| Term | Definition |
|---|
| simile | : a comparison using like or as (Jane eats like a pig.) |
| metaphor | : an implied comparison (Jane is a pig.) |
| personification | : giving inanimate objects or abstractions human characteristics |
| hyperbole | : exaggeration |
| oxymoron | : a word that seems to contradict itself (military intelligence, common sense) |
| paradox | : two contradictory ideas that seemingly coexist |
| irony | : an unexpected contradiction or coincidence |
| symbol | : when an object stands for something other than itself |
| epoch | (n.) 5, an historical period |
| expeditious | (adj.) 12, acting with speed and efficiency |
| inscrutable | (adj.) 15, difficult to fathom or understand; mysterious |
| stolid | (adj.) 22, impassive; revealing little emotion |
| sagacity | (n.) 51, wisdom |
| pernicious | (adj.) 69, deadly; wicked; destructive |
| arrears | (n.) 143, unpaid debts or obligations |
| ubiquitous | (adj.) 168, everywhere |
| ostensible | (adj.) 170, apparent; intended to be shown |
| sallow | (adj.) 171, sickly yellow |
| supercilious | (adj.) 181, overbearing and arrogant |
| assiduous | (adj.) 186, diligent |
| modicum | (n.) 230, a small, moderate amount |
| sanguine | (adj.) 252, cheerfully optimistic; red; the color of blood |
| diffidence | (n.) 300, state of timidity or shyness |
| abate | (v.) to reduce or lessen; to subtract from an amount |
| abject | (adj.) being the most contemptible or miserable kind, as in They live in abject poverty. |
| affable | (adj.) gentle and gracious; approachable |
| altercation | (n.) an angry verbal dispute |
| animosity | (n.) bitter hostility or hatred |
| antecedent | (n.) a preceding occurrence or cause; (adj.) preceding in time or order |
| augur | (v.) to make predictions based on signs or omens; (n.) a soothsayer (e.g., Tiresias) |
| aversion | (n.) a feeling of intense dislike |
| cadence | (n.) the beat of movement in dancing or marching; rhythmic flow in poetry |
| capitulate | (v.) to surrender; to yield |
| caricature | (n.) a grotesque representation; (v.) to imitate in an exaggerated manner |
| circuitous | (adj.) going in a roundabout or indirect manner |
| clemency | (n.) an inclination to show mercy; an act of mercy toward an offender |
| commiserate | (v.) to express sorrow or pity; to sympathize with |
| complacent | (adj.) self-satisfied; almost smug |
| consign | (v.) to give over to the care of another; entrust; to deliver for custody or sale |
| conspicuous | (adj.) easy to notice; obvious |
| corroborate | (v.) to strengthen or support with other evidence; to make more certain [takes an object] |
| deference | (n.) courteous respect |
| deign | (v.) to do something below one’s dignity; to condescend [followed by an infinitive] |
| despondent | (adj.) dejected; hopeless |
| dissipate | (v.) to drive away or disperse; to waste or squander recklessly |
| efficacy | (n.) power to produce a desired effect; effectiveness |
| evanescence | (n.) the quality of lasting only a short time |
| fidelity | (n.) faithfulness to one’s duties and obligations |
| furtive | (adj.) characterized by stealth, surreptitious |
| glib | (adj.) ease of speech or writing that suggests insincerity |
| imperative | (adj.) obligatory; compulsory |
| implacable | (adj.) incapable of being appeased or pacified |
| inanimate | (adj.) lifeless; inactive; dead |
| incorrigible | (adj.) incapable of being corrected or reformed |
| incumbent | (adj.) currently holding a specified office; imposed as an obligation |
| infallible | (adj.) incapable of erring or failing |
| insolent | (adj.) boldly rude or disrespectful |
| inundate | (v.) to overwhelm, as if with a flood |
| juncture | (n.) the act of joining; a place where two things are joined; a critical point in time |
| lethargy | (n.) a state of sluggishness, inactivity, and apathy |
| levity | (n.) lightness in manner or speech, especially when inappropriate |
| lucrative | (adj.) producing wealth; profitable |
| ludicrous | (adj.) laughably absurd |
| magnanimous | (adj.) generous and noble in spirit, understanding, and tolerance |
| mercenary | (n.) a soldier hired into foreign service. (adj.) motivated by desire for money or material gain |
| obliterate | (v.) to do away with completely; to wipe out or rub off |
| obsequious | (adj.) fawning; conspicuously obedient or submissive |
| ominous | (adj.) menacing or threatening; foreshadowing evil |
| perpetuate | (v.) to cause to continue indefinitely |
| pilfer | (v.) to steal (usually a small amount) |
| propensity | (n.) an inclination |
| rejoinder | (n.) an answer, especially to a reply |
| render | (v.) to present for consideration or approval; to provide or make available |
| retaliate | (v.) to return evil for evil; to pay back an injury in kind |
| ruminate | (v.) to reflect on over and over |
| servile | (adj.) befitting a servant or slave; abjectly submissive |
| spectral | (adj.) ghostly; resembling a ghost |
| stint | (n.) a length of time spent in a particular way. (v.) to restrict or limit in amount or number |
| sumptuous | (adj.) expensively splendid |
| supplicate | (v.) to ask for humbly or earnestly, as if praying |
| tremulous | (adj.) timid or fearful |
| trenchant | (adj.) hard-hitting and forceful (often used to characterize writing or speech) |
| vermin | (n.) destructive animals or insects (rats, cockroaches); loathsome or offensive people |
Combine with other sets
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