ambiguous, convoluted, indirect
The tortuous path through the forest made the hike much longer than expected.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. extreme sensual indulgence
debauchery
(dih-baw-chuh-ree)
synonyms: depravity, lechery, lewdness
The party descended into debauchery, with guests indulging in excess.
