Vocabulary Flashcards
feigned
simulated or pretended; insincere.
prudent
acting with or showing care and thought for the future.
hastily
with excessive speed or urgency; hurriedly.
rapacious
aggressively greedy or grasping.
lethargic
sluggish and apathetic.
apathetic
showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
meek
quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive.
conspicuous
standing out so as to be clearly visible.
reproach
address (someone) in such a way as to express disapproval or disappointment.
fervent
having or displaying a passionate intensity; hot, burning, or glowing.
trite
overused and consequently of little import; lacking originality or freshness.
revitalize
imbue (something) with new life and vitality.
innocuous
not harmful or offensive.
complacent
showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements.
complicit
involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing.
eccentric
(of a person or their behavior) unconventional and slightly strange.
enigmatic
difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious.
abate
(of something perceived as hostile, threatening, or negative) become less intense or widespread.
sentimental
of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia.
dissipate
(with reference to a feeling or other intangible thing) disappear or cause to disappear.
oust
drive out or expel (someone) from a position or place.
squander
waste (something, especially money or time) in a reckless and foolish manner.
scrupulous
(of a person or process) diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details.
surmount
overcome (a difficulty or obstacle).
solicit
ask for or try to obtain (something) from someone.
belie
fail to give a true notion or impression of (something); disguise or contradict.
tempestuous
characterized by strong and turbulent or conflicting emotion.
beseech
ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something; implore; entreat.
transfix
cause (someone) to become motionless with horror, wonder, or astonishment; mesmerize.
solemn
formal and dignified.
not cheerful or smiling; serious.
earnestly
with sincere and intense conviction; seriously.
calamitous
involving calamity; catastrophic or disastrous.
sublime
of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe.
confer
grant or bestow (a title, degree, benefit, or right).
poignant
evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.
adept
very skilled or proficient at something.
contentious
causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.
extricate
free (someone or something) from a constraint or difficulty.
bleat
speak or complain in a weak, querulous, or foolish way.
petulant
(of a person or their manner) childishly sulky or bad-tempered.
broadminded
tolerant or liberal in one’s views and reactions; not easily offended.
juxtapose
place or deal with close together for contrasting effect.
opulent
ostentatiously rich and luxurious or lavish.
pretentious
attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed.
exultant
triumphantly happy.
astute
having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one’s advantage.
divine
discover (something) by guesswork or intuition.
inconsonant
not in agreement or harmony; not compatible.
succinct
(especially of something written or spoken) briefly and clearly expressed.
novel
new or unusual in an interesting way.
divulge
make known (private or sensitive information).
covert
not openly acknowledged or displayed.
commensurate
corresponding in size or degree; in proportion.
rife
(especially of something undesirable or harmful) of common occurrence; widespread;
full of.
inert
lacking the ability or strength to move;
lacking vigor.
comely
pleasant to look at; attractive (typically used of a woman);
agreeable; suitable.
languid
(of a person, manner, or gesture) displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.
vain
having or showing an excessively high opinion of one’s appearance, abilities, or worth.
asinine
extremely stupid or foolish.
punctilious
showing great attention to detail or correct behavior.
ponderous
slow and clumsy because of great weight;
dull, laborious, or excessively solemn.
eminent
(of a person) famous and respected within a particular sphere or profession.
alight
descend from a train, bus, or other form of transport.
perusal
the action of reading or examining something.
broach
raise (a sensitive or difficult subject) for discussion.
trifle
treat (someone or something) without seriousness or respect.
choleric
bad-tempered or irritable.
surreptitious
kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.
servile
having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others.
furnish
supply someone with (something); give (something) to someone.
benevolent
well meaning and kindly;
(of an organization) serving a charitable rather than a profit-making purpose.
conceive
form or devise (a plan or idea) in the mind.
engender
cause or give rise to (a feeling, situation, or condition).
scant
barely sufficient or adequate.
concerted
jointly arranged, planned, or carried out; coordinated.
deleterious
harmful; injurious.
outspoken
candid or bold in speech; said or expressed with candour or boldness.
frivolous
not having any serious purpose or value; (of a person) carefree and not serious.
benign
gentle and kindly.
facetious
treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant.
levity
humor or frivolity, especially the treatment of a serious matter with humor or in a manner lacking due respect.
brevity
concise and exact use of words in writing or speech; shortness of time.
ornate
made in an intricate shape or decorated with complex patterns; (of literary style) using unusual words and complex constructions.
timid
showing a lack of courage or confidence; easily frightened.
stupefy
make (someone) unable to think or feel properly;
astonish and shock.
imperative
of vital importance; crucial.
materialistic
excessively concerned with material possessions; money-oriented.
renounce
formally declare one’s abandonment of (a claim, right, or possession);
reject and stop using or consuming.
insatiable
(of an appetite or desire) impossible to satisfy.
ominous
giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious.
conducive
making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible.
dismal
depressing; dreary; (of a person or a mood) gloomy.
spur
give an incentive or encouragement to (someone); promote the development of; stimulate.
undulate
move or go with a smooth up-and-down motion; have a smoothly rising and falling form or outline.
coarse
rough or loose in texture or grain; (of a person or their speech) rude, crude, or vulgar.
confound
cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially by acting against their expectations; prove (a theory, expectation, or prediction) wrong.
preposterous
contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd or ridiculous.
dominion
sovereignty or control.
ascertain
find (something) out for certain; make sure of.
fetter
restrict or restrain (someone) in an unfair or undesirable fashion.
ill-advised
unwise or imprudent.
endow
provide with a quality, ability, or asset.
overwrought
in a state of nervous excitement or anxiety; (of writing or art) too elaborate or complicated in design or construction.
sullen
bad-tempered and sulky; gloomy; (of the sky) full of dark clouds.
obsolete
no longer produced or used; out of date.
convivial
(of an atmosphere, event, or person) friendly, lively.
ulterior
existing beyond what is obvious or admitted; intentionally hidden.
deft
neatly skillful and quick in one’s movements.
superficial
concerned only with the obvious or apparent.
oblivious
not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one.
blithe
showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper.
callous
showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others.
abrasive
(of a person or manner) showing little concern for the feelings of others; harsh.
verbose
using or expressed in more words than are needed.
eloquent
fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing; clearly expressing or indicating something.
terse
sparing in the use of words; abrupt.
exemplify
to show or illustrate by example; embody.
vacillate
alternate or waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive.
elucidate
make (something) clear; explain.
impugn
dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of (a statement or motive); call into question.
revere
feel deep respect or admiration for (something).
defer
submit humbly to (a person or a person’s wishes or qualities).
senile
(of a person) having or showing the weaknesses or diseases of old age, especially a loss of mental faculties.
coincide
occur at or during the same time; correspond in nature.
queer
strange; odd.
ruminate
think deeply about something.
fritter
waste time, money, or energy on trifling matters.
ubiquitous
present, appearing, or found everywhere.
demure
reserved, modest, and shy (typically used of a woman).
staunch
loyal and committed in attitude.
approbate
approve formally; sanction.
scathe
harm; injure.
impel
drive, force, or urge (someone) to do something.
evince
reveal the presence of (a quality or feeling); indicate.
brazen
bold and without shame.
naive
(of a person or action) showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.
compulsive
irresistibly interesting or exciting; compelling.
autonomous
having the freedom to act independently.
leery
cautious or wary due to realistic suspicions.
obsequious
obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree.
seminal
(of a work, event, moment, or figure) strongly influencing later developments.
visceral
relating to deep inward feelings rather than to the intellect.
reticent
not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily; reserved.
exasperate
irritate and frustrate (someone) intensely.
rouse
bring out of sleep; awaken.
desultory
lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm.
morose
sullen and ill-tempered.
debilitate
hinder, delay, or weaken.
inquisitive
curious or inquiring.
inordinate
unusually or disproportionately large; excessive.
precocious
(of behavior or ability) indicative of early development.
naive
(of a person or action) showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.
proliferate
increase rapidly in numbers; multiply.
substantiate
provide evidence to support or prove the truth of.
buoy
cause to become cheerful or confident.
idiosyncratic
peculiar or individual.
diplomatic
having or showing an ability to deal with people in a sensitive and effective way.
gregarious
(of a person) fond of company; sociable.
dainty
delicately small and pretty.
adulate
praise (someone) excessively.
bashful
reluctant to draw attention to oneself; shy.
indulgent
having or indicating a tendency to be overly generous to or lenient with someone.
distill
extract the essential meaning or most important aspects of.
indelible
not able to be forgotten or removed.
facade
an outward appearance that is maintained to conceal a less pleasant or creditable reality.
menial
(of work) not requiring much skill and lacking prestige.
