Words I Know - MASTER Flashcards
abet
encourage or assist (someone) to do something wrong, in particular to commit a crime
abjure
to renounce or reject solemnly; to recant; to avoid
abrogate
to abolish or annul by authority; to put down
abstemious
not self-indulgent; temperate; austere
abstruse
not easy to understand; recondite; esoteric
acerbic
(especially of a comment or style of speaking) sharp and forthright
adjudicate
judge or make decisions
admonish
to reprove; to express warning or disapproval
alcrity
brisk and cheerful readiness; enthusiasm
—
all cry out in enthusiasm
anachronistic
belonging to another time; removed from natural chronological context
anathema
a solemn or ecclesiastical (religious) curse; accursed or thoroughly loathed person or thing
anodyne
soothing; something that assuages or allays pain or comforts noun
—
Anna is soothing
antipathy
aversion; dislike
antithetical
diametrically opposed, as in antithesis
apocryphal
of dubious authenticity or origin; spurious
apoplectic
overcome with anger; furious
apostate
one who abandons long-held religious or political convictions
apotheosis
culmination or climax OR deification
apposite
appropriate; pertinent; relevant; apropos
approbation
an expression of approval or praise
appropriate
to take for one’s own use; to confiscate
arabesque
a complex, ornate design; also a dance position
arcane
mysterious; abstruse; esoteric; knowable only to initiates
archaic
outdated; associated with an earlier, perhaps more primitive time
arrant
utter (as in “what utter nonsense)
—
match the vowels (rr/tt)
arrest
to suspend; to engage; to hold one’s attention
artless
completely without guile; natural; without artificiality
ascetic
someone practicing self-denial; austere; stark adjective
asperity, asperities
harshness in tone or manner
aspersion
an act of defamation or maligning; animadversion
assay
an analysis; examination; test; to put to a test
asseverate
to aver; to allege; to assert
assiduous
diligent; hard-working; sedulous
attenuate
reduce (the force, effect, or value)
augury
omen or portent
—
John the Baptist shared an august augury in August
august
majestic; venerable
auspice
prophecy
(under the ___ of): protection or support; patronage
auspicious
favorable
austerity
sternness in attitude
aver
to state as a fact; to confirm or support
—
A VERy confident statement
baleful
malevolent
—
criminals out on bail are sinister
bane
cause of injury; poison; source of harm
beatify
to bless, make happy, or ascribe a virtue to; to regard as saintly
bedizen
to adorn, especially in a cheap, showy manner; to festoon
beguile
charm or attract
bellicose
demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight
beneficent
charitable and kind in action
bilge
nonsense
blandish
coax (someone) with kind words or flattery; toady
boor
a rude or insensitive person; lout
broach
to bring up or announce; to begin to talk about
brook
to tolerate, endure, or countenance
bulwark
a defensive wall
burgeon
to grow rapidly or flourish
burnish
to polish; to rub to a shine
byzantine
labyrinthine; complex
cachinnate
to laugh loudly
cadge
to sponge or mooch
cajole
to inveigle, coax, or wheedle
—
like cajun cooking persuades something
calumny, calumniate
to slander; to make a false accusation
candor
honesty; frankness; sincerity
caparison
to adorn or bedizen
—
there is no comparing when something is bedizened
chagrin
distress or embarrassment from humiliation; vexation
chauvinist
sexist
chimera
an illusion
churlish
rude
—
can’t behave rudely in church
circumspect
discreet; prudent; careful
conciliate, conciliatory
pacify someone; mollify; propitiate
conspicuous
easily visible; obvious
consternation
dismay; startling, distressing fear or shock that results in complete confusion
consummation
the point at which something is finalized
contemn
to scorn or despise
corpulent
fat; paunchy
—
sounds like opulent and opulent people are fat
corrigible
capable of being corrected
corroborate
to confirm
corrosion
act or process of causing deterioration; a wearing away, especially of metals
countenance
a person’s face or facial expressions OR support or approval
covert
hidden; clandestine
cozen
beguile, chicanery
—
instead of a dozen, the cozen theft stole 13 bananas
curmudgeon
a crusty, ill-tempered coot; a misanthrope
dearth
a scarcity
—
dear it would be bad if things were scarce
decorous
correct; formal; marked by decorum
defalcate
to embezzle or misappropriate
deleterious
causing harm or damage
demagogue
a leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires of ordinary people rather than by rational argument
depredate
to plunder, pillage, ravage, or destroy; to exploit in a predatory manner
deride, derision; derisive
scorn; ridicule; contemptuous treatment
—
if you don’t have a car (de ride) that is expensive enough, other kids may mock and ridicule you
descant
to comment at length
—
sounds like de scant. de is not, and scant is little so it’s a lot of talking
descry
to discriminate or discern
desuetude
disuse
desultory
casual; lacking a plan
detraction
slander
diaphanous
(especially of fabric) light, delicate, and translucent
diffident
reserved, shy, or unassuming; lacking in self-confidence
dilatory
causing delay; procrastinating
din
loud, sustained noise
disabuse
persuade (someone) that an idea or belief is mistaken
disaffect
to estrange or alienate the affection of
discomfit
to defeat; to put down
discrete
distinct; individual
discreet, discretion
cautious reserve in speech; ability to make responsible decisions
disingenuous
insincere; lacking in honesty or frankness
disjunction
a lack of correspondence or consistency
disparate
diverse; contrasting
dissemble
to disguise or conceal; to mislead
dissolution
disintegration; looseness in morals
distention
the state or act of extending or being swollen out of shape
distrait
distracted; absent-minded, especially due to anxiety
divest
to remove or strip, especially clothing
docility
ready to submit (such as being taught)
doggerel
trivial, poorly constructed verse
dross
rubbish
dulcet
melodious; harmonious; mellifluous
ebullience
the quality of being cheerful and full of energy; exuberance
edacious
eating insatiably
effluvia
outflow in a stream of particles; a noxious odor or vapor
effusive
gushing; excessively demonstrative
elegy
a mournful poem, especially one lamenting the dead
emboldened
given the courage
encomium
glowing and enthusiastic praise; panegyric; tribute; eulogy
enervate
to weaken; to reduce in vitality
engender
to cause; to produce; to give rise to
ennui
a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement
enormity
excessive wickedness; evilness
enumerate, enumeration
to list or count off individually
sybarite
epicure
epithet
nickname
equanimity
composure; self-possession
equipoise
equal distribution of weight; equilibrium
equivocate, equivocal, equivocation
ambiguous
errant
traveling; itinerant; peripatetic
eschew
to shun or avoid
estimable
worthy; formidable
etiolated
(of a plant) pale and drawn out due to a lack of light
evince
reveal
exact
to demand, call for, require or take
excoriate
censure or criticize severely
exculpate
to exonerate; to clear of blame
execrable
appalling
exegesis
critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture
exigent
pressing; demanding
expatiate
to descant; to discourse; to discuss or write about at length
expiate, expiation
to atone or make amends for
expostulate
express strong disapproval or disagreement
expurgate
to remove obscenity; to purify; to censor
exscind
to cut out or extirpate
extant
existing; not destroyed or lost
extirpate
to destroy; to exterminate; to cut out; to exscind
extrapolation
the action of estimating or concluding something by assuming that existing trends will continue or a current method will remain applicable
fallow
(of a period of time) characterized by inaction; dormant
feckless
ineffectual; irresponsible
fetid
stinking; smelly; malodorous
fetter
to shackle; to put in chains
filigree
an ornamental work, especially of delicate lacelike patterns
flag
to sag or droop; to become spiritless; to decline
ostentatious
showy
flip
sarcastic; impertinent
flippant
not showing a serious or respectful attitude; frivolous; superficial; glib
forbearance
patience; willingness to wait
ford
to wade across the shallow part of a river or stream
forestall
stop something from happening
forswear
to renounce; to disallow; to repudiate
fracas
noisy quarrel; imbroglio; brawl
fractious
(typically of children) irritable and quarrelsome
frieze
a semi-sculptural, raised-surface ornamental facade to a building
froward
intractable; not willing to yield or comply; recalcitrant
gainsay
to deny, dispute, contradict, or oppose
gambol
to skip about playfully
gauche
crude; awkward; tasteless
glib
marked by ease or informality; nonchalant; lacking in depth; superficial
goad
to prod or drive forward; to urge on; to incite
gossamer
used to refer to something very light, thin, and insubstantial or delicate
grouse
to complain or grumble
guile
artfulness; trickery; chicanery; duplicity
guy
a cord or cable used to steady or guide something
harbinger
a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another
harrow
to distress; to create stress; to torment
hedonistic
sensually self-indulgent
hegemonic
ruling or dominant in an political or social context
hermeneutic
concerning interpretation, especially of the Bible or literary texts
hirsute
hairy
homiletics
the art of preaching
ignominious
deserving or causing public disgrace or shame
illusory
deceptive; based upon a false belief or impression
imbroglio
difficult or embarrassing situation
imperious
commanding; masterful; arrogant; domineering; haughty
implacable
not capable of being appeased or significantly changed
importune
harass (someone) persistently for or to do something
impudent
saucy; impertinent; bold and disrespectful
impugn
to attack or assail ally; to censure; to execrate
impute
to attribute to a cause or source; to ascribe
indefatigable
(of a person or their efforts) persisting tirelessly
indolent
lazy; listless; torpid
ineluctable
certain; inevitable
inequity
lack of fairness or judgedmemnt
ingenuity
cleverness or inventiveness
ingenuous
guileless; trusting; naive; credulous
ingratiate, ingratiating
sycophant
inimical
hostile
inimitable
unique
iniquity
gross injustice; wickedness
injurious
likely to cause an injury; deleterious
inscrutable
incapable of being discovered or understood
insensible
unconscious; unresponsive; unaffected; numb
insipid
without taste or flavor; lacking in spirit; bland
insouciant
nonchalant
intemperance
excessive indulgence of appetite or passion, especially in regard to alcohol; lack of constraint
interdict
to prohibit; to forbid; to ban; to halt
intimate, intimation
to imply, suggest, or insinuate
intransigent
refusing to compromise
inured
accustomed to accepting something undesirable
inveigh
speak or write about (something) with great hostility
inveterate
(of a feeling or habit) long-established and unlikely to change
involute
intricate; complex; convoluted
irascible
easily angered; prone to temperamental outbursts
jejune
vapid; uninteresting; immature; puerile
jibe
to agree; to be in accord
jocose, jocular, jocosity
humorous; gay; blithe
labile
readily open to change; unstable
lachrymose
causing tears; tearful
laconic
using few words; terse
languid
(of a person, manner, or gesture) having or showing a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; not interested in fighting
lassitude
lethargy
limn
to draw; to outline in detail; to delineate; to describe
limpid
lucid
list
to tilt or lean to one side
lubricious
lewd; wanton; greasy; slippery
lumber
to move heavily and clumsily
malinger
to feign illness so as to avoid work; to avoid work
maunder
to digress; to meander; to stray from the topic or path
mendacity
lying
mendicant
beggar; supplicant
meretricious
cheap; gaudy; tawdry; flashy; showy
mettle
spirit and resilience
mettlesome
courageous; high-spirited
militate
(of a fact or circumstance) be a powerful or conclusive factor in preventing.
minatory
menacing; threatening
multifarious
varied; motley; greatly diversified
nadir
low point; perigee
nascent
inchoate
natty
trimly neat and tidy; smart
nexus
a connection, tie, or link
fastidious
pedantic
noisome
offensive, especially to one’s sense of smell; fetid
nonplused
baffled; in a quandary; at a loss for what to say or do
nostrum
questionable remedy
nugatory
trifling; inconsequential
obloquy
vituperation; calumny
obsequious
obedient or attentive to a sycophantic degree
obstreperous
noisy; loud
occult
hidden; concealed; beyond comprehension
officious
assertive of authority in a domineering way, especially with regard to trivial matters: meddlesome
opprobrium
disgrace; contempt; scorn
orate
to make a pompous speech
ostensible
stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so
overweening
presumptuous; supercilious
palliate
make (a disease or its symptoms) less severe without removing the cause
paradigm
a model, example, or pattern; exemplar
pedagogy
the method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concept
pedantic
overly concerned with details
pedestrian
commonplace; trite; unremarkable; quotidian
pellucid
transparent; easy to understand; limpid
penchant
strong inclination; a liking
penury, penurious
extremely poor
peregrination
traveling about; wandering
peremptory
(especially of a person’s manner or actions) insisting on immediate attention or obedience, especially in a brusquely imperious way
peripatetic
itinerant; traveling; nomadic
peroration
the concluding part of a speech; grandiloquent speech
petrous
like a rock; hard; stony
petulant
impatient; irritable
philistine
hostile or indifferent to the arts
phlegmatic
impassive; stoical; lethargic; sluggish
picaresque
relating to an episodic style of fiction dealing with the adventures of a rough and dishonest but appealing hero.
pillory
to punish; to hold up to public scorn
pine
to lose vigor (as through grief ); to yearn
pique, piquant
pleasantly stimulating or exciting to the mind
placate
to appease; to calm by making concessions
plangent
pounding; thundering; resounding
plastic, plasticity
moldable; pliable; not rigid
platitude
a superficial remark, especially one offered as meaningful
plebiscite
the direct vote of members of an electorate on an important public question
poignant
distressing; pertinent; touching; stimulating; emotional
polemic
a speech or piece of writing expressing a strongly critical attack on or controversial opinion about someone or something
poseur
affected or insincere person; literally, a poser
prate
to chatter; to babble, as in prattle
precept
a general rule intended to regulate behaviour or thought
predisposition
a liability or tendency to suffer from a particular condition, hold a particular attitude, or act in a particular way
preempt
forestall
prevaricate
to speak or act in an evasive way; equivocate
privation
a state in which things that are essential for human well-being such as food and warmth are scarce or lacking; deprivation; penury; indigence; destitution
prize (also, prise)
to pry; to press or force with a lever; something taken by force; spoils
probity
adherence to the highest principles; uprightness
proclivity
a tendency (towards something)
prodigal
recklessly wasteful; extravagant; profuse; lavish
prodigious
abundant in size, force, or extent; extraordinary
profligate
spendthrift; prodigal; wildly extravagant
proliferate
to grow or increase swiftly and abundantly
prolix
verbose
propensity
a natural inclination or tendency; penchant
propinquity
nearness in time or place; affinity of nature
propitiate
win or regain the favor of (a god, spirit, or person) by doing something that pleases them
provident
frugal; looking to the future
puissance
power; strength
punctilious
precise; paying attention to trivialities, especially in regard to etiquette
pundit
an authority on a subject; one who gives opinions
pusillanimous
cowardly; craven
qualify
to limit
querulous
habitually complaining; whining
quiescence
stillness; motionlessness; quality of being at rest
raffish
tawdry; flashy; meretricious; low; vulgar; base
rail
to complain about bitterly
ramify
to be divided or subdivided; to branch out
rapacious
voracious; greedy; plundering
rarefy, rarefied
esoteric OR thin air
raucous
making or constituting a disturbingly harsh and loud noise
rebus
riddle; a representation of words by pictures or symbols
recidivism
relapse into antisocial or criminal behavior
recondite
abstruse; profound; arcane
reconnaissance
preliminary survey to gain information, especially of an enemy
reconnoiter
to engage in reconnaissance
recreant
pusillanimous
redolent
fragrant; suggestive or evocative
refractory
stubborn; unmanageable; intractable; unruly; fractious
regale
to delight or entertain; to feast
remonstrate
to protest; to object
repine
feel or express discontent; fret
reproach
disapprove
rubric
heading, title, or category
runic
mysterious; magical
sagacious
having sound judgment; perceptive; wise
salacious
inappropriate interest in sexual matters
salient
conspicuous
salubrious
healthy OR pleasant
salutary
wholesome; causing improvement; favorable to health
sanguine
cheerful; confident; optimistic
sap
to enervate or weaken the vitality of
satiate
to surfeit; to overindulge
saturate
to fill until there is no further capacity for absorbance; to soak
saturnine
morose
scurvy
contemptible; despicable
sententious
given to moralizing in a pompous or affected manner
shroud
a thing that envelops or obscures something
sidereal
of or with respect to the distant stars (i.e. the constellations or fixed stars, not the sun or planets)
simper
to smirk; a silly smile
sinecure
position requiring little or no work and usually providing an income
singular
exceptional; unusual; odd
sinuous
winding; undulating; serpentine
slake
to satisfy or quench
sodden
soaked or drenched; unimaginative; dull
solder
to weld, fuse, or join
solicitous
concerned and attentive; eager
solvent
able to meet financial obligations; able to dissolve another substance
sophistry
fallacious reasoning; faulty logic
sophomoric
self-assured though immature; affected; bombastic; lacking maturity
specious
seeming true, but actually being fallacious; misleadingly attractive
splenetic
bad-tempered; irritable
spurious
lacking authenticity or validity; false; counterfeit
stanch
to stop the flow of a fluid
stentorian
extremely loud and powerful
stint
to restrain; to be sparing or frugal
stolid
phlegmatic; impassive
striated
striped; grooved; banded
strut
the supporting structural cross-part of a wing
stupefy
make (someone) unable to think or feel properly
stygian
gloomy; dark
succor
assistance; relief in time of distress
sundry
various; miscellaneous; separate
supercilious
behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others; haughty; disdainful
superficial
lacking depth; existing on or near the surface
supine
failing to act or protest as a result of moral weakness or indolence; OR lying face-up
surfeit
a surplus
table
to remove (as a parliamentary motion) from consideration
tacit
implied; not explicitly stated
taciturn
not talkative; reserved; uncommunicative
tact
discerning and sensitive use of speech; diplomacy
tangential
touching only briefly upon the topic at hand; irrelevant
tautology
a repetition; a redundancy
tawdry
cheap; gaudy; showy; tacky; meretricious
temerity
audacity; effrontery; presumption
temper
to moderate or soothe
tendentious
biased; showing marked tendencies
tender
to proffer or offer; to give
torpor
lethargic
tortuous
winding; twisting; excessively complicated
truculent
eager or quick to argue or fight; aggressively defiant
tumid
swollen OR bombastic
turbid
roiled; muddy; clouded to the point of being opaque
turgid
swollen and distended or congested
turpitude
depravity; prurience
tyro
novice; greenhorn; rank amateur
umbrage
chagrin
undulate
to move in wavelike fashion; to fluctuate
unfettered
not tied down; unrestrained
untoward
unexpected and inappropriate or inconvenient
upbraid
to scold; to censure; to rebuke; to chastise
urbane
courteous and refined in manner
vacillation
waffle
valiant
possessing or showing courage or determination
vapid
insipid
variegation
make more diverse
vaunt
to brag or boast
venal
capable of being bought or bribed; mercenary; purchasable
veracity
truthfulness; honesty
verisimilitude
appearance of truth or reality
veritable
authentic; honest-to-goodness
vestige
a remnant; a trace
vigor
active bodily or mental strength or energy; force
vindicate
clear (someone) of blame or suspicion
virago
a loud, domineering woman; a scold or nag
viscous
thick; sticky
vital
essential for or relating to life; necessary
vitality
vigor; ability to live or grow; energy
vitiate
to pervert; to debase; to spoil; to make ineffective
vitriol
bitter criticism or malice
volubility
the quality of talking fluently, readily, or incessantly; talkativeness
voracious
insatiable
wag
wit; joker
wan
pale; weak; without luster
waver
to move to and fro; to sway; to be unsettled in decision
wayfaring
(of a person) traveling on foot
welter
move in a turbulent fashion
wend
to go; to proceed; to walk
writhe
make continual twisting, squirming movements or contortions of the body
wry
dry humor; sardonic
lambaste
to censure; to excoriate; to berate
insolent
showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect
epoch
era
conflagration
fire
pernicious
deleterious
depravity
corruption
pulchritude
beauty
indigence
penury
complacent, complacency
smugness
precocious, precocity
(of a child) having developed skills or abilities earlier than expected
prepossessing
attractive
pedestrian
ordinary
odium
disgust
maladroit
inept
choleric
bad-tempered
physiognomy
facial features
caustic
corrosive; sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way
cavil
make petty or unnecessary objections
celerity
moving swiftly
circumscribe
put limits on something
coeval
existing at the same time
vituperate, vituperative
bitter
pecuniary
financial
summation
adding things up
recompense
conpensation
drivel
nonsense
scourge
whip OR something that causes affliction
relish
enjoy
ramrod
a manager with strict discipline
austere
severe or strict
repressive
oppressive
intone; intoned
say or recite with little rise and fall of the pitch of the voice
bromide
a trite statement that is intended to soothe or placate
elfin
looking like an elf
interregnum
a period when normal government is suspended, especially between successive reigns or regimes
convalescence
recuperation
epistemic
relating to knowledge
impecunious
poor
prejudicially
detrimental
abate
become less intense
explicate; explicated
explain
ubiquitous
found everywhere
galvanize
shock someone into taking action
propitiate
win favor of
windfall
piece of good fortune
emollient
soothing
archaic
old-fashioned or outdated
articulate
expressing oneself clearly and effectively
astrologer
a person who predicts the future based on the positions of celestial bodies
beneficent
generous or doing good
brittle
hard but liable to break or shatter easily
connoisseur
an expert judge in matters of taste
conspire
make secret plans to commit an unlawful or harmful act
cower
crouch down in cowardice
cynicism
an inclination to believe that people are motivated by self interest
diffuse
to spread out or scatter
discourse
written or spoken communication or debate
discretion
the quality of behaving or speaking cautiously
disinterest
lack of interest or concern
emulate
to imitate or match the qualities of someone or something
eulogy
a speech or piece of writing that praises someone
exacerbate
make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse
expel
deprive (someone) of membership of or involvement in a school or other organization
extravagance
excessive or unnecessary expenditure
facilitate
make (an action or process) easy or easier
fortuitous
happening by chance or accident
fraud
wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain
heretical
holding beliefs or opinions contrary to established doctrine
homogenous
consisting of similar or identical elements or parts
iconoclastic
challenging or attacking traditional beliefs or institutions
implore
beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something
impose
to force something unwelcome or unfamiliar on someone
indifferent
having no particular interest or sympathy
infuse
fill; pervade
inquisitive
curious or inquiring
lethargic
feeling a lack of energy or enthusiasm
luminious
radiating or reflecting light; shining
marginal
relating to or situated at the edge or margin
monotonous
lacking in variety and interest; dull and repetitive
mundane
lacking interest or excitement; dull and ordinary
plethora
a large or excessive amount of something
porous
having small holes that allow liquid or air to pass through
presumptuous
failing to observe the limits of what is appropriate
provoke
stimulate or give rise to (a reaction or emotion)
restitution
the act of restoring something to its rightful owner
rhetoric
the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing
serenity
the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled
sever
cut off or separate
stimulant
a substance that increases activity or energy
subtle
not obvious or easily noticeable
temperate
moderate in terms of temperature or climate
tentative
not certain or fixed; hesitant
volatile
tending to change rapidly and unpredictably
adversity
hardship or difficulty; opposition
catalyst
a person or thing that causes change
defer
to yield; to submit; to bow
blithe
carefree; merry
cultured
possessing education, refinement and taste; polished
cunning
shrewdness and craftiness; slyness
inopportune
ill-timed; unsuitable; inappropriate
martial
associated with war and the armed forces
expel
to force out; to discharge
heretical
unorthodox; iconoclastic; dissenting from established dogma
mollify
to calm or soothe; to reduce in emotional intensity
indifferent
having no interest or concern; showing no bias or prejudice
hermetic
(of a seal or closure) complete and airtight
mellifluous
sweetly flowing, usually used to describe use of words
paucity
scarcity
arduous
strenuous; taxing; requiring significant effort
censure
to criticize severely; to officially rebuke
coercive
serving or intended to compel by force or authority
garrulous
pointlessly talkative; talking too much
morose
sad; sullen; melancholy
perjury
the purposeful giving of false or misleading testimony while under oath
assuage
to ease or lessen; to appease or pacify
capricious
inclined to change one’s mind impulsively; erratic; unpredictable
corrosion
act or process of causing deterioration; a wearing away, especially of metals
obviate
to anticipate and make unnecessary
brilliance
extreme brightness; possessing luminosity or genius
disinterest
lack of bias or involvement; impartiality
enigmatic
mysterious; obscure; difficult to understand
florid
flowery; ruddy; ornate
mundane
of the world; typical of or concerned with the ordinary
perennial
recurrent through the year or many years; happening repeatedly
articulate
well-spoken; coherent
elegy
a mournful poem, especially one lamenting the dead
eloquent
well-spoken; expressive; articulate
eulogy
a speech honoring the dead
euphemism
a mild replacement for a harsher or more offensive term
laud
to praise highly
anesthetic
a substances that causes insensibility and removes pain
arbitrary
subject to chance or individual whim; without definite reason
frugality
thriftiness; economy; prudence in financial matters
authoritarian
characterized by a preference for complete obedience to authority; domineering
calibrate
to inspect, determine, or correct the graduations of an instrument by comparing it to a standard
extravagance
lavishness; an unnecessary or unrestrained spending, especially of funds
prudent
wise and careful; showing good judgment
milk
to exploit; to squeeze every last ounce of
pied
multicolored, usually in blotches or patches
acarpous
effete; no longer fertile; worn out
boisterous
loud; noisy; rough; lacking restraint
deposition
accretion; depositing; building up layer by layer; official testimony
exemplar
a person or thing serving as a typical example or excellent model
avidity
(avid) having an enthusiasm for something
miser
someone who hoards wealth and spends as little money as possible
condone
allow a behavior that is considered morally wrong to continue
frugality
thriftiness; economy; prudence in financial matters
florid
flowery; ruddy; ornate
hierarchy
a system in which individuals or things are ranked in a particular order
defer
to submit to another’s wishes or opinion
laud
to praise highly
ensure
to guarantee or make certain
subpoena
a writ ordering a person to attend a court
infuse
to imbue; to pour in; to introduce; to instill
indecorous
improper; indecent
fawn
to show excessive flattery or affection
anomalous
abnormal; deviating from the common or general type
rigid
stiff or unyielding; not flexible
somber
dark or dull in color or tone; gloomy
enunciate
speak clearly
apogee
farthest or highest point; culmination; zenith (antonym: perigee)
placebo
inactive pill prescribed for mental relief rather than for physical effect; something tending to soothe
maverick
an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party
qualms
misgivings; reservations; causes for hesitancy
sanction
official permission or approval
membrane
a thin, flexible film of tissue of that covers or lines an organ
digress
to stray from the main topic or point
extraneous
not vital or pertinent; irrelevant
digress
to stray from the point; to go off on a tangent
distill
to purify or concentrate through a process of vaporization and concentration
endemic
restricted or peculiar to a particular region; indigenous
anesthetic
a substance that induces insensitivity to pain
ensure
to make certain that something will happen
onerous
troubling; burdensome
invigorate
the act of giving energy or vitality to something
monotonous
dull and without variety; tedious
denounce
publicly declare to be wrong or evil
plummet
fall or drop straight down at high speed
inopportune
not suitable or convenient
aggravate
to worsen or intensify
arbitrary
based on a random choice or personal whim rather than reason or system
vigor
physical or mental strength, energy, or force
idyll
a carefree, light-hearted pastoral or romantic episode; a literary or musical piece describing such
tranquil
calm, peaceful, and quiet
euphemism
a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for something harsh or blunt
symmetry
the quality of being made up of exactly similar parts
maverick
an independent-minded person who refuses to conform
corrosion
the process of corroding metal stone, or other materials
homogeneous
made up of elements that are similar in nature or kind; uniform
correspond
to exist in agreement or conformity; to harmonize
advocate
to champion or support; to argue in favor of
abscond
to run off and hide
damp
to diminish the intensity or check the vibration of a sound, etc.
compensation
payment given for services rendered or for loss
calibrate
to adjust or mark something with a standard scale
recluse
a person who lives a solitary life and avoids others
eccentric
departing from norms or conventions
brevity
shortness or briefness, especially in time
hierarchy
a system of ranking or organizing things/people based on levels of importance
superficial
existing or occurring at or on the surface
anomaly
something that deviates from what is expected or normal
compensation
something given to make up for a loss or inconvenience
camouflage
the act of concealing or disguising something
lethargic
lacking energy; sluggish or sleepy
audacious
daring and fearless; recklessly bold
hallow
to make holy; to consecrate
compliant
yielding or submissive; amenable
egress
exit
garrulous
excessively talkative
banal
lacking originality; commonplace
lackluster
dull; lacking vitality or luminosity
dissertation
a long essay or thesis on a particular subject
dogmatic
stubbornly opinionated
flamboyant
ostentatious or showy; flashy
bolster
support or strengthen
loquacious
talkative or chatty
facilitate
to aid by making easier
prudent
acting with or showing care and thought for the future
slight
small in degree; not important or serious
pragmatic
practical rather than idealistic
meticulous
showing great attention to detail
disinterested
impartial or unbiased
trivial
of little value or importance
chicanery
trickery or subterfuge
effrontery
boldness; impudence; arrogance
martial
relating to war or the armed forces
loquacious
extremely talkative
frugal
sparing or economical with regard to money or food
eclectic
deriving ideas or styles from a wide range of sources
dogma
doctrine or set of religious principles
incubation
the process of keeping something at the right temperature and in the right conditions for it to develop
ostracize
to exclude or reject someone from a group or society
authoritarian
favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority
decibel
unit used in measuring the intensity of a sound, usually in relation to another sound
iconoclastic
attacking cherished beliefs; heretical; heterodox
reconciliation
the act of reestablishing harmony or friendly interactions
presume
to suppose that something is the case
scarce
in short supply; not abundant
paucity
scarcity; a lacking of
buttress
a support or prop, often an external prop used to bolster a wall
synthetic
made by chemical synthesis, especially to imitate a natural product
parsimonious
stingy; frugal
coercive
using force or threats to make someone do something
heterodox
unorthodox; heretical; iconoclastic
caustic
burning or stinging; causing corrosion
warranted
justified or authorized
eradicate
to remove completely; to annihilate; to pull out by the roots
misanthrope
one who hates all other humans
facetious
playful; humorous
audacious
showing a willingness to take bold risks
dispersed
spread out or scattered
castigation
severe criticism or punishment
luminous
characterized by brightness and the emission of light
eclectic
culled from many sources
eloquent
fluent and persuasive in speaking or writing
bent
a natural talent or inclination
connoisseur
an informed and astute judge in matters of taste; expert
enigma
a mysterious or puzzling person or thing
craven
contemptibly fainthearted; lacking any courage
mitigate
to make less severe or intense
reconciliation
the restoration of friendly relations
cogent
(of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing
pristine
in its original condition; unspoiled
succinct
briefly and clearly expressed
belie
to give a false impression of; to misrepresent
decibel
a unit used to measure the intensity of a sound
beatify
to bless, make happy, or ascribe a virtue to; to regard as saintly
cacophony
harsh, jarring, discordant sound; dissonance
brilliance
extreme intelligence or brightness
caret
an insertion mark (^) used by editors and proofreaders
parody
a humorous imitation intended for ridicule or comic effect, especially in literature and art
membrane
a thin, pliable sheet or layer of tissue
aberrant
deviating from the norm
dynamo
generator; forceful, energetic person
bane
cause of injury; poison; source of harm
mitigate
to make or become less severe or intense; to moderate
fraud
deliberate deceit with the goal of gaining an unlawful advantage
docility
ready to submit (such as being taught)
ambiguous
having multiple possible meanings or interpretations
centrifuge
a machine that spins very swiftly about a central axis, and, using centrifugal force, separates disparate substances
abscission
the act of cutting off or removing
anthology
a collection of literary works by various authors
bombast
self-important or pompous writing or speech
deviation
a departure or divergence from a standard or norm
conversion
the act or an instance of converting or the process of being converted
recluse
one who avoids social contact and lives in seclusion
rescind
to revoke, cancel, or repeal
inchoate
in an initial stage; not fully formed
endemic
regularly found among particular people or in a certain area
eradicate
destroy completely; put an end to
censure
strong disapproval or criticism
misogynist
one who hates women/females
intrepid
fearless and adventurous
fawn
to flatter or praise excessively
emulate
to imitate with the goal of rivaling or surpassing
chasten
to chastise or correct
exacerbate
to make worse or more severe; to increase in violence
aversion
an intense feeling of dislike or disgust
perennial
lasting or existing for a long or seemingly infinite time
decorous
correct; formal; marked by decorum
malevolent
having or showing a wish to do evil to others
tout
to attempt to sell something by pestering people
intrepid
steadfast and courageous
porous
full of tiny openings able to absorb fluid or gas; permeable
conspire
to secretly work together with the intent to commit a wrong or illegal act
extend
cause to cover a larger area; make longer or wider
ambiguous
unclear; open to more than one potential meaning
veneration
great respect or reverence
diatribe
a harsh denunciation
color
to change as if by dyeing, i.e., to distort, gloss, or affect
cower
to shrink in fear; to cringe
implicit
implied but not directly stated; tacit
extraneous
irrelevant or unrelated to the subject
archaic
outdated; associated with an earlier, perhaps more primitive time
shrill
high-pitched and piercing in sound
convoluted
complex or complicated
sporadic
occurring irregularly or at unpredictable intervals
burnish
to polish; to rub to a shine
contumacious
insubordinate; rebellious
subjective
based on personal feelings or opinions
admonish
to reprove; to express warning or disapproval
dogma
a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority
anomaly
deviation from the normal order, form, or rule; abnormality
disingenuous
not candid or sincere
cultivation
the process of preparing and improving land for crops
validity
the quality of being logically or factually sound
perjury
the offense of willfully telling an untruth in a court after having taken an oath or affirmation
cardinal
of great importance
invigoration
the quality of being energized or filled with liveliness
brittle
apt to break or crack due to a lack of elasticity; fragile
lackluster
lacking brightness, vitality, or enthusiasm
convoluted
extremely complex and difficult to follow
heretical
unorthodox; iconoclastic; dissenting from established dogma
vitality
the state of being strong and active; energy
parsimonious
cheap; miserly
savor
to enjoy or appreciate something fully
miser
an individual who lives poorly in order to hoard money; a person who is stingy
cultivation
the act of preparing or working land in order to grow crops
adversity
hardship
vital
absolutely necessary or important; essential
prune
cut off or remove unnecessary parts
cynicism
an attitude or quality of belief that all people are motivated by selfishness
cabal
a scheme or plot; a group of plotters
bedizen
to adorn, especially in a cheap, showy manner; to festoon
aberrant
departing from an accepted standard
abscission
the act of cutting off or removing
taciturn
reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little
parody
an imitation of a particular writer, artist, or genre
innocuous
harmless; causing no damage
saturate
soak or fill completely
condemn
to blame or dece
stanza
a group of lines forming a unit in a poem
cultured
characterized by refined taste and manners
fidelity
faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief
pertinent
relevant or applicable to a particular matter
compliant
willing to obey or conform to rules
inherent
ingrained within one’s nature; intrinsic; innate; firmly established
desiccate
to dry out or dehydrate; to make dry or dull
condemn
express strong disapproval of
epitome
a perfect example or embodiment of something
flamboyant
showy and extravagant in appearance or behavior
correspond
to have a close similarity or match
secrete
produce and discharge (a substance)
homily
a sermon or morally instructive lecture
accretion
growth; enlargement by successive addition; building up
acumen
the ability to make good judgements and take quick decisions
adroit
adept; dexterous
adumbrate
indicate faintly; foreshadow or symbolize
aggravate
to worsen or intensify
alloy
to commingle
anesthethic
a substances that causes insensibility and removes pain
anomaly, anomalous
deviation from the normal order, form, or rule; abnormality
anthology
a collection of literary works by various authors
apogee
zenith; highest point
apprise
to inform
arbitrary
based on a random choice or personal whim rather than reason or system
arduous
strenuous
articulate
well-spoken; coherent
assuage
mollify
astrologer
a person who believes that stars and planets influence human activity and attempts to predict the future by studying their positions
audacious
daring; recklessly bold
authotitarian
characterized by a preference for complete obedience to authority; domineering
aversion
dislike
avid, avidity
enthusiasm
boisterous
loud; exciting
bolser
to provide support
breviety
brief
brilliance
extreme brightness; possessing luminosity or genius
brittle
fragile
buttress
a support or prop
cabal
a scheme; a group of plotters
cacophony
a loud, harsh sound
calibrate
to inspect, determine, or correct the graduations of an instrument by comparing it to a standard
camouflage
blending in
capricious
erratic
captious
to entrap in an argument
cardinal
of great importance
caret
an insertion mark (^) used by editors and proofreaders
castigation
severe criticism or punishment
censure
to criticize severely; to officially rebuke
centrifuge
a machine that spins very swiftly about a central axis, and, using centrifugal force, separates disparate substances
chasten
to chastice
chicanery
trickery or subterfuge
coalesce
to come together
coda
concluding section of a piece of art
coercive
serving or intended to compel by force or authority
cogent
logical
color
to dye
compensation
payment
condemn
denounce
condone
to let bad things happen
conspire
to work together for bad things
convention
typical; the agreed-upon practice
converge; convergence
come together at the same spot
conversion
transforming from one state to another
convoluted
confusing
correspond
to exist in agreement or conformity; to harmonize
damp
diminish
daunt
to fear
dauntless
fearless
debacle
fiasco
denounce
condemn
decible
unit used in measuring the intensity of a sound, usually in relation to another sound
deference
respect to others
denigrate
to belittle
denouement
the unraveling of a plot; an outcome or solution
deposition
official testimony
deprecate
to belitte
derivative
unoriginal
deviate, deviance, deviation
state or quality of differing from the accepted norm; abnormality
diatribe
a harsh denunciation
die
machine that punches shaped holes or cuts
diffuse
dispersed or scattered
digress
to stray from the point
dirge
mournful song
discordant
conflicting; dissonant or harsh in sound
discourse
discussion
discursive
digressive
disinterest
lack of bias; impartial
dispersed
spread out
dissertation
thesis
dogma
doctrine
dogmatic
stubbornly opinionated
dynamo
forceful or energetic person
edifying
enlightening
effrontery
boldness
egress
exit
eloquent
well-spoken
encumber
to restrict or burden
emigmatic
mysterious
ensure
to guarantee
enunciate
speak clearly
ephemeral
short-lived
epicure
one devoted to sensual pleasure, particularly in food and drink; gourmand; sybarite
episodic
loosely connected
epitome
quintessence
eradicate
to completely remove
erudite, erudition
very learned; scholarly
esoteric
complex; intended for only a small group to understand
essay
to try or test out
eulogy
a speech honoring the dead
euphemism
a mild replacement for a harsher or more offensive term
exacerbate
to make worse
exemplar
typical example or excellent model
extemporaneous
improvised; done without preparation
extend
to lengthen or stretch out
extravagance
lavishness
fatuous
foolish
fawn
to flatter or praise
felicitious
apt
fidelity
loyalty
flamboyant
showy
florid
ornate
foment
bubble up; stir up
fortuitous
happen by fortunate accident or chance
fraud
deceit for unlawful advantage
frugal
thriftiness
furtive
stealthy
garner
to gather and save up
garrulous
loquacious
grandiose
grand and impressive
harangue
a pompous speech or tirade
idiosyncrasy
a quirk
impassive
stoic or stolid
imperturbable
impassive
implicit
implied but not stated
implode
collapse inward
impose
burden
incubation
the act of sitting on or otherwise warming eggs in order to keep them at a temperature favorable for hatching
indecorous
not proper
infuse
to mix in
inherent
ingrained in one’s nature
innervate
to energize
inquisitive
curious
insular
narrow-minded
inudate
to flood or overwhelm
itinerate
traveling from place to place
lackluster
lacking vitality
laud
praise highly
libertine
someone unrestrained by morality or convention
lucid
clear
luculent
lucid
macerate
steep in liquid
maculate
marked with blemished (opposite of immaculate)
magnanimity
the quality of being generously noble in mind and heart, especially in forgiving
malevolent
wicked
malfeasance
wrongdoing
marginal
small
membrane
film of tissue that lines the organs
metamorphose
to transform
meticulous
characterized by extreme care and precision; attentive to detail
milk
to exploit every last ounce of
mince
to take tiny steps or speak affectedly
miser
an old person who hoards wealth
monotonous
dull; boring
morose
sad
mundane
typical
obdurate
unyielding
obstinate
unyielding
obviate
to anticipate and make unnecessary
onerous
burdensome
ossified
rigid with age
ostracize, ostracism
casting out from a group
panegyric
formal praise
pariah
social outcast
parry
to blockcade
parsimonious
frugal
partisan
biased
peccadillo
minor sin
perennial
constantly recurring
perfunctory
cursory
perigree
lowest point
perjury
lying under oath
personable
attractive
pertinent
relevant
pervasive
spreading everywhere
pied
multicolored
plethora
an overabundance
plod
to trudge along
plumb
examine carefully
plummet
to plunge
porous
tiny openings
pragmatic
practical
precarious
risky
precipitate
to act with haste
precis
a summary of essential points
precursor
happening before
predilection
bias towards
presumption, presumptious
the act of making an assumption or taking something for granted
pristine
immaculate
prone
inclined
propagate
spread throughout
proscribe
to banish
provoke
to incite
prudent
wise
prune
to cut back
puerile
innocent or naive
pugnacious
inclination to fight
puissance
cowardly
quail
to lose courage
qualms
causing hesitancy; misgivings
recalcitrant
obstinately defiant of authority; difficult to manage
recluse
one who avoids social contact and lives in seclusion
reconciliation
the act of reestablishing harmony or friendly interactions
rectify
to correct or fix
recumbrent
lying down
repudiate
to disown
rescind
to take back
resolute
firm; adamant
restitution
the act of returning something to its proper owner, or of compensating the owner for the loss of such an item; reparation
retard
to slow or hamper
rhetoric
the art or study of effective use of language for communication and persuasion
rigid; rigidity
stiff
rue
regret
sanctimony
self-righteousness
sanction
authoritative permission or approval; a penalty intended to enforce compliance
savor
to enjoy
scarce
rare
seine
a fishing net
seminal
like a seed; originating
serene; serenity
tranquility
sever
to remove by cutting out
shrill
high-pitched; screeching
slight
small
soliloquy
a speech made to oneself; a monologue
somber
dark and depressing
spasms
sudden or brief spell of activity or sensation
sporatic
occurring only occasionally
squander
to waste money irresponsibly
stanza
a group of two or more verses or lines that make up a division in a poem and correspond in rhyme, meter, and length
steep
to saturate or completely soak
stimulant
an invigorating substance that excites mental or physical activity
subjective
not objective
subpeona
a court order requiring appearance and/or testimony
subtle
not obvious
succinct
brief and concise
superfluous
exceeding what is necessary
supplicant
beggar; mendicant
symmetry
the quality of being evenly balanced; the possession of perfect correspondence between sides or parts
synthetic; synthesis
man-made; artificial; relating to or involving the combination of parts to make a whole
tamp
jam into something
temperate
moderate
tentative
not definite
timorous
timid
tirade
harsh denunciation or critical speach
toady
sycophantic
torrid
scorching
tout
to praise
tractable
easily managed
tranquil
peaceful
travesty
mockery
treacherous
lacking faithfulness or loyalty; traitorous; unstable
trivial
unimportant
unfeigned
genuine
usury
the practice of charging an exorbitant or illegal rate of interest
validity
soundness or truthfulness
venerate; veneration
to worship
vexation
annoyance or irritation
virago
powerful or domineering woman
vital
essential
volatile
changeable
waffle
to go back and forth
waft
a passing breeze
warranted
called for
wheedle
to coax
abscond
to take off and run
clerical
administrative tasks OR priesthood
adjudicate
judge or make decisions
appropriate
to take for one’s own use; to confiscate
byzantine
labyrinthine; complex
cadge
to sponge or mooch
contemn
to scorn or despise
docility
ready to submit (such as being taught)
effusive
gushing; excessively demonstrative
obsequious
obedient or attentive to a sycophantic degree
orate
to make a pompous speech
predisposition
a liability or tendency to suffer from a particular condition, hold a particular attitude, or act in a particular way
repine
feel or express discontent; fret
runic
mysterious; magical
strut
the supporting structural cross-part of a wing
sundry
various; miscellaneous; separate
truculent
eager or quick to argue or fight; aggressively defiant
vestige
a remnant; a trace
vituperate, vituperative
bitter
relish
enjoy
austere
severe or strict
abet
encourage or assist (someone) to do something wrong, in particular to commit a crime
abstemious
not self-indulgent; temperate; austere
abstruse
not easy to understand; recondite; esoteric
anathema
a solemn or ecclesiastical (religious) curse; accursed or thoroughly loathed person or thing
aspersion
an act of defamation or maligning; animadversion
assiduous
diligent; hard-working; sedulous
august
majestic; venerable
auspice
prophecy
(under the ___ of): protection or support; patronage
austerity
sternness in attitude
aver
to state as a fact; to confirm or support
—
A VERy confident statement
bedizen
to adorn, especially in a cheap, showy manner; to festoon
beneficent
charitable and kind in action
cachinnate
to laugh loudly
candor
honesty; frankness; sincerity
corrosion
act or process of causing deterioration; a wearing away, especially of metals
covert
hidden; clandestine
defalcate
to embezzle or misappropriate
detraction
slander
dilatory
causing delay; procrastinating
discomfit
to defeat; to put down
disjunction
a lack of correspondence or consistency
dissemble
to disguise or conceal; to mislead
distention
the state or act of extending or being swollen out of shape
edacious
eating insatiably
ennui
a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement
sybarite
epicure
epithet
nickname
equanimity
composure; self-possession
expostulate
express strong disapproval or disagreement
expurgate
to remove obscenity; to purify; to censor
feckless
ineffectual; irresponsible
fetid
stinking; smelly; malodorous
ostentatious
showy
forestall
stop something from happening
forswear
to renounce; to disallow; to repudiate
froward
intractable; not willing to yield or comply; recalcitrant
gainsay
to deny, dispute, contradict, or oppose
gossamer
used to refer to something very light, thin, and insubstantial or delicate
guy
a cord or cable used to steady or guide something
harrow
to distress; to create stress; to torment
implacable
not capable of being appeased or significantly changed
ineluctable
certain; inevitable
ingratiate, ingratiating
sycophant
intransigent
refusing to compromise
inveterate
(of a feeling or habit) long-established and unlikely to change
involute
intricate; complex; convoluted
irascible
easily angered; prone to temperamental outbursts
languid
(of a person, manner, or gesture) having or showing a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; not interested in fighting
limn
to draw; to outline in detail; to delineate; to describe
mendacity
lying
minatory
menacing; threatening
multifarious
varied; motley; greatly diversified
nadir
low point; perigee
natty
trimly neat and tidy; smart
fastidious
pedantic
obloquy
vituperation; calumny
officious
assertive of authority in a domineering way, especially with regard to trivial matters: meddlesome
palliate
make (a disease or its symptoms) less severe without removing the cause
pedantic
overly concerned with details
platitude
a superficial remark, especially one offered as meaningful
prate
to chatter; to babble, as in prattle
precept
a general rule intended to regulate behaviour or thought
privation
a state in which things that are essential for human well-being such as food and warmth are scarce or lacking; deprivation; penury; indigence; destitution
propensity
a natural inclination or tendency; penchant
propinquity
nearness in time or place; affinity of nature
propitiate
win or regain the favor of (a god, spirit, or person) by doing something that pleases them
provident
frugal; looking to the future
punctilious
precise; paying attention to trivialities, especially in regard to etiquette
qualify
to limit
rapacious
voracious; greedy; plundering
rarefy, rarefied
esoteric OR thin air
refractory
stubborn; unmanageable; intractable; unruly; fractious
regale
to delight or entertain; to feast
sagacious
having sound judgment; perceptive; wise
salacious
inappropriate interest in sexual matters
sap
to enervate or weaken the vitality of
simper
to smirk; a silly smile
sodden
soaked or drenched; unimaginative; dull
stentorian
extremely loud and powerful
stygian
gloomy; dark
superficial
lacking depth; existing on or near the surface
supine
failing to act or protest as a result of moral weakness or indolence; OR lying face-up
tacit
implied; not explicitly stated
tangential
touching only briefly upon the topic at hand; irrelevant
tautology
a repetition; a redundancy
torpor
lethargic
untoward
unexpected and inappropriate or inconvenient
upbraid
to scold; to censure; to rebuke; to chastise
vapid
insipid
vaunt
to brag or boast
welter
move in a turbulent fashion
wend
to go; to proceed; to walk
writhe
make continual twisting, squirming movements or contortions of the body
wry
dry humor; sardonic
epoch
era
indigence
penury
complacent, complacency
smugness
celerity
moving swiftly
recompense
conpensation
scourge
whip OR something that causes affliction
