• Shuffle
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Alphabetize
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Front First
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Both Sides
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Read
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
Reading...
Front

Card Range To Study

through

image

Play button

image

Play button

image

Progress

1/601

Click to flip

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;

601 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back

Zenith

High point, culmination

Zeal

Great fervor or enthusiasm for a cause, person, etc. Passion, ardor

Wily (wiles)

Crafty, cunning, characterized by tricks or artifice

Whimsical

Marked or motivated by whims (odd, fanciful ideas); erratic, unpredictable

Whereas

While on the contrary, considering that

Wary

Watchful, motivated by caution, on guard against danger

warranted

justified, authorized; vouch for, guarantee



volatile

varying, inconsistent, fleeting, tending to violence



vituperate

verbally abuse, rebuke or criticize harshly

virtual

existing only in the mind or by means of computer network; existing in results or in essence but not officially or in name

vintage

related to items of high quality from a previous era, old-fashioned, antique (adj.); the wine of a particular year (n.)



viable

capable of living (or growing, developing, etc.); practical, workable

verbose

wordy

veracity

truthfulness, accuracy; habitual adherence to the truth

venerate

revere, regard with deep respect and awe

vacillate

waver in one's mind or opinions, be indecisive

unseemly

improper, inappropriate, against the rules of taste or politeness

unprecedented

never before known or seen, without having happened previously

unequivocal

unambiguous, clear, absolute; having only one possible meaning

unearth

dig up, expose, uncover

underscore

emphasize

undermine

weaken, cause to collapse by digging away at the foundation (of building or an argument)l injure or attack in a secretive or underhanded way

ubiquitous

existing everywhere at the same time

trite

lacking freshness and originality, lacking effectiveness due to overuse, cliche

trifling (trifle)

trivial, not very important; so small as to be unimportant; frivolous, shallow

transitory

temporary, short-lived, not lasting

tractable

easily controlled or managed, docile; easily shaped or molded

torrid

very hot, parching, burning; passionate

torpor

sluggishness, lethargy, or apathy; a period of inactivity

tirade

bitter, abusive criticism or verbal attack

timorous

timid, fearful

timely

well-timed, happening at a suitable time

tenuous

flimsy, having little substance; long and thin, slender

temperance

moderation, self-control, esp. regarding alcohol or other pleasures/desires; total abstinence from alcohol

tangential

only slightly relevant, going off-topic

taciturn

not talking much, reserved; silent, holding back in conversation

tacit

understood without being directly said; implied, not stated directly

table

lay aside to discuss later, often as a way to postpone discussion indefinitely

synchronous

happening at the same time; occurring at the same rate and thus happening together repeatedly

sycophant

servile flatterer, toady

surmise

guess, infer, opine

surfeit

excess, overindulgence

supplicate

pray humbly; ask, beg, or seek in a humble way

supercede

replace, take position of, cause to be disregarded as void or obsolete

succeeding

coming after or following

substantiate

support with evidence or proof; give a material existence to

subside

sink, settle down, become less active; return to a normal level

subjective

existing in the mind or relating to one's thoughts, opinions, emotions, etc; personal, individual, based on feelings

stymie

block, hinder, thwart; an obstacle

stolid

unemotional, showing little emotion, not easily moved

stoic, stoical

indifferent to pleasure or pain, enduring without complaint; person indifferent to pleasure or pain

stingy

not generous with money, reluctant to spend or give

status quo

existing state or condition

static

fixed, not moving or changing, lacking vitality

stark

complete, total, utter; harsh or grim; extremely simple, severe, blunt, or plain

standing

status, rank, reputation (n.); existing indefinitely, not movable (adj.)

sportive

playful, merry, joking around, done "in sport"

sporadic

occasional, happening irregularly or in scattered locations

speculate

contemplate; make a guess or education guess about; engage in a risky business transaction, gamble

spectrum

broad range of nevertheless related qualities or ideas, esp. those that overlap to create a continuous series

specious

seemingly true, but actually false; deceptively attractive

spearhead

be the leader of

spate

sudden outpouring or rush; flood

spartan

very disciplined and stern; frugal, living simply, austere

sound
measure the depth of as with a sounding line; penetrate and discover the meaning of, understand

soporific

causing sleep; sleepy, drowsy (adj.); something that causes sleep (n.)

solicitous

concerned or anxious (about another person), expressing care; eager or desirous; very careful

slight

small, not very important, slender or delicate; treat as though not very important; snub, ignore; an act of treating this way, a discourtesy

slew

a large number or quantity

slack

loose, negligent, lazy, weak (adj.); neglect to do one's duties; loosen up, relax (v.); period of little work (n.)

skirt

border, lie along the edge of, go around; evade

skeptic

person inclined to doubting or questioning generally accepted beliefs

simultaneous

at the same time

sentient

conscious; experiencing sensation or perceiving with the senses

sedulous

persevering, persistent, diligent in one's efforts

secular

not religious or holy; pertaining to worldly things

scathing

severe, injurious; bitterly harsh or critical

scant

not enough or barely enough

savor

a characteristic taste or flavor (usually pleasant); appreciate fully, taste or smell with pleasure

saturate

soak or imbue thoroughly; cause a substance to unite with the greatest possible amount of another substance

satiate/sate

to fully satisfy

sap

energy, vitality; inner fluid of plant or any essential body fluid; a person taken advantage of (n.); undermine, weaken, tire out (v.)

sanguine

cheerfully optimistic, hopeful; reddish, ruddy

sanction

permission or approval, something that fives support of authority to something else (n.); to allow, confirm, ratify (v.); a legal action by one or more countries again another to get it to comply (n.); to place sanctions or penalties on (v.)

salubrious

healthful, promoting health

sagacious

wise, showing good judgment and foresight

sacrosanct

sacred, inviolable, not to be trespassed on or violated; above any criticism

rustic

relating to country life, unsophisticated; primitive; made of rough wood; a rural or uncultured person

rudimentary

elementary, relating to the basics; undeveloped, primitive

rife

happening frequently, abundant, currently being reported

rhetoric

the art or study of persuasion through speaking or writing; language that is elaborate or pretentious but actually empty, meaning little

reverent

feeling or expressing very deep respect and awe

retrospective

looking to the past or backward; applying to the past, retroactive; an art exhibit of an artist's work over a long period of time

reticent

not talking much; private, restrained, reserved

restive

restless; impatient or uneasy under the control of another

respectively

in the order given

resolve

find a solution to; firmly decide to do something; decide by formal vote; firmness of that purpose

resolution

the quality of being firmly determined; resolving to do something; a formal judgment

rescind

annul, repeal, make void

requite

reciprocate, repay or revenge

repudiate

reject, cast off, deny that something has authority

reproach

blame, disgrace; criticize, express disappointment in

replete

supplied in abundance, filled, gorged

render

give, submit, surrender; translate; declare formally; cause to become

remedial

providing a remedy, curative; correcting a deficient skill

relegate

send or commit to an inferior place, rank, condition, etc.; exile, banish; assign to someone else

refute

prove to be false

recluse

someone who lives in seclusion

reap

harvest, such as by cutting; gather; get as a result of one's effort

ranks

personnel; a group of people considered all together

quotidian
daily; everyday, ordinary

quibble

make trivial arguments or criticisms, find faults in a petty way, esp. to evade something more important

quandary

uncertainty or confusion about what to do, dilemma

qualified

modified, limited, conditional on something else

pugnacious

inclined to fight, combative

prudent

wise in practical matters, carefully providing for the future

prospective

potential, in the future

proscribe

prohibit, outlaw; denounce; exile or banish

prosaic

dull, ordinary

propriety

conforming to good manners or appropriate behavior; justness

pronounced

distinct, strong, clearly indicated

prologue

introductory part to a book, play, etc.

proliferate

increase or spread rapidly or excessively

prohibitive

tending to forbid something, or serving to prevent something

profuse

abundant, extravagant, giving or given freely

profound

very insightful, penetrating deeply into a subject; pervasive, intense, "down to the very bottom"; at the very bottom

profligate

completely and shamelessly immoral, or extremely wasteful

prodigious

extraordinarily large, impressive, etc.

prodigal

wasteful, extravagant; giving abundantly, lavish

probity

honesty, integrity

pristine

in an original, pure state; uncorrupted

principled

having high moral standards

pretentious

claiming or demanding a position of importance or dignity, esp. when unjustified; showing off, creating a deceptive, false show of worth

presumptuous

too bold or forward; going beyond that which is proper

presumptive

based on inference or assumption; providing reasonable grounds for belief

preempt

prevent; take place of, supplant; take before someone else can

predisposed

having an inclination or tendency beforehand; susceptible

precursor

something that comes before, esp. something that also announces or suggests something on its way

precarious

unstable, insecure, dangerous

preamble

introductory statement, preface

pragmatic

practical; dealing with actual facts and reality

potentate

ruler, person of great power

posthumous

happening or continuing after death

ponderous

heavy; bulky and unwieldy; dull, labored

polarized

divided into sharply opposed groups

plummet

plunge, fall straight down

plausible

believable; having the appearance of truth

plastic

able to be shaped or formed; easily influenced

placid

peaceful, calm, tranquil

placate

satisfy or calm down (an angry/dissatisfied person), esp. by conciliatory gestures

pith

core, essence; significance or weight

pious

devout; religiously reverent and dutiful

phony

fake, counterfeit; insincere, not genuine

philanthropy

efforts to improve the well-being of humankind, generally through giving money

pervasive

tending to spread throughout

permeate

spread or penetrate throughout

peripheral

relating to or making up an outer boundary or region; not of primary importance, fringe

perfidious

disloyal, treacherous, violating one's trust

penchant

liking or inclination

pedestrian

ordinary, dull, commonplace

peccadillo

small sin or fault

paucity

scarcity, the state of being small in number

patronizing

condescending, having a superior manner, treating as an inferior

pathological

relating to or caused by disease; relating to compulsive bad behavior

patent

obvious, glaring, apparent

partisan

devoted to a particular group, cause, etc. (adj.); fervent supporter of a group, party, idea, etc.; guerrilla fighter (n.)



partial

biased, prejudiced, favoring one over others; having a special liking for something or someone

pariah

social outcast, untouchable

paradox

contradiction, or seeming contradiction that is actually true

paradigm

model or pattern; worldview, set of shared assumptions, values, etc.

overshadow

cast a shadow over, darken; dominate, make to seem less important

outstrip

surpass, exceed; be larger or better than; leave behind

oscillate

swing back and forth; waver, change one's mind

orthodox

adhering to a traditional, established faith, or to anything customary or commonly accepted

optimal/optimum

best, most desirable or favorable

opaque

not translucent; not allowing light, heat, etc. to pass through; dark, dull, unclear, or stupid

onerous

burdensome, oppressive, hard to endure

offset

counteract, compensate for (v.); a counterbalance

officious

excessively eager in giving unwanted advice or intruding where one is not wanted; meddlesome, pushy

offhand

casual, informal; done without preparation or forethought; rude in a short way, brusque

occult

the supernatural (n.); pertaining to magic, astrology, etc.; mysterious, secret or hidden (adj.); to hide, shut off from view (v.)

obviate

prevent, eliminate, or make unnecessary

obstinate

stubborn or hard to control

obsolete

out of date, no longer in use

obsequious

servile, very compliant, fawning

objective

factual, related to reality or physical objects; not influenced by emotions, unbiased

nuance

a subtle different in tone, meaning, expression, etc.

novel

new, fresh, original

notoriety

ill fame; the state of being well-known for a disgraceful reason

nevertheless/nonetheless

however, even so, despite that

net

remaining after expenses or other factors have been deducted; ultimate (adj.); to bring in as profit, or to catch as in a net (v.)

negate

deny or refute; make void or cause to be ineffective

nascent

coming into existence, still developing

naive

simple and unsophisticated, unsuspecting, lacking worldly and critical jud

mundane

common, ordinary, everyday

mores

customs, manners, or morals of a particular group

moreover

besides; in addition to what was just stated

monotony

sameness or repetitiousness to the point of being boring; lack of variation, uniformity, esp. repetition in sound

mollify

calm or soothe (an angry person); lessen or soften

modest

humble; simple rather than showy; decent (esp. "covering up" in terms of dress); small, limited

mitigate

make less severe; lessen or moderate (damage, grief, pain, etc)

meticulous

taking extreme care in regards to details; precise, fussy

metamorphosis

a complete change or transformation

mercurial

quickly and unpredictably changing moods; fickle, flighty

mendacious

lying, habitually dishonest

maverick

rebel, individualist, dissenter

malleable

able to be bent, shaped, or adapted

makeshift

a temporary, often improvised, substitute (n.); improvised for temporary use (adj.)

lull

soothe or cause to fall asleep (as in a lullaby); quiet down; make to feel secure, sometimes falsely (v.); a period of calm or quiet (n.)

lucid

clear, easy to understand; rational, sane, clear-headed

loquacious

talkative, wordy

log

keep a record of, write down; travel for or at a certain distance or speed (v.); a written record (n.)

likewise

also, in addition to; similarly, in the same way

libertine

morally or sexually unrestrained person; freethinker (regarding religion)

liberal

favorable to progress or reform; believing in maximum possible individual freedom; tolerant, open-minded; generous (adj.); a person with such beliefs or practices (n.)

levy

collect tax from, wage war on, or enlist for military service (v.); act of collecting tax or amount owed, or the drafting of troops into military service (n.)

levity

lightness (of mind, spirit, or mood) or lack of seriousness, sometimes in an inappropriate way

layperson

a person who is not a member of the clergy or not a member of a particular profession (such as medicine, law, etc.)

lavish

abundant or giving in abundance; marked by excess (adj.); give very generously (v.)

laudable

worthy of praise

lassitude

tiredness, weariness; lazy indifference

languid

drooping from exhaustion, sluggish, slow; lacking in spirit

landmark

object (such as a building) that stands out and can be used to navigate by; a very important place, event, etc.

lampoon

a harsh satire (n.); ridicule or satirize (v.)

lament

mourn; express grief, sorrow, or regret (v.); an expression of grief, esp. as a song or poem (n.)

laconic

using few words, concise

lackluster

not shiny; dull, mediocre; lacking brilliance or vitality

kudos

praise, honor, congratulations

keen

sharp, piercing; very perceptive or mentally sharp; intense (of a feeling)

juncture

critical point in time, such as a crisis or a time when a decision is necessary; a place where two things are joined together

judicious

using good judgment; wise, sensible

jocular

joking or given to joking all of the time; jolly, playful

jargon

vocabulary specific to a group or occupation; convoluted or unintelligible language

intrinsic

belonging to the essential nature of a thing

intrepid

fearless, brave, enduring in the face of adversity

intractable

difficult to control, manage, or manipulate; hard to cure; stubborn

intelligible

able to be understood, clear

innocuous

harmless, inoffensive

inherent

existing as a permanent, essential quality; intrinsic

ingrained

deep-rooted, forming part of the very essence; worked into the fiber

ingenuous

genuine, sincere, not holding back; naive

inform

inspire, animate; give substance, essence, or context to; be the characteristic quality of

indifferent

not caring, having no interest; unbiased, impartial

indeterminate

not fixed or determined, indefinite; vague

incorporate

include, take in; combine, unite; form a legal corporation; embody, give physical form to

inconsequential

insignificant, unimportant; illogical

incongruous

out of place, inappropriate, not harmonious

incipient

just beginning; in a very early stage

inchoate

just begun, undeveloped, unorganized

incentive

something that encourages greater action or effort, such as a reward

incendiary

setting on fire, pertaining to arson; arousing strife, rebellion, etc.; "inflaming" the senses

inasmuch

in like manner, considering that

inadvertent

unintentional; characterized by a lack of attention, careless

implode

burst inward; fall apart

implicit

implied, not stated directly; involved in the very essence of something, unquestionable

implication

act of implying or that which is implied; close connection, esp. in an incriminating way

impede

hold back, obstruct the progress of

impartial

unbiased, fair

impair

make worse, weaken

imminent

ready to occur, impending

illiberality

narrow-mindedness, bigotry; strictness or lack of generosity

idiosyncrasy

characteristic or habit peculiar to an individual; peculiar quality, quirk

hyperbole

deliberate exaggeration for effect

homogenous

of the same kind; uniform throughout

hodgepodge

mixture of different kinds of things, jumble

hierarchy

a ranked series; a classification or people according to rank, ability, etc.; a ruling body

heterogeneous

different in type, incongruous; composed of different types of elements

hedonist

person devoted to pleasure

hearken

listen, pay attention to

haven

harbor or port; refuge, safe place

hardy

bold, brave, capable or withstanding hardship, fatigue, cold, etc.

hackneyed

so commonplace as to be stale; not fresh or original

guile

clever deceit, cunning, craftiness

gregarious

sociable, pertaining to a flock or crowd

gradation

a progression, a process taking place gradually, in stages; one of these stages

goosebumps

the "bumps" created by hairs standing up on the skin in response to cold, fear, etc.

glib

fluent and easy in a way that suggests superficiality or insincerity

gist

main idea, essence

germane

relevant and appropriate, ontopic

gawky

physically awkward

gauche

tactless, lacking social grace, awkward, crude

garrulous

talkative, wordy, rambling

gainsay

declare false, deny; oppose

futile

producing no useful result, ineffective; trivial or unimportant

frugal

economical, thrifty, not wasteful with money; inexpensive

fringe

on the margin, periphery (adj.); the people in a group who hold the most extreme views (n.)

fortify

strengthen, invigorate, encourage

forfeit

surrender or lose as a result of an error, crime, or failure to fulfill an obligation

foreshadow

indicate or suggest beforehand, presage

foment

incite, instigate, stir up, promote the growth of; apply medicated liquid to a body part

fleeting

passing quickly, transitory

flag

get tired, lose enthusiasm; hang limply or droop

finesse

extreme delicacy, subtlety, or diplomacy in handling a sensitive situation or in a performance or skill (n.); use tact or diplomacy; employ a deceptive strategy (v.)

figurative

metaphorical, based on figures of speech; containing many figures of speech (as fancy-sounding writing); relating to portraying human or animal figures, as opposed to abstract objects

fidelity

faithfulness, loyalty; strict observance of duty; accuracy in reproducing a sound or image

feasible

possible; logical or likely; suitable

fathom

measure the depth of (usually of water) as with a sounding line; penetrate and discover the meaning of, understand

fanciful

whimsical, capricious; imaginary; freely imaginative rather than based on reason or reality

fanatical

excessively devoted, enthusiastic, or zealous in an uncritical way

fallacious

containing a fallacy, or mistake in logic; logically unsound; deceptive

facilitate

make easier, help the progress of

facetious

joking, humorous, esp. inappropriately; not serious, concerned with frivolous things

extrapolate

conjecture about an unknown by projecting information about something known; predict by projecting past experience

extraneous

irrelevant; foreign, coming from without, not belonging

exponent

person who expounds or explains; champion, advocate, or representative

explicit

direct, clear, fully revealed; clearly depicting sex or nudity

exhaustive

comprehensive, thorough, exhausting a topic or subject, accounting for all possibilities; draining, tending to exhaust

exculpate

clear from guilt or blame

exacting

very severe in making demands; requiring precise attention

exacerbate

make worse (more violent, severe, etc.), inflame; irritate or embitter

eulogy

speech of praise or written work of praise, esp. a speech given at a funeral

estimable

worthy of esteem, admirable; able to be estimated

esoteric

understood by or intended for only a few; secret

eschew

shun, avoid, abstain from

erudite

scholarly, knowledgeable; possessing deep, often systematic, knowledge

erroneous

mistaken, in error; improper, morally incorrect

erratic

inconsistent, wandering, having no fixed course

equitable

fair, equal, just

ephemeral

lasting only a short time, fleeting

enumerate

count or list; specify one-by-one

entitlement

having the right to certain privileges; believing, sometimes without a cause, that one deserves or has a right to certain privileges

enigma

puzzle, mystery, riddle; mysterious or contradictory person

enhance

raise to a higher value, desirability, etc.

enervate

tire out; weaken

emulate

copy in an attempt to be equal or be better than

empirical

coming from, based on, or able to be verified by experience or experimentation; not purely based on theory

eminent

prominent, distinguished, of high rank

embellish

decorate, add ornamentation; enhance (a story) with fictional or fanciful details

eloquent

marked by forceful, fluid, apt speech; expressive, emotionally moving

elicit

call forth, bring out, evoke

elevate

raise, lift up; lift the spirits of; move up to a higher rank or status or raise up to a higher spiritual or intellectual plane

elated

very happy, in high spirits

egregious

extraordinarily or conspicuously bad; glaring

egalitarian

related to belief in the equality of all people

efficacy

the quality of being able to produce the intended effect

eclipse

the obscuring of one thing by another, such as the sun by the moon or a person by a more famous or talented person (n.); to obscure, darken, make less important (v.)

eclectic

selecting the best of everything or from many diverse sources

eccentric

peculiar, off, deviating from the norm, esp. in a whimsical way

e.g.

for example, such as

dubious

doubtful, questionable, suspect

dormant

asleep, inactive, on a break

dogma

a system of principles laid down by an authority; established belief

document

support with evident, cite sources in a detailed way, create documentary evidence of

divine

discover through divination or supernatural means; perceive by insight

divest

deprive or strip of rank, title, etc., or of clothing or gear; to sell of holdings (opposite of invest)

diverge

differ, deviate; branch off or turn aside, as from a path

distill

purify; extract the essential elements of

dissonance

harsh, inharmonious sound; cacophony; disagreement

dissent

disagree or take an opposing view, esp. in relation to a formal body such as a government, political party, or church; such a view

disseminate

scatter, spread about, broadcast

disquieting

disturbing, causing anxiety

disposition

a person's general or nature mood, tendency

disperse

scatter, spread widely, cause to vanish

dispatch

speed, promptness; send off or deal with in a speedy way

dispassionate

unbiased, not having a selfish or person motivation; calm, lacking emotion

dismiss

allow to disperse or leave; fire from a job; put aside or reject, especially after only a brief consideration

disjointed

disconnected, not coherent, jerky

disinterested

unbiased, impartial; not interested

disingenuous

insincere, not genuine

discriminating

judicious, discerning, having good judgment or insight (as an adj., positive; as a v. negative)

discrepancy

difference or inconsistency

discredit

injure the reputation of, destroy credibility of or confidence in

discerning

having good judgment or insight; able to distinguish mentally

disabuse

free someone from a mistake in thinking

din

loud, confused noise, esp. for a long period of time

digress

go off-topic when speaking or writing

didactic

intended to instruct; teaching, or teaching a moral lesson

diatribe

bitter, abusive attack or criticism; rant

deterrent

something that restrains or discourages

detached

impartial, disinterested; unconcerned, distant, aloof

desiccate

thoroughly dried up, dehydrated

derivative

derived from something else; not original

deride

mock, scoff at, laugh at contemptuously

denote

stand as a name or symbol for; indicate (contrasts with "connote" which describes what something implies beyond its literal meaning)

denigrate

belittle, attack the reputation of

delineate

mark the outline of; sketch; describe in detail

deleterious

harmful, unhealthful

deflect

cause to curve; turn aside, esp. from a straight course; avoid

deference

respectful submission; yielding to the authority or opinion of antoerh

default

failure to act, neglect (n.); fail to fulfill an obligation, esp. a financial one

defamatory

slanderous, injurious to someone's reputation

deface

vandalize, mar the appearance of

deem

judge; condsider

decorous

behaving with propriety and good taste; polite

debunk

expose, ridicule, or disprove false or exaggerated claims

debase

degrade; lower in quality, value, rank, etc.; lower in moral quality

daunt

discourage, dishearten, lessen the courage of

cynical

thinking the worst of others' motivations; bitterly pessimistic

culminate

read the highest point or final stage

crescendo

steady increase in force, intensity, or the loudness of a musical passage; a climactic moment or peak (n.); to rise in volume or intensity (v.)

credulous

gullible; prone to believing or trusting too easily or without enough evidence

credibility

believability, trustworthiness

craven

cowardly, lacking courage

crafty

cunning, skillful in deception or underhanded schemes

covert

secret, veiled, undercover

counterproductive

defeating the purpose; preventing the intended goal

counterpoint

contrasting item, opposite; a complement; the use of contrast or interplay in a work of art

counterintuitive

against what one would intuitively expect

countenance

facial expressions or face (n.); approve or tolerate (v.)

cosmopolitan

belonging to the entire world, at home globally; free from local or national prejudices or attachments

corroborate

support, add evidence to

copious

plentiful, bountiful

convoluted

twisted; very complicated

conversely

in an opposite way; on the other hand

conversant

knowledgeable about or experienced with

converge

move towards one another or towards a point; unite

conundrum

a riddle; any mystery

contextualize

place in context, such as by giving the background or circumstances

contentious

controversial; prone to causing arguments, especially gratuitous or petty ones

construe

interpret or translate

constrict

squeeze, compress; restrict the freedom of

consolidate

unite, combine, solidify, make coherent

console

lessen the suffering or grief of (v.); a control panel, or small table or cabinet (n.)

connoisseur

expert, especially in the fine arts; person of educated, refined tastes

confer

consult, compare views; bestow or give

condone

overlook, tolerate, regard as harmless

concur

approve, agree

conciliatory

reconciling, appeasing, attempting to make the peace

concede

give in, admit, yield; acknowledge reluctantly; grant or give up (such as giving up land after losing a war)

compliant

obeying, submissive; following the requirements

complementary

completing; fitting together well; filling mutual needs

complacent

self-satisfied, smug; overly content (and therefore lazy, neglectful, or some other bad quality)

commensurate

the same in size, extent, etc., equivalent; proportional

cogent

very convincing, logical

coalesce

come together, unite; fuse together

clinch

make final or settle conclusively; to fasten or hold together

clamor

noisy uproar or protest, as from a crowd; a loud, continuous noise

chronological

arranged in or relating to time order

chauvinism

fanatical patriotism or blind enthusiasm for military glory; undue or biased devotion to any group, cause, etc.

censure

strong disapproval or official reprimand (n.); to issue such disapproval or reprimand (v.)

caustic

capable of corroding metal or burning the skin; very critical or sarcastic

catalyst

causer of change

castigate

criticize severely; punish in order to corret

cartography

mapmaking

capricious

acting on impulse, erratic

canonical

authorized, recognized; pertaining to the canon, or body of accepted rules, standards, or artistic works

candid

open, sincere, honest

cacophony

harsh, discordant, or meaningless mixture of sounds

bygone

past, former (adj.); that which is in the past (usually plural noun)

buttress

support or encourage (v.); a support or prop, esp. projecting from and supporting the wall of a building (n.)

burgeon

grow or flourish rapidly; put forth buds or shoots (of a plant)

bureaucracy

government characterized by many bureaus and petty administrators or by excessive, seemingly meaningless requirements

buffer

something that shields, protects, absorbs shock, or cushions

boor

rude, ill-mannered, or insensitive person; a peasant or country bumpkin

bolster

strengthen or support

bogus

fake, fraudulent

benign

harmless; favorable; kindly, gentle, or beneficial; not cancerous

belie

contradict or misrepresent

base

morally low, mean, dishonorable; of little or no value; crude and unrefined; counterfeit

balk

refuse to proceed or to do something

avid

enthusiastic, dedicated, passionate; excessively desirious

aver

declare or confirm with confidence, say

autonomous

self-governing, independent

austere

severe in manner or appearance; very self-disciplined, ascetic; without luxury or easel sober or serious

augment

make larger

audacious

very bold or brave, often in a rude or reckless way; extremely original

assuage

make milder, relieve; soothe, pacify, or calm

ascetic

abstinent or austere in lifestyle (adj.); a person who leads an austere and simple life without material pleasures, esp. someone who does this for religious reasons (n.)

ascertain

find out with certainty

artless

free of deceit or craftiness, natural, genuine; lacking skill or knowledge, crude, uncultured

artifact

any object made by humans, esp. those from an earlier time, such as those excavated by archaeologists

articulate

using language in a clear, fluent way (adj.); speak distinctly or give clarity to an idea (v.)

arduous

very difficult, strenuous; severe, hard to endure

archaic

characteristic of an earlier period, ancient, primitive

arcane

known or understood by only a few; obscure, secret

arbitrary

based entirely on one's discretion; capricious, unreasonable, or having no basis

appreciable

enough to be perceived, considerable

appease

pacify, satisfy, relieve; concede to belligerent demands, sometimes at the expense of principles

apocryphal

of questionable authenticity; false

apathy

not caring; absence of feeling; lack of interest or concern

antipathy

deep dislike, aversion, or repugnance, sometimes without reason

antagonize

make hostile or unfriendly

anomaly

deviation from what is common; inconsistency

anoint

rub or sprinkle oil on; make sacred, such as by a ceremony that includes applying oil to someone

anarchy

absence of law or government; chaos, disorder

analogous

comparable, corresponding in some particular way (making a good analogy)

ambivalent

uncertain; unable to decide, or wanting to do two contradictory things at once

ambiguous

not clear, hard to understand, open to having several meanings or interpretations

alleviate

lessen, make easier to endure

alienate

cause to become unfriendly, hostile, or distant

alacrity

cheerful or speedy willingness

aggregate

gather together, amount to (v.); constituting a whole made up of constituent parts (adj.)

aggrandize

make greater; exaggerate

affectation

fake behavior (such as in speech or dress); adopted to give a certain impression

affable

warm and friendly, pleasant, approachable

aesthetic

concerning the appreciation of beauty or good taste, pertaining to the science of what is beautiful (adj.); a set of principles or tastes guiding an artistic practice (n.)

advocate

speak or argue in favor of (v.); a person who pleads for a cause or on behalf of another person (n.)

adverse

opposing, harmful

admonish

mildly scold; caution, advise, or remind to do something

adhere

stick (to), such as with glue, or to a plan or belief

activism

the practice of pursuing political or other goals through vigorous action, often including protests and demonstrations

acme

summit, peak, highest point

abstain

hold back, refrain (esp. from something bad or unhealthy); decline to vote

abridge

condense or curtail; shorten by omitting parts throughout while retaining the main idea

abrasive

rough, suitable for grinding or polishing (such as sandpaper); causing irritation or annoyance

abjure

give up, renounce; repudiate, recant, or shun (esp. formally or under oath)

abhor

detest, regard with disgust

aberrant

abnormal, deviant

abdicate

formally give up the throne (or some other power or responsibility)

abate

reduce, diminish

abase

degrade or humble; to lower in rank, status, or esteem

abeyance

temporary suspension, inactivity

abreast

side-by-side (with "of"); keeping up with, staying aware of, or remaining equal in progress with

abscission

cutting off; sudden termination; the separation of leaves, petals, or other parts from a plant or animal

abscond

depart suddenly and secretively

abyss

a deep and vast space or cavity; anything profound or infinite

accede

agree, give consent; assume power (with "to")

accretion

gradual increase; an added part or addition

acerbic

sour; harsh or severe

acidulous

slightly acid or sour; sharp or caustic

acumen

keen, quick, accurate insight or judgment

adulterate

make impure by adding inappropriate or inferior ingredients

adumbrate

give a rough outline of; foreshadow; reveal only partially; obscure

aerie

dwelling or fortress built on a high place; the nest of a bird of prey

albeit

although, even though

aloof

distant physically or emotionally; reserved; indifferent

amalgamate

blend, merge, or unite

ameliorate

improve; make better or more bearable

amortize

gradually pay off a debt, or gradually write off an asset

anachronism

something that is not in its correct historical time; a mistake in chronology, such as by assigning a person or event to the wrong time period

analgesia

pain relief; inability to feel pain

annul

make void or null, cancel, abolish

anodyne

medicine that relieves pain (n.); soothing, relieving pain (adj.)

antedate

be older than, precede in time; assign to an earlier date

antithetical

directly opposed, opposite; involving antithesis

apostate

person who deserts a party, cause, etc.

apostle

pioneer of a reform movement

apposite

highly appropriate, suitable, or relevant

apprise

inform, give notice to

approbation

praise or approval, especially formal approval

appropriate

set aside or authorize (such as money) for a particular purpose; take for one's own use

arbiter

judge, umpire, person empowered to decide matters at hand

ardent/ardor

very passionate, devoted, or enthusiastic

arrogate

claim or take presumptuously or without the right to do so

ascribe

assign or credit to a certain cause or source

aseptic

free from germs

asperity

rigor, severity; harshness or sharpness of tone; roughness of surface

aspersions

damaging remarks, defamation, slander

assail

attack violently, assault

assiduous

persevering, diligent, constant

attenuate

weaken or thin out

attuned

in harmony; in sympathetic relationship

augury

telling the future, such as through supernatural means

august

venerable, majestic; inspiring admiration

avarice

insatiable greed; a miserly desire to hoard wealth

axiom

self-evident truth requiring no proof; universally or generally accepted principle

balloon

swell or puff out; increase rapidly

banal

lacking freshness and originality; cliche

bane

something that ruins or spoils

baying

howling in a deep way, like a dog or wolf

beneficient

doing good

bent

personal inclination or tendency

besiege

attack, overwhelm, crown in on or surround

bevy

group of birds or other animals that stay together; any large group

bifurcate

to fork into two branches or divide into two halves

bilk

cheat or defraud

blight

disease that kills plant rapidly, or any cause of decay or destruction (n.); ruin or cause to wither (v.)

blithe

joyous, merry; excessively carefree (so as to ignore more important concerns)

bombastic

(of speech or writing) far too showy and dramatic than is appropriate; pretentious

bonhomie

friendliness, open and simple good heartedness

brandish

shake, wave, or flourish, as a weapon

brook

suffer or tolerate

bucolic

suggesting a peaceful and pleasant view of rural life

burnish

polish, make something smooth and lustrous

calumny

malicious lie intended to hurt someone's reputation; the act of telling such lies

canard

rumor, a false or baseless story

cardinal

chief, most important

catholic

universal, broad-minded

chicanery

trickery, deception by knowingly false arguments

circumscribe

strictly limit a role, range of activity, or area; in math, to be constructed around so as to touch as many points as possible

circumspect

cautious, prudent; careful to consider the circumstances and consequences

clamber

climb awkwardly or with difficulty, scramble

cloying

disgustingly or distastefully sweet

coagulate

cause a liquid to become solid or semisolid

coda

final part of a musical composition; an ending, esp. one that sums up what has come before

coffer

chest for storing valuables; financial resources, a treasury

collude

conspire; cooperate for illegal or fraudulent purposes

compendium

concise but complete summary; a list or collection

complaisant

eager to please; cheerfully complying

confound

confuse, frustrate; mix up or make worse

connote

suggest or imply in addition to the precise literal meaning

contraries

things that are opposing; either of two opposite things

contrite

remorseful; feeling sorry for one's offenses or sins

contumacious

rebellious; stubbornly disobedient

convoke

call together, as to a meeting

cosset

treat as a pet, pamper

coterie

close or exclusive group, clique

cupidity

greed, great or excessive desire

curmudgeon

bad-tempered, difficult person; grouch

declaim

speak in an impassioned, pompous, or oratorical manner; give a formal speech

declivity

downward slope

delimit

fix, mark, or define the boundaries of

demagogue

a leader who lies and gains power by arousing the passions and especially prejudices of the people

demur

show reluctance or object, esp. for moral reasons

desultory

lacking consistency or order, disconnected, sporadic; going off topic

diaphanous

very sheer, fine, translucent

dichotomy

division into two parts or into two contradictory groups

dictum

formal or authoritative pronouncement; saying or proverb

diffident

lacking confidence, shy

diffuse

spread widely, disseminate (v.); dispersed, widely spread out, or wordy and going off-topic