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1596 Cards in this Set

  • Front
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abase

(v) Degrade or humble; to lower in rank, status, or esteem

abate
to decrease; reduce
abdicate
to give up a position, right, or power
aberrant
deviating from what is normal
abeyance
temporary suppression or suspension
abhor
(v) detest, regard with disgust
abject
miserable; pitiful
abjure
to reject; abandon formally
ablution
act of cleansing
abnegation
renunciation; self-sacrifice; self-abnegation
abrasive
(adj) rough, suitable for grinding or polishing (such as sandpaper); causing irritation or annoyance
abreast
(adj) Side-by-side. The more common "abreast of" means keeping up with, staying aware of, or remaining equal in progress with.
abridge
(v) reduce or lessen; shorten by omitting parts throughout while retaining the main idea
abrogate
abolish
abscission
the act of cutting; the natural separation of a leaf or other part of a plant
abscond
to depart secretly
abstain
(v) hold back, refrain (especially from something bad or unhealthy); decline to vote
abstemious
moderate in appetite
abstinence
the giving up of certain pleasures
abstruse
difficult to comprehend
abut
to touch, to be in contact with
abysmal
very bad, limitless
abyss
(n) A deep and vast space or cavity; anything profound or infinite
accede
(v) Agree, give consent; assume power (usually as "accede to")
accretion
growth in size or increase in amount
accrue
to accumulate; grow by additions
acerbic
bitter, sharp in taste
acidulous
(adj) Slightly acid or sour; sharp or caustic
acme
highest point, summit
acquiesce
to agree or comply in silence
activism
(n) the practice of pursuing political or other goals through vigorous action, often including protests and demonstrations
acumen
(n) Keen, quick, accurate insight or judgment
adamant
uncompromising; unyielding
adhere
(v) stick (to), such as with glue, or to a plan or belief
adjunct
something added to another thing but not an essential part of it
admonish
to caution or reprimand
adroit
skillful, accomplished, highly competent
adulterate
to corrupt or make impure
adumbrate
to sketch, outline in a shadowy way
adverse
(adj) opposing, harmful
advocate
(v, n) speak or argue in favor of (verb); a person who pleads for a cause or on behalf of another person (noun)
aerie
nook or nest built high in the air
aesthetic
relating to beauty or the arts
affable
(adj) warm and friendly, pleasant, approachable
affectation
(n) fake behavior (such as in speech or dress) adopted to give a certain impression
affected
pretentious; phony
affinity
fondness; liking; similarity
aggrandize
to make larger or greater
aggregate
amounting to a whole; total
alacrity
cheerful willingness; eagerness; speed
albeit
(conj) Although, even though
alchemy
medieval chemical philosophy based on changing metal into gold; a seemingly magical power or process of transmutation
alienate
(v) cause to become unfriendly, hostile, or distant
allay
to lessen; ease; soothe
alleviate
to relieve; improve partially
alloy
a combination; a mixture of two or more metals
allure
the power to entice by charm
aloof
(adj) Distant physically or emotionally; reserved; indifferent
altruism
unselfish concern for others welfare
amalgamate
to combine into a unified whole
ambiguous
unclear or doubtful in meaning
ambivalence
the state of having conflicting emotional attitudes
ambivalent
(adj) uncertain; unable to decide, or wanting to do two contradictory things at once
ambrosia
something delicious; the food of the gods
ambulatory
itinerant, walking around
ameliorate
to improve
amenable
agreeable; cooperative; suited
amenity
something that increases comfort
amortize
to diminish by installment payments
amulet
ornament worn as a charm against evil spirits
anachronism
something out of the proper time
analgesia
(n) Pain relief; inability to feel pain
analgesic
medication that reduces or eliminates pain
analogous
comparable
anarchy
absence of government; state of disorder
ancillary
accessory, subordinate, helping
annul
(v) Make void or null, cancel, abolish (usually of laws or other established rules)
anodyne
something that calms or soothes pain
anoint
(v) rub or sprinkle oil on; make sacred, such as by ceremony that includes applying oil to someone
anomalous
irregular; deviating from the norm
anomaly
(n) deviation from what is common; inconsistency
antagonize
(v) make hostile or unfriendly
antecedent
something that comes before
antedate
(v) Be older than, precede in time; assign to an earlier date
antediluvian
prehistoric
anthropomorphic
attributing human qualities to non humans, having human qualities
antipathy
dislike; hostility
antithetical
(adj) Directly opposed, opposite; involving antithesis (the rhetorical act of placing two phrases opposite one another for contrast, as in love me or hate me)
apathy
indifference
apex
the highest point
aplomb
poise, confidence
apocryphal
(adj) of questionable authenticity; false
apogee
the point in an orbit most distant from the body being orbited; the highest point
apostate
one who renounces a religious faith
apostle
(n) Pioneer of a reform movement (originally, an early follower of Jesus)
apothegm
a terse, witty saying
apotheosis
glorification, glorified ideal
appease
to calm, pacify, placate
appellation
name
apposite
strikingly appropriate and relevant
appreciable
(adj.) enough to be perceived, considerable
apprise
to inform
approbation
praise, approval
appropriate
to take possession of for one's own use; confiscate
apropos
relevant
arabesque
ornate design featuring intertwined curves; a ballet position in which one leg is extended in back while the other supports the weight of the body
arbiter
(n) Judge, umpire, person empowered to decide matters at hand
arbitrary
(adj.) based entirely on one's discretion; capricious, unreasonable, or having no basis
arboreal
Relating to trees; living in trees
arcane
(adj) known or understood by only a few; obscure, secret
archaic
(adj) characteristic of an earlier period, ancient, primitive
archeology
the study of material evidence of past human life
ardent
(adj) Very passionate, devoted, or enthusiastic
ardor
great emotion or passion
arduous
extremely difficult; laborious
argot
a specialized vocabulary used by a group
arrest
to stop; to seize
arrogate
(v) Claim or take presumptuously or without the right to do so
articulate
(adj, verb) using language in a clear, fluent way (adj); speak distinctly or give clarity to an idea (verb)
artifact
item made by human craft
artless
guileless; natural
ascertain
(v) find out with certainty
ascetic
one who practices self-denial
ascribe
(v) Assign or credit to a certain cause or source
aseptic
(adj) Free from germs
asperity
severity; harshness; irritability
aspersion
slander; false rumor
aspersions
(n) Damaging remarks, defamation, slander
assail
(v) Attack violently, assault
assiduous
diligent; hard-working
assuage
to make less severe
astringent
harsh; severe
asylum
place of refuge or shelter
atavism
in biology, the reappearance of a characteristic in an organism after several generations of absence; individual or a part that exhibits atavism; return of a trait after a period of absence
attenuate
to weaken
attuned
(adj) In harmony; in sympathetic relationship
audacious
bold; daring
augment
(v) make larger
augury
(n) Telling the future, such as through supernatural means
august
(adj) Venerable, majestic; inspiring admiration
austere
stern; unadorned; simple
autonomous
self-governing; independent
avarice
greed
aver
to affirm; declare to be true
avid
(adj) enthusiastic, dedicated, passionate; excessively desirous
avocation
secondary occupation
avuncular
like an uncle, benevolent and tolerant
axiom
(n) Self-evident truth requiring no proof; universally or generally accepted principle
axiomatic
taken for granted; self-evident truth
bacchanalian
pertaining to riotous or drunken festivity; pertaining to revelry
balk
to shirk, refuse, prevent
balloon
(v) Swell or puff out; increase rapidly
banal
commonplace; trite
bane
(n) Something that ruins or spoils
banter
playful conversation
bard
poet
base
(adj) morally low, mean, dishonorable; of little or no value; crude and unrefined; counterfeit
bawdy
obscene
baying
(adj) Howling in a deep way, like a dog or wolf
beatific
saintly, angelic
beatify
to sanctify; to bless; to ascribe a virtue to
bedizen
to dress in a vulgar, showy manner
behemoth
huge creature; anything very large and powerful
belie
to contradict; misrepresent; give a false impression
beneficent
kindly; doing good
benign
(adj) harmless; favorable; kindly, gentle, or beneficial; not cancerous
benison
blessing
bent
(n) Personal inclination or tendency
besiege
(v) Attack, overwhelm, crowd in on or surround
bevy
(n) Group of birds or other animals that stay close together; any large group
bifurcate
to divide into two parts
bilious
easily irritated, relating to bile
bilk
(v) Cheat or defraud
blandishment
flattery
blasé
bored because of frequent indulgence; unconcerned
blight
Disease that kills plants rapidly, or any cause of decay or destruction (noun); ruin or cause to wither (verb)
blithe
(adj) Joyous, merry; excessively carefree (so as to ignore more important concerns)
bogus
(adj) fake, fraudulent
bolster
to give a boost to; prop up; support
bombastic
pompous; using inflated language
bonhomie
good-natured geniality, atmosphere of good cheer
boor
(n) rude, ill-mannered, or insensitive person; a peasant or country bumpkin
boorish
rude; insensitive
bovine
cow like
brandish
(v) Shake, wave, or flourish, as a weapon
brazen
bold; shameless
broach
to mention for the first time
brook
(v) Suffer or tolerate
bucolic
characteristic of the countryside; rustic; pastoral
buffer
(n) something that shields, protects, absorbs shock, or cushions
bulwark
defense wall, anything serving as defense
bureaucracy
(n) government characterized by many bureaus and petty administrators or by excessive, seemingly meaningless requirements
burgeon
to grow and flourish
burnish
to polish
buttress
to reinforce; support
bygone
(adj, n) past, former (adj); that which is in the past (usually plural noun)
cacophonous
unpleasant or harsh-sounding
cacophony
(n) harsh, discordant, or meaningless mixture of sounds
cadge
to beg; sponge
cajole
to flatter, coax, persuade
calamitous
disastrous, catastrophic
callous
thick-skinned; insensitive
calumny
false and malicious accusation; slander
canard
false; deliberately misleading story
candid
(adj) open, sincere, honest
canon
an established set of principles; a basis or standard for judgment; a group of literary works
canonical
(adj) authorized, recognized; pertaining to the canon, or body of accepted rules, standards or artistic works
cant
insincere talk; language of a particular group
cantankerous
irritable; ill-humored
capricious
unpredictable; fickle
captious
faultfinding; intended to entrap, as in an argument
cardinal
of foremost importance
carnal
of the flesh or body; related to physical appetites
carom
to strike and rebound
carping
to find fault; complain
cartography
science of making maps
caste
any of the hereditary social classes in Hindu society; social stratification
castigate
(v) criticize severely; punish in order to correct
castigation
punishment; chastisement; criticism
cataclysm
a violent upheaval that causes great destruction and change
catalyst
something that causes change
categorical
absolute; without exception
catholic
(adj) Universal, broad-minded
caucus
smaller group within an organization
causal
involving a cause
caustic
burning; stinging; causing corrosion
cavalcade
a procession
celestial
concerned with sky or heavens; sublime
censure
(n, v) strong disapproval or official reprimand (noun); to issue such disapproval or reprimand (verb)
centrifugal
moving away from a center
centripetal
moving or directed toward a center
crescendo
(n) steady increase in force, intensity, or the loudness of a musical passage; a climactic moment or peak
chagrin
shame, embarrassment, humiliation
champion
to defend or support
charlatan
quack, fake
chasten
to correct by punishment or reproof; to restrain or subdue
chattel
piece of personal property
chauvinism
(n) fanatical patriotism or blind enthusiasm for military glory; undue or biased devotion to any group, cause, etc.
chicanery
trickery; fraud
chimerical
fanciful, imaginary, visionary, impossible
chivalry
the qualities idealized by knighthood such as bravery and gallantry toward women
choleric
easily angered, short tempered
chronological
(adj) arranged in or relating to time order
churlish
rude; boorish
circuitous
roundabout
circumscribe
(v) Strictly limit a role, range of activity, or area; in math, to be constructed around so as to touch as many points as possible
circumspect
(adj) Cautious, prudent; careful to consider the circumstances and consequences
cistern
tank for rainwater
clairvoyant
one who can predict the future; psychic
clamber
(v) Climb awkwardly or with difficulty, scramble
clamor
noisy outcry
clinch
(v) make final or settle conclusively; to fasten or hold together
clique
a small, exclusive group
cloister
to confine; seclude
cloying
(adj) Disgustingly or distastefully sweet
coagulate
thicken; congeal
coalesce
to cause to become one
coda
concluding part of a literary or musical composition; something that summarizes or concludes
codify
to systematize
coffer
strongbox, large chest for money
cogent
convincing
cognizant
informed; conscious; aware
cognomen
family name, especially a nickname
collage
artistic composition of materials pasted over a surface; an assemblage of diverse elements
collude
(v) Conspire; cooperate for illegal or fraudulent purposes
comeliness
physical grace and beauty
commensurate
proportional
commodious
roomy, spacious
compendium
brief, comprehensive summary
complacent
self-satisfied
complaisant
overly polite; willingness to comply with the wishes of others
complement
something that completes or makes up a whole
complementary
(adj) completing; fitting together well; filling mutual needs
compliant
yielding
compunction
uneasiness caused by guilt
compunctious
feeling guilty or having misgivings
concave
curving inward
concede
(v) give in, admit, yield; acknowledge reluctantly; grant or give up (such as giving up land after losing a war)
conciliatory
overcoming distrust or hostility
concoct
to invent
concomitant
existing concurrently
concur
(v) approve, agree
condone
to overlook voluntarily; forgive
confer
(v) consult, compare views; bestow or give
conflagration
big, destructive fire
confound
to baffle; perplex; mix up
congenial
similar in tastes and habits; friendly; suited to
conjugal
pertaining to marriage agreement
connoisseur
expert in matters of taste; expert knowledge or training
connote
(v) Suggest or imply in addition to the precise, literal meaning
consanguineous
of same origin, related by blood
conscript
a person compulsorily enrolled for military service
consecrate
to declare sacred
console
(v, n) lessen the suffering or grief of (verb); a control panel, or small table or cabinet (noun)
consolidate
(v) unite, combine, solidify, make coherent
constrict
(v) squeeze, compress; restrict the freedom of
construe
(v) interpret or translate
contend
to assert
contention
claim; thesis
contentious
quarrelsome; causing quarrels
contextualize
(v) place in context, such as by giving the background or circumstances
contiguous
touching; neighboring; connecting without a break
continence
self-control; abstention from sexual activity
contraries
(n) Things that are opposing; either of two opposite things
contrite
very sorrowful for a wrong; seeking forgiveness
contumacious
disobedient; rebellious
conundrum
riddle; puzzle with no solution
convention
practice widely observed in a group; custom; accepted technique or device
converge
to approach; come together; tend to meet
conversant
(adj) knowledgeable about or experienced with
conversely
(adv.) in an opposite way; on the other hand
convex
curved outward
convivial
sociable
convoke
(v) Call together, as to a meeting
convoluted
twisted; complicated
copious
abundant; plentiful
coquette
woman who flirts
cornucopia
horn overflowing with fruit and grain; state of abundance
corpulence
obesity, fatness, bulkiness
corroborate
(v) support, add evidence to
corrugate
to mold in a shape with parallel groves and ridges
cosmology
study of the universe as a totality; theory of the origin and structure of the universe
cosmopolitan
(adj) belonging to the entire world, at home globally; free from local or national prejudices or attachments
cosset
to pamper
coterie
small group of persons with similar purpose
countenance
(n, v) facial expression or face (noun); approve or tolerate (verb)
counterintuitive
(adj) against what one would intuitively expect
counterpoint
(n) contrasting item, opposite; a complement; the use of contrast or interplay in a work of art
counterproductive
(adj) defeating the purpose; preventing the intended goal
coven
group of witches
covert
hidden; secret
covetous
desiring something owned by another
cozen
to mislead by trick or fraud; deceive
crafty
(adj) cunning, skillful in deception or underhanded schemes
craven
cowardly
credence
acceptance of something as true
credibility
(n) believability, trustworthiness
credo
statement of belief or principle; creed
credulous
(adj) gullible; prone to believing or trusting too easily or without enough evidence
culminate
(v) reach the highest point or final stage
cupidity
(n) Greed, great or excessive desire
curmudgeon
cranky person
cynical
(adj) thinking the worst of others' motivations; bitterly pessimistic
daunt
to discourage; intimidate; dishearten
dearth
scarcity
debase
(v) degrade; lower in quality, value, rank, etc.; lower in moral quality
debauchery
corruption
debunk
(v) expose, ridicule, or disprove false or exaggerated claims
declaim
(v) Speak in an impassioned, pompous, or oratorical manner; give a formal speech
declivity
downward slope
decorous
(adj) behaving with propriety and good taste; polite
decorum
proper behavior
deem
(v) judge; consider
deface
(v) vandalize, mar the appearance of
defamatory
(adj.) slanderous, injurious to someone's reputation
defame
to malign; harm someone's reputation
default
to fail to act
deference
respect; regard for another's wish
deflect
(v) cause to curve; turn aside, esp. from a straight course; avoid
defunct
no longer existing
deleterious
harmful, destructive, detrimental
delimit
(v) Fix, mark, or define the boundaries of
delineate
to represent or depict
deluge
flood
demagogue
leader or rabble-rouser who usually appeals to emotion or prejudice
demographic
related to population balance
demotic
pertaining to people
demur
to express doubt; question or oppose
denigrate
to slur someone's reputation
denizen
an inhabitant; a regular visitor
denote
(v) be a name or symbol for
denouement
outcome; unraveling of the plot of a play or work of literature
deride
to mock
derivative
something derived; unoriginal
descry
to discover or reveal
desiccate
to dry completely
desuetude
state of disuse
desultory
random; disconnected; rambling
detached
(adj) impartial, disinterested; unconcerned, distant, aloof
deterrent
something that discourages or hinders
detraction
the act of taking away
diaphanous
transparent; vague; insubstantial
diatribe
bitter verbal attack
dichotomy
division into two usually contradictory parts
dictum
authoritative statement, popular saying
didactic
excessively instructive
diffidence
shyness; lack of confidence
diffident
(adj) Lacking confidence, shy
diffuse
to spread out
digress
(v) go off-topic when speaking or writing
digression
act of straying from the main point
dilate
(v) To become wider or make wider, cause to expand; to speak or write at length, elaborate upon
dilatory
(adj) Slow, late; procrastinating or stalling for time
dilettante
(n) Person who takes up an art or activity for amusement only or in a superficial way
diluvial
relating to a flood
diminutive
small
din
(n) loud, confused noise, esp. for a long period of time
dirge
funeral hymn
disabuse
free from a misconception
discerning
perceptive; exhibiting keen insight and good judgment
discomfit
to make uneasy; disconcert
discomfiting
(adj) Disconcerting, confusing, frustrating
discordant
not in tune
discredit
to dishonor; disgrace
discrepancy
difference between
discrete
constituting a separate thing; distinct
discretion
quality of showing self-restraint in speech or actions
discriminating
(adj) judicious, discerning, having good judgment or insight
disingenuous
not candid, crafty
disinterested
unprejudiced; objective
disjointed
lacking order or coherence; dislocated
dismiss
put away from consideration; reject
disparage
to belittle
disparate
dissimilar
dispassionate
(adj) unbiased, not having a selfish or personal motivation; calm, lacking emotion
dispatch
(n, v) speed, promptness; send off or deal with in a speedy way
disperse
(v) scatter, spread widely, cause to vanish
disposition
(n) a person's general or natural mood; tendency
disquieting
(adj) disturbing, causing anxiety
dissemble
to pretend; disguise one's motives
disseminate
to spread; scatter; disperse
dissent
(v, n) disagree or take an opposing view, esp. in relation to a formal body such as a government, political party, or church; such a view
dissident
person who disagrees about beliefs
dissolution
disintegration; debauchery
dissonance
discord; lack of harmony
distaff
female branch of the family
distend
to expand; swell out
distill
extract the essential elements
distrait
inattentive; preoccupied
dither
to move or act confusedly or without purpose
diurnal
daily
diverge
to vary; go in different directions from the same point
divest
to strip; deprive; rid
divine
(v) discover through divination or supernatural means; perceive by insight
divulge
to make known something that is secret
doctrinaire
dogmatic; unyielding
document
to provide with written evidence to support
doff
(v) Take off (such as clothes), put aside; remove one's hat as a gesture
doggerel
poor verse
dogma
(n) a system of principles laid down by an authority; established belief
dogmatic
stating opinions without proof
dolor
sadness
dormant
inactive
doughty
courageous
dovetail
(v) Join or fit together
droll
amusing in wry, subtle way
dross
waste; worthless matter
dubious
(adj) doubtful, questionable, suspect
dupe
to deceive; trick
duplicity
(n) Deceit, double-dealing, acting in two different ways for the purpose of deception
dyspeptic
suffering from indigestion, gloomy and irritable
e.g.
(abbre.) for example, such as
ebullient
exhilarated; overly enthusiastic
eccentric
(adj) peculiar, odd, deviating from the norm esp. in a whimsical way
echelon
(n) A level, rank or grade; the people at that level
eclectic
selecting from various sources
eclipse
(n, v) the obscuring of one thing by another, such as the sun by the moon or a person by a more famous or talented person (noun); to obscure, darken, make less important (verb)
edify
(v) Uplift, enlighten, instruct or improve in a spiritual or moral way
effervescence
state of high spirits or liveliness; process of bubbling as gas escapes
effete
depleted of vitality; overrefined; decadent
efficacy
effectiveness; efficiency
effigy
(n) Representation or image of a person, esp. a crude facsimile used to mock a hated person
effluvia
outpouring of gases or vapors
effrontery
shameless boldness; presumptuousness
effulgent
brilliantly shining
egalitarian
(adj) related to the belief in the equality of all people, esp. in political, economic, or social spheres
egoism
the tendency to see things in relation to oneself; self-centeredness
egotistical
excessively self-centered; conceited
egregious
contemptuously bad
egress
(v,n) An exit or the action of exiting
elated
(adj) very happy, in high spirits
elegy
poem or song expressing lamentation
elevate
(v) raise, lift up; lift the spirits of; move up to a higher rank or status or raise up to a higher spiritual or intellectual plane
elicit
to provoke; draw out
elixir
a substance believed to have the power to cure ills
eloquent
(adj) marked by forceful, fluid, apt speech; expressive, emotionally moving
Elysian
delightful; blissful
emaciate
(v) Make abnormally thin, cause to physically waste away
emaciated
thin and wasted
embellish
to adorn; enhance
emend
to correct a text
eminent
(adj) prominent, distinguished, of high rank
emollient
soothing; mollifying
empirical
derived from observation or experiment
emulate
to imitate; copy
encomium
a formal expression of praise
endemic
inherent; belonging to an area
enervate
to weaken
engender
to cause; produce
enhance
to increase; improve
enigma
(n) puzzle, mystery, riddle; mysterious or contradictory person
ennui
boredom, lack of interest and energy
entitlement
(n) having the right to certain privileges; believing, sometimes without cause, that one deserves or has a right to certain privileges
entomology
the scientific study of insects
enumerate
(v) count or list; specify one-by-one
enunciate
to pronounce clearly
ephemeral
short-lived; fleeting
epicure
person with refined taste in food and wine
epistemology
branch of philosophy that examines the nature of knowledge
epitome
representative of an entire group, summary
equable
steady; unvarying; serene
equanimity
composure; calmness
equitable
(adj) fair, equal, just
equivocate
intentionally use vague language
errant
mistaken; straying from the proper course
erratic
(adj) inconsistent, wandering, having no fixed course
erroneous
(adj) mistaken, in error; improper, morally incorrect
ersatz
fake
erstwhile
Former, previous (adj); in the past, formerly (adv.)
erudite
learned; scholarly
eschew
to abstain from, avoid
esoteric
hard to understand; known only to a few
essay
to make an attempt; subject to a test
estimable
admirable; possible to estimate
ethnocentric
based on the attitude that one's group is superior
ethos
(n) The character, personality, or moral values specific to a person, group, time period, etc.
etiology
causes or origins
etymology
origin an history of a word
eugenics
study of factors that influence the hereditary qualities of the human race and ways to improve those qualities
eulogy
high praise to a death person
euphemism
use of agreeable or inoffensive language in place of offensive language
euphony
(n) Pleasing or sweet sound, especially as formed by a harmonious use of words
euphoria
feeling of extreme happiness
euthanasia
mercy killing
evince
to show plainly; be an indication of
evocative
tending to call to mind or produce a reaction
exacerbate
to aggravate; make worse
exact
to force the payment of; demand and obtain by authority
exacting
(adj) very severe in making demands; requiring precise attention
exculpate
to clear of blame; vindicate
execrable
detestable; abhorrent
exhaustive
(adj) comprehensive, thorough, exhausting a topic or subject, accounting for all possibilities; draining, tending to exhaust
exhort
to urge by strong appeals
exigency
crisis; urgent requirements
exigent
(adj) Requiring immediate attention, action, or aid; excessively demanding
existential
having to do with existence
exonerate
(v) Clear from blame or accusation; free from a responsibility
exorcise
to expel evil spirits; free from bad influences
expatiate
to speak or write at length
expatriate
to send into exile
expedient
(adj) Suitable, proper; effective, often at the expense of ethics or other considerations
expiate
to atone for
explicate
to explain; interpret; clarify
explicit
(adj) direct, clear, fully revealed; clearly depicting sex or nudity
exponent
(n) person who expounds or explains; champion, advocate, or representative
expository
explanatory
expunge
to erase, eliminate completely
expurgate
to censor
extant
in existence; not lost
extemporaneous
unrehearsed
extirpate
to root up; to destroy
extol
to praise
extraneous
not essential
extrapolate
to estimate
extrapolation
the act of estimation by projecting known information
extrinsic
not inherent of essential
facetious
humorous
facilitate
to make less difficult
faction
(n) Group or clique within a larger organization; party strife and dissension
factotum
a person who does all sorts of work; a handyman
fallacious
based on a false idea or fact; misleading
fallow
plowed but not sowed; uncultivated
fanatical
(adj) excessively devoted, enthusiastic, or zealous in an uncritical way
fanciful
(adj) whimsical, capricious; imaginary; freely imaginative rather than based on reason or reality
fastidious
(adj) Excessively particular, difficult to please; painstaking, meticulous, requiring excessive attention to detail
fathom
(v) measure the depth of (usually of water) as with a sounding line; penetrate and discover the meaning of, understand
fatuous
foolishly self-satisfied
fauna
animals of a period o region
fawn
(v) Show affection or try to please in the manner of a dog; try to win favor through flattery and submissive behavior
fawning
seeking flavor by flattering
fealty
intensely loyal
feasible
(adj) possible; logical or likely; suitable
fecund
fertile, fruitful, productive
felicitous
suitable expressed; wee-chose; appropriate
feral
existing in a wild or untamed state
fervid
(adj) Very hot; heated in passion or enthusiasm
fervor
warmth and intensity of emotion
fetid
having a bad smell
fetter
to bind; confine
fey
doomed
fiat
arbitrary order; authorization
fidelity
loyalty; exact correspondence
figurative
(adj) metaphorical, based on figures of speech; containing many figures of speech (as fancy-sounding writing); related to portraying human or animals figures
filch
to steal
filial
appropriate for a child
filibuster
use of obstructive tactics in a legislature to block passage of a law
finesse
to handle with a deceptive or evasive strategy; refined in performance
fissure
crevice
flaccid
limp, flabby, weak
flag
to droop; grow weak
fledging
beginner; novice
fledgling
inexperienced
fleeting
(adj) passing quickly, transitory
flora
plants of a region or era
florid
ruddy; reddish; flowery
flourish
en embellishment or ornamentation
flout
to treat scornfully
fluke
(n) Stroke of luck, something accidentally successful
flux
flowing; a continuous moving
foliate
to grow, sprout leaves
foment
to incite; arouse
forage
(v) Wander in search of; rummage, hunt, make a raid
forbearance
patience
ford
Place where a river or similar body of water is shallow enough to walk or ride a vehicle across (noun); to cross at such a place (verb)
foreshadow
(v) indicate or suggest beforehand, presage
forestall
to prevent; delay
forfeit
(v) surrender or lose as a result of an error, crime, or failure to fulfill an obligation
formidable
menacing; threatening
forswear
renounce; repudiate
fortify
(v) strengthen, invigorate, encourage
fortuitous
(adj) Happening by chance; lucky
founder
to sink; fail; collapse
fracas
a loud quarrel; brawl
fractious
quarrelsome; unruly; rebellious
frenetic
wildly frantic, frenzied, hectic
fresco
a painting done on plaster
frieze
ornamental band on a wall
fringe
(n, adj) on the margin, periphery (adj); the people in a group who hold the most extreme views (noun)
froward
stubbornly contrary; obstinately disobedient
frugal
(adj) economically, thrifty, not wasteful with money; inexpensive
frugality
thrift
fulminate
to attack loudly; denounce
fulsome
so excessive as to be disgusting
furtive
secret, stealthy
fusion
union; synthesis
futile
ineffective; useless; fruitless
gainsay
to deny; dispute; oppose
gambol
to frolic; leap playfully
garner
(v) Gather and store; amass, collect
garrulous
very talkative; wordy
gauche
coarse and uncouth; clumsy
gawky
(adj) physically awkward (esp. of a tall, skinny person, often used to describe teenagers)
geniality
cheerfulness; kindliness; sociability
germane
(adj) relevant and appropriate, on topic
germinate
to begin to grow (as a seed or idea)
gerrymander
to divide an area into voting districts in a way that favors a political party
gestation
(n) Pregnancy; the period from conception until birth of an animal or (metaphorically) of an idea or plan
gibe
to make taunting remarks
gist
(n) main idea, essence
glacial
(adj) Pertaining to glaciers; cold, icy, slow, unsympathetic
glib
fluent in an insincere way; offhand
glower
(v) Stare in an angry, sullen way
gnostic
having to do with knowledge
goad
to prod; urge on
goosebumps
(n) the bumps created by hairs standing up on the skin in response to cold, fear, etc.
gossamer
sheer; light and delicate; like cobwebs
gouge
to tear out; scoop out; overcharge
gradation
(n) a progression, a process taking place gradually, in stages; one of these stages
graft
Insert part of a plant into another plant, where it continues to grow; join living tissue (such as skin) to part of the body where it will continue to live and grow; attach as if by grafting (verb); the part so grafted (as in a graft of skin); the act of acquiring money or other benefits through illegal means, esp. by abusing one's power (noun)
grandiloquence
pompous talk, fancy but meaningless language
grandiloquent
pompous; bombastic
grandstand
(v) Perform showily in an attempt to impress onlookers
grating
(adj) Irritating; harsh or discordant (of a noise); scraping
gratuitous
free, voluntary, unnecessary and unjustified
gregarious
outgoing; sociable
grievous
(adj) Causing grief or suffering; very serious, grave; flagrant, outrageous
grouse
to complain
grovel
(v) Creep or crawl with one's face to the ground, prostrate oneself as a token of subservience, degrade or abase oneself
guile
(n) clever deceit, cunning, craftiness
guileless
free of cunning or deceit; artless
guise
outward appearance; false appearance
gullible
easily deceived
gustatory
affecting the sense of taste
hackneyed
worn out by over use
halcyon
calm and peaceful; happy; golden; prosperous
hallmark
(n) A mark indicating quality, purity, genuineness, etc.; any distinguishing characteristic
hallowed
holy; sacred
hand-wringing
(n) Grasping, squeezing, etc. of the hands as an expression of nervousness, guilt, etc.; extend debate over what to do about an issue
hapless
(adj) Unlucky, unfortunate
harangue
long, pompous speech; tirade
hardy
(adj) bold, brave, capable of enduring hardship, fatigue, cold, etc.
harrow
(n,v) Farming tool that breaks up soil (noun); painfully disturb or distress (verb)
harrowing
extremely distressing; terrifying
haven
(adj) harbor or port; refuge, safe place
hearken
(v) listen, pay attention to
hedge
(v) Avoid commitment by leaving provisions for withdrawal or changing one's mind; protect a bet by also betting on the other side
hedonist
(n) person devoted to pleasure
hegemony
leadership, domination, usually by a country
herbivorous
an animal that feeds mainly on plants
heretical
opposed to an established religious orthodoxy
hermetic
tightly sealed; magical
heterodox
not widely accepted
heterogeneous
(adj) different in type, incongruous; composed of different types of elements
hew
(v) Strike, chop, or hack (as with an axe, sword. etc.); make or shape something (such as a statue) with a cutting tool
hierarchy
(n) a ranked series; a classification of people according to rank, ability, etc.; a ruling body
hieroglyphics
a system of writing in which pictorial symbols represent meanings or sounds; writing or symbols that are difficult to decipher
hirsute
covered with hair
histrionic
relating to exaggerated emotional behavior calculated for effect; theatrical acts or performances
hoary
very old, whitish or gray from age
hodgepodge
(n) mixture of different kinds of things, jumble
homage
(n) Honor or respect demonstrated publicly
homeostasis
automatic maintenance by an organism in balance with itself
homily
sermon; tedious moralizing lecture
homogeneous
composed of identical parts; uniform in composition
homogenous
of the same kind
hoodwink
(v) Trick, deceive
hotly
(adv.) In an intense, fiery, or heated way
husband
to farm, manage carefully and thrifty
hyperbole
purposeful exaggeration for effect
iconoclast
attacking cherished traditions
iconoclastic
attacking cherished traditions
idiosyncrasy
peculiarity of temperament, eccentricity
idolatry
idol worship; blind or excessive devotion
idyllic
(adj) Presenting a positive, peaceful view of rural life (as poetry or prose); pleasant in a natural, simple way
igneous
produced by fire; volcanic
ignoble
(adj) Not noble; having mean, base, low motives; low quality
ignominious
disgraceful and dishonorable
ilk
type of kind
illiberality
(n) narrow-mindedness, bigotry; strictness or lack of generosity
illusory
unreal, deceptive
imbroglio
complicated situation; an entanglement
imbue
to infuse, dye, wet, moisten
imminent
(adj) ready to occur, impending
immutable
unchangeable
impair
to damage; injure
impartial
(adj) unbiased, fair
impasse
(n) Position or road from which there is no escape; deadlock
impassive
showing no emotion
impecunious
poor; having no money
impede
to hinder; block
imperious
arrogantly self-assured, domineering overbearing
impermeable
impossible to permeate
imperturbable
not easily disturbed
impervious
incapable of being affected; impossible to penetrate
impetuous
(adj) Passionately impulsive, marked by sudden, hasty emotion; forceful, violent
impinge
to strike; encroach
impious
(adj) Not religious, lacking reverence, ungodly
implacable
inflexible; incapable of being pleased or calmed down
implausible
unlikely; unbelievable
implication
(n) act of implying or that which is implied; close connection, esp. in an incriminating way
implicit
implied; understood but not stated
implode
collapse inward violently
impolitic
unwise
imprecation
curse; damnation
impromptu
spontaneous, without rehearsal
impugn
to call into question, attack verbally
impute
to attribute the fault to; relate to a particular cause or source
inadvertently
carelessly; unintentionally
inadvertent
(adj) unintentional; characterized by a lack of attention, careless
inasmuch
(adv.) in like manner, considering that (contradiction of "in as much," generally followed by "as")
incarnadine
(adj, n) Blood red or flesh-colored
incarnate
having bodily form
incendiary
combustible, flammable, burning easily
incentive
(n) something that encourages greater action or effort, such as a reward
inchoate
imperfectly formed or formulated
incipient
(adj) just beginning; in a very early stage
incongruity
state of not fitting
incongruous
(adj) out of place, inappropriate, not harmonious
inconsequential
insignificant; unimportant
inconstancy
(n) Fickleness, unreliability; the state of changing without good reason
incorporate
introduce something into another thing already in existence
inculcate
to teach, impress in the mind
inculpate
to blame, charge with a crime
incursion
sudden invasion
indefatigable
never tired
indeterminate
uncertain; indefinite
indifferent
(adj) not caring, having no interest; unbiased, impartial
indigence
poverty
indigent
very poor
indolent
habitually lazy; idle
indubitable
unquestionable
ineluctable
not to be avoided or escaped; inevitable
inert
unable to move; sluggish
inexorable
(adj) Relentless, unyielding; not moved by pleading
infallible
incapable of making a mistake
inform
(v) inspire, animate; give substance, essence, or context to; be the characteristic quality of
ingenious
original, clever, inventive
ingenuous
naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated
ingrained
(adj) deep-rooted, forming part of the very essence; worked into the fiber
ingrate
(n) Ungrateful person
ingratiate
to bring oneself purposely into another's good graces
ingress
entrance
inherent
firmly established by nature or habit
inimical
(adj) Hostile, adverse, harmful
iniquity
(n) Injustice, wickedness, sin
innocuous
harmless
innuendo
indirect and subtle criticism, insinuation
inordinate
(adj) Excessive, not within proper limits, unrestrained
inquest
(n) Legal or judicial inquiry, especially before a jury and especially made by a coroner into the cause of someone's death; the results of such an inquiry
insensible
unconscious; unresponsive
insidious
sly, treacherous, devious
insinuate
to suggest; say indirectly; imply
insipid
lacking in flavor; dull
insouciant
indifferent; lacking concern or care
insular
(adj) Pertaining to an island; detached, standing alone; narrow-minded, provincial
insularity
narrow-mindedness; isolation
insuperable
insurmountable; unconquerable
insurrection
(n) Rebellion or revolt against a government or similarly established authority
intangible
not material
intelligible
(adj) able to understood, clear
inter
(v) Bury (a dead body) or place in a tomb
interdict
to forbid; prohibit
interlocutor
someone taking part in a dialogue
interloper
trespasser, meddler in others' affairs
internecine
deadly to both sides
interplay
(n) Interaction, reciprocal relationship or influence
interpolate
to insert; change by adding new words or material
interregnum
interval between reigns; gap in continuity
interstice
a space between things
intimate
marked by close acquaintance
intimation
clue, suggestion
intractable
not easily managed
intransigence
stubbornness; refusal to compromise
intransigent
(adj) Refusing to compromise, inflexible, having extreme attitudes
intrepid
fearless
intrinsic
inherent, internal
introspective
contemplating one's own thoughts and feelings
inundate
to cover with water, overwhelm
inure
to harden, accustom, become used to
inured
hardened; accustomed; used to
invective
verbal abuse
inveigh
to disapprove; protest vehemently
inveigle
to win over by flattering or coaxing
investiture
(n) Investing; formally giving someone a right or title
inveterate
confirmed; long standing
invidious
likely to provoke ill will
irascible
easily angered
irresolute
unsure of how to act; weak
itinerant
wandering from place to place; unsettled
itinerary
route of a traveler's journey
jargon
(n) vocabulary specific to a group or occupation; convoluted or unintelligible language
jaundiced
having a yellowish discoloration of the skin; affected by envy
jettison
(v) Discard, cast off; throw items overboard in order to lighten a ship in an emergency
jibe
to be in agreement
jingoism
belligerent support of one's country
jocose
fond of joking; jocular
jocular
jovial, playful, humorous
judicious
(adj) using good judgment; wise, sensible
juggernaut
huge force destroying everything in its path
juncture
(n) critical point in time, such as a crisis or a time when a decision is necessary; a place where two things are joined together
junta
group of people united in political intrigue
jurisprudence
philosophy of the law
juxtapose
place side by side
keen
(adj) sharp, piercing; very perceptive or mentally sharp; intense (of a feeling)
kindle
(v) Ignite, cause to begin burning; incite, arouse, inflame
kinetic
(adj) Pertaining to motion
kismet
fate
knell
sound of a funeral bell, omen of death or failure
kudos
fame; glory; honor
labile
likely to change
lachrymose
tearful
lackluster
(adj) not shiny; dull, mediocre, lacking brilliance or vitality
laconic
using few words
lambaste
to trash verbally or physically
lament
(v, n) mourn; express grief, sorrow, or regret (verb); an expression of grief, esp. as a song or poem (noun)
lampoon
(n, v) a harsh satire (noun); ridicule or satirize (verb)
landmark
(n, adj) object (such as a building) that stands out and can be used to navigate by; very important place, event, etc.
languid
(adj) drooping from exhaustion, sluggish, slow; lacking in spirit
lapidary
relating to precious stones
larceny
(n) Theft
largess
generosity, gift
largess or largesse
(n) Generosity, the giving of money or gifts (esp. with the implication that the giver is a bit superior to the recipient)
lascivious
lustful
lassitude
lethargy; sluggishness
latent
dormant; potential not apparent
laud
praise
laudable
(adj) worthy of praise
lavish
(adj, v) abundant or giving in abundance; marked by excess (adj); give very generously (verb)
lax
(adj) Not strict; careless, loose, slack
layperson
(n) a person who is not a member of the clergy or not a member of a particular profession (such as medicine, law, etc.)
leery
(adj) Suspicious or wary
legerdemain
trickery
lethargic
inactive
levee
en embankment that prevents a river from overflowing
levity
light manner or attitude
levy
(v, n) collect tax from, wage war on, or enlist for military service (verb); act of collecting tax or amount owed, or the drafting of troops into military service (noun)
lexicon
dictionary, list of words
liberal
tolerant; broad-minded
libertine
one without moral restraint
libidinous
lustful
libido
sexual desire
licentious
immoral, unrestrained by society
likewise
(adv.) also, in addition to; similarly, in the same way
lilliputian
extremely small
limn
to draw, describe
limpid
clear; transparent
linguistic
pertaining to language
liniment
medicinal liquid used externally to ease pain
lionize
to treat as a celebrity
lissome
easily flexed, limber, agile
listless
(adj) Spiritless, lacking interest or energy
litany
lengthy recitation; repetitive chant
literati
scholarly of learned persons
litigation
legal proceedings
livid
(adj) Furiously angry, enraged
log
record of a voyage; record of daily activities
loquacious
talkative
lucid
bright; clear; intelligible
lucre
money or profits
lugubrious
sorrowful, mournful
lull
(n, v) soothe or cause to fall asleep (as in a lullaby); quiet down; make to feel secure, sometimes falsely (verb); a period of calm or quiet (noun)
lumber
(v) Walk in a heavy or clumsy way, sometimes due to being weighed down
luminous
bright; brilliant; glowing
lurid
(adj) Gruesome or excessively vivid; sensational, shocking, unrestrained
lustrous
shining
macabre
gruesome, producing horror
machiavellian
crafty; double-dealing
machination
plot or scheme
maelstrom
whirlpool; turmoil
magnanimity
generosity
magnanimous
(adj) High-minded, noble, lofty; generous in forgiving others, free of resentment
magnate
(n) Very important or influential person, esp. in business
makeshift
(n, adj) a temporary, often improvised, substitute (noun); improvised for temporary use (adj)
malapropism
humorous misuse of a word
malediction
(n) A curse
malevolent
ill-willed, causing evil or harm to others
malign
to speak evil of
malinger
to feign illness to escape duty
malingerer
one who feigns illness to escape duty
malleable
capable of being shaped by pounding; impressionable
manifest
Obvious, apparent, perceptible to the eye (adj); to show, make clear, or prove (verb)
manifold
diverse, varied, comprised of many parts
mannered
(adj) Having a particular manner, esp. an artificial one
mar
(v) Damage, spoil, ruin
martinet
strict disciplinarian, one who rigidly follows rules
maudlin
overly sentimental
maverick
dissenter
mawkish
sickeningly sentimental
maxim
(n) A general truth or fundamental principle, esp. expressed as a proverb or saying
megalomania
delusions of power or importance
menagerie
a variety of animals kept together
mendacious
dishonest
mendicant
beggar
mercurial
quick, shrewd, and unpredictable
meretricious
gaudy; specious; falsely attractive
meritorious
deserving reward or praise
mesmerize
to hypnotize
metamorphosis
change; transformation
metaphysical
(adj) Concerned with abstract thought, related to metaphysics (branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the nature of being and of the world); very subtle or abstruse
metaphysics
a branch of philosophy that investigates the ultimate nature of reality
meteorological
concerned with the weather
meticulous
very careful; picky; fastidious
mettle
courage; endurance
mettlesome
full of courage and fortitude
microcosm
a small system having analogies to a larger system
milieu
(n) Environment, atmosphere; the environmental setting in which something happens or develops
militate
to work against
minatory
threatening; menacing
minuscule
very small
minutia
petty details
mired
(adj) Stuck, entangled (in something, like a swamp or muddy area), soiled
mirth
(n) Jollity, merriment; amusement or laughter
misanthrope
one who hates humanity; one who dislikes others
misanthrope or misanthropist
(n) Hater of humankind
miscellany
mixture of writings on various subjects
miscreant
villain; criminal
misogynist
one who hates women
missive
(n) Letter, written message
mitigate
alleviate; to become less severe
mnemonic
related to memory; assisting memory
modest
(adj) humble; simple rather than showy; decent (esp. "covering up" in terms of dress); small, limited
modicum
limited quantity
modish
(adj) Stylish, contemporary
mollify
to soothe
molt
to shed hair, skin, or an outer layer periodically
monastic
(adj) Relating to or resembling a monastery (where monks or nuns live), esp. by being quiet, secluded, contemplative, strict, and/or lacking luxuries
monolithic
solid and uniform; constituting a single, unified whole
monotony
(n) sameness or repetitiousness to the point of being boring; lack of variation, uniformity, esp. repetition in sound
mordacious
caustic, biting
moreover
(adv.) besides; in addition to what was just stated
mores
(n) customs, manners, or morals of a particular group
morose
ill-humored; sullen
mote
small particle, speck
motley
many colored; made up of many parts
multifarious
diverse
mundane
worldly as opposed to spiritual; concerned with the ordinary
munificent
generous
myopic
(adj) Near-sighted; lacking long-term thinking, short-sighted
nadir
lowest point
naive
(adj) simple and unsophisticated, unsuspecting, lacking worldly experience and critical judgment
nascent
starting to develop
nebulous
vague, cloudy
necromancy
black magic
nefarious
vicious, evil
negate
to cancel out; nullify
neologism
new word or expression
neophyte
novice; beginner
net
(adj, v) remaining after expenses or other factors have been deducted; ultimate (adj); to bring in as profit or to catch as in a net (verb)
nettle
(v) Irritate, sting, or annoy
nevertheless/nonetheless
(adv.) however, even so, despite that
nexus
a means of connection; a center
nihilism
belief that existence and all traditional values are meaningless
noisome
stinking putrid
nominal
(adj) Trivial, so small as to be unimportant; in name only, so-called
nonplussed
bewildered
nontrivial
(adj) Important or big enough to matter
normative
(adj) Implying or attempting to establish a norm; expressing value judgments or telling people what to do (rather than merely describing that which is happening)
nostalgia
sentimental longing for a past time
nostrum
medicine or remedy of doubtful effectiveness
notoriety
(n) ill fame; the state of being well-known for a disgraceful reason
novel
(adj) new, fresh, original
noxious
harmful, unwholesome
nuance
(n) a subtle difference in tone, meaning, and expression
nugatory
trifling; invalid
numismatics
coin collecting
obdurate
stubborn
obfuscate
to confuse, obscure
objective
(adj) factual, related to reality or physical objects; not influenced by emotions, unbiased
oblique
(adj) Slanting or sloping; indirect, misleading, or evasive
obsequious
overly submissive
obsequy
funeral ceremony
obsolete
(adj) out of date, no longer in use
obstinate
(adj) stubborn or hard to control
obstreperous
troublesome, boisterous, unruly
obviate
to make unnecessary; to anticipate and prevent
occlude
to shut; block
occult
relating to practices connected with supernatural phenomena
odyssey
a long, adventurous voyage; a quest
offhand
(adj) casual, informal; done without preparation or forethought; rude in a short way, brusque
officious
too helpful; meddlesome
offset
(v, n) counteract, compensate for (verb); a counterbalance (noun)
olfactory
concerning the sense of smell
oligarchy
form of government in which power belongs to only a few leaders
omnipotent
having unlimited power
omniscient
having infinite knowledge
onerous
burdensome
onomatopoeia
formation or use of words that imitate sounds of the actions they refer to
opaque
(adj) not translucent; not allowing light, hear, etc. to pass through; dark, dull, unclear or stupid
opine
(v) Express an opinion
opprobrium
public disgrace; contempt
optimal/optimum
(adj) best, most desirable or favorable
ornithologist
scientist who studies birds
orotund
(adj) Full, rich, and clear (of the voice or speaking); pompous, bombastic
orthodox
(adj) adhering to a traditional, established faith, or to anything customary or commonly accepted
oscillate
to move back and forth
ossify
(v) Become bone or become hard like bone; become inflexible in attitudes, opinions, etc.
ostensible or ostensive
(adj) Professed, evident, or pretended; outwardly appearing in a certain way
ostentatious
showy; pretentious
ouster
explosion
outstrip
(v) surpass, exceed; be larger or better than; leave behind
overshadow
(v) cast a shadow over, darken; dominate, make to seem less important
overweening
presumptuous; arrogant
overwrought
(adj) Overly nervous, agitated, or excited; too ornate, elaborate, or fussy; overdone
paean
song of joy or triumph; a fervent expression of joy
palatial
(adj) Suitable for or resembling a palace, magnificent
paleontology
study of past geological eras through fossil remains
palliate
to make less serious, ease
pallid
lacking color or liveliness
panacea
cure-all
panache
(n) Flair, style, swagger; a flamboyant or grand way of acting
panegyric
elaborate praise; formal hymn of praise
panoply
impressive array
paradigm
(n) model or pattern; worldview, set of shared assumptions, values, etc.
paradox
(n) contradiction, or seeming contradiction that is actually true
paragon
model of perfection or excellence
pare
(v) Peel or cut off the outer layer (such as peeling fruit with a knife), reduce or trim as if cutting off the outer parts
pariah
(n) social outcast, untouchable
parley
discussion, usually between enemies
parochial
of limited scope or outlook, provincial
parry
(v) Deflect or avoid (esp. a blow or attack); skillfully evade (a question)
parsimony
stinginess
partial
(adj) biased, prejudiced, favoring one over the others; having a special liking for something or someone (usually partial to)
partisan
one-sided; committed to a party, group or cause
pastiche
piece of literature or music imitating other works
patent
(adj, n) obvious, apparent, plain to see (adj); a letter from the government guaranteeing an inventor rights to his or her invention (noun)
pathogenic
(adj) Capable of producing disease
pathological
departing from normal condition
patois
jargon; a regional dialect
patronizing
(adj) condescending, having a superior manner, treating as an inferior
paucity
scarcity
peccadillo
minor sin or offense
peculation
theft of money or goods
pedant
(n) Person who pays excessive attention to book learning and rules, or who uses his or her learning to show off
pedantic
showing off learning
peddle
(v) Travel around while selling; sell illegally; give out or disseminate
pedestrian
(adj) ordinary, dull, commonplace
pejorative
Disparaging, derogatory, belittling (adj); a name or word that is disparaging (noun)
pellucid
transparent; easily understood
penchant
inclination
penitent
Regretful, feeling remorse for one's sins or misdeeds (adj); a person who feels this way (noun)
penultimate
next to last
penumbra
partial shadow
penury
extreme poverty
per se
(adv.) Intrinsically; by itself; in itself
perambulate
walk about
peregrinate
(v) Travel from place to place, esp. on foot
peregrination
wandering from place to place
peremptory
imperative; leaving no choice
perennial
present throughout the years; persistent
perfidious
faithless; disloyal; untrustworthy
perfunctory
superficial; performed really as a duty
perigee
point in an orbit that is closest to the earth
peripatetic
(adj) Journeying from place to place; traveling on foot
peripheral
(adj) relating to or making up an outer boundary or region; not of primary importance
periphrastic
using circumlocution
permeable
penetrable
permeate
(v) spread or penetrate throughout
pernicious
very harmful
perspicacious
shrewd, astute, keen-witted
pertinacious
persistent, stubborn
perturb
to disturb greatly; make uneasy or anxious
pervasive
spread throughout every part
petulant
rude; peevish
phalanx
massed group of solders, people, or things
philanthropy
(n) efforts to improve the well-being of humankind, generally through giving money
philistine
narrow-minded person, someone lacking appreciation for art or culture
phlegmatic
unemotional; calm in temperament
phoenix
anything that is restored after suffering great destruction
phony
(adj) fake, counterfeit; insincere, not genuine
physiognomy
facial features
piety
devoutness
pious
(adj) devout; religiously reverent and dutiful
piquant
pleasantly pungent; attractive
pique
fleeting feeling or hurt pride
pith
(n) core, essence; significance or weight
placate
soothe; pacify
placid
calm
plaintive
melancholy; mournful
plait
to braid
plangent
resounding, plaintive
plastic
(adj) able to be shaped or formed; easily influenced
plasticity
pliability; condition of being able to be shaped or formed
platitude
stale; overused expression
platonic
spiritual; theoretical
plaudit
applause
plausible
(n) believable; having the appearance of truth
plebian
(adj) Of the common people
plethora
excess; overabundance
plucky
(adj) Brave, spirited
plumb
to examine deeply; determine the depth
plummet
to fall; plunge
plutocracy
society ruled by the wealthy
pneumatic
relating to air, worked by compressed air
polarized
(adj) divided into sharply opposed groups
polemic
controversy, argument, verbal attack
politic
(adj) Shrewd, pragmatic; tactful or diplomatic
polyglot
speaker of many languages
ponderous
(adj) heavy; bulky and unwieldy; dull, labored
porous
full of holes; permeable to liquids
poseur
person who affects an attitude to impress others
posit
to put in position, to suggest an idea
posthumous
(adj) happening or continuing after death
potentate
(n) ruler, person of great power
pragmatic
practical
prate
to talk idly; chatter
prattle
meaningless, foolish talk
preamble
preliminary statement
precarious
uncertain
precept
principle; law
precipitate
rash; hasty; sudden; done without deliberation
précis
(n) Concise summary, abstract
precursor
forerunner; predecessor
predilection
preference, liking
predisposed
(adj) having an inclination or tendency beforehand; susceptible
preempt
to supersede; appropriate for oneself
pre-empt
(v) prevent; take the place of, supplant; take before someone else can
prehensile
capable of grasping
premonition
forewarning; presentiment
presage
to foretell; indicate in advance
prescient
having foresight
presumptive
(adj) based on inference or assumption; providing reasonable grounds for belief
presumptuous
rude; improperly bold
pretentious
(adj) claiming or demanding a position of importance or dignity, esp. when unjustified; showing off creating deceptive, false show of worth
preternatural
supernatural; beyond the normal use of nature
prevaricate
to quibble; evade the truth
primacy
(n) The state of being first or most important
primordial
original; existing from the beginning
principled
(adj) having high moral standards
pristine
untouched; uncorrupted
privation
lack of usual necessities or comforts
probity
honesty; high-mindedness
problematic
posing a problem; doubtful
proclivity
(n) Inclination, natural tendency
prodigal
wasteful; extravagant; lavish
prodigious
(adj) extraordinarily large, impressive, etc.
profligate
(adj) completely and shamelessly immoral, or extremely wasteful
profound
deep, not superficial
profuse
(adj) abundant, extravagant, giving or given freely
progenitor
originator, forefather, ancestor, in a direct line
prognosticate
to predict
prohibitive
so high as to prevent the purchase or use of, forbidding
proliferate
to increase rapidly
prolific
productive, fertile
prolix
tedious, wordy
prologue
(n) introductory part to a book, play, etc.
promulgate
to make known publicly
pronounced
(adj) distinct, strong, clearly indicated
propagate
(v) Reproduce, spread, increase
propensity
inclination, tendency
prophetic
(adj) Relating to prophesy, predicting, ominous
propinquity
nearness
propitiate
to win over, appease
propitious
favorable, advantageous
propriety
correct conduct, fitness
prosaic
(adj) dull, ordinary
proscribe
to condemn, forbid, outlaw
proselytize
to induce someone to convert to a particular belief or religion
prospective
(adj) potential, in the future
prostrate
lying face downward, lying flat on the ground
protagonist
main character in a play or story, hero
provident
providing for future need, frugal
providential
(adj) Lucky, fortunate, or relating to divine care (the idea that a deity has helped or cared for a person)
provincial
rustic, unsophisticated, limited in scope
proxy
(n) Agent, substitute, person authorized to act on behalf of another
prudent
(adj) wise in practical matters, carefully providing for the future
prurient
lustful, exhibiting lewd desires
puerile
childish, immature, silly
pugilism
(n) boxing, fighting with the fists
pugnacious
(adj) inclined to fight, combative
puissance
(n) Power, might
puissant
powerful
pulchritude
beauty
punctilious
careful in observing rules of behavior or ceremony
pundit
authority or critic
pungent
penetrating, caustic, to the point
purport
to profess, suppose, claim
pusillanimous
cowardly
quagmire
marsh, difficult situation
quail
to cower, lose heart
qualified
limited, restricted
qualm
sudden feeling of faintness or nausea
quandary
(n) uncertainty or confusion about what to do, dilemma
querulous
inclined to complain, irritable
query
question
quibble
to argue over insignificant and irrelevant details
quiescent
inactive, still
quixotic
(adj) Extremely impractical but very romantic, chivalrous, or idealistic; impulsive
quorum
number of members necessary to conduct a meeting
quotidian
occurring daily, commonplace
raconteur
witty, skillful storyteller
rail
to scold with bitter or abusive language
raillery
lighthearted jesting
raiment
clothing
ramification
implication, consequence
rancor
bitter hatred
ranks
(n) personnel; a group of people considered all together
rapacious
greedy, predatory
rapprochement
reestablishing a cordial relationship
rarefied
refined
rationale
fundamental reason
raze
to tear down, demolish
reactant
(n) Something that reacts; a substance that undergoes a change in a chemical reaction
reap
(v) harvest, such as by cutting; gather; get as a result of one's effort
rebus
puzzle in which pictures or symbols represent words
recalcitrant
resisting authority or control
recant
retract a statement of opinion
recapitulate
(v) Summarize, repeat in a concise way
recidivism
tendency to repeat previous behavior
recluse
person who lives in seclusion and often in solitude
recondite
abstruse, profound
recreant
disloyal, cowardly
recrudescent
(adj) Revival, breaking out into renewed activity
redoubtable
formidable, arousing fear
redound
(v) To have a good or bad effect, esp. as a result of a person's efforts or actions (usually used with to, on, or upon)
redress
relief from wrong or injury
refractory
stubborn, resisting ordinary methods of treatment
refulgent
brightly shining, resplendent
refute
to contradict, disprove
regale
to entertain
rejoinder
response
relegate
to consign to an inferior position
remedial
(adj) providing a remedy, curative; correcting a deficient skill
remonstrate
to object or protest
rend
(v) Tear violently, esp. to tear one's clothing or hair out of grief; pull apart, split, or tear away
render
(v) give, submit, surrender; translate; declare formally; cause to become
renege
to go back on one's word
renitent
resisting pressure, obstinate
reparation
amends, compensation
repast
meal
repertorial
(adj) Pertaining to a repertory or repertoire, a stock of available things or a number of theatrical performances presented regularly or in sequence
repine
fret, complain
replete
(adj) supplied in abundance, filled, gorged (used with with)
repose
(n) The act or state of resting; peacefulness, tranquility; lying dead in a grave
reprise
repetition, especially of a piece of music
reproach
to find fault with, blame
reprobate
morally unprincipled person
repudiate
to reject as having no authority
requite
to return or repay
rescind
to cancel
resolution
determination, resolve
resolve
determination, firmness of purpose
respectively
(adv.) in the order given
respite
interval of relief
restive
impatient, uneasy, restless
resurgent
(adj) Having a revival, renewing, rising or surging again
reticent
nor speaking freely, reserved, reluctant
retinue
group of attendants with and important person
retrospective
(adj, n) looking to the past or backward; applying to the past, retroactive (adj); an art exhibit of an artist's work over a long period of time (n)
revamp
Renovate, redo, revise (verb); a restructuring, upgrade, etc. (noun)
revelry
boisterous festivity
reverent
expressing deep respect, worshipful
rhetoric
(n) the art or study of persuasion through speaking or writing; language that is elaborate or pretentious but actually empty, meaning little
ribald
humorous in a vulgar way
ridden
(adj) Dominated or burdened by
rife
(adj) happening frequently, abundant, currently being reported
rift
(n) A gap or fissure (such as in rock), a break in friendly relations
riposte
retaliatory action or retort
rococo
excessively ornate
rotund
round in shape, fat
rubric
protocol, title or heading
rudimentary
(adj) elementary, relating to the basics; undeveloped, primitive
rue
regret
ruminate
to contemplate, reflect upon
ruse
trick, crafty stratagem
rustic
(adj, n) relating to country life, unsophisticated; primitive; made of rough wood (adj); a rural or uncultured person (noun)
sacrosanct
extremely sacred, beyond criticism
sagacious
shrewd, wise
sage
wise
salacious
lascivious, lustful
salient
(adj) Obvious, standing out; projecting, protruding, jutting out
salubrious
healthful
salutary
expecting an improvement, favorable to health
sanction
to approve, ratify, permit
sanguine
ruddy; cheerfully optimistic
sap
(n, v) the inner fluid of a plant or any essential body fluid; energy, vitality; a person taken advantage of (noun); undermine, weaken, tire out (verb)
sapient
wise
sardonic
cynical, scornfully mocking
sartorial
pertaining to tailors
satiate
to satisfy
satiate or sate
(v) to fully satisfy; to go beyond satisfying to the point of excess (possibly inducing disgust, tiredness, etc.)
saturate
imbue throughout, soak thoroughly
saturnine
gloomy
satyr
a creature that is half-man, half beast, with the horns and legs of a goat
savant
(n) Learned person, scholar, someone admitted to membership in a scholarly field; a person with amazing mental abilities despite having a cognitive difference or disability
savor
to enjoy, have a distinctive flavor or smell
scabbard
sheath for sword or dagger
scant
(adj) not enough or barely enough
scathing
(adj) severe, injurious; bitterly harsh or critical (as a remark)
schematic
relating to or in the form of an outline or diagram
scintilla
very small amount
scintillate
to sparkle, flash
scurrilous
vulgar, low, indecent
scurvy
(adj) Contemptible, mean
searchingly
(adv.) In a searching or penetrating manner; while examining closely or probing for answers
secrete
produce and release substance into organism
secular
(adj) not religious or holy; pertaining to worldly things
sedition
behavior prompting rebellion
sedulous
diligent, assiduous
seismic
relating to earthquakes
semantic
(adj) Relating to the different meanings of words or other symbols
senescent
aging, growing old
sensual
relating to the senses, gratifying the physical (sexual) senses
sensuous
relating to the senses
sentient
aware, conscious, able to perceive
sepulchral
typical of a place of burial
seraphic
angelic, pure, sublime
servile
submissive, obedient
sextant
navigation tool that determines latitude and longitude
shard
a piece of broken glass or pottery
shirk
to avoid a task due to laziness or fear
sidereal
relating to the stars
simian
apelike, relating to apes
simile
comparison of one thing with another using "like" or "as"
simper
to smirk, smile foolishly
simultaneous
(adj) at the same time
sinecure
well-paying job that requires little or no work
singular
unique, extraordinary, odd
sinuous
intricate, complex
skeptic
one who doubts
skirt
(v) border, lie along the edge of , go around; evade
skittish
(adj) Shy, fickle, uncertain, or prone to act suddenly due to nervousness; lively in a restless or excessive way
slack
(adj, v, n) loose, negligent, lazy, weak (adj); neglect to so one's duties; loosen up, relax (verb); period of little work (noun)
slake
to quench or moderate
slew
(n) a large number or quantity
slight
(adj, v, n) small, not very important, slender or delicate (adj); treat as though not very important; snub, ignore (verb); an act of treating in this way, a discourtesy (noun)
slovenly
untidy, messy
sobriety
seriousness
sobriquet
(n) A nickname
sodden
thoroughly soaked, saturated
sojourn
visit, stay
solecism
grammatical mistake
solicitous
concerned, attentive, eager
solidarity
(n) Fellowship in interests, feelings, responsibilities, etc., such as among a group of people or among classes, nations, etc.
soliloquy
literary or dramatic speech by one character, not addressed to others
solipsism
belief that the self is the only reality
solvent
able to meet financial obligations
somatic
relating to or affecting the body, corporeal
somnambulist
sleepwalker
sonorous
producing a full, rich sound
sophist
person good at arguing deviously
soporific
sleep producing
sordid
filthy, contemptible and corrupt
sound
(v) measure the depth of (usually water) as with a sounding line; penetrate and discover the meaning of, understand (usually as sound the depths)
spartan
(adj) very disciplined and stern; frugal, living simply, austere; suggestive of the ancient Spartans
spate
(n) sudden outpouring or rush; flood
spearhead
(v) be the leader of
specious
seeming to be logical and sound, but not really so
spectrum
band of color, broad range of related ideas or objects
speculate
(v) contemplate; make a guess or educated guess about; engage in a risky business transaction, gamble
spendthrift
person who spends money recklessly
sporadic
irregular
sportive
frolicsome, playful
squalid
filthy, morally repulsive
squalor
filthy, wretched condition
squelch
(v) Crush, squash; suppress or silence; walk through ooze or in wet shoes, making a smacking or sucking sound
staccato
marked by abrupt, clear-cut sounds
staid
self-restrained
stanch
to stop or check the flow of
standing
(n, adj) status, rank, reputation (noun); existing indefinitely, not movable (adj)
stark
(adj) complete, total, utter; harsh or grim; extremely simple, severe, blunt, or plain
stasis
(n) Equilibrium, a state of balance or inactivity, esp. caused by equal but opposing forces
static
(adj) fixed, not moving or changing, lacking vitality
status quo
(n) existing state or condition
steeped
(adj) Immersed (in), saturated (with)
stentorian
extremely loud
stigma
mark of disgrace or inferiority
stingy
(adj) not generous with money, reluctant to spend or give
stint
to be sparing
stipulate
to specify as an essential condition
stoic or stoical
(adj, n) indifferent to pleasure or pain, enduring without complaint (adj); person indifferent to pleasure or pain (noun)
stolid
having or showing little emotion
stratagem
(n) Military maneuver to deceive or surprise; crafty scheme
stratified
arranged in layers
stratum
(n) One of many layers (such as in a rock formation or in the classes of a society)
striated
marked with thin, narrow grooves or channels
stricture
something that restrains, negative criticism
strident
loud, harsh, unpleasantly noisy
stringent
imposing severe, rigorous standards
strut
to swagger, display to impress others
stultify
to impair or reduce to uselessness
stupefy
to dull the senses of, stun, astonish
stygian
dark and gloomy, hellish
stymie
to block or thwart
stymie or stymy
(v, n) block, hinder, or thwart (verb); an obstacle (noun)
subjective
(adj) existing in the mind or relating to one's own thoughts, opinions, emotions, etc.; personal, individual, based on feelings
sublime
(adj) Lofty or elevated, inspiring reverence or awe; excellent, majestic; complete, utter
subpoena
notice ordering someone to appear in court
subside
to settle down, grow quiet
substantiate
to support with proof or evidence
substantive
essential
subsume
to include, incorporate
subterfuge
trick or tactic used to avoid something
subversive
intended to undermine or underthrow, especially an established government
succeeding
(adj) coming after or following
succor
relief, help in time of distress or want
suffrage
the right to vote
sully
to soil, stain, tarnish, taint
sundry
various
supercilious
arrogant, haughty, overbearing, condescending
supersede
to replace, especially to displace as inferior or antiquated
supine
lying in the back, marked by lethargy
supplant
to replace, substitute
suppliant
beseeching
supplicant
one who asks humbly and earnestly
supplicate
(v) pray humbly; ask, beg, or seek in a humble way
supposition
the act of assuming to be true or real
surfeit
(n) excess, excessive amount, overindulgence
surly
rude and bad tempered
surmise
(v) guess, infer, think, or make an opinion with incomplete information
surreptitious
characterized by secrecy
surrogate
Substitute, person who acts for another (noun); acting as a replacement (adj)
sybarite
person devoted to pleasure and luxury
sycophant
self-serving flatterer, yes-man
syllogism
a form of deductive reasoning with a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion
sylvan
related to the woods or forest
symbiosis
(n) Mutually dependent relationship between two organisms, people, groups, etc.
synchronous
(adj) happening at the same time; occurring at the same rate and thus happening together repeatedly
syncopation
temporary irregularity in musical rhythm
synoptic
(adj) Relating to a synopsis or summary; giving a general view
syntax
(adj) The rules governing grammar and how words join to make sentences (or how words and symbols join in writing computer code), the study of these rules, or any system or orderly arrangement
table
(v) lay aside to discuss later, often as a way to postpone discussion indefinitely
tableau
vivid description, striking incident or scene
tacit
silently understood, implied
taciturn
(adj) not talking much, reserved; silent, holding back in conversation
talisman
charm to bring good luck and avert misfortune
tangential
peripheral, irrelevant, digressing
tantamount
equivalent, in value or significance, amounting to
tautology
unnecessary repetition
tawdry
(adj) Gaudy, cheap or cheap-looking; indecent
taxonomy
science of classification
temerity
recklessness
temperance
(n) moderation, self-control, esp. regarding alcohol or other desires or pleasures; total abstinence from alcohol
temporal
relating to time, chronological
tenable
defensible, reasonable
tendentious
(adj) Marked by a strong point of view, biased
tenet
belief, doctrine
tenuous
weak, insubstantial
terrestrial
earthly, commonplace
terse
(adj) Concise, brief and to the point (sometimes to the point of rudeness)
theocracy
government by priests representing a god
thespian
an actor or actress
threnody
a sad song or poem
timbre
voice tone color
timely
(adj) well-timed, happening at a suitable time
timorous
(adj) fearful, timid
tirade
long, violent speech, verbal assault
toady
flatterer, yes-man
token
(n,adj) Sign, symbol, mark, badge; souvenir, memento; coin-like disk used as currency for subways, arcade games, etc.; sample, or person, thing, idea taken to represent an entire group (noun); of very little or merely symbolic value (adj)
tome
book, usually large and academic
torpor
lethargy, dormancy, sluggishness
torque
a turning or twisting force
torrid
(adj) very hot, parching, burning; passionate
tortuous
having many twists and turns, highly complex
tout
to promote or praise energetically
tractable
obedient, yielding
trammel
to impede or hamper
transgression
act of trespassing or violating a law or rule
transient
temporary, fleeting
transitory
(adj) temporary, short-lived, not lasting
translucent
partially transparent
travail
work, especially arduous work
travesty
parody, exaggerated imitation, caricature
treacherous
(adj) Betraying trust, not faithful or trustworthy; not dependable; dangerous or deceptive
treatise
article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly
tremulous
trembling, frugal, timid
trenchant
acute, sharp, inclusive, forceful, effective
trepidation
fear and anxiety
trifling
(adj) trivial, not very important; so small as to be unimportant; frivolous, shallow
trite
shallow, superficial
truculence
aggressiveness, ferocity
truculent
savage and cruel, fierce, ready to fight
tryst
agreement between lovers to meet, rendezvous
tumid
swollen, distended
tumultuous
(adj) Riotous, violently agitated, marked by disturbance or uproar; noisy, chaotic
turbid
muddy, opaque, in a state of great confusion
turgid
swollen, pompous
turpitude
inherent vileness, foulness, depravity
tutelary
serving as a guardian or protector
tyro
beginner, novice
ubiquitous
(adj) existing everywhere at the same time
umbrage
offense, resentment
uncanny
mysterious, strange
unconscionable
(adj) Not guided by conscience; morally wrong, unjust, unreasonable
unctuous
greasy, oily, smug and falsely earnest
undermine
(v) weaken cause to collapse by digging away at the foundation (of a building or an argument); injure or attack in a secretive or underhanded way
underscore
(v) emphasize (or, literally, to underline text)
undulating
moving in waves
unearth
(v) dig up, uncover, expose
unequivocal
(adj) unambiguous, clear, absolute; having only one possible meaning
unfeigned
not false, genuine
unfettered
free, unrestrained
unprecedented
(adj) never before known or seen, without having happened previously
unseemly
(adj) improper, inappropriate, against the rules of taste or politeness
unsparing
(adj) Generous, lavish (as in not sparing any help or gifts to others); unmerciful, harsh (as in not sparing any criticism)
unsullied
clean
untempered
(adj) Not toned down; not moderated, controlled, or counterbalanced
untenable
indefensible
untoward
not favorable, troublesome, unruly
upbraid
(v) Find fault with, criticize or scold severely
urbane
courteous, refined, suave
usury
a practice of lending money at exorbitant rates
vacillate
to waver, oscillate
vacuous
empty, void, lacking intelligence
valedictory
pertaining to a farewell
vanguard
(n) Leading units at the front of an army; leaders in a trend or movement, people on the "cutting edge"; the forefront of a trend or movement
vapid
tasteless, dull
variegated
varied, marked with different colors
vaunt
to boast, drag
venal
mercenary, corruptible
vendetta
prolonged feud marked by bitter hostility
venerate
to adore, honor, respect
veracious
truthful, accurate
veracity
(n) truthfulness, accuracy; habitual adherence to the truth
verbose
wordy
verdant
(adj) Green, such as with vegetation, plants, grass, etc.; young and inexperienced
verisimilar
(adj) Having the appearance of truth, probable
vernal
(adj) Relating to the spring; fresh, youthful
vertigo
dizziness
vestige
(n) Trace or sign of something that once existed
vex
(v) annoy or bother; puzzle or distress
vexation
irritation, annoyance
via
(prep) Through, by means of, by way of (by a route that goes through or touches)
viable
practicable, capable of developing
vicissitude
(n) Changes or variations over time, esp. regular changes from one thing to another
vim
(n) Pep, enthusiasm, vitality, lively spirit
vindictive
vengeful, unforgiving
vintage
(adj, n) related to items of high quality from a previous era, old-fashioned, antique (adj); the wine of a particular year (noun)
virile
manly, having qualities of an adult male
virtual
(adj) existing only in the mind or by means of a computer network; existing in results or in essence but not officially or in name
virtuoso
someone with master skills, expert musician
virulent
(adj) Extremely infectious, poisonous, etc.; hateful, bitterly hostile
visage
appearance, aspect
viscid or viscous
(adj) Thick, adhesive, or covered in something sticky
viscous
thick, syrupy
vitiate
to impair the quality of, corrupt morally
vitriol
(n) Something highly caustic, such as criticism (literally, one of a number of chemicals including sulfuric acid)
vitriolic
burning, caustic, sharp, bitter
vituperate
to abuse verbally
vituperative
using or containing harsh, abusive censure
vivisection
dissection, surgery, or painful experiments performed on a living animal for the purpose of scientific research
vociferous
loud, vocal, and noisy
vogue
prevailing fashion or practice
volatile
tending to vary frequently, fickle
voluble
speaking much and easily, talkative, glib
vortex
whirlpool, center of turbulence
wan
(adj) Unnaturally pale, or showing some other indication of sickness, unhappiness, etc.; weak, lacking forcefulness
wanton
(adj) Reckless, vicious, without regard for what is right; unjustifiable, deliberately done for no reason at all; sexually unrestrained or excessively luxurious
warranted
justified
wary
careful, cautious
waspish
easily irritated
welter
wallow or roll, toss about, be in turmoil
whereas
(conjunction) while on the contrary, considering that
whet
(v) Stimulate, make keen or eager (esp. of an appetite)
whimsical
fanciful, unpredictable
whitewash
A substance used to whiten walls, wood, etc. (noun); deception, covering up of wrongs, errors, misdeeds, etc. (verb)
wily
(adj) crafty, cunning, characterized by tricks or artifice
winnow
(v) Sift, analyze critically, separate the useful part from the worthless part
winsome
(adj) Charming, engaging, esp. in a sweet and innocent way
wistful
vaguely longing, sadly thoughtful
wizened
withered, shriveled, wrinkled
wraith
a ghost
xenophobia
fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers
yoke
A burden or something that oppresses; a frame for attaching animals (such as oxen) to each other and to a plow or other equipment to be pulled, or a bar across a person's shoulders to help carry buckets of water, etc. (noun); to unite together or to burden (verb)
zeal
(n) great fervor or enthusiasm for a cause, person, etc.; tireless diligence in furthering that cause; passion, ardor
zealot
one who is fanatically devoted to a cause
zenith
highest point, summit