Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
500 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
tyranny |
noun
despotic abuse of power; government without consent of the government |
|
revere |
verb to show great respect; to show adulation or honor |
|
strut |
verb to walk in a proud, arrogant manner |
|
gregarious |
adjective friendly and outgoing |
|
palliate |
verb to soothe or soften; to make calmer or less painful |
|
perpetuity |
noun the state of going on forever; everlasting |
|
trying |
adjective marked by great difficulty; very annoying |
|
cleave |
verb to separate or chop apart to cling to or stick to |
|
serendipity |
noun characterized by good chance or happy accident; fortuitous; unexpected good fortune |
|
uncouth |
adjective unsophisticated and coarse; crude and uncultured |
|
nomad |
noun
a person who travels from place to place; a wanderer with no permanent home |
|
regress |
verb to go backward; to return to previous state |
|
spendthrift |
noun a person who spends money recklessly |
|
valiant |
adjective brave and fearless |
|
maul |
verb
to attack or physically harm; to injure, especially by and animal |
|
segue |
noun a transition from one subject to another; an effortless changing of topics |
|
figurehead |
noun
a person in a position of power who has no real authority or actual power |
|
patronize |
verb to treat in a condescending manner to support with money or by being a customer of business |
|
inalienable |
adjective
incapable of being taken away |
|
fervent |
adjective filled with energy; passionate; eager |
|
obtuse |
adjective
slow in understanding; dull |
|
underscore |
verb to emphasize or make more emphatic |
|
quibble |
verb to argue over insignificant things; to criticize over small details |
|
periphery |
noun the edges; something at the very boundary or edge of something |
|
stentorian |
adjective loud |
|
benediction |
noun a blessing |
|
excoriate |
verb to criticize harshly; to tear or remove the flesh |
|
euphoria |
noun
a state of great pleasure; a feeling of great happiness |
|
perennial |
adjective lasting for many years; year- round |
|
fathom |
verb to understand or comprehend; to measure the depth of something |
|
usury |
noun
charging excessive interest |
|
celerity |
noun speed; swiftness |
|
superfluous |
adjective more than is necessary; excessive; extra |
|
undulate |
verb to move in a wave-like motion |
|
euphonious |
adjective pleasant-sounding |
|
rancorous |
adjective characterized by bitterness or bad feelings; resentful |
|
gyrate |
verb to spin or revolve upon an axis |
|
ode |
noun a poem that celebrates or meditates upon a certain theme; a meaningful poem |
|
obliterate |
verb to completely destroy |
|
vigilant |
adjective very watchful; cautious and observant; looking out for danger |
|
benefactor |
noun a person who supports others |
|
correlate |
verb
to be mutually related |
|
concede |
verb to acknowledge; to admit that something is true or that someone else is right |
|
vivacious |
adjective full of life and energy; passionate |
|
skittish |
adjective very nervous; easily frightened |
|
pungent |
adjective strong-smelling; sharp in taste or smell |
|
sonorous |
adjective having a full, deep sound |
|
prostrate |
adjective lying face down; lying down to show humility or submission |
|
jeopardy |
noun danger; risk of loss |
|
zenith |
noun the highest point; the maximum |
|
hapless |
adjective unlucky |
|
clamber |
verb to climb in an awkward fashion |
|
laden |
adjective loaded; burdened |
|
maudlin |
adjective overly sentimental; excessively sad |
|
deity |
noun a god or goddess |
|
placate |
verb to make less angry; to soothe |
|
extemporaneous |
adjective done without permission or preparation |
|
writhe |
verb to twist or squirm, especially in pain or humiliation |
|
gruesome |
adjective horrifying; shocking |
|
bacchanalian |
noun adjective a big party, especially with wine; also "characterized by riotous partying and drunkenness" |
|
attain |
verb to gain or gather; to accomplish |
|
precipitous |
adjective very steep; resembling a cliff |
|
hallowed |
adjective holy; consecrated |
|
Machiavellian |
adjective conniving; practicing deceit or betrayal; cunning |
|
procrastinate |
verb to put off or delay |
|
credulous |
adjective gullible; believing too easily |
|
frugal |
adjective very careful with money; cheap |
|
fitful |
adjective starting and stopping; happening in spurts |
|
decor |
noun decoration or adornment, especially of a room |
|
raucous |
adjective noisy and boisterous; loud |
|
obsequious |
adjective servile; too willing to obey or serve |
|
raze |
verb to flatten or demolish, especially concerning a structure or building |
|
sophisticated |
adjective very refined or cultivated; worldly |
|
forage |
verb to search for food or substenance |
|
subdue |
verb to conquer or make a prisoner |
|
appease |
verb to satisfy by giving in on certain things; to make concessions |
|
punitive |
adjective relating to punishment |
|
idyllic |
adjective pleasing and peaceful; like a paradise |
|
prototype |
noun an early or experimental version of something; a model |
|
beset |
verb to set upon; to attack from all sides |
|
falter |
verb to stumble; to hesitate or fail in some way |
|
forlorn |
adjective very sad; lacking hope; despondent |
|
expertise |
noun skill or competency; knowledge |
|
veritable |
adjective true or authentic; genuine |
|
shirk |
verb to avoid a duty or obligation |
|
digress |
verb to go off topic; to wander from one's main point or subject |
|
extenuate |
verb to lessen the seriousness of something, especially by providing an excuse or explanation |
|
scurry |
verb to move with quick, light steps; to move like a small animal |
|
ruffle |
verb to unsettle or make less smooth, especially with feathers |
|
plummet |
verb to drop steeply; to fall very quickly |
|
penury |
noun poverty |
|
esteem |
noun respect and admiration |
|
gibe |
verb to tease or ridicule |
|
trifle |
noun verb something small and of little value; also to play with or treat as if having little value |
|
evacuate |
verb to leave or withdraw; to empty the contents of something |
|
elucidate |
verb to make clear; to explain |
|
noxious |
adjective harmful; dangerous to the health |
|
conjugal |
adjective related to marriage, especially sexual intimacy |
|
squalid |
adjective very impoverished and dirty in appearance |
|
denounce |
verb to condemn or accuse; to speak out against |
|
paltry |
adjective insignificant; a very small amount |
|
repine |
verb to long for; to be sad and disconsolate over something |
|
yearn |
verb to desire strongly; to long for something, especially something that is unlikely to be attained |
|
disenchant |
verb to free from false belief |
|
provisional |
adjective temporary; arranged in an ad hoc manner |
|
extant |
adjective actually existing; still in existence |
|
baleful |
adjective threatening; scaring; suggesting harm or danger |
|
sordid |
adjective dirty; mentally corrupt |
|
rejoinder |
noun a verbal response; a witty answer to a challenge or question |
|
offset |
verb
to balance; to act as a counter-weight or compensation |
|
recondite |
adjective hard to understand; very learned and advanced in knowledge |
|
telling |
adjective
very meaningful or revealing; very significant or suggestive |
|
urbane |
adjective sophisticated; worldly |
|
shrew |
noun a scolding, angry; a nag |
|
torrid |
adjective very hot and dry; very passionate |
|
alleviate |
verb to relieve suffering or pain; to make less severe |
|
limpid |
adjective clear and transparent |
|
feasible |
adjective workable; able to be accomplished; capable of being done |
|
sequel |
noun something that follows; a second version or a follow-up |
|
abash |
verb to embarrass; to make self-conscious or ashamed |
|
fraught |
adjective filled with; a particular quality; weighted down with |
|
reprise |
verb to repeat, especially a phrase or verse of music |
|
founder |
verb to sink beneath the water of a boating |
|
insipid |
adjective |
|
venerate |
verb to show repect |
|
squabble |
noun a noisy argument, especially over something trivial |
|
charlatan |
noun a fake; a person who cheats others by pretending to be something he or she is not |
|
adverse |
adjective difficult; opposed; acting as an enemy or opponent |
|
tamper |
verb to interfere or meddle |
|
droll |
adjective amusing, especially in a dry or odd sense; quirky in a funny way |
|
filial |
adjective relating to son or daughter; acting like a son or daughter |
|
fortuitous |
adjective lucky; characterized by good fortune |
|
misapprehension |
noun a misunderstanding |
|
dampen |
verb to restrain or repress |
|
comprehensive |
adjective all-encompassing; containing everything; complete |
|
pallid |
adjective pale |
|
venue |
noun a location where something takes place |
|
servile |
adjective acting like a servant; too obedient |
|
ruse |
noun a trick; something meant to decieve |
|
astute |
adjective very observant and aware; very perceptive; clever |
|
epic |
noun a long narrative poem, especially one about a hero; also, an adjective "grand in scope, like an epic poem" |
|
credit |
verb to believe |
|
trite |
adjective cliched; used too often; unoriginal |
|
turgid |
adjective swollen; ornately and overly complex |
|
specious |
adjective seeming to be true but actually false, especially as of reasoning |
|
benign |
adjective harmless; kindly |
|
mania |
noun craziness; an obsession or fascination |
|
forbear |
verb to be very patient; to hold off from doing something; to restrain yourself |
|
steadfast |
adjective faithful; loyal and devoted |
|
trudge |
verb
to walk in a slow or plodding way |
|
repartee |
noun clever conversational back and forth; a quick, witty reply |
|
pact |
noun an agreement; a formal arrangement |
|
redundant |
adjective repetitive |
|
guile |
noun trickery; slyness; deceitfulness |
|
confound |
verb to lump together; to confuse |
|
misogyny |
noun hatred or condemnation of women |
|
tribulation |
noun great disaster or misfortune; great difficulty |
|
ominous |
adjective threatening and scary; foreboding evil |
|
ponderous |
adjective clumsy and awkward; heavy and awkward |
|
prescribe |
verb to recommend or set down as a rule that must be followed |
|
vanquish |
verb to defeat; to conquer utterly |
|
livid |
adjective very pale very angry |
|
malignant |
adjective harmful; evil; cancerous |
|
clan |
noun a group of families and relatives; a tight-knit group that acts likes family |
|
embrace |
verb to hold close; to hold as belief or notion; to include in something larger; to hug or hold close |
|
stricture |
noun a limit or rule |
|
disparate |
adjective very unlike; totally related |
|
apology |
noun a formal defense; an argument defending something |
|
nepotism |
noun giving special favors or promotion to one's relatives |
|
accomplice |
noun someone who helps or participates in something; especially a crime |
|
purse |
verb to pucker; to contract into wrinkles or a kissy-face |
|
ebullient |
adjective very happy; boiling over |
|
telltale |
adjective indicating or revealing; suggestive or certain indication |
|
transparent |
adjective able to see through; undisguised; clear and honest; obvious |
|
sabotage |
noun a deliberate act of destruction, usually for a military or political gain |
|
lineage |
noun one's heritage; one's ancestors |
|
reverie |
noun a day dream |
|
morbid |
adjective gruesome; relating to death or associated with death |
|
fraternal |
adjective related to brothers or acting like brothers |
|
exasperate |
verb to frustrate or annoy |
|
capricous |
adjective
done on whim; erratic |
|
credible |
adjective believable |
|
dogmatic |
adjective stubbornly insisting on a belief; inflexible in one's beliefs |
|
turbid |
adjective cloudy; muddy and all stirred up, especially of water |
|
desist |
verb to stop; to cease |
|
decorum |
noun proper behavior that is socially appropriate and polite |
|
rue |
verb to regret or feel sorrow about something |
|
headstrong |
adjective stubborn and determined |
|
demur |
verb to disagree with strongly; to object |
|
toxic |
adjective poisonous |
|
inane |
adjective ridiculous; incredibly stupid |
|
scrutinize |
verb to examine very carefully |
|
ornate |
adjective very decorated; fancy |
|
multifarious |
adjective abundant; having many forms |
|
catalog |
verb to list or keep track of thoroughly |
|
extrapolate |
verb to make a guess or prediction from limited data; to draw a conclusion based on limited information |
|
adroit |
adjective very skilled |
|
nefarious |
adjective evil; conniving |
|
conscientious |
adjective following one's conscience very carefully; very thoughtful and concerned |
|
devious |
adjective very tricky and sneaky; manipulative |
|
onerous |
adjective burdensome; unpleasant |
|
slipshod |
adjective sloppy and careless |
|
compulsive |
adjective marked by a compulsion; acting in a way that is not entirely within one's control; feeling as if one is compelled to do something |
|
barter |
verb to trade directly for goods or services; to swap |
|
autonomy |
noun self-governance; independence |
|
incoherent |
adjective not making sense; not holding together logically |
|
intuition |
noun knowing something was innately or without reflection; having a "sense" or insight about something |
|
sophistry |
noun false or misleading logic; using logic to produce false conclusions |
|
undermine |
verb to weaken |
|
compromise |
verb to negotiate or meet in the middle to weaken or damage |
|
disparage |
verb to criticize or harshly condemn |
|
curtail |
verb to cut short to abbreviate |
|
epitome |
noun the finest example of something; an archetype |
|
proponent |
noun an advocate or supporter of something |
|
debunk |
verb to criticize or show to be false; to demonstrate that something is not true |
|
partisan |
adjective biased or prejudiced; favoring one side over another; favoring a particular party or viewpoint |
|
ingenuous |
adjective naive or innocent |
|
arcane |
adjective known only to a few people; esoteric |
|
abstruse |
adjective hard to comprehend; difficult to comprehend |
|
didactic |
adjective related to teaching; tending to impart a lesson |
|
lucid |
adjective clear; coherent |
|
concise |
adjective expressed in very few words; short; efficient |
|
esoteric |
adjective known only by a few people; not commonly familiar |
|
openhanded |
adjective generous |
|
constituent |
noun a person who votes for or supports a politician; one of the group of people a politician must please to be re-elected |
|
insolent |
adjective highly disrespectful; rude and aggressive |
|
petty |
adjective small and selfish; ungenerous and ungracious |
|
opportunistic |
adjective inclined to take unfair advantage |
|
egotistical |
adjective devoted to the self; self-involved; selfish |
|
tepid |
adjective lukewarm; lacking enthusiasm |
|
erode |
verb to wear away over time |
|
pore |
verb
to carefully examine or read; to study in great detail |
|
procure |
verb to acquire; to seek out and find |
|
waft |
verb to float or drift, especially through the air |
|
reek |
verb to give off a strong, unpleasant odor |
|
ghastly |
adjective horrible; morbid and terrifying |
|
precept |
noun a guideline; a rule of action |
|
zephyr |
noun a pleasant breeze; the west wind |
|
whet |
verb to sharpen, especially a blade or an appetite |
|
fluster |
verb to make nervous or anxious |
|
propitious |
adjective indicate a favorable outcome |
|
neophyte |
noun a beginner or novice |
|
euphemism |
noun a nice way of saying something that isn't nice |
|
facetious |
adjective teasingly ironic; playfully joking |
|
lurch |
verb to move in a sudden halting manner; to stagger |
|
desecrate |
verb to make less sacred; to violate the sanctity or holiness of something |
|
skirt |
verb to maneuver around; to avoid |
|
ornery |
adjective ill-tempered, grumpy |
|
synopsis |
noun a summary |
|
supersede |
verb to surpass or go beyond; to replace |
|
rebuff |
verb to reject; to refuse an offer |
|
incure |
verb to become used to something, especially something unpleasant; to become desensitized |
|
impecunious |
adjective having no money; poor |
|
intrepid |
adjective brave; fearless; without trepidation |
|
sacrilege |
noun something that desecrated or insults something holy; something that violates deep religious principles |
|
juggernaut |
noun an unstoppable force |
|
enormity |
noun an evil act; a terrible action |
|
impunity |
noun freedom from punishment or consequences |
|
wield |
verb to handle as in a tool or weapon; to exert as in power or influence |
|
demographics |
noun the study of populations; information about population |
|
inviduous |
adjective harmful; tending to arouse resentment |
|
mettle |
noun one's true worth, especially implying courage or bravery; one's character |
|
thrift |
noun great care in managing money; cheapness |
|
mundane |
adjective boring; everyday; characterized by the daily concerns of the world |
|
subsist |
verb to support life |
|
conclusive |
adjective supporting a final conclusion; authoritative; supporting a final conclusion; settling a matter finally |
|
etiquette |
noun so convention; proper and polite behavior |
|
obviate |
verb to make unnecessary; to prevent from happening or to prevent from being required to happen |
|
colossal |
adjective extremely large |
|
impotent |
adjective without power; ineffective unable to reproduce or engage in sexual intercourse |
|
immutable |
adjective
cannot be changed; timeless |
|
spate |
noun
a large number or great amount of something; especially in a short period of time |
|
ignominy |
noun
humiliation; shame and disorder |
|
serene |
adjective
calm and peaceful; tranquil |
|
obese |
adjective
very overweight; fat |
|
wan |
adjective
pale; sickly |
|
stature |
noun
one's physical height one's level of social power or achievement; one's place in an hierarchy |
|
timorous |
adjective
scared; fearful; timid and unagressive |
|
evasive |
adjective tending to avoid; intentionally misleading |
|
curriculum |
noun
the courses of study at a school or materials used in a course of study |
|
confide |
verb
to share a secret or confidence; to tell someone a secret |
|
adamant |
adjective
very firm; impervious; unyielding |
|
retort
|
noun
a verbal reply, especially a quick and witty one; also a verb-to make such a reply |
|
spat |
noun
an argument or dispute, especially a minor one |
|
repertoire
|
noun
the range of pieces or songs in an artists performance |
|
stately |
adjective
very impressive in size or proportion; dignified; often of buildings or of important people and their bearing or demeanor |
|
transgressions |
noun
the violation of a boundary or limit; exceeding a limit or restraint |
|
voluminous |
adjective
very large; taking up a large volume or space |
|
belligerent
|
adjective
wanting to fight; aggressive; warlike |
|
monograph |
noun a scholarly book; an essay on a narrow topic |
|
avert |
verb
to turn away, especially a look or gaze to prevent; especially a tragedy or misfortune |
|
tantamount |
adjective
equal to; equivalent |
|
redeem |
verb
to hand over and then receive something in exchange to make up for or make amends for |
|
corrode |
verb
to eat way; to destroy gradually; especially by a chemical process |
|
salutary |
adjective
healthful; beneficial |
|
flagrant |
adjective
conspicuously bad |
|
replete |
adjective
full of; abundant |
|
remitting |
adjective
not shopping; constant |
|
obligatory |
adjective
required |
|
faction |
noun a small group within a larger group; especially one that expresses discontent or disagreement |
|
stymie |
verb to stump; to present an obstruction or difficulty |
|
hospitable |
adjective acting like a good host; friendly; receptive |
|
profane |
adjective abusive toward religion; unholy |
|
slovenly |
adjective sloppy and unkempt; careless about one'e appearance |
|
rouse |
verb to provoke or stir up; to wake |
|
conspicuous |
adjective easily noticeable; obvious |
|
permutation |
noun a change in form; changes given set group of things; especially with numbers |
|
stationary |
adjective not moving; immobile |
|
opprobrium |
noun disgrace; a bad reputation gained by bad actions |
|
desideratum |
noun something strongly desired; something needed |
|
assent |
noun agreement or approval; acknowledgement or permission |
|
oscillate |
verb to move back and forth very rapidly |
|
recrimination |
noun replying to accusations with your own accusations |
|
charade |
noun a pretense or deception; something obviously false |
|
rankle |
verb to upset or annoy; to irritate |
|
lethal |
adjective fatal; deadly |
|
scope |
noun the range of something; the extent of something |
|
topography |
noun the surface features of a landscape or territory; the measuring or mapping of the surface of something |
|
tantalize |
verb to tempt or tease; to torment with something that is just out of reach |
|
pensive |
adjective thoughtful and reflective |
|
infamous |
adjective famous for something bad; notorious |
|
contingent |
adjective depending upon other factors; depending upon chance or arbitrary forces; also a noun-a group or faction |
|
chagrin |
noun annoyance or embarassment |
|
bequeath |
verb to give in a will or last testament; to pass down |
|
mausoleum |
noun a giant tomb |
|
vagrant |
noun a person who wanders from place to place, especially a homeless person who lives on the streets; also an adjective-tending to wander, especially of a notion or set of thoughts |
|
vanguard |
noun the leading position in an army or artistic movement |
|
contentious |
adjective wanting to argue; inspire; inspiring arguments or disagreements |
|
auditory |
adjective related to the sense of hearing |
|
conjecture |
noun a guess; a conclusion based on inference an incomplete facts |
|
polemical |
adjective characterized by divisive arguments; tending to divide people into stark opposites; argumentative |
|
nadir |
noun the lowest point |
|
ponder |
verb to think about; to consider with great care |
|
quarantine |
verb to separate because of illness or contagion; also a verb-to isolate because of illness or contagen |
|
composure |
noun a calm state of mind; being in control of oneself and one's emotions |
|
guise |
noun external appearance, especially a false appearance |
|
monarch |
noun a ruler, usually a king who rules for life by heredity right |
|
utopia |
noun a perfect state or ideal place |
|
ramshackle |
adjective disorganized and about to fall apart, especially of buildings or structures |
|
paradigm |
noun a model home or framework for thinking about something; a particular way of conceiving or imagining something; an example |
|
muse |
verb to consider thoughtfully; to ponder; to meditate or imagine |
|
precursor |
noun something that precedes something else; something that suggests what is about to happen |
|
rout |
noun a disorderly defeat; a complete and utter defeat; also a verb-to defeat an enemy completely |
|
assiduous |
adjective diligent; characterized by hard work and focus |
|
internecine |
adjective characterized by conflict within a group; mutually destructive |
|
brazen |
adjective bold and fearless; rude and brash covered in bronze or made in brass |
|
advent |
noun the beginning or first moments of something, especially something important |
|
renege |
verb to go back on a promise; to violate an agreement |
|
proficient |
adjective very skilled; experienced through training or practice |
|
verdant |
adjective green; lush and exuberant in growth |
|
refuse |
noun
trash or garbage |
|
incit |
verb to rouse up; to encourage; especially a riot or uprising, to provoke |
|
hue |
noun to color or particular shade of color |
|
juxtapose |
verb to compare one thing to another; to place alongside for a comparison |
|
pandemic |
noun an epidemic that spreads far and wide; also an adjective-widespread and ubiquitous |
|
invalidate |
verb to cancel or nullify; to make not valid |
|
indigenous |
adjective native; a natural part of some territory or area |
|
abet |
verb to help or aid, especially in some kind of wrongdoing |
|
staple |
noun a basic element; a common element; a basic type of food or sustenance |
|
harbinger |
noun something that acts as a sign or omen of whats to come |
|
meager |
adjective paltry and insignificant; scanty |
|
intransigent |
adjective stubborn; not inclined to be moved or influenced; refusing to compromise |
|
incipient |
adjective in the earliest phase; just the beginning; only recently appearing |
|
verbiage |
noun wordiness; using more words than is necessary |
|
wake |
noun a wave or turbulence that a ship leaves behind a funeral gathering that is lively |
|
intervene |
verb to step in and deal with something; to mediate or act as a go-between |
|
cistern |
noun a larger container for storing water, usually underground |
|
disdain |
noun disgust or contempt |
|
translucent |
adjective letting light pass through, but not entirely transparent |
|
defame |
verb to attack a person's reputation; to slander or verbally attack |
|
nascent |
adjective newly formed; only recently come into existence; in an early and not fully stage |
|
implausible |
adjective hard to believe; not likely |
|
adjudicate |
verb to come to a formal decision; to judge or decide |
|
exuberant |
adjective full of energy and passion; lively |
|
harrowing |
adjective very terrifying; causing distress or concern |
|
incognito |
adjective unable to be recognized or identified; disguised |
|
sediment |
noun particles that collect or settle at the bottom of a liquid; residue |
|
juncture |
noun a point at a time a concurrence of events |
|
husband |
verb to conserve; to be cautious of one's resources |
|
mesmerize |
verb to hypnotize or place into a trance |
|
impetuous |
adjective acting rashly or without thinking; passionate and impulsive |
|
foreboding |
noun a sense of impending evil; a feeling that something bad will happen |
|
virulent |
adjective very infectious or harmful; very resentful |
|
obsolete |
adjective out of date; not technically current |
|
perfunctory |
adjective casual; done without care or great concern |
|
surmount |
verb to overcome |
|
shoddy |
adjective characterized by poor quality or lack of serious effect; crappy; cheap or inferior |
|
humbug |
noun something that tricks or deceives; a sham |
|
prognosis |
noun a prediction of what will happen in the future, especially in medical context |
|
incandescent |
adjective shining; glowing from within |
|
insouciant |
adjective calm and relaxed; acting as if one has no cares or troubles; indifferent; "chill" |
|
inpregnable |
adjective cannot be successfully attacked or penetrated; invincible |
|
acclimate |
verb to become accustomed to; to adapt to |
|
gaudy |
adjective very fancy; overly decorated and tasteless |
|
circuitous |
adjective roundabout; indirect; twisting and turning needlessly |
|
temerity |
noun boldness; willing to shock people, especially by what one says or does |
|
surreptious |
adjective done secretly or discreetly, usually regarding something that is improper or questionable |
|
ruminate |
verb to think about extensively; also, to chew-especially of a cow or other ruminant |
|
visceral |
adjective instinctive; relating to the guts or internal organs |
|
deign |
verb to stoop to a level that one considers beneath himself or herself; to lower yourself in some way |
|
inquity |
noun extreme injustice; wickedness and immoral behavior |
|
bolster |
verb to support |
|
mendacious |
adjective lying; untruthful |
|
recalcitrant |
adjective stubborn; unwilling to follow advice or guidance; defiant |
|
gingerly |
adjective carefully and delicately done; cautiously |
|
averse |
adjective opposed to or reluctant to do something |
|
tourniquet |
noun a tight bandage or other device that restricts the circulation, often to prevent excess bleeding |
|
flotsam |
noun anything floating in the sea, especially from wreckage of a ship one of the eels in Disney's Little Mermaid |
|
jetsam |
noun anything floating in the sea, especially something jettisoned or thrown overboard from a ship one of the eels in Disney's Little Mermaid |
|
accolade |
noun praise or honor; a special award or sign of praise |
|
bestow |
verb to present or give; often with the idiomatic complement "on" |
|
hogwash |
noun worthless or misleading speech; false ideas or claims; also an exclamation that expresses one's deep mistrust of something |
|
exhaustive |
adjective very thorough |
|
macabre |
adjective suggesting horror or terror; fascinated with death or horror |
|
prevaricate |
verb to avoid telling the truth; to lie |
|
prodigy |
noun someone with exceptional talents and abilities |
|
defunct |
adjective not working or operating; not living |
|
pernicious |
adjective harmful and destructive; tending to spread ill feelings and spite |
|
till |
verb to prepare the soil for planting, especially with a plow or hoe |
|
concoct |
verb to create or make-up; to invent |
|
ingenious |
adjective very clever and creative; clever |
|
solicit |
verb to ask for; to seek or search out, especially an opinion or donation |
|
abeyance
|
noun a suspension of activity; a pause or hiatus; often with the idiomatic complement "in" |
|
appraise |
verb to assess the value of something |
|
tactful |
adjective very smooth in social situations; careful and sensitive about other peoples's feelings; diplomatic |
|
inconspicuous |
adjective hard to notice; not standing out |
|
tenacious |
adjective holding form; not giving up |
|
manipulative |
adjective conniving; tending to use people for one's own purposes |
|
diplomatic |
adjective tasteful and careful in how one communicates; sensitive to others feelings and point of view |
|
indiscriminate |
adjective not making careful distinctions; reckless |
|
self-effacing |
adjective modest; tending to understate one's own qualities or contributions; humble |
|
seditious |
adjective treasonous; engaging in the undermining of the government |
|
insurrection |
noun rebellion; engaging in the overthrow of the government |
|
corrective |
noun something that addresses or corrects a misconception |
|
indictment |
noun a formal accusation, especially in a court of law |
|
temperamental |
adjective moody and unpredictable; volatile; unreliable |
|
congenial |
adjective friendly and affable |
|
reclusive |
adjective seeking isolation; avoiding people or society |
|
assess |
verb to estimate the value or quality of something; to thoroughly catalog the various features or qualities |
|
penchant |
noun a liking or tendency for something; a predilection |
|
perquisite |
noun a special privilege or benefit; a "perk" |
|
tribulations |
noun extreme difficulties or challenges; trials |
|
irreproachable |
adjective cannot be reproached or criticized; beyond all criticism |
|
afflictions |
noun illnesses or diseases; unfortunate conditions |
|
commendable |
adjective worthy of respect; worthy of praise or commendation |
|
agnostic |
adjective not possessing clear or certain knowledge, especially regarding the existence of god |
|
eclectic |
adjective drawn from many sources; characterized by a mixture or combination of things |
|
presumption |
noun the act of presuming too much; assuming something in a way that indicates arrogance or over-confidence |
|
transitory |
adjective
lasting only a brief time; passing |
|
arboreal |
adjective relating to trees |
|
unwitting |
adjective done without realizing or intending it; done unconsciously or without being aware |
|
unswerving |
adjective not deviating from a curtain path; certain; loyal; staunch |
|
naivete |
noun being innocent and unfamiliar with the world; unsophisticated and gullible |
|
furtive |
adjective done in a secretive or sneaky way; surreptitious |
|
circumvent |
verb to go around; to bypass |
|
ameliorate |
verb to make better; to try to fix; to ease the suffering or reduce the harmfulness of something |
|
condone |
verb to overlook; to approve of; to fail to condemn or criticize something |
|
belabor |
verb to give much attention to something; to spend too much time or effort on a single thing or single point |
|
gluttonous |
adjective greedy, especially regarding food |
|
docile |
adjective tame and easily controlled |
|
disseminate |
verb so spread; to spread like a seed, especially concerning ideas or information |
|
foreshadow |
verb to act as a sign of the future; to act like an omen; to hint at what is to come |
|
preclude |
verb to prevent; to eliminate as possibility |
|
paucity |
noun a lack; a dearth |
|
rehash |
verb to go over one more time; to recapitulate or summarize |
|
expendable |
adjective able to be dispensed with; something that can be gotten rid of |
|
cacophany |
noun a discordant collection of loud, disturbing noises; a loud, confusing sound; anything that is loud and confusing |
|
supple |
adjective smooth |
|
calamity |
noun a disaster |
|
errant |
adjective wandering or straying outside proper limits |
|
pretext |
noun an excuse or strategy that conceals one's true motives |
|
itinerary |
noun a plan of one's travels or proposed journey |
|
penitent |
adjective feeling remorse; feeling sorry for what one has done |
|
imposter |
noun a fake; a person using a false identity |
|
hearsay |
noun evidence that is merely rumor or gossip |
|
articulate |
adjective well spoken; also to express an idea in language to move an object an object through a range of motions |
|
evanescent |
adjective transient; fading from sight |
|
extraneous |
adjective unimportant; not a vital part |
|
modulate |
verb to adjust or regulate the intensity of something |
|
grudge |
verb to be reluctant to acknowledge something; also an abiding feeling of ill will toward someone |
|
office |
noun a duty o function assigned to a person |
|
ramification |
noun a consequence or development resulting from an action; spreading branches of a passageway |
|
quiescent |
adjective inactive; temporarily quiet |
|
abate |
verb to lessen in intensity; to calm down |
|
ludicrous |
adjective ridiculous |
|
regal |
adjective kingly; royal |
|
primeval |
adjective related to the beginning or first era of the world |
|
postulate |
noun an idea that is assumed to be true; a first principle that is the first step in a chain of reasoning |
|
sleuth |
noun a detective |
|
propagate |
verb to reproduce or multiply |
|
endearment |
noun an act of kindness expressing fondness or affection |
|
imposing |
adjective intimidating; impressive because of size or power |
|
coalesce |
verb to merge together |
|
amibivalence |
noun feeling two ways about something; feeling conflicted |
|
prodigious |
adjective amazing; very large |
|
mutilate |
verb to damage extremely; to disfigure |
|
apprise |
verb to make aware of; to notify |
|
megalomania |
noun a condition in which someone has delusions of grandeur and seeks fame, power, and glory above all other things |
|
luminescent |
adjective emitting light, especially from a chemical reaction rather than heat |
|
fecund |
adjective fertile |