Vocabulary List - Past Papers - Remaining Flashcards
Brusque (Adj)
Connotations: Abrupt or offhand in speech or manner + Impatiently Short (being quick and short in dealing with others) + Discourteously abrupt (lacking tact or sensitivity in speech or manner) ||| Sentences: His brusque reply took her by surprise. + She was offended by his brusque dismissal. + The manager’s brusque manner alienated the staff. + The doctor gave a brusque answer to the patient’s question and hurried to the next appointment. ||| Synonyms: Curt, Blunt, Gruff + Blunt, Gruff, Terse + Abrupt, Short, Hasty ||| Antonyms: Polite, Courteous, Tactful + Polite, Gracious, Considerate + Polite, Smooth, Civil
Gruff (Adj)
Connotations: Rough and low in pitch + Abrupt or stern in manner ||| Sentences: His gruff voice intimidated the children. + His gruff exterior hid a kind heart. + The teacher’s gruff demeanor masked his concern for students. ||| Synonyms: Rough, Raspy, Hoarse + Abrasive, Blunt, Brusque + Stern, Surly, Abrasive ||| Antonyms: Soft, Gentle, Mellow + Gentle, Kind, Courteous + Gentle, Amiable, Courteous
Curt (Adj)
Rudely brief (being short and abrupt in manner or speech) + Lacking in politeness (showing a lack of courtesy or manners) + Concise (brief and to the point, often in a way that seems rude) ||| His curt reply made it clear he was not interested in the conversation. + The customer was offended by the clerk’s curt attitude. + She gave a curt nod and walked away. ||| Synonyms: Abrupt, Brusque, Terse, Blunt, Short ||| Antonyms: Polite, Courteous, Gracious, Lengthy, Detailed
Concord (n.)
Agreement or harmony (a state of peace and mutual understanding) + Treaty or pact (an official agreement between groups or nations) + Musical harmony (pleasant combination of musical notes) ||| The two countries reached a concord after years of negotiation. + The concord between the business partners ensured a smooth operation. + The choir’s performance was in perfect concord. ||| Synonyms: Agreement, Harmony, Accord, Unity, Consensus ||| Antonyms: Disagreement, Conflict, Discord, Dissent, Disunity
Amity (n.)
Connotations: Friendly relations + Peaceful harmony + Mutual understanding ||| Sentences: The two countries enjoyed years of amity. + The treaty brought amity between the nations. + The amity in the community was evident in their cooperation. ||| Synonyms: Friendship, Harmony, Concord + Goodwill, Cordiality, Peace + Fellowship, Good relations, Rapport ||| Antonyms: Hostility, Animosity, Enmity + Hostility, Hatred, Conflict + Hostility, Discord, Disunity
Sagacious
Connotations: Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment + Displaying deep understanding and intelligence + Showing practical sense and good judgment ||| Sentences: His sagacious advice was highly valued. + Her sagacious decisions saved the company. + The sagacious leader anticipated the challenges ahead. ||| Synonyms: Wise, Insightful, Astute + Shrewd, Perceptive, Judicious + Clever, Smart, Judicious ||| Antonyms: Foolish, Unwise, Ignorant + Stupid, Foolish, Ignorant + Unwise, Rash, Impulsive
Shrewd
Connotations: Having or showing sharp powers of judgment + Clever and keen in practical matters + Keen-witted and clever ||| Sentences: His shrewd business sense made him very successful. + Her shrewd observations were often spot on. + The shrewd investor made a lot of money. ||| Synonyms: Astute, Sharp, Sagacious + Perceptive, Insightful, Discerning + Astute, Intelligent, Savvy ||| Antonyms: Naive, Foolish, Unwise + Naive, Gullible, Unwise + Foolish, Imprudent, Reckless
Bungling
Connotations: Clumsily awkward or inept + Inept and prone to making mistakes + Marked by ineptitude ||| Sentences: The bungling thief tripped over his own feet. + His bungling attempts at fixing the car only made it worse. + The bungling efforts of the team led to failure. ||| Synonyms: Clumsy, Incompetent, Awkward + Inept, Botched, Blundering + Inefficient, Unskilled, Incompetent ||| Antonyms: Skillful, Competent, Dexterous + Skilled, Capable, Competent + Proficient, Efficient, Talented
Prudent
Connotations: Acting with or showing care and thought for the future + Wise and judicious in practical affairs + Exercising good judgment ||| Sentences: It is prudent to save money for emergencies. + Her prudent planning ensured their success. + The prudent investor avoided unnecessary risks. ||| Synonyms: Cautious, Wise, Sensible + Judicious, Discreet, Careful + Sensible, Thoughtful, Cautious ||| Antonyms: Reckless, Foolish, Imprudent + Impulsive, Careless, Rash + Reckless, Careless, Foolhardy
Pretense
Connotations: An attempt to make something that is not the case appear true + A false display of feelings, attitudes, or intentions + A claim made or implied but not supported by fact ||| Sentences: His pretense of innocence was not convincing. + The pretense of friendship was obvious. + The negotiations were conducted without any pretense. ||| Synonyms: Deception, Façade, Act + Sham, Simulation, Deceit + Pretext, Ostentation, Pretense ||| Antonyms: Honesty, Reality, Truth + Sincerity, Authenticity, Genuineness + Truth, Reality, Honesty
Cant
Connotations: Hypocritical and sanctimonious talk + Language peculiar to a specified group + Tedious or hackneyed moralizing ||| Sentences: The politician’s cant about honesty was tiresome. + The cant of the thieves was incomprehensible to outsiders. + His speech was full of cant and platitudes. ||| Synonyms: Hypocrisy, Insincerity, Pretense + Jargon, Slang, Lingo + Sanctimony, Pomposity, Affectation ||| Antonyms: Sincerity, Honesty, Candor + Standard language, Formal speech + Sincerity, Authenticity, Candor
Onerous
Connotations: Involving a great deal of effort, trouble, or difficulty + Having obligations or responsibilities that outweigh the advantages + Demanding and laborious ||| Sentences: The job was onerous, but he completed it successfully. + The contract had onerous terms and conditions. + The task was considered onerous by everyone involved. ||| Synonyms: Burdensome, Arduous, Heavy + Taxing, Difficult, Troublesome + Grueling, Laborious, Weighty ||| Antonyms: Easy, Light, Simple + Simple, Effortless, Easy + Manageable, Light, Effortless
Burdensome
Connotations: Difficult to carry out or fulfill; taxing + Causing difficulty or worry + Heavy and difficult to bear ||| Sentences: The burdensome task took all day to finish. + The burdensome debt was a constant worry. + The burdensome responsibilities weighed heavily on him. ||| Synonyms: Onerous, Troublesome, Heavy + Oppressive, Weighty, Difficult + Taxing, Strenuous, Exhausting ||| Antonyms: Light, Easy, Manageable + Light, Simple, Effortless + Light, Effortless, Easy
Capitol
Connotations: A building where a legislative body meets + A building housing a legislative assembly + The seat of legislative functions ||| Sentences: The senator gave a speech at the capitol. + The state capitol is located in the city center. + The capitol was surrounded by protesters. ||| Synonyms: Legislature, Assembly, Hall + Government building, Legislative house + Legislative center, Government seat ||| Antonyms:
Assay
Connotations: To test or analyze + To attempt or try + To evaluate or assess ||| Sentences: The scientists assayed the metal to determine its purity. + They assayed the new technique in the lab. + The assay revealed high levels of contamination. ||| Synonyms: Analyze, Test, Examine + Try, Attempt, Endeavor + Measure, Evaluate, Assess ||| Antonyms: Neglect, Ignore, Overlook + Ignore, Overlook, Disregard + Disregard, Ignore, Neglect
Envelop
Connotations: To surround or cover completely + To enfold or enclose + To cover or surround entirely ||| Sentences: The mist enveloped the mountains. + The darkness enveloped the room. + The fog enveloped the town in mystery. ||| Synonyms: Surround, Encase, Enclose + Wrap, Shroud, Cloak + Enshroud, Blanket, Cover ||| Antonyms: Uncover, Reveal, Expose + Expose, Uncover, Reveal + Expose, Unveil, Unwrap
Envelope
Connotations: A flat paper container for a letter + Something that covers or contains + A covering or containing structure ||| Sentences: She put the letter in an envelope. + The envelope of gas protected the planet. + The envelope of the balloon was made of nylon. ||| Synonyms: Wrapper, Cover, Packet + Container, Case, Holder + Shell, Covering, Casing ||| Antonyms:
Decree
Connotations: An official order issued by a legal authority + To order or decide by decree + A formal and authoritative order ||| Sentences: The king issued a decree banning the practice. + The court decreed that the property be returned. + The decree was enforced by the military. ||| Synonyms: Order, Edict, Command + Mandate, Proclamation, Directive + Edict, Command, Ruling ||| Antonyms: Request, Suggestion, Proposal + Suggest, Advise, Recommend + Proposal, Recommendation, Request
Desolate
Connotations: Deserted and bleak + Feeling or showing misery, unhappiness, or loneliness + To make bleakly and depressingly empty ||| Sentences: The desolate landscape stretched for miles. + She felt desolate after the breakup. + The war desolated the city. ||| Synonyms: Bleak, Barren, Empty + Forlorn, Abandoned, Lonely + Devastate, Ravage, Ruin ||| Antonyms: Lush, Fertile, Populated + Cheerful, Happy, Populated + Restore, Rebuild, Populate
Dissolute
Connotations: Lacking moral restraint + Indulgent in sensual pleasures + Lacking in morals ||| Sentences: He led a dissolute life filled with excesses. + The dissolute behavior of the youth worried their parents. + The character in the novel was portrayed as dissolute. ||| Synonyms: Debauched, Depraved, Immoral + Licentious, Profligate, Degenerate + Corrupt, Immoral, Decadent ||| Antonyms: Virtuous, Moral, Upright + Virtuous, Principled, Moral + Upright, Ethical, Pure
Tortuous
Connotations: Full of twists and turns + Excessively lengthy and complex + Not straightforward ||| Sentences: The tortuous road was difficult to navigate. + The legal process was tortuous and time-consuming. + The tortuous path to success was challenging. ||| Synonyms: Winding, Twisty, Meandering + Complicated, Convoluted, Complex + Circuitous, Labyrinthine, Intricate ||| Antonyms: Straight, Direct, Simple + Simple, Straightforward, Clear + Simple, Direct, Straight
Torturous
Connotations: Causing extreme pain + Inflicting severe suffering + Extremely painful or unpleasant ||| Sentences: The torturous procedure was unbearable. + The victims endured torturous conditions. + The torturous wait for the results was nerve-wracking. ||| Synonyms: Painful, Agonizing, Excruciating + Harrowing, Grueling, Distressing + Agonizing, Unbearable, Severe ||| Antonyms: Painless, Comfortable, Pleasant + Easy, Pleasant, Gentle + Mild, Bearable, Gentle
Whet
Connotations: To sharpen the blade of (a tool or weapon) + To stimulate or make keen or eager + To make more acute ||| Sentences: He whetted the knife before use. + The book whetted his appetite for adventure. + The smell of food whetted their appetites. ||| Synonyms: Sharpen, Hone, Grind + Arouse, Stimulate, Excite + Sharpen, Heighten, Enhance ||| Antonyms: Dull, Blunt, Weaken + Dampen, Dull, Bore + Dull, Lessen, Weaken
Breach
Connotations: An act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct + A gap in a wall, barrier, or defense + A break or rupture ||| Sentences: His actions were a breach of the agreement. + The breach in the wall allowed water to enter. + The breach of trust was irreparable. ||| Synonyms: Violation, Infringement, Infraction + Gap, Break, Opening + Rift, Split, Rupture ||| Antonyms: Compliance, Obedience, Observance + Seal, Closure, Fixation + Repair, Healing, Mending