juxtaposition
side-by-side placement for comparison
jubilation
joy, celebration, exultation
jollity
cheerfulness, liveliness; celebration
jest
to act playfully, ridicule
jeopardize
endanger, expose to injury
jaded
tired by excess or overuse; slightly cynical
nurture
to help develop, cultivate
nullify
to make legally invalid; to counteract the effect of
novice
beginner, apprentice
novelty
something new and unusual
notion
idea or conception
notable
remarkable, worthy of notice
nostalgic
longing for things of the past
nondescript
lacking interesting or distinctive qualities
nonchalant
calm, casual, seemingly unexcited
nitpick
to criticize minor details
neutralize
to balance, offset
neutrality
disinterest, impartiality
negligible
not worth considering
negligent
careless, inattentive
navigable
sufficient for vessels to pass through
narcissism
excessive love for admiration of oneself
naive
lacking experience and understanding
querulous
complaining, grumbling
quell
to pacify, to suppress
quandary
predicament, dilemma
quaint
charmingly strange
undermine
to sabotage, thwart
unethical
not comforming to approved behavior; immortal
unfetter
to free from restrictions
unheralded
unannounced, unexpected, not publicized
unique
one of a kind, unequaled
universal
worldwide; applicable to anything
unparalleled
unequaled; without match
unscrupulous
devoid of honor; unethical
untenable
indefensible, uninhabitable
unyielding
firm, resolute
urbane
courteous, refined, suave
urge
to impel, to exhort, spur to action
usurp
to take over without right
utilitarian
efficient, functional, useful
gruff
brusque, stem, harsh
grudgingly
reluctantly, resentfully
gravity
importance, seriousness
gratuity
something given voluntarily, tip
grandiose
magnificient and imposing; exaggerated and pretentious
gracious
kind, compassionate, warm-hearted
gourmand
glutton; lover of fine food
glutton
person who eats and drinks excessively
glossy
shiny, showy, sleek
glacier
slow-moving large mass of ice
gibbering
prattling unintelligibly
genial
pleasant, friendly, gracious
generalize
reduce to a general form
gargantuan
giant, tremendous
assurance
guarantee, plege
assiduous
diligent, persistent, hard working
accentuate
to stress or emphasize; intensify
auspicious
having favorable prospects, promising
awe
reverence, respect, wonder
anarchist
one who aims for the overthrow of government
authoritarian
demanding absolute obedience to authority
attain
to accomplish, gain
acquire
to gain possession of
anthology
collection of literary works
adorn
to enhance or decorate
anthropocentrism
interpreting reality entirely based on human values
assertion
declaration, usually without proof
arable
suitable for cultivation
alacrity
cheerfulness, willingness, eagerness; speed
amphitheater
arena theater with rising tiers around a central open space
alleviate
to relieve, improve partially
avant
radically new or original
analyze
to examine methodically
accomplice
an associate in wrongdoing
abrasive
harsh and rough in manner
accomodate
to do a favor for; provide for
affiliation
an association to a group or organization
adversary
opponent, enemy
adversity
a state of hardship or misfortune
anecdote
sort, usually funny account of an event
acrimony
bitterness, animosity
accelerate
to cause to develop or progress more quickly
ambivalent
uncertain; emotionally conflicted
appraise
evaluate, estimate the value
appalling
causing dismay, frightful
amalgamation
consolidation of smaller parts
access
the ability or right to approach or make use of
archetypal
an ideal example of a type
antidote
a remedy, an agent used to counteract
amorphous
having no definite form
arbitration
process where a dispute is settled by an outside party
absorb
to soak up, consume; to occupy completely
arid
extremely dry or deathly boring
archive
to place into storage
aesthetic
pertaining to beauty or art
ancient
very odd; antiquated
antagonist
foe adversary, opponent
allegation
claim without proof
agile
well coordinated, nimble
augment
to expand, extend
amiable
friendly, pleasant, likable
abbreviate
to make shorter
amicable
friendly, agreeable
atypical
unusual, irregular
absolve
to forgive, free from blame
anticipate
to realize beforhand, to look forward to
astute
having good judgement
ardor
great emotino or passion
accessible
attainable, available; approachable
aggressive
acts actively hostile; assertive, bold
avian
of, or relating to birds
audacious
bold, daring, fearless
affectation
pretension; false display
amplify
increase, intensify
ambiguous
uncertain; subject to multiple interpretations
assess
to establish a value
autonomous
separate, independent
adulation
excessive flattery
aesthete
one who cultivates a high sensitivity to the beauty of art and nature
archaic
antiquated, from an earlier time, outdated
ascetic
self- denying, abstinent, and austere
abridge
to condense, shorten
advantageous
favorable, useful
asylum
a place offering protection and safety
apathetic
indifferent, unconcerned
cacophony
jarring, unpleasant noise
cadence
rhythmic flow; marching beat
cajole
flatter, coax, persuade
calamity
disaster, catastrophe
calculating
shrewd, crafty
calumny
false and malicious accusation, misrepresentation, slander
camaraderie
trust, sociability amongst friends
cantankerous
quarrelsome, disagreeable
carouse
to partake in drunken amusement, drink excessively
cartographer
someone who makes maps
castigate
to punish, chastise, criticize severely
catalyst
something causing change without being changed
catastrophic
of, or relating to, a terrible event or complete failure
catnap
short, light sleep
caustic
biting, sarcastic, able to burn
celebrated
known and praised widely
censor
someone who examines and suppresses information
censure
to find fault with and condemn as wrong; blame
challenge
take exception to, call into question
chapped
rough, cracked, or reddened by cold or exposure
cherish
to remember fondly, treat with affection
circuitous
indirect, taking the longest route
circumlocution
roundabout, lengthy way of saying something
circumscribe
to encircle; set limits on; confine
civility
courtesy, politeness
clairvoyant
exceptionally insightful, able to forsee the future
clamp
establish by authority, impose
clandestine
secretive, concealed for a darker purpose
clarity
clearness; clear understanding
cliche
overused expression or idea
clientele
body of customers of patrons
clique
small exclusive group
cluttered
messy, disorderly
cognizant
fully informed, conscious
coherent
intelligible, lucid, understandable
cohesion
act or state of sticking together; close union
collaborator
someone who helps on a task
collage
assemblage of diverse elements
colloquial
characteristic of informal speech
collusion
collaboration, complicity, conspiracy
colossal
immense, enormous
combustion
the process of burning
commemorate
to serve as a memorial to
commentary
series of explanations of interpretations
comparable
similar or equivalent
compassion
sympathy, helpfulness or mercy
compelling
urgently requiring attention, forceful
compensate
to repay or reimburse
complacence
self-satisfaction, lack of concern
complement
to complete, perfect
complex
intricate, complicated
curator
caretaker and overseer of an exhibition, especially in a museum
cunning
given to artful deception
cumulative
resulting from gradual increase
culpable
guilty, responsible for wrong
crude
unrefined, natural; blunt, offensive
crescendo
gradual increase in volume, force, or intensity
credo
system of principles of beliefs
crafty
underhanded, devious, or deceptive
counteract
to oppose the effects by contrary action
cosmopolitan
pertinent or common to the whole world
corrosive
gradually destructive, steadily harmful
corroborate
to confirm, verify
corrective
intended to fix, remedy
cordial
warm and sincere, friendly
convoluted
twisted, complicated, involved
conviction
fixed or strong belief
convict
to find guilty of a crime
convey
to transport; to make known
convergence
the state of separate elements joining or coming together
conventional
typical, customary, commonplace
convention
general acceptance of practices or attitudes
convenient
favorable to one's comfort or needs
conundrum
riddle, puzzle or problem with no solution
controversial
producing or marked by heated dispute
contrite
deeply sorrowful and repentant for a wrong
contradiction
statement opposite to what was already said
contemptuous
scornful, disdainful
contemporary
belonging to the same period of time
contemplate
to consider carefully
contaminate
to make improve by contact
contagious
spreading from one to another
consumption
the act of eating or taking in (noun)
consummate
accomplished, complete, perfect
constellation
a collection of stars with a perceived design
consolation
something providing comfort or solace for a loss or hardship
conserve
use sparingly; protect from loss or harm
conservatism
inclination to maintain traditional rules
consensus
unanimity, agreement of opinion or attitue
consecrate
to declare sacred; dedicate to a goal
congeal
to become thick or solid, as a liquid freezing
confrontational
eager to come face to face with defiantly
confound
to baffle, perplex
conformity
similarity in form or character
conflict
a clash, a battle
confiscation
seizure by authorities
configuration
arrangement of parts or elements
conduit
tube, pipe, or similar passage
condone
to pardon or forgive; overlook, justify, or excuse a fault
condolence
sympathy for a person's misfortune
condescending
possesing an attitude of superiority, patronizing
condense
to reduce, make more concise
condemnation
an expression of strong disapproval
concordant
harmonious, agreeing
concoct
to devise, using skill and intelligence
concilitatory
overcoming distrust or hostility
conceivable
capable of being understood
conceited
holding an unduly high opinion of oneself, vain
compute
to determine by mathematics
compulsion
an irresistible impulse to act
comprehensive
very large in scope
comprehensible
readily understood
compliant
submissive and yielding
imaginative
creative, clever, innovative
illustrate
provide an example, explain
illusory
unreal, deceptive
illuminate
fill with light
illegible
unreadable, undecipherable
idealist
someone that is unrealistic and impractical in their beliefs
incantation
a verbal spell
inarticulate
incomprehensible, unable to speak clearly
inaccurate
mistaken, incorrect
inaccessible
unreachable, unapproachable
impute
to attribute, to credit
impugn
to call into question, attack verbally
impressionable
easily influenced or affected
impotent
powerless, ineffective, lacking strength
implement
carry out, put into effect
implausible
improbable, inconceivable
imperceptive
unobservant, inattentive
impenitent
not remorseful
impassive
showing no emotion
impassioned
with great feeling
immutable
unchangeable, invariable
immunity
invulnerability, exemption
imitate
copy, impersonate
indebted
obligated to someone else, beholden
incumbent
holding a specified office, often political
incriminate
accuse with a crime, implicate
inconspicuous
not easily noticeable
inconsistent
contradictory
inconsequential
unimportant, trivial
incongruous
inappropriate, incompatible
incompetent
unqualified, inept
incompatible
opposed in nature, not able to live or work together
incisive
perceptive, penetrating
infinite
unlimited, boundless
inexorable
inflexible, unyielding
inevitable
certain, unavoidable
inept
clumsy, awkward, foolish, nonsensical
inefficient
wasteful of resources, time, or energy
inefficacious
ineffective, incompetent
ineffable
indescribable, inexpressible
industrious
hard-working, diligent
induce
to persuade; bring-about
indomitable
fearless, unconquerable
indistinct
vague, unclear
indiscriminate
not based on careful distinctions; chaotic
indiscretion
lack of prudence, mistake
indiscernible
difficult to detect
indignant
angry, incensed, offended
indeterminate
vague, unknown, imprecise
indefinite
vague, undecided, unclear
indefatigable
never tired
indecorous
improper, lacking good taste
isolated
solitary, singular
irreverent
disrespectful, gently or humorously mocking
irresolute
undecided, indecisive, fickle
irrational
illogical, nonsensical, unreasonable
irony
incongruity between expectations and actualities
iridescent
showing many colors
inviolable
safe from violation or assault
investment
a commitment of time, support, or money
investigate
examine, look into
inventory
the quantity of goods on hand
invariable
constant, unchanging
inundate
to cover with water, to overwhelm
intrusion
trespass, invasion of another's privacy
intricate
elaborate, complex
intransigent
uncompromising, refusing to be reconciled
interlocutor
someone taking part in a dialogue
intellectual
intelligent, scholarly
integrity
decency, honesty, wholeness
integrate
to incorporate, unitew
insular
isolated, provincial
instantaneous
immediate, without delay
insolence
rudeness, impertinence
insinuate
to suggest, say indirectly, imply
insightful
clever, perceptive, intuitive
insidious
subtly harmful, beguiling, alluring
inordinate
excessive, immoderate
innumerable
too many to be counted
inhibit
to hold back, prevent, restrain
infusion
the introduction of, the addition of
inflexible
rigid, unbending
inflation
undue amplification
inflammatory
arousing passion, usually anger
paraphrase
to reword, usually in simpler terms
paranoid
exhibiting extreme mistrust of others
paramount
supreme, dominant, primary
paradox
contradiction, incongruity; dilemma, puzzle
pantomime
communication through gestures
pallid
lacking color or liveliness
perfunctory
done in a routine manner; indifferent
perfidious
faithless, disloyal, untrustworthy
perceptive
keen in discernment, notices everything
perception
act or ability to see or understand
penurious
stingy; poverty - stricken
penitent
expressing sorrow for sins or offenses, repentant
peer
contemporary, equal, match
pathetic
arousing scornful pity
passive
submissive; inactive
partisan
biased in favor of
parch
dried up, shriveled
parasite
person or animal that lives at another's espense
polarize
to tend toward opposite extremes
plaudits
enthusiastic praise
plagiarize
to pass off another's ideas as one's own
placebo
a substance with no medical value that is given as medication
placate
to soothe or pacify
pinion
small gear that connects to larger gear or rack
pigment
substance used for coloring
phlegmatic
calm in temperament; sluggish
pervasive
tending to pervade, spreading throughout
pertinent
applicable, appropriate
perspicacious
shrewd, astute, keen-witted
persistence
the act, state, or quality of not giving up
persevere
to refuse to stop no matter how hard something is
perjure
to tell a lie under oath
periodic
recurring from time to time; cyclical
pretentious
pretending to be important, intelligent or cultured
pretense
false appearance or action
preserve
to protect, to keep unchanged
prepossessing
attractive, engaging, appealing
predominant
most important or conspicuous
predictable
expected beforehand
predetermine
to decide in advance
precocious
usually advanced or talented at an early age
preclude
prevent, exclude
precipitate
to throw down from a height to cause to happen; sudden and unexpected, reckless
precious
valuable; beloved
precedent
earlier example of a simliar situation
preamble
introductory passage
pragmatic
practical; moved by facts rather than abstract ideals
potentate
monarch or ruler with great power
pompous
pretentious, bombastic
pomp
dignified display, splendor
pollinate
to place pollen on the stigma of a flower
propriety
correct behavior, appropriateness
proponent
advocate, defender, supporter
prophetic
foretelling events by divine means
propel
to cause to move forward
propagate
to spread out; to have offspring
promulgate
to make known publicly
promote
to contribute to the progress of
prominence
importance, eminence
prolific
productive, fertile
proliferate
propagate, reproduce; enlarge, expand
prohibit
to forbid, prevent
profusion
abundance, extravagance
profound
deep, meaningful; far-reaching
profane
impure; contrary to religion; sacreligious
prodigy
person with exceptional talents
procure
to acquire, obtain; to get
procrastinate
to push off doing work
proclaim
announce officially
primary
main, first; earliest
prevent
to keep from happening
pursuit
the act of chasing or striving
punitive
having to do with punishment
pundit
critic; learned person
prune
to trim dead parts of a branch
prudent
careful, cautious
provocative
tending to provoke a response, usually anger or disagreement
prototype
early, typical example
protege
one receiving personal direction and care from a mentor
protagonist
main character in a play or story; hero
prosperity
wealth or success
prospect
possibility, a chance
prosaic
relating to prose; dull, commonplace
emissary
an agent sent as a representative
emigrate
to leave one country to five in another
embittered
resentful, cynical
embezzle
to steal money in violation of a trust
embellish
to ornament; make attractive with decorations or details; add details to a statement
eloquent
strongly expressing emotion
elocutionist
trained public speaker
eliminate
get rid of; remove
elevated
raised, increased
egregious
conspicuously bad
egotist
self-centered person
efficient
effective with a minimum of unnecessary effort or waste
efficacious
effective, efficient
ecstasy
intense joy or delight
eclectic
made up of elements from different sources
eccentric
abnormal, unconventional
equitable
fair; just and impartial
epitaph
engraving on a tombstone, literary piece for a dead person
epistolary
associated with letter writing
epilogue
concluding section of a literary work
ephemeral
momentary, transient, fleeting
entangle
to complicate, entwine into confusing mass, involve in
ensemble
group of parts that contribute to a whole single effect
enormous
very great in size or degree
enmity
hostility, antagonism, ill will
enhance
to improve, bring to a greater level of intensity
enfranchise
to give the right to vote to
enforce
to compel others to adhere or observe
enervate
to weaken, sap strength from
enduring
lasting, continuing
endure
carry on despite hardships
endurance
ability to withstand hardships
endorse
to give approval to, sanction
endemic
belonging to a particular area, inherent
encroach
to impinge, infringe, intrude upon
encompass
to constitue, include, encircle
enchant
attract and delight
emphatic
forceful and definite
empathy
identification with the feelings of others
emollient
having soothing qualities, especially for skin
excursion
short journey, usually for pleasure
exculpate
clear from blame or guilt
exclude
to prevent from being accepted or included
exception
a case that doesn't conform to a generalization
exalt
to glorify or honor
exaggerate
to represent something as greater than it actually is
exacting
requiring a lot of care or attention
exacerbate
to aggravate , intensify the bad qualities of
evenhanded
fair, impartial
evaporate
to vanish quickly
evanescent
momentary, transient, short-lived
evaluate
to examine or judge carefully
euphoria
a great feeling of happiness or well-being
eulogy
high praise for a person who has died
ethos
beliefs or character of a group
ethical
moral, right-minded
essential
something fundamental or indispensable
espouse
to support or advocate; to marry
erroneous
mistaken, inaccurate
erratic
unpredictable; inconsistent
erosion
the process or condition or wearing away
erasure
the act or instance of erasing
eradicate
to erase or wipe out
extroverted
outgoing, easily talks to others
extricate
to free from, disentangle
extreme
very intense, of the greatest severity
extravagant
unreasonably high, exorbitant
external
exterior, outer part
exterminate
destroy completely, annihilate
extenuating
partially excusing
extensive
large in range, comprehensive
extant
still in existence
expropriate
forcibly take one's property
exploit
take advantage of
explanatory
serving to make clear
expertise
skill or knowledge in a particular area
expedite
to speed up the progress of
exorbitant
extravagant, greater than reasonable
exhortation
speech that advises or pleads
exhaust
to wear out; use up completely
exemplify
to show by example
exemplary
outstanding, an example to others
synthesize
to produce artificially
synergy
cooperative interaction producing greater results
symmetry
equality and balance in objects
sycophant
self-serving flatterer; yes-man
swerve
to turn from a straight course
swarm
a large # of insects traveling in a group
suspend
to defer, interrupt; dangle, hang
surrogate
a substitue; one filling in for someone else
surreptitious
secret, stealthy
suppress
to end an activity, to prevent the dissemination of information
supplant
replace, substitute
superstitious
irrationally believes that completely unrelated circumstances can influence an event
superficial
hasty; shallow and phony
summary
shortened version; abstract
sully
soil; stain, tarnish, taint
hackneyed
cliched, worn out by overuse
hallmark
specific feature, characteristic
harangue
pompous speech, tirade
haughty
arrogant and condescending
heckler
someone who tried to embarrass and annoy others
hedonism
pursuit of pleasure as a goal
heinous
shocking, wicked, terrible
hierarchy
ranking system of authority groups
hindrance
impediment; clog; stumbling block
hindsight
perception of events after they happen
hodgepodge
jumble, mixture of assorted objects
hypocrisy
claiming of beliefs that one doesn't really posses
hypothesis
assumption, theory requiring proof
larceny
theft of property
latent
present but hidden; potential
lavish
extravagant, profuse
ledger
a book that tracts finances
legion
a great number, a multitude
lenient
easygoing, permissive
liability
handicap, something holding one back
liberate
emancipate, set free
linchpin
central cohesive element
lithe
moving and bending with ease; graceful
litigant
one involved in a lawsuit
loath
reluctant, unwilling
demolish
destroy, damage severely
display
to show, to exhibit, to present
dangle
to hang loosely and swing
distant
separate, far apart
drought
long period of abnormally low rainfall
duration
period of time that something lasts
dwarf
to make look small by comparison
verify
substantiate, confirm
viscous
thick, syrupy, and sticky
vital
urgently necessary, critical
vivid
bright and intense in color; strongly perceived
wane
decline, decrease in size or intensity
braggart
someone who boasts continuously
basic
essential, fundamental
belated
having been delayed, done too late
beneficial
advantageous, helpful
benefactor
someone who helps others financially
blemish
imperfection, flaw
buffoonery
acting like a clown or fool
submissive
tending to meekness, to submit to the will of others
sturdy
firm, well built, stout
sprint
dash, run quick for short distances
soothe
to calm, placate; comfort
soluble
capable of being solved or dissolved
solitary
alone; remote, secluded
serenity
calmness, peacefullness
scurry
scamper, run lightly
scapegoat
someone blamed for every problem
salvage
to recover, save from loss
hazardous
dangerous, risky, perilous
hesitant
doubtful, reluctant
favoritism
one-sidedness, partiality to one side
flabbergasted
astounded, surprise
flaw
imperfection, defect
flee
run away from, escape
foreshadow
to indicate beforehand
forlorn
dreary, deserted; unhappy; hopeless, depressing
fundamental
basic, essential
recall
remember; cancel, revoke; to take back
reconciliation
the act of agreement after a quarrel, the resolution of a dispute
redundancy
unnecessary repetition
reluctant
unwilling, opposing; hesitant
rely
be dependant, have confidence
remorseful
feeling sorry for sins
renovation
repair, making something new again
repentant
apologetic, remorseful, guilty
repetitive
done over and over again
replicate
to duplicate, repeat
repress
to restrain or hold in
retain
to hold, keep possession of
revive
resuscitate, bring back to life; restore to use
magnify
make greater in size, enlarge
mallet
short-handed hammer
measured
calculated, deliberate
misconception
wrong understanding
momentary
short-lived, lasting only for a short time
transparent
see-through, invisible
tranquil
peaceful, calm, composed
trait
distinguishing feature; quality
tolerate
to endure, permit; to respect others
throng
a large group of people, crowd
odometer
instrument in vehicles that indicates distance traveled
optimistic
expecting things to turn out well
oration
lecture, formal speech
outdated
old-fashioned, out of style
lubricate
to grease up, make slippery
lyricist
person who writes words for a song
testimony
statement made under oath
tentative
not fully worked out; uncertain
tenacious
determined, keeping a firm grip on
temperance
restraint, self-control, moderation
temerity
recklessness, fearlessness
taunt
to ridicule, to mock, insult
tangible
able to be sensed, perceptible, measurable
tangential
digressing, diverting
talisman
magic object that offers supernatural protection
tact
consideration in dealing with others, skill in not offending others
overshadow
to obscure; to dominate
lummox
clumsy or stupid oaf
lurid
harshly shocking; sensational; glowing
lull
relatively calm period
obdurate
stubborn, hardhearted; inflexible
overpowering
overwhelming
outcast
someone rejected from a society
ostracism
exclusion, temporary banishment
orthodox
adhering to what is customary or traditional
ornate
elaborately ornamented
originality
the ability to think independently
opportune
appropriate, fitting
offensive
disagreeable, obnoxious
obtrusive
pushy, too conspicuous
obstreperous
troublesome, boisterous, unruly
obsolete
no longer in use; outdated
obscure
not easily seen, inconspicuous
obnoxious
objectionable, offensive
oblivious
unaware, inattentive
objective
impartial, uninfluenced by emotion
deleterious
harmful, destructive, detrimental
deferment
the act of delaying
deduction
the drawing of a conclusion through logic
discrepancy
difference between
discretion
ability to judge on one's own
devastate
destroy; overwhelm, stun
detractor
someone who belittles something else
decorous
proper, well-behaved
decisive
conclusive; capable of determining outcome
demeanor
the way a person behaves
determine
to decide, establish
destitution
complete poverty
discretionary
subject to one's own judgement
disdain
to regard with scorn or contempt
decibel
unit of sound intensity
deceive
mislead, give false impression
disheveled
marked by disorder, untidy
disingenuous
not straightforward, insincere
debunk
to expose the falseness of
debtor
someone that owes something to someone else
despotism
dominance through threat of violence
desolate
deserted, lifeless, barren
demean
to degrade, humiliate, humble
demanding
requiring much effort adn attention
debilitating
impairing the strength or energy
debase
to degrade or lower in quality or stature
disinterested
indifferent
dismissal
act of being fired or let out
disparage
to belittle, speak disrespectfully about
demagogue
leader, rabble rouser, usually appealing to emotion or prejudice
delineate
to portray, depict, describe
deliberation
discussion or careful consideration of an issue
disparate
dissimilar, different in kind
dispel
to drive out or scatter
delegate
to give powers to another
degradation
reduction in worth or dignity
disputant
someone in an argument
deficit
inadequacy, disadvantage
devious
shifty, not straightforward
devour
eat greedily, consume
disclose
to make known, expose to view
debacle
disastrous collapse, total failure
dated
old-fashioned, out of style
derivative
copied or adapted; not original
deride
to mock, ridicule, make fun of
disavow
to refuse to acknowledge
discern
to perceive something obscure
didactic
excessively instructive
diffident
shy, lacking confidence
discomfit
make uneasy, embarrass
disconcert
ruffle, upset one's self-possession
diffuse
widely spread out
dignity
poise and self respect
dissemble
to pretend, disguise one's motives
discord
lack of agreement; inharmonious combination
discordance
state of disagreement
derelict
negletful of one's obligations; abandoned
depose
to remove from a high position, as from a thrown
disseminate
to spread far and wide
dissipate
to vanish; to pursue pleasure to excess
demonize
to represent as evil
discourage
dishearten, deprive of hope or spirit
discourse
verbal exchange, conversation
digression
the act of straying, an instance of straying
dilatory
slow, tending to delay
discredit
to harm the reputation of, dishonor or disgrace
distinctive
distinguishing, characteristic
distortion
misrepresentation; the act of twisting out of shape
distract
to cause to lose focus, to divert attention
divert
to turn aside, to distract
divination
foretelling the future using supernatural means
divisive
creating disunity or conflict
dogmatic
rigidly fixed in opinion, opinionated
dominant
most prominent, exercising the most control
drawback
disadvantage, inconvenience
drub
defeat soundly, beat
dubious
arousing doubt, doubtful
duplicity
deception, dishonesty, double-dealing
demolition
the act of destroying
dual
having two parts, double
vacillate
to waver, show indecision
vague
inexplicit, ambiguous, indistinct
variegated
varied; marked with different colors
vast
immense, enormous, great in size or intensity
veer
alter direction, turn
venerable
respected because of age
venerate
respect, admire, revere
verdant
green with vegetation; inexperienced
verisimilitude
quality of appearing true or real
vex
to irritate, annoy; confuse, puzzle
vicarious
secondhand experience, endured on behalf of another
vigilant
attentive, watchful
vignette
decorative design; short literary composition
vigorous
energetic; robust; healthy; active
vile
loathsome, disgusting, offensive, wretched
villainous
offensive, obnoxious, wicked
vindictive
spiteful, vengeful, unforgiving
virtuoso
someone with masterly skill; expert musician
virulent
extremely infectious; irritating, harsh or hateful
vitiated
corrupted; impaired
vulgar
crudely indecent; boorish; ostentatious
watershed
critical turning point
waver
move unsteadily back and forth; hesitate, falter
wheedle
to obtain through flattery or coaxing
whittle
shape wood with a knife
windbreak
bushes or fence placed to lessen the effects of the wind
withhold
to restrain; keep
xenophobia
fear or hatred of foreigners
yield
surrender, concede; be productive
zealous
filled with passion and eagerness for a cause
balk
to refuse; shirk; prevent
banality
something that is trite, commonplace, or predictable
bane
cause of harm or ruin; source of annoyance
barricade
obstacle, barrier
benevolent
friendly and helpful
bequeath
pass on, hand down
bewilder
to confuse or puzzle
boon
blessing, something to be thankful for
blaze
shine brightly, flare up suddenly
boast
speak with excessive pride
boldness
fearlessness, courageousness
belligerent
hostile, inclined to fight
buffer
something that separates two entities
betray
to be false or disloyal to
bereft
deprived or lacking of something
buttress
to reinforce or support
brutality
ruthless, cruel, and unrelenting acts
suffice
meet requirements, be capable
succcumb
to give in to stronger power; yield
subvert
to undermine or corrupt
subterfuge
deceptive strategy
substantiate
to verify, confirm, provide supporting evidence
subsist
stay alive; survive
stump
to challenge; to baffle
straddle
be on both sides of something
stoic
indifferent to or unaffected by emotions
stimulate
to excite, provoke
stifle
to smother or suffocate; suppress
stern
strict, harsh, severe
stealth
act of moving in a covert way
squelch
to suppress, to put down with force
spurious
lacking authenticity, false
sprout
emerge, and develop rapidly; to grow
spontaneous
on the spur of the moment, impulsive
specious
plausible but incorrect
sophistication
worldliness, edification, enlightenment
solicitous
concerned, attentive; eager
solace
comfort in distress; consolation
socialize
take part in group activities
sociable
friendly, gracious
smug
excessively self-satisfied
skirt
to evade; pass dose, circle around
skepticism
doubt, disbelief; uncertainty
signpost
indication, guide
shroud
to shut off from sight
shabby
worn-out, threadbare, deteriorated
severe
harsh, strict, extremely bad in degree
setback
change from better to worse
servile
overly submissive
serendipity
habit of making fortunate discoveries by chance
seuel
literary, or artistic work that continues a previous piece
sedative
something that calms, or soothes
secrete
release fluids from body
scrutinize
to observe carefully
scrupulous
restrained; honest; careful and precise
scholarly
related to higher learning
sanctimonious
exessive righteousness
safeguard
precautionary measure
machination
crafty scheme; covert plot
malinger
to evade responsibility by pretending to be ill
mandate
a command or instruction
manual
smal instruction book
materialism
preoccupation with worldly goods
matriarch
woman who rules family or clan
maverick
one who breaks away from group conformity and forges a new course
maxim
fundamental principle
meager
minimal, scanty, deficient
meddler
person interfering in other's affairs
mediate
to resolve a dispute between 2 other parties
meditate
reflect on, contemplate
melee
tumultuous free-for-al
melodious
musical, pleasant to hear
melodrama
drama characterized by exaggerated emotions and interpersonal conflicts
merriment
high-spirited fun
merrymaking
participation in festivities
methodical
systematic, orderly
meticulous
extremely careful, fastidious, painstaking
milestone
important event in something or someone's history
mirage
optical illusion, apparition
mitigate
to soften or make milder
moderate
reasonable, not extreme
modest
shy; plain, unassuming; moderate in size
modesty
propriety in speech, dress, or behavior
modicum
small or token amount
modulate
to change pitch, intensity, or tone; to regulate
momentous
very important or significant
morality
concerned with right and wrong
morass
marsh, an area of soggy ground
morose
gloomy, sullen, or surly
muddle
to jumble, to confuse; to bungle
mundane
ordinary, commonplace
mutter
to grumble or complain
mystify
to confuse or puzzle, to make obscure
mythical
fictitious element belonging to ancient stories
turpitude
inherent vileness, foulness, depravity
turmoil
state of extreme confusion or agitation
truculent
fierce, scathing; disposed to fight
trove
collection of valuable items
trivialize
cause to appear insignificant
trigger
to set off, initiate
tremulous
trembling; quivering; fearful, timid
treatise
formal discourse on a subject
treachery
willful betrayal of trust
travesty
parody, exaggerated imitation, caricature
transient
temporary, short-lived, fleeting
transcribe
to copy; reproduce, record
tractable
easily managed or controlled
tourniquet
bandage that puts pressure on artery to stop bleeding
touchstone
something used to test the excellence of others, standard
torpid
lethargic; unable to move; dormant
tonic
promotes physical or mental health
toady
flatterer, hanger on, yes-man
timorous
timid, shy, full of apprehension
timeless
eternal, ageless
thwart
to block or prevent from happening; fustrate
fabricated
constructed, invented; faked, falsified
facade
face, front; mask, superficial appearance
facile
skilled, adept; requiring skill
fallacious
wrong, unsound, illogical
falsify
misrepresent, state untruthfully
fanfare
a showy public display
fathom
comprehend, penetrate the meaning of
feign
to pretend, give a false impression; to invent falsely
felicitous
suitable, appropriate; well-spoken
fertile
highly productive, prolific
fickle
erratically unstable about affections
fidelity
loyalty, faithfulness
figurative
metaphorical, symbolic
finite
having bounds; limited
firebrand
one who stirs up trouble
fission
process of splitting into 2 parts
flagrant
outrageous, shameless
flank
to put on the sides of
flippancy
casualness, inappropriate pertness
florid
ruddy, flushed; gaudy, extremely ornate
foil
something used to contrast against something else
forge
to advance gradually but steadily
forgery
something counterfeit or fraudulent
formidable
arousing fear or dread; inspiring awe or wonder; difficult to undertake
fortitude
strength of mind
forum
public place for discussion; a public discussion
frivolous
petty, trivial; flippant, silly
frolicsome
frisky, playful
radiant
glowing, beaming; emitting heat
radical
extreme, marked departure from the norm
rail
to scold with bitter or abusive language
ramble
to roam, wander; to babble, digress
rancorous
bitter, hateful
rascal
playful, mischievous person; a scoundrel
raucous
harsh sounding; boisterous
raze
to tear down, demolish
reactionary
marked by extreme conservatism, especially in politics
reap
to obtain a return, often a harvest
rebate
deduction in amount to be paid
recrimination
counter accusation
redouble
to make intensity twice as great
refinement
improvement, elegance
refracted
deflected, sharply bent
refute
to contradict, discredit
regurgitate
rush or surge back
rehash
bring forth again with no real change
reiterate
to say or do again, repeat
relapse
regress, backslide
relevance
pertinence to the matter at hand, applicability
relinquish
to renounce or surrender something
remiss
negligent or carelessness about a job
remnant
something left over, surviving trace
remuneration
pay or reward for work, trouble, etc.
renew
resume, reaffirm, replenish
renunciation
rejection of beliefs
repel
to rebuff, repulse; disgust, offend
reprieve
postponement of a punishment; relief from danger
reprimand
rebuke, admonish
repudiate
to reject as having no authority
reputable
honorable, respectable
requisition
to demand the use of
reserve
something put aside for future use
resilient
quick to recover, bounce back
resolute
determined; with a clear purpose
resource
something that can be used
resplendent
splendid, brilliant, dazzling
restore
reestablish; revive
restrained
controlled, repressed, restricted
retract
to take back or draw in
retroactive
applying to an earlier time
revelry
boisterous festivity
revere
to worship, regard with awe
revoke
to annul, cancel, call back
rhapsody
emotional literary or musical work
rhetorical
related to using language effectively
rouse
provoke, excite, stir
rude
crude, primitive, uncouth
ruthless
merciless, compassionless
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