W

Question 1

waffle

Answer 1

v. speak equivocally about an issue

When pressed for his view on the issue, the senator waffled.

Question 2

waive

Answer 2

v. to refrain from enforcing a rule; give up a legal right

The defendant waived his right to a jury trial.

Question 3

wallow

Answer 3

v. to indulge oneself excessively, luxuriate

Peter refused to wallow in self-pity after all of his bad luck.

Question 4

wan

Answer 4

adj. sickly pale

The virus has left Sam looking wan.

Question 5

wane

Answer 5

v. decrease gradually

Some experts believe that Japan’s power will wane as China’s increases.

Question 6

wanton

Answer 6

adj. undisciplined, unrestrained, reckless

The soldiers were punished for the wanton killing of civilians.

Question 7

warrant

Answer 7

v. attest to the accuracy or quality of something; justify; grant authorization

The auditor warrants that the report is comprehensive.

Question 8

warranted

Answer 8

adj. justified

Some people believe that the tax increase is warranted.

Question 9

wary

Answer 9

adj. careful, cautious

Children should be wary of strangers.

Question 10

watershed

Answer 10

n. the region draining into a river, river system, or other body of water; an important point of division or transition between two phases or conditions

The Civil War was a watershed in American history.

Question 11

wax

Answer 11

v. to increase gradually

Some experts believe that China’s power is waxing as Japan’s is decreasing.

Question 12

wayward

Answer 12

adj. erratic, unrestrained, reckless

The house is a shelter for wayward teenagers.

Question 13

weather

Answer 13

v. to endure, undergo

The city weathered the enemy bombardment.

Question 14

Weltanschauung

Answer 14

n. a. comprehensive conception of the universe and of humanity’s relation to it; world view

Albert Einstein said that the philosopher Spinoza was the philosopher who had the most influence on his Weltanschauung.

Question 15

Weltschmerz

Answer 15

n. feeling of melancholy and world-weariness

The novel describes the protagonist’s Weltschmerz.

Question 16

whet

Answer 16

v. to sharpen, stimulate

Going to the play whetted Dan’s appetite for the theatre.

Question 17

whimsical

Answer 17

adj. fanciful; unpredictable

The Wizard of Oz is a whimsical movie.

Question 18

whimsy

Answer 18

n. playful or fanciful idea

The fantasy writer follows her whimsy when writing a story.

Question 19

wile

Answer 19

n. clever stratagem or trick to deceive

The submarine commander used wile to avoid the enemy destroyers.

Question 20

windfall

Answer 20

n. sudden, unexpected good fortune

The tax rebate was a windfall for the rich.

Question 21

winnow

Answer 21

v. separate good parts from bad; sift

Contenders for the scholarship have been winnowed to five.

Question 22

winsome

Answer 22

adj. charming, happily engaging

Audrey is a winsome young woman who is popular with everyone in school.

Question 23

wistful

Answer 23

adj. vaguely longing; sadly thoughtful

The book is a wistful look at a long-vanished period of history.

Question 24

witticism

Answer 24

n. a witty remark

The audience laughed at the speaker’s witticism.

Question 25

wizened

Answer 25

adj. withered, shriveled, wrinkled

The wizened old man could barely walk.

Question 26

wrath

Answer 26

n. anger

Students who are always late to school become the object of the principal’s wrath.

Question 27

wrench

Answer 27

v. pull at the emotions; pain

The scenes of the injured soldiers wrenched viewer’s hearts.

Question 28

writ

Answer 28

n. written document, usually in law

The lawyer obtained a writ of seizure from the judge.

Question 29

writhe

Answer 29

v. twist in coils; contort in pain

The injured woman writhed in pain.

Question 30

wry

Answer 30

adj. amusing, ironic

Some people don’t appreciate Uncle ill’s wry sense of humor.