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BILK to cheat; defraud NOMINAL existing in name only; negligible BLIGHT to afflict; destroy BLITHE joyful, cheerful, or without appropriate thought NUANCE a subtle expression of meaning or quality FERVID intensely emotional; feverish SPECIOUS deceptively attractive; seemingly plausible but fallacious SOLECISM grammatical mistake; blunder in speech JETTISON to discard; get rid of as unnecessary or encumbering LAMENT to express sorrow; to grieve GULLIBLE easily deceived FLORID excessively decorated or embellished FANATICAL acting excessively enthusiastic; filled with extreme unquestioned devotion EPHEMERAL lasting a short time SEDITION behavior that promotes rebellion or civil disorder against the state GLIB fluent in an insincere manner; offhand; casual ABDICATE to give up a position, right, or power IRASCIBLE easily made angry FLAG to decline in vigor, strength, or interest FETID foul-smelling; putrid GLOWER to glare or stare angrily and intensely MONASTIC extremely plain or secluded PEDANT someone who shows off learning PATHOGENIC causing disease CHAUVINIST someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he/she belongs GUILE deceit; trickery SOBRIQUET nickname NASCENT starting to develop; coming into existence BELFRY bell tower; room in which a bell is hung BANAL predictable; cliched; boring CRESCENDO steadily increasing in volume or force FRUGALITY tending to be thrifty or cheap CORROBORATE to support with evidence AUSTERE severe or stern in appearance; undecorated LUMINOUS bright; brilliant; glowing GROVEL to humble oneself in a demeaning way SANGUINE ruddy; cheerfully optimistic STRATAGEM trick designed to deceive an enemy EMULATE to copy; to try to equal or excel HEGEMONY the domination of one state or group over its allies EXPURGATE to censor PARLEY discussion, usually b/w enemies FECUND fertile; fruitful; productive DISSEMBLE to present a false appearance; to disguise one's real intentions or character SPORTIVE frolicsome; playful VERDANT green with vegetation; inexperienced INIQUITY sin; evil act CONDONE to overlook, pardon, or disregard FALLOW dormant; unused OROTUND pompous DOGMATIC dictatorial in one's opinions TAWDRY gaudy, cheap, or showy SULLY to tarnish; taint VERNAL related to spring; fresh DROLL amusing in a wry, subtle way FURTIVE secret, stealthy CIRCUMSPECT cautious; aware of potential consequences MALINGER to evade responsibility by pretending to be ill ELOQUENT persuasive and moving, especially in speech RETICENT silent; reserved AUDACIOUS fearless and daring DIATRIBE an abusive, condemnatory speech SARDONIC cynical; scornfully mocking ASSUAGE to make something unpleasant less severe DESICCATE to dry out thoroughly LAMPOON to ridicule with satire SURFEIT excessive amount GRIEVOUS causing grief or sorrow; serious and distressing FRENETIC frantic; frenzied INGENUOUS showing innocence or childlike simplicity LAPIDARY relating to precious stones or the art of cutting them ZEAL passion; excitement INEXORABLE inflexible; unyielding MISANTHROPE a person who dislikes others ABYSS an extremely deep hole PRAGMATIC practical, as opposed to idealistic MISSIVE a written note or letter NETTLE to irritate ABSTAIN to choose not to do something SYCOPHANT a self-serving flatterer; yes-man LACHRYMOSE tearful PASTICHE piece of literature or music imitating other works FORD to cross a body of water by wading CONTRITE deeply sorrowful or repentant for a wrong PULCHRITUDE beauty ENUMERATE to count, list, or itemize NAIVE lacking sophistication or experience JUNCTURE point of time, especially where two things are joined CANARD a lie GREGARIOUS outgoing; sociable WINSOME charming; happily engaging VACILLATE to physically sway or be indecisive ITINERANT wandering from place to place; unsettled SACROSANCT extremely sacred; beyond criticism DIURNAL existing during the day TACITURN silent; not talkative ENDEMIC belonging to a particular area; inherent TOADY one who flatters in the hope of gaining favors NEOLOGISM new word or expression SUPPLANT to replace (another) by force; to take the place of DYSPEPTIC suffering from indigestion; gloomy and irritable DOCTRINAIRE rigidly devoted to theories without regard for practicality; dogmatic GESTATION growth process from conception to birth EFFICACY effectiveness TALON claw of an animal, especially a bird of prey TERRESTRIAL earthly; down-to-earth; commonplace NEOPHYTE novice; beginner ENGENDER to produce, cause, or bring about DEFACE to mar the appearance of; vandalize OBSTINATE stubborn; unyielding LARGESS generous giving (as of money) to others who may seem inferior EDIFY to instruct morally and spiritually VENERATE to respect deeply STENTORIAN extremely loud HYPERBOLE purposeful exaggeration for effect PLETHORA excess OSTENSIBLE apparent MALLEABLE capable of being shaped OSTENTATION excessive showiness WAVER to fluctuate b/w choices DIRGE a funeral hymn or mournful speech OPAQUE impossible to see through; preventing the passage of light DECORUM appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety PLACATE to soothe or pacify PLASTIC able to be molded, altered, or bent OSSIFY to change into bone; to become hardened or set in a rigidly conventional pattern TIRADE long, harsh speech or verbal attack SERAPHIC angelic; sweet LANGUID lacking energy; indifferent; slow ARBITRATE to judge a dispute b/w two opposing parties SCINTILLA trace amount MAR to damage or deface; spoil VENERABLE respected because of age GAMBOL to dance or skip around playfully VERACITY filled with truth and accuracy VERBOSE wordy VEX to annoy; irritate; puzzle; confuse CONTUMACIOUS rebellious MULTIFARIOUS diverse ETHOS beliefs or character of a group REPAST meal or mealtime REPLETE abundantly supplied; complete JARGON nonsensical talk; specialized language FATUOUS stupid; foolishly self-satisfied KINDLE to set fire to or ignite; excite or inspire EBULLIENT exhilarated; full of enthusiasm and high spirits GARRULOUS tending to talk a lot INTREPID fearless; resolutely courageous FAWN to grovel ZEALOT someone passionately devoted to a cause CANDID impartial and honest in speech SYBARITE a person devoted to pleasure and luxury PRISTINE fresh and clean; uncorrupted MOLLIFY to calm or make less severe PHILANTHROPY charity; a desire or effort to promote goodness STOLID unemotional; lacking sensitivity PECCADILLO minor sin or offense VESTIGE a trace; remnant FORTUITOUS happening by chance; fortunate POTENTATE monarch or ruler with great power SYNCOPATION temporary irregularity in musical rhythm AUGUST dignified; grandiose PARADOX a contradiction or dilemma PERMEATE to penetrate PERVADE to be present throughout; to permeate ECLECTIC selecting from or made up from a variety of sources CACOPHONY harsh, jarring noise KUDOS fame, glory, or honor AMALGAMATE to combine; to mix together BURNISH to polish USURY the practice of lending money at exorbitant rates DOGMA a firmly held opinion, especially a religious belief BIFURCATE to divide into two parts CURMUDGEON cranky person, usually old EPICURE person with refined taste in food and wine SURLY rude and bad-tempered TANGENTIAL digressing; diverting IGNOBLE having low moral standards; not noble in character; mean MIRTH frivolity; gaiety; laughter IMPERTURBABLE not capable of being disturbed AMELIORATE to make better; to improve LAUD to give praise; to glorify ANACHRONISM something out of place in time SOPORIFIC causing sleep or lethargy ANOMALY deviation from what is normal DISTEND to swell, inflate, or bloat IMPASSE blocked path; dilemma with no solution ANTAGONIZE to annoy or provoke to anger ESCHEW to shun; to avoid (as something wrong or distasteful) EXIGENT urgent; requiring immediate action CATALYST something that brings about a change in something else DIVINE to foretell or know by inspiration IDIOSYNCRASY peculiarity of temperament; eccentricity EXCULPATE to clear from blame; prove innocent DUPE to deceive; a person who is easily deceived CHAOS great disorder or confused situation EUPHONY pleasant, harmonious sound CONNOISSEUR a person with expert knowledge or discriminating tastes LARCENY theft of property EUPHEMISM use of an inoffensive word or phrase in place of a more distasteful one LASSITUDE a state of diminished energy JOCULAR playful; humorous APATHY lack of interest or emotion ARBITRARY determined by chance or impulse METICULOUS extremely careful; fastidious; painstaking ENERVATE to reduce in strength RUSTIC rural DILATE to make larger; expand XENOPHOBIA a fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers ZEPHYR a gentle breeze; something airy or insubstantial NOISOME stinking; putrid METAPHOR figure of speech comparing two different things ELEGY a sorrowful poem or speech PROFLIGATE corrupt; degenerate CALUMNY a false and malicious accusation; misrepresentation SAGACIOUS shrewd; wise PROPITIATE to conciliate; to appease HAPLESS unfortunate; having bad luck PALATIAL relating to a palace; magnificent GARNER to gather and store POLYGLOT a speaker of many languages LUCID clear and easily understood EMBELLISH to add ornamental or fictitious details PUNGENT sharp and irritating to the senses ABERRANT deviating from what is normal or expected BOMBASTIC pompous in speech and manner BOLSTER to support; prop up BEVY group VISCOUS thick and adhesive, like a slow-flowing fluid GRADATION process occurring by regular degrees or stages; variation in color MORES fixed customs or manners; moral attitudes VOLATILE easily arouse or changeable; lively or explosive ADVOCATE to speak in favor of MITIGATE to soften; to lessen ALLEVIATE to make more bearable PARRY to ward off or deflect, especially by a quick-witted answer TACIT done without using words MONOTONY no variation; tediously the same MOLT to shed hair, skin, or an outer layer periodically ACME highest point; summit; the highest level or degree attainable ADULTERATE to make impure SLAKE to calm down or moderate FRACTIOUS unruly; rebellious ENCOMIUM warm praise INVECTIVE abusive language SALUBRIOUS healthful EFFIGY stuffed doll; likeness of a person ARCHAIC ancient; old-fashioned SENTIENT aware; conscious; able to perceive DISTAFF the female branch of a family SINECURE a well-paying job or office that requires little or no work PUSILLANIMOUS cowardly; without courage DEFERENCE respect; courtesy ARTICULATE able to speak clearly and expressively SATIATE to satisfy fully or overindulge REPOSE relaxation; leisure REPUDIATE to reject the validity of REQUITE to return or repay PUERILE childish, immature, or silly INTRACTABLE not easily managed or manipulated PARIAH an outcast POSIT to assume as real or conceded; propose as an explanation PALLIATE to make less serious; ease ESOTERIC known or understood only by a few PROPRIETY the quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs PROLIFERATE to increase in number quickly INTERREGNUM period between reigns PRODIGAL lavish; wasteful MILITATE to operate against; work against MYOPIC lacking foresight; having a narrow view or lang-range perspective ENIGMA a puzzle; a mystery AMBIGUOUS doubtful or uncertain; can be interpreted several ways DICTUM authoritative statement OVERWROUGHT agitated; overdone ABATE to reduce in amount, degree, or severity ERRATIC wandering and unpredictable INUNDATE to overwhelm; to cover with water HOMOGENEOUS of a similar kind SUBLIME lofty or grand INNOCUOUS harmless IMPLACABLE unable to be calmed down or made peaceful STIGMA a mark of shame or discredit IMPETUOUS quick to act without thinking HETEROGENEOUS composed of unlike parts; different; diverse CAPRICIOUS changing one's mind quickly and often EULOGY speech in praise of someone LOQUACIOUS talkative LETHARGIC acting in an indifferent or slow, sluggish manner DISSONANCE a harsh and disagreeable combination, especially of sounds SYMBIOSIS cooperation; mutual helpfulness FORESTALL to prevent or delay; anticipate SPARTAN highly self-disciplined; frugal; austere EFFRONTERY impudent boldness; audacity AXIOM premise; postulate; self-evident truth EXACERBATE to make worse EXONERATE to clear of blame PUGILISM boxing CHICANERY deception by means of craft or guile DITHER to act confusedly or without clear purpose PROBITY complete honesty and integriity NADIR lowest point ESTIMABLE admirable PRUDENCE wisdom, caution, restraint CARTOGRAPHY science or art of making maps EXPLICIT clearly stated or shown; forthright in expression STASIS a state of static balance or equilibrium; stagnation FOMENT to arouse or incite VARIEGATED varied; marked with different colors INGRATE ungrateful person VICISSITUDE a change or variation; ups and downs VIM vitality and energy VITUPERATE to abuse verbally; berate VOLUBLE talkative; speaking easily; glib WAN sickly pale WANTON undisciplined; unrestrained; reckless ABJURE to reject; abandon formally ABASE to humble; disgrace ACIDULOUS sour in taste or manner ALACRITY speed or quickness TOME book, usually large and academic QUERULOUS inclined to complain; irritable QUIESCENT motionless PEREGRINATE to wander from place to place; to travel, especially on foot DESULTORY jumping from one thing to another; disconnected AMORTIZE to diminish by installment payments PERFIDIOUS willing to betray one's trust QUIXOTIC overly idealistic; impractical PERFUNCTORY done in a routine way; indifferent AMULET ornament worn as a charm against evil spirits QUOTIDIAN occurring daily; commonplace DIAPHANOUS allowing light to show through; delicate TORPOR extreme mental and physical sluggishness TRANSITORY temporary; lasting a brief time PROCLIVITY a natural inclination or predisposition ANALGESIA a lessening or pain without loss of consciousness ABSCOND to leave secretly ANALOGOUS similar or alike in some way; equivalent to ANODYNE something that calms or soothes pain ANTIPATHY extreme dislike TRENCHANT acute, sharp, or incisive; forceful; effective APOCRYPHAL of questionable authority or authenticity APOSTATE one who renounces a religious faith ABSTEMIOUS moderate in appetite APPROBATION approval and praise TURGID swollen as from a fluid; bloated ACCRETION a growth in size; an increase in amount AERIE a nest built high in the air; an elevated, often secluded, dwelling TYRO beginner; novice UMBRAGE offense; resentment ARDOR intense and passionate feeling ARROGATE to claim without justification; to claim for oneself without right ASSAIL to attack; assault UNCONSCIONABLE unscrupulous; shockingly unfair or unjust UNEQUIVOCAL absolute; certain UPBRAID to scold sharply HERMETIC tightly sealed HOARY very old; whitish or gray from age AESTHETIC concerning the appreciation of beauty ATTENUATE to reduce in force or degree; weaken AUGURY prophecy; prediction of events AFFECTED phony; artificial AGGRANDIZE to increase in power, influence, and reputation DECLIVITY downward slope HUSBAND to manage economically; to use sparingly EQUIVOCATE to use expressions of double meaning in order to mislead DECOROUS proper; tasteful; socially correct DELETERIOUS subtly or unexpectedly harmful DEMAGOGUE a leader or rabble-rouser, usually appealing to emotion or prejudice DEMUR to express doubts or objection RACONTEUR witty, skillful storyteller ERSATZ fake ERUDITE learned; scholarly; bookish PEJORATIVE having bad connotations; disparaging PENURY an oppressive lack of resource (as money); severe poverty DERIDE to speak of or treat with contempt; to mock RAREFY to make thinner or sparser REDRESS relief from wrong or injury REJOINDER response DIFFIDENT lacking self-confidence DILATORY intended to delay EXPONENT one who champions or advocates PERIPATETIC wandering from place to place, especially on foot NUMISMATICS coin collecting PERSPICACIOUS shrewd, astute, or keen-witted OBDURATE hardened in feeling; resistant to persuasion DILETTANTE someone with an amateurish or superficial interest in a topic RESTIVE impatient, uneasy, or restless PHALANX a compact or close-knit body of people, animals, or things DISABUSE to set right; free from error DISCERN to perceive or recognize PHILISTINE a person who is guided by materialism and is disdainful of intellectual or artistic values DISPARATE fundamentally different; entirely unalike JINGOISM belligerent support of one's country INQUEST an investigation; an inquiry KEEN having a sharp edge; intellectually sharp; perceptive LATENT potential that is not readily apparent INCULCATE to teach; impress in the mind OBLIQUE indirect or evasive; misleading or devious LAVISH extremely generous or extravagant; giving unsparingly OBSEQUIOUS overly submissive and eager to please KINETIC relating to motion; characterized by movement LEERY suspicious OBVIATE to prevent; to make unnecessary LEGERDEMAIN trickery KNELL sound of a funeral bell; omen of death or failure LEVITY an inappropriate lack of seriousness; overly casual OCCLUDE to stop up; prevent the passage of OFFICIOUS too helpful; meddlesome LIBERAL tolerant or broad-minded; generous or lavish LACONIC using few words INIMICAL hostile; unfriendly INCHOATE not fully formed; disorganized ONEROUS troublesome and oppressive; burdensome OPINE to express an opinion PHLEGMATIC calm and unemotional in temperament LIBERTINE a free thinker, usually used disparagingly; one without moral restraint PITHY profound or substantial yet concise succinct, and to the point LICENTIOUS immoral; unrestrained by society PLEBEIAN crude or coarse; characteristic of commoners LIMPID clear; transparent PLUCKY courageous; spunky LIONIZE to treat as a celebrity LISSOME easily flexed; limber; agile POLEMIC controversy; argument; verbal attack OPPROBRIUM public disgrace LISTLESS lacking energy and enthusiasm POLITIC shrewd and practical in managing or dealing with things; diplomatic RHETORIC effective writing or speaking LIVID discolored from a bruise; reddened with anger LUGUBRIOUS sorrowful; mournful; dismal LUMBER to move slowly and awkwardly MACHINATION plot or scheme CLOYING sickly sweet; excessive RIBALD humorous in a vulgar way ROCOCO very highly ornamented IMPUGN to call into question; to attack verbally COALESCE to grow together to form a single whole COFFER strongbox; large chest for money COGENT convincing and well-reasoned WHIMSICAL lightly acting in a fanciful or capricious manner; unpredictable WILY clever; deceptive COLLUSION collaboration; complicity; conspiracy WIZENED shriveled; withered; wrinkled WRAITH a ghost or specter; a ghost of a living person seen just before his/her death YOKE to join together ZENITH the point of culmination; peak ICONOCLAST one who opposes established beliefs, customs, and institutions CONVOLUTED intricate and complicated COSSET to pamper; treat with great care COTERIE an intimate group of persons with a similar purpose CREDULOUS too trusting; gullible CRAVEN lacking courage CUPIDITY greed; strong desire DEBUTANTE young woman making debut in high society SALIENT prominent; of notable significance PRATTLE meaningless; foolish talk PRECIPITATE to throw violently or bring about abruptly; lacking deliberation PRECIS short summary of facts JUDICIOUS sensible; showing good judgement INTRANSIGENT uncompromising; refusing to be reconciled INSIPID lacking interest or flavor INVIDIOUS envious, obnoxious, or offensive; likely to promote ill-will INVESTITURE ceremony conferring authority INURE to harden; accustom become used to IMPRECATION a curse PALLID lacking color or liveliness PANACHE flamboyance or dash in style and action; verve ABEYANCE temporary suppression or suspension PANEGYRIC elaborate praise; formal hymn of praise CASTIGATE to punish or criticize harshly PANOPLY impressive array BONHOMIE good-natured geniality; atmosphere of good cheer PARAGON model of excellence or perfection BOOR crude person, one lacking manners or taste BURGEON to grow and flourish MAELSTROM whirlpool; turmoil; agitated state of mind MAGNATE powerful or influential person MALEDICTION a curse; a wish of evil upon another MANNERED artificial or stilted in character MARTINET strict disciplinarian; one who rigidly follows rules CATHOLIC universal; broad and comprehensive PARE to trim off excess; reduce CAUSTIC biting in wit CABAL a secret group seeking to overturn something MAUDLIN overly sentimental MENDACIOUS dishonest MENDICANT beggar MERCURIAL quick, shrewd, and unpredictable MERETRICIOUS gaudy; falsely attractive INGRATIATE to gain favor with another by deliberate effort; to seek to please somebody so as to gain an advantage INSURRECTION rebellion PRESCIENT having foresight PREVARICATE to lie or deviate from the truth INTER to bury IMBUE to infuse, dye, wet, or moisten IMPECUNIOUS poor; having no money IMPERVIOUS impossible to penetrate IMPIOUS not devout in religion INCARNADINE blood-red in color INDOLENT habitually lazy or idle