Vocabulary Flashcards

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1
Q

feigned

A

simulated or pretended; insincere.

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2
Q

prudent

A

acting with or showing care and thought for the future.

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3
Q

hastily

A

with excessive speed or urgency; hurriedly.

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4
Q

rapacious

A

aggressively greedy or grasping.

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5
Q

lethargic

A

sluggish and apathetic.

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6
Q

apathetic

A

showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

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7
Q

meek

A

quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive.

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8
Q

conspicuous

A

standing out so as to be clearly visible.

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9
Q

reproach

A

address (someone) in such a way as to express disapproval or disappointment.

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10
Q

fervent

A

having or displaying a passionate intensity; hot, burning, or glowing.

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11
Q

trite

A

overused and consequently of little import; lacking originality or freshness.

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12
Q

revitalize

A

imbue (something) with new life and vitality.

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13
Q

innocuous

A

not harmful or offensive.

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14
Q

complacent

A

showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements.

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15
Q

complicit

A

involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing.

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16
Q

eccentric

A

(of a person or their behavior) unconventional and slightly strange.

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17
Q

enigmatic

A

difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious.

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18
Q

abate

A

(of something perceived as hostile, threatening, or negative) become less intense or widespread.

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19
Q

sentimental

A

of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia.

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20
Q

dissipate

A

(with reference to a feeling or other intangible thing) disappear or cause to disappear.

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21
Q

oust

A

drive out or expel (someone) from a position or place.

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22
Q

squander

A

waste (something, especially money or time) in a reckless and foolish manner.

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23
Q

scrupulous

A

(of a person or process) diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details.

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24
Q

surmount

A

overcome (a difficulty or obstacle).

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25
Q

solicit

A

ask for or try to obtain (something) from someone.

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26
Q

belie

A

fail to give a true notion or impression of (something); disguise or contradict.

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27
Q

tempestuous

A

characterized by strong and turbulent or conflicting emotion.

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28
Q

beseech

A

ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something; implore; entreat.

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29
Q

transfix

A

cause (someone) to become motionless with horror, wonder, or astonishment; mesmerize.

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30
Q

solemn

A

formal and dignified.
not cheerful or smiling; serious.

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31
Q

earnestly

A

with sincere and intense conviction; seriously.

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32
Q

calamitous

A

involving calamity; catastrophic or disastrous.

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33
Q

sublime

A

of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe.

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34
Q

confer

A

grant or bestow (a title, degree, benefit, or right).

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35
Q

poignant

A

evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.

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36
Q

adept

A

very skilled or proficient at something.

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37
Q

contentious

A

causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.

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38
Q

extricate

A

free (someone or something) from a constraint or difficulty.

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39
Q

bleat

A

speak or complain in a weak, querulous, or foolish way.

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40
Q

petulant

A

(of a person or their manner) childishly sulky or bad-tempered.

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41
Q

broadminded

A

tolerant or liberal in one’s views and reactions; not easily offended.

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42
Q

juxtapose

A

place or deal with close together for contrasting effect.

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43
Q

opulent

A

ostentatiously rich and luxurious or lavish.

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44
Q

pretentious

A

attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed.

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45
Q

exultant

A

triumphantly happy.

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46
Q

astute

A

having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one’s advantage.

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47
Q

divine

A

discover (something) by guesswork or intuition.

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48
Q

inconsonant

A

not in agreement or harmony; not compatible.

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49
Q

succinct

A

(especially of something written or spoken) briefly and clearly expressed.

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50
Q

novel

A

new or unusual in an interesting way.

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51
Q

divulge

A

make known (private or sensitive information).

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52
Q

covert

A

not openly acknowledged or displayed.

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53
Q

commensurate

A

corresponding in size or degree; in proportion.

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54
Q

rife

A

(especially of something undesirable or harmful) of common occurrence; widespread;
full of.

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55
Q

inert

A

lacking the ability or strength to move;
lacking vigor.

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56
Q

comely

A

pleasant to look at; attractive (typically used of a woman);
agreeable; suitable.

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57
Q

languid

A

(of a person, manner, or gesture) displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.

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58
Q

vain

A

having or showing an excessively high opinion of one’s appearance, abilities, or worth.

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59
Q

asinine

A

extremely stupid or foolish.

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60
Q

punctilious

A

showing great attention to detail or correct behavior.

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61
Q

ponderous

A

slow and clumsy because of great weight;
dull, laborious, or excessively solemn.

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62
Q

eminent

A

(of a person) famous and respected within a particular sphere or profession.

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63
Q

alight

A

descend from a train, bus, or other form of transport.

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64
Q

perusal

A

the action of reading or examining something.

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65
Q

broach

A

raise (a sensitive or difficult subject) for discussion.

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66
Q

trifle

A

treat (someone or something) without seriousness or respect.

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67
Q

choleric

A

bad-tempered or irritable.

68
Q

surreptitious

A

kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.

69
Q

servile

A

having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others.

70
Q

furnish

A

supply someone with (something); give (something) to someone.

71
Q

benevolent

A

well meaning and kindly;
(of an organization) serving a charitable rather than a profit-making purpose.

72
Q

conceive

A

form or devise (a plan or idea) in the mind.

73
Q

engender

A

cause or give rise to (a feeling, situation, or condition).

74
Q

scant

A

barely sufficient or adequate.

75
Q

concerted

A

jointly arranged, planned, or carried out; coordinated.

76
Q

deleterious

A

harmful; injurious.

77
Q

outspoken

A

candid or bold in speech; said or expressed with candour or boldness.

78
Q

frivolous

A

not having any serious purpose or value; (of a person) carefree and not serious.

79
Q

benign

A

gentle and kindly.

80
Q

facetious

A

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant.

81
Q

levity

A

humor or frivolity, especially the treatment of a serious matter with humor or in a manner lacking due respect.

82
Q

brevity

A

concise and exact use of words in writing or speech; shortness of time.

83
Q

ornate

A

made in an intricate shape or decorated with complex patterns; (of literary style) using unusual words and complex constructions.

84
Q

timid

A

showing a lack of courage or confidence; easily frightened.

85
Q

stupefy

A

make (someone) unable to think or feel properly;
astonish and shock.

86
Q

imperative

A

of vital importance; crucial.

87
Q

materialistic

A

excessively concerned with material possessions; money-oriented.

88
Q

renounce

A

formally declare one’s abandonment of (a claim, right, or possession);
reject and stop using or consuming.

89
Q

insatiable

A

(of an appetite or desire) impossible to satisfy.

90
Q

ominous

A

giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious.

91
Q

conducive

A

making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible.

92
Q

dismal

A

depressing; dreary; (of a person or a mood) gloomy.

93
Q

spur

A

give an incentive or encouragement to (someone); promote the development of; stimulate.

94
Q

undulate

A

move or go with a smooth up-and-down motion; have a smoothly rising and falling form or outline.

95
Q

coarse

A

rough or loose in texture or grain; (of a person or their speech) rude, crude, or vulgar.

96
Q

confound

A

cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially by acting against their expectations; prove (a theory, expectation, or prediction) wrong.

97
Q

preposterous

A

contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd or ridiculous.

98
Q

dominion

A

sovereignty or control.

99
Q

ascertain

A

find (something) out for certain; make sure of.

100
Q

fetter

A

restrict or restrain (someone) in an unfair or undesirable fashion.

101
Q

ill-advised

A

unwise or imprudent.

102
Q

endow

A

provide with a quality, ability, or asset.

103
Q

overwrought

A

in a state of nervous excitement or anxiety; (of writing or art) too elaborate or complicated in design or construction.

104
Q

sullen

A

bad-tempered and sulky; gloomy; (of the sky) full of dark clouds.

105
Q

obsolete

A

no longer produced or used; out of date.

106
Q

convivial

A

(of an atmosphere, event, or person) friendly, lively.

107
Q

ulterior

A

existing beyond what is obvious or admitted; intentionally hidden.

108
Q

deft

A

neatly skillful and quick in one’s movements.

109
Q

superficial

A

concerned only with the obvious or apparent.

110
Q

oblivious

A

not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one.

111
Q

blithe

A

showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper.

112
Q

callous

A

showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others.

113
Q

abrasive

A

(of a person or manner) showing little concern for the feelings of others; harsh.

114
Q

verbose

A

using or expressed in more words than are needed.

115
Q

eloquent

A

fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing; clearly expressing or indicating something.

116
Q

terse

A

sparing in the use of words; abrupt.

117
Q

exemplify

A

to show or illustrate by example; embody.

118
Q

vacillate

A

alternate or waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive.

119
Q

elucidate

A

make (something) clear; explain.

120
Q

impugn

A

dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of (a statement or motive); call into question.

121
Q

revere

A

feel deep respect or admiration for (something).

122
Q

defer

A

submit humbly to (a person or a person’s wishes or qualities).

123
Q

senile

A

(of a person) having or showing the weaknesses or diseases of old age, especially a loss of mental faculties.

124
Q

coincide

A

occur at or during the same time; correspond in nature.

125
Q

queer

A

strange; odd.

126
Q

ruminate

A

think deeply about something.

127
Q

fritter

A

waste time, money, or energy on trifling matters.

128
Q

ubiquitous

A

present, appearing, or found everywhere.

129
Q

demure

A

reserved, modest, and shy (typically used of a woman).

130
Q

staunch

A

loyal and committed in attitude.

131
Q

approbate

A

approve formally; sanction.

132
Q

scathe

A

harm; injure.

133
Q

impel

A

drive, force, or urge (someone) to do something.

134
Q

evince

A

reveal the presence of (a quality or feeling); indicate.

135
Q

brazen

A

bold and without shame.

136
Q

naive

A

(of a person or action) showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.

137
Q

compulsive

A

irresistibly interesting or exciting; compelling.

138
Q

autonomous

A

having the freedom to act independently.

139
Q

leery

A

cautious or wary due to realistic suspicions.

140
Q

obsequious

A

obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree.

141
Q

seminal

A

(of a work, event, moment, or figure) strongly influencing later developments.

142
Q

visceral

A

relating to deep inward feelings rather than to the intellect.

143
Q

reticent

A

not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily; reserved.

144
Q

exasperate

A

irritate and frustrate (someone) intensely.

145
Q

rouse

A

bring out of sleep; awaken.

146
Q

desultory

A

lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm.

147
Q

morose

A

sullen and ill-tempered.

148
Q

debilitate

A

hinder, delay, or weaken.

149
Q

inquisitive

A

curious or inquiring.

150
Q

inordinate

A

unusually or disproportionately large; excessive.

151
Q

precocious

A

(of behavior or ability) indicative of early development.

152
Q

naive

A

(of a person or action) showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.

153
Q

proliferate

A

increase rapidly in numbers; multiply.

154
Q

substantiate

A

provide evidence to support or prove the truth of.

155
Q

buoy

A

cause to become cheerful or confident.

156
Q

idiosyncratic

A

peculiar or individual.

157
Q

diplomatic

A

having or showing an ability to deal with people in a sensitive and effective way.

158
Q

gregarious

A

(of a person) fond of company; sociable.

159
Q

dainty

A

delicately small and pretty.

160
Q

adulate

A

praise (someone) excessively.

161
Q

bashful

A

reluctant to draw attention to oneself; shy.

162
Q

indulgent

A

having or indicating a tendency to be overly generous to or lenient with someone.

163
Q

distill

A

extract the essential meaning or most important aspects of.

164
Q

indelible

A

not able to be forgotten or removed.

165
Q

facade

A

an outward appearance that is maintained to conceal a less pleasant or creditable reality.

166
Q

menial

A

(of work) not requiring much skill and lacking prestige.