Vocabulary Flashcards
3 new words/ day
futile (adj)
incapable of producing any useful result, completely ineffective
Syn: vain, fruitless
contentious (adj)
causing or likely to cause argument and disagreement
Syn: controversial
insofar as (adv)
to the extent/degree that
i.e: We agree only insofar as the budget is concerned
preclude ____(v)
someone from verb-ing
1) to prevent someone from doing something
i.e: His difficulties preclude him from leading a normal life
2) make impossible
i.e: The secret nature of his work precluded official recognition
construe ____ (v)
ST as ST
interpret in a particular way or with respect to a given set of circumstances
i.e: Her frustration was construed as anger.
lucrative (adj)
producing great deal of profits
entrench (v)
1) establish (an attitude, habit, or belief) so firmly that change is very difficult or unlikely.
i.e: a father who entrenched in our minds the belief that hard work pays off
2) establish firmly or solidly
i.e: entrenched themselves in the business
muddle (n)
disorganized and confused state
Syn: mess, chaos
i.e: The finances were in a muddle
maxim (n)
a concise expression or proverb of a general truth or fundamental principle
i.e: Mother’s favorite maxim was “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
proprietor (n)
a person who has the legal right or exclusive title to something (real estate, business, patent…)
Syn: owner
i.e: The proprietor of a patent may wish to be selective about markets and granting licences.
encompass (v)
1) include
Syn: comprehend, envelope
i.e: A plan that encompasses a number of aims
2) to form a circle/ surround
Syn: enclose, embrace, encircle
i.e: a neighborhood encompassed by a highway
abate (v)
**Intransitive verb: **
1) to decrease in force or intensity
i.e: waiting for the storm to abate
2) to reduce in value or amount
Transitive verb:
1) to put an end to (nullify/void)
2) moderate
Syn: abate their rancor to win peace
3) to deduct, omit
The mechanic consultant already abated part of the cost
aberration (n)
something or someone regarded as atypical and therefore able to be ignored or discounted
Syn: outliers
i.e: The drop in our school’s test scores was dismissed as an aberration.
acclaim (v) (n)
(v) - to praise enthusiastically and publicly
i.e: The critics have acclaimed her performance.
(n) - praise, applause
He deserves acclaim for all his charitable works.
acquisitive (adj)
showing a strong desire of acquiring and possessing (wealth, material things)
Syn: avaricious, greedy, covetous
i.e: He was known for his acquisitiveness, buying any art work that caught his eye
acreage (n)
land measured in acres
Our property is large, but much of the acreage is swampland not suitable for building
adherent (n)
a person who sticks to a belief or a cause
Syn: follower, disciple
i.e: She has long been an adherent of the Communist Party.
ad-lib (adj) (adv)
(Adj) spoken, composed, or performed without preparation
(Adv) without restraint or limit
in accordance with one’s wishes
Ex: There apparently were an ad lib remark that Vladimir Putin just can’t remain in power
adopt (v)
1) to begin to practice or use (such as approach/manner)
2) take and make one’s own.
3) to accept formally and put into effect (law/policy)
advent (n)
arrival
i.e: Transportation was transformed by the advent of the internal combustion engine.
adverse (adj)
1) acting against or in a contrary direction (hostile)
- The forecasters are expecting adverse weather for the next few days.
2) opposed to one’s interest or position (in an unfavorable or harmful way)
- They received a lot of adverse publicity/criticism about the changes.
agency (non-traditional meaning)
an exertion of power or influence
- the ability to take action or to choose what action to take
i.e: The protest gave us a sense of agency, a sense of our own power to make a difference.
aggravate (v)
1) make ST worse, more serious or severe
2) to make (someone) angry or irritated especially by annoyance
i.e: Road repair work has aggravated the problem of traffic congestion.
altogether (adv)
1) wholly, completely
i.e: I stopped seeing her altogether”
2) in all, in total
i.e: he had forty-six children altogether
3) taking everything into consideration; on the whole
Syn: overall
i.e: It was an altogether stunning new design
amortize (v)
1) gradually pay off a debt
2) gradually reduce or write off the cost or value of an asset
write off (v)
1) to eliminate (an asset) from the books : enter as a loss or expense (accounting)
2) to regard or concede to be lost
Syn: dismiss
i.e: most were content to write off 1979 and look optimistically ahead
annul (v)
1) to declare or make legally invalid (legal context)
Syn: invalidate,
2) to make of no value, to cancel out
Syn: negate
i.e: Unfortunately, his arrogant attitude annuls the many generous favors he does for people
3) to make ineffective or inoperative - neutralize (medicine)
4) to reduce to nothing - obliterate
i.e: Many philosophers regard the idea of annulling crime as extremely dubious, if not ridiculous
anoint (v)
1) to smear or rub with oil or an oily substance
- In religion: to make someone holy in a religious ceremony by putting holy water or oil on them
2) to choose someone to do a particular job, usually by a person in authority
antithetical (adj)
directly opposite or opposed
i.e: a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy
arbiter (n)
A person empowered to decide matters at hand.
Syn: judge, umpire
rollback (n)
roll back (v)
(n) reduction or decrease (in prices, wages, taxes) to a previous level on national scale
1) to reduce or decrease to a previous level on national scale
2) to rescind, annull, invalidate
i.e: Trump also wants to roll back Biden’s climate-change policies
3) to retreat or withdraw or push back
albatross (n)
1) psychological burden/ anxiety
2) something that greatly hinders accomplishment :
Syn: encumbrance
i.e: Fame has become an albatross that prevents her from leading a normal life
invariably (adv)
in every case / always
Syn: consistently, constantly
analogous (adj)
1) similar or comparable to something else either in general or in some specific detail
Syn: alike, resembling
2) similar in a way that invites comparison
Syn: parallel, matching, corresponding
i.e: A town council and a government body that serves an analogous function
archaic (adj)
ancient, antiquated, old-fashioned, primitive
i.e: The school’s archaic computer system predated even floppy disks.
aristocracy (n)
a class or group of people believed to be superior (rank, wealth & intellectual)
Syn: nobility, elite
ascribe ___ (v)
ascribe ST to ST: to give credit
Syn: attribute, credit with
i.e: He ascribed his good grades to diligent studying
assimilation (n)
the process by which a minority group adopts the customs and way of life of a larger group
baldly (adv)
in plain or basic language, without unnecessary words or details:
Syn: candidly, bluntly
befall (v)
to happen by fate (in negative way)
i.e: Disaster befell the company once again when the CEO was thrown from a horse
belie (v)
1) to give a false impression
Syn: disguise
i.e: An air of rural charm belies the community’s industrial activity.
2) to show (something) to be false or wrong
Syn: contradict
i.e: The evidence belies their claims of innocence.
blight (n)
(v)
(n) - disease that kills plants rapidly
- something that frustrates plans or hopes
i.e: the blight of poverty
- something that impairs or destroys
i.e: He was deemed unprofessional, a blight on the industry, and an epicenter for the league’s issues
(v) to impair the quality or effect of
i.e: The condition that has blighted his son’s life
brook (v) - often used with the word ‘no’
tolerate
i.e: The dictator will brook no dissents
buffer (v)
to lessen the shock
Syn: cushion
canon (n)
canonical (adj)
(n) an accepted principle or rule
(adj) conforming to a general rule or acceptable procedure
Syn: orthodox
keep/hold in check
restrain, held back
clamor (n)
clamor (v)
1) noisy uproar or shouting (as from a crowd)
- loud continuous noise
2) insistent public expression (as of support or protest)
(v) shout loudly and insistently (as from a crowd)
Ex: clamored for his impeachment
cloak (v)
to hide, to cover or conceal
i.e: The outlaw nation had cloaked its chemical weapons plant as a fertilizer factory
coalesce (v)
1) to grow together
2) to come together into a whole
Syn: fuse, unite
i.e: A group of young reformers who gradually coalesced into a political movement
cogent (adj)
1) very convincing, logical
2) having power to compel or pursuading
i.e: The results of the DNA fingerprinting were the most cogent evidence for acquittal
collude (v)
to work together secretly especially in order to do something illegal or dishonest
i.e: The two companies had colluded to fix prices.
concede (v)
1) to acknowledge/give in grudgingly or hesitantly (in response to a rightful or compelling claim)
Syn: admit, yield
i.e: Jansen pitched in 11 games this month and didn’t concede a single run.
2) to grant as a right or privilege
i.e: Britain conceded the independence of the colonies.
condone (v)
to regard or treat (something bad or blameworthy) as acceptable, forgivable, or harmless
Syn: tolerate, overlook, discount
i.e: A government that has been accused of condoning racism
confer ___ (v)
on - grant or bestow (a title, degree, benefit, or right)
with - consult or exchange views
i.e: I can’t buy this car until I confer with my spouse
contemplative (adj)
expressing or involving prolonged thought
Syn: pensive, meditative
i.e: She regarded me with a contemplative eye
conversely (adv)
on the other hand, in an opposite way
i.e: Im not here to argue that lack of education causes poverty. Conversely, Im here to argue that poverty causes lack of education
copious (adj)
abundant, plentiful, bountiful
i.e: The fire, driven by the wind, had thrown off copious amounts of embers into the dry grasses
corroborate (v)
confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding).
Syn: attest, substantiate, verify, validate
i.e: The witness had corroborated the boy’s account of the attack
countenance (n) (v)
(n) - a person look or facial expression
i.e: a pleasant countenance that puts visitors at ease
(v) - tolerate, allow
i.e: Aileen can’t even countenance the possibility that her son might be guilty.
culminate (v)
1) to reach its highest altitude
2) reach the highest point or final stage
i.e: The movie culminates in a series of courtroom scenes in which a judge — and the audience — must weigh her potential guilt.
currency (n) - beside ‘money’ meaning
something to become a general use, acceptance, or prevalence
i.e: a story gaining currency
cynical (adj)
thinking of the worst of other’s motivations
- deeply distrustful or disbelief in sincerity or integrity.
Syn: misanthropic
debase (v)
1) to lower in status, esteem, quality, or character
Syn: degrade
i.e: The holiday has been debased by commercialism.
2) to reduce the exchange value of (a monetary unit)
debunk (v)
expose, disprove false or exaggerated claims
i.e: The show Mythbusters debunks pseudoscientific claims
decry (v)
to express strong disapproval of
to condemn openly
i.e: Violence on television is generally decried as harmful to children.
deem (v)
1) regard or consider in a specified way (deem + noun/adj)
Syn: believe, judge
i.e: They would take any action they deemed necessary.
Successful economic development was deemed the key to national survival.
delimit (v)
to fix or define the limits of
i.e: Strict guidelines delimit his responsibilities
denote (v)
denotation (n)
1) indicate/ represent
i.e: the swollen bellies that denote starvation
2) (linguistic) mean/ to stand for the notion of (a name or symbol)
i.e: An epiphany is, literally, a showing. In Christian terminology it denotes the showing of the infant Jesus to the three Magi
deride (v)
to laugh at or insult contemptuously
Syn: mock, ridicule
i.e: Politicians deride their opponents
deterrent (adj)
serving to discourage, prevent, or inhibit
i.e: The ads had a deterrent effect on youth smoking.
dichotomy (n)
a division into two especially mutually exclusive or contradictory groups or entities
Syn: Bifurcation (biology diverge branching)
The amusing spectacle of the recent presidential vote in Florida should remind us of the persistence of the federal-state dichotomy
discount (v)
1) to leave out of account or consideration :
Syn: disregard
i.e: discount the possibility that the situation may worsen
2) to not count it is as important
Syn: underestimate
i.e: These threats cannot be entirely discounted.
3) to view with doubt
i.e: discount most of their claims
discrepancy (n)
contrast, difference, disagreement, disparateness, disparity
i.e: The report also found discrepancies in the department’s training, supervision and accountability
discreet (adj)
1) having or showing discernment or good judgment in conduct and especially in speech
Syn: prudent, astute, cautious
2) not readily seen or noticed
Syn: unobtrusive
i.e: with a discreet gesture, she signalled to her husband that she was ready to leave the party
discrete (adj)
individually distinct or unconnected elements, separate entity
Syn: detached
i.e: The advertising agency pitched us not on one campaign, but on three discrete ideas
discretion (n)
discretionary (adj)
(n) - individual choice or judgment
power of free decision or latitude of choice within legal boundaries
i.e: Each artist in the gallery has discretion over the price that will be charged for his or her work.
(adj) - subject to someone’s discretion or judgement
Syn: optional, voluntary, elective
disinterested (adj)
1) not showing or feeling interest.
i.e: the city’s philistines, naturally disinterested in art, voted to cut the museum’s budget
2) free from selfish motive or interest
Syn: impartial, unbiased, indifferent
disparate (adj)
distinct, different
i.e: A strategic marketing leader spots trends in disparate places, and sees patterns to better understand the big picture.
disseminate (v)
1) to spread or give out (news, information, ideas, etc.) widely
Syn: broadcast
2) to disperse throughout
Syn: scatter
divest (v)
1) to deprive or dispossess especially of property, authority, or title
Syn: rid, free
i.e: Once his deception was exposed, he was divested of his position on the board
2) to undress or strip especially of clothing, ornament, or equipment
dovetail (v)
join or fit together
echelon (n)
a rank or position within an organization, company, or profession:
i.e: Still, the big pay days don’t come close to matching the upper echelon of media and tech compensation packages.
eclectic (adj)
1) combine the best of everything from many different areas or systems, rather than following a single system:
2) consisting of different types, methods, styles, etc.:
Syn: heterogenous
i.e: It was an eclectic mix of our ethnic foods and traditional Thanksgiving food.
eclipse (v)
1) to obscure, darken
2) to make less important
Syn: surpass
i.e: Her performance was eclipsed by the director talent.
effectively (adj)
1) in an effective manner
2) virtually
i.e: By withholding further funds they effectively killed the project
efficacy (n)
the power to produce an intended effect (often used in reference to medicines)
Syn: effectiveness
i.e: Extensive trials will be necessary to determine whether the drug’s efficacy outweighs the side effects.
egalitarian (adj)
relating to belief in the equality of all people
i.e: Such conventional wisdom holds that each successive generation will become more egalitarian and enjoy more opportunities than the last.
egregious (adj)
extremely bad in a noticeable way:
Syn: glaring, flagrant, obvious, striking
The student’s theme was marred by a number of egregious errors in spelling
empirical (adj)
1) originating in or based on observation or experience rather than on theory:
2) capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment;
i.e: The theory of pollution havens is straightforward; however, empirical evidence for their existence is mixed.
enigma (n)
1) ST or somone that is mysterious and impossible to understand
Syn: puzzle, mystery, riddle
2) an obscure speech or writing
enjoy (v) - beside its cliche meaning
to benefit from - experience
i.e: The college has long enjoyed the support of wealthy alumni
ensure (v)
to make sure, certain or safe
Syn: assure, guarantee
equivocate (v)
use unclear language to deceive or avoid committing to a position
Syn: weasel, fudge
i.e: Both López-Gatell and López Obrador equivocate on the effectiveness of wearing face masks.
enumerate (v)
1) count
Syn: numerate
2) specify one-by-one
Syn: list, itemize
i.e: The Bill of Rights enumerates the basic rights held by every citizen of USA
erstwhile (adv) (adj)
(adv) - in the past/ formerly
i.e: there’s now a store where erstwhile lay green and pleasant pastures
(adj) former, previous
i.e: my erstwhile friend ignored me when I ran into her at the mall
ethos (n)
the set of moral beliefs, attitudes, habits, etc., that are characteristic of a person or group:
Syn: motto, principle,
i.e: The new firm’s ethos is brash, fiercely ambitious, and decidedly cutting-edge.
exacting (adj)
demanding a lot of effort, care, or attention
i.e: He was also known to be an exacting boss, even a violent one.
exhaustive (adj) (not as exhausted)
accounting for all possibilities
Syn: comprehensive, thorough
i.e: After an exhaustive search of our house, we still hadn’t found the cat
expedient (adj)
suitable, proper for achieving a particular end in a given circumstance (but sometimes not morally acceptable)
Syn: tactical, advisable
i.e: The management has taken a series of expedient measures to improve the company’s financial situation.
extraneous (adj)
1) coming from outside
Syn: foreign
Syn: The recording is slightly marred by some extraneous noise and a cloudy sound-quality on some of the vocal parts.
2) not directly connected or related to a matter being considered:
Syn: irrelevant
i.e: She sped up the process by eliminating all extraneous steps.
extrapolate (v)
predict/infer values by projecting the past experience or known data
faculty (n)
1) a particular ability, power or function
i.e: Even at the age of 100, she still had all her faculties
- The state has the faculty to define treason.
2) natural aptitude:
i.e: She has a faculty for inspiring confidence in the students
fashion (n)
fashion (v)
(n) a manner of doing something/ a mode of action or operation
i.e: the work is done in a rather casual fashion
(v) make into a particular or the required form.
Syn: adapt, conform, accommodate
i.e a figure fashioned from clay
converge (v)
1) move toward one another or toward a point
Syn: meet, gather
i.e: Students converged in the parking lot to say goodbye after graduation.
2) to come together and unite in a common interest or focus
i.e: Economic forces converged to bring the country out of the recession.
counterpoint (v)
counterpoint (n) - often used as a noun than verb
1) to set off or emphasize contrast by juxtaposition
2) a complimenting or contrasting item (positive tone)
Syn: opposite
The primary colors here are white and gray, which offer a pleasing counterpoint to the red oak floor
counterproductive (adj)
1) defeating the purpose.
2) preventing the intended goal.
i.e: Improved safety measures in cars can be counterproductive as they encourage people to drive faster.
deflect (v)
1) turn (something) aside from a straight course or fixed direction
Syn: deviate
i.e: The goalie deflected the ball with his hands.
2) avoid criticism, blame or a question
i.e: The president deflected criticism of his economic record by focusing on crime.
fledgling (n)
1) young bird that has grown feathers and is learning to fly
2) an immature or inexperienced person
3) one that is new
Syn: novice, newbie, rookie
i.e: fledgling medical students
fleeting (adj)
lasting or staying only a short time
Syn: short-lived, momentary, transitory
i.e: fleeting desire/moment
forestall (v)
delay, hinder or prevent by taking action beforehand
Syn: intercept, preclude
Our research has been forestalled by a lack of funding
glacial (adj)
1) snow, cold, icy
2) unsympathetic (figuratively)
in food/materials context
render (v)
1) to melt (something) down
- to extract something from melting: render fat from duck skin
2) to convert (something) into another substance or form by means of a process or treatment
i.e: trees rendered into wood pulp
animal fat rendered into tallow
grade (v) - uncommon meaning
to blend
i.e: Notice that the mud and the sand grade into each other along the sandbar.
graft (n) (v)
(n) - (politics) the acquisition of gain (such as money) in dishonest or questionable ways
i.e: Thaksin was sentenced to eight years in jail on graft charges on his return from 15 years in self exile.
(v) join together (surgically) plant parts or living tissues so that two living things grow together
grandstand (v)
grandstanding (n)
(v) to play or act so as to impress onlookers
(n) - acting or speaking in a way intended to attract the good opinion of other people who are watching
i.e: Experts criticized the program as mere grandstanding by corporations and local officials.
guesswork (n)
the act or process of finding an answer by guessing
Syn: conjecture
i.e: Transparency from process intelligence can show customer and revenue impacts, therefore removing that guesswork.
guile (n)
the practice of misleading/deceiving others through lies or trickery to achieve your aims
Syn: slyness, deviousness, cunning
A person so full of guile he can’t even be trusted to give you the correct time of day
hallmark (n)
any distinguishing characteristic, trait or feature
i.e: Independent press is a hallmark of a free society
handpick (v)
to select personally
i.e: The retiring CEO handpicked the successor
hardy (adj)
1) bold, brave
i.e: most of the soldiers were hardy young men
2) capable of withstanding hardship or adverse conditions
I.e: hardy outdoor furniture
hearken or hark (same thing) - verb
hearken back to
1) pay attention to
Syn: listen
2) to bring to mind something in the past
i.e: This place caters to Americans and hearkens back to days when the town attracted famous celebrities.
hedge (v)
protect a bet by also betting on the other side
hegemony (n)
1) influence or authority over others
Syn: domination, supremacy
2) the social, cultural, economic and ideological influence exerted by a dominant group
Ex: The two countries went to war fighting for hegemony over the entire region.
heterogenous (adj)
different in type, composed of different types of elements
Syn: mixed, assorted
hierarchy (n)
a system or organization in which people or groups are ranked accordingly to status or authority.
a host of (n)
a large amount of something
Syn: multitude
hyperbole (n)
exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
( I’ve told you to clean your room a million times! or It was so cold, I saw polar bears wearing hats and jackets.)
underpin (v)
1) to support/ substantiate
i.e: Gradually the laws that underpinned apartheid were abolished.
2) to form part of, strengthen, or provide the basis of
Syn: bolster
i.e: Avaloq provides software for financial institutions that helps underpin digital banking and wealth management platforms.
for better or for worse
it means that you are not sure whether the consequences will be good or bad, but they will have to be accepted because the action cannot be changed.
For better or worse nature has designed honey bees to work themselves to death in the pursuit of sweet productivity.
Armageddon (n)
a dramatic and catastrophic conflict, typically seen as likely to destroy the world or the human race
prescience (n)
foreknowledge of events
Syn: foresight
i.e: If the postwar boom made Marx seem obsolete, recent decades have confirmed his prescience
assail (v)
1) attack violently, assault
2) to oppose, challenge, or criticize harshly and forcefully
i.e: Such assumptions are assailed as idealistic and static.
3) to cause someone to experience a lot of unpleasant things: to be assailed by doubts/fears/problems
i.e: She was assailed by doubts and regrets
jaundiced (adj)
showing a state or an attitude influenced by envy, distaste, or hostility
Syn: animosity, bitter
She has a very jaundiced view of politics and politicians
tacit (adj)
1) not expressing or talking about something directly or openly:
i.e: The leader has plenty of tacit supporters worldwide, including a number in Europe.
2) understood or implied but not actually expressed
i.e: Your silence may be taken to mean tacit agreement
inordinate (adj)
- inordinate amount
1) excessive, unreasonable
Syn: extreme
The Wall Street displayed an inordinate desire to get rich quickly with a minimum of physical effort.
2) much more than usual or expected
I waited an inordinate amount of time
indispensable (adj)
absolutely necessary
Syn: essential, crucial, vital, necessary
i.e: An indispensable member of the staff
repugnant (adj)
extremely distasteful; unacceptable
Syn: awful, abhorrent
i.e: The thought of going back into the fog was repugnant to him
take a beating
to be beaten badly in a game or contest
to suggest a setback or loss (figuratively)
i.e: Our plans took a real beating from the review committee
intractable (adj)
1) not easily governed, managed, or solve (problems)
i.e: The near term future will see complex discussions about intractable privacy issues.
2) not easily relieved or cured
3) not easily manipulated or shaped (of things: metal, physical form)
4) stubborn, obstinate (person)
unprepossessing (adj)
not tending to create a favorable impression
i.e: We were disappointed at the unprepossessing exterior of the hotel.
jarring (adj)
- incongruous (not harmonious) in a striking or shocking way
- having a disagreeable, or discordant effect
… an aroma that I found jarringly distracting
even-handed (adj)
fair, impartial
Iconoclast (n)
a person who attacks settled beliefs or institutions
imminent (adj)
about to happen, ready to take place (often used of something bad or dangerous coming near)
Syn: impending, looming
i.e: But most no longer see an imminent risk of an economic or market crash.
impasse (n)
a predicament allowing no obvious escape
Syn: deadlock, stalemate
i.e: If the union wont budge on its demands and the transit authority wont raise salaries, then we are at an impasse
impede (v)
to interfere with or slow the progress of
Syn: hinder, handicap
The soldiers could not impede the enemy’s advance.
impinge ____(v)
Upon/ on:
1) to affect (something) in a way that is unwanted
Syn: trepass, violate, infringe, encroach
i.e: The government wants to avoid impinging upon the affairs of private citizens.
2) have a negative effect/impact
i.e: But in the 1960s, doubt began to impinge on his theory
3) to strike or dash especially with a sharp collision
i.e: I heard the rain impinge upon the earth
implode (v)
1) to burst inward
2) to break down or fall apart from within
Syn: self-destruct
i.e: To get there, her two rivals first had to see their campaigns implode
impute (v)
1) to lay the responsibility or blame for (something) often falsely or unjustly
2) to credit or ascribe ST to a person with a cause
Syn: attribute
I.e: People often impute his silence to unfriendliness and not to the shyness it really represents
inadvertently (adv)
accidentally, unintentionally
Inasmuch ___ (conjunction)
inasmuch as
1) to the extent/degree that
Syn: insofar as
i.e: They were strict about our appearance inasmuch as we weren’t allowed to wear jewellery or make-up.
2) in view of the fact that (since, because)
i.e: Inasmuch as funding is not available, building plans have been delayed.
incidentally (adv)
1) unintentionally, accidentally
Syn: inadvertently
2) by the way
i.e: I think we should rent the new office space. Incidentally, there’s a great Mexican restaurant opening up right across the street from it
incinerate (v)
burn, reduce to ashes
Syn: cremate
inconsequential (adj)
unimportant, insignificant
i.e: At times, she’s been made to feel that her work is inconsequential.
incorporate (v)
1) combine, unite
2) give physical form to
Syn: embody
i.e: Local legend has it that ghosts can incorporate on one night of the year and walk among the living
indeterminate (adj)
1) not fixed/established or determined
2) not leading to a definite ending or result
Syn: indefinite, vague, undetermined
We can’t sign this contract because the conditions of the sale are indeterminate
undetermined (adj)
1) not determined (known)
Ex: His fate as yet undetermined, he anxiously awaited the test results.
2) not definitely or authoritatively decided or settled.
Ex: The full details, including the development’s financing, will be presented to city council for approval at an undetermined date.
indicative ____ (adj)
OF noun
indicating, suggestive of
i.e: Your symptoms are indicative of the common cold
induce (v)
cause
Syn: bring about, give rise
Ex: None of these measures induced a change of policy
inert (adj)
1) lacking the ability or strength to move.
2) very slow to move or act
Syn: sluggish
i.e: How does he propose to stimulate the inert economy and create jobs?
3) inactive
All of the missiles at the military museum are inert - they’re not going to blow up
inevitable (adj)
Certain to happen/ incapable to be avoided, or escaped
- not same thing as impending/imminent
inexplicable (adj)
incapable of being explained, interpreted, or accounted for
i.e: The result of the 2016 election was for Democrats inexplicable.
inextricable (adv)
incapable of being disentangled or untied
i.e: He argues that there is an inextricable link between poverty and poor health.
inform (v) - not the cliche meaning
to give character or essence to
Syn: inspire, animate
i.e: The principles which inform modern teaching
ingenuity (n)
ingenious (adj) - not same as ingenuous
(n) skill or cleverness in devising or combining
i.e: She showed amazing ingenuity in finding ways to cut costs.
(adj) clever, skillful, innovative, inventive
- an ingenious idea/method/solution
ingenuous (adj)
(of a person or action) innocent and unsuspecting.
Syn: candid, sincere, genuine
i.e: photographs that capture the ingenuous smiles of young children at play
ingrained (adj)
Firmly fixed or established & difficult to change
Syn: hardwired, deep-seated
Her deeply ingrained distrust of all authority
instrumental (adj)
serving as a crucial means, agent, or tool
Syn: essential, crucial
i.e: This advice has been instrumental in the success of Temlaphak Farms.
insular (adj)
(of people) ignorant or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one’s own experience.
Syn: small-minded, narrow-minded
Doing so, he highlighted the degree to which creationism is a decidedly incurious, insular worldview.
Interplay (n)
the action between two or more things or the effect they have on each other
Syn: interaction
i.e: Our personalities result from the complex interplay between our genes and our environment.
intrepid (adj)
fearless, brave, enduring in the fate of adversity
Syn: dauntless, fearless
Intrepid Explorers
inundate (v)
1) flood, overflow with water
2) inundated with: overwhelmed
i.e: We’ve been inundated with complaints from listeners
investiture (n)
the action of formally investing a person with honors or rank.
Syn: inauguration
involved (adj) - not the cliche meaning
complicated and difficult to understand
Syn: tangled, intricate
i.e: A long and involved story
invulnerable (adj)
1) immune to or proof against attack
i.e: Yet Warren is not invulnerable to some of the attacks that undermined Clinton.
2) incapable of being wounded, injured, or harmed
Syn: bulletproof, impregnable, invincible
jettison (v)
1a) to get rid of ST as unnecessary or encumbering
Ex: Individuals are often forced to jettison certain attitudes and behaviors
1b) to decide not to use an idea or plan:
Ex: They jettisoned plans for a vacation.
2) throw items overboard in order to lighten a ship in an emergency
jumbo (adj)
unusually large, supersized
juncture (n)
1) a critical point in time, such as a crisis or a time when a decision is necessary
i.e: Negotiations are at a critical juncture.
2) joint, connection
i.e: the juncture of two rivers
juxtapose (v)
Place side-by-side either physically or in metaphorical way so as to make comparison
lackluster (adj)
1) not shiny, dull
2) lacking in brilliance and vitality
Syn: mediocre
i.e: In a note last week, Barclays analysts cited two reasons for Linde’s lackluster share performance.
landmark (n)
1) a historical structure (such as a building) and usually aesthetic interest
2) an event or development that marks a turning point or a stage
i.e: The network settled the landmark defamation case for $787.5 million in April.
latent (adj)
potential, existing but not visible or active
Syn: dormant, inert
i.e: The isolation imposed by the coronavirus has awakened a latent homesteading spirit within many of us.
lax (adj)
1) deficient in firmness : not stringent, careless
Syn: negligent, slack
i.e: Government oversight has become lax and needs a dramatic overhaul.
2) not tense, firm, or rigid
Syn: loose
layperson/laypeople (n)
regular people, non-specialists
Syn: layman
i.e: Can you explain in layman’s terms exactly what your job involves?
levy (n) (v)
(n) - the imposition or collection of an assessment (tariffs, tax, capital gains..)
- the enlistment or conscription of men for military service
(v) to impose or collect by legal authority
lift (v) - not cliche meaning
improve or lighten (such as person’s mood)
likewise (adj)
1) Also, in addition to,
2) Similarly, in the same way
I.e: A painter who is likewise a sculptor
machination (n)
machinate (v)
(n) a crafty scheme or plots (to do harm)
(v) to conspire, collude, constrive (to do harm)
i.e: The hackers machinated a way to steal credit numbers from the company’s Web site
magnate (n)
a person of rank, power, influence, or distinction often in a specified area
i.e: A studio magnate who had the biggest stars in Hollywood at his beck and call
makeshift (adj) (n)
(adj) - serving as a temporary substitute
Syn: expedient
(n) A temporary replacement
i.e: We used boxes as a makeshift while the kitchen chairs were being painted.
malleable (adj)
1) able to be bent, shaped or adapted (materials)
Syn: pliable, plastic
2) easily influenced or shaped by others.
i.e: the cult leader took advantage of the malleable, compliant personalities of his followers
manifest (v)
manifest (adj)
1) display or show (a quality or feeling) by one’s acts or appearance;
Ex: Ray manifested signs of severe depression
2) clear or obvious to the eye or mind
Ex: Their sadness was manifest in their faces.
manifestation (n)
- a sign showing the existence of a particular condition
Syn: display, demonstration, exhibition, sign, indication
i.e: Unlike acid rain of deforestation, global warming has no visible manifestation
mediate (v)
Intransitive verb:
1) to reconcile
i.e: Both parents here intervene with our boys’ fights to mediate
**Transitive verb: **
1) to act as intermediary agent
2) to form a connection or a link between
i.e: But experts are pretty sure the urge to go is mediated by the brain.
mercurial (adj)
characterized by rapid and unpredictable changes of mood or mind
Syn: fickle, flighty, capricious
his mercurial temperament
mire ____ (n)
1) deep mud
2) mire of: a troublesome or intractable situation
i.e: They found themselves in a mire of debt
mired in (v)
1) stuck, entangle in mud or swamp area
i.e: The car was mired in the muck.
2) hamper or hold back as if by mire (figuratively)
i.e: Two weeks ago, he was mired in the worst slump of his career.
muck around with/ about (v) - British use
1) to spend time doing things that are not useful or serious - to waste time
i.e: She spent the evening mucking around with the computer.
2) to be unfair or dishonest with (someone) : to lie to or cheat (someone)
i.e: He does not tolerate anyone who mucks him about
galvanize (v)
1a)- to subject to the action of an electric current (medical)
b) - to stimulate or excite as if by an electric shock
Syn: provoke, arouse
The group is hoping to galvanize public opinion against the proposed law.
2) to coat (iron or steel) with zinc
head off (v)
1) to force someone or something to change direction
Syn: to turn back or turn aside
i.e: I tried to head the dog off by running towards it.
2) to block, prevent
i.e: The company is putting up wages to head off a strike.
detract from NOUN (v)
detract NOUN from (v)
1) to reduce the importance, value, or effectiveness of something
i.e: small errors that do not seriously detract from the book
i.e: But these issues don’t detract much from the book’s overall value and importance.
2) divert
i.e: didn’t mean to detract attention from the guest of honor
preemptively (adv)
taken as a measure against something anticipated or feared (usually a preventive or deterrent measure)
This means the Fed will effectively abandon its prior approach of raising rates PRE-EMPTIVELY, before inflation reaches 2%.
pre-emptive action/measure/move (adj)
taken as a measure against something anticipated or feared (usually a preventive or deterrent measure)
The prime minister authorized a pre-emptive air strike against the rebels.
pre-empt (v)
1) to do or say something before someone do so that you make their words or actions unnecessary or not effective
2) to replace with something considered to be of greater value or priority
Ex: The program did not appear, having been preempted by a baseball game
3) to prevent from happening or taking place
Syn: preclude, forestall
allude (v)
make indirect reference
Syn: hint, touch on
mention without discussing at length
The Fed’s subsequent Sept. 16 rate guidance alluded obliquely to financial bubbles
obliquely (adv)
not in a direct way; indirectly
In her speech she made only oblique references to the scandal.
falter (v)
1) to walk unsteadily - syn: stumble
e.g : She walked up to the platform without faltering.
2) to speak brokenly or weakly - syn: stammer
e.g: His voice faltered as he began his speech.
3) to become weak or less effective - to start to loose strength/momentum
e.g: Her courage never faltered.
The economy is beginning to falter.
require (v)
Syn: need
Ex: This project will require (need) massive investment.
to make it officially necessary for someone do something
The law requires that you place recyclables in the appropriate bin.
veracity (n)
Syn: truthfulness, honesty, accuracy
Adj: veracious
i.e: Editors must ensure the veracity of photos that were taken in uncertain circumstances
conformity (n)
1) correspondence in form, manner, or character
i.e: the simple lifestyle of the Amish is in conformity with their ascetic religious beliefs
2) acting in accordance with some specified standard or authority
conform (v)
1) + noun to noun
to give the same shape, outline, or contour to : bring into harmony or accord
2) to be similar or identical (to be in agreement or harmony)
3) to be obedient or compliant
4) to act in accordance with prevailing standards or customs
admonish (v)
1) to caution, advise, or counsel against something in earnest and friendly way
2) to reprove or scold, especially in a mild and good-willed manner:
i.e: My physician is always admonishing me to eat more healthy foods
heed (V)
1) pay attention to
2) take notice of
i.e: The airline has been criticized for failing to heed advice/warnings about lack of safety routines.
pariah (n)
outcast
i.e: Russia has become a pariah to the G7 because of [its] invasion.
approriate (v)
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep/use
Syn: steal, seize
in laws/business context
render (v)
to provide (ST) for consideration, approval, or information
- LAW: announce something, especially a judgment or sentence
i.e: a judgment rendered against a defendant
- Business: to officially prepare financial records, bills, etc. and make them available:
i.e The committee was asked to render a report on the housing situation.
Syn: furnish
render ST/somebody + adj
to cause somebody/something to be in a particular state or condition
Syn: make
i.e: The reliability of the data would be compromised, rendering it useless
in art context
render (v)
1) to reproduce or represent (something) by artistic or verbal means
Syn: depict
i.e: The drawing was rendered in muted pastels.
2) to give a performance of
i.e: He stood up and rendered a beautiful version of ‘Summertime’.
render (v) - broad context
to give (something) in acknowledgment of dependence or obligation/service
Syn: pay, deliver
i.e: An employee is someone who renders his or her services in exchange for pay.
At the close of business Friday, a public apology for creating the confusion had not yet been rendered.
detractor (n)
a person who criticizes something or someone
Syn: disparager, critic
i.e: Even her detractors had to admit that she had made the company successful.
unwitting (adj)
1) not knowing : UNAWARE of the full facts
i.e: The harmful radiation tests were performed long ago on unwitting subjects.
2) not intended : INADVERTENT
i.e: We are anxious to rectify the unwitting mistakes made in the past
underlie (v)
participial modifier: underlying
form the foundation of or the basis of :
Syn: support, underpin
i.e: a ceasefire does nothing to address the underlying conflict that spawned the war.
