Gre Vocabulary Magoosh 1000+ Flashcards
aberrant
adjective: markedly different from an accepted normSynonyms : deviant , deviateWhen the financial director started screaming and throwing food at his co-workers, the police had to come in to deal with his aberrant behavior.
aberration
noun: a deviation from what is normal or expectedSynonyms : aberrance , aberrancy , devianceAberrations in climate have become the norm: rarely a week goes by without some meteorological phenomenon making headlines.
abjure
verb: formally reject or give up (as a belief)Synonyms : forswear , recant , resile , retractWhile the church believed that Galileo abjured the heliocentric theory under threat of torture, he later wrote a book clearly supporting the theory.
aboveboard
adjective: open and honestSynonyms : straightforwardThe mayor, despite his avuncular face plastered about the city, was hardly aboveboard - some concluded that it was his ingratiating smile that allowed him to engage in corrupt behavior and get away with it.
abrogate
verb: revoke formallyAs part of the agreement between the labor union and the company, the workers abrogated their right to strike for four years in exchange for better health insurance.
abstain
verb: choose not to consume or take part in (particularly something enjoyable)Synonyms : desist , refrainConsidered a health nut, Jessica abstained from anything containing sugar-even chocolate.
abstruse
adjective: difficult to understand; incomprehensibleSynonyms : deep , reconditePhysics textbooks can seem so abstruse to the uninitiated that readers feel as though they are looking at hieroglyphics.
abysmal
adjective: extremely badSynonyms : abyssal , unfathomableCoach Ramsey took his newest player off the field after watching a few painful minutes of her abysmal performance.
access
noun: the ability to go into (when somebody or something must allow you to enter) Synonyms : accession , admission , admittance , entreeverb: to go into something when allowed to enterOnly students have access to the university library. There is a large amount of oil under the ice, but we have not be able to access it.
accolade
noun: an award or praise granted as a special honorSynonyms : award , honor , honour , laurelsJean Paul-Sartre was not a fan of accolades, and as such, he refused to accept the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1964.
acerbic
adjective: harsh in toneSynonyms : acerb , acid , acrid , bitter , blistering , caustic , sulfurous , sulphurous , virulent , vitriolicMost movie critics are acerbic towards summer blockbusters, often referring to them as garbage.
acme
noun: the highest point of achievementSynonyms : elevation , height , meridian , peak , pinnacle , summit , superlative , tiptop , topThe new Cessna airplanes will be the acme of comfort, offering reclining seats and ample legroom.
acrimony
noun: bitterness and ill willSynonyms : acerbity , bitterness , jaundice , tartness , thorninessThe acrimonious dispute between the president and vice-president sent a clear signal to voters: the health of the current administration was imperiled.
adamant
adjective: refusing to change one's mindSynonyms : adamantine , inexorable , intransigentCivil rights icon Rosa Parks will forever be remembered for adamantly refusing to give up her seat on a public bus--even after the bus driver insisted, she remained rooted in place.
adequate
adjective: good enough for what you needSynonyms : decent , enoughA very light jacket will be adequate for Los Angeles's warm winter.
adjudicate
verb: to serve as a judge in a competition; to arrive at a judgment or conclusionSynonyms : decide , resolve , settle,judge , tryOnly those with the most refined palates were able to adjudicate during the barbeque competition.
admonish
verb: to warn strongly, even to the point of reprimandingSynonyms : caution , monishBefore the concert began, security personel admonished the crowd not to come up on stage during the performance.
admonitory
adjective: serving to warn; expressing reproof or reproach especially as a correctiveSynonyms : cautionary , exemplary , monitory , warningAt the assembly, the high school vice-principal gave the students an admonitory speech, warning them of the many risks and dangers of prom night.
advocate
verb: speak, plead, or argue in favor ofSynonyms : preachWhile the senator privately approved of gay marriage, he was unwilling to advocate for the cause in a public venue.noun: a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an ideaSynonyms : advocator , exponent , proponentMartin Luther King Jr. was a tireless advocate for the rights of African-Americans in the United States. This word has other definitions but these are the most important ones to study
aesthete
noun: one who professes great sensitivity to the beauty of art and natureSynonyms : estheteA true aesthete, Marty would spend hours at the Guggenheim Museum, staring at the same Picasso.
aesthetic
adjective: concerned with the appreciation of beautySynonyms : aesthetical , esthetic , estheticalThe director, not known for his aesthetic sensibilities, decided not to use costumes at all, and put on the play in everyday clothing.noun: a set of principles underlying and guiding the work of a particular artist or artistic movement.The artist operated according to a peculiar aesthetic, not considering any photograph to be worth publishing unless it contained a marine mammal.
affable
adjective: likeable; easy to talk toSynonyms : amiable , cordial , genialFor all his surface affability, Marco was remarkably glum when he wasn't around other people.
afford
verb: provide with an opportunityThe summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro affords a panoramic view that encompasses both Tanzania and Kenya.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
alacrity
noun: an eager willingness to do somethingSynonyms : briskness , smartnessThe first three weeks at his new job, Mark worked with such alacrity that upper management knew it would be giving him a promotion.
altruism
noun: the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of othersSynonyms : selflessnessAlbert Schweitzer spent most of his life doing missionary work as a doctor in Africa, seeking no reward, apparently motivated only by altruism.
amalgam
noun: a mixture of multiple thingsThe band's music was an amalgam of hip-hop, flamenco and jazz, blending the three styles with surprising results.
ambiguous
adjective: open to more than one interpretationSynonyms : equivocalThe coach told his team, "Move towards that side of the field"; because he did not point, his directions were ambiguous, and the team had no idea to which side he was referring.
ambivalent
adjective: mixed or conflicting emotions about somethingSam was ambivalent about studying for the exam because doing so ate up a lot of his time, yet he was able to improve his analytical skills.
ameliorate
verb: make something bad betterSynonyms : amend , better , improve , meliorate"Three Cups of Tea" tells the story of western man who hopes to ameliorate poverty and the lack of education in Afghanistan.
amenable
adjective: easily persuadedSynonyms : conformable , tractableEven though she did not like the outdoors, Shirley was generally amenable and so her brother was able to persuade her to go camping.
amiable
adjective: friendlySynonyms : affable , cordial , genialAmy's name was very apt: she was so amiable that she was twice voted class president.
amorphous
adjective: shapelessSynonyms : formless , shapeless , unstructuredHis study plan for the GRE was at best amorphous; he would do questions from random pages in any one of seven test prep books.
amply
adverb: more than is adequateSynonyms : fullyThe boat was amply supplied for its year at sea - no man would go hungry or thirst.
amuck
adverb: in a frenzied or uncontrolled stateSynonyms : amok , murderouslyWherever the bowl haircut teen-idol went, his legions of screaming fans ran through the streets amuck, hoping for a glance at his boyish face.
anachronism
noun: something that is inappropriate for the given time period (usually something old).Synonyms : misdating , mistimingDressed in 15th century clothing each day, Edward was a walking anachronism.
analogous
adjective: similar in some respects but otherwise differentSynonyms : correspondentIn many ways, the Internet's transformative effect on society has been analogous to that of the printing press.
anathema
noun: a detested person; the source of somebody's hateSynonyms : bete noireHundreds of years ago, Galileo was anathema to the church; today the church is anathema to some on the left side of the political spectrum.
anemic
adjective: lacking energy and vigorSynonyms : anaemicAfter three straight shows, the lead actress gave an anemic performance the fourth night, barely speaking loudly enough for those in the back rows to hear.
animosity
noun: intense hostilityThe governor's animosity toward his rival was only inflamed when the latter spread false lies regarding the governor's first term.
anodyne
noun: something that soothes or relieves painSynonyms : analgesic , pain pill , painkillerMuzak, which is played in department stores, is intended to be an anodyne, but is often so cheesy and over-the-top that customers become irritated.adjective: inoffensiveSynonyms : analgesic , analgeticWilbur enjoyed a spicy Mexican breakfast, but Jill preferred a far more anodyne meal in the mornings.
anomalous
adjective: not normalAccording to those who do not believe in climate change, the extreme weather over the last five years is simply anomalous - daily temperatures should return to their old averages, they believe.
anomaly
noun: something that is not normal, standard, or expectedAfter finding an anomaly in the data, she knew that she would have to conduct her experiment again.
antedate
verb: precede in timeSynonyms : antecede , forego , forgo , precede , predate, foredate Harry was so unknowledgable that he was unaware the Egyptian pharaohs antedated the American Revolution.
antic
adjective: ludicrously oddSynonyms : fantastic , fantastical , grotesqueThe clown's antic act was too extreme for the youngest children, who left the room in tears.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
antipathy
noun: an intense feeling of dislike or aversionSynonyms : aversion , distasteMaria had an antipathy for tour groups, often bolting to the other side of the museum as soon as she saw a chaperone leading a group of wide-eyed tourists.
antiquated
adjective: old-fashioned; belonging to an earlier period in timeSynonyms : antediluvian , archaicAunt Betty had antiquated notions about marriage, believing that a man should court a woman for at least a year before receiving a kiss.
antithetical
adjective: sharply contrasted in character or purposeSynonyms : antitheticHis deep emotional involvement with these ideas is, in fact, antithetical to the disattachment Buddhism preaches.
apathetic
adjective: marked by a lack of interestSynonyms : indifferentMr. Thompson was so talented at teaching math that even normally apathetic students took interest.
apathy
noun: an absence of emotion or enthusiasmSynonyms : indifference , numbness , spiritlessnessWidespread apathy among voters led to a very small turnout on election day.
apex
noun: the highest pointSynonyms : acme , peak , vertexThe Ivy League is considered the apex of the secondary education system.
aphorism
noun: a short instructive saying about a general truthSynonyms : apophthegm , apothegmNietzsche was known for using aphorisms, sometimes encapsulating a complex philosophical thought in a mere sentence.
aphoristic
adjective: something that is concise and instructive of a general truth or principleSometimes I can't stand Nathan because he tries to impress everyone by being aphoristic, but he just states the obvious.
aplomb
noun: great coolness and composure under strainSynonyms : assuredness , cool , poise , sang-froidNancy acted with aplomb during dangerous situations--she once calmly climbed up an oak tree to save a cat.
apocryphal
adjective: being of questionable authenticityThe web is notorious for sandwiching apocryphal stories between actual news.
apogee
noun: the highest pointSynonyms : culminationThe apogee of the Viennese style of music, Mozart's music continues to mesmerize audiences well into the 21st century.
apostate
noun: a person who has abandoned a religious faith or causeSynonyms : deserter , ratter , recreant , renegade , turncoatAn apostate of the Republican Party, Sheldon has yet to become affiliated with any party and dubs himself an independent.
apothegm
noun: a short, pithy instructive sayingSynonyms : aphorism , apophthegmWinston Churchill is famous for many apothegms, but this might be his most famous: "It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried."
apotheosis
noun: exaltation to divine status; the highest point of developmentSynonyms : ideal , nonesuch , nonpareil , nonsuch , paragon , saint,deification , exaltationAs difficult as it is to imagine, the apotheosis of Mark Zuckerberg's career, many believe, is yet to come.
appease
verb: pacify by acceding to the demands ofSynonyms : assuage , conciliate , gentle , gruntle , lenify , mollify , pacify , placateNeville Chamberlain, the British prime minister during WWII, tried to appease Hitler and in doing so sent a clear message: you can walk all over us.
appreciable
adjective: large enough to be noticed (usu. refers to an amount)There is an appreciable difference between those who say they can get the job done and those who actually get the job done.
apprehension
noun: fearful expectationSynonyms : apprehensiveness , dread,misgivingTest day can be one of pure apprehension, as many students worry about their test scores.
approbatory
adjective: expressing praise or approvalSynonyms : affirmative , approbative , approving , plausiveAlthough it might not be her best work, Hunter's new novel has received generally approbatory reviews.
appropriate
verb: to give or take something by forceSynonyms : allow , earmark , reserve , set aside,capture , conquer , seizeThe government appropriated land that was occupied by squatters, sending them scurrying for another place to live.verb: to allocateThe committe appropriated the funds to its various members.This word has other definitions but these are the most important ones to study
appurtenant
adjective: supply added supportSynonyms : accessory , adjunct , adjuvant , ancillary , auxiliaryIn hiking Mt. Everest, sherpas are appurtenant, helping climbers both carry gear and navigate treacherous paths.
arbitrary
adjective: based on a random, groundless decisionOne of the arbitrary decrees in place during the emperor's rule is that all citizens pay him weekly homage at his palace.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
arcane
adjective: requiring secret or mysterious knowledgeMost college fraternities are known for arcane rituals that those hoping to the join the fraterntiy must learn.
arch
adjective: to be deliberately teasingSynonyms : condescending , patronising , patronizingThe baroness was arch, making playful asides to the townspeople; yet because they couldn't pick up on her dry humor, they thought her supercilious.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
archaic
adjective: so old as to appear to belong to a different periodSynonyms : antediluvian , antiquatedHoping to sound intelligent, Mary spoke in archaic English that was right out of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice--needless to say, she didn't have many friends.
arduous
adjective: demanding considerable mental effort and skill; testing powers of enduranceSynonyms : straining , strenuousIn order to deal with the arduous cross-country journey, truck drivers often survive on a string of caffeinated drinks, staying awake for up to 30 hours at a time.
arrant
adjective: complete and wholly (usually modifying a noun with negative connotation)Synonyms : complete , consummate , double-dyed , everlasting , gross , perfect , pure , sodding , staring , stark , thoroughgoing , unadulterated , utterAn arrant fool, Lawrence surprised nobody when he lost all his money in a pyramid scheme that was every bit as transparent as it was corrupt.
arriviste
noun: a person who has recently reached a position of power; a social climberSynonyms : nouveau-riche , parvenu , upstartThe city center was aflutter with arrivistes who each tried to outdo one another with their ostentatious sports cars and chic evening dress.
arrogate
verb: seize and control without authoritySynonyms : assume , seize , take over , usurpArriving at the small town, the outlaw arrogated the privileges of a lord, asking the frightened citizens to provide food, drink, and entertainment.
artful
adjective: exhibiting artistic skillPicasso is generally considered the most artful member of the Cubist movement.adjective: clever in a cunning wayBernie Madoff's artful Ponzi scheme stole billions of dollars from investors and is considered the largest financial fraud in U.S. history.
artifice
noun: cunning tricks used to deceive othersSynonyms : ruseThe mayoral candidates both spent much of the campaign accusing each other of artifices designed to mislead the voting public.
artless
adjective: without cunning or deceitSynonyms : uncultivated , unculturedDespite the president's seemingly artless speeches, he was a skilled and ruthless negotiator.
artlessness
noun: the quality of innocenceSynonyms : ingenuousness , innocence , naturalnessI, personally, found the artlessness of her speech charming.
ascendancy
noun: the state that exists when one person or group has power over anotherSynonyms : ascendance , ascendence , ascendency , control , dominanceThe ascendancy of the Carlsbad water polo team is clearâthey have a decade of championships behind them.
ascetic
adjective: practicing self-denialSynonyms : ascetical , austere , spartanHis ascetic life is the main reason he inspired so many followers, especially since he gave up wealth and power to live in poverty.noun: one who practices great self-denialSynonyms : abstainerHistorically, ascetics like Ghandi are often considered wise men partially because of their restraint.
ascribe
verb: attribute or credit toSynonyms : assign , attribute , imputeHistory ascribes The Odyssey and The Iliad to Homer, but scholars now debate whether he was a historical figure or a fictitious name.
askance
adverb: with a look of suspicion or disapprovalThe old couple looked askance on the teenagers seated next to them, whispering to each other, "They've got rings through their noses and purple hair!"
asperity
noun: harshness of mannerSynonyms : sharpnessThe editor was known for his asperity, often sending severe letters of rejection to amateur writers.
assail
verb: attack in speech or writingSynonyms : assault , attack , lash out , round , snipeIn the weekly paper, the editor assailed the governor for wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars in public projects that quickly failed.
assiduously
adverb: with care and persistenceThe top college football program recruits new talent assiduously, only choosing those who were the top in their county.
assuage
verb: make something intense less severeHer fear that the new college would be filled with unknown faces was assuaged when she recognized her childhood friend standing in line.
atavism
noun: a reappearance of an earlier characteristic; throwbackSynonyms : reversion , throwbackMuch of the modern art movement was an atavism to a style of art found only in small villages through Africa and South America.
attenuate
verb: to weaken (in terms of intensity); to taper off/become thinner.Synonyms : rarefyHer animosity towards Bob attenuated over the years, and she even went so far as to invite him to her party.
audacious
adjective: willing to be bold in social situations or to take risksSynonyms : brave , dauntless , fearless , hardy , intrepid , unfearingAs all of the other campers cowered in their tents, Bill, armed only with a flashlight, audaciously tracked down the bear that had raided their food.
audacity
noun: aggressive boldness in social situationsSynonyms : audaciousness , temerityShe surprised her colleagues by having the audacity to publically criticize the findings of an distinguished scientist.
augment
verb: enlarge or increase; improveIdeally, the restaurant's augmented menu will expand its clientele and increase its profits.
auspicious
adjective: favorable, the opposite of sinisterDespite an auspicious beginning, Mike's road trip became a series of mishaps, and he was soon stranded and penniless, leaning against his wrecked automobile.
austere
adjective: practicing self-denialSynonyms : ascetic , ascetical , spartanHis lifestyle of revelry and luxurious excess could hardly be called austere.adjective: unadorned in style or appearanceLate Soviet architecture, although remaining largely austere, moved into experimental territory that employed previously unused shapes and structures.adjective: harsh in manner of temperamentThe principal of my elementary school was a cold, austere woman; I could never understand why she chose to work with children.
autocratic
adjective: characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereigntySynonyms : authoritarian , despotic , dictatorial , tyrannic , tyrannicalThe last true autocratic country is certainly North Korea; nowhere does a leader exercise the absolute control over all aspects of a people the way that Kim Jong-un does.adjective: offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted powerSynonyms : bossy , dominating , high-and-mighty , magisterial , peremptoryThe manager was finally fired for his autocratic leadership, which often bordered on rude and offensive.
autonomously
adverb: In an autonomous or self-governing manner.Many of the factory workers are worried about being replaced by machines and computers that will work completely autonomously.
avarice
noun: greed (one of the seven deadly sins)Synonyms : avaritia , covetousness , greed , rapacity,avariciousness , covetousness , cupidityThe Spanish conquistadors were known for their avarice, plundering Incan land and stealing Incan gold.
avaricious
adjective: excessively greedySynonyms : covetous , grabby , grasping , greedy , prehensileSince avaricious desire is similar to gluttony or lust--sins of excess-it was listed as one of the seven deadly sins by the Catholic church.
avert
verb: turn awayAfraid to see the aftermath of the car crash, I averted my eyes as we drove by.verb: ward off or preventSynonyms : avoid , debar , deflect , fend off , forefend , forfend , head off , obviate , stave off , ward offThe struggling videogame company put all of its finances into one final, desperate project to avert bankruptcy.
avid
adjective: marked by active interest and enthusiasmSynonyms : zealousMartin is an avid birdwatcher, often taking long hikes into remote mountains to see some rare eagle.
badger
verb: to pesterSynonyms : beleaguer , bug , pester , teaseBadgered by his parents to find a job, the 30-year-old loafer instead joined a gang of itinerant musicians.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
baleful
adjective: threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developmentsSynonyms : forbidding , menacing , minacious , minatory , ominous , sinister , threateningMovies often use storms or rain clouds as a baleful omen of evil events that will soon befall the main character.
balk
verb: refuse to complySynonyms : baulk , jib , resistThe students were willing to clean up the broken glass, but when the teacher asked them to mop the entire floor, they balked, citing reasons why they needed to leave.
banal
adjective: repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuseSynonyms : commonplace , hackneyed , old-hat , shopworn , stock , threadbare , timeworn , tired , trite , well-wornThe professor used such banal expression that many students in the class either fell asleep from bordeom or stayed awake to complete his sentences and humor friends.
banality
noun: a trite or obvious remarkSynonyms : bromide , cliche , commonplace , platitudeHerbert regarded the minister's remark as a mere banality until Sharon pointed out profound implications to the seemingly obvious words.
banish
verb: expel from a community, residence, or location; drive awaySynonyms : ban , blackball , cast out , ostracise , ostracize , shunThe most difficult part of the fast was banishing thoughts of food.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
base
adjective: the lowest, class were without any moral principlesSynonyms : foot , foundation , fundament , groundwork , substructure , understructureShe was not so base as to begrudge the beggar the unwanted crumbs from her dinner plate.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
bastardization
noun: an act that debases or corruptsSynonyms : bastardisationThe movie World War Z is a complete bastardization of the book with little more in common than zombies and a title.
beatific
adjective: blissfully happySynonyms : angelic , angelical , sainted , saintlike , saintlyOften we imagine all monks to wear the beatific smile of the Buddha, but, like any of us, a monk can have a bad day and not look very happy.
becoming
adjective: appropriate, and matches nicelySynonyms : comely , comme il faut , decent , decorous , seemlyHer dress was becoming and made her look even more beautiful.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
beg
verb: to evade or dodge (a question)By assuming that Charlie was headed to college - which he was not - Maggie begged the question when she asked him to which school he was headed in the Fall.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
begrudge
verb: to envy someone for possessing or enjoying somethingSynonyms : resentSitting all alone in his room, Harvey begrudged the happiness of the other children playing outside his window.verb: to give reluctantlyWe never begrudge money spent on ourselves.
behooves
verb: to be one's duty or obligationThe teacher looked down at the student and said, "It would behoove you to be in class on time and complete your homework, so that you don't repeat freshman English for a third straight year."
belie
verb: to give a false representation to; misrepresentSynonyms : contradict , negateThe smile on her face belies the pain she must feel after the death of her husband.
belittle
verb: lessen the importance, dignity, or reputation ofSynonyms : diminish,denigrate , derogate , minimizeA good teacher will never belittle his students, but will instead empower them.
bellicose
adjective: warlike; inclined to quarrelSynonyms : battleful , combativeKnown for their bellicose ways, the Spartans were once the most feared people from Peloponnesus to Persia.
belligerent
adjective: characteristic of one eager to fightSynonyms : aggressiveTom said that he was arguing the matter purely for philosophical reasons, but his belligerent tone indicated an underlying anger about the issue.
bemoan
verb: express discontent or a strong regretSynonyms : bewail , deplore , lamentWhile the CFO carefully explained all the reasons for the cuts in benefits, after the meeting employees bemoaned the cuts as further evidence that management was against them.
benighted
adjective: fallen into a state of ignoranceSynonyms : nighted,darkFar from being a period of utter benightedness, The Medieval Ages produced some great works of theological speculation.
benign
adjective: kindI remember my grandfather's face was wrinkled, benign, and calm.adjective: (medicine) not dangerous to health; not recurrent or progressiveThe tumor located in your ear lobe seems to be benign and should not cause you any trouble.
bereft
adjective: unhappy in love; suffering from unrequited loveSynonyms : lovelorn , unbelovedAfter 64 years of marriage, William was bereft after the death of his wife.adjective: sorrowful through loss or deprivationSynonyms : bereaved , grief-stricken , grieving , mourning , sorrowing"You are not bereft if you haven't played on your Xbox in the past week," his mother said.
besiege
verb: harass, as with questions or requests; cause to feel distressed or worriedSynonyms : beleaguer , circumvent , hem in , surroundAfter discovering a priceless artifact in her backyard, Jane was besieged by phone calls, emails, and reporters all trying to buy, hold or see the rare piece of history.
besmirch
verb: damage the good name and reputation of someoneSynonyms : asperse , calumniate , defame , denigrate , slander , smear , smirch , sullyThe prince's distasteful choice of words besmirched not only his own name, but the reputation of the entire royal family.
besotted
adjective: strongly affectionate towardsEven though her father did not approve, Juliet became besotted with the young Romeo.adjective: very drunkSynonyms : blind drunk , blotto , cockeyed , crocked , fuddled , loaded , pie-eyed , pissed , pixilated , plastered , slopped , sloshed , smashed , soaked , soused , sozzled , squiffy , stiff , tight , wetNever before have I seen my mom so besotted, and honestly, I hope it's the last time she drinks so much.
betray
verb: to reveal or make known something, usually unintentionallySynonyms : bewrayWith the gold medal at stake, the gymnast awaited his turn, his quivering lip betraying his intense emotions.
bilious
adjective: irritable; always angrySynonyms : atrabilious , dyspeptic , liverishRex was bilious all morning, and his face would only take on a look of contentedness when he'd had his morning cup of coffee.
blatant
adjective: without any attempt at concealment; completely obviousSynonyms : blazing , conspicuousAllen was often punished in school for blatantly disrespecting teachers.
bleak
adjective: having a depressing or gloomy outlookSynonyms : bare , barren , desolate , starkUnremitting overcast skies tend to lead people to create bleak literature and lugubrious music - compare England's band Radiohead to any band from Southern California.
blinkered
adjective: to have a limited outlook or understandingIn gambling, the addict is easily blinkered by past successes and/or past failures, forgetting that the outcome of any one game is independent of the games that preceded it.
bolster
verb: support and strengthenThe case for the suspect's innocence was bolstered considerably by the fact that neither fingerprints nor DNA were found at the scene.Synonyms : bolster upThis word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
boon
noun: a desirable stateSynonyms : blessingModern technology has been a boon to the travel industry.adjective: very close and convivialHe was a boon companion to many, and will be sadly missed.
boorish
adjective: ill-mannered and coarse or contemptible in behavior or appearanceSynonyms : loutish , neandertal , neanderthal , oafish , swinishBukowski was known for being a boorish drunk and alienating close friends and family.
bowdlerize
verb: edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicateSynonyms : bowdlerise , castrate , expurgate , shortenTo receive an R rating, the entire movie was bowdlerized because it contained so much violence and grotesque subject matter.
brazen
adjective: unrestrained by convention or proprietySynonyms : audacious , bald-faced , barefaced , bodacious , brassy , brazen-faced , insolentTheir large "donations" to the local police department gave the drug cartel the brazen confidence to do their business out in the open.
bridle
verb: the act of restraining power or action or limiting excessSynonyms : check , curbNew curfew laws have bridled people's tendency to go out at night.verb: anger or take offenseThe hostess bridled at the tactless dinner guests who insisted on eating before everybody had gotten their food.
bristle
verb: react in an offended or angry mannerSynonyms : abound , burstAs we discussed the painting, I noticed the artist's wife bristling at our criticisms, ready to defend her husband's work.
broadside
noun: a strong verbal attackSynonyms : bill , broadsheet , circular , flier , flyer , handbill , throwawayPolitical broadsides are usually strongest in the weeks leading up to a national election.
bromide
noun: a trite or obvious remarkSynonyms : banality , cliche , commonplace , platitudeInstead of sharing his umbrella, the cheeky stranger offered Martha the following bromide: "Looks like it's raining."
brook
verb: put up with something or somebody unpleasantSynonyms : abide , bear , digest , endure , put up , stand , stick out , stomach , suffer , support , tolerateWhile she was at the chalkboard, the teacher did not brook any form of talking--even a tiny peep resulted in afternoon detention.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
browbeat
verb: be bossy towards; discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering mannerSynonyms : ballyrag , boss around , bully , bullyrag , hector , push around , strong-armDuring the interrogation, the suspect was browbeaten into signing a false confession.
brusquely
adverb: in a blunt, direct mannerSynonyms : bluffly , bluntly , flat out , roundlyNot one for social pleasantries, the Chief of Staff would brusquely ask his subordinates anything he wanted, even coffee.
buck
verb: resistSynonyms : go againstThe profits at our firm bucked the general downturn that affected the real estate industry.
bucolic
adjective: relating to the pleasant aspects of the countrySynonyms : peasant , provincialThe noble families of England once owned vast expanses of beautiful, bucolic land.
bumbling
adjective: lacking physical movement skills, especially with the handsSynonyms : bungling , butterfingered , ham-fisted , ham-handed , handless , heavy-handed , left-handedWithin a week of starting, the bumbling new waiter was unceremoniously fired.
burgeon
verb: grow and flourishChina's housing market is burgeoning, but some predict that the growth is merely a bubble and will burst much like the U.S. real estate bubble of 2008.
buttress
verb: make stronger or defensibleChina's economy has been buttressed by a global demand for the electronic parts the country manufactures.
byzantine
adjective: intricate and complexSynonyms : convoluted , involved , knotty , tangled , tortuousGetting a driver's license is not simply a matter of taking a test; the regulations and procedures are so byzantine that many have found themselves at the mercy of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
cadaverous
adjective: emaciated; gauntSynonyms : bony ,haggard , pinched , skeletal , wastedSome actors take challenging roles in which they have to lose so much weight that they appear cadaverous.
callow
adjective: young and inexperiencedSynonyms : fledgling , unfledgedBoth Los Angeles and New York are known for callow out-of-towners hoping to make it big.
calumny
noun: making of a false statement meant to injure a person's reputationSynonyms : calumniation , defamation , hatchet job , obloquy , aspersion , slander , denigration , traducementWith the presidential primaries well under way, the air is thick with calumny, and the mud already waist-high.
canard
noun: a deliberately misleading fabricationThe public will always be fooled by the media's canards.
candidness
noun: the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speechSynonyms : candor , candour , directness , forthrightness , franknessAlthough I was unhappy that the relationship ended, I appreciated her candidness about why she was ready to move on from the relationship.
capacity
noun noun: the amount or volume something can hold ability (especially mental)The hotel is full to maximum capacity; there are no empty rooms. Few birds have the capacity to recognize themselves when looking in a mirror; most act as though there is a second bird behind the glass.
capitulate
noun: to surrender (usually under agreed conditions)Paul, losing 19-0 in a ping-pong match against his nimble friend, basically capitulated when he played the last two points with his eyes closed.
capricious
adjective: determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reasonSynonyms : impulsive , whimsicalNearly every month our capricious CEO had a new plan to turn the company around, and none of them worked because we never gave them the time they needed to succeed.
cardinal
adjective: of primary importance; fundamentalSynonyms : central , fundamental , key , primalMost cultures consider gambling a cardinal sin and thus have outlawed its practice.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
carping
adjective: persistently petty and unjustified criticismSynonyms : faultfindingWhat seemed like incessant nagging and carping about my behavior from my mother turned out to be wise and useful advice that has served me well.
castigate
verb: to reprimand harshlySynonyms : chasten , chastise , correct , objurgateDrill sergeants are known to castigate new recruits so mercilessly that the latter often break down during their first week in training.
cataclysm
noun: an event resulting in great loss and misfortuneSynonyms : calamity , catastrophe , disaster , tragedyThe introduction of smallpox was a cataclysm for Native Americans, killing off more than half of their population.
catalyst
noun: something that speeds up an eventSynonyms : acceleratorRosa Park's refusal to give up her bus seat acted as a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement, setting into motion historic changes for African-Americans.
catholic
adjective: of broad scope; universalJonah's friends said that Jonah's taste in music was eclectic; Jonah was quick to point out that not only was his taste eclectic but it was also catholic: he enjoyed music from countries as far-flung as Mali and Mongolia.
cavalier
adjective: given to haughty disregard of othersSynonyms : high-handedPercy dismissed the issue with a cavalier wave of his hand.
cede
verb: relinquish possession or control oveSynonyms : deliver , give up , surrenderrEventually, all parents must cede control of their growing childrens' educations and allow their offspring some autonomy.
celerity
noun: speed, rapiditySynonyms : quickness , rapidity , rapidness , speedinessWe aim to respond to customers' questions with celerity and accuracy, with no longer than a 24 hour wait time.
censor
verb: to examine and remove objectionable materialSynonyms : banEvery fall, high school English teachers are inundated by requests to censor their curriculum by removing The Catcher in the Rye and Scarlet Letter from their reading lists.noun: an official who censors materialThe censor insisted that every reference to drugs should be removed from the manuscript.
censure
verb: to express strong disapprovalSynonyms : animadversionAfter being caught in bed with a mistress, the mayor was quickly censured by the city council.
cerebral
adjective: involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinctSynonyms : intellectualA cerebral analysis of most pop music finds it to be simple and childish, but that ignores the point--the music's effect on the listener.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
chagrin
noun: strong feelings of embarrassmentSynonyms : humiliation , mortificationMuch to the timid writer's chagrin, the audience chanted his name until he came back on the stage.verb: cause to feel shame; hurt the pride oSynonyms : abase , humble , humiliate , mortifyfShe never cared what others said about her appearance but was chagrined by the smallest comment from her mother.
champion
verb: to fight for a causeSynonyms : defendMartin Luther King Jr. championed civil rights fiercely throughout his short life.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
charlatan
noun: a flamboyant deceiver; one who attracts customers with tricks or jokesSynonyms : mountebankYou may call him a "motivational speaker," but I call him a charlatan--he doesn't have any idea what he's really talking about.
chary
adjective: cautious, suspiciously reluctant to do somethingSynonyms : cagey , cagyHaving received three speeding tickets in the last two months, Jack was chary of driving at all above the speed limit, even on a straight stretch of highway that looked empty for miles ahead.
chastise
verb: to reprimand harshlySynonyms : castigate , chasten , correct , objurgateThough chastised for eating the snacks for the party, Lawrence shrugged off his mother's harsh words, and continued to plow through jars of cookies and boxes of donuts.
chastise
verb: to reprimand harshlySynonyms : castigate , chasten , correct , objurgateThough chastised for eating the snacks for the party, Lawrence shrugged off his mother's harsh words, and continued to plow through jars of cookies and boxes of donuts.
chauvinism
noun: fanatical patriotism; belief that one's group/cause is superior to all other groups/causesSynonyms : jingoism , superpatriotism , ultranationalismVegetarians argue that man is chauvinistic in his belief that animals do not consciously feel the pain we humans do.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
chauvinist
noun: a person who believes in the superiority of their groupSynonyms : flag-waver , hundred-percenter , jingo , jingoist , patrioteerThe chauvinist lives on both sides of the political spectrum, outright shunning anybody whose ideas are not consistent with his own.
check
verb: to limit (usually modifying the growth of something)Deserted for six months, the property began to look more like a jungle and less like a residence - weeds grew unchecked in the front yardnoun: the condition of being held back or limitedWhen government abuses are not kept in check, that government is likely to become autocratic.This word has other definitions but these are the most important ones to study
checkered
adjective: one that is marked by disreputable happeningsOne by one, the presidential candidates dropped out of the race, their respective checkered pasts - from embezzlement to infidelity - sabotaging their campaigns.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
chimera
noun: something desired or wished for but is only an illusion and impossible to achieveMany believe that a world free of war is a chimeraâa dream that ignores humanity's violent tendencies.
chivalrous
adjective: being attentive to women like an ideal knightSynonyms : gallant , knightlyMarco's chivalrous ways, like opening doors and pulling out chairs, was much appreciated by his date.
choleric
adjective: prone to outbursts of temper; easily angeredSynonyms : hot-tempered , hotheaded , irascible , quick-tempered , short-temperedWhile a brilliant lecturer, Mr. Dawson came across as choleric and unapproachable - very rarely did students come to his office hours.
chortle
verb: to chuckle, laugh merrilySynonyms : chuckle , laugh softlyWalking past the bar, I could hear happy, chortling people and the blast of horns from a jazz band.
churlish
adjective: lacking manners or refinementThe manager was unnecessarily churlish to his subordinates, rarely deigning to say hello, but always quick with a sartorial jab if someone happened to be wearing anything even slightly mismatching.
circumscribe
verb: restrict or confineSynonyms : confine , limitTheir tour of South America was circumscribed so that they saw only popular destinations and avoided the dangerous parts of cities.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
circumvent
verb: cleverly find a way out of one's duties or obligationsSynonyms : dodge , duck , elude , evade , fudge , hedge , parry , put off , sidestep , skirtOne way of circumventing the GRE is to apply to a grad school that does not require GRE scores.
clemency
noun: leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justiceSynonyms : mercifulness , mercyIn the final moments of the trial, during his closing speech, Phillips was nearly begging the judge for clemency.
coalesce
verb: fuse or cause to grow togetherSynonyms : blend , combine , commingle , conflate , flux , fuse , immix , meld , merge , mixOver time, the various tribes coalesced into a single common culture with one universal language.
cogent
adjective: clear and persuasiveSynonyms : telling , weightyA cogent argument will change the minds of even the most skeptical audience.
cohesive
adjective: well integrated, forming a united wholeA well-written, cohesive essay will keep on topic at all times, never losing sight of the main argument.
collusion
noun: agreement on a secret plotSynonyms : connivanceMany have argued that Lee Harvey Oswald, JFK's assassin, was in collusion with other criminals; others maintain that Oswald was a lone gunman.
colossal
adjective: so great in size or force or extent as to elicit aweSynonyms : prodigious , stupendousFew appreciate the colossal scale of the sun: if hollow, it could contain a million Earths.
commendable
adjective: worthy of high praiseSynonyms : applaudable , laudable , praiseworthyThe efforts of the firefighters running into the burning building were commendable.
commensurate
adjective: to be in proportion or corresponding in degree or amountThe convicted felon's life sentence was commensurate to the heinousness of his crime.
complacent
adjective: contented to a fault with oneself or one's actionsSynonyms : self-complacent , self-satisfiedAfter the water polo team won their sixth championship, they became complacent and didn't even make it to the playoffs the next year.
complaisant
adjective: showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for othersSynonyms : obligingOn her first day at the job, Annie was complaisant, fulfilling every request of her new employee and anticipating future requests.
complementary
adjective: enhancing each other's qualities (for two things or more).Synonyms : complemental , completingThe head waiter was careful to tell the amateur diners that red wine was complementary with beef, each bringing out subtle taste notes in the other.
complicit
adjective: Associated with or participating in an activity, especially one of a questionable nature.While the grand jury cleared the senator of all criminal charges, in the public mind he was still complicit in the corruption.
compound
verb: make more intense, stronger, or more markedSynonyms : deepen , heighten , intensifyHer headache was compounded by the construction crew outside, which had six jackhammers going at the same time.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
concede
verb: acknowledge defeatI concede. You win!verb: admit (to a wrongdoing)Synonyms : confess , professAfter a long, stern lecture from her father, Olivia conceded to having broken the window.verb: give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of anotherSynonyms : cede , grant , yieldThe Spanish were forced to concede much of the territory they had previously conquered.
conciliate
verb: to make peace withSynonyms : appease , assuage , gentle , gruntle , lenify , mollify , pacify , placateHis opponents believed his gesture to be conciliatory, yet as soon as they put down their weapons, he unsheathed a hidden sword.
concomitant
adjective: describing an event or situation that happens at the same time as or in connection with anotherSynonyms : accompaniment , attendant , co-occurrenceConcomitant with his desire for nature was a desire for the culture and energy of a big city.
conducive
adjective: making a situation or outcome more likely to happenStudying in a quiet room is conducive to learning; studying in a noisy environment makes learning more difficult.
conflagration
noun: a very intense and uncontrolled fireSynonyms : infernoIn the summer months, conflagrations are not uncommon in the southwest, do to the heat and lack of rain.
conflate
verb: mix together different elements or conceptsSynonyms : blend , coalesce , combine , commingle , flux , fuse , immix , meld , merge , mixIn her recent book, the author conflates several genres--the detective story, the teen thriller, and the vampire romance--to create a memorable read.
confound
verb: be confusing or perplexing toSynonyms : bedevil , befuddle , confuse , discombobulate , fox , fuddle , throwThough Harry loved numbers, he found calculus confounding.verb: mistake one thing for anotherSynonyms : confuseAmericans often confound sweet potatoes with yams, and refer to both vegetables by the same name.
conniving
verb: taking part in immoral and unethical plotsThe queen was so conniving that, with the help of the prince, she tried to overthrow the king.
consecrate
verb: to make holy or set apart for a high purposeSynonyms : bless , hallow , sanctifyAt the church of Notre Dame in France, the new High Altar was consecrated in 1182.
conspicuous
adjective: without any attempt at concealment; completely obviousSynonyms : blatant , blazingAmerican basketball players are always conspicuous when they go abroad-not only are they American, but some are over seven feet tall.
constituent
noun: a citizen who is represented in a government by officials for whom he or she votesThe mayor's constituents are no longer happy with her performance and plan to vote for another candidate in the upcoming election.noun: an abstract part of somethingSynonyms : component , element , factor , ingredientThe constituents of the metal alloy are nickel, copper, and tin.
constraint
noun: something that limits or restrictsSynonyms : restraintWe don't have many resources, so we'll have to work with some very tight constraints.
construe
verb: interpreted in a particular waySynonyms : interpret , seeThe author's inability to take a side on the issue was construed by both his opponents and supporters as a sign of weakness.
consummate
adjective: having or revealing supreme mastery or skillSynonyms : masterful , masterly , virtuosoTyler was the consummate musician: he was able to play the guitar, harmonica, and the drum at the same time.verb: to make perfect and complete in every respectThe restoration of the ancient church was only consummated after a twenty years of labor.This word has other definitions but these are the most important ones to study
contemptuous
adjective: scornful, looking down at others with a sneering attitudeSynonyms : disdainful , insulting , scornfulAlways on the forefront of fashion, Vanessa looked contemptuously at anyone wearing dated clothing.
contentious
adjective: likely to argueSynonyms : combative , disputatious , disputative , litigiousSince old grandpa Harry became very contentious during the summer when only reruns were on T.V., the grandkids learned to hide from him at every opportunity.
contingent
noun: a gathering of persons representative of some larger groupA small contingent of those loyal to the king have gathered around the castle to defend it.adjective: possible but not certain to occurWhether the former world champions can win again this year is contingent upon none of its star players getting injured.
contrite
adjective: to be remorsefulSynonyms : remorseful , rueful , ruthfulThough he stole his little sister's licorice stick with malevolent glee, Chucky soon became contrite when his sister wouldn't stop crying.
contrition
noun: the feeling of remorse or guilt that comes from doing something badSynonyms : attrition , contritenessThose who show contrition during their prison terms--especially when under review by a parole board--often get shortened sentences.
contrive
verb: to pull off a plan or scheme, usually through skill or trickerySynonyms : devise , excogitate , forge , formulate , inventDespite a low GPA, he contrived to get into college, going so far as to write his own glowing letters of recommendation.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
conundrum
noun: a difficult problemSynonyms : brain-teaser , enigma , riddleComputers have helped solve some of the mathematical conundrums which have puzzled man for many centuries.
convivial
adjective: describing a lively atmosphereThe wedding reception was convivial; friends who hadn't seen each other for ages drank and ate together before heading to the dance floor.
convoluted
adjective: highly complex or intricateSynonyms : byzantine , involved , knotty , tangled , tortuousInstead of solving the math problem in three simple steps, Kumar used a convoluted solution requiring fifteen steps.
copious
adjective: in abundant supplySynonyms : ample , plenteous , plentiful , rich, voluminousIn midsummer, there are copious popiscle stands at the beach; in the winter, there are none.
cornucopia
noun: an abundant supply of something goodSynonyms : profuseness , profusion , richnessThe International Food Expo was a cornucopia of culinary delights: gourmet foods from every continent were under one roof.
corollary
noun: a practical consequence that follows naturallyA corollary of Hurricane Sandy, which ravaged the east coast of the U.S., is a push to build higher sea walls to protect against future hurricanes.
corroborate
verb: to confirm or lend support to (usually an idea or claim)Synonyms : affirm , confirm , substantiate , sustain,bear out , support , underpinHer claim that frog populations were falling precipitously in Central America was corroborated by locals, who reported that many species of frogs had seemingly vanished overnight.
cosmopolitan
adjective: comprising many cultures; global in reach and outlookSynonyms : ecumenical , general , oecumenical , universal , world-wide , worldwideThere are few cities in the world as diverse and cosmopolitan as New York.
cosseted
verb: treat with excessive indulgenceThe king and queen cosseted the young prince, giving him a prized miniature pony for his fifth birthday.
coterminous
adjective: being of equal extent or scope or durationSynonyms : coextensive , conterminousThe border of the state is coterminous with geographic limits on travel; the east and north are surrounded by a nearly uncrossable river and the south by a desert.
countermand
verb: a contrary command cancelling or reversing a previous commandBy the time the colonel countermanded his soldiers not to land in enemy territory, a few helicopters had already touched down amid heavy gunfire.
cow
verb: to intimidateSynonyms : overaweDo not be cowed by a 3,000-word vocabulary list: turn that list into a deck of flashcards!This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
craven
adjective: pathetically cowardlySynonyms : recreantThough the man could have at least alerted the police, he crouched cravenly in the corner as the old woman was mugged.
credence
noun: belief in somethingHe placed no credence in psychics, claiming that they offered no special powers beyond the ability to make people part with their money.
creditable
adjective: deserving of praise but not that amazingCritics agreed the movie was creditable, but few gave it more than three out of five stars.
credulity
noun: tendency to believe readilyVirginia's wide-eyed credulity as a five-year old was replaced by suspicion after she learned that Santa Claus didn't really exist.
crestfallen
adjective: brought low in spiritSynonyms : chapfallen , chopfallen , deflatedI asked Maria on a date and she refused without a moment's thought; I was crestfallen.
cryptic
adjective: mysterious or vague, usually intentionallySynonyms : cabalistic , cryptical , kabbalistic , qabalistic , sibyllineSince Sarah did not want her husband to guess the Christmas present she had bought him, she only answered cryptically when he would ask her questions about it.
crystallize
verb: cause to take on a definite and clear shapeSynonyms : crystalise , crystalize , crystalliseOnly after fifteen minutes of brainstorming did Samantha's ideas for the essay crystallize.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
culminate
verb: reach the highest or most decisive pointSynonyms : climaxBeethoven's musical genius culminated in the 9th Symphony, which many consider his greatest work.
culpability
noun: a state of guiltSynonyms : blameworthiness , culpablenessSince John had left his banana peel at the top of the stairwell, he accepted culpability for Martha's broken leg.
cumbersome
adjective: difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weightSynonyms : cumbrousOnly ten years ago, being an avid reader and a traveler meant carrying a cumbersome backpack stuffed with books--these days we need only an e-reader.
cupidity
noun: greed for moneySynonyms : avarice , avariciousness , covetousnessSome believe people that amassing as much wealth as possible is the meaning to life - yet they often realize that cupidity brings anything but happiness.
curmudgeon
noun: a grouchy, surly personSince Uncle Mike was the family curmudgeon, each Thanksgiving he was plied with copious amounts of wine, in the hope that he would become less grouchy.
dearth
noun: a lack or shortageSynonyms : famine , shortage,paucityI am surprised by the dearth of fast food chains; this is America and I assumed they were on every street.
debase
verb: reduce the quality or value of somethingSynonyms : adulterate , dilute , load , stretchThe third-rate script so debased the film that not even the flawless acting could save it from being a flop.
debonair
adjective: having a sophisticated charmSynonyms : debonaire , debonnaire , suaveJames Bond is known for his good looks, high tech gadgets, and debonair manner.
debunk
verb: expose as false ideas and claims, especially while ridiculingSynonyms : exposeRichard Dawkins tries to debunk religious belief, but his ridicule tends to push people away from his points rather than convince them.
decimation
noun: destroying or killing a large part of the populationThe decimation after atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is incomprehensible.
decorous
adjective: characterized by good taste in manners and conductSally's parties are decorous affairs, and instead of the usual beer and music, there is tea and intellectual conversation.
decorum
noun: propriety in manners and conductSynonyms : decorousness"You will obey the rules of decorum for this courtroom or spend the night in a jail cell," said the judge to the prosecutor.
decry
verb: express strong disapproval ofSynonyms : condemn , excoriate , objurgate , reprobateThe entire audience erupted in shouts and curses, decrying the penalty card issued by the referee.
deferential
adjective: showing respectSynonyms : deferent , regardfulIf you ever have the chance to meet the president, stand up straight and be deferential.
defray
verb: to help pay the cost of, either in part of fullIn order for Sean to attend the prestigious college, his generous uncle helped defray the excessive tuition with a monthly donation.
degrade
verb: reduce in worth or character, usually verballySynonyms : demean , disgrace , put down , take downJesse had mockingly pointed out all of Nancy's faults in front of their friends, publicly degrading the poor girl.
deign
verb: do something that one considers to be below one's dignitySynonyms : condescend , descendThe master of the house never deigned to answer questions from the servants.
delegate
verb: give an assignment to (a person)Synonyms : assign , depute , designateSince the senior manager had to go on many international business trips, she was forced to delegate many of her responsibilities to two lower-level managers.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
deleterious
adjective: harmful to living thingsSynonyms : hurtful , injuriousThe BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was deleterious to the fishing industry in the southern states.
deliberate
verb: think about carefully; weigh the pros and cons of an issueSynonyms : consider , debate , moot , turn overEmergency situations such as this call for immediate action and leave no room to deliberate over options.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
delineate
verb: describe in detailAfter a brief summary of proper swimming technique, the coach delineated the specifics of each stroke, spending 30 minutes alone on the backstroke.
demean
verb: to insult; to cause someone to lose dignity or respectSynonyms : degrade , disgrace , put down , take downAt first the soccer players bantered back and forth, but as soon as one of the players became demeaning, calling the other's mother a water buffalo, the ref whipped out a red card.
demonstrative
adjective: given to or marked by the open expression of emotionWhen Sally told James that she wanted to break up with him, she expected he would react demonstratively, but he quietly nodded his head and left without saying a word.
demur
verb: to object or show reluctanceWallace disliked the cold, so he demurred when his friends suggested they going skiing in the Alps.
demure
adjective: to be modest and shySynonyms : coy , overmodestThe portrait of her in a simple white blouse was sweet and demure.
denigrate
verb: charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someoneSynonyms : asperse , besmirch , calumniate , defame , slander , smear , smirch , sullyCount Rumford denigrated the new theory of heat, demonstrating that it was wholly inadequate to explain the observations.
denote
verb: be a sign or indication of; have as a meaningSynonyms : referEven if the text is not visible, the red octagon denotes "stop" to all motorists in America.
denouement
noun: the final resolution of the many strands of a literary or dramatic work; the outcome of a complex sequence of eventsAt the denouement of the movie, all questions were answered, and the true identity of the robber was revealed.
derelict
adjective: (of a person) not doing one's dutiesSynonyms : delinquent , neglectful , remissThe teacher was derelict in her duties because she hadn't graded a single student paper in three weeks.noun: (of a building) abandonedAt one time the waterfront factories were busy and productive, but now they stand derelict and will be torn down.
deride
verb: treat or speak of with contemptThe nun derided the students for trying to sneak insects and worms into the classroom.
derisive
adjective: abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridiculeSynonyms : gibelike , jeering , mocking , tauntingI was surprised by her derisive tone; usually, she is sweet, soft spoken, and congenial.
derivative
adjective: (or a creative product, e.g. music, writing, etc.) not original but drawing on the work of another personBecause the movies were utterly derivative of other popular movies, they did well at the box office.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
derive
verb: come from; be connected by a relationship of blood, for exampleSynonyms : come , descendMany words in the English language are derived from Latin, including the word "derive."verb: reason by deduction; establish by deductionSynonyms : deduce , deduct , inferFrom the multiple set of footprints in the living room, the investigator derived an important clue: Sheila was not alone in the room at the time of the murder.
derogative
adjective: expressed as worthless or in negative termsSynonyms : derogatory , disparagingNever before have we seen a debate between two political candidates that was so derogative and filthy.
desecrate
verb: to willfully violate or destroy a sacred placeSynonyms : outrage , profane , violateAfter desecrating the pharaoh's tomb, the archaeologist soon fell victim to a horrible illness.
desiccated
adjective: uninteresting, lacking vitalitySynonyms : arid , desiccateFew novelists over 80 are able to produce anything more than desiccated works-boring shadows of former books.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
desideratum
noun: something desired as a necessityThe desideratum of the environmental group is that motorists should rely on carpooling.
despite
preposition: even with (when an event is surprising because of some difficulty)We enjoyed our vacation despite the rain.
despot
noun: a cruel and oppressive dictatorSynonyms : autocrat , tyrantThe Emperor Claudius was regarded as a fair-minded leader; his successor, Nero, was an absolute despot.
destitute
adjective: poor enough to need help from othersSynonyms : impoverished , indigent , necessitous , needy , poverty-strickenJean Valjean, is at first destitute, but through the grace of a priest, he makes something of his life.adjective: completely wanting or lacking (usually "destitute of")Synonyms : barren , devoid , free , innocentNow that the mine is closed, the town is destitute of any economic activity.
deter
verb: turn away from by persuasionSynonyms : dissuadeHis mother tried to deter him from joining the army, but he was too intoxicated with the idea of war to listen.verb: try to prevent; show opposition toSynonyms : discourageThe government's primary job should involve deterring paths to war, not finding ways to start them.
detrimental
adjective: (sometimes followed by "to") causing harm or injurySynonyms : damaging , prejudicial , prejudiciousMany know that smoking is detrimental to your health, but processed sugar in large quantities is equally bad.
devolve
verb: pass on or delegate to anotherSynonyms : degenerate , deteriorate , dropThe company was full of managers known for devolving tasks to lower management, but never doing much work themselves.verb: grow worse (usually "devolve into")The dialogue between the two academics devolved into a downright bitter argument.
diabolical
adjective: to be extremely wicked like the devilSynonyms : demonic , diabolic , fiendish , hellish , infernal , satanic , unholy,devilish , diabolic , mephistophelean , mephistophelianThe conspirators, willing to dispatch anyone who stood in their way, hatched a diabolical plan to take over the city.
diatribe
noun: a strong verbal attack against a person or institutionSynonyms : fulminationSteve's mom launched into a diatribe during the PTA meeting, contending that the school was little more than a daycare in which students stare at the wall and teachers stare at the chalkboard.
dictatorial
adjective: expecting unquestioning obedience; characteristic of an absolute rulerSynonyms : authoritarian , overbearing,authoritarian , autocratic , despotic , tyrannic , tyrannicalThe coach was dictatorial in his approach: no players could ever argue or question his approach.
didactic
adjective: instructive (especially excessively)Synonyms : didacticalTolstoy's The Death of Ivan Illyich is a didactic novel, instructing the reader on how to live a good life.
differentiate
verb: be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait (sometimes in positive sense)Synonyms : distinguish , markMozart's long melodic lines differentiate his compositions from other works of late 18th century music.verb: evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environmentSynonyms : specialise , specialize , speciateAnimals on Madagascar differentiated from other similar animal species due to many years of isolation on the island.
diffident
adjective: showing modest reserve; lacking self-confidenceSynonyms : shy , timid , unsureAs a young girl she was diffident and reserved, but now as an adult, she is confident and assertive.
dilapidated
adjective: in terrible conditionSynonyms : bedraggled , broken-down , derelict , ramshackle , tatterdemalion , tumble-downThe main house has been restored but the gazebo is still dilapidated and unuseable.
dilatory
adjective: wasting timeSynonyms : laggard , pokey , pokyLawyers use dilatory tactics so that it takes years before the case is actually decided.
dilettante
noun: an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledgeSynonyms : dabbler , sciolist,dilettanteish , dilettantish , sciolisticFred has no formal medical training; while he likes to claim authority on medical issues, he is little more than a dilettante
diligent
adjective: characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasksSynonyms : perseveringMichael was a diligent gardener, never leaving a leaf on the ground and regularly watering each plant.
diminutive
noun: to indicate smallnessHe prefers to be called a diminutive of his name: "Bill" instead of "John William."adjective: very smallSynonyms : bantam , flyspeck , lilliputian , midget , petite , tinyWhen he put on his father's suit and shoes, his appearance was that of a diminutive youth.
disabuse
verb: to persuade somebody that his/her belief is not validAs a child, I was quickly disabused of the notion that Santa Claus was a rotund benefactor of infinite largess - one night I saw my mother diligently wrapping presents and storing them under our Christmas tree.
disaffected
adjective: discontented as toward authoritySynonyms : ill-affected , malcontent , rebelliousAfter watching his superior take rations from the soliders, he quickly became disaffected and rebeled.
discord
noun: lack of agreement or harmonySynonyms : strifeDespite all their talented players, the team was filled with discord--some players refused to talk to others--and lost most of their games.
discreet
adjective: careful to protect one's speech or actions in order to avoid offense or gain an advantageThe professor thought that he was discreet, subtly wiping the stain off of his shirt, but as soon as he stepped off the podium a member of the audience pointed out the large ketchup stain.
discrete
adjective: constituting a separate entity or partSynonyms : distinctWhat was once known as Czechoslovakia has since split into two discrete, independent nations.
discriminate
verb: recognize or perceive the differenceSynonyms : know apart,separate Sarah couldn't discriminate between a good wine and a bad wine, so she avoided wine tastings.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
discursive
adjective: (of e.g. speech and writing) tending to depart from the main pointSynonyms : digressive , excursive , ramblingMany readers find it tough to read Moby Dick since the author is discursive, often cutting the action short to spend 20 pages on the history of a whale.
disenfranchise
verb: deprive of voting rightsSynonyms : disfranchiseThe U.S. Constitution disenfranchised women until 1920 when they were given the right to vote.
disheartened
adjective: made less hopeful or enthusiasticSynonyms : demoralised , demoralized , discouragedAfter the visiting team scored nine times, the home team's fans were disheartened, some leaving the game early.
disingenuous
adjective: not straightforward; giving a false appearance of franknessSynonyms : artfulMany adults think that they can lie to children, but kids are smart and know when people are disingenuous.
disinterested
adjective: unbiased; neutralThe potential juror knew the defendant, and therefore could not serve on the jury, which must consist only of disinterested members.
disparate
adjective: two things are fundamentally differentWith the advent of machines capable of looking inside the brain, fields as disparate as religion and biology have been brought together by scientists trying to understand what happens in the brain when people have a religious experience.
dispassionate
adjective: unaffected by strong emotion or prejudiceSynonyms : cold-eyedA good scientist should be dispassionate, focusing purely on what the evidence says, without personal attachment.
dispatch
noun: the property of being prompt and efficientSynonyms : despatch , expedition , expeditiousnessShe finished her thesis with dispatch, amazing her advisors who couldn't believe she hadn't written 60 scholarly pages so quickly.verb: dispose of rapidly and without delay and efficientlyAs soon as the angry peasants stormed the castle, they caught the king and swiftly dispatched him.This word has other definitions but these are the most important ones to study
dispensation
noun: an exemption from a rule or obligationSince her father is a billionaire, she is given dispensation from many of the school's policies.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
dissemble
verb: conceal one's true motives, usually through deceitSynonyms : affect , feign , pretend , shamTo get close to the senator, the assassin dissembled his intentions, convincing many people that he was a reporter for a well-known newspaper.
disseminate
verb: cause to become widely knownSynonyms : broadcast , circularise , circularize , circulate , diffuse , disperse , distribute , pass around , propagate , spreadBefore the effects of anaethesia were disseminated, patients had to experience the full pain of a surgery.
dissipate
verb: squander or spend money frivolouslySynonyms : fool , fool away , fritter , fritter away , frivol away , shootThe recent graduates dissipated their earnings on trips to Las Vegas and cruises in Mexico.verb: to disperse or scatterSynonyms : break up , dispel , disperse , scatter,spread outKathleen's perfume was overwhelming in the cramped apartment, but once we stepped outside the smell dissipated and we could breathe once again.
dissolution
noun: a living full of debauchery and indulgence in sensual pleasureSynonyms : dissipation , licentiousness , looseness , profligacyMany Roman emperors were known for their dissolution, indulging in unspeakable desires of the flesh.
docile
adjective: easily handled or managed; willing to be taught or led or supervised or directedSynonyms : gentleBarnyard animals are considerably more docile than the wild animals.
dog
verb: to pursue relentlessly; to houndSynonyms : chase , chase after , give chase , go after , tag , tail , track , trailThroughout his life, he was dogged by insecurities that inhibited personal growth.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
dogmatic
adjective: highly opinionated, not accepting that your belief may not be correctBryan is dogmatic in his belief that the earth is flat, claiming that all pictures of a spherical earth are computer generated.
doleful
adjective: filled with or evoking sadnessSynonyms : mournfulNo event is more doleful than the passing of my mother; she was a shining star in my life, and it brings me great sadness to think that she is now gone.
dolorous
adjective: showing sorrowSynonyms : dolourous , lachrymose , tearful , weepingChopin's ballades are filled with sharp changes in moods--a dolorous melody can give way to a lighthearted tempo.
doughty
adjective: brave; bold; courageousI enjoy films in which a doughty group comes together to battle a force of evil.
dovetail
verb: fit together tightly, as if by means of a interlocking jointSynonyms : dovetail jointAlthough Darwin's evolution and Mendel's genetics were developed in isolation from one another, they dovetail very well.
dupe
verb: to trick or swindleSynonyms : befool , cod , fool , gull , put on , put one across , put one over , slang , take inOnce again a get-rich-fast Internet scheme had duped Harold into submitting a $5,000 check to a sham operation.noun: a person who is easily tricked or swindledSynonyms : victimThe charlatan mistook the crowd for a bunch of dupes, but the crowd was quickly on to him and decried his bald-faced attempt to bilk them.
duplicity
noun: deceitfulness, pretending to want one thing but interested in something elseSynonyms : fraudulenceA life of espionage is one of duplicity: an agent must pretend to be a totally different person than who she or he actually is.
duress
noun: compulsory force or threatThe witness said he signed the contract under duress and argued that the court should cancel the agreement.
ebullient
adjective: joyously unrestrainedSynonyms : exuberant , high-spiritedCan you blame him for his ebullient mood? He just graduated from medical school.
eccentric
adjective: highly unconventional or unusual (usually describes a person)Synonyms : eccentric person , flake , geek , oddballMozart was well-known for his eccentricities, often speaking words backward to confuse those around him.
eclectic
adjective: comprised of a variety of stylesJoey was known for his eclectic tastes in music, one moment dancing to disco the next "air conducting" along to Beethoven's 9th symphony.
economical
adjective: avoiding waste, efficientSynonyms : frugal , scotch , sparing , stintingJournalists favor an economical style of writing, in which no unnecessary words are used and every sentence is as short as possible.
edifying
adjective: enlightening or uplifting so as to encourage intellectual or moral improvementSynonyms : enlighteningI recently read an article in the Times about whether good literature is edifying or not; specifically, does reading more make a person more moral.
effervescent
adjective: marked by high spirits or excitementSynonyms : bubbling , frothy , scintillating , sparklyAfter the sales result, the manager was in an effervescent mood, letting several employees leave work early that day.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
efficacious
adjective: producing the intended resultSynonyms : effective , effectualSince Maggie's cough syrup, which had expired five years back, was no longer efficacious, she coughed through the night.
effrontery
noun: audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right toSynonyms : assumption , presumption , presumptuousnessThe skateboarders acted with effrontery, skating through the church grounds and spray-painting signs warning trespassers.
egotist
noun: a conceited and self-centered personSynonyms : egoist , swellheadAn egotist, Natasha had few friends because of her inability to talk about anything except her dream of becoming the next American Idol.
egregious
adjective: standing out in negative way; shockingly badSynonyms : crying , flagrant , glaring , gross , rankThe dictator's abuse of human rights was so egregious that many world leaders demanded that he be tried in an international court for genocide.
eke
verb: To live off meager resources, to scrape byStranded in a cabin over the winter, Terry was able to eke out an existence on canned food.
elaborate
adjective: marked by complexity and richness of detailSynonyms : luxuriantThomas, on returning from Morocco, replaced his dirty gray carpet with an elaborate one he'd brought back with him.verb: explain in more detailSynonyms : dilate , enlarge , expand , expatiate , exposit , expound , flesh out , lucubrateMost high school physics teachers find themselves elaborating the same point over and over again, since many concepts confuse students.
elegiac
adjective: expressing sorrowFew can listen to the elegiac opening bars of the Moonlight sonata without feeling the urge to cry.
elicit
verb: call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)Synonyms : arouse , enkindle , evoke , fire , kindle , provoke , raiseJust smiling-even if you are depressed--can elicit feelings of pleasure and happiness.
elucidate
verb: make clearer and easier to understandSynonyms : clear , clear up , crystalise , crystalize , crystallise , crystallize , enlighten , illuminate , shed light on , sort out , straighten outYoutube is great place to learn just about anything-an expert elucidates finer points so that even a complete novice can learn.
elude
verb: escape understandingSynonyms : bilk , evadeEven a basic understanding of physics can elude most high schools students.
elusive
adjective: difficult to capture or difficult to rememberSynonyms : baffling , knotty , problematic , problematical , toughMany first time skydivers say that describing the act of falling from the sky is elusive.
embellish
verb: make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.; make more beautifulSynonyms : adorn , beautify , decorate , grace , ornament , fancify , prettifyMcCartney would write relatively straightforward lyrics, and Lennon would embellish them with puns and poetic images.
embroiled
adjective: involved in argument or contentionSynonyms : entangledThese days we are never short of a D.C. politician embroiled in scandalâa welcome phenomenon for those who, having barely finished feasting on the sordid details of one imbroglio, can sink their teeth into a fresh one.
embryonic
adjective: in an early stage of developmentSynonyms : embryotic, embryologic , embryonalThe Board of Directors is hoping to launch a new product soon, but planning for the Z7 is in an embryonic stages.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
eminent
adjective: standing above others in quality or positionSynonyms : lofty , soaring , toweringShakespeare is an eminent author in the English language, but I find his writing uninteresting and melodramatic.
empathetic
adjective: showing understanding and ready comprehension of other peoples' states and emotionsSynonyms : empathicMost discrimination and hatred is based on a lack of empathetic awareness of people that have the same aspirations and fears.
empiricism
noun: any method that derives knowledge from experience, used in experimental science as a way to gain insight and knowledgeSynonyms : empiricist philosophy , sensationalismEmpiricism does not always lead to knowledge; an experience or experiment may raise more questions than it answers.
emulate
verb: strive to equal or match, especially by imitating; compete with successfullyTo really become fluent in a new language, emulate the speech patterns and intonation of people who speak the language.
enamor
verb: attraction or feeling of loveSynonyms : becharm , beguile , bewitch , captivate , capture , catch , charm , enamour , enchant , entrance , fascinate , tranceShe is completely enamored with Justin Bieber, and goes to all his concerts on the East coast.
encumber
verb: hold backSynonyms : constrain , cumber , restrainThe costume encumbered all my movements and caused me to sweat profusely.
endemic
adjective: native; originating where it is foundSynonyms : autochthonal , autochthonic , autochthonous , indigenousIrish cuisine makes great use of potatoes, but ironically, the potato is not endemic to Ireland.
enervate
verb: to sap energy fromSynonyms : faze , unnerve , unsettleJohn preferred to avoid equatorial countries; the intense sun would always leave him enervated after he'd spent the day sightseeing.
engender
verb: give rise toSynonyms : beget , bring forth , father , generate , get , mother , sireThe restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles were so severe that they engendered deep hatred and resentment in the German people.
enjoin
verb: give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authoritySynonyms : order , say , tellThe government agency enjoined the chemical company to clean up the hazardous dump it had created over the years.
enmity
noun: a state of deep-seated ill-willSynonyms : antagonism , hostilityCharles rude remark toward Sarah yesterday was due to his illness, not due to any real enmity toward Sarah.
enormity
noun: an act of extreme wickednessSynonyms : outrageousnessThe enormity of Pol Pot's regime is hard to capture in words--within months hundreds of thousands of Cambodians lost their lives.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
enthrall
verb: hold spellboundSynonyms : delight , enchant , enrapture , enthral , ravish , transportShe was so enthralled by the movie that she never heard people screaming, "Fire! Fire!" in the neighboring theater.
entice
verb: get someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promisesSynonyms : lure , temptHarold enticed his wife, Maude, to go on a vacation to Hawaii, with promises of luaus on the beach and all-you-can-eat seafood buffets.
entrenched
adjective: fixed firmly or securelyBy the time we reach 60-years old, most of our habits are so entrenched that it is difficult for us to change.
enumerate
verb: determine the number or amount ofSynonyms : count , number , numerateThe survey enumerates the number of happy workers and the number of unhappy workers.verb: specify individually, one by oneSynonyms : itemise , itemize , reciteI sat and listened as she enumerated all of the things she did not like about the past three months.
ephemeral
adjective: lasting a very short timeSynonyms : fugacious , passing , short-lived , transient , transitoryThe lifespan of a mayfly is ephemeral, lasting from a few hours to a couple of days.
epigram
noun: a witty sayingSynonyms : quipMy favorite epigram from Mark Twain is "A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn no other way."
epiphany
noun: a sudden revelation or moment of insightGary one day had an epiphany that he was a people person; he prompty quit his factory job and began working as a salesman.
eponym
noun: the name derived from a person (real or imaginary); the person for whom something is namedAlexandria, Egypt is an eponym because it is named after Alexander the Great.
equitable
adjective: fair to all parties as dictated by reason and conscienceSynonyms : justThe equitable distribution of ice cream to a group of 5 year olds will ensure little to no fighting - at least until the ice cream is gone.
equivocal
adjective: confusing or ambiguousThe findings of the study were equivocal - the two researchers had different opinions on what the results signified.
equivocate
verb: to speak vaguely, usually with the intention to mislead or deceiveSynonyms : beat around the bush , palter , prevaricate , tergiversateAfter Sharon brought the car home an hour after her curfew, she equivocated when her parents pointedly asked her where she had been.
eradicate
verb: to completely destroySynonyms : exterminate , extirpate , root out , uproot, annihilate , carry off , decimate , eliminate , extinguish , wipe outI tried eradicating the mosquitos in my apartment with a rolled up newspaper, but there were too many of them.
err
verb: to make an errorSynonyms : mistake , slipHe erred in thinking that "indigent" and "indignant" were synonyms.
errant
adjective: to be wandering; not sticking to a circumscribed pathUnlike his peers, who spent their hours studying in the library, Matthew preferred errant walks through the university campus.
erratic
adjective: unpredictable; strange and unconventionalSynonyms : fickle , mercurial , quicksilverIt came as no surprise to pundits that the President's attempt at re-election floundered; even during his term, support for his policies was erratic, with an approval rating jumping anywhere from 30 to 60 percent.
ersatz
adjective: not real or genuine; phonySynonyms : substituteThe car dealer's ersatz laughter was immediately followed by a price quote, one that Shelley found highly inflated.
erudite
adjective: having or showing profound knowledgeSynonyms : learnedBefore the Internet, the library was typically were you would find erudite readers.
eschew
verb: avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear ofSynonyms : shunPoliticians are the masters of eschewing morals; academics are the masters of eschewing clarity.
esoteric
adjective: confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circleMap collecting is an esoteric hobby to most, but to geography geeks it is a highly enjoyable pasttime.
espouse
verb: to adopt or support an idea or causeSynonyms : adopt , embrace , sweep upAs a college student, Charlie espoused Marxism, growing his beard out and railing against the evils of the free-market.
estimable
adjective: deserving of esteem and respectSynonyms : good , honorable , respectableAfter serving thirty years, in which he selflessly served the community, Judge Harper was one of the more estimable people in town.
ethereal
adjective: characterized by lightness and insubstantialitySynonyms : aerial , aeriform , aery , airyBecause she dances with an ethereal style, ballet critics have called her Madame Butterfly.
euphoria
noun: a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elationSynonyms : euphoryThe euphoria of winning her first gold medal in the 100 meter dash overwhelmed Shelly-Ann Fraser and she wept tears of immense joy.
evanescent
adjective: tending to vanish like vaporThe storm flashed into existence above us and lasted only a short time - an evanescent turbulence of wind and cloud.
evasive
adjective: avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger or commitmentHis responses were clearly evasive; he obviously did not want to take on any responsibility or any new work.adjective: deliberately vague or ambiguousEvery time I call the bank, I receive the same evasive answers about our mortgage and never get a clear response.
evenhanded
adjective: without partialityTeachers often have trouble being evenhanded to all of their varied students.
exacerbate
verb: make worseSynonyms : aggravate , exasperate , worsenHer sleeplessness exacerbated her cold--when she woke up the next day, her sinuses were completely blocked.
exacting
adjective: requiring and demanding accuracySynonyms : exigent,stern , strictThough his childhood piano teacher was so exacting, Max is thankful now, as a professional pianist.
exalt
verb: praise or glorifySynonyms : extol , glorify , laud , proclaimThe teenagers exalted the rock star, covering their bedrooms with posters of him.
exasperate
verb: to irritate intenselySynonyms : aggravate , exacerbate , exacerbate , worsen, incense , infuriateAs a child, I exasperated my mother with strings of never-ending questions.
excoriate
verb: to criticize very harshlySynonyms : condemn , decry , objurgate , reprobateEntrusted with the prototype to his company's latest smartphone, Larry, during a late night karaoke bout, let the prototype slip into the hands of a rival company - the next day Larry was excoriated, and then fired.
excruciating
adjective: extremely painfulSynonyms : agonising , agonizing , harrowing , torturesome , torturing , torturousAfter the boulder rolled a couple of feet, pinning my friend's arm, he experienced excruciating pain.
execrate
verb: to curse and hiss atSynonyms : accurse , anathematise , anathematize , anathemise , anathemize , comminateThough the new sitcom did decently in the ratings, Nelson railed against the show, saying that it was nothing more than an execrable pastiche of tired cliché's and canned laughter.
exegesis
noun: critical explanation or analysis, especially of a textThe Bible is fertile ground for exegesis - over the past five centuries there have been as many interpretations as there are pages in the Old Testament.
exemplar
noun: something to be imitatedSynonyms : example , good example , modelLena's homework is on the wall because it is an exemplar of clean, neat, and thoughtful work.
exemplify
verb: be characteristic ofSynonyms : representLincoln exemplified the best of not only America, but also the potential greatness that exists within each person.verb: clarify by giving an example ofSynonyms : illustrate , instancePlease present some case studies that exemplify the results that you claim in your paper.
exhort
verb: to strongly urge on; encourageSynonyms : barrack , cheer , inspire , pep up , root on , urge , urge onNelson's parents exhorted him to study medicine, urging him to choose a respectable profession; intransigent, Nelson left home to become a graffiti artist.
exiguity
noun: the quality of being meagerSynonyms : leanness , meagerness , meagreness , poorness , scantiness , scantnessAfter two months at sea, the exiguity of the ship's supplies forced them to search for fresh water and food.
exonerate
verb: pronounce not guilty of criminal chargesSynonyms : acquit , assoil , clear , discharge , exculpateThe document clearly indicated that Nick was out of the state at the time of the crime, and so served to exonerate him of any charges.
exorbitant
adjective: greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderationSynonyms : extortionate , outrageous , steep , unconscionable , usuriousShelley made one exorbitant purchase after another, buying new clothes and taking vacations even though she earned a limited salary.
expansive
adjective: communicative, and prone to talking in a sociable mannerSynonyms : talkativeAfter a few sips of cognac, the octogenarian shed his irascible demeanor and became expansive, speaking fondly of the "good old days".This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
expound
verb: add details or explanation; clarify the meaning; state in depthSynonyms : dilate , elaborate , enlarge , expand , expatiate , exposit , flesh out , lucubrateThe CEO refused to expound on the decision to merge our department with another one, and so I quit.
expunge
verb: to eliminate completelySynonyms : excise , scratch , strikeWhen I turned 18, all of the shoplifting and jaywalking charges were expunged from my criminal record.
expurgate
verb: to remove objectionable materialSynonyms : bowdlerise , bowdlerize , castrate , shortenThe censor expurgated every reference to sex and drugs, converting the rapper's raunchy flow into a series of bleeps.
extant
adjective: still in existence (usually refers to documents).Despite many bookstores closing, experts predict that some form of book dealing will still be extant generations from now.
extenuating
adjective: making less guilty or more forgivableThe jury was hardly moved by the man's plea that his loneliness was an extenuating factor in his crime of dognapping a prized pooch.
extrapolate
verb: draw from specific cases for more general casesSynonyms : generalise , generalize , inferBy extrapolating from the data on the past three months, we can predict a 5% increase in traffic to our website.
facetious
adjective: cleverly amusing in toneSynonyms : bantering , tongue-in-cheekFacetious behavior will not be tolerated during sex eduation class; it's time for all of you to treat these matters like mature adults.
facile
adjective: arrived at without due care or effort; lacking depthMany news shows provide facile explanations to complex politics, so I prefer to read the in-depth reporting of The New York Times.
factious
adjective: produced by, or characterized by internal dissensionSynonyms : dissentious , divisiveThe controversial bill proved factious, as dissension even within parties resulted
factitious
adjective: artificial; not naturalThe defendant's story was largely factitious and did not accord with eyewitness testimonies
fallacious
adjective: of a belief that is based on faulty reasoningSynonyms : unsound,Synonyms, deceitful , fraudulentThe widespread belief that Eskimos have forty different words for snow is fallacious, based on one false report.
fastidious
adjective: overly concerned with details; fussySynonyms : exactingWhitney is fastidious about her shoes, arranging them on a shelf in a specific order, each pair evenly spaced.
fawn
verb: try to gain favor by extreme flatterySynonyms : bootlick , kotow , kowtow , suck up , toady , truckleThe media fawned over the handsome new CEO, praising his impeccable sense of style instead of asking more pointed questions.
feckless
adjective: lazy and irresponsibleSynonyms : ineptTwo years after graduation, Charlie still lived with his parents and had no job, becoming more feckless with each passing day.
fecund
adjective: intellectually productiveSynonyms : fertile , prolificThe artist had entered a fecund period, producing three masterpieces in the span of two months.
fell
adjective: terribly evilSynonyms : barbarous , brutal , cruel , roughshod , savage , viciousFor fans of the Harry Potter series, the fell Lord Voldemort, who terrorized poor Harry for seven lengthy installments, has finally been vanquished by the forces of good - unless, that is, JK Rowling decides to come out of retirement.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
ferret
verb: to search for something persistentlySynonyms : ferret outEver the resourceful lexicographer, Fenton was able to ferret out the word origin of highly obscure words.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
fete
verb: to celebrate a personSynonyms : celebrateAfter World War II, war heroes were feted at first but quickly forgotten.
fickle
adjective: liable to sudden unpredictable change, esp. in affections or attachmentsSynonyms : erratic , mercurial , quicksilverShe was so fickle in her politics, it was hard to pinpoint her beliefs; one week she would embrace a side, and the next week she would denounce it.
finagle
verb: achieve something by means of trickery or devious methodsSynonyms : manage , wangleSteven was able to finagle one of the last seats on the train by convincing the conductor that his torn stub was actually a valid ticket.
firebrand
noun: someone who deliberately creates troubleSynonyms : inciter , instigant , instigator , provokerFreddie is a firebrand: every time he walks into the office, he winds up at the center of heated argument.
flag
verb: droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness; become less intenseSynonyms : droop , sag , swagAfter the three crushing defeats in the last three games, the team's enthusiasm began to flag.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
fledgling
adjective: young and inexperienced; describing any new participant in some activitySynonyms : callow , unfledged,entrant , fledgeling , freshman , neophyte , newbie , newcomer , starter,Murray has years of experience in family practice, but he is just a fledgling in surgery.
fleece
verb: to deceiveSynonyms : gazump , hook , overcharge , pluck , plume , rob , soak , surchargeMany people have been fleeced by Internet scams and never received their money back.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
flippant
adjective: showing inappropriate levitySynonyms : light-mindedAlthough Sam was trying to honor Mark's sense of humor, many found it quite flippant that he wore a comic nose and glasses mask to Mark's funeral.
flounder
verb: behave awkwardly; have difficultiesSynonyms : staggerSylvia has excelled at advanced calculus, but ironically, when she has deal with taxes, she flounders.
flummox
verb: be a mystery or bewildering toSynonyms : amaze , baffle , beat , bewilder , dumbfound , get , gravel , mystify , nonplus , perplex , pose , puzzle , stick , stupefy , vexMary's behavior completely flummoxes me: I never have any idea what her motivations might be.
flush
adjective: to be in abundanceSynonyms : bloom , blossom , efflorescence , flower , heyday , peak , primeThe exam's passage is flush with difficult words, words that you may have learned only yesterday.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
flux
noun: a state of uncertainty about what should be done (usually following some important event)Ever since Elvira resigned as the head of marketing, everything about our sales strategy has been in a state of flux.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
foible
noun: a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individualSynonyms : idiosyncrasy , mannerismWhen their new roommate sat staring at an oak tree for an hour, Marcia thought it indicated a mental problem, but Jeff assured her it was a harmless foible.
foment
verb: try to stir up public opinionSynonyms : agitate , stir upAfter having his pay cut, Phil spread vicious rumors about his boss, hoping to foment a general feeling of discontent.
foolhardy
adjective: marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequencesSynonyms : heady , rash , recklessThe police regularly face dangerous situations, so for a police officer not to wear his bullet-proof vest is foolhardy.
forlorn
adjective: marked by or showing hopelessnessAfter her third pet dog died, Marcia was simply forlorn: this time even the possibility of buying a new dog no longer held any joy.
forthcoming
adjective: available when required or as promisedSynonyms : approaching , coming , upcomingThe President announced that the senators were about to reach a compromise, and that he was eager to read the forthcoming details of the bill.adjective: at ease in talking to othersSynonyms : extroverted , outgoingAs a husband, Larry was not forthcoming: if Jill didn't demand to know details, Larry would never share them with her.
forthright
adjective: characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasionSynonyms : blunt , candid , frank , free-spoken , outspoken , plainspoken , point-blank , straight-from-the-shoulderI did not expect the insurance agent to give us any straight answers, but I was pleasantly surprised by how forthright he was.
fortuitous
adjective: occurring by happy chance; having no cause or apparent causeSynonyms : causeless, uncaused, تصادÙÙWhile the real objects are vastly different sizes in space, the sun and the moon seem to have the same fortuitous size in the sky.
fractious
adjective: irritable and is likely to cause disruptionSynonyms : cranky , irritable , nettlesome , peckish , peevish , pettish , petulant , scratchy , techy , testy , tetchyWe rarely invite my fractious Uncle over for dinner; he always complains about the food, and usually launches into a tirade on some touchy subject.
frivolous
adjective: not serious in content or attitude or behaviorCompared to Juliet's passionate concern for human rights, Jake's non-stop concern about football seems somewhat frivolous.
frugal
adjective: not spending much money (but spending wisely)Synonyms : economical , scotch , sparing , stintingMonte was no miser, but was simply frugal, wisely spending the little that he earned.
frustrate
verb: hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) ofSynonyms : baffle , bilk , cross , foil , queer , scotch , spoil , thwart,I thought I would finish writing the paper by lunchtime, but a number of urgent interruptions served to frustrate my plan.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
furtive
adjective: marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observedSynonyms : sneak , sneaky , stealthy , surreptitiousWhile at work, George and his boss Regina felt the need to be as furtive as possible about their romantic relationship.
futile
adjective: producing no result or effect; unproductive of successSynonyms : ineffectual , otiose , unavailing,bootless , fruitless , sleeveless , vainI thought I could repair the car myself, but after two days of work with no success, I have to admit that my efforts were futile.
gaffe
noun: a socially awkward or tactless actSynonyms : faux pas , gaucherie , slip , solecismIn a famous gaffe, Vice President Quayle attempted to correct the spelling of a grade school student, only to find that the child was correct.
gainsay
verb: deny or contradict; speak against or opposeSynonyms : challenge , disputeI can't gainsay a single piece of evidence James has presented, but I still don't trust his conclusion.
gall
noun: the trait of being rude and impertinentSynonyms : cheekiness , crust , freshness , impertinence , impudence , insolenceEven though Carly was only recently hired, she had the gall to question her boss's judgment in front of the office.noun: feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-willSynonyms : bitterness , rancor , rancour , resentmentIn an act of gall, Leah sent compromising photos of her ex-boyfriend to all his co-workers and professional contacts.
galvanize
verb: to excite or inspire (someone) to actionSynonyms : galvanise , startleAt mile 23 of his first marathon, Kyle had all but given up, until he noticed his friends and family holding a banner that read, "Go Kyle"; galvanized, he broke into a gallop, finishing the last three miles in less than 20 minutes.
gambit
noun: a maneuver or risk in a game or conversation, designed to secure an advantageSynonyms : ploy , stratagemRandy played a gambit, telling his boss that he would leave at the end of the week if he didn't get a raise.
garrulous
adjective: full of trivial conversationSynonyms : chatty , gabby , loquacious , talkative , talkyLynne was garrulous: once, she had a fifteen minute conversation with a stranger before she realized the woman didn't speak English.
gauche
adjective: lacking social polishSynonyms : graceless , unpolishedSylvester says the most gauche things, such as telling a girl he liked that she was much prettier when she wore makeup.
genial
adjective: agreeable, conducive to comfortSynonyms : kindBetty is a genial young woman: everyone she meets is put at ease by her elegance and grace.
genteel
adjective: marked by refinement in taste and mannersSynonyms : civilised , civilized , cultivated , cultured , politeA live string quartet would provide a more genteel air to the wedding than would a folk singer.
germane
adjective: relevant and appropriateThe professor wanted to tell the jury in detail about his new book, but the lawyer said it wasn't germane to the charges in the cases.
gerrymander
verb: to manipulate voting districts in order to favor a particular political partyYears ago, savvy politicians had gerrymandered the city center to ensure their re-election.
glean
verb: collect information bit by bitSynonyms : harvest , reapHerb has given us no formal statement about his background, but from various hints, I have gleaned that he grew up in difficult circumstances
glib
adjective: (of a person) speaking with ease but without sinceritySynonyms : pat , slickI have found that the more glib the salesman, the worse the product.
glut
noun: an excessive supplySynonyms : oversupply , surfeitThe Internet offers such a glut of news related stories that many find it difficult to know which story to read first.verb: supply with an excess ofSynonyms : flood , oversupplyIn the middle of economic crises, hiring managers find their inboxes glutted with resumes.
goad
verb: urge on with unpleasant commentsSynonyms : prick,needleDoug did not want to enter the race, but Jim, through a steady stream of taunts, goaded him into signing up for it.
gossamer
adjective: characterized by unusual lightness and delicacySynonyms : etherealThe gossamer wings of a butterfly, which allow it to fly, are also a curse, so delicate that they are often damaged.
graft
noun: corruption, usually through briberyIn countries with rampant graft, getting a driver's license can require no more than paying an official.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
grandiloquent
adjective: puffed up with vanitySynonyms : overblown , pompous , pontifical , portentousThe dictator was known for his grandiloquent speeches, puffing his chest out and using big, important-sounding words.
gregarious
adjective: to be likely to socialize with othersOften we think that great leaders are those who are gregarious, always in the middle of a large group of people; yet, as Mahatma Gandhi and many others have shown us, leaders can also be introverted.
grovel
verb: show submission or fearSynonyms : cower , crawl , creep , cringe , fawnEvery time Susan comes to the office, Frank grovels as if she were about to fire.
guffaw
verb: laugh boisterouslySynonyms : laugh loudlyWhenever the jester fell to the ground in mock pain, the king guffawed, exposing his yellow, fang-like teeth.
guileless
adjective: free of deceitSynonyms : transparentAt first I thought my niece was guileless, but I then found myself buying her ice cream every time we passed a shop.
gumption
noun: resourcefulness and determinationSynonyms : backbone , grit , guts , moxie , sandWallace Stegner lamented the lack of gumption in the U.S. during the sixties, claiming that no young person knew the value of work.
hackneyed
adjective: lacking significance through having been overusedSynonyms : banal , commonplace , old-hat , shopworn , stock , threadbare , timeworn , tired , trite , well-wornCheryl rolled her eyes when she heard the lecturer's hackneyed advice to "be true to yourself."
hagiographic
adjective: excessively flattering toward someone's life or workMost accounts of Tiger Woods life were hagiographic, until, that is, his affairs made headlines.
hail
verb: enthusiastically acclaim or celebrate somethingSynonyms : heraldMany college superstar athletes are hailed as the next big thing, but then flop at the professional level.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
halcyon
adjective: idyllically calm and peaceful; suggesting happy tranquillity; marked by peace and prosperitySynonyms : golden , prosperousThe first decade after WWI was a halcyon period in America with new-found wealth and rapidly improving technology.
hamper
verb: prevent the progress or free movement ofSynonyms : cramp , halter , strangleAs the rain water began to collect in pools on the highway, it began to hamper the flow of traffic.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
hamstrung
verb: made ineffective or powerlessThe FBI has made so many restrictions on the local police that they are absolutely hamstrung, unable to accomplish anything.
haphazard
adjective: marked by great carelessness; dependent upon or characterized by chanceSynonyms : slapdash , slipshod , sloppy, hit-or-missMany golf courses are designed with great care, but the greens on the county golf course seem entirely haphazard.
harangue
noun: a long pompous speech; a tiradeSynonyms : rant , rantingDinner at Billy's was more a punishment than a reward, since anyone who sat at the dinner table would have to listen to Billy's father's interminable harangues against the government.verb: to deliver a long pompous speech or tiradeTired of his parents haranguing him about his laziness and lack of initiative, Tyler finally moved out of home at the age of thirty-five.
harried
adjective: troubled persistently especially with petty annoyancesSynonyms : annoyed , harassed , pestered , vexedWith a team of new hires to train, Martha was constantly harried with little questions and could not focus on her projects.
haughty
adjective: having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthySynonyms : disdainful , imperious , lordly , overbearing , prideful , sniffy , supercilious , swaggeringThe haughty manager didn't believe that any of his subordinates could ever have an insight as brilliant his own.
hauteur
noun: overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiorsSynonyms : arrogance , haughtiness , high-handedness , lordlinessAs soon as she won the lottery, Alice begin displaying a hauteur to her friends, calling them dirty-clothed peasants behind their backs.
hector
verb: to bully or intimidateSynonyms : ballyrag , boss around , browbeat , bully , bullyrag , push around , strong-armThe boss's hectoring manner put off many employees, some of whom quit as soon as they found new jobs.
hedge
verb: to limit or qualify a statement; to avoid making a direct statementSynonyms : circumvent , dodge , duck , elude , evade , fudge , parry , put off , sidestep , skirtWhen asked why he had decided to buy millions of shares at the very moment the tech companies stock soared, the CEO hedged, mentioning something vague about gut instinct.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
hegemony
adjective: dominance over a certain areaUntil the Spanish Armada was defeated in 1587, Spain had hegemony over the seas, controlling waters stretching as far as the Americas.
heretic
noun: a person who holds unorthodox opinions in any field (not merely religion)Synonyms : misbeliever , religious outcastThough everybody at the gym told Mikey to do cardio before weights, Mikey was a heretic and always did the reverse.
heyday
noun: the pinnacle or top of a time period or careerSynonyms : bloom , blossom , efflorescence , flower , flush , peak , primeDuring the heyday of Prohibition, bootlegging had become such a lucrative business that many who had been opposed to the 18th Amendment began to fear it would be repealed.
histrionic
adjective: to be overly theatricalSynonyms : melodramaticThough she received a B- on the test, she had such a histrionic outburst that one would have thought that she'd been handed a death sentence.
hoary
adjective: ancientSynonyms : rustyMost workout gurus are young, fit people, whereas most yoga gurus are hoary men with long white beards.
hobble
verb: to hold back the progress of somethingSynonyms : gimp , hitch , limpBad weather has hobbled rescue efforts, making it difficult for crews to find bodies in the wreckage.
hodgepodge
noun: a confusing mixture or jumbleSynonyms : farrago , gallimaufry , hotchpotch , melange , mingle-mangle , mishmash , oddments , odds and ends , omnium-gatherum , ragbagThose in attendance represented a hodgepodge of the city's denizens: chimney sweepers could be seen sitting elbow to elbow with stockbrokers.
hoodwink
verb: to deceive or trick someoneSynonyms : bamboozle , lead by the nose , play false , pull the wool over someone's eyes , snowSomeone tried to hoodwink Marty with an email telling him that his uncle had just passed away, and to collect the inheritance he should send his credit card information.
hound
verb: to pursue relentlesslySynonyms : hunt , traceAn implacable foe of corruption, Eliot Ness hounded out graft in all forms - he even helped nab Al Capone.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
hubris
noun: overbearing pride or presumptionBill Clinton was criticized for his hubris, since he believed he could get away with anything once in the White House.
humdrum
adjective: dull and lacking excitementSynonyms : commonplace , prosaic , unglamorous , unglamourous,monotonousHaving grown up in a humdrum suburb, Jacob relished life in New York City after moving.
iconoclast
noun: somebody who attacks cherished beliefs or institutionsLady Gaga, in challenging what it means to be clothed, is an iconoclast for wearing a "meat dress" to a prominent awards show.
iconoclastic
adjective: defying tradition or conventionJackson Pollack was an iconoclastic artist, totally breaking with tradition by splashing paint on a blank canvas.
idiosyncrasy
noun: a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individualSynonyms : foible , mannerismPeggy's numerous idiosyncrasies include wearing mismatched shoes, laughing loudly to herself, and owning a pet aardvark.
ignoble
adjective: dishonorableSynonyms : ungentle , untitledIn the 1920s, the World Series was rigged--an ignoble act which baseball took decades to recover from.
ignominious
adjective: (used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shameSynonyms : black , disgraceful , inglorious , opprobrious , shamefulSince the politician preached ethics and morality, his texting of revealing photographs was ignominious, bringing shame on both himself and his party.
illicit
adjective: contrary to or forbidden by lawSynonyms : illegitimate , outlaw , outlawed , unlawfulThough Al Capone was engaged in many illicit activities, he was finally arrested for income tax evasion, a relatively minor offense.
illustrious
adjective: widely known and esteemed; having or conferring glorySynonyms : celebrated , famed , famous , far-famed , notable , noted , renownedEinstein was possibly the most illustrious scientist in recent history.
imbibe
verb: to drink or absorb as if drinkingSynonyms : absorb , draw , soak up , sop up , suck , suck up , take in , take upPlato imbibed Socrates' teachings to such an extent that he was able to write volumes of work that he directly attributed, sometimes word for word, to Socrates.
imbroglio
noun: a confusing and potentially embarrassing situationSynonyms : embroilmentThe chef cook-off featured one gourmand who had the unfortunate distinction of mixing the wrong broths, creating an imbroglio that diners would not soon forget.
immaterial
adjective: not relevantSynonyms : extraneous , impertinent , orthogonal, incorporealThe judge found the defendant's comments immaterial to the trial, and summarily dismissed him from the witness stand.
immure
verb: to enclose, usually in wallsSynonyms : gaol , imprison , incarcerate , jail , jug , lag , put away , put behind bars , remandThe modern supermarket experience makes many feel claustrophobic, as they are immured in walls upon walls of products.
immutable
adjective: not able to be changedSynonyms : changelessTaxes are one of the immutable laws of the land, so there is no use arguing about paying them.
impartial
adjective: free from undue bias or preconceived opinionsSynonyms : unprejudicedThe judge was not impartial since he had been bribed by the witness's family.
impeccable
adjective: without fault or errorSynonyms : faultless , immaculateHe was impeccably dressed in the latest fashion without a single crease or stain.
impecunious
adjective: lacking money; poorSynonyms : hard up , in straitened circumstances , penniless , penurious , pinchedIn extremely trying times, even the moderately wealthy, after a few turns of ill-fortune, can become impecunious.
impede
verb: be a hindrance or obstacle toSynonyms : hinder,block , close up , jam , obstruct , obturate , occludeSince the police sergeant had to train the pair of new hires, progress in his own case was impeded.
impending
adjective: close in time; about to occurSynonyms : at hand , close at hand , imminent , impendentThe impending doom of our world has been a discussed and debated for 2000 years - maybe even longer.
imperil
transitive verb. to put at risk; endanger; synonyms: endanger, hazard, jeopardize
imperious
adjective: having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthySynonyms : disdainful , haughty , lordly , overbearing , prideful , sniffy , supercilious , swaggeringChildren are imperious with each other before they learn that earning someone's respect is better than demanding.
impermeable
adjective: does not allow fluids to pass throughThe sand bags placed on the river formed an impermeable barrier, protecting the town from flooding.
impertinent
adjective: being disrespectful; improperly forward or boldSynonyms : fresh , impudent , overbold , sassy , saucy , smart , wiseDexter, distraught over losing his pet dachshund, Madeline, found the police officer's questions impertinent - after all, he thought, did she have to pry into such details as to what Madeline's favorite snack was?(adj) not pertinent to the matter under considerationSynonyms : extraneous , immaterial , orthogonal
impervious
adjective: not admitting of passage or capable of being affectedSynonyms : imperviableI am not impervious to your insults; they cause me great pain.
impetuous
adjective: characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberationSynonyms : brainish , hotheaded , impulsive , madcap , tearawayHerbert is rarely impetuous, but on the spur of the moment, he spent thousands of dollars on a motorcycle today.
implacable
adjective: incapable of making less angry or hostileWin or lose, the coach was always implacable, never giving the athletes an easy practice or a break.
implausible
adjective: describing a statement that is not believableSynonyms : farfetchedThe teacher found it implausible that the student was late to school because he had been kidnapped by outlaws on horseback.
implicate
verb: convey a meaning; implySynonyms : entailBy saying that some of the guests were uncomfortable, the manager implicated to the hotel staff that it needed to be more dilligent.verb: to indicate in wrongdoing, usually a crimeThe crime boss was implicated for a long list of crimes, ranging from murder to disturbing the peace.
imponderable
adjective: impossible to estimate or figure outAccording to many lawmakers, the huge variety of factors affecting society make devising an efficient healthcare system an imponderable task.
importuned
verb: beg persistently and urgentlyAfter weeks of importuning the star to meet for a five-minute interview, the journalist finally got what she wanted.
impregnable
adjective: immune to attack; incapable of being tampered withSynonyms : inviolable , secure , strong , unassailable , unattackableAs a child, Amy would build pillow castles and pretend they were impregnable fotresses.
improvident
adjective: not given careful considerationSynonyms : ill-considered , ill-judged , shortsightedMarty was improvident, never putting money aside for the future but spending it on decorating the interior of his home.
imprudent
adjective: not wiseHitler, like Napoleon, made the imprudent move of invading Russia in winter, suffering even more casualties than Napoleon had.
impudent
adjective: improperly forward or boldSynonyms : fresh , impertinent , overbold , sassy , saucy , smart , wiseIn an impudent move, the defendant spoke out of order to say terribly insulting things to the judge.
impugn
verb: attack as false or wrongThough many initially tried to impugn Darwin's theory, in scientific circles today, the is idea taken as truth.
impute
verb: attribute (responsibility or fault) to somethingSynonyms : ascribe , assign , attributeHe imputed his subpar performance on the test to a combination of stress and poor sleep.
inadvertent
adjective: happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionallySynonyms : accidentalAlthough Prohibition was rooted in noble ideals, the inadvertent and costly consequences of making alcohol illegal in the U.S. led its the repeal.
inanity
noun: total lack of meaning or ideasSynonyms : mindlessness , pointlessness , senselessness , vacuityBill's poem was nothing more than a list of impressive sounding words, so there was no point in trying to take meaning from the inanity.
inarticulate
adjective: without or deprived of the use of speech or wordsSynonyms : unarticulateAlthough a brilliant economist, Professor Black was completely inarticulate, a terrible lecturer.
incense
verb: make furiousSynonyms : exasperate , infuriateWhen Herb bought football tickets for a game on the day of their wedding anniversary, Jill was incensed.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
incessant
adjective: uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuingSynonyms : ceaseless , constant , never-ending , perpetual , unceasing , unremittingI don't mind small children in brief doses, but I think the incessant exposure that their parents have to them would quickly wear me down.
inchoate
adjective: only partly in existence; imperfectly formedSynonyms : incipientInchoate ideas about the relation of humans to other animals had been discussed since the Middle Ages but the modern theory really began with Darwin.
incisive
adjective: having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctionsSynonyms : acute , discriminating , keen , knifelike , penetrating , penetrative , piercing , sharpThe lawyer had an incisive mind, able in a flash to dissect a hopelessly tangled issue and isolate the essential laws at play.
inclement
adjective: (of weather) unpleasant, stormyAfter a week of inclement weather, we finally are able to go outside and enjoy the sun.adjective: used of persons or behavior; showing no mercyMarcus Aurelius, though a fair man, was inclement to Christians during his reign, persecuting them violently.
incongruous
adjective: lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriatenessThe vast economic inequality of modern society is incongruous with America's ideals.
incontrovertible
adjective: necessarily or demonstrably true; impossible to deny or disproveSynonyms : demonstrable,irrefutable , positiveUnless you can provide incontrovertible evidence, I will remain skeptical.
incorrigible
adjective: impervious to correction by punishmentTom Sawyer seems like an incorrigible youth until Huck Finn enters the novel; even Sawyer can't match his fierce individual spirit.
incumbent
adjective: necessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibilityMiddle managers at times make important decisions, but real responsibility for the financial well-being of the corporation is ultimately incumbent on the CEO.
indecorous
adjective: not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite societySynonyms : indecent , unbecoming , uncomely , unseemly , untowardEating with elbows on the table is considered indecorous in refined circles.
indict
verb: to formally charge or accuse of wrong-doingThe bankrobber was indicted on several major charges, including possession of a firearm.
indifference
noun: the trait of seeming not to careSynonyms : apathy , numbness , spiritlessness, emotionlessness , impassiveness , impassivity , phlegm , stolidity , unemotionalityIn an effort to fight indifference, the president of the college introduced a new, stricter grading system.
indigenous
adjective: originating in a certain areaSynonyms : autochthonal , autochthonic , autochthonous , endemicThe plants and animals indigenous to Australia are notably different from those indigenous to the U.S - one look at a duckbill platypus and you know you're not dealing with an opossum.
indigent
adjective: poor; having very littleSynonyms : destitute , impoverished , necessitous , needy , poverty-strickenIn the so-called Third World, many are indigent and only a privileged few have the resources to enjoy material luxuries.noun: a poor or needy personThe indigents, huddled under the overpass, tried to start a small bonfire in the hope of staying warm.
indignant
adjective: feeling anger over a perceived injusticeSynonyms : incensed , outraged , umbrageousWhen the cyclist swerved into traffic, it forced the driver to brake and elicited an indignant shout of "Hey, punk, watch where you're going!"
industrious
adjective: characterized by hard work and perseveranceSynonyms : hardworking , tireless , untiringPete was an industrious student, completing every assignment thoroughly and on time.
ineffable
adjective: too sacred to be uttered; defying expression or descriptionSynonyms : unnameable , unspeakable , unutterable,indefinable , indescribable , unspeakable , untellableWhile art critics can occasionally pinpoint a work's greatness, much of why a piece captures our imaginations is completely ineffable.
ineluctable
adjective: impossible to avoid or evade:Synonyms : inescapable , unavoidableFor those who smoke cigarettes for years, a major health crisis brought on by smoking is ineluctable.
inequity
noun: injustice by virtue of not conforming with rules or standardsSynonyms : unfairnessAfter decades of racial inequity, the "separate but equal" doctrine was successfully overturned.
inexorable
adjective: impossible to stop or preventSynonyms : adamant , adamantine , intransigentThe rise of the computer was an inexorable shift in technology and culture.
infelicitous
adjective: inappropriateSynonyms:defectiveDuring the executive meeting, the marketing director continued to make infelicitous comments about the CEO's gambling habit.
inflammable
adjective: extremely controversial, incendiaryIt only takes one person to leave an inflammable comment on an Internet thread for that thread to blow up into pages upon pages of reader indignation.
ingenuity
noun: the power of creative imaginationSynonyms : cleverness , ingeniousness , inventivenessDaedalus was famous for his ingenuity; he was able to fashion his son Icarus with a pair of wings, using wax to hold them together.
ingenuous
adjective: to be naïve and innocentSynonyms : innocentTwo-years in Manhattan had changed Jenna from an ingenuous girl from the suburbs to a jaded urbanite, unlikely to fall for any ruse, regardless of how elaborate.
ingratiate
verb: gain favor with somebody by deliberate effortsEven though Tom didn't like his new boss, he decided to ingratiate himself to her in order to advance his career.
inimical
adjective: hostile (usually describes conditions or environments)Synonyms : unfriendlyVenus, with a surface temperature that would turn rubber to liquid, is inimical to any form of life.
inimitable
adjective: defying imitation; matchlessMozart's music follows a clear pattern that, anyone could imitate, but his music gives an overall sense of effortlessness that is inimitable.
inkling
noun: a slight suggestion or vague understandingSynonyms : glimmer , glimmering , intimationLynne speaks four Romance languages, but she doesn't have an inkling about how East Asian languages are structured.
innocuous
adjective: harmless and doesn't produce any ill effectsSynonyms : innocentEveryone found Nancy's banter innocuous - except for Mike, who felt like she was intentionally picking on him.
inscrutable
adjective: not easily understood; unfathomableSynonyms : cryptic , cryptical , deep , mysterious , mystifyingHis speech was so dense and confusing that many in the audience found it inscrutable.
insidious
adjective: working in a subtle but destructive waySynonyms : pernicious , subtlePlaque is insidious: we cannot see it, but each day it eats away at our enamel, causing cavities and other dental problems.
insipid
adjective: dull and uninterestingSynonyms : bland , flat , flavorless , flavourless , savorless , savourless , vapidThe movie director was known for hiring beautiful actors in order to deflect attention away from the insipid scripts he would typically use.
insolent
adjective: rude and arrogantLilian could not help herself from being insolent, commenting that the Queen's shoes were showing too much toe.
insolvent
adjective: unable to pay one's bills; bankruptWith credit card bills skyrocketing, a shockingly large number of Americans are truly insolvent.
insouciance
noun: lack of concernSynonyms : carefreeness , lightheartedness , lightsomenessSurprisingly, Hank had become a high-powered CEO; his high school friends remembered him as "Hanky Panky", who shrugged off each failed class with insouciance.
insufferable
adjective: intolerable, difficult to endureSynonyms : impossible , unacceptable , unsufferableChester always tried to find some area in which he excelled above others; unsurprisingly, his co-workers found him insufferable and chose to exclude him from daily luncheons out.
intermittent
adjective: stopping and starting at irregular intervalsThe intermittent thunder continued and the night was punctuated by cracks of lightning - a surreal sleepless night.
internecine
adjective: (of conflict) within a group or organizationThe guerilla group, which had become so powerful as to own the state police, was finally destroyed by an internecine conflict.
intimate
verb: to suggest something subtlySynonyms : adumbrate , insinuateAt first Manfred's teachers intimated to his parents that he was not suited to skip a grade; when his parents protested, teachers explicitly told them that, notwithstanding the boy's precocity, he was simply too immature to jump to the 6th grade.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
intimation
noun: an indirect suggestionSynonyms : breath , hintAt first the hostess tried intimation, praising the benefits of cutlery; when Cecil continued eating with his hands, the hostess told him to use a fork at dinner.
intransigent
adjective: unwilling to change one's beliefs or course of actionSynonyms : adamant , adamantine , inexorableDespite many calls for mercy, the judge remained intransigent, citing strict legal precedence.
intrepid
adjective: fearlessSynonyms : audacious , brave , dauntless , fearless , hardy , unfearingCaptain Ahab was an intrepid captain whose reckless and fearless style ultimate leads to his downfall.
inundate
verb: to flood or overwhelmSynonyms : deluge , submerge, flood , swampThe newsroom was inundated with false reports that only made it more difficult for the newscasters to provide an objective account of the bank robbery.
inure
verb: to make accustomed to something unpleasantSynonyms : harden , indurateThree years of Manhattan living has inured her to the sound of wailing sirens; she could probably sleep through the apocalypse.
invective
noun: abusive or denunciatory languageSynonyms : vitriol , vituperationThe Internet has unleashed the invectives in many of us; many people post stinging criticism on the comments section underneath newspaper articles or YouTube videos.
inveterate
adjective: habitualSynonyms : chronicHe is an inveterate smoker and has told his family and friends that there is no way he will ever quit.
invidious
adjective: likely to cause resentmentAt a time when many others in the office were about to be laid off, many considered Cheryl's fine clothes that day an invidious display.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
inviolable
adjective: never to be broken, infringed, or dishonoredSynonyms : impregnable , secure , strong , unassailable , unattackableTo many the grass at Wimbledon is inviolable and only greater tennis players are able to enjoy a game there.
inviolate
adjective: must be kept sacredSynonyms : inviolable , sacrosanctWhile the literary critic subjected most of the classics to the harshest reviews, he regarded Cervantes as inviolate, and had nothing but praise for him.
involved
adjective: complicated, and difficult to comprehendSynonyms : byzantine , convoluted , knotty , tangled , tortuousThe physics lecture became so involved that the undergraduate's eyes glazed over.
irascible
adjective: quickly aroused to angerSynonyms : choleric , hot-tempered , hotheaded , quick-tempered , short-temperedIf Arthur's dog is not fed adequately, he becames highly irascible, even growling at his own shadow.
irk
verb: irritate or vexSynonyms : gallMy little sister has a way of irking and annoying me like no other person.
irrefutable
adjective: impossible to deny or disproveSynonyms : incontrovertible , positiveThe existence of life on earth is irrefutable; the existence of intelligent life on earth is still hotly debated.
irresolute
adjective: uncertain how to act or proceedHe stood irresolute at the split in the trail, not sure which route would lead back to the camp.
irrevocable
adjective: incapable of being retracted or revokedSynonyms : irrevokableOnce you enter your plea to the court, it is irrevocable so think carefully about what you will say.
itinerant
adjective: traveling from place to place to workSynonyms : gipsy , gypsyDoctors used to be itinerant, traveling between patients' homes.
jargon
noun: a characteristic language of a particular groupSynonyms : argot , cant , lingo , patois , slang , vernacularTo those with little training in medicine, the jargon of doctors can be very difficult to understand.
jaundice
adjective: to be biased against due to envy or prejudiceShelly was jaundiced towards Olivia; though the two had once been best friends, Olivia had become class president, prom queen, and, to make matters worse, the girlfriend of the one boy Shelly liked.
jejune
adjective: dull; lacking flavorSynonyms : insubstantial,insipidAlthough many top chefs have secured culinary foam's popularity in haute cuisine, Waters criticizes it for being jejune and unfilling.adjective: immature; childishSynonyms : adolescent , juvenile , puerileHer boss further cemented his reuptation for being jejune after throwing a fit when the water cooler wasn't refilled.
jingoism
noun: fanatical patriotismSynonyms : chauvinism , superpatriotism , ultranationalismNorth Korea maintains intense control over its population through a combination of jingoism and cult of personality.
jingoist
noun: a person who thinks that their country should be at warSynonyms : chauvinist , flag-waver , hundred-percenter , jingo , patrioteerIn the days leading up to war, a nation typically breaks up into the two opposing camps: doves, who do their best to avoid war, and jingoists, who are only too eager to wave national flags from their vehicles and vehemently denounce those who do not do the same.
jocular
adjective: characterized by jokes and good humorSynonyms : jesting , jocose , jokingMy uncle was always in a jocular mood at family gatherings, messing up people's hair and telling knock-knock jokes to anyone who would listen.
jovial
adjective: full of or showing high-spirited merriment, i.e. happinessSynonyms : gay , jocund , jolly , merry , mirthfulThe political candidate and his supporters were jovial once it was clear that she had won.
jubilant
adjective: full of high-spirited delight because of triumph or successSynonyms : exultant , exulting , prideful , rejoicing , triumphal , triumphant,elated , gleeful , joyfulMy hardwork paid off, and I was jubilant to receive a perfect score on the GRE.
juggernaut
noun: a force that cannot be stoppedSynonyms : steamrollerNapoleon was considered a juggernaut until he decided to invade Russia in winter; after which, his once indomitable army was decimated by cold and famine.
junta
noun: an aggressive takeover by a group (usually military)As dangerous of a threat as North Korea is, some analysts believe that were a junta suddenly to gain power, it could be even more unpredictable and bellicose than the current leadership
juxtapose
verb: place side by sideThe appeal of her paintings comes from a classical style which is juxtaposed with modern themes.
kowtow
verb: to bow or act in a subservient mannerSynonyms : bootlick , fawn , kotow , suck up , toady , trucklePaul kowtowed to his boss so often the boss herself became nauseated by his sycophancy.
label
noun: a name or phrase given to a group of things to identify them (often negative) verb: to give a label to somethingSynonyms : mark , tagThe meaning of the label ""punk"" has changed greatly in the last 30 years. Children are often unkind and label others who look different as outsiders.
laborious
adjective: characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effortSynonyms : arduous , backbreaking , grueling , gruelling , hard , heavy , operose , punishing , toilsomeThe most laborious job I've had was working 20 hours a day as a fisherman in King Salmon, Alaska.
lacerate
verb: deeply hurt the feelings of; distressThe teacher was fired for lacerating a student who wrote a poor essay.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
lachrymose
adjective: showing sorrowSynonyms : dolorous , dolourous , tearful , weepingLachrymose and depressed, Alexei Alexandrovich walked two miles home in the rain after learning that his wife was having an affair.
laconic
adjective: one who says very few wordsSynonyms : crisp , curt , terseWhile Martha always swooned over the hunky, laconic types in romantic comedies, her boyfriends inevitably were very talkative - and not very hunky.
lambast
verb: criticize severely or angrilySynonyms : bawl out , berate , call down , call on the carpet , chew out , chew up , chide , dress down , have words , jaw , lambaste , lecture , rag , rebuke , remonstrate , reprimand , reproof , scold , take to task , trounceShowing no patience, the manager utterly lambasted the sales team that lost the big account.
lampoon
verb: ridicule with satireSynonyms : satirise , satirizeMark Twain understood that lampooning a bad idea with humor was the most effective criticism.
languid
adjective: not inclined towards physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxedSynonyms : dreamy , lackadaisical , languorousAs the sun beat down and the temperature climbed higher, we spent a languid week lying around the house.
languish
verb: become feebleSynonyms : fadeStranded in the wilderness for four days, the hiker languished, eating protein bars and nuts.
largess
noun: extreme generosity and givingSynonyms : largesse , magnanimity , munificence , openhandednessUncle Frank was known for his largess, so his nephew was sad when he did not receive a present for his birthday.
lascivious
adjective: lecherous; sexually pervertedSynonyms : lewd , libidinous , lustfulLolita is a challenging novel for many, not necessarily because of the elevated prose style but because of the depravity of the main character, Humbert Humbert, who, as an old, lascivious man, falls in love with a girl.
laudable
adjective: worthy of high praiseSynonyms : applaudable , commendable , praiseworthyTo say that Gandhi's actions were laudable is the greatest understatement; he overthrew an empire without violence.
leery
adjective: openly distrustful and unwilling to confideSynonyms : mistrustful , suspicious , untrusting , waryWithout checking his references and talking to previous employers, I am leery of hiring the candidate.
lethargic
adjective: lacking energySynonyms : unenrgeticNothing can make a person more lethargic than a big turkey dinner.
limpid
adjective: clarity in terms of expressionSynonyms : crystal clear , crystalline , lucid , pellucid , transparent,perspicuousHer limpid prose made even the most recondite subjects accessible to all.
lionize
verb: assign great social importance toSynonyms : celebrate , lioniseStudents in the U.S. learn to lionize Jefferson, Franklin, and Washington because they are the founding fathers of the nation.
litany
noun: any long and tedious account of somethingMr. Rogers spoke to a Senate committee and did not give a litany of reasons to keep funding the program, but instead, appealed to the basic human decency of all present.
loath
adjective: unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom (usually followed by 'to')Synonyms : loth , reluctant, antipathetic , antipathetical , averse , indisposedI was loath to leave the concert before my favorite band finished playing.
lucid
adjective: (of language) transparently clear; easily understandableSynonyms : crystal clear , limpid , luculent , pellucid , perspicuousThough Walters writes about physics and time travel, his writing is always lucid, so readers with little scientific training can understand difficult concepts.
lugubrious
adjective: excessively mournfulAt the funeral, lugubrious songs filled the small church.
macabre
adjective: suggesting the horror of death and decay; gruesomeSynonyms : ghastly , grim , grisly ,sickEdgar Allen Poe was considered the master of the macabre; his stories vividly describe the moment leading up to - and often those moments after - a grisly death.
machinate
verb: engage in plotting or enter into a conspiracy, swear togetherSynonyms : cabal , complot , conjure , conspireThe rebels met at night in an abandoned barn to machinate.
magisterial
adjective: offensively self-assured or given to exercising unwarranted powerSynonyms : autocratic , bossy , dominating , high-and-mighty , peremptoryThough she was only a third grade teacher, Ms. Martinet was magisterial in dealing with her class, lording over them like a queen.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
magnanimous
adjective: noble and generous in spirit, especially towards a rival or someone less powerful, رØب اÙصدرSynonyms : greatheartedHe was a great sportsman: in defeat he was complementary and in victory he was magnanimous.
maintain
verb: to assertSynonyms : defendThe scientist maintained that the extinction of dinosaurs was most likely brought about by a drastic change in climate.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
maladroit
adjective: clumsySyn: bumbling, gauche, unskillfulAs a child she was quite maladroit, but as an adult, she has become an adept dancer.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
malady
noun: a disease or sicknessSynonyms : illness , sickness , unwellnessThe town was struck by a malady throughout the winter that left most people sick in bed for two weeks.
malapropism
noun: the confusion of a word with another word that sounds similarSynonyms : malapropWhenever I looked glum, my mother would offer to share "an amusing antidote" with me - an endearing malapropism of "anecdote" that never failed to cheer me up.
malevolent
adjective: wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatredSynonyms : evil , malefic , malignVillians are known for their malevolent nature, oftentimes inflicting cruetly on others just for enjoyment.
malfeasance
adjective: misconduct or wrongdoing (especially by a public official)Not even the mayor's trademark pearly-toothed grin could save him from charges of malfeasance: while in power, he'd been running an illegal gambling rink in the room behind his office.
malingerer
noun: someone shirking their duty by pretending to be sick or incapacitatedSynonyms : shammer , skulkerAt one time, our country was full of hardworking respectful people, but now it seems that everyone is a malingerer with little inclination to work.
malleable
adjective: capable of being shaped or bent or drawn outSynonyms : ductile , pliable , pliant , tensile , tractileThe clay became malleable and easy to work with after a little water was added.adjective: easily influencedSynonyms : ductileMy little brother is so malleable that I can convince him to sneak cookies from the cupboard for me.
malodorous
adjective: having an unpleasant smellSynonyms : ill-smelling , malodourous , stinky , unpleasant-smellingSome thermally active fountains spew sulfur fumes--the air around them is sometimes so malodorous that many have to plug their noses.
martial
adjective: suggesting war or military lifeSynonyms : warlike,soldierlike , soldierly , warriorlikeAmericans tend to remember Abraham Lincoln as kindly and wise, not at all martial, despite the fact that he was involved in the fiercest war America has even fought.
martinet
noun: a strict disciplinarianSynonyms : disciplinarian , moralistThe job seemed perfect to Rebecca, until she found out that her boss was a total martinet; after each project the boss would come by to scrutinize - and inevitably criticize - every little detail of the work Rebecca had done.
maudlin
adjective: overly emotional and sadSynonyms : bathetic , drippy , hokey , kitschy , mawkish , mushy , schmaltzy , schmalzy , sentimental , slushy , soppy , soupyJust as those who were alive during the 70's are mortified that they once cavorted about in bellbottoms, many who lived during the 80's are now aghast at the maudlin pop songs they used to enjoy - really, just what exactly is a total eclipse of the heart?
maunder
verb: wander aimlesslyMax liked to maunder down by the seaside and pick up whatever sea shells he would stumble upon.verb: speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantlySynonyms : blab , blabber , chatter , clack , gabble , gibber , palaver , piffle , prate , prattle , tattle , tittle-tattle , twaddleAfter drinking two espressos each, the animated couple would maunder loudly, annoying the other patrons in the coffee shop.
maverick
noun: someone who exhibits great independence in thought and actionSynonyms : rebelOfficer Kelly was a maverick, rarely following police protocols or adopting the conventions for speech common among his fellow officers.
mawkish
adjective: overly sentimental to the point that it is disgustingSynonyms : bathetic , drippy , hokey , kitschy , maudlin , mushy , schmaltzy , schmalzy , sentimental , slushy , soppy , soupyThe film was incredibly mawkish, introducing highly likeable characters only to have them succumb to a devastating illnesses by the end of the movie.
maxim
noun: a short saying expressing a general truthSynonyms : axiomJohnson initially suggests that the secret to business can be summarized in a single maxim but then requires a 300-page book to explain exactly what he means.
meander
verb: to wander aimlesslySynonyms : thread , wander , weave , windA casual observer might have thought that Peter was meandering through the city, but that day he was actually seeking out those places where he and his long lost love had once visited.
melancholy
noun: a deep, long-lasting sadnessHamlet is a figure of tremendous melancholy: he doesn't have a truly cheerful scene throughout the entire play.
melee
noun: a wild, confusing fight or struggleSynonyms : battle royal , scrimmageAfter enduring daily taunts about my name, I became enraged and pummeled the schoolyard bully and his sycophantic friends in a brutal melee.
mellifluous
adjective: smooth and sweet-soundingSynonyms : dulcet , honeyed , mellisonant , sweetChelsea's grandmother thought Franz Schubert's music to be the most mellifluous ever written; Chelsea demurred, and to her grandmother's chagrin, would blast Rihanna on the home stereo speakers.
mendacity
noun: the tendency to be untruthful.I can forgive her for her mendacity but only because she is a child and is seeing what she can get away with.
mendicant
noun: a pauper who lives by beggingSynonyms : beggarTolstoy was an aristocrat, but he strove to understand the Christianity of the Russian peasants by wandering among them as a mendicant.
mercurial
adjective: (of a person) prone to unexpected and unpredictable changes in moodSynonyms : erratic , fickle , quicksilverThe fact that Ella's moods were as mercurial as the weather was problematic for her relationships - it didn't help that she lived in Chicago.
mesmerize
verb: to spellbind or enthrallSynonyms : bewitch , magnetise , magnetize , mesmerise The plot and the characters were so well developed that many viewers were mesmerized, unable to move their eyes from the screen for even a single second.
meteoric
adjective: like a meteor in speed or brilliance or transienceThe early spectacular successes propelled the pitcher to meteoric stardom, but a terribly injury tragically cut short his career.
meticulous
adjective: marked by extreme care in treatment of detailsThe Japanese noodle maker was meticulous in making his noodles and would never let another person take over the task.
mettlesome
adjective: filled with courage or valorSynonyms : game , gamey , gamy , gritty , spirited , spunkyFor its raid on the Bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Seal Team Six has become, for many Americans, the embodiment of mettle.
misanthrope
noun: a hater of mankindSynonyms : misanthropistKevin is such a misanthrope that he refused to attend the Christmas party, claiming that everyone's happiness was "fake" and "annoying."
misattribute
verb: To erroneously attribute; to falsely ascribe; used especially of authorship.I made a mistake; I misattributed "Crime and Punishment" to Leo Tolstoy when it was actually written by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
misconstrue
verb: interpret in the wrong waySynonyms : be amiss , misapprehend , misconceive , misinterpret , misunderstandThe politician never trusted journalists because he though that they misconstrue his words and misrepresent his positions.
miscreant
noun: a person who breaks the lawSynonyms : reprobate"Come back you miscreant!" yelled the woman who just had her purse stolen.
miser
noun: a person who doesn't like to spend money (because they are greedy)Monte was no miser, but was simply frugal, wisely spending the little that he earned.
misogynist
noun: a person who dislikes women in particularSynonyms : woman haterMany have accused Hemingway of being a quiet misogynist, but recently unearthed letters argue against this belief.
mitigate
verb: make less severe or harshSynonyms : extenuate , palliateI can only spend so much time mitigating your disagreements with your wife, and at certain point, you need to do it on your own.verb: lessen the severity of an offenseIf it weren't for the mitigating circumstances, he would have certainly lost his job.
modicum
noun: a small or moderate or token amountIf my sister had even a modicum of sense, she wouldn't be engaged to that barbarian.
mollify
verb: to make someone angry less angry; placateSynonyms : season , temperIn the morning, Harriat was unable to mollify Harry, if he happened to become angry, unless he had his cup of coffee.
moment
noun: significant and important valueSynonyms : consequence , importDespite the initial hullabaloo, the play was of no great moment in Hampton's writing career, and within a few years the public quickly forgot his foray into theater arts.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
moot
adjective: open to argument or debate; undecidable in a meaningless or irrelevant waySynonyms : arguable , debatable , disputableSince the Board just terminated Steve as the CEO, what the finance committe might have thought of his proposed marketing plan for next year is now a moot point.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
mordant
adjective: biting and caustic in thought, manner, or styleSynonyms : caustic , corrosive , erosive , vitriolic,black , grimWhile Phil frequently made mordant remarks about company policy overall, he always was considerably gentler in discussing any person in particular.
moribund
adjective: being on the point of death; declining rapidly losing all momentum in progressSynonyms : stagnantWhether you like it or not, jazz as a genre is moribund at best, possibly already dead.
morose
adjective: ill-tempered and not inclined to talk; gloomySynonyms : dark , dour , glowering , glum , moody , saturnine , sour , sullenAfter Stanley found out he was no longer able to go on vacation with his friends, he sat in his room morosely.
morph
verb: To undergo dramatic change in a seamless and barely noticeable fashion.The earnestness of the daytime talk shows of the 1970's has morphed into something far more sensational and vulgar: today guests actually standup and threaten to take swings at one another.
mulct
verb: to defraud or swindleSynonyms : bunco , con , defraud , diddle , gip , goldbrick , gyp , hornswoggle , nobble , rook , scam , short-change , swindle , victimizeThe so-called magical diet cure simply ended up mulcting Maria out of hundreds of dollars, but did nothing for her weight.
mundane
adjective: repetitive and boring; not spiritualNancy found doing dishes a thorougly mundane task, although Peter found a kind of Zen pleasure in the chore.adjective: relating to the ordinary worldSynonyms : terreneThough we think of the pope as someone always dealing in holy matters, he is also concerned with mundane events, such as deciding when to set his alarm each morning.
munificent
adjective: very generousSynonyms : lavish , overgenerous , too-generous , unsparing , unstinted , unstintingUncle Charley was known for his munificence, giving all seven of his nephews lavish Christmas presents each year.
muted
adjective: softened, subduedSynonyms : hushed , quiet , subduedHelen preferred muted earth colors, such as green and brown, to the bright pinks and red her sister liked.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
myopic
adjective: lacking foresight or imaginationSynonyms : short , shortsighted , unforesightfulThe company ultimately went out of business because the myopic managers couldn't predict the changes in their industry.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
myriad
noun: a large indefinite numberSynonyms : countless , infinite , innumerable , innumerous , multitudinous , numberless , uncounted , unnumberable , unnumbered , unnumerableThere are a myriad of internet sites hawking pills that claim to boost energy for hours on end.
nadir
noun: the lowest pointSynonyms : low-water markFor many pop music fans, the rap and alternative-rock dominated 90s were the nadir of musical expression.
negligible
adjective: so small as to be meaningless; insignificantSynonyms : paltry , triflingThe GRE tests cumulative knowledge, so if you cram the night before it is, at best, likely to only have a negligible impact on your score.
nettlesome
adjective: causing irritation or annoyanceSynonyms : annoying , bothersome , galling , irritating , pesky , pestering , pestiferous , plaguey , plaguy , teasing , vexatious , vexingMaria found her coworker's cell phone nettlesome, because every few minutes it would buzz to life with another text message.
noisome
adjective: having an extremely bad smellSynonyms : fetid , foetid , foul , foul-smelling , funky , ill-scented , smelly , stinkingEach August, when the winds moved in a south easterly direction, the garbage dump would spread noisome vapors through the small town.
nonchalant
adjective: coming across as uninterested or unconcerned; overly casualSynonyms : casual , insouciantThe twenty-somethings at the coffee shop always irked Sheldon, especially the way in which they acted nonchalantly towards everything, not even caring when Sheldon once spilled his mocha on them.
nonplussed
verb: unsure how to act or respondShirley was totally nonplussed when the angry motorist cut her off and then stuck his finger out the window.
nuance
noun: a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitudeSynonyms : nicety , refinement , shade , subtletyBecause of the nuances involved in this case, I hired an outside consultant to advice us and help.
obdurate
adjective: stubbornly persistent in changing an opinion or actionSynonyms : cussed , obstinate , unrepentantNo number of pleas and bribes would get him to change his obdurate attitude.
objurgate
verb: express strong disapproval ofSynonyms : condemn , decry , excoriate , reprobateThe manager spent an hour objurgating the employee in the hopes that he would not make these mistakes again.
obliging
adjective: showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for othersSynonyms : complaisantEven after all his success, I found him to be accommodating and obliging, sharing with me his "secret tips" on how to gain wealth and make friends.
oblique
adjective: not straightforward; indirectSynonyms : deviousHerbert never explicitly revealed anything negative about Tom's past, but at times he would obliquely suggest that Tom was not as innocent as he seemed.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
obscure
verb: make unclearSynonyms : becloud , befog , cloud , fog , haze over , mist , obnubilateOn the Smith's drive through the Grand Canyon, Mr. Smith's big head obscured much of Mrs. Robinson's view, so that she only saw momentary patches of red rock.adjective: known by only a fewSynonyms : unknown , unsungMany of the biggest movie stars were once obscure actors who got only bit roles in long forgotten films.This word has other definitions but these are the most important ones to study
obsequious
adjective: attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner; attempting to win favor from influential people by flatterySynonyms : bootlicking , fawning , sycophantic , toadyishThe obsequious waiter did not give the couple a moment's peace all through the meal, constantly returning to their table to refill their water glasses and to tell them what a handsome pair they made.
obstinate
adjective: resistant to guidance or discipline; stubbornly persistentSynonyms : cussed , obdurate , unrepentant, contrary , perverse , waywardThe coach suggested improvements Sarah might make on the balance beam, but she remained obstinate, unwilling to modify any of the habits that made her successful in the past.
obstreperous
adjective: noisily and stubbornly defiant; willfully difficult to controlSynonyms : casual , insouciantWhen the teacher asked the obstreperous student simply to bus his tray, the student threw the entire tray on the floor, shouted an epithet, and walked out.
obtain
adjective: be valid, applicable, or trueSynonyms : hold , prevailThe custom of waiting your turn in line does not obtain in some countries, in which many people try to rush to front of the line at the same time.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
obtuse
adjective: slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity; lacking in insight or discernmentSynonyms : dense , dim , dull , dumb , slowJackson was the most obtuse member of the team: the manager's subtle ironies were always lost on him.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
officious
adjective: intrusive in a meddling or offensive mannerSynonyms : busy , busybodied , interfering , meddlesome , meddlingThe professor had trouble concentrating on her new theorem, because her officious secretary would barge in frequently reminding her of some trivial detail involving departmental paperwork.
opaque
adjective: not clearly understood or expressedSynonyms : unintelligibleThe meaning of the professor's new research was opaque to most people, so no one asked any questions.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
opulence
noun: wealth as evidenced by sumptuous livingSynonyms : luxuriousness , luxury , sumptuousnessRussian oligarchs are famous for their opulence, living in fancy homes and dining on expensive cavier.
ornate
adjective: marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative detailsSynonyms : floweryThe ornate Victorian and Edwardian homes spread throughout San Francisco are my favorite part of the city.
ossify
verb: make rigid and set into a conventional patternSynonyms : petrify , rigidifyEven as a young man, Bob had some bias against poor people, but during his years in social services, his bad opinions ossified into unshiftable views.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
ostentatious
adjective: intended to attract notice and impress others; tawdry or vulgarSynonyms : pretentious, ٠تباÙMatt wanted to buy stone lions for front of the house, but Cynthia convinced him that such a display would be too ostentatious for a modest house in an unassuming neighborhood.
ostracize
verb: exclude from a community or groupSynonyms : ban , banish , blackball , cast out , ostracise , shunLater in his life, Leo Tolstoy was ostracized from the Russian Orthodox Church for his writings that contradicted church doctrine.
overweening
adjective: arrogant; presumptuousSynonyms : excessive , extravagant , exuberant,uppityMark was so convinced of his basketball skills that in his overweening pride he could not fathom that his name was not on the varsity list; he walked up to the basketball coach and told her she had forgotten to add his name.
palatable
adjective: acceptable to the taste or mindSynonyms : toothsomeMIkey didn't partake much in his friends' conversations, but found their presence palatable.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
palaver
verb: speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantlySynonyms : blab , blabber , chatter , clack , gabble , gibber , maunder , piffle , prate , prattle , tattle , tittle-tattle , twaddleDuring the rain delay, many who had come to see the game palavered, probably hoping that idle chatter would make the time go by faster.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
palimpsest
noun: something that has been changed numerous times but on which traces of former iterations can still be seenThe downtown was a palimpsest of the city's checkered past: a new Starbucks had opened up next to an abandoned, shuttered building, and a freshly asphalted road was inches away from a pothole large enough to swallow a small dog.
panacea
noun: hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases; a universal solutionSynonyms : catholicon , cure-all , nostrumWhile the company credit card has made most large purchases easier, it is no panacea: some smaller basic transactions still must be conducted in cash.
panache
noun: distinctive and stylish eleganceSynonyms : dash , elan , flair , styleJim, with his typical panache, came to the wedding reception with a top hat, a cane, and a long cape covered in sequins.
panegyric
noun: a formal expression of praiseSynonyms : encomium , eulogy , paean , peanDave asked Andrew to do just a simple toast, but Andrew launched into a full panegyric, enumerating a complete list of Dave's achievements and admirable qualities.
paradoxical
adjective: seemingly contradictory but nonetheless possibly trueSynonyms : self-contradictoryThat light could be both a particle and a wave seems paradoxical, but nonetheless, it is true.
paragon
noun: model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equalSynonyms : apotheosis , ideal , nonesuch , nonpareil , nonsuch , saintEven with the rise of Kobe Bryant, many still believe that Michael Jordon is the paragon for basketball players.noun: an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a conceptSynonyms : beau ideal , idol , perfectionSome say that Athens was the paragon of democracy, but these people often forget that slaves and women were still not allowed to vote.
pariah
noun: an outcastSynonyms : castaway , ishmael The once eminent scientist, upon being found guilty of faking his data, has become a pariah in the research community.
parochial
adjective: narrowly restricted in scope or outlookSynonyms : insularJasmine was sad to admit it, but her fledgling relationship with Jacob did not work out because his culinary tastes were simply too parochial; "After all," she quipped on her blog, "he considered Chef Boyardee ethnic food."
parsimonious
adjective: extremely frugal; miserlySynonyms : penuriousKatie is so parsimonious that she only buys a pair of socks if all of her other socks have holes in them.
parvenu
noun: a person who has suddenly become wealthy, but not socially accepted as part of a higher classSynonyms : arriviste , nouveau-riche , upstartThe theater was full of parvenus who each thought that they were surrounded by true aristocrats.
pastoral
adjective: relating to the countryside in a pleasant senseSynonyms : arcadian , bucolicThose who imagine America's countryside as a pastoral region are often disappointed to learn that much of rural U.S. is filled with cornfields extending as far as the eye can see.
patent
adjective: glaringly obviousSynonyms : apparent , evident , manifest , plain , unmistakableSince the book had been through no fewer than six proof runs, the staff was shocked to see such a patent spelling mistake remaining, right in the middle of the front cover!This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
patronize
verb: treat condescendinglySynonyms : condescend , patroniseShe says she genuinely wanted to help me, but instead she patronized me, constantly pointing out how I was inferior to her.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
paucity
noun: a lack of somethingSynonyms : dearthThere is a paucity of jobs hiring today that require menial skills, since most jobs have either been automated or outsourced.
pecuniary
adjective: relating to or involving moneySynonyms : monetaryThe defendent was found guilty and had to serve a period of community service as well as pay pecuniary damages to the client.
pedantic
adjective: marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspectsSynonyms : academic , donnishProfessor Thompson was regarded as an expert in his field, but his lectures were utterly pedantic, focused on rigorous details of the most trivial conventions in the field.
pedestrian
adjective: lacking imaginationSynonyms : earthbound , prosaic , prosyWhile Nan was always engaged in philosophical speculation, her brother was occupied with far more pedestrian concerns: how to earn a salary and run a household.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
peevish
adjective: easily irritated or annoyedSynonyms : cranky , fractious , irritable , nettlesome , peckish , pettish , petulant , scratchy , techy , testy , tetchyOur office manager is peevish, so the rest of us tip-toe around him, hoping not to set off another one of his fits.
pejorative
adjective: expressing disapproval (usu. refers to a term)Synonyms : dislogistic , dyslogisticMost psychologists object to the pejorative term "shrink", believing that they expand the human mind, not limit it.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
pellucid
adjective: transparently clear; easily understandableSynonyms : crystal clear , limpid , lucid , luculent , perspicuousThe professor had a remarkable ability make even the most difficult concepts seem pellucid.
penurious
adjective: lacking money; poorSynonyms : hard up , impecunious , in straitened circumstances , penniless , pinchedTruly penurious, Mary had nothing more than a jar full of pennies.adjective: miserlySynonyms : parsimoniousWarren Buffett, famous multi-billionaire, still drives a cheap sedan, not because he is penurious, but because luxury cars are gaudy and impractical.
perceive
verb: to be aware of, to sense or feelSynonyms : comprehendIf hunters are skilled, the animals will not perceive their presence.
percipient
adjective: highly perceptiveSynonyms : clearEven the most percipient editor will make an occasional error when proofreading.
peremptory
adjective: bossy and domineeringSynonyms : autocratic , bossy , dominating , high-and-mighty , magisterialMy sister used to peremptorily tell me to do the dishes, a chore I would either do perfunctorily or avoid doing altogether.
perennial
adjective: lasting an indefinitely long time; eternal; everlastingEven at the old-timers games, Stan Musial would get the loudest cheer: he was a perennial favorite of the fans there.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
perfidy
noun: an act of deliberate betrayal; a breach of a trustSynonyms : betrayal , treachery , treason,perfidiousness , treacheryThe lowest circles in Dante's Inferno were for those who had practiced perfidy, and among these, the very lowest was for those, such as Judas, who had been treacherous to one of their benefactors.
perfunctory
adjective: done routinely and with little interest or careSynonyms : casual , cursory , passingThe short film examines modern perfunctory cleaning rituals such as washing dishes, doing laundry and tooth-brushing.
peripatetic
adjective: traveling by footSynonyms : wayfaringJim always preferred a peripatetic approach to discovering a city: he felt that he could see so many more details while walking.
pernicious
adjective: exceedingly harmful; working or spreading in a hidden and injurious waySynonyms : baneful , deadly , pestilent,insidious , subtleThe most successful viruses are pernicious: an infected person may feel perfectly healthy for several months while incubating and spreading the virus.
perpetuate
verb: cause to continueIf you do not let him do things for himself, you are merely perpetuating bad habits that will be even harder to break in the future.
perquisite
noun: a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)Synonyms : exclusive right , prerogative , privilegeEven as the dishwasher at the French restaurant, Josh quickly learned that he had the perquisite of being able to eat terrific food for half the price diners would pay.
perspicacious
adjective: acutely insightful and wiseSynonyms : sagacious , sapientMany modern observers regard Eisenhower as perspicacious, particularly in his accurate prediction of the growth of the military.
pertinent
adjective: having precise or logical relevance to the matter at handSynonyms : apposite , aptWhile the salaries of the players might draw attention in the media, such monetary figures are not pertinent to the question of who plays the best on the field.
perturb
verb: disturb in mind or cause to be worried or alarmedSynonyms : cark , disorder , disquiet , distract , trouble , unhingeNow that Henry is recovering from a major illnesses, he no longer lets the little trivialities, such as late mail, perturb him.
peruse
verb: to read very carefullyInstead of perusing important documents, people all too often rush to the bottom of the page and plaster their signatures at the bottom.
petulant
adjective: easily irritated or annoyedSynonyms : cranky , fractious , irritable , nettlesome , peckish , peevish , pettish , scratchy , techy , testy , tetchyWhen Ed first met Ruth, he didn't realize she was so petulant, but now that they are three months into their relationship, Ed feels a day doesn't go by in which she isn't whining about some minor issue.
phantasmagorical
adjective: illusive; unrealSynonyms : phantasmagoric , surreal , surrealisticThose suffering from malaria fall into a feverish sleep, their world a whirligig of phantasmagoria; if they recover, they are unsure of what actually took place and what was simply a product of their febrile imaginations.
philistine
adjective: smug and ignorant towards artistic and cultural valuesSynonyms : anti-intellectualJane considered Al completely philistine, because he talked almost exclusive about video games; she was entirely unaware of how well read he really was.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
phlegmatic
adjective: showing little emotionSynonyms : phlegmaticalArnold is truly noble, remaining reserved until an issue of significance arises, but Walter is simply phlegmatic: he doesn't have the energy or inclination to care about anything.
picayune
adjective: trifling or petty (a person)Synonyms : fiddling , footling , lilliputian , little , niggling , petty , piddling , piffling , trivialEnglish teachers are notorious for being picayune; however, the English language is so nuanced and sophisticated that often such teachers are not being contrary but are only adhering to the rules.
pillory
verb: ridicule or expose to public scornSynonyms : gibbetAfter the candidate confessed, the press of the opposing party took the opportunity to pillory him, printing editorials with the most blatantly exaggerated accusations.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
pine
verb: to yearn forSynonyms : ache , languish , yearn , yenStanding forlornly by the window, she pined for her lost love.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
pinnacle
noun: the highest pointSynonyms : acme , elevation , height , meridian , peak , summit , superlative , tiptop , topAt its pinnacle, the Roman Empire extended across most of the landmass of Eurasia, a feat not paralleled to the rise of the British Empire in the 18th and 19th century.
piquant
adjective: having an agreeably pungent tasteSynonyms : savory , savoury , spicy , zestyThe chef, with a mere flick of the salt shaker, turned the bland tomato soup into a piquant meal.
pith
noun: the most essential part of somethingSynonyms : center , centre , core , essence , gist , heart , heart and soul , inwardness , kernel , marrow , meat , nitty-gritty , nub , substance , sumWhen Cynthia hears a speaker presenting a complex argument, she is always able to discard the irrelevant details and extract the pith of what the speaker is trying to convey.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
pithy
adjective: concise and full of meaningSynonyms : sententiousI enjoy reading the Daodejing for its pithy and insightful prose; it always gives me something to think about.
pittance
noun: a small amount (of money)Vinny's uncle beamed smugly about how he'd offered his nephew fifty dollars for his Harvard tuition; even twice the amount would have been a mere pittance.
placate
verb: cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will ofSynonyms : appease , assuage , conciliate , gentle , gruntle , lenify , mollify , pacifyI was able to placate the angry mob of students by promising to bring cookies on Monday.
placid
adjective: not easily irritatedSynonyms : equable , even-tempered , good-temperedDoug is normally placid, so we were all shocked to see him yelling at the television when the Mets lost the game.
platitude
noun: a trite or obvious remarkSynonyms : banality , bromide , cliche , commonplaceThe professor argued that many statements regarded as wise in previous times, such as the Golden Rule, are now regarded as mere platitudes.
plodding
adjective: (of movement) slow and laboriousSynonyms : leadenCharlie may seem to run at a plodding pace, but he is an ultramarathoner, meaning he runs distances of up to 100 miles, and can run for ten hours at a stretch.
ploy
noun: a clever plan to turn a situation to one's advantageSynonyms : gambit,stratagemDennis arranged an elaborate ploy, involving 14 different people lying for him in different situations, so that it could appear that he was meeting Mary completely by chance at the wedding reception.
plucky
adjective: marked by courage and determinationSynonyms : gutsy,feisty , spunkySome scouts initially doubted Pedroia because of his short stature, but he is a plucky player, surprising everyone with his boundless energy and fierce determination.
poignant
adjective: emotionally touchingSynonyms : affecting , touchingAfter the Montagues and Capulets discover the dead bodies of Romeo and Juliet, in the play's most poignant moment, the two griefstricken familes agree to end their feud once and for all.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
polemic
noun: a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something.The professor launched into a polemic, claiming that Freudian theory was a pack of lies that absolutely destroyed European literary theory.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
Pollyannaish
adjective: extremely optimisticSynonyms : cheerful , upbeatEven in the midst of a lousy sales quarter, Debbie remained Pollyannaish, never losing her shrill voice and wide smile, even when prospective customers hung up on her.
ponderous
adjective: weighed-down; moving slowlySynonyms : heavy , lumberingLaden with 20 kilograms of college text books, the freshman moved ponderously across the campus.
pontificate
verb: talk in a dogmatic and pompous mannerThe vice-president would often pontificate about economic theory, as if no one else in the room were qualified to speak on the topic.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
portentous
adjective: ominously propheticSynonyms : fateful , forebodingWhen the captain and more than half the officers were sick on the very first night of the voyage, many of the passengers felt this was portentous, but the rest of the voyage continued without any problems.
posit
verb: assume as factSynonyms : postulateInitially, Einstein posited a repulsive force to balance Gravity, but then rejected that idea as a blunder.
powwow
noun: an informal meeting or discussionBefore the team takes the field, the coach always calls for a powwow so that he can make sure all the players are mentally in the right place.
pragmatic
adjective: guided by practical experience and observation rather than theorySynonyms : hard-nosed , hardheaded , practicalRather than make a philosophical appeal to the Congressmen, the Speaker decided to take a far more pragmatic approach, making small side-deals that would add votes to his bill.
precarious
adjective: fraught with dangerSynonyms : parlous , perilous , touch-and-goPeople smoke to relax and forget their cares, but ironically, in terms of health risks, smoking is far more precarious than either mountain-climbing or skydiving.
precedent
noun: an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later timeSynonyms : case in pointThe principal explained that even though one student had done modelling work outside of school, the outfits that student wore in those photographs in no way established a precedent for what could be worn at school dances.
precipitate
adjective: hasty or rashSynonyms : hasty , overhasty , precipitant , precipitousInstead of conducting a thorough investigation after the city hall break-in, the governor acted precipitately, accusing his staff of aiding and abetting the criminals.verb: to cause to happenThe government's mishandling the hurricane's aftermath precipitated a widespread outbreak of looting and other criminal activity.This word has other definitions but these are the most important ones to study
precipitous
adjective: done with very great haste and without due deliberationSynonyms : hasty , overhasty , precipitant , precipitateHe was expecting a precipitous rise in the value of a "hot" tech stock, so he was disappointed when it only inched up a dollar or two each day.
preclude
verb: keep from happening or arising; make impossibleSynonyms : forbid , foreclose , forestall , preventThe manager specified that all other gates be locked, to preclude the possibility of persons without tickets entering the arena undetected.
precocious
adjective: characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)Though only seven years old, she was a precocious chess prodigy, able to beat players twice her age.
predilection
noun: a strong likingSynonyms : penchant , preference , tasteMonte had a predilection for the fine things in life: Cuban cigars, 200 dollar bottles of wine, and trips to the French Riviera.
preempt
verb: take the place of or have precedence overSynonyms : displaceA governmental warning about an imminent terrorist attack would preempt ordinary network programming on television.
preemptive
adjective: done before someone else can do itJust as Martha was about to take the only cookie left on the table, Noah preemptively swiped it.
prescience
noun: the power to foresee the futureSynonyms : prevision, عÙ٠اÙغÙبBaxter's warnings about investing in technology stocks seemed like an act of prescience after the whole market declined significantly.
presentiment
noun: a feeling of evil to comeSynonyms : boding , foreboding , premonitionOn the night that Lincoln would be fatally shot, his wife had a presentiment about going to Ford's Theater, but Lincoln persuaded her that everything would be fine.
presumption
noun: an assumption that is taken for grantedSynonyms : given , preconditionWhen Mr. Baker found out the family car was gone, he acted under the presumption that his rebellious son had taken the car, calling his son's phone and yelling at him; only later did Mr. Baker realize that Mrs. Baker had simply gone out to get her nails done.noun: audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right toThe new neighbor quickly gained a reputation for her presumption; she had invited herself to several neighbors' homes, often stopping over at inopportune times and asking for a drink.
presumptuous
adjective: excessively forwardSynonyms : assuming , assumptiveMany felt that Barney was presumptuous in moving into the large office before the management even made any official announcement of his promotion
prevail
verb: be widespread in a particular area at a particular time; be current:During the labor negotiations, an air of hostility prevailed in the office.verb: prove superiorBefore the cricket match, Australia was heavily favored, but India prevailed
prevaricate
verb: to speak in an evasive waySynonyms : beat around the bush , equivocate , palter , tergiversateThe cynic quipped, "There is not much variance in politicians; they all seem to prevaricate".
primacy
noun: the state of being first in importanceThe primacy of Apple Computers is not guaranteed, as seen in the recent lawsuits and weak growth.
pristine
adjective: Unspoiled, untouched (usu. of nature)The glacial lake was pristine and we filled our canteens to drink deeply.adjective: Immaculately clean and unusedDrill sergeants are known for demanding pristine cabinets, uniforms, and beds, and often make new recruits clean and clean and clean until they meet the expected high standards.
probity
noun: integrity, strong moral principlesThe ideal politician would have the probity to lead, but reality gravely falls short of the ideal of morally upright leaders.
prodigal
adjective: rashly or wastefully extravagantSynonyms : extravagant , profligate , spendthriftSuccessful professional athletes who do not fall prey to prodigality seem to be the exception - most live decadent lives.
prodigious
adjective: so great in size or force or extent as to elicit aweSynonyms : colossal , stupendousAfter the relatively small homerun totals in the "dead ball" era, Babe Ruth's homerun totals were truly prodigious: every year, he set a new all-time record.
profligate
adjective: spending resources recklessly or wastefullySynonyms : extravagant , prodigal , spendthriftThe composer Wagner, while living on a limited salary, was so profligate as to line all the walls of his apartment with pure silk.noun: someone who spends resources recklessly or wastefullyMost lottery winners go from being conservative, frugal types to outright profligates who blow millions on fast cars, lavish homes, and giant yachts.
profuse
adjective: plentiful; pouring out in abundanceSynonyms : exuberant , lush , luxuriant , riotousDuring mile 20 of the Hawaii Marathon, Dwayne was sweating so profusely that he stopped to take off his shirt, and ran the remaining six miles wearing nothing more than skimpy shorts.
profusion
noun: the property of being extremely abundantSynonyms : cornucopia , profuseness , richnessWhen Maria reported that she had been visited by Jesus Christ and had proof, a profusion of reporters and journalists descended on the town.
prognostication
noun: a statement made about the futureSynonyms : forecasting , foretelling , predictionWhen the Senator was asked about where the negotiations would lead, he said that any guess he could make would be an unreliable prognostication.
prolific
adjective: intellectually productiveSynonyms : fecund , fertileSchubert was the most prolific composer, producing hundreds of hours of music before he died at the age of 31.
prolixity
noun: boring verbositySynonyms : long-windedness , prolixness , windiness , wordinessI loved my grandfather dearly, but his prolixity would put me to sleep, regardless of the topic.
promulgate
verb: state or announceSynonyms : exclaim , proclaimThe President wanted to promulgate the success of the treaty negotiations, but he had to wait until Congress formally approved the agreement.
propitiate
verb: to placate or appeaseThe two sons, plying their angry father with cheesy neckties for Christmas, were hardly able to propitiate him - the father already had a drawer full of ones he had never worn before or ever planned to.
propitious
adjective: presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs of successThe child's heartbeat is still weak, but I am seeing many propitious signs and I think that she may be healing.
proponent
noun: a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an ideaSynonyms : advocate , advocator , exponentIronically, the leading proponent of Flat-Earth Theory flies all over the world in an effort to win more adherents.
prosaic
adjective: dull and lacking imaginationSynonyms : earthbound , pedestrian , prosy,commonplace , humdrum , unglamorous , unglamourousUnlike the talented artists in his workshop, Paul had no such bent for the visual medium, so when it was time for him to make a stained glass painting, he ended up with a prosaic mosaic.
proscribe
verb: command againstSynonyms : disallow , forbid , interdict , nix , prohibit , vetoMy doctor proscribes that I not eat donuts with chocolate sauce and hamburger patties for breakfast.
proselytize
verb: convert to another religion, philosophy, or perspectiveSynonyms : proselytiseLisa loves her Mac but says little about it; by contrast, Jake will proselytize, interrogating anyone with an Android about why she didn't purchase an iPhone.
protean
adjective: readily taking on different roles; versatilePeter Sellers was truly a protean actor - in Doctor Strangelove he played three very different roles: a jingoist general, a sedate President and a deranged scientist.
provident
adjective: careful in regard to your own interests; providing carefully for the futureIn a move that hardly could be described as provident, Bert spend his entire savings on a luxurious cruise, knowing that other bills would come due a couple months later.
provincial
adjective: characteristic of the a limited perspective; not fashionable or sophisticatedMaggie's enthusiasm about her high school teams seemed provincial to her college classmates, all of whom were following a nationally ranked college team.
provisional
adjective: under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed uponSynonyms : probationary , provisionary , tentativeUntil the corporate office hands down a definitive decision on use of the extra offices, we will share their use in a provisional arrangement.
puerile
adjective: of or characteristic of a child; displaying or suggesting a lack of maturitySynonyms : adolescent , jejune , juvenileHelen enjoyed blowing soap bubbles, but Jim regarded this as puerile, totally unworthy of a woman with a Ph.D.
pugnacious
adjective: eager to fight or argue; verbally combativeThe comedian told one flat joke after another, and when the audience started booing, he pugnaciously spat back at them, "Hey, you think this is easy - why don't you buffoons give it a shot?"
puissant
adjective: powerfulOver the years of service, and quite to his surprise, he became a puissant advisor to the community.
punctilious
adjective: marked by precise accordance with detailsSynonyms : meticulousThe colonel was so punctilious about enforcing regulations that men feel compelled to polish even the soles of their shoes.
pundit
noun: someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly fieldSynonyms : initiate , learned person , savantSteven Pinker's credentials are unquestioned as a pundit; he has taught at MIT and Stanford, teaches at Harvard, and has published a number of influential books on cognition, language, and psychology.
pyrrhic
adjective: describing a victory that comes at such a great cost that the victory is not worthwhileGeorge W. Bush's win in the 2000 election was in many ways a pyrrhic victory: the circumstances of his win alienated half of the U.S. population.
quail
verb: draw back, as with fear or painSynonyms : cringe , flinch , funk , recoil , shrink , squinch , winceCraig always claimed to be a fearless outdoorsman, but when the thunderstorm engulfed the valley, he quailed at the thought of leaving the safety of his cabin.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
qualify
verb: to be eligible for a role, status, or benefit by meeting specific requirementsSynonyms : measure upIf James had made more than $50,000 last year, then he wouldn't have qualified for the low-income scholarship.verb: to make less severe; to limit (a statement)Synonyms : restrictChris qualified his love for San Francisco, adding that he didn't like the weather as much as the weather in Los Angeles.
qualm
noun: uneasiness about the fitness of an actionSynonyms : misgiving , scrupleWhile he could articulate no clear reason why Harkner's plan would fail, he neverless felt qualms about committing any resources to it.
quandary
noun: state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable optionsSynonyms : dilemmaSteve certainly is in a quandary: if he doesn't call Elaine, she will blame him for everything, but if he does call her, the evidence of where he currently is could cost him his job.
querulous
adjective: habitually complainingSynonyms : fretful , whiney , whinyThe querulous old woman was begining to wear down even the happier members of the staff with her ceaseless complaining.
quip
noun: a witty saying or remarkSynonyms : epigram,crack , sally , wisecrackIn one of the most famous quips about classical music, Mark Twain said: "Wagner's music is better than it sounds."verb: to make a witty remark, to say in jestSynonyms : gagWhen a old English teacher criticized Churchill for ending a sentence with a preposition, he quipped, "This is the kind of criticism up with which we will not put!"
quisling
noun: a traitorSynonyms : collaborationist , collaboratorHistory looks unfavorably upon quislings; indeed they are accorded about the same fondness as Neroâhe who watched his city burn down while playing the violin.
quixotic
adjective: wildly idealistic; impracticalSynonyms : romantic , wild-eyedFor every thousand startups with quixotic plans to be the next big name in e-commerce, only a handful ever become profitable.
quotidian
adjective: found in the ordinary course of eventsSynonyms : everyday , mundane , routine , unremarkable , workadayPhil gets so involved thinking about Aristotle's arguments that he totally forgets quotidian concerns, such as exercising and eating regularly.
raconteur
noun: a person skilled in telling anecdotesSynonyms : anecdotistJude is entertaining, but he is no raconteur: beyond the handful of amusing stories he has memorized, he has absolutely no spontaneous story-telling ability.
raffish
adjective: marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputablenessSynonyms : devil-may-care , rakishThe men found him raffish, but the women adored his smart clothes and casual attitude.
raft
noun: a large number of somethingSynonyms : batch , deal , flock , good deal , great deal , hatful , heap , lot , mass , mess , mickle , mint , mountain , muckle , passel , peck , pile , plenty , pot , quite a little , sight , slew , spate , stack , tidy sum , wadDespite a raft of city ordinances passed by an overzealous council, noise pollution continued unabated in the megalopolis.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
raillery
noun: light teasingSynonyms : backchat , banter , give-and-takeThe new recruit was not bothered by the raillery, finding most of it light-hearted and good-natured.
rakish
adjective: marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputablenessSynonyms : devil-may-care , raffishAs soon as he arrived in the city, the rakish young man bought some drugs and headed straight for the seedy parts of town.
rankle
verb: gnaw into; make resentful or angrySynonyms : eat into , fret , grateHis constant whistling would rankle her, sometimes causing her to leave in a huff.
rapprochement
noun: the reestablishing of cordial relationsSynonyms : reconciliationAlthough Ann hoped that her mother and her aunt would have a rapprochement, each one's bitter accusations against the other made any reconciliation unlikely.
rarefied
verb: make more subtle or refinedJack's vulgar jokes were not so successful in the rarefied environment of college professors.
rash
adjective: marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences; imprudently incurring riskSynonyms : foolhardy , heady , recklessAlthough Bruce was able to make the delivery in time with a nightime motorcycle ride in the rain, Susan criticized his actions as rash.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
ravenous
adjective: extremely hungry; devouring or craving food in great quantitiesSynonyms : esurient , famished , sharp-set , starved,edacious , esurient , rapacious , ravening , voracious , wolfishJohn didn't eat much at all during the week he had the flu, so now that he is regaining his health, it's not surprising that he has a ravenous appetite.
rebuke
verb: criticize severely or angrily; censureSynonyms : bawl out , berate , call down , call on the carpet , chew out , chew up , chide , dress down , have words , jaw , lambast , lambaste , lecture , rag , remonstrate , reprimand , reproof , scold , take to task , trounceThe police chief rebuked the two officers whose irresponsible decisions almost led to the deaths of seven innocent by-standers.
recapitulation
noun: a summary (think of recap)Synonyms : recap , reviewEvery point of the professors lesson was so clear that the students felt his concluding recapitulation was not necessary.
reconcile
verb: make (one thing) compatible with (another), ÙÙ٠بÙÙSynonyms : accommodate , conciliatePeggy was unable to reconcile her kind friend Jane with the cruel and merciless character Jane played on television.
recondite
adjective: difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledgeSynonyms : abstruse , deepI found Ulysses recondite and never finished the book, waiting instead to read it with someone else so we could penetrate its meaning together.
recrimination
noun: mutual accusationsThe two brothers sat and cried, pointing fingers and making elaborate recriminations of the other's guilt
recrudesce
verb: to break out or happen againSynonyms : break , develop, eruptAfter years of gamblers anonymous, Tony thought he'd broken his compulsive slot machine playing, but it took only one trip to the Atlantic City for a full recrudescence--he lost $5k on the one armed bandit.
redoubtable
adjective: inspiring fear or aweSynonyms : formidable , unnervingOn television basketball players don't look that tall, but when you stand in front of a seven-foot tall NBA player, he is truly redoubtable.
redress
noun: an act of making something rightSynonyms : remediation , remedyBarry forgot his wife's birthday two years in a row, and was only able to redress his oversight by surprising his wife with a trip to Tahiti.
refractory
adjective: stubbornly resistant to authority or controlSynonyms : fractious , recalcitrantUsed to studious high school students, Martha was unprepared for the refractory Kindgergarteners who neither sat still nor listened to a single word she said.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
refute
verb: prove to be false or incorrectSynonyms : controvert , rebutNo one could refute his theories or propositions, and that is why he was esteemed by all his colleagues in the philosophy department.
register
verb: to put your name or other information in a list for something verb: to identify and show on a tool for measuringSynonyms : read , record , showIf you'd like to buy a meal plan, you can register at the student affairs office. The bomb was so strong that far away weather balloons registered the heat.
relegate
verb: assign to a lower positionSynonyms : break , bump , demote , kick downstairsWhen Dexter was unable to fulfill his basic duties, instead of firing him, the boss relegated him to kitchen cleanup.
relevant
adjective: closely connected to the topic and therefore importantI think Professor McGarry can give you some relevant books to help you write that essay.
remiss
adjective: to be negligent in one's dutySynonyms : delinquent , derelict , neglectfulRemiss in his duty to keep the school functioning efficiently, the principal was relieved of his position after only three months.
remonstrate
verb: to make objections while pleadingSynonyms : bawl out , berate , call down , call on the carpet , chew out , chew up , chide , dress down , have words , jaw , lambast , lambaste , lecture , rag , rebuke , reprimand , reproof , scold , take to task , trounceThe mothers of the kidnapped victims remonstrated to the rogue government to release their children, claiming that the detention violated human rights.
renege
verb: fail to fulfill a promise or obligationSynonyms : go back on , renege on , renegue onWe will no longer work with that vendor since it has reneged on nearly every agreement.
replete
adjective: completely stocked or furnished with somethingOnly weeks after the hurricane made landfall, the local supermarket shelves were replete with goods, so quick was the disaster relief response.
reprisal
noun: a retaliatory action against an enemy in wartimeThe Old Testament doctrine of an eye for an eye is not the kind of retaliation practiced in war; rather, an arm, a leg, and both ears are the reprisal for the smallest scratch.
reproach
verb: to express criticism towardsSynonyms : upbraidAt first, Sarah was going to yell at the boy, but she didn't want to reproach him for telling the truth about the situation.
reprobate
noun: a person who is disapproved ofSynonyms : miscreantThose old reprobates drinking all day down by the river-they are not going to amount to much.
repudiate
verb: reject as untrue or unfoundedMany in the public believed the rumors of a UFO crash outside town, so the chief of police did everything he could to repudiate the rumors.
rescind
verb: cancel officiallySynonyms : annul , countermand , lift , overturn , repeal , reverse , revoke , vacateThe man's driver's license was rescinded after his tenth car accident, which meant he would never be allowed to legally drive again.
reservation
noun: an unstated doubt that prevents you from accepting something wholeheartedlySynonyms : arriere pensee , mental reservationI was initially excited by the idea of a trip to Washington, D.C. but now that I have read about the high crime statistics there, I have some reservations.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
resignation
noun: the acceptance of something unpleasant that can't be avoidedSynonyms : surrenderSince Jack could not think of a convincing reason why he had to miss the seminar, he attended it with a sense of resignation.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
resolve
verb: reach a conclusion after a discussion or deliberationSynonyms : concludeAfter much thought, Ted resolved not to travel abroad this summer because he didn't have much money in his bank account.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
resource
noun: some saved material that can be used for a purpose (especially money, anything used to make energy such as oil, or information sources such as books)Many of the richest countries have surprisingly few natural resources and must buy oil or gas from other countries. Never forget to make use of the library during your studies; it's full of great resources.
respite
noun: a pause from doing something (as work)Synonyms : break , recess , time out,relief , rest , rest periodEvery afternoon, the small company has a respite in which workers play foosball or board games.
restive
adjective: restlessSynonyms : edgy , high-strung , highly strung , jittery , jumpy , nervy , overstrung , uptightThe crowd grew restive as the comedian's opening jokes fell flat.
resurgent
adjective: rising again as to new life and vigorSynonyms : renascentThe team sank to fourth place in June, but is now resurgent and about to win the division.
reticent
adjective: reluctant to draw attention to yourself; temperamentally disinclined to talkSynonyms : untalkative, retiring , self-effacingWhen asked about her father, Helen lost her outward enthusiasm and became rather reticent.
retiring
adjective: to be shy, and to be inclined to retract from companySynonyms : reticent , self-effacingNelson was always the first to leave soirees - rather than mill about with "fashionable" folk, he was retiring, and preferred the solitude of his garret.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
retract
verb: pull inward or towards a center; formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressureSynonyms : draw in,abjure , forswear , recant , resileEmail is wonderfully efficient, but once something awkward or damaging has been sent, there is no way to retract it.
reverent
adjective: feeling or showing profound respect or venerationSynonyms : godly , worshipfulThe professor could speak objectively about the other composers, but he always lectured about Brahms with a particularly reverent air, unable to offer a single criticism of his compositions.
ribald
adjective: humorously vulgarSynonyms : bawdy , off-colorThe speaker was famous for his ribald humor, but the high school principal asked him to keep the talk G-rated when he spoke to the student body.
rile
verb: cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritationsSynonyms : annoy , bother , chafe , devil , get at , get to , gravel , irritate , nark , nettle , rag , vexDan is usually calm and balanced, but it takes only one intense glare from Sabrina to rile him.
robust
adjective: sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or constructionChris preferred bland and mild beers, but Bhavin preferred a beer with more robust flavor.
row
noun: an angry disputeSynonyms : dustup , quarrel , run-in , words , wrangleThe Prime Minister looked very foolish after his row with the foreign dignitary was caught on video and posted on youtube.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
rudimentary
adjective: being in the earliest stages of development; being or involving basic facts or principlesSynonyms : fundamental , underlyingI would love to be able to present a fully polished proposal to the board, but right now, our plans for the product are still in the most rudimentary stages.
rustic
adjective: characteristic of rural life; awkwardly simple and provincialSynonyms : countrified , countryfied,bumpkinly , hick , unsophisticatedThe vacation cabin had no electricity and no indoor plumbing, but despite these inconveniences, Nigel adored its rustic charm.
sagacious
adjective: having good judgement and acute insightSynonyms : perspicacious , sapientSteve Jobs is surely one of the most sagacious CEOs, making Apple the most recognizable and valuable companies in the world.
sanctimonious
adjective: making a show of being pious; holier-than-thouSynonyms : holier-than-thou , pharisaic , pharisaical , pietistic , pietistical , self-righteousEven during the quiet sanctity of evening prayer, she held her chin high, a sanctimonious sneer forming on her face as she eyed those who were attending church for the first time.
sanction
verb: give authority or permission toSynonyms :approve , o.k. , okayThe authorities have sanctioned the use of the wilderness reserve for public use; many expect to see hikers an campers enjoying the park in the coming months.noun: a legal penalty for a forbidden actionInternational sanctions have been placed on certain shipping lanes that were thought to be involved in human trafficking.
sangfroid
noun: calmness or poise in difficult situationsThe hostage negotiator exhibited a sangfroid that oftentimes was more menacing than the sword at his throat, or the gun at his head.
sanguine
adjective: cheerful; optimisticSynonyms : florid , rubicund , ruddyWith the prospect of having to learn 3,000 words during the course of the summer, Paul was anything but sanguine.
sardonic
adjective: disdainfully or ironically humorous; scornful and mockingA stand-up comedian walks a fine line when making jokes about members of the audience; such fun and joking can quickly become sardonic and cutting.
sartorial
adjective: related to fashion or clothesMonte was astute at navigating the world of finance; sartorially, however, he was found wanting - he typically would attempt to complement his beige tie with a gray suit and white pants.
saturnine
adjective: morose or gloomySynonyms : dark , dour , glowering , glum , moody , morose , sour , sullenDeprived of sunlight, humans become saturnine; that's why in very northerly territories people are encouraged to sit under an extremely powerful lamp, lest they become morose.
savvy
noun: a perceptive understandingSynonyms : apprehension , discernment , understandingAlthough a great CEO, he did not have the political savvy to win the election.verb: get the meaning of somethingSynonyms : apprehend , compass , comprehend , dig , get the picture , grasp , grokThe student savvies the meaning of astrophysics with little effort.adjective: well-informed or perceptiveWith his savvy business partner, the company was able to turn a profit within a year.
schadenfreude
noun: joy from watching the suffering of othersFrom his warm apartment window, Stanley reveled in schadenfreude as he laughed at the figures below, huddled together in the arctic chill.
scintillating
adjective: describes someone who is brilliant and livelySynonyms : aglitter , coruscant , fulgid , glinting , glistering , glittering , glittery , scintillant , sparkly, bubbling , effervescent , frothy Richard Feynman was renowned for his scintillating lecturesâthe arcana of quantum physics was made lucid as he wrote animatedly on the chalkboard.
screed
noun: an abusive rant (often tedious)Joey had difficulty hanging out with his former best friend Perry, who, during his entire cup of coffee, enumerated all of the government's deficiencies--only to break ranks and launch into some screed against big business.
scrupulous
adjective: characterized by extreme care and great effortSynonyms : conscientious , painstakingBecause of his scrupulous nature, Mary put him in charge of numbering and cataloging the entire collection of rare stamps.adjective: having a sense of right and wrong; principledEveryone trusted what he said and followed his example because he was scrupulous and honest.
sedulous
adjective: done diligently and carefullySynonyms : assiduousAn avid numismatist, Harold sedulously amassed a collection of coins from over 100 countries - an endeavor that took over fifteen years, and to five continents.
self-effacing
adjective: reluctant to draw attention to yourselfSynonyms : reticent , retiringThe most admirable teachers and respected leaders are those who are self-effacing, directing attention and praise to their students and workers.
semblance
noun: an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleadingSynonyms : color , colour , glossWhile the banker maintained a semblance of respectability in public, those who knew him well were familiar with his many crimes.
sententious
adjective: to be moralizing, usually in a pompous senseThe old man, casting his nose up in the air at the group of adolescents, intoned sententiously, "Youth is wasted on the young."
sentimental
adjective: effusively or insincerely emotional, especially in art, music, and literatureSynonyms : bathetic , drippy , hokey , kitschy , maudlin , mawkish , mushy , schmaltzy , schmalzy , slushy , soppy , soupyI don't like romanticism for the same reason I don't like melodramatic acting and soap operas - overly sentimental.
serendipity
noun: the instance in which an accidental, fortunate discovery is madeBy pure serendipity, Sarah discovered, at a flea market in Peoria, a matching earring to replace the one that fell down the storm drain back home.
serene
adjective: calm and peacefulSynonyms : tranquil , unagitatedI'd never seen him so serene; usually, he was a knot of stress and anxiety from hours of trading on the stock exchange.
simulacrum
noun: a representation of a person (especially in the form of sculpture)Synonyms : effigy , imageThe Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center showcases a simulacrum of all the present and approved buildings in the city of Shanghai.noun: a bad imitationThe early days of computer graphics made real people into a simulacrum that now seems comical.
sinecure
noun: an office that involves minimal dutiesThe position of Research Director is a sinecure: the job entails almost no responsibilities, nor does the person in that position have to answer to anyone.
slapdash
adjective: carelessly and hastily put togetherSynonyms : haphazard , slipshod , sloppyThe office building had been constructed in a slapdash manner, so it did not surprise officials when, during a small earthquake, a large crack emerged on the façade of the building.
smattering
noun: a slight or superficial understanding of a subject; a small amount of somethingSynonyms : handfulI know only a smattering of German, but Helen is able to read German newspapers and converse with natives.
smug
adjective: marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfactionSynonyms : self-satisfiedWhen Phil was dating the model, he had a smug attitude that annoyed his buddies.
snide
adjective: expressive of contempt; derogatory or mocking in an indirect waySynonyms : sneering , superciliousThe chairman interpreted Taylor's question about promotions as a snide remark, but in all innocence Taylor was trying to figure out the company's process.
snub
verb: refuse to acknowledge; reject outright and bluntlySynonyms :cut , disregard , ignore, rebuff , repelWheeler was completely qualified for the committee, but the board snubbed him, choosing an obviously lesser qualified candidate instead.
solecism
noun: a socially awkward or tactless actSynonyms : faux pas , gaffe , gaucherie , slipMother Anna was always on guard against any solecism from her children and scolded them immediately if any of them talked out of place in public.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
solicitous
adjective: showing hovering attentivenessOur neighbors are constantly knocking on our door to make sure we are ok, and I don't know how to ask them to stop being so solicitous about our health.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
solicitude
noun: a feeling of excessive concernSynonyms : solicitousnessI walked to his house in the rain to make sure he had enough to eat while he was sick, but he seemed not to appreciate my solicitude.
soporific
adjective: inducing mental lethargy; sleep inducingSynonyms : hypnagogic , hypnogogic , somniferous , somnific , soporiferous,narcoticAlthough the professor is brilliant, his bland monotone gives his lectures a soporific effect.
sordid
adjective: involving ignoble actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt; foul and run-down and repulsiveSynonyms : seamy , seedy , sleazy , squalid,flyblown The nightly news simply announced that the senator had had an affair, but the tabloid published all the sordid details of the interaction.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
spartan
adjective: unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment; practicing great self-denialSynonyms : severeAfter losing everything in a fire, Tim decided to live in spartan conditions, sleeping on the floor and owning as little furniture as a possible.
specious
adjective: based on pretense; deceptively pleasing, Øس٠اÙ٠ظÙرSynonyms : gilded , meretriciousAlmost every image on TV is specious and not to be trusted.adjective: plausible but false, ٠زÙÙSynonyms : spuriousHe made a career out of specious arguments and fictional lab results, but lost his job and reputation when his lies were exposed by an article in The New York Times.
spendthrift
noun: one who spends money extravagantlySynonyms : scattergood , spend-all , spenderTaking weekly trips to Vegas, Megan was a spendthrift whose excesses eventually caught up to her.
splenetic
adjective: very irritableSynonyms : bristly , prickly , waspishEver since the car accident, Frank has been unable to walk without a cane, and so he has become splenetic and unpleasant to be around.
sporadic
adjective: recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instancesThe signals were at first sporadic, but now we detect a clear, consistent pattern of electromagnetic radiation eminating from deep space.
spurious
adjective: plausible but falseSynonyms : speciousWhen listening to a politician speak, it is hard to distinguish the spurious claims from the authentic ones.
spurn
verb: reject with contemptSynonyms : disdain , freeze off , pooh-pooh , reject , scorn , turn downShe spurned all his flattery and proposals, and so he walked off embarrassed and sad.
squander
verb: spend thoughtlessly; waste time, money, or an opportunitySynonyms : blow , waste,consume , wareFearing his money would be squandered by his family, he gave all of it to charity when he died.
squelch
verb: suppress or crush completelySynonyms : quell , quenchAfter the dictator consolidated his power, he took steps to squelch all criticism, often arresting any journalist who said anything that could be interpreted as negative about his regime.
staid
adjective: characterized by dignity and proprietySynonyms : sedateFrank came from a staid environment, so he was shocked that his college roommate sold narcotics.
stalwart
adjective: dependable; inured to fatigue or hardshipsSynonyms : stout,hardy ,sturdyDespite all the criticism directed at the President during this scandal, Lisa has remained his stalwart supporter.
start
verb: to suddenly move in a particular directionAll alone in the mansion, Henrietta started when she heard a sound.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
staunch
adjective: firm and dependable especially in loyaltySynonyms : steadfast , unswervingNo longer a staunch supporter of the movement, Todd now will openly question whether its goals are worthwhile.
steadfast
adjective: marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakableSynonyms : firm , steady , stiff , unbendable , unfaltering , unshakable , unwaveringA good captain needs to be steadfast, continuing to hold the wheel and stay the course even during the most violent storm.
stem
verb: to hold back or limit the flow or growth of somethingTo stem the tide of applications, the prestigious Ivy requires that each applicant score at least 330 on the Revised GRE.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
stipend
noun: a regular allowance (of money)He was hoping for a monthly allowance loan from the government, but after no such stipend was forthcoming he realized he would have to seek other means of paying for his college tuition.
stolid
adjective: having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excitedSynonyms : impassiveElephants may appear stolid to casual observers, but they actually have passionate emotional lives.
stringent
adjective: demanding strict attention to rules and proceduresSynonyms : rigorous , tightMost of the students disliked the teacher because of his stringent homework policy, but many students would later thank him for demanding so much from them.
stultify
verb: cause one, through routine, to lose energy and enthusiasmSynonyms : crippleAs an undergraduate Mark felt stultified by classes outside his area of study; only in grad school, in which he could focus solely on literary analysis, did he regain his scholarly edge.
stymie
verb: hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment ofSynonyms : block , blockade , embarrass , hinder , obstruct , stymyThe engineers found their plans stymied at every turn and were ultimately able to make almost no progress on the project.
subsume
verb: contain or includeThe rogue wave quickly subsumed the pier and boardwalk, destroying everything in its path.verb: consider (an instance of something) as part of a general rule or principleSynonyms : colligateDon Quixote of La Mancha subsumes all other modern novels, demonstrating modern literary devices and predating even the idea of a postmodern, metanarrative.
subterfuge
noun: something intended to misrepresent the true nature of an activitySynonyms : blindFinally deciding to abandon all subterfuge, Arthur revealed to Cindy everything about his secret affair over the past two years.
subversive
adjective: in opposition to a civil authority or governmentSynonyms : insurgent , seditiousThe ruling political party has begun a campaign to shut down subversive websites that it deems as a threat to "national safety."
sullen
adjective: showing a brooding ill humorSynonyms : dark , dour , glowering , glum , moody , morose , saturnine , sourHerbert took board games too seriously, often appearing sullen after losing.
summit
noun: the peak or highest pointSynonyms : acme , elevation , height , meridian , peak , pinnacle , superlative , tiptop , top, crest , crown After hiking for two days, the climbers finally reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.noun: a meeting of high-level leadersSince climate change policy has been mired in congressional fighting, this summit should help set the goals for president's next term.
supercilious
adjective: haughty and disdainful; looking down on othersSynonyms : disdainful , haughty , imperious , lordly , overbearing , prideful , sniffy , swaggeringNelly felt the Quiz Bowl director acted superciliously towards the underclassmen; really, she fumed, must he act so preternaturally omniscient each time he intones some obscure fact - as though everybody knows that Mt. Aconcagua is the highest peak in South America.
superfluous
adjective: serving no useful purposeSynonyms : otiose , pointless , purposeless , senseless , wastedHow can we hope to stay open if we don't eliminate all superfluous spending, like catered meetings and free acupucture Tuesday?adjective: more than is needed, desired, or requiredSynonyms : excess , extra , redundant , spare , supererogatory , supernumerary , surplusThe third paragraph in your essay is superfluous and can be deleted.
supplant
verb: take the place or move into the position ofSynonyms : replace , supercede , supersede , supervene uponFor many, a cell phone has supplanted a traditional phone; in fact, most 20-somethings don't even have a traditional phone anymore.
surfeit
noun: an excessive amount of somethingSynonyms : excess , overabundanceThere was no such thing as a surfeit of shopping for Nancy--she could stay at the outlet stores from opening to closing time.
surly
adjective: inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menaceSynonyms : uglyEvery morning, Bhavin was a surly unhappy person, but once he ate breakfast, he became loving, laughing, and a joy to be around.
surreptitious
adjective: stealthy, taking pains not to be caught or detectedSynonyms : furtive , sneak , sneaky , stealthySince his mom was a light sleeper, Timmy had to tiptoe surreptitiously through the entire house, careful to not make the floors creak, until he at last was able to enjoy his plunder: a box of chocolate chip cookies.
sybarite
noun: a person who indulges in luxurySynonyms : voluptuaryDespite the fact that he'd maxed out fifteen credit cards, Max was still a sybarite at heart: when the police found him, he was at a $1,000 an hour spa in Manhattan, getting a facial treatment.
sycophant
noun: a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantageSynonyms : ass-kisser , crawler , lackey , toadyThe CEO was unaware of the damaging consequences of his choices, largely because he surrounded himself with sycophants who would never dare criticize him.
taciturn
adjective: habitually reserved and uncommunicativeWhile the CEO enthusiastically shares his plans and agenda with all who will listen, the CFO is far more taciturn, rarely revealing his perspective.
tact
noun: consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offenseSynonyms : tactfulnessIn a tremendous display of tact, Shelly was able to maintain a strong friendship with Marcia, even though Marcia's husband, Frank, confessed to finding Shelley more attractive than Marcia.
tantamount
adjective: being essentially equal to somethingSynonyms : equivalentIn many situations, remaining silent is tantamount to admitting guilt, so speak to prove your innocence.
tarnish
verb: make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphoricallySynonyms : defile , maculate , stain , sullyPete Rose was one of the best baseball players of his generation, but his involvement with gambling on baseball games has tarnished his image in the eyes of many.
tawdry
adjective: tastelessly showy; cheap and shoddySynonyms : brassy , cheap , flash , flashy , garish , gaudy , gimcrack , loud , meretricious , tacky , tatty , trashy,cheapjack , shoddyCarol expected to find New York City magical, the way so many movies had portrayed it, but she was surprised how often tawdry displays took the place of genuine elegance.
taxing
adjective: use to the limit; exhaustSynonyms : burdensome , onerousThe hike to the summit of Mt. Whitney was so taxing that I could barely speak or stand up.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
telling
adjective: significant and revealing of another factorHer unbecoming dress was very telling when it came to her sense of fashion.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
telltale
adjective: revealingThe many telltale signs of chronic smoking include yellow teeth, and a persistent, hacking cough.
temerity
noun: fearless daringSynonyms : audaciousness , audacityNo child has the temerity to go in the rundown house at the end of the street and see if it is haunted.
temperance
noun: the trait of avoiding excessesSynonyms : moderation,sobrietyWelles wasn't known for his temperance--he usually ate enough for two and drank enough for three.
tempered
adjective: moderated in effectSynonyms : hardened , toughened , treatedThe wide-eyed optimism of her youth was now tempered after she had worked many years in the criminal justice system.
tempestuous
adjective: as if driven by turbulent or conflicting emotions; highly energetic and wildly changing or fluctuatingSynonyms : angry , furious , raging , wildChuck and Kathy had always been stable and agreeable people on their own, but when they got involved, it was a tempestuous relationship.
tenacious
adjective: stubbornly unyieldingSynonyms : dogged , dour , persistent , pertinacious , unyieldingEven the most tenacious advocates for gun ownership must admit some of the dangers that firearms present.
tendentious
adjective: likely to lean towards a controversial viewSynonyms : tendenciousBecause political mudslinging has become a staple of the 24-hour media cycle, most of us, despite protestations to the contrary, are tendentious on many of today's pressing issues.
tender
verb: offer up something formallySynonyms : bidThe government was loath to tender more money in the fear that it might set off inflation.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
thoroughgoing
adjective: very thorough; completeSynonyms : exhaustive , thoroughAs a thoroughgoing bibliophile, one who had turned his house into a veritable library, he shocked his friends when he bought a Kindle.
thrifty
adjective: spending money wiselySynonyms : carefulHe was economical, spending his money thriftily and on items considered essential.
thwart
verb: hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) ofSynonyms : baffle , bilk , cross , foil , frustrate , queer , scotch , spoilI wanted to spend a week in New York this autumn, but the high costs of travel and lodging thwarted my plans.
timorous
adjective: timid by nature or revealing fear and nervousnessSynonyms : fearful , trepidSince this was her first time debating on stage and before an audience, Di's voice was timorous and quiet for the first 10 minutes.
tirade
noun: an angry speechSynonyms : broadside , philippicIn terms of political change, a tirade oftentimes does little more than make the person speaking red in the face.
torpor
noun: inactivity resulting from lethargy and lack of vigor or energySynonyms : listlessness , torpidity , torpidnessAfter work, I was expecting my colleagues to be enthusiastic about the outing, but I found them in a state of complete torpor.
tortuous
adjective: marked by repeated turns and bends; not straightforwardSynonyms : twisting , twisty , voluminous , windingBecause the logic behind McMahon's side of the debate was so tortuous, his audience came out either completely confused or, worse, feeling they'd been tricked.
tout
verb: advertize in strongly positive terms; show offSynonyms : blow , bluster , boast , brag , gas , gasconade , shoot a line , swash , vauntAt the conference, the CEO touted the extraordinary success of his company's Research & Development division.
tractable
adjective: readily reacting to suggestions and influences; easily managed (controlled or taught or molded)Synonyms : amenable,manipulableCompared to middle school students, who have an untamed wildness about them, high school students are somewhat more tractable.
transient
adjective: lasting a very short timeSynonyms : ephemeral , fugacious , passing , short-lived , transitoryThe unpredictable and transient nature of deja vu makes it a very difficult phenomenon to study properly.
transitory
adjective: lasting a very short timeSynonyms : ephemeral , fugacious , passing , short-lived , transientIf we lived forever and life was not transitory, do you think we would appreciate life less or more?
transmute
verb: change or alter in form, appearance, or natureSynonyms : metamorphose , transform,transubstantiateOne of the goals of alchemy was to find the substance or process that would transmute lead into gold.
travail
noun: use of physical or mental energy; hard work; agony or anguishSynonyms : effort , elbow grease , exertion , sweatWhile they experienced nothing but travails in refinishing the kitchen, they completed the master bedroom in less than a weekend.
travesty
noun: an absurd presentation of something; a mockerySynonyms : farce , farce comedy,burlesque , charade , lampoon , mockery , parody , pasquinade , put-on , sendup , spoof , takeoffWhat I expected to be an intelligent, nuanced historical documentary turned out to be a poorly-produced travesty of the form.
treacherous
adjective: tending to betraySynonyms : perfidious , punicEven though Jesse James was an outlaw, his killer, Robert Ford, is remembered more for his treacherous actions than for eliminating a criminal and murder.adjective: dangerously unstable and unpredictableSynonyms : unreliableThe bridge built from twine and vine is treacherous to walk across, and so I think I will stay put right here.
trenchant
adjective: characterized by or full of force and vigor; having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought, expression, or intellectSynonyms : hard-hitting,searchingJill presented a rather superficial treatment of sales in Asia, but her trenchant analysis of sales in Europe inspired a number of insights into how to proceed in that market.
tribulation
noun: something, especially an event, that causes difficulty and sufferingSynonyms : trial , visitationAs of 2013, nearly 1.5 million Syrians have fled their country hoping to escape the tribulations of a civil war tearing their country to pieces.
trite
adjective: repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuseSynonyms : banal , commonplace , hackneyed , old-hat , shopworn , stock , threadbare , timeworn , tired , well-wornMany style guides recommend not using idioms in writing because these trite expressions are uninteresting and show a lack of imagination on the part of the writer.
truculence
noun: defiant aggressivenessSynonyms : truculencyWhen the boss confronted Aaron about his earlier remarks, Aaron responded with utter truculence, simply throwing a glass of water in the boss' face and walking away.
truculent
adjective: having a fierce, savage natureStanding in line for six hours, she became progressively truculent, yelling at DMV employees and elbowing other people waiting in line.
truncate
verb: reduce the length of somethingSynonym: abridgeThe soccer game was truncated when the monsoon rain began to fall.
tumult
noun: a state of chaos, noise and confusionSynonyms : garboil , tumultuousness , uproar,commotion , din , ruckus , ruction , rumpusRiots broke out just in front of our apartment building, and the tumult continued late into the night.
turgid
adjective: (of language) pompous and tediousSynonyms : bombastic , declamatory , large , orotund , tumidThe amount of GRE vocabulary he used increased with his years--by the time he was 60, his novels were so turgid that even his diehard fans refused to read them.
turpitude
noun: depravity; a depraved actDuring his reign, Caligula indulged in unspeakable sexual practices, so it not surprising that he will forever be remembered for his turpitude.
tyro
noun: someone new to a field or activitySynonyms : beginner , initiate , novice , tiroAll great writers, athletes, and artists were tyros at one timeâunknown, clumsy, and unskilled with much to learn.
umbrage
noun: a feeling of anger caused by being offendedSynonyms : offence , offenseSince he was so in love with her, he took umbrage at her comments, even though she had only meant to gently tease him.
unassailable
adjective: immune to attack; without flawsSynonyms : impregnable , inviolable , secure , strong , unattackable,bulletproof , unshakable , watertightProfessor Williams is so self-assured as to seem arrogant, presenting each and every opinion as an unassailable fact.
uncanny
adjective: suggesting the operation of supernatural influences; surpassing the ordinary or normalSynonyms : eldritch , unearthly , weird,preternaturalReggie has an uncanny ability to connect with animals: feral cats will readily approach him, and sometimes even wild birds will land on his finger.
uncompromising
adjective: not making concessionsSynonyms : inflexible , sturdyThe relationship between Bart and Hilda ultimately failed because they were both so uncompromising, never wanting to change their opinions.
unconscionable
adjective: unreasonable; unscrupulous; excessiveSynonyms : exorbitant , extortionate , outrageous , steep , usuriousThe lawyer's demands were so unconscionable that rather than pay an exorbitant sum or submit himself to any other inconveniences, the defendant decided to find a new lawyer.
undermine
adjective: to weaken (usually paired with an abstract term)The student undermined the teacher's authority by questioning the teacher's judgment on numerous occasions.
underscore
verb: give extra weight to (a communication)Synonyms : emphasise , emphasize , underlineWhile the hiking instructor agreed that carrying a first aid kit could be a good idea under certain circumstances, he underscored the importance of carrying enough water.
underwrite
verb: to support financiallySynonyms : subvent , subventionThe latest symphony broadcast was made possible with underwriting from the Carnegie Endowment.
unequivocal
adjective: admitting of no doubt or misunderstanding; having only one meaning or interpretation and leading to only one conclusionSynonyms : unambiguous , univocalThe President's first statement on the subject was vague and open to competing interpretations, so when he spoke to Congress about the same subject later, he was cafeful to make his position completely unequivocal.
unflappable
adjective: not easily perturbed or excited or upset; marked by extreme calm and composureSynonyms : imperturbableThe house shook and the ground quaked, but my dad was unflappable and comforted the family.
unforthcoming
adjective: uncooperative, not willing to give up informationThe teacher demanded to know who broke the window while he was out of the room, but the students understandably were unforthcoming.
unimpeachable
adjective: free of guilt; not subject to blame; beyond doubt or reproachSynonyms : blameless , inculpable , irreproachableAfter his long and unimpeachable service to the company, Sharat felt that a gold watch was a slap in the face rather than an honor.
unnerve
verb: to make nervous or upsetSynonyms : enervate , faze , unsettleAt one time unnerved by math problems, she began avidly "Magoosh-ing", and soon became adept at even combinations and permutations questions.
unprecedented
adjective: having never been done or known before; novelWhen America first created its national parks, the idea of setting aside the most beautiful land in a country was unprecedented in the history of mankind.
unprepossessing
adjective: creating an unfavorable or neutral first impressionSynonyms : unpresentableWorld leaders coming to meet Gandhi would expect a towering sage, and often would be surprised by the unprepossessing little man dressed only in a loincloth and shawl.
unpropitious
adjective: (of a circumstance) with little chance of successWith only a bottle of water and a sandwich, the hikers faced an unpropitious task: ascending a huge mountain that took most two days to climb.
unruly
adjective: (of persons) noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline; unwilling to submit to authoritySynonyms : boisterous , rambunctious , robustious , rumbustious,disobedientWalk in to any preschool and I am sure that you will find an unruly and chaotic scene - unless it's nap time.
unscrupulous
adjective: without scruples or principlesIn the courtroom, the lawyer was unscrupulous, using every manner of deceit and manipulation to secure a victory for himself.
unseemly
adjective: not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite societySynonyms : indecent , indecorous , unbecoming , uncomely , untowardHe acted in an unseemly manner, insulting the hostess and then speaking ill of her deceased husband.
unstinting
adjective: very generousSynonyms : lavish , munificent , overgenerous , too-generous , unsparing , unstintedHelen is unstinting with her time, often spending hours at the house of a sick friend.
untenable
adjective: (of theories etc) incapable of being defended or justifiedSynonyms : indefensibleWith the combination of Kepler's brilliant theories and Galileo's telescopic observations, the old geocentric theory became untenable to most of the educated people in Europe.
untoward
adjective: unfavorable; inconvenientSynonyms : indecent , indecorous , unbecoming , uncomely , unseemly,adverse , inauspiciousSome professors find teaching untoward as having to prepare for lectures and conduct office hours prevents them from focusing on their research.
untrammeled
adjective: not confined or limitedSynonyms : untrammelledThe whole notion of living untrammeled inspired the American Revolution and was enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
unviable
adjective: not able to work, survive, or succeed (also spelled inviable).The plan was obviously unviable considering that it lead to complete environmental destruction in the river valley.
upbraid
verb: to reproach; to scoldBob took a risk walking into the "Students Barbershop" - in the end he had to upbraid the apparently drunk barber for giving him an uneven bowl cut.
urbane
adjective: showing a high degree of refinement and the assurance that comes from wide social experienceSynonyms : polished , refined , svelteBecause of his service as an intelligence officer and his refined tastes, W. Somerset Maugham became the inspiration for the urbane and sophistcate spy James Bond.
vacillate
verb: be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of actionSynonyms : hover , oscillate , vibrate,fluctuate , waverSome students vacillate between schools when deciding which to attend, while others focus only on one school.This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
vacuous
adjective: devoid of intelligence, matter, or significanceSynonyms : asinine , fatuous , inane , mindless,empty , hollowTo the journalist's pointed question, the senator gave a vacuous response, mixing a few of his overall campaign slogans with platitudes and completely avoiding the controversial subject of the question.
vanquish
verb: come out better in a competition, race, or conflictSynonyms : beat , beat out , crush , shell , trounceFor years, Argentina would dominate in World Cup qualifying matches, only to be vanquished by one of the European countries during the late stages of the tournament.
variance
noun: the quality of being differentThe cynic quipped, "There is not much variance in politicians; they all seem to lie".
vaunted
adjective: highly or widely praised or boasted aboutFor years, they had heard of New York City's vaunted skyline, and when they finally saw it, the spectacular cityscape did not disappoint them in the least.
vehement
adjective: marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictionsSynonyms : fierce , tearing , trigger-happy , violentWhile the other employees responded to the bad news in a measured way, Andrew responded in a vehement manner, tipping over his desk and shouting at the top of his lungs.
venality
noun: the condition of being susceptible to bribes or corruptionEven some of the most sacred sporting events are not immune to venality, as many of the officials have received substantial bribes to make biased calls.
veneer
noun: covering consisting of a thin superficial layer that hides the underlying substanceMark Twain referred to the Victorian Period in America as the "Gilded Age", implying the ample moral corruption that lay beneath a mere veneer of respectability
venerate
verb: to respect deeplySynonyms : fear , revere , reverenceThe professor, despite his sleep-inducing lectures, was venerated amongst his colleagues, publishing more papers yearly than all of his peers combined.
venial
adjective: easily excused or forgiven; pardonableSynonyms : excusable , forgivableHis traffic violations ran the gamut from the venial to the egregious - on one occasion he simply did not come to a complete stop; another time he tried to escape across state lines at speeds in excess of 140 mph.
veracious
adjective: truthfulSynonyms : rightWhile we elect our leaders in the hope that every word they speak will be veracious, history has shown that such a hope is naive.
verisimilitude
noun: the appearance of truthAll bad novels are bad for numerous reasons; all good novels are good for their verisimilitude of reality, placing the readers in a world that resembles the one they know.
veritable
adjective: truthfully, without a doubtSynonyms : authentic , bona fide , unquestionableFrank is a veritable life-saver - last year, on two different occasions, he revived people using CPR.
vicarious
adjective: felt or undergone as if one were taking part in the experience or feelings of anotherThe advent of twitter is a celebrity stalker's dream, as he or she can - through hundreds of intimate "tweets" - vicariously live the life of a famous person.
vicissitude
noun: change in one's circumstances, usually for the worseEven great rulers have their vicissitudes - massive kingdoms have diminished overnight, and once beloved kings have faced the scorn of angry masses.
vie
verb: compete for somethingSynonyms : compete , contendWhile the other teams in the division actively vie for the championship, this team seems content simply to go through the motions of playing.
vilify
verb: spread negative information aboutSynonyms : rail , revile , vituperateTodd was noble after the divorce, choosing to say only complimentary things about Barbara, but Barbara did not hesitate to vilify Todd.
vindicate
verb: to clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting arguments or proofSynonyms : justifyEven seven Tour de France wins cannot vindicate Lance Armstrong in the eyes of the public--that the athlete used performance enhancing drugs invalidates all those wins.
vindictive
adjective: to have a very strong desire for revengeThough the other girl had only lightly poked fun of Vanessa's choice in attire, Vanessa was so vindictive that she waited for an entire semester to get the perfect revenge.
virago
noun: an ill-tempered or violent womanSynonyms : amazonPoor Billy was the victim of the virago's invective - she railed at him for a good 30-minutes about how he is the scum of the earth for speaking loudly on his cellphone in public.
vitriol
noun: abusive or venomous language used to express blame or bitter deep-seated ill willSynonyms : invective , vituperationHis vitriol spewed forth from a deep-seated racism that consumed his whole life.
vitriolic
adjective: harsh or corrosive in toneSynonyms : acerb , acerbic , acid , acrid , bitter , blistering , caustic , sulfurous , sulphurous , virulentWhile the teacher was more moderate in her criticism of the other student's papers, she was vitriolic toward Peter's paper, casting every flaw in the harshest light.
vituperate
adjective: to criticize harshly; to berateSynonyms : rail , revile , vilifyJason had dealt with disciplinarians before, but nothing prepared him for the first week of boot camp, as drill sergeants vituperated him for petty oversights such as forgetting to double knot the laces on his boots.
vociferous
adjective: conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcrySynonyms : blatant , clamant , clamorous , stridentIn giving Marcia a particular vociferous response, Paul caused people at every other table in the restaurant to turn around an look at them angrily.