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1
Q

Garbled

A

(adjective)
1) difficult to understand because it has been distorted; scrambled
Synonyms: muddled, jumbled
2) lacking orderly continuity

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2
Q

Bleak

A

(adjective)

1) unpleasantly cold and damp
2) providing no shelter or sustenance (e.g.: “the bleak treeless regions of the high Andes”)
3) offering little or no hope (e.g.: “prospects were bleak”)

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3
Q

Prominent

A

(adjective)

1) “sticking out” either in a literal sense (“a prominent nose”) or a figurative one (“a prominent figure in the industry”)
2) having a quality that thrusts itself into attention (e.g.: “a new theory is the most prominent feature of the book”)

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4
Q

Conspicuous

A

(adjective)
1) obvious to the eye or mind. standing out so as to be clearly visible
Synonym: attention-getting, eye-catching, visible, noticeable
2) without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
Synonym: blatant

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5
Q

Veneration

A

(noun)

1) a feeling of profound respect for someone or something
2) religious: similar to worship. we feel veneration for things and people we adore and are devoted to completely, such as God.

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6
Q

Pragmatism

A

(noun)

1) When you practice pragmatism, you accept conditions as they are and make practical decisions. Your head is not in the clouds. If you’re known for your pragmatism, then you’re realistic, logical, and know how to get things done.
2) philosophical doctrine built on the idea that something can only be true if it works

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7
Q

Opportunism

A

(noun)

1) taking advantage of opportunities without regard for the consequences for others

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8
Q

Reverberate

A

(verb)

1) ring or echo with sound
2) have a long or continuing effect (e.g.: “The discussions with my teacher reverberated throughout my adult life”)

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9
Q

Bemoan

A

(verb)

1) express discontent or sorrow over (something)

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10
Q

Commend

A

(verb)

1) praise formally or officially
2) express approval of

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11
Q

Enjoin

A

(verb)
1) to issue an urgent and official order (e.g.: If your doctor enjoins you to stop smoking, he is suggesting strongly that you quit)

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12
Q

Ceaselessly

A

(adverb)

1) continuously and without end

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13
Q

Halting

A

(adjective)

1) used to describe something that is fragmentary or prone to interruptions (e.g.: If you are overcome with emotion at your wedding, you may choke out your vows in a halting voice)
2) disabled in the feet or legs

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14
Q

Subsume

A

(verb)
1) contain, absorb, include (e.g.: A successful company might subsume a failing competitor through a merger, or love may subsume you in the early stages of a romance)

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15
Q

Belie

A

(verb)

1) be in contradiction with. Synonyms: contradict, negate
2) represent falsely. Synonym: misrepresent

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16
Q

Pompous

A

(noun)

1) A pompous person is arrogant or conceited

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17
Q

Forsake

A

(verb)

1) abandon someone or something
2) renounce or give up (something valued or pleasant)

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18
Q

Extant

A

(adjective)

1) still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost. Synonyms: existent, existing

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19
Q

Moot

A

(adjective)

1) of no significance (as having been previously decided). Synonym: irrelevant
2) open to argument or debate (e.g.: “that is a moot question”). Synonyms: arguable, debatable, disputable, controversial

(verb)

1) bring up a topic for discussion
2) think about carefully. Synonyms: consider, debate

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20
Q

Fallacious

A

(adjective)

1) Something fallacious is a mistake that comes from too little information or unsound sources. Something that is based on an incorrect or misleading notion or information
2) An intentional deception, intended to deceive

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21
Q

Fallacy

A

(noun)

1) a misconception resulting from incorrect reasoning

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22
Q

Topical

A

(adjective)

1) pertaining to the surface of a body part
2) of interest at the present time
3) of or relating to or arranged by topics

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23
Q

Retroactive

A

(adjective)

1) refers to something happening now that affects the past

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24
Q

Jingoism

A

(noun)

1) fanatical, over-the-top patriotism. Synonyms:chauvinism, superpatriotism, ultranationalism
2) an appeal intended to arouse patriotic emotions

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25
Q

Preclude

A

(verb)

1) to preclude something is to prevent it from happening (e.g.: a muzzle precludes a dog from biting)
2) make impossible

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26
Q

Restiveness

A

(noun)

1) the anxious feeling you have when you have the jitters. Synonyms:jitteriness, jumpiness, nervousness
2) characterized by nervousness and quickness to take fright

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27
Q

Cupidity

A

(noun)

1) extreme greed for material wealth. Synonyms: avarice, avariciousness, covetousness

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28
Q

Peddle

A

(verb)

1) When you peddle something, you go out and try to sell it

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29
Q

Augury

A

(noun)
1) An augury is a sign of things to come, like an omen (e.g.: if you’re superstitious, you might think that seeing a black cat is an augury of bad luck)

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30
Q

Anodyne

A

(adjective)

1) capable of relieving pain. Synonym: analgesic, analgetic
2) not causing disapproval. Synonym: innocuous

(noun)
1) a medicine used to relieve pain. Synonym: painkiller

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31
Q

Innocuous

A

(adjective)

1) Something that’s innocuous isn’t harmful or likely to cause injury. Synonym: harmless
2) lacking intent or capacity to injure. Synonym: innocent
3) not causing disapproval (e.g.: “it was an innocuous remark”)

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32
Q

Terse

A

(adjective)

1) sparing in the use of words, brief and to the point, effectively cut short. Synonym: short, brief

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33
Q

Ignominy

A

(noun)

1) a state of dishonor. Synonym: disgrace, shame

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34
Q

Tacitly

A

(adverb)
1) things that are done tacitly assume there is an unspoken understanding between the people or groups involved (e.g.: walking into your friend’s house without knocking first tacitly expresses that you are like family, not a guest)

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35
Q

Solvency

A

(noun)

1) ability to pay one’s debts (e.g.: the company was confident that solvency could be maintained)

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36
Q

Ephemeral

A

(noun)

1) short-lived

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37
Q

Commensurate

A

(adjective)
1) corresponding in size or degree or extent (e.g.: many people think the death penalty is a commensurate punishment for murder)

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38
Q

Lamented

A

(adjective)

1) mourned or grieved for

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39
Q

Relish

A

(noun)
1) vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment

(verb)
1) to enjoy something immensely

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40
Q

Constrain

A

(verb)

1) hold back, restrain, or confine

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41
Q

Shunned

A

(adjective)
1) persistantly avoided, ignored or rejected

(verb) shun
1) to avoid deliberately and especially habitually

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42
Q

Idler

A

(noun)

1) person who does no work. Synonym: lazy, loafer

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43
Q

Aplomb

A

(noun)

1) great coolness & composure under pressure

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44
Q

Prevarication

A

(noun)

1) when someone tells a lie, especially in a sneaky way
2) skirting (aka going around) around the truth, being vague about the truth
3) delaying giving someone an answer, especially to avoid telling them the whole truth

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45
Q

Dissimilitude

A

(noun)

1) dissimilarity

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46
Q

Histrionic

A

(adjective)

1) overly dramatic or emotional
2) haracteristic of acting or a stage performance; affected (e.g.: histrionic gestures). Synonym: melodramatic

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47
Q

Populace

A

(noun)

1) the people living in a particular country or area. Synonym: population

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48
Q

Martinet

A

(noun)

1) a strict disciplinarian, especially in the armed forces (e.g.: the woman in charge was a martinet who treated all those beneath her like children)
2) someone who demands exact conformity to rules and forms, a stickler when it comes to following rules, (e.g.: such as the teacher who won’t accept homework if it is written in a color other than blue)

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49
Q

Churlish

A

(adjective)

1) rude in a mean-spirited way
2) difficult to work with or deal with

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50
Q

Polyglot

A

(noun)
1) a person who speaks more than one language

(adjective)
1) knowing or using several languages

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51
Q

Inchoate

A

(adjective)

1) only recently or partly formed, or not completely developed or clear

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52
Q

Omnipresent

A

(adjective)

1) widely or constantly encountered; common or widespread

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53
Q

Derivative

A

(adjective)

1) having qualities taken from something else (e.g.: too much of the music feels derivative)
2) lack of originality

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54
Q

Underscore

A

(verb)

1) to draw a line under
2) to make evident (aka emphasize, stress) (e.g.: she arrived early to underscore the importance of the occassion)

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55
Q

Eminence

A

(noun)

1) a position of prominence or superiority
2) one that is eminent, such as a person of high rank

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56
Q

Strident

A

(adjective)

1) unpleasantly loud and harsh
2) presenting a point of view, especially a controversial one, in an excessively and unpleasantly foreceful way

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57
Q

Omniscient

A

(adjective)

1) knowing everything
2) infinitely wise
3) having infinite awareness, understanding and insight (e.g.: an omniscient author)

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58
Q

Cogently

A

(adverb)

1) in a way that’s clearly expressed and is likely to persuade people

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59
Q

Tepid

A

(adjective)

1) lukewarm, moderately warm
2) feeling or showing little interest or enthusiasm

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60
Q

Reverential

A

(adjective)

1) feeling or manifesting veneration. Synonym: respectful

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61
Q

Heresy

A

(noun)
1) A heresy is a belief that doesn’t agree with the official tenets of a particular religion; heresy is the maintaining of such contrary beliefs

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62
Q

Tantamount

A

(adjective)

1) being essentially equal to something

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63
Q

Eccentric

A

(noun)
1) someone who exhibits strange and unconventional behavior
Synonyms: bizarre, flakey, flaky, freakish, freaky, gonzo, off-the-wall, outlandish, outre, unconventional

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64
Q

Lionize

A

(verb)

1) assign great social importance to. To lionize someone is to see them as important as a lion

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65
Q

Pauper

A

(noun)

1) a person who is very poor

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66
Q

Miser

A

(noun)

1) someone who hoards his or her own wealth and doesn’t share or spend any of it

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67
Q

Curmudgeon

A

(noun)

1) old, cranky, and more than a little stubborn

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68
Q

Steadfast

A

(adjective)

1) marked by firm determination or resolution
2) Someone who is firm and determined in a belief or a position can be called steadfast in that view, like your mom when she thinks you really shouldn’t wear that outfit
3) firm and dependable especially in loyalty (e.g.: “a steadfast ally”)

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69
Q

Roundabout

A

(adjective)

1) deviating from a straight course (e.g.: “a roundabout route avoided rush-hour traffic”)
2) marked by indirection in speech or conduct

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70
Q

Perfunctory

A

(adjective)

1) done as part of a routine or duty
2) hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough. Synonym: casual, careless
3) as a formality only

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71
Q

Unseemly

A

(adjective)

1) inappropriate or unacceptable behavior

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72
Q

Brusque

A

(adjective)

1) rude

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73
Q

Polemical

A

(adjective)

1) describes something related to an argument or controversy

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74
Q

Downcast

A

(adjective)

1) filled with melancholy

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75
Q

Forlorn

A

(adjective)

1) marked by or showing hopelessness. Synonym: hopeless
2) forlorn expresses loneliness and feeling left out

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76
Q

Ostentatious

A

(adjective)

1) intended to attract notice and impress others, “flashy”, “showy”. Synonyms: pretentious, flaunty, flamboyant

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77
Q

Gregarious

A

(adjective)
1) If you know someone who’s outgoing, sociable, and fond of the company of others, you might want to call her gregarious
Synonym: social

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78
Q

Idolatrous

A

(adjective)

1) worshiping idols

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79
Q

Idolatry

A

(noun)

1) the worship of idols. Worship of images as if they were gods

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80
Q

Notoriety

A

(noun)

1) the state of being known for some unfavorable act or quality. Just remember: Notoriety’s not al-righty

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81
Q

Exaltation

A

(noun)

1) the elevation of a person (as to the status of a god)

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82
Q

Coy

A

(noun)

1) a person who pretends to be shy but really isn’t
2) someone who could give a definite answer but won’t

Coy behavior can be playful or just plain annoying

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83
Q

Detractor

A

(noun)
1) A detractor is someone who puts you down. When you’re proposing ideas at work, your detractor is the person who finds fault with everything you say

84
Q

Hapless

A

(adjective)

1) deserving or inciting pity

85
Q

Preeminent

A

(adjective)
1) Calling someone preeminent means they’re truly outstanding or better than everyone else — not in general, but in a specific field or specialty

86
Q

Sycophantic

A

(adjective)
1) attempting to win favor by flattery
2) attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
Synonym: bootlicking

87
Q

Peripheral

A

(adjective)

1) on or near an edge or constituting an outer boundary; the outer area (e.g.: “Russia’s peripheral provinces”)
2) related to the key issue but not of central importance

88
Q

Congenial

A

(adjective)

1) friendly and pleasant. A congenial person is easy to get along with
2) suitable to your needs (e.g.: “a congenial atmosphere to work in”)

89
Q

Prolific

A

(adjective)

1) intellectually productive (e.g.: “a prolific writer”)

90
Q

Heretic

A

(noun)

1) a person who holds religious beliefs in conflict with official dogma, especially of the Roman Catholic Church

91
Q

Incendiary

A

(adjective)

1) capable of catching fire spontaneously or causing fires or burning readily

92
Q

Garrulous

A

(adjective)
1) a garrulous person just won’t stop talking (and talking, and talking, and talking…)
Synonyms: chatty, loquacious, talkative

93
Q

Parsimonious

A

(adjective)

1) a parsimonious person is unwilling to spend a lot of money. Excessively unwilling to spend, cheap

94
Q

Tactless

A

(adjective)

1) to be tactless is to either be rude (without manners) or inept (without finesse)

95
Q

Openhanded

A

(adjective)
1) people who are openhanded give freely and kindly.
Synonyms: bighearted, generous

96
Q

Admonitory

A

(adjective)

1) something that’s admonitory is meant to correct or scold. If you’re caught throwing paper airplanes in class, your teacher will probably give you an admonitory lecture
2) Serving to warn. Synonyms: cautionary, exemplary,

97
Q

Immutable

A

(adjective)
1) not subject or susceptible to change or variation in form or quality or nature
Synonym: changeless

98
Q

Fledgling

A

(adjective)
1) young and inexperienced

(noun)
1) any new participant in some activity

99
Q

Consummate

A

(adjective)

1) having or revealing supreme mastery or skill (e.g.: “a consummate artist”)
2) perfect and complete in every respect; having all necessary qualities

(verb)
1) make perfect; bring to perfection

100
Q

Repudiation

A

(noun)

1) rejecting or disowning or disclaiming as invalid. Synonym: renunciation
2) the exposure of falseness or pretensions. Synonyms: debunking

101
Q

Amalgamate

A

(verb)
1) to amalgamate is to combine different things to create something new
Synonym: mix

(adjective)
1) joined together into a whole
Synonym: amalgamated

102
Q

Pragmatic

A

(adjective)

1) concerned with practical matters
2) guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory

103
Q

Profligate

A

(adjective)
1) unrestrained by convention or morality
Synonym: immoral
2) recklessly wasting your money on extravagant luxury

104
Q

Emulate

A

(verb)
1) strive to equal or match, especially by imitating
(e.g.: “He is emulating the skating skills of his older sister”)
Synonym: imitate

105
Q

Repudiate

A

(verb)
1) refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid (e.g.: “The woman repudiated the divorce settlement”)
2) refuse to recognize or pay (e.g.:“repudiate a debt”)
3) reject as untrue, unfounded, or unjust
4) cast off (e.g.: “The parents repudiated their son”)
Synonyms: disown, renounce

106
Q

Defame

A

(verb)

1) to defame is to gossip, even if the story is made-up, with the goal of hurting someone’s image

107
Q

Laud

A

(verb)

1) to laud someone means to praise them extravagantly, usually in a very public manner

108
Q

Merriment

A

(verb)

1) activities that are enjoyable or amusing. Synonym: fun
2) a joyful feeling

109
Q

Revelry

A

(noun)

1) a wild, fun time

110
Q

Carousing

A

(verb)

1) the activity of drinking alcohol and enjoying oneself with others in a noisy, lively way

111
Q

Hackneyed

A

(adjective)
1) repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
Synonyms: banal, commonplace, unoriginal

112
Q

Indulgent

A

(adjective)

1) characterized by or given to yielding to the wishes of someone (e.g.: “indulgent grandparents”). Synonym: pampering
2) tolerant or lenient. Synonym: soft, permissive
3) being favorably inclined. Synonym: favorable

113
Q

Singular

A

(adjective)
1) If something is extraordinary, remarkable, or one of a kind, you can say it is singular (e.g.: a singular opportunity to sing onstage with a rock star is a remarkable opportunity)
2) beyond or deviating from the usual or expected. (e.g.: “singular behavior”)
Synonyms: curious, funny, odd, peculiar, strange, unusual

114
Q

Galvanize

A

(verb)

1) means to stimulate or incite someone into taking action

115
Q

Serendipitous

A

(adjective)

1) lucky in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries

116
Q

Alluring

A

(adjective)
1) highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
Synonyms: enticing, tempting, seductive

117
Q

Pedantic

A

(adjective)

1) giving too much attention to formal rules or small details

118
Q

Contemptuous

A

(adjective)
1) if you insult someone or dismiss them in a hateful way, you’re being contemptuous. The difference between being hateful and contemptuous is subtle

119
Q

Probing

A

(verb)

1) diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation

120
Q

Unassailable

A

(adjective)

1) without flaws or loopholes (e.g.: If you are going to get home late (again!), you’d better have an unassailable alibi for your parents, or else you should plan on not seeing the outside of your room for a while)
2) immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with

121
Q

Pillory

A

(verb)

1) expose to ridicule or public scorn
2) criticize harshly or violently

122
Q

Lampoon

A

(verb)

1) ridicule with satire

123
Q

Balk

A

(verb)

1) refuse to comply
2) show unwillingness towards

124
Q

To steel

A

(verb)

1) get ready for something difficult or unpleasant

125
Q

Decrepit

A

(adjective)

1) worn and broken down by hard use (e.g.: “a decrepit bus…its seats held together with friction tape”)
2) acking bodily or muscular strength or vitality. Synonym: weak

126
Q

Contrived

A

(adjective)
1) if you see something that seems fake since it was too perfectly planned out, call it contrived. If you can easily predict the final minutes of a made-for-TV movie, then call it contrived

127
Q

Truculent

A

(adjective)

1) defiantly aggressive

128
Q

Obsequious

A

(adjective)
1) attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
Synonym: bootlicking

129
Q

Draconian

A

(adjective)

1) describes laws or rules that are really harsh and repressive

130
Q

Caustic

A

(adjective)

1) harshly critical

131
Q

Acrimony

A

(noun)

1) bitter

132
Q

Aspersion

A

(noun)

1) a disparaging remark
2) an abusive attack on a person’s character or good name. Synonyms: defamation, slander

133
Q

Auspicious

A

(adjective)
1) Use the adjective auspicious for a favorable situation or set of conditions
Synonyms: bright, hopeful, promising

134
Q

Capitulation

A

(noun)

1) the act of surrendering

135
Q

Calumny

A

(noun)

1) verbal attacks that are meant to destroy reputations or friendships

136
Q

Affable

A

(adjective)

1) friendly, pleasant, and easy to talk to

137
Q

Morose

A

(adjective)

1) a morose person is sullen, gloomy, sad, glum, and depressed — not a happy camper

138
Q

Magnanimous

A

(adjective)
1) a magnanimous person has a generous spirit. Magnanimous comes from Latin magnus “great” and animus “soul,” so it literally describes someone who is big-hearted

139
Q

Aloof

A

(adjective)

1) someone who’s aloof isn’t warm and friendly, instead being distant and reserved

140
Q

Jubilant

A

(adjective)

1) full of high-spirited delight. Synonyms: gleeful, joyful
2) joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success. Synonyms: prideful, rejoicing, triumphal , triumphant

141
Q

Forthright

A

(adjective)

1) When a person is being forthright, they’re being direct, clear, or even straight-up

142
Q

Sullenly

A

(adverb)

1) Someone who acts sullenly seems gloomy, dissatisfied — not happy to be there

143
Q

Lethargy

A

(noun)

1) inactivity or lack of energy

144
Q

Lethargic

A

(adjective)
1) sluggish or lacking energy
Synonyms: unenergetic, inactive, dazed, foggy

145
Q

Logorrhea

A

(noun)

1) a pathological inability to stop talking

146
Q

Onerous

A

(adjective)
1) if something is onerous, it is very difficult to deal with or do
Synonym: burdensome, heavy

147
Q

Sanguine

A

(adjective)

1) confidently optimistic and cheerful

148
Q

Inimical

A

(adjective)
1) not friendly
Synonym: unfriendly, hostile

149
Q

Glean

A

(verb)

1) gather bit by bit, either literally or figuratively

150
Q

Cornucopia

A

(noun)

1) the property of being extremely abundant

151
Q

Crestfallen

A

(adjective)

1) if you are crestfallen, you are dark, depressed, and down in the dumps

152
Q

Dumbfounded

A

(adjective)

1) when you’re dumbfounded, you’re amazed. Being dumbfounded is an extreme form of being surprised or caught off guard

153
Q

Circumscribe

A

(verb)

1) to limit or restrict
2) draw a line around

154
Q

Loquacious

A

(adjective)
1) tending to talk a great deal
Synonyms: chatty, talkative

155
Q

Taciturn

A

(adjective)
1) someone who is taciturn is reserved, not loud and talkative
Synonyms: untalkative, incommunicative, reticent

156
Q

spartan

A

(adjective)
1) a spartan existence is kind of like being a monk. Your room is bare, you live simply and eat sparingly, and your sheets are probably scratchy
2) practicing great self-denial (e.g.: “a spartan diet”, “a spartan existence”)
3) a spartan life is a life of discipline
Synonyms: severe, strict

157
Q

Martial

A

(adjective)
1) suggesting war or military life
Synonym: warlike

158
Q

Transient

A

(adjective)

1) lasting a very short time. Use the adjective transient to describe something that always changes or moves around

159
Q

Salutary

A

(adjective)

1) tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health
2) producing good effects; beneficial

160
Q

Uncouth

A

(adjective)
1) lacking good manners, refinement, or grace
Synonyms: uncivilized, uncultured

161
Q

Pervasiveness

A

(noun)

1) the quality of spreading widely

162
Q

Germane

A

(adjective)

1) relevant to a subject under consideration

163
Q

Mendacious

A

(adjective)
1) not telling the truth; lying
Synonyms: dishonest, untruthful

164
Q

Disreputable

A

(adjective)
1) lacking respectability in character or behavior or appearance
Synonyms: dishonourable, discreditable

165
Q

Muckraking

A

(adjective)

1) the action of searching out and publicizing scandalous information about famous people in an underhanded way

166
Q

To mollify

A

(verb)
1) to mollify is to calm someone down, talk them off the ledge, make amends, maybe even apologize
2) ause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of (e.g.: “She managed to mollify the angry customer”)
Synonyms: appease, assuage, conciliate, placate
3) make more temperate, acceptable, or suitable by adding something else; moderate
Synonyms: season, temper

167
Q

Shirk

A

(verb)

1) to shirk your responsibilities is to avoid dealing with them

168
Q

Protean

A

(adjective)
1) taking on different forms. When Picasso is described as a protean genius, it means that not only was he brilliant, but he changed the way he worked many times

169
Q

Amenable

A

(adjective)
1) disposed or willing to comply
2) liable to answer to a higher authority
3) readily reacting to suggestions and influences
Synonyms: tractable, susceptible

170
Q

Ponderous

A

(adjective)
1) having great mass and weight and unwieldiness
Synonym: heavy
2) slow and laborious because of weight
3) labored and dull (e.g.: “a ponderous speech”)
Synonym: uninteresting

171
Q

Prodigious

A

(adjective)
1) so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe (e.g.: “a prodigious storm”)
Synonyms: colossal, stupendous
2) far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree (e.g.: “the young Mozart’s prodigious talents”)
Synonyms: exceeding, exceptional, olympian, surpassing, extraordinary
3) of momentous or ominous significance (e.g.: “a prodigious vision”)
Synonyms: portentous, important, significant

172
Q

Funereal

A

(adjective)

1) sad, serious and gloomy, as if you were at a funeral

173
Q

Loath

A

(adjective)
1) if you are loath to do something, you really don’t want to do it
Synonym: reluctant, unwilling
2) (usually followed by `to’) strongly opposed
(e.g.: “loath to go on such short notice”)
Synonyms: antipathetic, antipathetical, averse, indisposed, disinclined

174
Q

Unscrupulous

A

(adjective)
1) describes someone who behaves in a dishonest or unethical way
Synonyms: amoral, unprincipled

175
Q

Partial

A

(adjective)
1) Although the word partial is most familiar as a word meaning “incomplete” or describing a part of a whole, it can also mean “taking sides” or indeed “showing bias.” It would make perfect sense for someone to be partial to (in favor of) a plan from which they benefited directly

176
Q

Trailblazer

A

(adjective)
1) a trailblazer is a person who’s the first to do something, whether it’s marking a new path through the woods or discovering a cure for cancer
Synonyms: groundbreaker, innovator, pioneer

177
Q

Tempestuous

A

(adjective)
1) a tempest is a storm, so you can use the adjective tempestuous to describe anything stormy or volatile — from a tempestuous hurricane to a tempestuous romance
2) characterized by violent emotions or behavior
Synonyms: stormy, unpeaceful
3) (of the elements) as if showing violent anger
Synonyms: angry, furious, raging, wild, stormy

178
Q

Doting

A

(adjecitve)
1) someone who’s doting is loving and fond, and tends to spoil you terribly. Your doting grandmother, for example, might shower you with gifts even when it’s not your birthday.
Synonyms: adoring, fond, loving

179
Q

Stringent

A

(adjective)
1) demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
Synonyms: rigorous, tight, demanding

180
Q

Requisite

A

(noun)
1) a thing that is necessary for the achievement of a specified end
to remember this word, notice how similar it is to required!
Synonyms: essential, necessary, necessity, requirement

181
Q

Moniker

A

(noun)

1) a familiar name for a person (often a shortened version of a person’s given name)

182
Q

Didactic

A

(adjective)
1) when people are didactic, they’re teaching or instructing. This word is often used negatively for when someone is acting too much like a teacher
Synonyms: didactical, informative, instructive

183
Q

Agnostic

A

(noun)
1) a person who claims that they cannot have true knowledge about the existence of God (but does not deny that God might exist)
2) someone who is doubtful or noncommittal about something
Synonym: doubter

184
Q

Amoral

A

(adjective)
1) when a person is amoral, they couldn’t care less if something is right or wrong. An amoral CEO fires employees so he can make more money, unconcerned about how losing their jobs might affect them
Synonyms: unprincipled, unscrupulous (without scruples or principles)

185
Q

Abdicate

A

(verb)

1) to renounce or relinquish a throne

186
Q

Abhor

A

(verb)
1) If you abhor something, it gives you a feeling of complete hatred, you find it repugnant
Synonyms: abominate, execrate, loathe, detest, hate

187
Q

Abhorrent

A

(adjective)
1) offensive to the mind
Synonyms: detestable, obscene, repugnant, repulsive, offensive

188
Q

Abstruse

A

(adjective)
1) abstruse things are difficult to understand because they are so deep and intellectually challenging
Synonyms: deep, recondite (hard for the average mind to understand), esoteric (confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle)

189
Q

Abject

A

(adjective)
1) most unfortunate or miserable (e.g.: “the most abject slaves joined in the revolt”)
Synonym: unfortunate
2) showing utter resignation or hopelessness
(e.g.: “abject surrender”)
Synonyms: unhopeful, hopeless
3) showing humiliation or submissiveness (e.g.: “an abject apology”)
Synonym: submissive

190
Q

Acrimonious

A

(adjective)
1) locked in a mean-spirited, bitter argument? That’s an acrimonious situation
Synonyms: bitter, resentful

191
Q

Acerbic

A

(adjective)
1) sour or bitter in taste
2) harsh or corrosive in tone (e.g.: “an acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose”)
Synonyms: acerb, acid, acrid, astringent, bitter, blistering, caustic, sulfurous, sulphurous, virulent, vitriolic, unpleasant

192
Q

Diatribe

A

(noun)
1) it’s pretty overwhelming when you ask your friend a seemingly innocuous question, like “Do you like hot dogs?” and she unleashes a diatribe about the evils of eating meat. A diatribe is an angry, critical speech

193
Q

Acumen

A

(noun)

1) if you have acumen, you are very sharp at what you do, mental sharpness

194
Q

Prodigal

A

(adjective)
1) use the adjective prodigal to describe someone who spends too much money
2) recklessly wasteful (e.g.: “prodigal in their expenditures”)
Synonyms: extravagant, profligate, spendthrift, wasteful

195
Q

Amiable

A

(adjective)
1) diffusing warmth and friendliness (e.g.: “an amiable gathering”)
Synonyms: affable, cordial, genial, friendly
2) disposed to please

196
Q

Animosity

A

(noun)
1) animosity is hatred, strong hostility. If your (supposed) best buddy embarrasses you in front of a big crowd, your friendship could turn into animosity

197
Q

Breviloquent

A

(adjective)

1) marked by brevity of speech, using very few words; concise

198
Q

Castigate

A

(verb)
1) to reprimand in an especially harsh way, inflict severe punishment on
2) censure severely
Synonyms: chasten, chastise, correct, objurgate

199
Q

Jocular

A

(adjective)
1) characterized by jokes and good humor
Synonyms: joking, humorous

200
Q

Capricious

A

(adjective)

1) impulsive and unpredictable

201
Q

Mercurial

A

(adjective)

1) describes someone whose mood or behavior is changeable and unpredictable
2) someone who is clever, lively, and quick

202
Q

Antagonistic

A

(adjective)

1) showing or feeling active opposition or hostility toward someone or something
2) incapable of harmonious association, if you’re antagonistic, you’re hard to get along with

203
Q

Antipathetic

A

(adjective)
1) if you have very negative, even hostile feelings about something, you’re antipathetic toward it. If you’re antipathetic to a particular basketball team, you’ll root enthusiastically for whatever team they’re playing against
Synonyms: adversarial, antagonistic, antipathetical, hostile

204
Q

Dilettante

A

(adjective)
1) showing frivolous or superficial interest; amateurish
Synonyms: superficial

(noun)
1) an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge

205
Q

Fledgling

A

(adjective)
1) young and inexperienced (e.g.: “a fledgling enterprise”, “a fledgling skier”)
Synonyms: callow (rookie), unfledged, inexperienced, inexperient

GRE vocab (2 decks)

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