Vocabulary>Commonly Tested Words>A-D Flashcards
abaft
adv. –on or toward the rear of a ship
syn. –astern, posterior, hind
abdicate
v. –to reject, denounce, or abandon
syn. –disown, reject, renounce, give up, refuse, relinquish, repudiate, abandon, turn one’s back on, wash one’s hands of, forgo, waive
abjure
v. –to renounce upon oath
syn. –renounce, relinquish, reject, forgo, disavow, abandon, deny, repudiate, give up, wash one’s hands of; eschew, abstain from, refrain from
abnegation
n. –a denial
syn. –renunciation, rejection, refusal, abandonment, abdication, surrender, relinquishment, repudiation, denial
abscond
v.–to go away hastily or secretly often with the intention to hide; to avoid capture by the authorities
abstemious
adj. –1. sparing in diet; 2. sparingly used
syn. –self-denying, temperate, abstinent, moderate, self-disciplined, restrained, self-restrained, sober, austere, ascetic, puritanical, spartan, hair-shirt
abysmal
adj. –bottomless; extraordinarily bad
syn. –dreadful, awful, terrible, frightful, atrocious, disgraceful, deplorable, shameful, hopeless, lamentable; rotten, appalling, crummy, pathetic, pitiful, woeful, useless, lousy, dire
acerbity
n. –harshness or bitterness
syn. –acidity, asperity, astringency, mordancy, sourness, tartness
acrimony
n. –sharpness
syn. –bitterness, anger, rancor, resentment, ill feeling, ill will, bad blood, animosity, hostility, enmity, antagonism, waspishness, spleen, malice, spite, spitefulness, peevishness, venom
addle
adj. –confused
syn. –muddled, muzzy, fuddled, befuddled, dazed, disoriented, disorientated, fuzzy
adjure
v. –to entreat earnestly and solemnly
syn. –asseverate, authenticate, implore, importune, petition
adulation
n. –praise in excess
syn. –worship, idolization, adoration, admiration, veneration, awe, devotion, glorification, praise, flattery, blandishments
adulterate
v. –to corrupt, debase, or make impure
syn. –degrade, debase, spoil, taint, contaminate; doctor, tamper with, dilute, water down, weaken; bastardize, corrupt
agrarian
adj. –relating to land and the equal divisions of land
syn. –agricultural, rural, rustic, pastoral, countryside, farming
alchemy
n. –any imaginary power of transmitting one thing into another
syn. –chemistry; magic, sorcery, witchcraft
allegory
n. –symbolic narration or description
syn. –parable, analogy, metaphor, symbol, emblem
anachronism
n. –representation of something existing at other than its proper time
syn. –chronological error, metachronism, misdate, misplacement, postdate, prolepsis, solecism
annihilate
v. –to reduce to nothing
syn. –destroy, wipe out, obliterate, wipe off the face of the earth; eliminate, liquidate, defeat
apocalyptic
adj. –pertaining to revelation or prophecy
syn. –doomsday, doom-laden, ominous, portentous; catastrophic, momentous
arrogate
v. –to claim or demand unduly
syn. –assume, take, claim, appropriate, seize, expropriate, wrest, usurp, commandeer
artifice
n. –skill; ingenuity; craft; deception; trickery
syn. –deceit, deception, duplicity, guile, cunning, artfulness, wiliness, slyness, chicanery; fraud, fraudulence
askance
adv. –1. sideways; 2. with suspicion
syn. –skeptically, cynically, mistrustfully, distrustfully, doubtfully, dubiously; disapprovingly, contemptuously, scornfully, disdainfully
assay
n. –the determination of any quantity of a metal in an ore or alloy
syn. –evaluation, assessment, appraisal, analysis, examination, test/tests, testing, inspection, scrutiny
attenuate
v. –1. to make thin or slender; 2. to lessen or weaken
syn. –1. slender, narrow, slim, skinny, spindly, bony; rare; 2. reduced, lessened, decreased, diminished, impaired
avarice
n. –inordinate desire of gaining and possessing wealth
syn. –greed, greediness, acquisitiveness, cupidity, covetousness, rapacity, materialism
batten
v. –to fix in place
syn. –fasten, secure, clamp (down), lash, make fast, nail (down), seal
beholden
adj. –obliged; indebted
syn. –obligated, under an obligation, grateful, owing a debt of gratitude
bellicose
adj. –warlike; disposed to quarrel or fight
syn. –belligerent, aggressive, hostile, warlike, warmongering, hawkish, antagonistic, pugnacious, truculent, confrontational, contentious, militant, combative
besmirch
v. –to soil or discolor
syn. –sully, tarnish, blacken, drag through the mud/mire, stain, taint, smear, disgrace, dishonor, bring discredit to, damage, debase, ruin, slander, malign, defame
bestial
adj. –having the qualities of a beast
syn. –savage, brutish, brutal, barbarous, barbaric, cruel, vicious, violent, inhuman, subhuman; depraved, degenerate, perverted, debauched, immoral, warped
betroth
v. –to promise or pledge in marriage
syn. –engagement, pledge
blighted
adj. –destroyed; frustrated
syn. –ruin, wreck, spoil, mar, frustrate, disrupt, undo, end, scotch, shatter, devastate, demolish, foul up, stymie
bode
v. –to foreshadow something
syn. –augur, portend, herald, be a sign of, warn of, be an omen of, presage, indicate, signify, promise, threaten, spell, denote, foretell, prophesy, predict
boorish
adj. –rude; ill-mannered
syn. –coarse, uncouth, rude, ill-bred, uncivilized, unrefined, rough, thuggish, loutish, oafish, lubberly, vulgar, unsavory, gross, brutish, Neanderthal
brindled
adj. –streaked or spotted with a darker color
syn. –brownish, brown; dappled, streaked, mottled, speckled, flecked, marbled
broach
v. –1. to pierce; 2. to introduce into conversation
syn. –1. puncture, tap; open, uncork; 2. bring up, raise, introduce, talk about, mention, touch on, air
bucolic
adj. –pastoral
syn. –rustic, rural, pastoral, country, countryside
burlesque
v. –to imitate comically
syn. –parody, caricature, satire, lampoon, skit, farce, takeoff, spoof
cadaver
n. –a dead body
syn. –corpse, remains, carcass
caliber
n. –1. the diameter of a bullet or shell; 2. quality
syn. –1. bore, gauge; 2. merit, distinction, stature, excellence, preeminence; ability, expertise, talent, capability, capacity, proficiency
callow
adj. –immature
syn. –inexperienced, juvenile, adolescent, naive, green, raw, untried, unworldly, unsophisticated
calumny
n. –slander
syn. –defamation (of character), character assassination, libel, vilification, obloquy, verbal abuse
canard
n. –a false statement or rumor
syn. –dishonesty, dissimulation, erroneousness, fabrication, fakery, fallaciousness, prevarication, untruism, untruth, untruthfulness
candid
adj. –open; frank; honest
syn. –outspoken, forthright, blunt, truthful, sincere, direct, plain-spoken, straightforward, ingenuous, bluff
carnage
n. –slaughter
syn. –massacre, mass murder, butchery, bloodbath, bloodletting, gore
carte blanche
n. –unlimited power to decide
syn. –free rein, a free hand, a blank check
castigate
v. –to chastise
syn. –reprimand, rebuke, admonish, chastise, chide, censure, upbraid, reprove, reproach, scold, berate, take to task, lambaste
cataclysm
n. –1. an overflowing of water; 2. an extraordinary change
syn. –2. disaster, catastrophe, calamity, tragedy, devastation, holocaust, ruin, ruination, upheaval, convulsion, apocalypse, act of God
catharsis
n. –purgation
syn. –emotional release, relief, release, venting, purging, purification, cleansing
cavil
v. –to find fault without good reason
syn. –quibble, carp
celibate
adj. –unmarried, single; chaste
syn. –unwed, spouseless, virginal, virgin, maidenly, maiden, intact, abstinent, self-denying
cessation
n. –a ceasing; a stop
syn. –end, ending, termination, stopping, halting, finish, finishing, stoppage, conclusion, winding up, discontinuation, abandonment, suspension, breaking off, cutting short
chafe
v. –1. to rage; to fret; 2. to rub so much that the skin or the feelings are raw and irritated
syn. –1. be angry, be annoyed, be irritated, fume, be exasperated, be frustrated; 2. abrade, graze, rub against, gall, scrape, scratch
chaffing
n. –1. banter; 2. teasing
syn. –repartee, ragging, joking, jesting, raillery, badinage, wisecracks, witticism(s)
chaste
adj. –virtuous; free from obscenity
syn. –virginal, virgin, intact, maidenly, unmarried, unwed; celibate, abstinent, self-restrained, self-denying, innocent, pure, sinless, undefiled, unsullied, immaculate, nonsexual
choleric
adj. –easily irritated; angry
syn. –bad-tempered, irascible, irritable, grumpy, grouchy, crotchety, testy, cranky, cantankerous, curmudgeonly, ill-tempered, peevish, cross, fractious, crabby, waspish, prickly, peppery, touchy, short-tempered, snappish, short-fused, ornery
circumvent
v. –to go around
syn. –avoid, get around, get past, evade, bypass, sidestep, dodge
clandestine
adj. –secret; private; hidden
syn. –covert, furtive, surreptitious, stealthy, closet, backstairs, backroom; hush-hush
cogent
adj. –urgent; compelling; convincing
syn. –forcible, inducing, puissant, weighty, well-grounded
cohort
n. –a group; a band
syn. –unit, force, corps, division, brigade, battalion, regiment, squadron, company, troop, contingent, legion, phalanx
collusion
n. –secret agreement for a fraudulent or illegal purpose
syn. –conspiracy, connivance, complicity, intrigue, plotting, secret understanding, collaboration, scheming
comport
v. –to agree; to accord
syn. –behave, conduct oneself
conclave
n. –any private meeting or closed assembly
syn. –meeting, gathering, assembly, conference, council, summit
connivance
n. –passive cooperation
syn. –collusion, complicity, collaboration, involvement, assistance, tacit consent, conspiracy, intrigue
consort
n. –1. a companion; v.–2. to be in harmony or agreement
syn. –1. partner, life partner, companion, mate; spouse, husband, wife, helpmate; 2. associate, keep company, mix, go around, spend time, socialize, fraternize, have dealings
contravene
v. –to go against; to oppose
syn. –conflict with, be in conflict with, be at odds with, be at variance with, run counter to
contusion
n. –a bruise; an injury where the skin is not broken
syn. –discoloration, injury
copious
adj. –abundant; in great quantities
syn. –plentiful, ample, profuse, full, extensive, generous, bumper, lavish, fulsome, liberal, overflowing, in abundance, many, numerous
covenant
n. –a binding and solemn agreement
syn. –contract, undertaking, commitment, guarantee, warrant, pledge, promise, bond, indenture, pact, deal, settlement, arrangement, understanding
coy
adj. –1. modest; bashful; 2. pretending shyness to attract
syn. –simpering, coquettish, flirtatious, kittenish; demure, shy, modest, reticent, diffident, self-effacing, shrinking, timid
crass
adj. –gross; thick; coarse
syn. –stupid, insensitive, mindless, thoughtless, ignorant, witless, oafish, boorish, asinine, graceless, tasteless, clumsy, heavy-handed, blundering
cursory
adj. –hasty; slight
syn. –perfunctory, desultory, casual, superficial, token; sketchy, half-done, incomplete, quick, hurried, rapid, brief, passing, fleeting
dally
v. –to delay; to put off
syn. –dawdle, loiter, linger, waste time; lag, trail, straggle, fall behind; amble, meander, drift
dauntless
adj. –fearless; not discouraged
syn. –determined, resolute, indomitable, intrepid, spirited, mettlesome; undaunted, undismayed, unflinching, unshrinking, bold, audacious, valiant, brave, courageous, daring
debonair
adj. –1. having an affable manner; courteous; 2. suave; urbane
syn. –sophisticated, cultured, self-possessed, self-assured, confident, charming, gracious, courteous, gallant, chivalrous, gentlemanly, refined, polished, well-bred, genteel, dignified, courtly; well-groomed, elegant, stylish, smart, dashing
decadence
n. –a decline in force or quality; moral decay
syn. –dissipation, degeneracy, debauchery, corruption, depravity, vice, sin, moral decay, immorality, immoderateness, intemperance, licentiousness, self-indulgence, hedonism
deciduous
adj. –falling off at a particular season or stage of growth
syn. –fugacious, fugitive, impermanent
decry
v. –to denounce or condemn openly
syn. –criticize, censure, attack, rail against, run down, pillory, lambaste, vilify, revile, disparage, deprecate
defunct
adj. –no longer living or existing
syn. –disused, unused, inoperative, nonfunctioning, unusable, obsolete, discontinued, extinct
deliquesce
v. –to melt away
syn. –liquefy, melt away, thaw
delusion
n. –act or process of deception
syn. –misapprehension, misconception, misunderstanding. mistake, error, misinterpretation, misconstruction, fallacy, illusion, fantasy
deposition
n. –1. a removal from a position of power; 2. a testimony
syn. –statement, affidavit, attestation, affirmation, assertion; allegation, declaration; testimony, evidence
depredation
n. –a plundering or laying waste
syn. –looting, pillaging, robbery; devastation, destruction, damage, rape; ravages, raids
descant
v. –to comment at length on a theme
syn. –comment, criticize, discussion
despoil
v. –to strip; to rob
syn. –plunder, pillage, rob, ravage, raid, ransack, rape, loot, sack; devastate, lay waste, ruin
despotism
n. –1. tyranny; 2. absolute power or influence
syn. –authoritarianism, autocracy, dictatorship
desultory
adj. –without order or natural connection
syn. –casual, cursory, superficial, token, perfunctory, half-hearted, random, aimless, erratic, unmethodical, unsystematic, chaotic, inconsistent, irregular, intermittent, sporadic
dexterous
adj. –having or showing skill of hands, body, or mind
syn. –deft, adept, adroit, agile, nimble, neat, handy, able, capable, skillful, skilled, proficient, expert, practiced, polished, efficient, effortless, professional, masterly
diffidence
n. –1. lack of self-confidence; 2. distrust
syn. –shyness, bashfulness, modesty, self-effacement, meekness, unassertiveness, timidity, humility, hesitancy, reticence, insecurity, self-doubt, uncertainty, self-consciousness
dilapidated
n. –falling to pieces or into disrepair
syn. –run-down, tumbledown, ramshackle, broken-down, shabby, battered, beat-up, rickety, shaky, unsound, crumbling, in ruins, ruined, decayed, decaying, decrepit, neglected
dilettante
n. –an admirer of the fine arts; a dabbler
syn. –amateur, nonprofessional, layman, layperson
dint
n. –a blow; a stroke
syn. –indentation, nick, cavity, con-cavity, crater, crenel
disarray
n. –1. disorder; confusion; 2. incomplete or disorderly attire
syn. –chaos, untidiness, disorganization, dishevelment, mess, muddle, clutter, jumble, tangle, shambles
divulge
v. –to make known
syn. –disclose, reveal, tell, communicate, pass on, publish, broadcast, proclaim; expose, uncover, make public
dormant
adj. –as if asleep
syn. –sleeping, resting; inactive, passive, inert, latent, quiescent
doting
adj. –excessively fond
syn. –adoring, loving, besotted, infatuated; affectionate, fond, devoted, caring, uxorious
doughty
adj. –brave; valiant
syn. –fearless, dauntless, determined, resolute, indomitable, intrepid, plucky, spirited, bold, stouthearted, courageous
dregs
n. –waste or worthless matter
syn. –residue, scum, refuse, riffraff, outcasts, underclass, untouchables
