Reading...
Play button
Play button
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;
109 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
Achilles' Heel
|
A portion, spot, area, or the like that is especially vulnerable; A seemingly small but actually crucial weakness
Syn: deficiency, frailty, damaging weakness, flaw |
|
|
Adonis
|
A very handsome young man
Syn: Beaut, beauty, charmer |
|
|
Bacchanal
|
A drunken reveler; Someone who gets drunk and wild at parties
Syn: Merrymaking, debauch (corruption) |
|
|
Charlatan
|
A person who pretends to more knowledge or skill than he or she possesses
Syn: Quack, imposter |
|
|
Choleric
|
Extremely irritable or easily angered
Syn: Irascible, obsolete, testy |
|
|
Siren
|
A seductively beautiful or charming woman, esp. one who beguiles men
Syn: Seductress, temptress, |
|
|
Spartan
|
Brave, undaunted; Rigorously self-disciplined and self-controlled
Syn: Austere, brave, courageous, |
|
|
Bizarre
|
Markedly unusual in appearance, style, or general character and often involving incongruous or unexpected elements; Outrageously or whimsically strange; Odd
Syn: Comical, curious, eccentric, extraordinary |
|
|
Diabolic
|
Having the qualities of a devil
Syn: Atrocious, cruel |
|
|
Fathom
|
Penetrate; Come to understand
Syn: Appreciate, apprehend, |
|
|
Iridescent
|
Displaying a play of lustrous colors like those of the rainbow
Syn: Irised, lustrous |
|
|
Irony
|
The use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning; An outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected
Syn: Contrariness, criticism, derision, humor, jibe, mockery |
|
|
Paradox
|
A self-contradictory and false proposition
Syn: No win situation, absurdity, ambiguity, anomaly, opposite |
|
|
Undermine
|
To attack by indirect, secret, or underhand means; Attempt to subvert by stealth.
Syn: Attenuate, blunt, |
|
|
Abominable
|
Repugnantly hateful; Detestable
Syn: Abhorrent, atrocious, awful, bad |
|
|
Asinine
|
Foolish, unintelligent, or silly; Stupid
Syn: Absurd, stupid |
|
|
Disparage
|
To speak of or treat slightingly; Depreciate; Belittle
Syn: Abuse, belittle, chill |
|
|
Gullible
|
Easily deceived or cheated
Syn: Being a sucker, believing |
|
|
Limbo
|
An intermediate, transitional, or midway state or place
Syn: In-between place |
|
|
Nonchalant
|
Coolly unconcerned, indifferent, or unexcited
Syn: Airy, aloof, apathetic |
|
|
Iridescent
|
Displaying a play of lustrous colors like those of the rainbow
Syn: Irised, lustrous |
|
|
Irony
|
The use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning; An outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected
Syn: Contrariness, criticism, derision, humor, jibe, mockery |
|
|
Paradox
|
A self-contradictory and false proposition
Syn: No win situation, absurdity, ambiguity, anomaly, opposite |
|
|
Undermine
|
To attack by indirect, secret, or underhand means; Attempt to subvert by stealth.
Syn: Attenuate, blunt, |
|
|
Abominable
|
Repugnantly hateful; Detestable
Syn: Abhorrent, atrocious, awful, bad |
|
|
Asinine
|
Foolish, unintelligent, or silly; Stupid
Syn: Absurd, stupid |
|
|
Disparage
|
To speak of or treat slightingly; Depreciate; Belittle
Syn: Abuse, belittle, chill |
|
|
Gullible
|
Easily deceived or cheated
Syn: Being a sucker, believing |
|
|
Limbo
|
An intermediate, transitional, or midway state or place
Syn: In-between place |
|
|
Nonchalant
|
Coolly unconcerned, indifferent, or unexcited
Syn: Airy, aloof, apathetic |
|
|
Pragmatic
|
Of or pertaining to a practical point of view or practical considerations
Syn: Businesslike, commonsensical |
|
|
Alleviate
|
To make easier to endure; Lessen; Mitigate
Syn: Allay, assuage |
|
|
Despotic
|
Having absolute power; Holding that power oppressively; A tyrant
Syn: Absolute, authoritarian |
|
|
Fervent
|
Having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm, etc
Syn: Animated, ardent, blazing |
|
|
Maverick
|
An independent individual who does not go along with a group or party
Syn: Bohemian, dissenter |
|
|
Penitent
|
Feeling or expressing sorrow for sin or wrongdoing and disposed to atonement and amendment; Repentant; Contrite
Syn: Abject, apologetic, atoning |
|
|
Remorse
|
Deep and painful regret for wrongdoing; Compunction
Syn: Anguish, attrition, compassion |
|
|
Titanic
|
Of enormous size, strength, power, etc
Syn: Colossal, enormous, epic, elephantine |
|
|
Dunce
|
A dull-witted, stupid, or ignorant person; Dolt
Syn: Ass, birdbrain, blockhead |
|
|
Farce
|
Foolish show; Mockery; A ridiculous sham
Syn: Absurdity, broad comedy |
|
|
Fetish
|
Any object, idea, etc., eliciting unquestioning reverence, respect, or devotion
Syn: Obsession, bias, craze |
|
|
Hyperbole
|
An extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally, as “to wait an eternity”
Syn: Amplification, big talk, coloring |
|
|
Homage
|
Respect or reverence paid or rendered
Syn: Adoration, adulation, allegiance |
|
|
Ominous
|
Portending evil or harm; Foreboding; Threatening; Inauspicious
Syn:dismal, doomed,fateful, fearful, forbidding, gloomy, grim, |
|
|
Pedigree
|
An ancestral line; Line of descent; Lineage; Ancestry; Distinguished, excellent, or pure ancestry
Syn: Blood, breed |
|
|
Accolade
|
Any award, honor, or laudatory notice (praise)
Syn: Approval, award |
|
|
Exonerate
|
To clear, as of an accusation; To free from guilt or blame; To relieve, as from obligation, duty, or task
Syn: Acquit, discharge, dismiss |
|
|
Inexorable
|
Unyielding; Unalterable; Not to be persuaded
Syn: Adamant, adamantine, bound |
|
|
Mnemonic
|
Assisting or intending to assist the memory
Syn: Memory prompt, reminder |
|
|
Plummet
|
To fall straight down; plunge
Syn: Collapse, crash, decline |
|
|
Preposterous
|
Completely contrary to nature, reason, or common sense; Absurd; Senseless; Utterly foolish
Syn: Absurd, asinine, crazy |
|
|
Recalcitrant
|
Resisting authority or control; not obedient or compliant; Refractory
Syn: Contrary, contumacious, defiant |
|
|
Adamant
|
Utterly unyielding in attitude or opinion in spite of all appeals, urgings, etc.
Syn: Determined, firm, fixed |
|
|
Cliche
|
A trite, stereotyped expression; A sentence or phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse
Syn: Adage, banality |
|
|
Desultory
|
Lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; Fitful
Syn: Random aimless, chance |
|
|
Hedonist
|
A person whose life is devoted to the pursuit of pleasure and self-gratification
Syn: Bon vivant, debauchee, epicure |
|
|
Lampoon
|
A sharp, often virulent satire directed against an individual or institution; A work of literature, art, or the like, ridiculing severely the character or behavior of a person, society, etc
Syn: Burlesque, caricature |
|
|
Meretricious
|
Alluring by a show of flashy or vulgar attractions; Tawdry; Based on pretense, deception, or insincerity
Syn: Blatant, bogus, brazen |
|
|
Plagiarize
|
To use or closely imitate without authorization the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work
Syn: Forge, appropriate |
|
|
Vindicate
|
To clear, as from an accusation, imputation, suspicion, or the like
Syn: Absolve, acquit, advocate |
|
|
Admonish
|
To caution, advise, or counsel against something; To reprove or scold, esp. in a mild and good-willing manner
Syn: Advise, berate, call down |
|
|
Chimerical
|
Unreal; imaginary; visionary
Syn: Absurd, delusive |
|
|
Esoteric
|
Understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest
Syn: Recondite mysterious, obscure |
|
|
Nadir
|
The lowest point; point of greatest adversity or despair
Syn: All-time low, base, bottom |
|
|
Pinnacle
|
The highest or culminating point, as of success, power, fame, etc.
Syn: Acme, apex, apogee, climax |
|
|
Pittance
|
A small amount or share
Syn: Allowance, bit |
|
|
Trivial
|
Of very little importance or value; insignificant
Syn: Atomic, beside the point, commonplace |
|
|
Diatribe
|
A bitter, sharply abusive denunciation, attack, or criticism
Syn: Harangue, criticism, abuse |
|
|
Draconian
|
Rigorous; Unusually severe or cruel
Syn: Brutal, cruel, drastic |
|
|
Fatal
|
Causing or capable of causing death; Mortal; Deadly; Causing destruction, misfortune, ruin, or failure
Syn: Baleful, baneful, calamitous |
|
|
Impecunious
|
Having little or no money; Penniless; Poor
Syn: Poverty-stricken, beggared, broke |
|
|
Malapropism
|
An act or habit of misusing words ridiculously, esp. by the confusion of words that are similar in sound
Syn: Barbarism, misuse |
|
|
Nihilist
|
Total rejection of established laws and institutions
Syn: Skeptic, anarchist, cynic |
|
|
Tribulation
|
Grievous trouble; Severe trial or suffering
Syn: Pain, unhappiness, adversity |
|
|
Cajole
|
To persuade by flattery or promises; Wheedle; Coax
Syn: Apple polish, argue into, banter, beguile |
|
|
Conjugal
|
Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of marriage
Syn: Marital, bridal, connubial |
|
|
Guile
|
Insidious cunning in attaining a goal; Crafty or artful deception; Duplicity
Syn: Slyness, cleverness, artfulness |
|
|
Macabre
|
Weird; Gruesome and horrifying; Ghastly; Horrible
Syn: Eerie, deathlike, cadaverous |
|
|
Melancholy
|
A gloomy state of mind, esp. when habitual or prolonged; Depression; Sober thoughtfulness; Pensiveness
Syn: Blue, dejected, despondent |
|
|
Nefarious
|
Extremely wicked or villainous; Iniquitous
Syn: Bad, sinful, abominable |
|
|
Trite
|
Lacking in freshness or effectiveness because of constant use or excessive repetition; Hackneyed; Stale
Syn: Silly, commonplace, banal |
|
|
Zenith
|
A highest point or state; Culmination
Syn: Top, acme, altitude |
|
|
Effete
|
Exhausted of vigor or energy; Worn out
Syn: Spoiled, exhausted, burnt out |
|
|
Gadfly
|
A person who persistently annoys or provokes others with criticism, schemes, ideas, demands, requests, etc
Syn: Goad, nuisance, annoyance |
|
|
Harbinger
|
Anything that foreshadows a future event; Omen; Sign
Syn: Indication, augury, forerunner |
|
|
Opportune
|
Appropriate, favorable, or suitable
Syn: Advantageous, lucky |
|
|
Pecuniary
|
Of or pertaining to money
Syn: Financial, banking |
|
|
Phlegmatic
|
Not easily excited to action or display of emotion; Apathetic; Sluggish
Syn: Unemotional, along for the ride, apathetic |
|
|
Spurn
|
Disdainful rejection or contemptuous treatment
Syn: Turn away, ignore, air |
|
|
Sadistic
|
Any enjoyment in being cruel; Extreme cruelty
Syn: barbarous, brutal |
|
|
Sanguine
|
Cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident; Blood-hued
Syn: Happy, optimistic |
|
|
Skeptical
|
Inclined to skepticism; having or showing doubt
Syn: Disbelieving, leery |
|
|
Stymie
|
To hinder, block, or thwart
Syn: Frustrate, hinder |
|
|
Tally
|
An account or reckoning; a record of debit and credit, of the score of a game, or the like; Anything on which a score or account is kept
Syn: Count, record, account |
|
|
Venerate
|
To regard or treat with reverence; Revere
Syn: Admire, adore, apotheosize |
|
|
Vindictive
|
Disposed or inclined to revenge; vengeful
Syn: Hateful, revengeful, avenging |
|
|
Anachronism
|
Something or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time, esp. a thing or person that belongs to an earlier time
Syn: Chronological error |
|
|
Banal
|
Devoid of freshness or originality; Hackneyed; Trite
Syn: Commonplace, blah, bland |
|
|
Bellwether
|
A person or thing that assumes the leadership or forefront, as of a profession or industry
Syn: Leader, doyen, forerunner |
|
|
Serendipity
|
An aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident
Syn: Accidental discovery |
|
|
Somnolent
|
Sleepy; Drowsy
Syn: Asleep, dozy, drowsy |
|
|
Spurious
|
Not genuine, authentic, or true; not from the claimed, pretended, or proper source; counterfeit
Syn: Counterfeit, fake, affected |
|
|
Bombast
|
Speech too pompous for an occasion; Pretentious words
Syn: Boasting, altiloquence, balderdash |
|
|
Cardinal
|
Of prime importance; Chief; Principal
Syn: Important, key, basal |
|
|
Pariah
|
An outcast
Syn: Social outcast, bum |
|
|
Stentorian
|
Very loud or powerful in sound
Syn: Blaring, loud, orotund, |
|
|
Sycophant
|
A person who caters to another
Syn: Adulator, backscratcher |
|
|
Tawdry
|
Gaudy; Showy and cheap; Low or mean; Base
Syn: Tasteless, blatant |
|
|
Urbane
|
Having the polish and suavity regarded as characteristic of sophisticated social life in major cities; Reflecting elegance, sophistication, etc., esp. in expression
Syn: Civilized, affable |
