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255 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
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ABATE
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TO REDUCE IN AMOUNT, DEGREE OR SEVERITY.
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~ As the hurricane's force ABATED, the winds dropped and the sea became calm.
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ABSCOND
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TO LEAVE SECRETLY
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The patron ABSCONDED from the restaurant without paying his bill by sneaking out the back door.
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ABSTAIN
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TO CHOOSE NOT TO DO SOMETHING
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~She ABSTAINED from choosing a mouthwatering dessert from the tray.
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ABYSS
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AN EXTREMELY DEEP HOLE
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~The submarine dove into the ABYSS to chart the previously unseen depths.
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ADULTERATE
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TO MAKE IMPURE
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~The restauranteur made his ketchup last longer by ADULTERATING it wih water.
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ADVOCATE
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TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF
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~The vegetarian ADVOCATED a diet containing no meat.
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AESTHETIC
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CONCERNING THE APPRECIATION OF BEAUTY
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~Followers of the AESTHETIC Movement regarded the pursuit of beauty as the only true pupose of art.
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AGGRANDIZE
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TO INCREASE IN POWER, INFLUENCE, AND REPUTATION
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~The supervisor thought to AGGRANDIZE himself by claiming that the achievements of his staff were actually his own.
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ALLEVIATE
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TO MAKE MORE BEARABLE
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~Taking an aspirin helps to ALLEVIATE a headache.
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AMALGAMATE
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TO COMBIME; TO MIX TOGETHER
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~Giant Industries AMALGAMATED with Mega Products to for Giant-Mega Products Incorperaed.
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AMBIGUOUS
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DOUBTFUL OR UNCERTAIN; ABLE TO BE INTERPRETED SEVERAL WAYS
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~The directions he gave were so AMBIGUOUS that we disagreed on which way to turn.
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AMELIORATE
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TO MAKE BETTER; TO IMPROVE
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~The doctor was able to AMELIORATE the patient's suffering by using painkillers.
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ANACHRONISM
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SOMETHING OUT OF PLACE AND TIME
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~The aged hippie used ANACHRONISTIC phrases like "groovy" and "far out" that had not been popular for years.
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ANALOGOUS
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SIMILAR OR ALIKE IN SOME WAY; EQUIVILENT TO
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~In a famous argument for the exsistence of God, the universe is ANALOGOUS to a mechanical timepiece, the creation of a divinely intelligent "clockmaker."
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ANOMALY
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DEVIATION FROM WHAT IS NORMAL
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~Albino animals may display too great an ANOMALY in their coloring to attract normally colored mates.
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ANTAGONIZE
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TO ANNOY OR PROVOKE TO ANGER
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The child found that he could ANTAGONIZE the cat by pulling its tail.
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ANTIPATHY
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EXTREME DISLIKE
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~The ANTIPATHY between the French and the English regulary erupted into open warfare.
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APATHY
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LACK OF INTEREST OR EMOTION
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~The APATHY of voters is so great that less than half of the people who are eligible to vote actually do so.
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ARBITRATE
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TO JUDGE A DISPUTE BETWEEN TWO OPPOSING PARTIES
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~Since the couple could not come to agreement, a judge was forced to ARBITRATE their divorce proceedings.
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ARCHAIC
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ANCIENT, OLD-FASHIONED
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~Her ARCHAIC Commodore computer could not run the latest software.
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ARDOR
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INTENSE AND PASSIONATE FEELING
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~Bishop's ARDOR for landscapes was evident when he passionately described the beauty of the scenic Hudson Valley.
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ARTICULATE
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ABLE TO SPEAK CLEARLY AND EXPRESSIVELY
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~She is such an ARTICULATE defender of labor that unions are among her strongest supporters.
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ASSUAGE
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TO MAKE SOMETHING UNPLEASANT LESS SEVERE
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~Serena used aspirin to ASSUAGE her pounding headeache.
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ATTENUATE
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TO REDUCE IN FORCE OR DEGREE; TO WEAKEN
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~The Bill of Rights ATTENUATED the traditional power of government to change laws at will.
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AUDACIOUS
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FEARLESS AND DARING
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~Her AUDACIOUS nature alloud her to fulfill her dream of skydiving.
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AUSTERE
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SEVERE OR STERN IN APPEARANCE; UNDECORATED
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~The lack of decoration makes Zen temples seem AUSTERE to the untrained eye.
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BANAL
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PREDICTABLE, CLICHED, BORING
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~He used BANAL phrases like "Have a nice day," or "Another day, another dollar."
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BOLSTER
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TO SUPPORT; TO PROP UP
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The presence of giant footprints BOLSTERED the argument that sasquatch was in the area.
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BOMBASTIC
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POMPOUS IN SPEECH AND MANNER
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~The dictators speeches were mostly BOMBASTIC; his boasting and outrageous claims had no basis in fact.
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CACOPHONY
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HARSH, JARRING NOISE
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~The junior high orchestra created an almost unbearable CACOPHONY as they tried to tune their instruments.
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CANDID
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IMPARTIAL AND HONEST IN SPEECH
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The observations of a child can be charming since they are CANDID and unpretentious.
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CAPRICIOUS
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CHANGING ONE"S MIND QUICKLY AND OFTEN
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~Queen Elizabeth I was quite CAPRICIOUS; her courtiers could never be sure which of their number would catch her fancy.
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CASTIGATE
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TO PUNISH OR CRITICIZE HARSHLY
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~Americans are amazed at how harshly the authorities in Singapore CASTIGATE perpetuators of what would be considered minor crimes in the United States.
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CATALYST
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SOMETHING THAT BRINGS ABOUT A CHANGE IN SOMETHING ELSE
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~The imposition of harsh taxes was the CATALYST that finally brought on the revolution.
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CAUSTIC
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BITING IN WIT
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~Dorothy Parker gained her reputation for CAUSTIC wit from her cutting, yet clever, insults.
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CHAOS
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GREAT DISORDER OR CONFUSION
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~In most religious traditons, God created an ordered universe from CHAOS.
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CHAUVINIST
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SOMEONE PREJUDICED IN FAVOR OF A GROUP TO WHICH HER OR SHE BELONGS
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~ The attitude that men are inherently superior to women and therefor must be obeyed is common among male CHAUVINISTS.
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CHICANERY
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DESCRIPTION BY MEANS OF CRAFT OR GUILE
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~Dishonest used car salesmen often use CHICANERY to sell their beat-up old cars.
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CONDONE
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TO OVERLOOK, PARDON, OR DISREGARD
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~Some theorists believe that failing to prosecuteminor crimes is the same as CONDONING an air of lawlessness.
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CONVOLUTED
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INTRICATE AND COMPLICATED
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~Although many people bought "A Breif History of Time," few could follow its COVOLUTED ideas and theories.
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CORROBORATE
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TO PROVIDE SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
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~Fingerprints CORROBORATED the witness's testimony that he saw the defendant in the victim's apartment.
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CREDULOUS
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TOO TRUSTING; GULLIBLE
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~Although some four-year-olds believe in the Easter Bunny, only the most CREDULOUS nine-year-olds still believe in him.
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CRESCENDO
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STEADILY INCREASING VOLUME OR FORCE
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~The CRESCENDO of tension became unbearable as Evel Knievel prepared to jump his motorcycle of the school buses.
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COGENT
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CONVINCING AND WELL REASONED
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~Swayed by the COGENT argument of the defense, the jury had no choice but to acquit the defendant.
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DECORUM
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APPROPRIATENESS OF BEHAVIOR OR CONDUCT; PROPRIETY
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The countess complained that the vulgar peasants lacked the DECORUM appropriate for a visit to the palace
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DEFERENCE
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RESPECT, COURTESY
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The respectful young law clerk treated the Supreme Court justice with the utmost DEFERENCE.
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DERIDE
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TO SPEAK OF OR TREAT WITH CONTEMPT; TO MOCK
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The akward child was often DERIDED by his "cooler" peers.
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DESICCATE
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TO DRY OUT THOROUGHLY
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After a few weeks of lying on the desert's banking sands, the cow's carcass became completely DESICCATED.
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DESULTORY
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JUMPING FROM ONE THING TO ANOTHER; DISCONNECTED
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Diane had a DESULTORY academic record; she had changed majors 12 times in three years.
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DIATRIBE
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AN ABUSIVE, CONDEMNATORY SPEECH
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The trucker bellowed a DIATRIBE at the driver who had cut him off.
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DIFFIDENT
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LACKING SELF-CONFIDENCE
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Detve's DIFFIDENT manner during the job interview stemmed from his nervous nature and lack of experience in the field.
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DILATE
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TO MAKE LARGER; TO EXPAND
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When you enter a darkened room, the pupils of your eyes DILATE to let in more light.
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DILATORY
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INTENDED TO DELAY
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The congressman used DILATORY measures to delay the passage of the bill.
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DILLITANTE
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SOMEONE WITH AN AMATEURISH AND SUPERFICIAL INTEREST IN A TOPIC
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Jerry's friends were such DILLITANTES that they seemed to have new jobs and hobbies every week.
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DIRGE
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A FUNERAL HYMN OR MOURNFUL SPEECH
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Melville wrote the poem "A DIRGE for James McPherson" for the funeral of a Union general who was killed in 1864.
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DISABUSE
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TO SET RIGHT; TO FREE FROM ERROR
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Galileo's observations DISABUSED scholars of the notion that the Sun revolved around the Earth.
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DISCERN
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TO PERCEIVE; TO RECOGNIZE
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It is easy to DISCERN the difference between butter and butter-flavored topping.
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DISPERATE
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FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT; ENTIRELY UNLIKE
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Although the twins appear to be identical physically, their personalities are DISPERATE.
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DISSEMBLE
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TO PRESENT A FALSE APPEARANCE; TO DISGUISE ONE'S REAL INTENTIONS OR CHARACTER
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The villain could DISSEMBLE to the police no longer-he admitted the deed and tore up the floor to reveal the body of an old man.
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DISSONANCE
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A HARSH AND DISAGREEABLE COMBINATION, OFTEN OF SOUNDS
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Cognitive DISSONANCE is the inner conflict produced when long-standing beliefs are contradicted by new evidence.
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DOGMA
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A FIRMLY HELD OPINION, OFTEN A RELIGIOUS BELIEF
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Linus' central DOGMA was that children who believed in the Great Pumpkin woul be rewarded.
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DOGMATIC
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DICTATORIAL IN ONE'S OPINIONS
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The dictator was DOGMATIC-he, and only he, was right.
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DUPE
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TO DECIEVE; A PERSON WHO IS EASILY DECIEVED
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Dugs Bunny was able to DUPE Elmer Fudd by dressing up as a lady.
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ECLECTIC
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SELECTING FROM OR MADE FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES
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Budapest's architecture is an ECCLECTIC mix of eastern and western styles.
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EFFICACY
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EFFECTIVENESS
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The EFFICACY of penicillin was unsurpassed when it was first introduced; the drug completely eliminated almost all bacterial infections for which it was administered.
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ELEGY
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A SORROWFUL POEM OR SPEECH
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Although Thomas Gray's "ELEGY Written in a country Churchyard" is about death and loss, it urges its readers to endure life, and to trust in spirituality.
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ELOQUENT
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PERSUASIVE AND MOVING, ESPECIALLY IN SPEECH
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The GETTYSBURG ADDRESS is moving not only because of its lofty sentiments but also because of its ELOQUENT words.
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EMULATE
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TO COPY; TO TRY TO EQUAL OR EXCEL
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The graduate student sought to EMULATE his professor in every way, copying not only how she taught, but also how she conducted herself outside of class.
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ENERVATE
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TO REDUCE IN STRENGTH
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The guerillas hoped that a series of attacks would ENERVATE the regular army.
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ENGENDER
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TO PRODUCE, CAUSE< OR BRING ABOUT
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His fear and hatered of clowns ENGENDERED when he witnessed the death of his father at the hands of a clown.
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ENIGMA
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A PUZZLE; A MYSTERY
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Speaking in riddles and dressed in robes, the artist gained a reputation as something of an ENIGMA.
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ENUMERATE
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TO COUNT, LIST, OR ITEMIZE
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Moses returned from the mountain with tablets on which the commandments were ENUMERATE.
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EPHEMERAL
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LASTING A SHORT TIME
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The lives of mayflies seem EPHEMERAL to us, since the flies' average lifespan is a matter of hours.
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EQUIVOCATE
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TO USE EXPRESSIONS OF DOUBLE MEANING TO ORDER OR MISLEAD
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When faced with criticism of his policies, the politician EQUIVICATED and left all parties thinking he agreed with them.
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ERRATIC
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WANDERING AND UNPREDICTABLE
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The plot seemed predictable until it suddenly took a series of ERRATIC turns that surprised the audience.
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ERUDITE
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LEARNED, SCHOLARLY, BOOKISH
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The annual meeting of philosophy professors was a gathering of the most ERUDITE, well published individuals in the field.
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ESOTERIC
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KNOWN OR UNDERSTOOD ONLY BY A FEW
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Only a handful of experts are knowledgeable about the ESOTERIC world of particle physics.
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ESTIMABLE
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ADMIRABLE
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Most people consider it to be ESTIMABLE that Mother Teresa spent her life helping the poor of India.
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EULOGY
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SPEECH IN PRAISE OF SOMEONE
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His best friend gave the EULOGY, outlining his many achievements and talents.
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EUPHEMISM
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USE OF AN INOFFENSIVE WORD OR PHRASE IN PLACE OF A MORE DISTASTEUL ONE
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The funeral director preferred to use the EUPHEMISM "sleeping" instead of the word "dead".
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EXACERBATE
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TO MAKE WORSE
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It is unwise to take aspirin to try to relieve heartburn; instead of providing relief, the drug will only EXACERBATE the problem.
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EXCULPATE
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TO CLEAR FROM BLAME; PROVE INNOCENT
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The adversarial legal system is intended to convict those that are guilty and to EXCULPATE those who are innocent.
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EXIGENT
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URGENT; REQUIRING IMMEDIATE ACTION
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The patient was losingblood so rapidly that it was EXIGENT to stop the source of bleeding.
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EXONERATE
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TO CLEAR OF BLAME
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The fugitive was EXONERATED when another criminal confessed to committing the crime.
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EXPLICIT
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CLEARLY STATED OR SHOWN; FORTHRIGHT IN EXPRESSION
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The owners of the house left an EXPLICIT list of instructions detailing their house-sitters' duties, including a schedule for watering the house plants.
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FANATICAL
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ACTING EXCESSIVELY ENTHUSIASTIC; FILLED WITH EXTREME, UNQUESTIONED DEVOTION
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The stormtroopers were FANATICAL in their devotion to the Emperor, readily sacrificing their lives for him.
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FAWN
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TO GROVEL
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The understudy FAWNED over the director in hopes of being cast in the part on a regular basis.
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FERVID
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INTENSELY EMOTIONAL; FEVERISH
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The fans of Maria Callas were unusually FERVID, doing anything to catch a glimpse of the great opera singer.
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FLORID
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EXCESSIVELY DECORATE OR EMBELLISHED
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The palace had been decorated in an excessively FLORID style; every surface had been carved and gilded.
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ERRATIC
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WANDERING AND UNPREDICTABLE
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The plot seemed predictable until it suddenly took a series of ERRATIC turns that surprised the audience.
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ERUDITE
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LEARNED, SCHOLARLY, BOOKISH
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The annual meeting of philosophy professors was a gathering of the most ERUDITE, well published individuals in the field.
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ESPTERIC
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KNOWN OR UNDERSTOOD ONLY BY A FEW
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Only a handful of experst are knowledgeable about the ESOTERIC world of particle physics.
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ESTIMABLE
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ADMIRABLE
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Most people consider it to be ESTIMABLE that Mother Teresa spent her life helping the poor of India.
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EULOGY
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SPEECH IN PRAISE OF SOMEONE
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His best friend gave the EULOGY, outlining his many achievements and talents.
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EUPHEMISM
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USE OF AN INOFFENSIVE WORD OR PHRASE IN PLACE OF A MORE DISTASTEUL ONE
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The funeral director preferred to use the EUPHEMISM "sleeping" instead of the word "dead".
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EXACERBATE
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TO MAKE WORSE
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It is unwise to take aspirin to try to relieve heartburn; instead of providing relief, the drug will only EXACERBATE the problem.
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EXCULPATE
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TO CLEAR FROM BLAME; PROVE INNOCENT
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The adversarial legal system is intended to convict those that are guilty and to EXCULPATE those who are innocent.
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EXIGENT
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URGENT; REQUIRING IMMEDIATE ACTION
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The patient was losingblood so rapidly that it was EXIGENT to stop the source of bleeding.
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EXONERATE
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TO CLEAR OF BLAME
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The fugitive was EXONERATED when another criminal confessed to committing the crime.
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EXPLICIT
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CLEARLY STATED OR SHOWN; FORTHRIGHT IN EXPRESSION
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The owners of the house left an EXPLICIT list od instructions detailing their hous-sitters' duties, including a schdule for watering the house plants.
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FANATICAL
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ACTING EXCESSIVELY ENTHUSIASTIC; FILLED WITH EXTREME, UNQUESTIONED DEVOTION
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The stormtroopers were FANATICAL in their devotion to the Emperor, readily sacrificing their lives for him.
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FAWN
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TO GROVEL
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The understudy FAWNED over the director in hopes of being cast in the part on a regular basis.
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FERVID
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INTENSELY EMOTIONAL; FEVERISH
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The fans of Maria Callas were unusually FERVID, doing anything to catch a glimpse of the great opera singer.
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FLORID
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EXCESSIVELY DECORATE OR EMBELLISHED
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The palace had been decorated in an excessively FLORID style; every surface had been carved and gilded.
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FOMENT
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TO AROUSE OR INCITE
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The protesters tried to FOMENT feeling against the war through their speeches and demonstrations.
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GARRULOUS
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TENDING TO TALK A LOT
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The GARRULOUS parakeet distratcted its owner with its continuous talking.
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GREGARIOUS
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OUTGOING, SOCIABLE
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She was so GREGARIOUS that when she found herself alone she felt quite sad.
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GUILE
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DECIET OR TRICKERY
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Since he was not fast enough to catch the roadrunner on foot, the coyote resorted to GUILE in an effort to trap his enemy.
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GULLIBLE
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EASILY DECIEVED
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The con man pretended to be a bank officer so as to fool GULLIBLE bank customers into giving him their account information.
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HOMOGENOUS
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OF A SIMILAR KIND
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The class was fairly HOMOGENOUS, since almost all of the students were senior journalism majors.
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ICONOCLAST
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ONE WHO OPPOSES ESTABLISHED BELIEFS, CUSTOMS, AND INSTITUTIONS
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His lack of regard for traditional beliefs soon established him as an ICONOCLAST.
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IMPERTURBABLE
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NOT CAPABLE OF BEING DISTURBED
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The counselor had so much experience dealing with distraught children that she seemed IMPURTURBABLE, even when faced with the wildest tantrums.
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IMPERVIOUS
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IMPOSSIBLE TO PENETRATE; IN CAPABLE OF BEING AFFECTED
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A good raincoat will be IMPERVIOUS to moisture.
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IMPETUOUS
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QUICK TO ACT WITHOUT THINKING
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It is not good for an investment broker to be IMPETUOUS, since much thought should be given to all the possible options.
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IMPLACABLE
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UNABLE TO BE CALMED DOWN OR MADE PEACEFUL
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His rage at the betrayal was so great that he remained IMPLACABLE for weeks.
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INCHOATE
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NOT FULLY FORMED; DISORGANIZED
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The ideas expressed in Nietzsche's mature work also appear in an INCHOATE form in his earliest writing.
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INGENUOUS
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SHOWING INNOCENCE OR CHILDLIKE SIMPLICITY
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She was so INGENUOUS that her friends feared that her innocence and trustfulness would be exploited when she visited the big city.
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INIMICAL
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HOSTILE, UNFRIENDLY
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Even though the children had grown up together they were INIMICAL to each other at school.
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INNOCULOUS
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HARMLESS
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Some snakes are poisonous, but most species are INNOCULOUS and pose no danger to humans.
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INSIPID
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LACKING INTREST OR FLAVOR
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The critic claimed that the painting was INSIPID, containing no interesting qualities.
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INTRANSIGENT
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UNCOMPROMISING; REFUSING TO BE RECONCILED
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The professor was INTRANSIGENT on the deadline, insisting that everyone turn the assignment in at the same time.
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INUNDATE
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TO OVERWHELM: TO COVER WITH WATER
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The tidal wave INUNDATED Atlantis, which was lost beneath the water.
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IRASCIBLE
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EASILY MADE ANGRY
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Attila the Hun's IRASCIBLE and violent nature made all who dealt with him fear for their lives.
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LACONIC
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USING FEW WORDS
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She was a LACONIC poet who built her reputation on using words as sparingly as possible.
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LAMENT
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TO EXPRESS SORROW; TO GRIEVE
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The children continued to LAMENT the death of the goldfish weeks after its demise.
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LAUD
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TO GIVE PRAISE; TO GLORIFY
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Parades and fireworks were staged to LAUD the success of the rebels.
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LAVISH
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TO GIVE UNSPARINGLY(v); EXTREMELY GENEROUS OR EXTRAVAGANT(adj)
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She LAVISHED the puppy with so many treats that it soon became overwight and spoiled.
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LETHARGIC
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ACTING IN AN INDIFFERENT OR SLOW, SLUGGISH MANNER
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The clerk was so LETHARGIC that, even when the store was slow, he always had a long line in front of him.
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LOQUACIOUS
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TALKATIVE
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She was naturally LOQUACIOUS, which was a problem in situations in which listening was more important than talking.
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LUCID
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CLEAR AND EASILY UNDERSTOOD
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The explanations were written in a simple LUCID manner so that students were immediately able to apply to what they learned.
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LUMINOUS
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BRIGHT, BRILLIANT, GLOWING
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The park was bathed in LUMINOUS sunshine which warmed the bodies and souls of the visitors.
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MALINGER
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TO EVADE RESPONSIBILITYBY PRETENDING TO BE ILL
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A common way to avoid the draft was MALINGERING-pretending to be mentally or physically ill so as to avoid being taken into the Army.
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MALLEABLE
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CAPABLE OF BEING SHAPED
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Gold is the most MALLEABLE of precious metals; it can easily be formed into almost any shape.
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METAPHOR
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A FIGURE OF SPEECH COMPARING TWO DIFFERENT THINGS; A SYMBOL
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The MATAPHOR "a sea of troubles" suggests a lot of troubles by comparing their number to the vastness of the sea.
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METICULOUS
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EXTREMELY CAREFUL ABOUT DETAILS
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To find all the lues at the crime scene, the investigators METICULOUSLY examined every inch of the area.
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MISANTHROPE
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A PERSON WHO DISLIKES OTHERS
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The character Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL is such a MISANTHROPE that even the thought of children singing makes him angry.
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MITIGATE
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TO SOFTEN; TO LESSON
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A judge may MITIGATE a sentence if she decides that a person comitted a crime out of need.
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MOLLIFY
|
TO CALM OR MAKE LESS SEVERE
|
Their argument was so intense that it was difficult to believe any compromise would MOLLIFY them.
|
|
|
MONOTONY
|
LACK OF VARIATION
|
The MONOTONY of the sound of the dripping faucet almost drove the research assistant crazy.
|
|
|
NAIVE
|
LACKING SOPHISTICATION OR EXPERIENCE
|
Having never traveled before, the hillbillies were more NAIVE thatn the people they met in Beverly Hills.
|
|
|
OBDURATE
|
HARDENED IN FEELING; RESISTANT TO PERSUASION
|
The President was completely OBDURATE on the issue, and no amount of persuasion would change his mind.
|
|
|
OBSEQUIOUS
|
OVERLY SUBMISSIVE AND EAGER TO PLEASE
|
The OBSEQUIOUS new associate made sure to compliment her supervisor's tie and agree with him on every issue.
|
|
|
OBSTINATE
|
STUBBORN, UNYIELDING
|
The OBSTINATE child could not be made to eat any food that he disliked.
|
|
|
OBVIATE
|
TO PREVENT; TO MAKE NECESSARY
|
The river was shallow enough to wad across at many points, which OBVIATED the need for a bridge.
|
|
|
OCCLUDE
|
TO STOP UP; TO PREVENT THE PASSAGE OF
|
A shadow is thrown across the Earth's surface during a solar eclipse, when the light from the sun is OCCLUDED by the moon.
|
|
|
ONEROUS
|
TROUBLESOME AND OPPRESSIVE; BURDENSOME
|
The assignment was so extensive and difficult to manage that it proved ONEROUS to the team in charge of it.
|
|
|
OPAQUE
|
IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THROUGH; PREVENTING THE PASSAGE OF LIGHT
|
The heavy buildup of dirt and grime on the windows almost made them OPAUQE.
|
|
|
OPPROBRIUM
|
PUBLIC DISGRACE
|
After the scheme to embezzle the elderly was made public, the treasurer resigned in utter OPPROBRIUM.
|
|
|
OSTENTATION
|
EXCESSIVE SHOWINESS
|
The OSTENTATION of the Sun King's court is evident in the lavish decoration and luxuriousness of his palace at Versailles.
|
|
|
METICULOUS
|
EXTREMELY CAREFUL ABOUT DETAILS
|
To find all the clues at the crime scene, the investigators METICULOUSLY examined every inch of the area.
|
|
|
MISANTHROPE
|
A PERSON WHO DISLIKES OTHERS
|
The character Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL is such a MISANTHROPE that even the thought of children singing makes him angry.
|
|
|
MITIGATE
|
TO SOFTEN; TO LESSON
|
A judge may MITIGATE a sentence if she decides that a person comitted a crime out of need.
|
|
|
MOLLIFY
|
TO CALM OR MAKE LESS SEVERE
|
Their argument was so intense that it was difficult to believe any compromise would MOLLIFY them.
|
|
|
MONOTONY
|
LACK OF VARIATION
|
The MONOTONY of the sound of the dripping faucet almost drove the research assistant crazy.
|
|
|
NAIVE
|
LACKING SOPHISTICATION OR EXPERIENCE
|
Having never traveled before, the hillbillies were more NAIVE thatn the people they met in Beverly Hills.
|
|
|
OBDURATE
|
HARDENED IN FEELING; RESISTANT TO PERSUASION
|
The President was completely OBDURATE on the issue, and no amount of persuasion would change his mind.
|
|
|
OBSEQUIOUS
|
OVERLY SUBMISSIVE AND EAGER TO PLEASE
|
The OBSEQUIOUS new associate made sure to compliment her supervisor's tie and agree with him on every issue.
|
|
|
OBSTINATE
|
STUBBORN, UNYIELDING
|
The OBSTINATE child could not be made to eat any food that he disliked.
|
|
|
OBVIATE
|
TO PREVENT; TO MAKE NECESSARY
|
The river was shallow enough to wad across at many points, which OBVIATED the need for a bridge.
|
|
|
OCCLUDE
|
TO STOP UP; TO PREVENT THE PASSAGE OF
|
A shadow is thrown across the Earth's surface during a solar eclipse, when the light from the sun is OCCLUDED by the moon.
|
|
|
ONEROUS
|
TROUBLESOME AND OPPRESSIVE; BURDENSOME
|
The assignment was so extensive and difficult to manage that it proved ONEROUS to the teah in charge of it.
|
|
|
OPAQUE
|
IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THROUGH; PREVENTING THE PASSAGE OF LIGHT
|
The heavy buildup of dirt and grime on the windows almost made them OPAUQE.
|
|
|
OPPROBRIUM
|
PUBLIC DISGRACE
|
After the scheme to embezzle the elderly was made public, the treasurer resigned in utter OPPROBRIUM.
|
|
|
OSTENTATION
|
EXCESSIVE SHOWINESS
|
The OSTENTATION of the Sun King's court is evident in the lavish decoration and luxuriousness of his palace at Versailles.
|
|
|
FOMENT
|
TO AROUSE OR INCITE
|
The protesters tried to FOMENT feeling against the war through their speeches and demonstrations.
|
|
|
GARRULOUS
|
TENDING TO TALK A LOT
|
The GARRULOUS parakeet distratcted its owner with its continuous talking.
|
|
|
GREGARIOUS
|
OUTGOING, SOCIABLE
|
She was so GREGARIOUS that when she found herself alone she felt quite sad.
|
|
|
GUILE
|
DECIET OR TRICKERY
|
Since he was not fast enough to catch the roadrunner on foot, the coyote resorted to GUILE in an effort to trap his enemy.
|
|
|
GULLIBLE
|
EASILY DECIEVED
|
The con man pretended to be a bank officer so as to fool GULLIBLE bank customers into giving him their account information.
|
|
|
HOMOGENOUS
|
OF A SIMILAR KIND
|
The class was fairly HOMOGENOUS, since almost all of the students were senior journalism majors.
|
|
|
ICONOCLAST
|
ONE WHO OPPOSES ESTABLISHED BELIEFS, CUSTOMS, AND INSTITUTIONS
|
His lack of regard for traditional beliefs soon established him as an ICONOCLAST.
|
|
|
IMPERTURBABLE
|
NOT CAPABLE OF BEING DISTURBED
|
The counselor had so much experience dealing with distraught children that she seemed IMPURTURBABLE, even when faced with the wildest tantrums.
|
|
|
IMPERVIOUS
|
IMPOSSIBLE TO PENETRATE; IN CAPABLE OF BEING AFFECTED
|
A good raincoat will be IMPERVIOUS to moisture.
|
|
|
IMPETUOUS
|
QUICK TO ACT WITHOUT THINKING
|
It is not good for an investment broker to be IMPETUOUS, since much thought should be given to all the possible options.
|
|
|
IMPLACABLE
|
UNABLE TO BE CALMED DOWN OR MADE PEACEFUL
|
His rage at the betrayal was so great that he remained IMPLACABLE for weeks.
|
|
|
INCHOATE
|
NOT FULLY FORMED; DISORGANIZED
|
The ideas expressed in Nietzsche's mature work also appear in an INCHOATE form in his earliest writing.
|
|
|
INGENUOUS
|
SHOWING INNOCENCE OR CHILDLIKE SIMPLICITY
|
She was so INGENUOUS that her friends feared that her innocence and trustfulness would be exploited when she visited the big city.
|
|
|
INIMICAL
|
HOSTILE, UNFRIENDLY
|
Even though the children had grown up together they were INIMICAL to each other at school.
|
|
|
INNOCULOUS
|
HARMLESS
|
Some snakes are poisonous, but most species are INNOCULOUS and pose no danger to humans.
|
|
|
FOMENT
|
TO AROUSE OR INCITE
|
The protesters tried to FOMENT feeling against the war through their speeches and demonstrations.
|
|
|
GARRULOUS
|
TENDING TO TALK A LOT
|
The GARRULOUS parakeet distratcted its owner with its continuous talking.
|
|
|
GREGARIOUS
|
OUTGOING, SOCIABLE
|
She was so GREGARIOUS that when she found herself alone she felt quite sad.
|
|
|
GUILE
|
DECIET OR TRICKERY
|
Since he was not fast enough to catch the roadrunner on foot, the coyote resorted to GUILE in an effort to trap his enemy.
|
|
|
GULLIBLE
|
EASILY DECIEVED
|
The con man pretended to be a bank officer so as to fool GULLIBLE bank customers into giving him their account information.
|
|
|
HOMOGENOUS
|
OF A SIMILAR KIND
|
The class was fairly HOMOGENOUS, since almost all of the students were senior journalism majors.
|
|
|
ICONOCLAST
|
ONE WHO OPPOSES ESTABLISHED BELIEFS, CUSTOMS, AND INSTITUTIONS
|
His lack of regard for traditional beliefs soon established him as an ICONOCLAST.
|
|
|
IMPERTURBABLE
|
NOT CAPABLE OF BEING DISTURBED
|
The counselor had so much experience dealing with distraught children that she seemed IMPURTURBABLE, even when faced with the wildest tantrums.
|
|
|
IMPERVIOUS
|
IMPOSSIBLE TO PENETRATE; IN CAPABLE OF BEING AFFECTED
|
A good raincoat will be IMPERVIOUS to moisture.
|
|
|
IMPETUOUS
|
QUICK TO ACT WITHOUT THINKING
|
It is not good for an investment broker to be IMPETUOUS, since much thought should be given to all the possible options.
|
|
|
IMPLACABLE
|
UNABLE TO BE CALMED DOWN OR MADE PEACEFUL
|
His rage at the betrayal was so great that he remained IMPLACABLE for weeks.
|
|
|
INCHOATE
|
NOT FULLY FORMED; DISORGANIZED
|
The ideas expressed in Nietzsche's mature work also appear in an INCHOATE form in his earliest writing.
|
|
|
INGENUOUS
|
SHOWING INNOCENCE OR CHILDLIKE SIMPLICITY
|
She was so INGENUOUS that her friends feared that her innocence and trustfulness would be exploited when she visited the big city.
|
|
|
INIMICAL
|
HOSTILE, UNFRIENDLY
|
Even though the children had grown up together they were INIMICAL to each other at school.
|
|
|
INNOCULOUS
|
HARMLESS
|
Some snakes are poisonous, but most species are INNOCULOUS and pose no danger to humans.
|
|
|
PARADOX
|
A CONTRADICTION OR DILEMMA
|
It is a PARADOX that those who need medical attention most are often those least able to obtain it.
|
|
|
PARAGON
|
MODEL OF EXCELLENCE OR PERFECTION
|
She is a PARAGON of what a judge should be: honest, hardworking, intelligent, and just.
|
|
|
PEDANT
|
SOMEONE WHO SHOWS OFF LEARNING
|
The graduate professor's tedious and excessive commentary on the subject soon gained her the reputation as a PEDANT.
|
|
|
PERFIDIOUS
|
WILLING TO BETRAY ONE'S TRUST
|
The actress's PERFIDIOUS companion revealed all of her intimate secrets to the gossip columnist.
|
|
|
PERFUNCTORY
|
DONE IN A ROUTINE WAY; INDIFFERENT
|
The machinelike bank teller processed the transaction and gave the customer a PERFUNCTORY smile.
|
|
|
PERMEATE
|
TO PENETRATE
|
This miraculous new cleaning fluid is able to PERMEATE stains and dissolve them in minutes!
|
|
|
PHILANTHROPY
|
CHARITY; A DESIRE OR EFFORT TO PROMOTE GOODNESS
|
New York's Museum of Art owes much of its collection to the PHILANTHROPY of private collectors who willed their estates to the museum.
|
|
|
PLACATE
|
TO SOOTHE; OR PACIFY
|
The burglar tried to PLACATE the snarling dog by saying, "Good doggy," and giving it treats.
|
|
|
PLASTIC
|
ABLE TO BE MOLDED, ALTERED, OR BENT
|
The new material was very PLASTIC and could be formed into products of vastly different shapes.
|
|
|
PLETHORA
|
EXCESS
|
Assuming that more was better, the defendant offered the judge a PLETHORA of excuses.
|
|
|
PRAGMATIC
|
PRACTICAL AS OPPOSED TO IDEALISTIC
|
While daydreaming the gamblers think they can get rich by frequenting casinos, PRAGMATIC gamblers realize that the odds are heavily stacked agains them.
|
|
|
PRECIPITATE
|
TO THROW VIOLENTLY OR BRING ABOUT ABRUPTLY; LACKING DELIBRATION
|
Upon learning that the couple married after knowing each other only two months, friends and family members expected such a PRECIPITATED marriage to end in divorce.
|
|
|
PREVARICATE
|
TO LIE OR DEVIATE FROM THE TRUTH
|
Rather than admit that he had overslept again, the employee PREVARICATED and claimed that heavy traffic had prevented him from being on time.
|
|
|
PRISTINE
|
FRESH AND CLEAN; UNCORRUPTED
|
Since concerted measures had been taken to prevent looting, the archeological site was still PRISTINE when researchers arrived.
|
|
|
PRODIGAL
|
LAVISH, WASTEFUL
|
The PRODIGAL Son quickly wasted all of his inheritance on a lavish lifestyle devoted to pleasure.
|
|
|
PROLIFERATE
|
TO INCREASE IN NUMBER QUICKLY
|
Although he only kept two guinea pigs initially, they PROLIFEREATED to such an extent that he soon had dozens.
|
|
|
PROPITIATE
|
TO CONCILATE; TO APPEASE
|
The management PROPITIATED the irate union by agreeing to raise wages for its members.
|
|
|
PROPRIETY
|
CORRECT BEHAVIOR; OBEDIENCETO RULES AND CUSTOMS
|
The aristocracy maintained a hihg level of PROPRIETY, adhering to the most minor social rules.
|
|
|
PRUDENCE
|
WISDOM, CAUTION, OR RESTRAINT
|
The college student exhibited PRUDENCE by obtaining practical experince along with her studies, which greatly stregthened her resume.
|
|
|
PUNGENT
|
SHARP AND IRRITATING TO THE SENSES
|
The smoke from the burning tires was extremely PUNGENT.
|
|
|
QUIESCENT
|
MOTIONLESS
|
Many animals are QUIESCENT over the winter months, minimizing activity in order to conserve energy.
|
|
|
RAREFY
|
TO MAKE THINNER OR SPARSER
|
Since the atmosphere RERFIES as altitudes increse, the air at the top of very tall mountains is too thin to breathe.
|
|
|
REPUDIATE
|
TO REJECT THE VALIDITY OF
|
Th old woman's claim that she was Russian royalty was REPUDIATED when the DNA tests showed she was of no relation to them.
|
|
|
RETICENT
|
SILENT, RESERVED
|
Physically small and RETICENT in her speech, Joan Didion often went unoticed by those whom she was reported.
|
|
|
RHETORIC
|
EFFECTIVE WRITING OR SPEAKING
|
Linclon's talent for RHETORIC was evident in his beautifully expressed Gettysbug Address.
|
|
|
SATIATE
|
TO SATISFYFULLY OR OVERINDULGE
|
His desire for power was so great that nothing less than complete control of the country could satiate.
|
|
|
SOPORIFIC
|
CAUSING SLEEP OR LETHARGY
|
The movie proved to be so SOPORIFICthat soon loud snores were heard throughout the theatre.
|
|
|
SPECIOUS
|
DECEPTIVELY ATTRACTIVE; SEEMINGLY PLAUSIBLE BUT FALLACIOUS
|
The student's SPECIOUS excuse for being late sounded legitimate, but was proved to be otherwise when his teacher called his home.
|
|
|
STOLID
|
UNEMOTIONAL; LACKING SENSITIVITY
|
Th prisoner appeared STOLID and unaffected by the judges harsh sentence
|
|
|
STIGMA
|
A MARK OF SHAME OR DISCREDIT
|
In The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne was required to wear the letter A on her clothes as a public STIGMA for her adultery.
|
|
|
PROFLIFERATE
|
TO INCREASE IN NUMBER QUICKLY
|
Although he onlt kept two guinea pigs initially, they PROLIFEREATED to such an extent that he soon had dozens.
|
|
|
PROPITIATE
|
TO CONCILATE; TO APPEASE
|
The management PROPITIATIED the irate union by agewwinf to raise wages for its members.
|
|
|
PROPRIETY
|
CORRECT BEHAVIOR; OBEDIENCETO RULES AND CUSTOMS
|
The aristocracy maintained a hihg level of PROPRIETY, adhering to the most minor social rules.
|
|
|
PRUDENCE
|
WISDOM, CAUTION, OR RESTRAINT
|
The college student exhibited PRUDENCE by obtaining practical experience along with her studies, which greatly stregthened her resume.
|
|
|
PUNGENT
|
SHARP AND IRRITATING TO THE SENSES
|
The smoke from the burning tires was extremely PUNGENT.
|
|
|
QUIESCENT
|
MOTIONLESS
|
Many animals are QUIESCENT over the winter months, minimizing activity in order to conserve energy.
|
|
|
RAREFY
|
TO MAKE THINNER OR SPARSER
|
Since the atmosphere RERFIES as altitudes increse, the air at the top of very tall mountains is too thin to breathe.
|
|
|
REPUDIATE
|
TO REJECT THE VALIDITY OF
|
Th old woman's claim that she was Russian royalty was REPUDIATED when the DNA tests showed she was of no relation to them.
|
|
|
RETICENT
|
SILENT, RESERVED
|
Physically small and RETICENT in her speech, Joan Didion often went unoticed by those whom she was reported.
|
|
|
RHETORIC
|
EFFECTIVE WRITING OR SPEAKING
|
Linclon's talent for RHETORIC was evident in his beautifully expressed Gettysbug Address.
|
|
|
SATIATE
|
TO SATISFY FULLY OR OVERINDULGE
|
His desire for power was so great that nothing less than complete control of the country could SATIATE it.
|
|
|
SOPORIFIC
|
CAUSING SLEEP OR LETHARGY
|
The movie proved to be so SOPORIFIC that soon loud snores were heard throughout the theatre.
|
|
|
SPECIOUS
|
DECEPTIVELY ATTRACTIVE; SEEMINGLY PLAUSIBLE BUT FALLACIOUS
|
The student's SPECIOUS excuse for being late sounded legitimate, but was proved to be otherwise when his teacher called his home.
|
|
|
STOLID
|
UNEMOTIONAL; LACKING SENSITIVITY
|
Th prisoner appeared STOLID and unaffected by the judges harsh sentence
|
|
|
STIGMA
|
A MARK OF SHAME OR DISCREDIT
|
In The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne was required to wear the letter A on her clothes as a public STIGMA for her adultery.
|
|
|
STOLID
|
UNEMOTIONAL; LACKING SENSITIVITY
|
The prisoner appeared STOLID and unaffected by the judge's harsh sentence.
|
|
|
SUBLIME
|
LFOTY OR GRAND
|
The music was so SUBLIME that it trnsformed the rude surroundings into a special place.
|
|
|
TACIT
|
DONE WITHOUT USING WORDS
|
Slthough not a word was said, everyone in the room knew that a TACIT agreement had been made about which course of action to take.
|
|
|
TACITURN
|
SILENT, NOT TALKIATIVE
|
The clerk's TACITURN nature earned him the nickname "Silent Bob."
|
|
|
TIRADE
|
LONG, HARSH SPEECH OR VERBAL ATTACK
|
Observers were shocked at the manager's TIRADE over such minor mistakes.
|
|
|
TORPOR
|
EXTREME MENTAL AND PHYSICAL SLUGGISHNESS
|
Ater surgery, the patient experienced TORPER until the anesthesia wore off.
|
|
|
TRANSITORY
|
TEMPORARY, LASTING A SHORT TIME
|
The reporter lived a TRANSITORY life, staying in one place only long enough to cover the current story.
|
|
|
VACILLATE
|
TO SWAY PHYSICALLY; TO BE INDECISIVE
|
The customer held up the line as he VACILLATED between ordering chocolate ship or rocky road ice cream.
|
|
|
VENERATE
|
TO RESPECT DEEPLY
|
In a traditional Confucian society, the young VENERATE their elders, deffering to the elders' wisdom and experience.
|
|
|
VERACITY
|
FILLED WITH TRUTH AND ACCURACY
|
She had a reputation for VERACITY, so everyone trusted her description of events.
|
|
|
VERBOSE
|
WORDY
|
The professor's answer was so VERBOSE that his studetn forgot what the original question had been.
|
|
|
VEX
|
ANNOY
|
The old man who loved his peace and quiet was VEXED by his neighbor's loud music.
|
|
|
VOLATILE
|
EASILY AROUSED OR CHANGEABLE; LIVELY OR EXPLOSIVE
|
His VOLATILE personality made it difficult to predict his reaction to anything.
|
|
|
WAVER
|
TO FLUCTUATE BETWEEN CHOICES
|
If you WAVER too long before making a decision about which testing site to register for, you may not get your first choice.
|
|
|
WHIMSICAL
|
SCTING IN A FANCIFUL OR CAPRICIOUS MANNER; UNPREDICTABLE
|
The ballet was WHIMSICAL. delighting the children with its imaginative characters anf unpredictable sets.
|
|
|
ZEAL
|
PASSION, EXCITEMENT
|
She brought her typical ZEAL to the project, sparking enthusiasm in the other team members.
|
