Words Flashcards
bowdlerize
to omit indecent words or phrases in a book or a piece of writing
eg. a love letter needs to be BOWDLERIZED before being shown to a parent.
mnemonic: I need to idealize my writing so I don’t have to bow down to you.
boycott
withdraw, ban participation
eg. the US BOYCOTTED all Russian products amidst the Russia-Ukraine war
mnemonic: the boy was caught in the act, so he need to stop reenacting this same pattern
draconian
extremely harsh, severe
eg. his DRACONIAN teaching style made every student bawl their eyes out
mnemonic: Draco Malfoy
maverick
individualist, unconventional person
eg. they denounced him as a political MAVERICK, to be then unsurprised when he joined the labour party
Mnemonic: Top Gun Maverick depicts a true hero that diverges from the conventional, counterstrikes.
quisling
a traitor
eg. if you are a royal, even being a quisling is easily forgiven
mnemonic: quitting the link
simony
buying/selling of religious/sacred objects/privileges
eg. cases of simony have come before the courts, in which clergy of the highest rank have been implicated
mnemonic: going to simons - buying objects of value (religious, sacred)
august
profoundly honoured
eg. he was an august lord, with all citizens bowing down to his feet upon his entrance into a room
mnemonic: Augustus
mausoleum
a large tomb or memorial
eg. a mausoleum in remembrance of the King was visited each year by millions
mnemonic: museums display remnants of the past
quixotic
a person/disposition that’s excessively chivalrous, romantic, impractical, and impulsive; not sensible about practical matters; idealistic, unrealistic
eg. the young man’s quixotic personality made him prioritize true love over everything else
mnemonic: Quick + Exotic
shrapnel
fragments thrown out by a shell/bomb
eg. the shrapnel landed on the soldier’s uniform, alerting him that he should run
mnemonic: Sharp shells
aberrant
abnormal; different from the accepted norm
eg. aberrant behaviour
mnemonic: a bear a size of an ant is abnormal
abeyance
state of suspension; temporary inaction
mnemonic: contrary to obeyance, which will not cause suspension
abscond
to sneak away
mnemonic: absent in a second
abstemious
indicative of self-denial, particularly with food or drink
eg. to build abs and stamina, you have to be careful with your diet
abstruse
difficult to comprehend
mnemonic: abstract and confused
accessible
easy to understand, especially by a certain group
mnemonic: Christians can easily access the Bible
acquiescent
agreeing without protest
mnemonic: no one says no to acquiring a cent
acrid
bitter, harsh
mnemonic: acid makes me cringe
acrimonious
bitter in temper, manner, and speech
mnemonic: committing a crime leads to no harmonious condition
acumen
keenness; quickness of intellectual insight
mnemonic: a man with high IQ
admonition
a gentle reproof; cautionary advice about something imminent
mnemonic: to put up an ad before you pursue any motion
affect
emotion that influences behaviour
mnemonic: infection
affront
to deliberately offend, as with a gesture
aggrandize
to widen in scope or make bigger or greater
aggregate
amounting to a whole
allay
to reduce the intensity of
mnemonic: alleviate, all need to lay down
amalgamate
to mix or blend together in a homogenous body
ameliorate
to make better, improve
anachronous
out of place in time
mnemonic: Annabelle is often in a different chronology, headspace
anecdote
a short account of an interesting incident
archipelago
a group of islands
mnemonic: a arch of ships from a long time ago
articulate
well-spoken, eloquent
artifice
cleverness, skill
mnemonic: the art of fixing
artless
without deceit or cunning; sincere
mnemonic: not heartless
ascetic
representative of severe self-denial
mnemonic: to become aesthetic, you need to deny yourself of many things
assiduous
persistent, unceasing
mnemonic: assied (sitting down) + constantly doing something
astute
keen, wise
mnemonic: characteristics of a good student
audacious
fearless, bold
augment
to increase in measure or intnesity
austere
unadorned; severely simple
severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance
mnemonic: From which I steer away
avarice
extreme greed/hoarding
mnemonic: I want rice
aver
to declare, profess
mnemonic: a very confident statement
banal
trite; commonplace
mnemonic: bananas
base
simple and boring
mnemonic: basic
belie
to present a false front
mnemonic: to be a liar
beset
to surround, as in an attack
mnemonic: bees set to attack from all directions
blatant
very obvious, offensively loud, or coarsely conspicuous
mnemonic: to blast a tent
bolster
to support; to reinforce
mnemonic: booster
bombastic
using inflated language; pompous
mnemonic: to bomb in a scholastic manner
boon
a timely benefit; a blessing
mnemonic: bonus
brevity
briefness, conciseness
mnemonic: brief tea
browbeat
to intimidate in an overbearing manner; to be bossy towards
mnemonic: my bro always wanted to beat me
bumptious
offensively self-assertive; pushy
mnemonic: bumping us
bungle
to perform clumsily or inadequately; blotch
mnemonic: bung a hole
burgeon
to grow forth; to send out buds
Mnemonic: to blossom
cacophony
a disagreeable, harsh, discordant sound or tone
mnemonic: a cat singing into a phone
callous
insensitive; indifferent
mnemonic: a callous makes skin tougher
calumniate
to make false and malicious statements about; to slander
mnemonic: to write in a column with goal to eliminate
candor
the quality of being open and sincere
mnemonic: i can open the door
cantankerous
bad-tempered, uncooperative
mnemonic: I can’t take it anymore
carp
to complain unreasonably
mnemonic: keep on saying crap
chaos
a state of disorder and confusion
chicanery
trickery, deception, especially through the use of questionable logic
mnemonic: selling a chick as a canary
churl
a rude, boorish, or surly person
mnemonic: a person that makes you want to hurl something at them
coda
concluding section of a musical/literary piece; something that summarizes
codify
to assemble related laws/principles into a systematic collection
mnemonic: codes must be arranged in order to work
cognizant
aware; take notice
cohort
a companion/associate
colloquial
pertaining to common speech
mnemonic: local language
commensurate
corresponding in degree, quality, amount
mnemonic: common measure
complacency
a feeling of quiet security; satisfaction
mnemonic: Complete Sense I - I feel complete
conciliatory
a state of seeking to reconcile, or make peace
concrete
actual, irrefutable, as in concrete evidence
confidante
one to whom secrets are confided
congruous
appropriate, fitting
consternation
unsettling dismay or amazement; fear resulting from the awareness of danger
mnemonic: constant terror in the nation
consummate
to bring to completion
mnemonic: on the summit
contentious
quarrelsome
mnemonic: a contender who is serious
contrite
penitent, apologetic, feeling regretful
mnemonic: can’t do it right
contumacious
rebellious; stubbornly disobedient
mnemonic: contrary tummy
cordial
polite in a pleasant way
corroborate
to make more certain; confirm
mnemonic: cooperate to make more robust
countenance
appearance, especially the look or expression of the face
counter
to go against, or attempt to undermine an action
counterparat
a person or thing resembling or complementing another
craven
cowardly
mnemonic: craving but not attaining
credulity
willingness to behave or trust too readily
mnemonic: believe with little evidence
cronyism
the practice of favouring one’s friends, especially in political appointments
mnemonic: to give the crown to someone you love so much
curmudgeon
an ill-tempered person
mnemonic: the car went into the mud and made him want to put someone in the dungeon
cursory
hasty, superficial, as of a review of something; not thorough
mnemonic: using the cursor of your mouse to browse things
dearth
an inadequate supply; scarcity; lack
mnemonic: gives us the need to de-earth
debacle
a complete collapse or failure
mnemonic: debuckle a seatbelt and cause a disaster
decorum
orderliness and good taste in manners
mnemonic: to decor them
deferent
in a state of giving in out of respect for another person
mnemonic: to defer to my aunt
deleterious
hurtful, morally or physically
mnemonic: to delete something as terrible as a virus
delineate
to represent by sketch or diagram; to describe precisely in words
depravity
the state of being morally bad or evil
mnemonic: to deprive those in poverty
deride
to ridicule; to make fun of
mnemonic: someone who fell off their bike
derision
ridicule
mnemonic: the deer is an ion
derivative
something obtained, developed from a source
desultory
aimless; haphazard
mnemonic: desolate story
diatribe
bitter, malicious criticism
mnemonic: dynamite thrown at another tribe
didactic
for the purpose of teaching
mnemonic: dictate a tactic
diffidence
lacking confidence
mnemonic: deficiency in confidence
dilatory
causing delay
mnemonic: dilly dally
disconcert
to disturb the composure of
mnemonic: to disturb something that is in concert
discretion
using one’s own judgment; being discreet
disingenuous
insincere, phony
mnemonic: disintegrated genuiness
disquiet
lack of calm, peace, or ease
dissemble
to disguise or pretend in order to deceive or mislead
mnemonic: resemble to diss
dissolution
breaking up of an union of persons
dissonant
out of harmony, incongruous
divergent
deviating from a certain course
divest
to strip; to deprive, often in terms of poverty
mnemonic: to deprive someone of their investment
divulge
to tell or make known, generally of something secret/private
doctrinaire
a person who’s fanatical about enforcing a certain principle, regardless of its practicality
mnemonic: a doctrine that is up in the air
dogmatic
forceful and unwavering; allowing no room for interpretation or dissent
mnemonic: I am God
doldrums
a state of inactivity or low spirits
mnemonic: too old drums
dubious
doubtful
mnemonic: Dobby from Harry Potter
dupe
someone who is easily fooled; to fool someone
mnemonic: dumb person
duplicity; duplicitous
deceitfulness
mnemonic: duplicate the complexity
ebullient
showing great enthusiasm or exhilaration
mnemonic: Red Bull
eclectic
drawn from multiple sources, based on multiple styles
mnemonic: election
efficacious
capable of producing the intended result
mnemonic: the effect is okay for us
efficacy
power to produce an intended effect
mnemonic: something that is efficient and with accuracy
effrontery
shameless boldness; imprudence
mnemonic: she dared to step in front of me
egregious
seriously bad/wrong
mnemonic: Throwing eggs at Jesus
egress
exit
mnemonic: to put the egg to rest
elegy
a poem lamenting the dead
elicit
to extract (usually information, a reaction, or emotional response) without use of force; to learn through discussion
mnemonic: implicit
elitism
consciousness/pride in belonging to a select group
mnemonic: the elite’s attitude
embellish
to beautify or enhance wth additional features/information
empirical
proven by observed occurrence/existence
mnemonic: inspired from practical
emulate
imitate
endemic
characteristic of a specific place/culture
mnemonic: end of the mix
enervate
to weaken
mnemonic: I use energy when I wait
engender
to produce or to make something come into existence
mnemonic: when genders come together
enigmatic
mysterious, perplexing
ennui
boredom
mnemonic: anything new
ephemeral
short-lived, fleeting
mnemonic: epidurals make giving birth much quicker
equable
free from many changes or variations
mnemonic: equal
equanimity; equanimous
evenness of mind or temper
mnemonic: equal mind
equivocal
ambiguous; open to multiple interpretations
mnemonic: equal advocates
equivocate
to use ambiguous/unclear expressions, usually to avoid commitment or to mislead
mnemonic: equal advocate
eradicate
to destroy completely
mnemonic: radiate
erudite
very well-educated
mnemonic: he read it
eschew
to keep clear of, avoid
mnemonic: run away from those who ah-choo!
esoteric
hard to understand; known only by a few
mnemonic: it’s a sort of trick
euphemism
a nice way of saying something that’s otherwise unpleasant
mnemonic: use feminism
exacerbate
to make sharper, more severe; to make worse
exculpate
to free from blame
mnemonic: exit the culpability
exigency
urgent situation
mnemonic: exit an emergency
expatiate
to speak or write at some length on a given topic/theme
mnemonic: paid she ate - food critic
expiation
the means by which atonement/reparation is made; compensation for a wrong
mnemonic: to cut from my pie what I ate
extenuating
the state of explaining/justifying in order to lessen the seriousness of an action
mnemonic: to attenuate something
extirpate
to root out; to eradicate
mnemonic: exterminate
extrapolation
to infer an unknown from something that’s known
excoriation
to give a severe censure; to criticize
mnemonic: to tell someone to exit this nation
facetious
not intended to be taken seriously
mnemonic: faces that tease
facilitate
to make easier
fallacious
illogical
mnemonic: to fail to be taken as serious
fatuous
idiotic
mnemonic: fat ass
felicitous
appropriate/suitable for the situation/circumstance
mnemonic: felicitations
ferret out
to track down, discover
mnemonic: to fire it out
fervor
ardor or intensity of feeling
mnemonic: fever
fledgling
inexperienced
mnemonic: fleeing duckling
foment
to instigate or encourage negative behaviour, such as violence; to try to stir up public opinion
mnemonic: false omen
forestall
to prevent by taking action in advance
mnemonic: to stall before
fortification
the act of strengthening/protecting
frugal
thrifty
mnemonic: fruit only for the gals
fulminate
to cause to explode; to detonate
mnemonic: to put a flame in it
fumble
to feel or grope about clumsily
gaffe
a social blunder; faux pas; socially awkward/tactless act
mnemonic: Faire une gaffe
gainsay
to contradict/oppose
mnemonic: say against
garrulous
prone to trivial talking; chatty
mnemonic: girls are less because they talk nonsense
generosity
the state of giving freely
germane
relevant
mnemonic: My main girl is relevant to my life
goad
to urge on
mnemonic: go and do it
grandiloquent
speaking/expressing oneself in a lofty (highly moral, intellectual) style
mnemonic: grandly eloquent
grandstand
to conduct oneself or perform showily in an attempt to impress onlookers
mnemonic: handstand
gregarious
sociable, outgoing
mnemonic: We we hilarious in the gray car
grouse
to complain or grumble
mnemonic: go report my spouse
guileless
without deceit
mnemonic: guiltless
gullible
easily deceived
halcyon
calm
mnemonic: he had a halo on
haphazard
characterized by a lack of order/planning; dependent upon, characterized by chance; hit-or-miss
mnemonic: half wizard
harangue
a tirade; a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion; speech of violent denunciation
mnemonic: harambe
harbinger
anything/anyone who makes known the coming of a person or future event; an omen
mnemonic: Harp bringer
hedge
a barrier/boundary; an act of preventing complete loss of a bet/investment
mnemonic: to hit an edge
heresy
opinion or doctrine subversive of settled/accepted beliefs
mnemonic: here I say
homogeneous
of the same kind
hyperbole
exaggeration, overstatement
iconoclast
person who attacks and destroys religious images/accepted beliefs/traditions
mnemonic: icons that are being clashed
ignominious
shameful, disgraceful
mnemonic: ignorant + minus
imbroglio
entanglement, as in a situation; an intricate and confusing interpersonal or political situation
mnemonic: I’m bragging a lot
immense
very large
impartial
objective, open-minded
impecunious
having no money; broke
mnemonic: without pennies
impede
to hinder; to block
impenitent
not feeling regret about one’s sins
mnemonic: without penetrance
imperious
domineering, overbearing; urgent
mnemonic: imperial
imperturbable
calm; not easily perturbed, excited, upset
mnemonic: indisturbable
impervious
impenetrable
mnemonic: immune to perverts
impetuous
impulsive; undue haste, lack of thought/deliberation
mnemonic: impatient
implicit
implied
importune
to harass with persistent demands
mnemonic: import because of bad fortune
impugn
to challenge as false with arguments/accusations
mnemonic: to take out puns
inadvertantly
unintentionally
inane
a nicer word for describing someone/something as stupid/idiotic
mnemonic: insane
incensed
angered at something unjust or wrong
mnemonic: something without a sense
inchoate
recently begun, not fully developed or organized
mnemonic: in a chaotic state
inconstant
changeable; fickle; variable
indigenous
originating in a particular region/place
indigent; indigence
lacking necessities, such as food, clothing, and shelter
mnemonic: I need dollars
indolence
laziness
mnemonic: adolescence
ineffable
incapable of being expressed in words; unutterable
mnemonic: unexpressable
inert
inactive; lacking power to move/react
mnemonic: in the earth
inexorable
not subject to change; not able to be persuaded or convinced
mnemonic: in-exit-able
ingenuous
innocent, sincere
mnemonic: non genuineingratiation
ingratiating
charming, agreeable
mnemonic: in graceful attitude
innocuous
harmless
mnemonic: not injurious
insensible
incapable of perceiving/feeling
insinuate
to suggest or hint slyly, in a subtle manner
mnemonic: to instil your weight
insipid
bland
mnemonic: not worth a sip of it
insouciant
free from worry or concern; carefree
mnemonic: sans soucis
intimation
something indicated/made known indirectly
mnemonic: intimate action
intrepid
fearless and bold
mnemonic: high entry speed
inure
to harden/toughen by use, exercise, or exposure
mnemonic: to kindle something in you
invidious
showing/feeling envy
mnemonic: envious
irascible
easily angered
mnemonic: irritatedly unstable
ironic
to convey the opposite of an expression’s literal meaning
itinerant
travelling from place to place
mnemonic: constantly on an itinerary
jingoism
professing one’s patriotism loudly and excessively
mnemonic: jingle with egoism
killjoy
a person who spoils the joy or pleasure of others
laconic
brief and to the point; concise
mnemonic: lack in phonics
lampoon
to make fun of; to mock or ridicule
mnemonic: the lamp on the moon
latent
dormant; potentially existing but not presently evident or realized
mnemonic: lack of talent
laud
to praise
mnemonic: lord
laudable
praiseworthy
mnemonic: lordy
licentious
unrestrained by laws or rules, especially those related to sexuality
mnemonic: like sensuous
like
to represent as similar to someone/something
loquacious
talkative
mnemonic: eloquently voracious
lucid
easily understood; clear
lugubrious
gloomy, depressing
mnemonic: lugging all this goo beat us
magnanimity
generosity
mnemonic: magnet amitié
malingerer
one who feigns illness to escape duty
mnemonic: linger with bad intent (mal)
malleable
pliant; able to be reshaped
masticate
to chew/reduce to a pulp
mnemonic: the broken mast indicates that the something has been chewing on it
maverick
rebel; nonconformist
mnemonic: top gun maverick
mealymouthed
insincere; deceitful
mnemonic: a mouth full of meals
mediocrity
the state/quality of being barely adequate
mendacious
untruthful/deceitful
mnemonic: men who are audacious
mendicant
beggar/homeless person
mnemonic: to mend I can’t
metamorphosis
change of form
meticulous
very thorough/precise
misanthrope
who hates people
mnemonic: negative to anthropology, the study of humans
mitigate
to lessen in intensity; to appease
modicum
a small amount
mnemonic: moderate income
mollify
to soothe; to make more temperate, acceptable, or suitable by adding something else
mnemonic: emollient
morbidity
related to illness/disease, in a certain population/geographical area
mordant
sarcastic; harsh
mnemonic: mordre
moribund
near death/extinction
mnemonic: morbid end
morose
ill-humored; sullen; showing brooding ill humor; dark
mnemonic: more hose just made her more unhappy/gloomy
mundane
ordinary; dull
mnemonic: plain
myopic
shortsighted/narrow-minded
mnemonic: with my opaque lenses
narcissism
excessive fascination with oneself
mnemonic: nah, let’s scissor them to make everyone else look like me!
nefarious
extremely wicked
mnemonic: kneeing ferries is wicked
negate
to cancel out; to nullify
neophyte
beginner
mnemonic: new fight
nepotism
favoritism on the basis of family relationship
mnemonic: never bother posting a position vacancy, it always goes to a member of the family.
obdurate
stubborn
mnemonic: to obey a due date, he wouldn’t change
obfuscate
to darken/conceal
mnemonic: to confuse something that was created
obsequious
servile; ready to serve
mnemonic: obssessed with us
obviate
to make unnecessary
mnemonic: to deviate from something obvious
odious
hateful; unequivocally detestable
mnemonic: odourous
officious
aggressively authoritative in offering help/advice, especially when dealing with trivial matters
mnemonic: officially curious
onus
burden
mnemonic: you’re on us
opprobrium
infamy that results from shameful behaviour
mnemonic: to rob oppium
oscillate
to waver/switch between different positions/beliefs
ostentation
a showy display of wealth and luxury in an attempt to impress other people.
mnemonic: to get an ostrich’s attention
painstaking
characterized by being very careful and diligent
mnemonic: you don’t want to pain the king
palpable
readily seen, heard, or perceived; tangible
mnemonic: palm is able
panache
a grand/flamboyant manner or style
mnemonic: a pan of ash was held by the singer, and she still performed with style
parable
a short story designed to teach a lesson
mnemonic: what a parrot is able to read out
paragon
model of perfection
mnemonic: the problem is gone
parsimonious
sparing in spending of money; stingy
mnemonic: to pass my money
partisan
one-sided; committed to one party
mnemonic: a party’s son
pathos
having a quality that rouses emotion/sympathy
mnemonic: to have sympahy
paucity
scarcity, insufficiency
mnemonic: we paused the city due to insufficiency
pejorative
having a disparaging/derogatory effect
penchant
strong inclination
mnemonic: se pencher
penurious
excessively sparing in the use of money; extremely stingy
mnemonic: furious about spending a penny
perennial
something long-lasting
mnemonic: per annuals
perfidy
treachery/detrayal
mnemonic: without fidelity
permeable
penetrable/porous
pernicious
tending to kill/hurt
mnemonic: with purpose to be malicious
pervasive
spread throughout
mnemonic: to be persuasive
phlegmatic
slow-moving; not easily roused to feeling/emotion
mnemonic: pragmatic, practical
pious
religious
mnemonic: we thank God for the pie he has given us
placate
to soothe; to bring from a hostile state to a calm one
mnemonic: to use a plate of cakes to stop them from feeling angry
placid
peaceful
mnemonic: placed acid
platitude
trite/commonplace statement
mnemonic: a complacent attitude
plethora
excess/abundance
plumb
to make vertical; to reach the deepest point
mnemonic: the plumber that tests the pipe to check for its verticalness
polarize
to divide into sharply opposing factions
pompous
ostentatiously lofty, arrogant
mnemonic: he wore pompoms because he was self-important and wanted to everyone to see how special he was
ponder
to consider something thoroughly and thoughtfully
ponderous
massive, awkward, unwieldy
mnemonic: full of pounds
pontificate
express an opinion in an annoying fashion
mnemonic: to point out with certificate
porous
full of holes; spongy, absorbent
portend
foretell
mnemonic: at the port they ended their journey, but there were warning signs everywhere
poseur
a person who attempts to impress others by assuming a manner other than his true one
mnemonic: to strike a pose
pragmatic
practical
mnemonic: to deal with something problematic
precarious
hazardous; perilous; fraught with danger
mnemonic: to be careful with something precious
precipitate
to hasten the occurrence of; done with very great haste and without due deliberation
mnemonic: precipiter vers l’action
precocious
mature beyond one’s age, typically in respect to mental abilities, talents, or skills
mnemonic: pre-coached
preeminent
a step above others; distinguished, renowned
mnemonic: prominent
prescience
knowledge of events before they happen
mnemonic: prior to the science
presentiment
a feeling/impression that something is about to happen
prevaricate
to use ambiguous language for the purpose of deceiving
mnemonic: previously, I ate a carrot cake, but now I avoid doing so!
proclivity
natural inclination
mnemonic: extremely clingy
prodigal
wasteful, lavish
mnemonic: products for all
prodigious
immense
mnemonic: pro digits
prodigy
a person, usually a child, having extraordinary talent
profound
deep, significant
prognosticate
to predict something in the future
mnemonic: to previously diagnose
proliferate
to grow rapidly
propensity
natural inclination
mnemonic: prone to the city
prophetic
ability to predict the future
mnemonic: Mohammed
propitious
presenting favourable conditions
mnemonic: profit from us
prosaic
commonplace/dull
mnemonic: prozac
protean
changeable in shape/form
mnemonic: types of proteins
prudence
cautious wisdom
puerile
childish
mnemonic: pure child
pugnacious
quarrelsome/combative
mnemonic: pugs from different nations had to come together and were eager to fight
pungent
stinging; sharp in taste/smell
mnemonic: unpleasant agent
pusillanimous
cowardly; fainthearted
mnemonic: pussy of a man
qualms
misgivings; uneasy fears
mnemonic: queasy about calmness
quibble
minor objection/complaint
mnemonic: JP complains about his kibble
quiescence
being quiet/still; inactivity
mnemonic: quiet essence
quintessential
the perfect representation of something
mnemonic: the queen with her essentials
quixotic
idealist; romantic to a ridiculous degree
mnemonic: quickly exotic
recant
to formally withdraw a statement
mnemonic: re (again) cannot
recidivism
the tendency toward repeated/habitual relapse; habitual relapse into crime
mnemonic: return to cynism
recondite
beyond ordinary knowledge or understanding; profound; difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
mnemonic: raw corn diet
redress
to set right by compensation/punishment
mnemonic: relief from distress
refutation
an act of disproving a statement/charge
mnemonic: to refute an action
refute
to disprove
mnemonic: a rift developed between the newts and the frogs.
repose
the state of being at rest
mnemonic: se reposer
reprobate
a sinful and depraved person
mnemonic: to repeatedly rob
repudiate
to refuse to have anything to do with
mnemonic: reputation died
rescind
to repeal, revoke, or void
mnemonic: to resign
resilience
the ability to recover from a setback
respite
interval of rest
mnemonic: rest a bit
restive
impatient/stubborn; being in a tense state
mnemonic: restlessly active
reticent
reluctant/inclined to silence
mnemonic: reserved and silent
reverent
respectful; feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
mnemonic: for a rare event
rhetoric
the art of effective communication
mnemonic: right oral skills
rout
to drive out; to stampede
mnemonic: to riout out
rueful
causing sorrow/pity
mnemonic: remorseful
ruminate
to chew over and over again; to think over, ponder
sagacious
acutely insightful and wise
mnemonic: suggest to us
salacious
lustful; sexually indecent
mnemonic: he salivated as if every woman was delicious
salubrious
heartful
mnemonic: so lubricate us to make us healthy again
sanction
to approve; in legal circles, a law that enacts a penalty for disobedience, or a reward for obedience
sanguine
cheerfully confident; optimistic; bloody, ruddy, or reddish
mnemonic: they sang that they would win
satiate
to satisfy/fulfill the appetite or desire of
mnemonic: I sat and I ate
savor
to enjoy fully
scanty
scarce in quantity or amount
secrete
to hide away
security
safety
sedulous
persistent in effort/endeavor
mnemonic: to seduce and lust
seethe
to be in a state of excitement/agitation
mnemonic: the sea began to breathe due to the human dumping
seminal
influencing future developments
mnemonic: seminars
shard
fragment
mnemonic: sharp
shirk
to avoid
mnemonic: sharks
shoddy
not genuine; inferior
mnemonic: to show off someone’s body
sinuous
curving in and out;
mnemonic: a sine wave
skeptic
doubter
skepticism
doubt, disbelief
skittish
lively; restless
mnemonic: to skip the itch
slander
defamation; false statement against another person (a lie), which damages the reputation of the person
mnemonic: to slam someone underground
slothful
slow-moving, lazy
solecism
a minor mistake in grammar or usage; a breach of good manners; a socially awkward or tactless act
mnemonic: so deserving criticism
solicitous
worried or concerned; eager to receive approval from others
mnemonic: solicit to us
sonorous
loud, deep, or resonant, as a sound
soporific
causing sleep
mnemonic: watching soap operas makes you want to sleep
spate
a sudden, almost overwhelming outpouring
mnemonic: to spit
specious
seemingly reasonable but incorrect
mnemonic: suspicious
spendthrift
someone who wastes money
mnemonic: thirsty for spending
spurious
not genuine
mnemonic: pure lies
stentorian
extremely loud
mnemonic: stereo tone
stigma
a token of disgrace
mnemonic: to sting your ma
stint (noun)
stint (verb)
a period of time (noun)
to be thrifty (verb)
mnemonic (noun): only a tint
mnemonic (verb): stunt supply
stipulate
to make specific conditions; make an express demand or provision in an agreement
mnemonic: staple it
stoic
lacking in emotional response, especially with pain or adversity
mnemonic: stone like
stolid
dull; impassive; having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
mnemonic: solid
stratify
to form or place in layers
mnemonic: classify
striated
marked with parallel bands
mnemonic: strips
strut
a pompous walk
mnemonic: like a slut
sublime
supreme or outstanding; elevated
subterfuge
evasion
mnemonic: to take refuge
supercilious
showing careless contempt; arrogant
mnemonic: super silly to us
superfluous
more than what’s needed
supersede
to replace, supplant
mnemonic: to use superseeds
supine
lying on one’s back face upward
mnemonic: soothing her spine
sybarite
a person devoted to luxury and pleasure
mnemonic: see bright things in life
sycophant
a self-seeking, servile flatterer; a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
mnemonic: sick of having fans
tacit
understood
mnemonic: the hat with tasselts on it meant that she had graduated. This was just understood.
taciturn
stern; silent; habitually reserved and uncommunicative
mnemonic: gives up their turn to talk
tangential
only slightly connected or related
mnemonic: tangent to something - by a thread
tantamount
equivalent in significance, effect, or value
mnemonic: to tan to an amount equivalent to a specific colour
tawdry
showy, in a cheap way
mnemonic: a towel that’s dry, made out of cheap material
temerity
recklessness
mnemonic: to marry me
tempestuous
stormy; impassioned
mnemonic: tempers are more than a pest to us; they create very stormy conditions
tenacious; tenacity
holding fast; stubbornly unyielding; persistence
mnemonic: to hold on to his tens and aces
tendentious
having or showing a definite tendency, bias, or purpose
mnemonic: tending towards
tenuous
thin; slim
mnemonic: attenuer
tepid
lukewarm
mnemonic: tap water
thrall
a state of being enslaved/held captive physically, mentally, or morally
mnemonic: through it all
thwart
to frustrate; hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
mnemonic: the wart prevented her from walking properly
tilt
to lean forward, as if to attack
timidity
lacking in self-assurance or courage
tirade
a long, passionate speech against something
mnemonic: a tyre raid caused a long angry criticism
titillate
to excite/arouse
mnemonic: stimulate
titular
holding a position in name (title) only without the power or responsibility that usually comes with that position
mnemonic: you are the title
torpid
dull; sluggish; inactive
mnemonic: tortoise
tortuous
abounding in irregular bends or turns; unpleasantly complicated
mnemonic: torque for us
tractable; tractability
docile; easily controlled or shaped
mnemonic: able to track
transgression
violation; sin
mnemonic: aggression towards trans people
transcience
a temporary state
mnemonic: transition
transmute
to change
mnemonic: to mutate and transform
transparent
easily detected
transpire
to happen, to be revealed
trepidation
nervous feeling; fear
mnemonic: transpiration
truculence
ferocity
mnemonic: destructive defiance
truculent
harsh, brutal
mnemonic: turbulent
turgid
inflated, overblown, or pompous; literally swollen to the point of being firm
mnemonic: turned rigid
tutelage
the act of training/being under instruction
tyro
beginner/novice
mnemonic: to make lots of typos
ubiquitous
being present everywhere
mnemonic: you need to be cautious, God is everywhere
umbrage
sense of having been injured
mnemonic: enrage
unassuaged
not soothed/relieved
mnemonic: unsatisfied
uncouth
clumsy; rude; lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
mnemonic: uncultured youth
undermine
to weaken/derail
mnemonic: you are under my control
unerringly
without fail
mnemonic: with no error
ungainly
awkward; clumsy
mnemonic: if you gain weight you cannot walk gracefully
unison
complete accord
unruly
disobedient
mnemonic: without following rules
untenable
indefensible
mnemonic: a child under ten is unable to defend himself
upbraid
to reproach as deserving blame; express criticism towards
mnemonic: her hair was up and braided, which her mom disliked
urbanity
refined courtesy/politeness
mnemonic: think about an urban society
vacillate
to waver; to fluctuate
mnemonic: oscillate
vagabond
wanderer
vainglorious
excessive; pretentious
mnemonic: glorifying in one’s vain (excessive belief in one’s own abilities/attractiveness to others)
valorous
courageous
mnemonic: value to us
vantage
position giving advantage
mnemonic: advantage
vapid
having lost quality and flavour; dull; lifeless
mnemonic: vapour
variegated
many-coloured
mnemonic: vary what we ate
vehement
forceful
mnemonic: a vehicle stuck in cement
veneer
a thin covering to improve the appearance of something
mnemonic: very new
venerate
to look upon with deep respect
mnemonic: you can vend at such a rate
veracious; veracity
truthful
mnemonic: to verify
verbiage
use of many words
mnemonic: garbage of words
verbose
wordy
mnemonic: bowl full of words
vestigial
occurring or persisting as a rudimentary or degenerate structure; not fully developed in mature animals
mnemonic: invest in your gal
viable
capable of living/succeeding
vicissitude
change of condition or circumstances, generally of fortune
mnemonic: a wise attitude
vigor
strength; stamina; power
virtuosity
having the character/ability of an expert
virulence
intense sharpness of anger; intensity
mnemonic: a turbulent virus
visage
face especially in terms of its features of expression
viscous
sticky; gluey
vituperate
overwhelm with wordy abuse; spread negative information about
mnemonic: to poorly rate with vitality
vociferous
making a loud outcry
mnemonic: a voice that is ferocious
volatile
changeable; explosive
volition
a willful choice/decision
mnemonic: a voluntary action
voluble
fluent; talkative
mnemonic: the volume button for the car cannot be turned off
warranted
justified
mnemonic: to arrest for a warrant is with a reason
wary
very autious
welter
turmoil (noun); to roll, tumble, or toss about
mnemonic: a world tour
whet
to sharpen; stimulate
mnemonic: when someone’s wet
whimsical
fanciful; determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
mnemonic: the wind is musical
whorl
a circular or spiral arrangement
mnemonic: the shape of a whalrus
winsome
attractive; charming
mnemonic: to win over someone
wreak
inflict; cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
mnemonic: to wreck
writhe
twist
yore
time past
mnemonic: years ago
zealot
fanatic
zeitgeist
intellectual and moral tendencies of any age
mnemonic: to go through generations
prowess
great ability/skill
mnemonic: powers
allegiance
the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action
mnemonic: ally to a stance
adroitness
skillful performance or ability without difficulty
mnemonic: an Android’s performance is skillful and without difficulty
discrete
individual distinct; separate
mnemonic: The Island of Crete
discerning
having or revealing keen insight and good judgment
mnemonic: discovering
curtail
place restrictions on
mnemonic: to cut someone’s tail
desiccate
preserve by removing all water and liquids from
mnemonic: dried out cake
Capricious
Changeable; determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
mnemonic: car prices are unpredictable
penchant
a strong liking/ predilection, preference, taste
mnemonic: pencher vers qqchose
quibble
an evasion of the point of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions or objections
query battle
indolent
disinclined to work or exertion
mnemonic: to become idle
exonerate
pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
mnemonic: to regain previous honour
loutish
ill-mannered and coarse and contemptible in behavior or appearance
mnemonic: lousy
decorous
characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
mnemonic: decored
boorish
ill-mannered and coarse and contemptible in behavior or appearance
mnemonic: someone who likes to boo
diffident
lacking self-confidence
mnemonic: difficult to be confident
convoluted
highly complex or intricate and occasionally devious
mnemonic: with volume
proscribed
excluded from use or mention
mnemonic: prohibited
impudent
marked by casual disrespect
mnemonic: imprudent
sanctimonious
excessively or hypocritically pious
vilify
spread negative information about
mnemonic: to make a vilain
recalcitrant
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
mnemonic: to be reluctant in recall
amalgam
metal alloy (mixture) commonly used in dental fillings
mnemonic: amalgamate
onerous
burdensome
antipathy
aversion, dislike
impassive
unemotional; not feeling/showing any emotion
mnemonic: I’m passive
sentient
conscious, aware
mnemonic: sentimental
stygian
hellish
mnemonic: I’m going to stitch you in
zealous
passionate, enthusiastic
mnemonic: Zeus
penury
a state of extreme poverty or destitution
mnemonic: J’ai de la peine a nourrir
squalor
sordid dirtiness
subjugate
put down by force or intimidation
mnemonic: to subdue at the gate
incisive
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
mnemonic: instinctive
preclude
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
mnemonic: prevent from occurring
libertine
a dissolute person; usually a man who is morally unrestrained; carefree
mnemonic: liberté
bifurcate
split or divide into two
intransigence
the trait of being intransigent; stubbornly refusing to compromise
mnemonic: no transit possible
quiescent
not active or activated
mnemonic: quiet scent
complaisant
showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
mnemonic: come please the saint
incendiary
arousing to action or rebellion
beguiling
highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
supplication
a prayer asking God’s help as part of a religious service
vernacular
a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
mnemonic: particular
malapropism
the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar
mnemonic: mal appropriate
invective
abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will
mnemonic: a vector pointed at you
fawning
attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
timorous
timid by nature or revealing timidity
mnemonic: timid mouse
