| Term | Definition |
|---|
| resonant | echoing |
| podium | raised platform used to give speeches from |
| oblivious | totally unaware |
| lampoon | ridicule, spoof |
| heed | listen to |
| epicure | someone who appreciated good food and drink |
| curtail | cut short |
| bombast | arrogant, pompous langauge |
| acquiesce | to agree to, give in to |
| tentative | not certain |
| resolution | determination, steadfastness, solution |
| plummet | fall suddenly and steeply |
| obliterate | destroy, demolish, eradicate |
| lamentation | expression of regret or sorrow |
| hedonist | a pleasure-seeker |
| ephemeral | short-lived |
| cryptic | puzzling, enigmatic |
| bolster | support, prop up |
| accolade | tribute, honor, praise |
| tenacious | stubborn, resolute, holding firm to a purpose |
| resignation | acceptance of fate |
| plumage | feathers of a bird |
| oblique | indirect, implicit, slanting |
| laconic | using few words, brief, short, to the point |
| hedonism | self-indulgence, pleasure-seeking |
| envenom | to cause bitterness and bad feeling |
| cringe | recoil, flinch, shy away |
| blunderbuss | ancient weapon (type of gun); a clumsy person |
| abstruse | difficult to understand, obscure |
| temper | to moderate, soften |
| rescind | retract, repeal |
| pliable | flexible, not stubborn |
| objective | unbiased, not subjective |
| lackluster | dull, monotonous, bland |
| headstrong | stubborn, willful |
| enunciation | clear pronunciation, accent, articulation |
| crepuscular | active at dawn and dusk |
| blithe | free-spirited, carefree |
| abstemious | self-denying, refraining from indulging |
| tenuous | flimsy, not solid |
| debility | weakness, incapacity |
| pontificate | speak pompously, dogmatically |
| obstreperous | noisy and boisterous |
| tirade | stream of verbal abuse |
| equivocate | speak ambiguously; avoid telling the truth |
| hyperbole | grossly exaggerated expression |
| legend | key to map; myth or story |
| odious | hateful |
| posterity | future generations |
| totter | walk unsteadily |
| rigor | thoroughness |
| esoteric | obscure and difficult to understand |
| acuity | sharpness (mental or visual) |
| espouse | promote, take up, support |
| posthumous | after death |
| eulogy | praise |
| torpor | dormancy, sluggishness, inactivity |
| affable | friendly, social, easygoing |
| degradation | deprivation, poverty, debasement |
| abhor | hate, detest |
| plaudit | statement giving strong praise |
| reprehensible | shameful, very bad |
| tardy | slow, late, overdue, delayed |
| absolution | forgiveness, pardon, release |
| blatant | obvious |
| hasten | hurry, accelerate, rush |
| officious | domineering; intrusive; meddlesome |
| legion | in large numbers |
| hypochondriac | a person obsessed with health; having imaginary illnesses |
| obscure | difficult to understand, partially hidden |
| hangar | storage area (like a garage) for a plane |
| engender | cause, bring about |
| covert | hidden, undercover |
| abrasive | rough, coarse, harsh |
| talisman | lucky charm |
| remuneration | payment for work done |
| placid | calm, peaceful |
| noxious | harmful, poisonous, lethal |
| kindle | to start a fire |
| hamper | hinder, obstruct |
| enfranchise | give voting rights |
| knotty | complex, difficult to solve |
| obtuse | mentally dull |
| rife | common, widespread |
| languish | decay, fade away, get weaker |
| nuance | something subtle, a fine shade of meaning |
| reticent | restrained, holding something back, uncommunicative |
| broach | start to discuss, approach |
| deference | respect |
| lavish | on a grand scale, wasteful, luxurious |
| revere | worship |
| labyrinth | a maze |
| harangue | noisy attacking speech |
| nuzzle | cuddle, snuggle |
| labyrinthine | complicated, highly convoluted |
| harbingers | indicators, bringers of warnings |
| enigma | puzzle, mystery |
| credible | believable |
| blasphemy | speech which offends religious sentiments |
| tangible | can be touched |
| replete | full |
| plaintiff | applicant, petitioner |
| nullify | to counter, make unimportant |
| plausible | can be believed, reasonable |
| laceration | a cut |
| tome | large book |
| defoliate | cause leaves to fall off |
| hone | sharpen, increase, perfect |
| riddled | full of (usually full of holes) |
| aesthetic | concerning art or beauty |
| etymology | the study of word origins |
| bilk | cheat, defraud |
| abrogate | cancel, deny, repeal |
| portend | foretell |
| obsolete | no longer valid |
| titter | giggle quietly |
| respite | a break, intermission |
| resplendent | shining, glowing |
| poised | calm, collected, self-possessed |
| obscured | hidden, covered, buried |
| lance | spear, spike, javelin |
| heresy | against orthodox opinion |
| hiatus | interruption, pause |
| languid | tired, slow |
| enhance | improve, make better or clearer |
| cower | recoil in fear or servility, shrink away from |
| billowing | swelling, fluttering, waving |
| abrasiveness | harshness, coarseness |
| tangent | going away from the main subject |
| renown | fame |
| plagiarism | taking credit for someone else's writing or ideas |
| epistle | a letter (form of communication) |
| cynical | believing that people act only out of selfish motives |
| boorish | ill-mannered |
| acrid | sharp, pungent (used of smells and tastes) |
| terse | concise, to the point |
| defunct | no longer in existence |
| bureaucracy | administration marked by hierarchical authority |
| portent | a warning sign, omen |
| brusque | blunt, abrupt |
| obsequious | servile, submissive |
| larceny | theft, robbery, stealing |
| bulwark | fortification, barricade, wall |
| torpid | inactive, lazy, stagnant |
| poseur | someone who puts on an act |
| obviate | avoid, make unnecessary |
| adulation | strong admiration, worship |
| laud | praise |
| retraction | withdrawal, cancellation of a statement |
| poignant | deeply moving, strongly affecting the emotions |
| epistolary | concerned with letters, through correspondence |
| bourgeois | middle class |
| acrophobia | fear of heights |
| lax | careless, not strict |
| advocate | support |
| restorative | a tonic |
| hinder | obstruct |
| err | make a mistake |
| bristle | to show irritation |
| hidebound | rigid in opinions |
| epitomized | typified, characterized, personified |
| debunking | exposing false claims or myths |
| braggart | someone who boasts |
| therapeutic | medicinal, curative |
| hieroglyphics | picture-writing; writing that is difficult to read/enigmatic |
| decathlon | an athletic competition with ten events |
| hoary | old |
| largess | generosity |
| polemical | causing debate or argument |
| retention | preservation, withholding |
| ponderous | weighty, slow and heavy |
| obsession | a dominating concern |
| decoy | lure, trap, trick |
| erratic | wandering, irregular |
| adversity | hardship |
| enshroud | cover something |
| haughtiness | arrogance, pride |
| lachrymose | tearful, sad |
| obfuscate | deliberately make something difficult to understand |
| plethora | an excess, abundance |
| tedium | boredom |
| repudiate | shun, eschew |
| ensconce | establish firmly in a position |
| decorum | dignified, decent, correct behavior |
| brevity | briefness |
| adroit | skillful |
| blighted | damaged, destroyed, ruined |
| abstain | desist, go without, withdraw |
| tawdry | of little value, gaudy |
| reprieve | a respite; postponement of a sentence |
| obdurate | stubborn |
| credulous | gullible, ready to believe anything |
| brawny | muscular |
| adamant | forceful, inflexible |
| thwart | prevent, frustrate |
| creditable | praiseworthy |
| timorous | cowardly, fearful |
| histrionic | theatrical, exaggerated |
| counterfeit | fake, false |
| bigot | narrow-minded, prejudiced person |
| alacrity | eagerness, enthusiasm, quickness |
| burgeon | grow, flourish, put forth new shoots |
| deleterious | harmful |
| euphemism | a polite phrase to cover something unpleasant |
| hypocritical | insincere |
| lethargic | tired, without energy |
| ogle | stare at, observe in an obvious manner |
| postulate | hypothesize, propose |
| robust | strong, healthy, tough |
| tractable | obedient, dutiful, polite |
| alchemy | medieval chemistry; attempt to change base metal into gold |
| burnish | polish |
| deliberate | to think over deeply, reflect on |
| euphony | pleasant sounds |
| iconoclast | person who opposes orthodoxy |
| levity | flippancy, joking about serious matters |
| olfactory | concerned with the sense of smell |
| potable | suitable for drinking |
| rotund | round, plump |
| tranquil | peaceful, relaxing |
| alibi | an excuse that shows someone was not at a crime scene |
| buttress | strengthen, support |
| delineation | demarcation, explanation, definition, outlining |
| evacuate | vacate, empty, abandon |
| idiosyncrasy | a personal peculiarity; something unique to an individual |
| libertarian | someone who opposes tyranny |
| ominous | threatening |
| potent | powerful, compelling, strong |
| ruminate | think over something, ponder |
| transcribe | copy, record |
| allay | to lessen, relieve |
| byline | the line that tells you who wrote an article |
| demur | hesitate, refuse |
| exacerbate | make worse |
| ignominious | shameful |
| liniment | soothing lotion |
| omnipotent | all-powerful |
| pragmatic | practical |
| ruse | trick, stratagem |
| transgress | go astray, disobey, commit a sin |
| alleviate | make less severe |
| cacophony | discordant loud noises |
| denounce | condemn, speak out against |
| exasperated | frustrated, annoyed |
| ignominy | shame |
| lithe | flexible, supple |
| omniscient | all-knowing |
| pragmatist | concerned with usefulness |
| saccharine | falsely sweet |
| transient | short-lived, ephemeral |
| aloof | distant, detached, cold |
| cajole | coax, persuade |
| deplete | use up, lessen |
| exceptionable | very bad (something which we should object to) |
| illuminate | to light up or make clear |
| livid | very angry |
| onerous | difficult, tedious, hard to undertake |
| preamble | preface, introductory material |
| sacrosanct | very holy, inviolable |
| traverse | cross, pass through |
| altruism | putting others first, being self-sacrificing |
| caldron | huge cooking pot |
| deplore | regret, condemn |
| exculpate | free someone from blame, pardon, acquit |
| illusory | deceptive, false, misleading |
| lobbyist | tries to persuade someone to support a particular cause |
| onus | burden, responsibility |
| precarious | unstable, risky |
| sagacious | wise |
| trepidation | fear |
| amass | accumulate |
| callow | immature |
| depravity | moral corruption |
| execrable | very, very bad |
| immoderate | excessive, extreme flattering |
| lofty | snooty, arrogant, haughty |
| opaque | does not let light through |
| precedent | a previous occurrence used as a guide |
| sage | a wise person |
| trinket | something of little value, knick-knack |
| ambiguity | uncertainty, vagueness |
| candid | frank, honest |
| deprecate | criticize, denounce |
| exegesis | scholarly explanation or interpretation |
| immutable | unchanging, permanent |
| longevity | long life |
| opulent | wealthy, rich, magnificent |
| precept | guiding principle |
| salacious | lecherous, erotic |
| trite | unoriginal, dull |
| ambiguous | unclear in meaning, can be interpreted in different ways |
| candor | frankness, openness |
| deride | ridicule, make fun of, mock |
| exemplary | outstandingly good, setting a fine example |
| impartial | unbiased, neutral |
| loquacious | talkative |
| ordain | destine; confer holy orders on a priest |
| precinct | district of a city |
| sallow | yellowish |
| trivial | unimportant |
| ambivalence | lack of clarity, wavering, being undecided |
| cantankerous | bad-tempered, quarrelsome |
| derogatory | uncomplimentary |
| exemplify | to serve as a good example |
| impecunious | having no money |
| lucid | clear, logical, sane |
| ornate | highly decorated |
| precipice | steep slope |
| salubrious | health-giving |
| truant | shirker, someone absent without permission |
| ambulatory | able to walk around (used of hospital patients) |
| capacious | spacious |
| desecrate | to damage or pollute a holy place |
| exhaustive | complete and thorough |
| impious | wicked, profane |
| ludicrous | ridiculous, silly |
| orthodox | conventional |
| precipitous | done in a hurry |
| salutary | something which teaches you a lesson; beneficial |
| truncate | cut short |
| ameliorate | make better |
| capitulate | surrender, give in to |
| desecration | spoiling something holy |
| exonerates | acquits, absolves, removes blame |
| impoverished | destitute, poor |
| lukewarm | unenthusiastic; neither hot nor cold |
| ossify | turn to bone, become fixed and rigid |
| preclude | prevent or make impossible |
| sanctimonious | hypocritically holy |
| tumult | uproar, noise |
| amelioration | improvement |
| carping | constant criticism |
| desist | stop, discontinue, cease |
| exorcism | getting free/rid of, eliminating (especially demons) |
| impromptu | unrehearsed, spontaneous |
| lummox | clumsy person |
| ostentatious | showy |
| precocious | developing early |
| sanction | give approval to |
| turpitude | depravity |
| amiable | friendly |
| cartographer | person who makes maps |
| despondent | having no hope, miserable |
| expatriate | refugee, emigrant, someone living away from his own country |
| inadvertent | not intentional |
| luscious | juicy, moist, succulent |
| oust | force out of an office or position |
| predecessor | one who came before |
| sanguinary | bloodthirsty, bloody |
| tyro | novice, beginner |
| amity | friendship |
| castigate | scold strongly |
| destitution | hardship, poverty, misery |
| expedient | convenient, practical |
| incantation | chant, invocation, prayer |
| lynch | assassinate, kill, illegal hanging |
| overt | obvious, not hidden |
| predicament | dilemma; difficult situation |
| sanguine | optimistic, cheerful |
| ubiquitous | found everywhere, omnipresent |
| amorphous | lacking in shape |
| catharsis | purging of pent-up emotions |
| deter | put off, prevent |
| expedite | make faster |
| incarceration | imprisonment |
| machinations | plots and plans |
| overwrought | worked up, in an emotional state |
| preeminent | famous, outstanding |
| sardonic | mocking, sarcastic |
| unalloyed | undiluted, total |
| analgesic | medicine to combat pain |
| caucus | type of closed political meeting |
| deteriorate | worsen, decline |
| exposition | clear explanation |
| incessant | without stopping, constant |
| maelstrom | whirpool, storm in the ocean |
| palatable | good to eat, agreeable |
| prerogative | right or privilege |
| savant | person with knowledge |
| unctuous | oily; using excessive flattery |
| analogous | comparable |
| caustic | burning, cutting |
| detrimental | harmful |
| extol | praise |
| incipient | just beginning |
| magnanimous | generous, big-hearted |
| palisade | fence made of posts |
| prescient | having fore-knowledge |
| scale | to climb |
| undermined | damaged, attacked |
| anarchy | chaos, lack of government |
| cavalcade | procession of vehicles |
| devoured | greedily eaten/consumed |
| extradite | deport from one country back to the home country |
| inclination | tendency, a leaning toward |
| magnate | powerful businessman |
| palliative | a remedy that improves/relieves but doesn't cure |
| presentiment | a feeling that something might happen |
| scapegoat | person on whom blame is placed for faults of others |
| underscore | emphasize |
| anecdote | an amusing brief story |
| celerity | speed |
| dexterous | skillful with hands |
| extraneous | irrelevant |
| incoherent | not clear, confused |
| maladroit | clumsy, unskillful |
| pallid | pale |
| presumptuous | assuming too much, arrogant |
| scrupulous | careful, diligent, painstaking |
| unequivocal | clear, obvious |
| animosity | hatred, antagonism |
| censorious | disapproving, critical |
| dichotomy | a division into two parts |
| extrapolate | extend; predict on teh basis of known data |
| incongruous | not fitting in, out of place |
| malady | illness |
| palpable | easily felt, easily perceived |
| pretentious | pompous, self-important |
| scrutinize | examine carefully |
| unfetter | set free |
| annex | a building which is an addition to an existing building |
| censure | blame |
| didactic | intended to teach, instructive |
| extrinsic | irrelevant, on the outside |
| inconsequential | unimportant, insignificant, negligible |
| malediction | a curse |
| panacea | remedy for all ills |
| prevaricate | speak misleadingly and evasively |
| scuttle | scurry, dash, mess up |
| unfrock | to remove a priest from his position |
| annex | take possession of, seize, capture |
| cerebral | intellectual |
| diffident | lacking confidence, shy |
| fallacious | false |
| inconspicuous | not easily seen, subtle, not noticeable |
| malefactor | a wrong-doer |
| paradigm | example, model, way of looking at things |
| pristine | unspoiled, like new |
| seminary | an institution in which priests are trained |
| unprecedented | never having happened before |
| anomaly | something which does not fit in a pattern |
| certitude | certainty |
| digress | wander off the subject |
| falter | hesitate, waver |
| indelible | cannot be wiped out |
| malinger | deliberately avoid work; shirk |
| paradox | apparently contradictory statement |
| proclivity | tendency towards |
| sensuous | appealing to the senses |
| unscathed | unharmed, intact, without a scratch |
| antagonism | hostility, strong opposition |
| charlatan | trickster who claims knowledge he doesn't have |
| dike | dam, embankment |
| fanatical | obsessive, fixated |
| indifferent | neutral, or not outstanding |
| malingerer | deliberately tries to avoid work |
| paragon | a perfect example |
| procrastinate | delay, put off |
| sentinel | guard, sentry |
| unwitting | not deliberate, unconscious |
| antagonistic | opposed, hostile, aggressive |
| chary | wary of, cautious about, reluctant to give |
| dilatory | slow, falling behind with one's work |
| fanaticism | passion, excessive devotion |
| indigenous | native to a particular area |
| malleable | flexible, can be shaped |
| paramount | of supreme importance |
| prodigal | wasteful, extravagant |
| sequester | isolate |
| upbraid | scold, tell off, reprimand |
| antediluvian | outdated, prehistoric, very old-fashioned |
| chastises | punishes |
| dilemma | puzzling situation |
| fastidious | overly particular, finicky |
| indolence | laziness |
| mallet | hammer, stick used for polo |
| parasite | scrounger, animal which takes digested food from another |
| prodigious | very large, extraordinary |
| serendipity | fortunate coincidence, unsought discovery |
| uproarious | hilarious, hysterical, very funny |
| anthology | a book which is a collection of poems or stories |
| chicanery | trickery |
| dilettante | person who dabbles in a subject without serious study |
| fatuous | silly, foolish |
| inductee | novice; beginner |
| manipulatable | influenceable, controllable |
| parched | dried up |
| profane | unholy, disrespectful |
| serene | calm, peaceful |
| upshot | outcome |
| anthropocentrism | putting man at the center of one's philosophy |
| chimerical | changeable, unstable |
| diligent | hard-working |
| feasible | possible and practical |
| indulgent | pampering, satisfying desires |
| marred | damaged, spoiled |
| pariah | an outcast from society |
| profanity | swearing, cursing |
| serrated | jagged, saw-like |
| urbane | sophisticated, suave |
| antiquated | outdated, old fashioned |
| choleric | easily angered |
| diorama | model of a scene |
| fecund | fertile |
| inebriation | to be drunk, high, intoxicated |
| marshal | to gather together |
| parity | equality |
| profound | having deep meaning |
| servile | overly submissive, groveling |
| usurp | take someone's position (usually by force) |
| apathetic | indifferent, uninterested, lethargic |
| chronicler | person who records historical information |
| dirge | mournful song |
| felicitous | lucky, apt |
| ineffable | cannot be expressed in words |
| marsupial | pouched mammal (like a kangaroo) |
| parochial | narrow-minded, concerned only with local matters |
| profundity | depth, insightfulness |
| skeptical | doubting, not gullible |
| utilitarian | useful |
| apathy | lack of interest or emotion |
| circuitous | indirect, roundabout |
| disapprobation | disapproval |
| fervor | passion, enthusiasm |
| inept | incompetent, unskilled, useless |
| martinet | person who believes in strict discipline |
| parody | a mockery, imitation for ridicule, spoof |
| proletarian | member of the working class |
| skirmish | minor battle |
| utopian | a believer in an ideal world |
| apocryphal | of doubtful origin |
| circumlocution | using too many words, long-windedness |
| discern | to distinguish one thing from another |
| fickle | unpredictable, whimsical, easily swayed |
| inertia | inactivity, lethargy |
| masochist | person who intentionally inflicts pain on himself |
| parry | dodge, avoid, ward off |
| prolific | producing a lot |
| sluggard | slow-moving, lethargic person |
| vacillate | waver, hesitate |
| appease | pacify, soothe, calm down, make peace with |
| circumscribe | limit, restrict |
| discord | disagreement |
| finesse | delicacy, subtlety, skill |
| inevitable | cannot be avoided |
| matriarchy | society governed by women |
| parsimonious | economical, frugal, thrifty |
| proponents | promoters, supporters |
| smelt | refine an ore |
| vacuous | empty, silly, meaningless |
| apprehensive | worried, fearful |
| circumspect | cautious, considering all sides |
| discordancy | cacophany, harshness, jarring |
| fitful | not continuous, stopping and starting |
| inexorable | relentless |
| maverick | a loner |
| parsimony | stinginess, frugality, cost-cutting |
| prosaic | dull, boring, ordinary |
| smorgasbord | a Swedish buffet of cold dishes, a wide variety |
| vagrant | person wandering without a home |
| arable | can be cultivated to grow crops |
| circumvent | avoid, get around |
| discrepancy | something which does not match up; inconsistency |
| flagrant | clearly wrong |
| inexpedient | not convenient or prudent |
| meager | in short supply, inadequate |
| partisan | biased, one-sided, committed to one group |
| proscribe | forbid |
| solace | comfort for grief |
| vapid | dull, uninspiring |
| arbitrary | random, for no definite reason |
| clairvoyant | psychic, mystic |
| discriminate | to make a clear distinction, see the difference |
| flamboyant | showy, ornate |
| infallible | perfect, flawless |
| meander | wander from side to side |
| pathos | evoking sadness or pity |
| prosody | study of versification |
| solicit | to ask for, seek |
| variegated | multicolored, speckled |
| arcane | obscure, known only to a few people |
| clamor | shout, scream |
| discursiveness | long windedness, indirectness |
| flaunt | show off, display in a showy manner |
| infamous | famous for something bad |
| mellow | soft, melodious, ripe |
| patron | one who gives support (usually financial) |
| prostration | lying face down, or be overcome with extreme weakness |
| somnambulist | sleepwalker |
| vehemence | violence, fervor, forcefulness |
| archaic | ancent, outdated, old fashioned |
| clandestine | secret, covert, stealthy |
| disdain | contempt, strong dislike |
| flippant | making jokes about serious matters |
| infer | deduce, conclude |
| menagerie | collection of animals |
| patronize | condescend to, behave in an arrogant manner towards |
| protagonist | main character in film, book, play, etc. |
| soothsayer | fortuneteller |
| vehement | forceful |
| archetype | classic example of |
| clemency | mercy |
| disinterested | unbiased |
| flout | defy, reject |
| ingénue | naïve, unsophisticated person |
| mendacious | given to lying |
| paucity | shortage |
| protean | changeable |
| sophomoric | juvenile, immature |
| venal | corrupt; can be bribed |
| archives | collections of old records, place of storage of old documents |
| cliché | overused expression, something unoriginal |
| disparage | criticize, belittle |
| flustered | worked-up, not calm |
| ingrate | ungrateful person |
| mercenary | concerned only with money |
| peccadillo | minor weakness; trivial offence |
| protégé | person under protection of, or guided by another |
| soporific | inducing sleep |
| veneer | surface coating |
| articulate | clear, lucid, eloquent |
| clientele | customers |
| disparity | an inequality |
| fly-by-night | unreliable, disreputable |
| inimical | hostile, contrary |
| mercurial | volatile, changeable |
| pedant | insists on strict adherence to rules or narrow learning |
| protocol | procedure, code of behavior |
| sparse | spare, bare, meager |
| venerate | revere, worship |
| artifice | deception, trickery |
| coalesce | come together, merge |
| dispassionate | neutral, objective |
| forensic | concerned with courts of law; concerned with argument |
| innate | inherited, inborn |
| merge | come together |
| pedestrian | common, mundane, banal |
| provincial | unsophisticated, narrow-minded |
| specious | false |
| venial | minor, unimportant |
| artisan | craftsman |
| coddle | pamper, fuss over, indulge |
| disseminating | circulating, broadcasting, spreading (information) |
| fortitude | bravery |
| innocuous | harmless, inoffensive |
| metaphorically | symbolically, figuratively |
| peerless | without equal |
| prudent | cautious, wise |
| speckled | spotted, freckled, dotted |
| veracity | truthfulness |
| ascetic | without luxuries, severely simple |
| coercion | force |
| diurnal | active in daytime |
| fortuitous | happening by chance |
| innovate | create, introduce something new |
| meticulous | very careful, painstaking |
| pejorative | derogatory |
| puerile | childish |
| sporadic | not continuous, intermittent |
| verbose | talkative, long-winded, rambling |
| assiduous | thorough, diligent |
| cogent | lucid, well argued |
| divert | entertain; distract; cause a detour |
| fractious | irritable, difficult to control |
| inscrutable | mysterious, impenetrable |
| mettle | courage, bravery, valor |
| pellucid | transparently clear |
| punctilious | paying attention to small details |
| spurious | false |
| verbosity | using too many words |
| assuage | to calm |
| cogitate | think over something, ponder |
| docile | gentle and easily lead |
| fraudulent | fake, false |
| insentient | unfeeling |
| milieu | environment |
| pensive | in a thoughtful mood, thinking deeply |
| purloin | steal |
| stagnant | still, not moving |
| vertigo | dizziness |
| astute | perceptive, sharp-witted |
| collage | picture made from fragments of other pictures |
| dogmatic | having stubbornly held opinions |
| frivolous | not serious, playful, silly |
| insipid | dull, bland, boring |
| mire | swamp, muddy ground |
| penury | poverty |
| pusillanimous | cowardly |
| staid | dull, sober, serious |
| vestigial | not developed |
| asylum | place of refuge or safety |
| collate | arrange in order |
| dolt | stupid person |
| frugal | economical, not wasting anything |
| instigate | to start, provoke |
| misanthrope | hater of the rest of mankind |
| perceptive | observant |
| pyromania | compulsion to start fires |
| stanza | section of a poem |
| vignette | small sketch |
| atheist | person who does not believe in God |
| colloquial | local and informal (use of language) |
| dotard | foolish old man |
| furrow | groove in the ground, wrinkle |
| instigator | troublemaker, person who entices others to do something |
| misnomer | wrong name |
| percipient | perceptive, insightful |
| quaff | drink down quickly |
| staunch | loyal, faithful, dependable |
| vilification | blackening someone's name |
| atrophy | waste away from lack of use |
| collusion | plotting and planning |
| drawl | speak slowly with words running together |
| furtive | hidden and secret |
| insurgent | a rebel |
| misogynist | hater of women |
| perdition | damnation |
| quagmire | marsh, bog |
| stereotype | generalized image |
| vindicate | prove right, remove blame |
| attenuate | weaken |
| commandeer | take possession of |
| drivel | nonsense |
| futile | useless, hopeless |
| interminable | never ending |
| misrepresentation | deliberately deceiving |
| peremptory | in a commanding manner |
| quaint | old-fashioned, pretty |
| stevedore | dockworker |
| virtuoso | an accomplished musician |
| augment | increase, make bigger |
| complacent | self-satisfied, smug |
| droll | dryly amusing |
| galleon | ancient type of sailing ship |
| intermittent | sporadic, irregular |
| mitigate | lessen, make less severe |
| perfidy | treachery |
| quandary | dilemma, puzzle |
| stifle | suppress |
| virulent | dangerous, harmful |
| auspicious | favorable, promising to turn out well |
| compliant | easy to control, submissive |
| drone | monotonous noise; to speak with no emotion |
| gambol | frolic, leap, bound |
| intransigence | stubbornness |
| modicum | small amount |
| perfunctory | superficial, cursory |
| quarantine | isolation to prevent the spread of disease |
| stoic | known for fortitude, indifferent to pleasure or pain |
| vital | essential, alive, or important |
| austere | severely plain |
| concatenate | link together |
| dubious | doubtful |
| garble | distort, confuse, muddle |
| intransigent | stubborn, unyielding |
| momentous | very important |
| peripatetic | nomadic, moving from place to place |
| quarry | prey, mine for stone |
| stoke | add fuel to, strengthen |
| vitriolic | corrosive, strongly attacking |
| aversion | a dislike of |
| concatenation | linking into chains |
| dupe | to fool someone |
| garish | gaudy |
| intrepid | brave |
| monotonous | dull, unvarying |
| peripheral | on the edge, not important |
| querulous | always complaining |
| stolid | impassive, dull, indifferent |
| vivacity | liveliness, animation |
| balk | hinder and prevent; hesitate over |
| conciliate | to bring together, end a dispute |
| dynamic | lively, vibrant, energetic |
| garner | gather, collect |
| inveterate | habitual, chronic |
| moratorium | temporary prohibition or halt to activity |
| perjury | lying under oath |
| quirk | oddity |
| stratagem | plot, plan, trick |
| vivify | enliven |
| banal | common, dull |
| concise | stated in few words |
| ebullient | very lively, cheerful, jovial, happy |
| garrulous | talkative |
| invidious | arousing envy |
| moribund | on the point of death |
| pernicious | destructive, harmful |
| ramble | wander aimlessly |
| strident | loud and harsh |
| vociferous | noisy, loud in speech |
| banality | ordinariness, dullness |
| condescend | talk down to |
| eccentric | unusual, quirky, odd |
| gaunt | emaciated, bony and angular |
| inviolable | cannot be invaded |
| morose | gloomy, bad tempered |
| persnickety | fastidious, fussy |
| ramifications | branches; subdivisions of a complex system |
| stringent | strict or severe |
| volatile | dangerously unstable; evaporates easily |
| bane | troublesome influence |
| condone | tacitly support, overlook |
| eclectic | taking things from different sources |
| genre | a category, type |
| irascible | easily angered |
| mundane | ordinary, worldly |
| perpetuated | caused to continue |
| rancor | resentment, animosity, bad feeling |
| strut | swagger, show off |
| voluble | talkative |
| bard | poet |
| condoning | overlooking, disregarding, ignoring |
| edifice | building, structure, construction |
| germane | relevant |
| ire | anger (irate means very angry) |
| munificent | generous, charitable |
| perpetuity | eternity |
| rant | use bombastic language |
| stupefying | astonishing, shocking, stunning into silence |
| voluminous | very large, spacious |
| bastion | fortress, stronghold |
| conflagration | big fire |
| efface | wipe out, remove all trace of |
| germinal | just growing, not developed, immature |
| irksome | annoying, infuriating |
| mutinous | very rebellious |
| personable | friendly, likeable |
| ratify | approve, consent |
| subpoena | summons to court |
| voracious | ravenous |
| befuddle | confuse |
| confound | confuse |
| effigy | a model of a person |
| gibbering | making meaningless noises |
| ironic | satiric, unexpected |
| myriad | in large numbers |
| perspicacious | insightful, sharp, wise |
| raucous | rough, unpleasant (of sounds) |
| substantiate | give supporting evidence |
| waive | surrender, give up |
| begrudge | resent |
| congeal | to solidify |
| effusive | gushing; demonstrative |
| glacial | hostile, unfriendly, cold, icy |
| irrational | unreasonable, absurd |
| navigable | suitable for sailing |
| perspicacity | insightfulness, acuity |
| raze | destroy, demolish, tear down |
| subterfuge | a trick, ploy |
| wane | grow less, diminish |
| beguile | mislead, lure |
| congenital | present from birth |
| egalitarianism | belief in equality |
| goad | prod, urge |
| irreproachable | cannot be criticized; perfect |
| nebulous | vague |
| pertinent | relevant |
| rebuttal | denial, negation |
| subtle | not obvious |
| wary | hesitant, cautious |
| belabor | explain in unnecessary detail |
| connoisseur | person with refined taste and good judgment |
| egregious | oustandingly, obviously bad |
| grate | annoy, aggravate, vex |
| irrevocable | cannot be cancelled, unchangeable |
| nefarious | wicked, immoral, disreputable |
| peruse | read carefully |
| recant | disclaim, retract statement |
| subversive | rebellious, revolutionary |
| wax | to increase, to grow |
| beleaguer | besiege, attack |
| consecrate | dedicate |
| egress | exit |
| gratis | free of charge, without payment |
| itinerant | nomadic, wandering from place to place |
| negate | cancel, deny |
| pervasive | spreading everywhere |
| recapitulate | summarize |
| succinct | concise |
| waylay | accost, stop, approach, hinder |
| belie | contradict |
| consensus | general agreement |
| eloquent | fluent and persuasive in speech |
| gratuitous | unwarranted |
| jaded | tired, bored, worn out |
| negligence | carelessness |
| petrify | terrify, turn to stone |
| receptacle | container, vessel, holder |
| suffragist | someone who campaigns for voting rights |
| weighty | serious |
| belittle | to demean |
| conspicuous | easily seen, prominent |
| elucidate | make clear |
| gravity | seriousness |
| jargon | specialized language used by experts |
| neologism | newly coined word |
| petulant | sulky, peevish |
| recluse | someone who cuts himself off from life |
| supercilious | proud and haughty |
| whelp | young dog, young person showing lack of respect |
| bellicose | war-like, aggressive |
| consummate | complete, total, supremely good |
| elusive | hard to pin down |
| gregarious | extroverted, sociable, outgoing |
| jaundiced | cynical, pessimistic |
| nettle | annoy |
| phenomenon | an event or happening |
| recuperate | get better after illness |
| superlative | extremely good, the best |
| whet | sharpen, stimulate |
| belligerent | agressive, ready to fight |
| contemporary | living or happening at the same time |
| emaciated | very thin, withered |
| gritty | coarse, granular |
| jaunt | short pleasure trip |
| niggardly | miserly, stingy |
| philanthropy | charity, love of mankind |
| red tape | formalities, paperwork, official procedure |
| surly | grumpy, rude |
| whimsical | capricious, changeable |
| bemoan | complain about |
| contrite | sorry |
| emancipate | set free |
| guffaw | sudden loud laughter |
| jeopardize | put at risk, endanger |
| nomadic | wandering from place to place |
| philistine | uncultured person |
| redolent | smelling of; giving off odors |
| surreptitious | secret, sneaky, stealthy |
| willful | stubborn |
| benevolent | kindly |
| contrition | sorrow and repentance |
| embezzle | defraud, steal |
| guile | cunning, craftiness |
| jingoistic | extremely patriotic, nationalistic |
| nonchalance | an appearance of indifference, calm and composed |
| phlegmatic | calm, imperturbable |
| redress | put right something that was wrong |
| surreptitiously | secretly, furtively, stealthily |
| wily | cunning |
| benign | kindly, harmless |
| contumacious | stubborn |
| embroil | involve in hostility or argument |
| guileless | frank, straightforward, honest |
| jocular | in a joking manner |
| nondescript | having no special features, dull and ordinary |
| pillage | plunder |
| redundant | unnecessary, superfluous |
| susceptible | vulnerable |
| wispy | flimsy, frail, delicate |
| benignity | compassion, gentleness, fondness |
| contusion | a bruise |
| emerge | come out, appear |
| gullibility | unwariness, trustfulness, being easily fooled |
| jollity | gaiety, happiness |
| nonentity | a person of no importance, not famous |
| pinnacle | topmost point |
| referendum | public vote |
| suspect | think, distrust |
| wistful | melancholy, pensive, expressing a longing for |
| bequeath | leave something in one's will to be given after one's death |
| conundrum | a puzzle |
| emulate | to imitate something admired |
| gullible | easily fooled |
| jubilant | ecstatic, delighted, rejoicing |
| nostalgia | longing for the past |
| pious | very religious |
| refute | disprove |
| sybarite | lover of luxury |
| zany | crazy, wacky |
| berate | scold, criticize |
| conventional | usual, customary, common |
| endorse | give support or approval to |
| gustatory | concerned with the sense of taste |
| judicious | correct in judgment, wise |
| notoriety | infamy, known for wrong doing |
| pivotal | of central importance |
| regale | entertain |
| sycophant | bootlicker, flatterer |
| zeal | enthusiasm |
| beret | type of cap |
| corpulent | fat |
| endurance | staying power, patience, stamina |
| hackneyed | common and overused |
| jurisprudence | science or study of law |
| novel | new, unusual |
| placate | pacify, soothe, calm |
| relegate | dismiss to a lower position |
| taciturn | quiet, saying little |
| zealot | fanatic |
| bestial | behaving like a beast, brutal |
| corrugated | highly folded |
| enduring | lasting |
| hallowed | worshipped, consecrated |
| juxtapose | place next to |
| novice | a beginner, tyro |
| placebo | harmless medicine with no effect, dummy medicine |
| remorse | regret, sorrow, contrition |
| tactile | concerned with the sense of touch |
| zenith | summit |
Combine with other sets
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