Vocab M

Question 1

Machination

Answer 1

Plot or scheme
Tired of his enemies’ endless MACHINATIONS to remove him from the throne, the king had them executed.
Synonyms:
CABAL. CONSPIRACY. DESIGN. INTRIGUE.

Question 2

Maelstrom

Answer 2

Whirlpool; turmoil; agitated state of mind
The transportation system of the city had collapsed in the MAELSTROM of war.
Synonyms:
CHARYBDIS. EDDY. TURBULENCE.

Question 3

Malediction

Answer 3

A curse; a wish of evil upon another
The frog prince looked for a princess to kiss him and put an end to the witch’s MALEDICTION.
Synonyms:
ANATHEMA. IMPRECATION.

Question 4

Magnate

Answer 4

Powerful or influential person
The entertainment MAGNATE bought two cable TV stations to add to his collection of magazines and publishing houses.
Synonyms:
DIGNITARY. LUMINARY. NABOB. POTENTATE. TYCOON.

Question 5

Mar

Answer 5

To damage or deface; spoil
Telephone poles MAR the natural beauty of the countryside.
Synonyms:
BLEMISH. DISFIGURE. IMPAIR. INJURE. SCAR.

Question 6

Mannered

Answer 6

Artificial or stilted in character
The portrait is an example of the MANNERED style that was favored in that era.
Synonyms:
AFFECTED. UNNATURAL.

Question 7

Maudlin

Answer 7

Overly sentimental
The mother’s death should have been a touching scene, but the movie’s treatment of it was so MAUDLIN that, instead of making the audience cry, it made them cringe.
Synonyms:
BATHETIC. MAWKISH. SACCHARINE. WEEPY.

Question 8

Martinet

Answer 8

Strict disciplinarian; one who rigidly follows rules
A complete MARTINET, the official insisted that Pete fill out all the forms again even though he was already familiar with his case.
Synonyms:
DICTATOR. STICKLER. TYRANT.

Question 9

Mendacious

Answer 9

Dishonest
So many of her stories were MENDACIOUS that I decided she must be a pathological liar.
Synonyms:
DECEITFUL. FALSE. LYING. UNTRUTHFUL.

Question 10

Mendicant

Answer 10

Beggar
“Please, sir, can you spare a dime?” Begged the MENDICANT as the businessman walked past.
Synonyms:
PANHANDLER. PAUPER.

Question 11

Meretricious

Answer 11

Gaudy; falsely attractive
The casino’s MERETRICIOUS decor horrified the cultivated interior designer.
Synonyms:
FLASHY. INSINCERE. LOUD. SPECIOUS. TAWDRY.

Question 12

Mirth

Answer 12

Frivolity; gaiety; laughter
Vera’s hilarious jokes contributed to the general MIRTH at the dinner party.
Synonyms:
GLEE. HILARITY. JOLLITY. MERRIMENT.

Question 13

Militate

Answer 13

To operate against; work against
Lenin MILITATED against the tsar for years before he overthrew him and established the Soviet Union.
Synonyms:
INFLUENCE. AFFECT. CHANGE.

Question 14

Missive

Answer 14

A written note or letter
Priscilla spent hours composing a romantic MISSIVE for Elvis.
Synonyms:
MESSAGE.

Question 15

Monastic

Answer 15

Extremely plain or secluded, as in a monastery
The philosopher retired to his MONASTIC lodgings to contemplate life free from any worldly distraction.
Synonyms:
AUSTERE. CONTEMPLATIVE. DISCIPLINED. REGIMENTED. SELF-ABNEGATING.

Question 16

Molt

Answer 16

To shed hair, skin, or an outer layer periodically
The snake MOLTED its skin and left it behind in a crumpled mass.
Synonyms:
CAST. DEFOLIATE. DESQUAMATE.

Question 17

Mores

Answer 17

Fixed customs or manners; moral attitudes
Synonyms:
CONVENTIONS. PRACTICES.

Question 18

Monotony

Answer 18

No variation; tediously the same
Synonyms:
DRONE. TEDIUM.

Question 19

Multifarious

Answer 19

Diverse
Synonyms:
ASSORTED. INDISCRIMINATE. HETEROGENEOUS. LEGION. MOTLEY. MULTIFOLD. MULTIFORM. MULTIPLEX. POPULOUS. VARIED.

Question 20

Myopic

Answer 20

Lacking foresight; having a narrow view or short-range perspective
Synonyms:
SHORT-SIGHTED. UNTHINKING.