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;
260 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
|
DENOUNCE
|
CRITICIZE; CONDEMN
|
The president denounced the actions of his country's closest ally.
|
|
|
DISCRIMINATE
|
SELECT CAREFULLY; JUDICIOUS
|
|
|
|
INNOVATE
|
TO INTRODUCE AS NEW; TO EFFECT A CHANGE
|
|
|
|
SUBTLE
|
HARD TO SEE OR UNDERSTAND; ELUSIVE
|
The editor's changes were so subtle, even the author didn't notice.
|
|
|
DISCERN
|
TO COME TO KNOW OR RECOGNIZE MENTALLY; TO SEE OR UNDERSTAND; INSIGHTFUL
|
She ha a discerning nature, which allows her to understand her clients on a deep level.
|
|
|
HYPOCRITICAL
|
BEING A HYPOCRITE. hYPOCRITE IS AN INSINCERE PERSON; ONE WHO PRETENDS TO HAVE FEELINGS HE DOESN'T REALLY POSSESS
|
Don't be a hypocrite--say what you mean.
|
|
|
INDIFFERENT
|
NOT CARING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER
|
The old fisherman was completely indifferent to the pain and hunger he felt; his only concern was ctching the enormous marlin he had hooked.
|
|
|
DISDAIN
|
LACK OF RESPECT ACCOMPANIED BY A FEELING OF INTENSE DISLIKE
|
|
|
|
APATHY
|
LACK OF INTEREST OR CONCERN
|
Many citizens are apathetic about elections and don't bother to vote.
|
|
|
OBSCURE
|
HAZY, UNFAMILIAR; DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND; RELATIVELY UNKNOWN
|
Scott constantly makes references to obscure cult films, and no one ever gets his jokes.
|
|
|
AMBIGUOUS
|
UNCLEAR; VAGUE; HAVING SEVERAL POSSIBLE INTERPRETATIONS
|
When questioned by police, the suspect gave ambiguous answers.
|
|
|
ABSTRACT
|
THEORETICAL; NOT CONCRETE
|
Advanced algebra is too abstract for most people.
|
|
|
IMPARTIAL
|
NOT IN FAVOR OF ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER, UNBIASED
|
The umpire had a hard time remaining impartial; his son was pitching for the home team, and this made it difficult to call the game fairly.
|
|
|
OBJECTIVE
|
SOMETHING TOWARD EFFORT IS DIRECTED
|
Getting an A in chemistry was his objective in ninth grade.
|
|
|
TEMPER
|
BRING INTO BALANCE; MODERATE
|
|
|
|
REVERE
|
GREATLY RESPECT
|
Winston Churchill was revered as a great statesman.
|
|
|
ENIGMA
|
MYSTERY, PUZZLE
|
The origin of Saturn's rings remains a puzzling enigma.
|
|
|
Candid
|
FREE FROM BIAS, PREJUDICE, OR MALICE
|
|
|
|
ECCENTRIC
|
DIFFERENT FROM MOST, ESPECIALLY IN PERSONALITY OR BEHAVIOR
|
Alice was eccentric, but everyone loved her odd ways.
|
|
|
RELEVANT
|
HAVING SIGNIFICANT AND DEMONSTRABLE BEARING UPON THE MATTER AT HAND
|
jOHN'S TESTAMONY ABOUT CAKE MAKING WAS NOT RELEVANT TO THE COURT CASE.
|
|
|
PROVINCIAL
|
LIMITED OR RESTRICTED; PAROCHIAL
|
|
|
|
FUTILE
|
HOPELESSLY INEFFECTIVE; USELESS; IN VAIN
|
You can flap your arms forever, but trying to fly is a futile effort.
|
|
|
INEVITABLE
|
UNAVOIDABLE; SOMETHING CERTAIN
|
|
|
|
DIVERSE
|
DIFFERENT; VARIOUS
|
Many colleges are looking for well-rounded applicants with diverse experiences.
|
|
|
ARTICULATE
|
ABLE TO SPEAK CLEARLY AND EFFECTIVELY
|
To be effective, a preacher must be articulate.
|
|
|
REPRESS
|
CURB ACTIONS THAT SHOW FEELINGS;SUPRESS SOMETHING BY FORCE; BLOCK SOMETHING FROM MIND
|
He had to repress a smile.
|
|
|
INDOLENCE
|
LAZY
|
Martha was a hard worker and could not tolerate indolence in her children.
|
|
|
PRECLUDE
|
PREVENT; MAKE IMPOSSIBLE
|
The still flooded streets precluded the parade from going on as scheduled.
|
|
|
SOLICIT
|
PLEAS FOR SOMETHING; ASK SOMEBODY FOR SOMETHING
|
|
|
|
ELABORATE
|
EXPAND AN EXPLANATION TO INCLUDE MORE DETAILS
|
|
|
|
ARROGANT
|
ACTING SUPERIOR, OBNOXIOUS, SMUG, OR RUDE
|
The trick is to be self-confident without being arogant.
|
|
|
REPROACH
|
CRITICISE SOMEBODY; DISCREDIT
|
|
|
|
ELUSIVE
|
HARD TO CATCH OR UNDERSTAND; EVASIVE
|
|
|
|
EFFACE
|
ERASE
|
All signs of poverty and suffering were effaced before the queen's visit.
|
|
|
TACITURN
|
QUIET
|
Anne was worried her taciturn boyfriend wouldn't fit in with her talkative family.
|
|
|
ACQUIESCE
|
RELUCTANTLY, AGREEABLE; COMPLIANT
|
Some employers insist on acquiescence from both the critics and the general public.
|
|
|
CONDESCEND
|
ACT IN A SUPERIOR WAY; MAKE CONCESSIONS FOR OTHERS
|
She condescended to travel with us.
|
|
|
CONDESCEND
|
ACT IN A SUPERIOR WAY; MAKE CONCESSIONS FOR OTHERS
|
She condescended to travel with us.
|
|
|
ORTHODOX
|
FOLLOWING TRADITIONAL DOCTRINE; SOMEBODY WHO HAS TRADITIONAL BELIEFS
|
|
|
|
ORTHODOX
|
FOLLOWING TRADITIONAL DOCTRINE; SOMEBODY WHO HAS TRADITIONAL BELIEFS
|
|
|
|
ATROPHY
|
WASTE AWAY; WITHER
|
Within a week after the accident, his muscles had begun to atrophy.
|
|
|
CONGENIAL
|
AGREEABLE; SIMILIAR; FRIENDLY
|
Her congenial nature makes her well-loved in the town.
|
|
|
CONGENIAL
|
AGREEABLE; SIMILIAR; FRIENDLY
|
Her congenial nature makes her well-loved in the town.
|
|
|
APPREHENSIVE
|
FEARFUL; AWARE
|
|
|
|
APPREHENSIVE
|
FEARFUL; AWARE
|
|
|
|
AMERLIORATE
|
IMPROVE
|
|
|
|
AMERLIORATE
|
IMPROVE
|
|
|
|
ACQUIESCE
|
RELUCTANTLY AGREEABLE; COMPLIANT
|
|
|
|
ACQUIESCE
|
RELUCTANTLY AGREEABLE; COMPLIANT
|
|
|
|
ATROPHY
|
WASTE AWAY; WITHER
|
Within a week after the accident, his muscles had begun to atrophy.
|
|
|
DUBIOS
|
DOUBTFUL; QUESTIONABLE
|
|
|
|
DUBIOS
|
DOUBTFUL; QUESTIONABLE
|
|
|
|
FLAGRANT
|
OPENLY AND OBVIOUSLY EVIL; GLARING; CONSPICUOUS
|
The attack was a flagrant violation of the treaty
|
|
|
FLAGRANT
|
OPENLY AND OBVIOUSLY EVIL; GLARING; CONSPICUOUS
|
The attack was a flagrant violation of the treaty
|
|
|
CONCISE
|
SHORT AND TO THE POINT; TERSE
|
Phil read the concise note from his wife: "Leave. Now."
|
|
|
CONCISE
|
SHORT AND TO THE POINT; TERSE
|
Phil read the concise note from his wife: "Leave. Now."
|
|
|
IMMUTABLE
|
UNABLE TO CHANGE
|
The speed of light seems to be an immutable law of nature.
|
|
|
STATIC
|
UNCHANGING; MOTIONLESS
|
Traffic was static for almost an hour.
|
|
|
CREDULOUS
|
GULLIBLE; CAUSED BY READINESS TO BELIEVE
|
|
|
|
BLASPHEMY
|
DISRESPECT TOWARD GOD OR SOMETHING SACRED
|
|
|
|
COALESCE
|
UNITE; GROW TOGETHER
|
Astronomers believe stars coalesce from huge clouds of gas.
|
|
|
LAX
|
NOT STRICT; NOT TENSE
|
|
|
|
CRYPTIC
|
HIDDEN; SECRET; MYSTERIOUS
|
The directions on the map are cryptic, which may be why nobody has found the treasure.
|
|
|
LEVITY
|
LIGHTNESS; PLAYFULNESS; JOCULARITY
|
Even the most serious films usually have moments of levity.
|
|
|
AMBIVALENT
|
INDECISION; FEELING OF BEING PULLED IN TWO DIRECTIONS
|
The house had been in the family for generations, so they were ambivalent about selling it.
|
|
|
INNATE
|
HAVING A QUALITY THAT ARISES FROM WITHIN, RATHER THAN LEARNED OR ACQUIRED FROM THE OUTSIDE; NATIVE; INBORN
|
Elephants have an innate tendency to stick together and help each other.
|
|
|
SYCOPHANT
|
SOMEONE WHO FLATTERS IN ORDER TO GAIN FAVOR; WIMPY FOLLOWER
|
Some political leaders surround themselves with sycophants who just agree with everything.
|
|
|
AMIABLE
|
FRIENDLY AND PLEASANT; WITH FRIENDLY FEELINGS
|
|
|
|
ESOTERIC
|
KNOWN TO, OR UNDERSTOOD BY, A LIMITED GROUP OF PEOPLE
|
The book was filled with esoteric information about a long-lost tribe.
|
|
|
TEDIOUS
|
LONG AND DRAWN-OUT; TIRESOME; BORING
|
|
|
|
CAUSTIC
|
BURNING, EITHER WITH CHEMICALS OR SARCASM
|
The teacher's caustic critism embarrassed his students.
|
|
|
INADVERTENT
|
UNINTENTIONAL
|
The newspaper inadvertently switched the names under the picture.
|
|
|
EXHAUSTIVE
|
COMPLETE; THOROUGH
|
|
|
|
INCONGRUOUS
|
OUT OF PLACE
|
A tuxedo would be incongruous at the beach.
|
|
|
BELITTLE
|
MAKE SEEM LESS SIGNIFICANT
|
I don't want to belittle her achievement.
|
|
|
UNPRECEDENTED
|
THE FIRST OF ITS KIND
|
Sandra Day O' Connor's appointment to the Supreme Court was unprecedented.
|
|
|
DIGRESS
|
TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE MAIN TOPIC WHEN WRITING OR SPEAKING; TO GO OFF ON A TANGENT
|
In writing, if you digress from the main point for too long, you may lose your reader.
|
|
|
APPEASE
|
CALM; PACIFY
|
Management tried to appease the strikers with a small salary increase.
|
|
|
FRIVOLOUS
|
NOT WORTH TAKING SERIOUSLY; SILLY
|
|
|
|
BENEVOLENT
|
KIND HEARTED; GOOD-NATURED; GENEROUS
|
Miserable and greedy for most of his life, the man became benevolent during his last years.
|
|
|
PIOUS
|
EXHIBITING RELIGIOUS DEVOTION
|
He never went to church or temple, but he was pious all the same.
|
|
|
CONCILIATE
|
BRING DISPUTING SIDES TOGETHER; GET SOMEBODY'S SUPPORT OR FRIENDSHIP BACK; BE CHARMING
|
|
|
|
RESIGNATION
|
GIVE IN; ACQUIESCE; RELINQUISH
|
John handed in his resignation after an argument with his boss.
|
|
|
RESOLUTION
|
PROCESS OF RESOLVING; DECISION; DETERMINATION; EXPRESSION OF COLLECTIVE OPINION; QUALITY OF DETAIL IN IMAGE
|
|
|
|
SERVILE
|
LIKE A SLAVE; SUBSERVIENT; SUBMISSIVE
|
HE HAD NO AUTHORITY; HIS ROLE WAS A STRICTLY SERVILE ONE.
|
|
|
acute
|
very great or bad; perceptive; sensitive
|
sHE HAD AN ACUTE GRASP OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES
|
|
|
RETICENT
|
QUIET; UNCOMMUICATIVE
|
He was normally a talkative boy, so his reticence seemed to signal a problem.
|
|
|
ANARCHY
|
A LACK OF ORDER; CHAOS
|
Without laws and rules, there would be anarchy everywhere.
|
|
|
VIRULENT
|
POISONOUS OR DESTRUCTIVE; FILLED WITH HATE OR ANGER; HARSH
|
An extremely virulent strain of flu virus swept across the country.
|
|
|
SCRUTINIZE
|
OBSERVE SOMEBODY OR SOMETHING CLOSELY
|
|
|
|
DISCORD
|
DISAGREEMENT; DISSONANCE
|
A certain amount of discord is expected within every family.
|
|
|
REPUDIATE
|
DISOWN; REJECT
|
Pam repudiated her membership and any connection with the organization.
|
|
|
DILIGENT
|
PERSISTENT AND HARD-WORKING
|
|
|
|
SUPERFICIAL
|
NOT PROFOUND; RELATING TO SURFACE; WITHOUT DEPTH OF CHARACTER; SWIFTLY AND NOT THOROUGH; ONLY APPARENTLY SO; INSIGNIFICANT
|
Mary had only a superficial knowledge of the subject.
|
|
|
CONTEMPT
|
ATTITUDE OF UTTER DISGUST OR HATRED
|
|
|
|
LUCID
|
EASY TO UNDERSTAND; TRANSPARENT; CLEAR-THINKING
|
Jerome was surprisingly lucid for someone who had just fallen on his head.
|
|
|
AESTHETIC
|
APPEALING TO ALL THE SENSES; BEAUTIFUL
|
|
|
|
PRODIGAL
|
WASTEFUL, ESPECIALLY OF MONEY; EXTRAVAGANT
|
Sal earned enough, but his prodigal nature cused him to live beyond his means.
|
|
|
AUGMENT
|
MAKING LARGER; INCREASE
|
Phyllis decided to augment her income by taking a second job.
|
|
|
ASSESS
|
JUDGE SOMETHING; DETERMINE AMOUNT; CALCULATE VALUE FOR TAX
|
Not enough information to assess whether the event occurred.
|
|
|
COMPLACENT
|
SELF-SATISFIED; UNCONCERNED
|
Facing a less-talented opponent, it's easy to grow complacent and blow a big game.
|
|
|
ELOQUENT
|
SPEAKING OR SPOKEN BEAUTIFULLY AND FORCEFULLY; EXPRESSING EMOTION CLEARLY
|
|
|
|
GUILE
|
CUNNING AND DECEITFULNESS
|
|
|
|
TRIVIAL
|
HAVING LITTLE VALUE; COMMONPLACE; CONCERNED WITH TRIVIA
|
|
|
|
SQUANDER
|
USE SOMETHING WASTEFULLY; EXTRAVAGANCE; EXTRAVAGENT SPENDING
|
|
|
|
INCESSANT
|
CONTINUOUS; ENDLESS
|
The incessant buzzing of mosquitoes drove us crazy.
|
|
|
LAUD
|
PRAISE; WORSHIP; EXTOL
|
The review was completely laudatory--it didn't contain a single negative comment.
|
|
|
DETER
|
RESTRAIN FROM TAKING ACTION
|
|
|
|
REDUNDANT
|
SUPERFLUOUS-NO LONGER NEEDED OR WANTED; REPEATING MEANING
|
|
|
|
INFAMOUS
|
NOTORIOUS; ABOMINABLE
|
|
|
|
PROVOCATIVE
|
MAKING PEOPLE ANGRY OR EXCITED; SEXUALLY AROUSING
|
John made a provocative remark.
|
|
|
DEPRAVITY
|
CORRUPTION;MORAL CORRUPTION; PERVERSION; EVIL
|
|
|
|
GRAVITY
|
SERIOUSNESS
|
A situation's gravity can cause nervous laughter.
|
|
|
BANAL
|
BORING; TRITE; INSIPID
|
The script was filled with banal and predictable scenes.
|
|
|
EXTOL
|
PRAISE
|
The writter was extolled for her creativity.
|
|
|
EUPHONY
|
PLEASANT SOUND, ESPECIALLY IN SPEECH OR PRONUNCIATION
|
|
|
|
DERIDE
|
MAKE FUN OF; RIDICULE
|
Lester was derided everyday at work for his unusual taste in clothes.
|
|
|
INSIPID
|
DULL; FLAT; WITHOUT SPARKLE OR FLAVOR
|
Amy was surprised tht her husband could enjoy such a boring, insipid movie.
|
|
|
AUSTERE
|
STERN; PLAIN; WITHOUT LUXURIES
|
The dentist's austere waiting room made children even more nervous.
|
|
|
EXPEDITE
|
SPEED UP THE PROCESS OF SOMETHING; DEAL WITH QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY
|
|
|
|
HERESY
|
AN OPINION EXPRESSED IN DEFIANCE OF GENERALLY ACCEPTED IDEAS
|
In centuries passed, people were burned at the stake for heretical comments.
|
|
|
NOVEL
|
LONG STORY; LITERARY GENRE
|
|
|
|
PHILANTHROPY
|
CHARITABLE WORK; GENEROSITY
|
|
|
|
TENTATIVE
|
NOT FULLY DEVELOPED OR DEFINITELY PLANNED; PROVISIONAL
|
We made tentative plans to go camping, as long as it didn't rain.
|
|
|
DEFERENCE
|
THE ACT OF YIELDING TO SOMEONE ELSE OUT OF RESPECT
|
In deference to his boss, Milton refused to take credit for the discovery.
|
|
|
VACILLATE
|
MOVE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN CHOICES, UNALE TO DECIDE
|
Ted vacillated so long about what to order that the restaurant closed.
|
|
|
FERVOR
|
STRONG PASSION
|
After the woman's claim of a miraculous cure, the town ws swept up by religious fervor.
|
|
|
DISPASSIONATE
|
NOT EMOTIONALLY INVOLVED; OBJECTIVE
|
|
|
|
PRAGMATIC
|
PRACTICAL
|
|
|
|
RIGOR
|
SEVERITY OR HARSHNESS; HARDSHIP
|
Soldiers endure the rigors of life on the battlefront.
|
|
|
SOLEMN
|
SERIOUS; SOMBER; GRAVE
|
A funeral director must be solemn and friendly at the same time.
|
|
|
ALLEVIATE
|
LESSEN SOMETHING; TO MAKE SOMETHING SUCH AS PAIN OR HARDSHIP MORE BEARABLE OR LESS SEVERE
|
|
|
|
NEGLIGENCE
|
CARELESS IN A SITUATION THAT COULD RESULT IN HARM; NEGLECTFUL
|
|
|
|
CONSPICUOUS
|
EASILY VISIBLE; ATTRACTING ATTENTION
|
The building's most conspicuous feature is its dome-shaped roof.
|
|
|
ADVOCATE
|
SUPPORT; PLEAD FOR; SPEAK ON BEHALF OF
|
Lawyers advocate for their clients.
|
|
|
ASCETIC
|
SELF-DENIAL OF LIFE'S PLESURES
|
|
|
|
PROFOUND
|
PENETRATING BEYOND THE SUPERFICIAL; FILLED WITH WISDOM AND INSIGHT; DEEP
|
Tina came through the ordeal with a new and profound understanding of life.
|
|
|
IRONIC
|
DELIBERATELY STATING THE OPPOSITE OF THE TRUTH, USUALLY WITH THE INTENTION OR RESULT OF BEING AMUSING; INVOLVING A SURPRISING OR APPARENTLY CONTRADICTORY FACT
|
|
|
|
DOGMATIC
|
STICKING TO WIDELY-ACCEPTED BELIEFS, EVEN WHEN FACED WITH CONTRARY EVIDENCE; CLOSED-MINDED
|
Religious dogma must somehow allow for social change.
|
|
|
CONDONE
|
TO OVERLOOK, EXCUSE, OR PARDON
|
It's hard to condone such rude behavior.
|
|
|
DISSENT
|
TO DISAGREE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE MAJORITY, OR WITH AUTHORITY
|
Totalitarian forms of government do not tolerate much dissent among their citizens.
|
|
|
VOLUNTARY
|
OF FREE WILL; WWITHOUT PAY; USING VOLUNTEERS
|
Mrs. Parks belonged to a voluntary organization.
|
|
|
DIDACTIC
|
CONTAINING A POLITICAL OR MORAL MESSAGE; TENDING TO GIVE INSTRUCTION OR ADVICE, EVEN WHEN IT IS NOT WELCOME OR NEEDED
|
|
|
|
DISPARITY
|
LACK OF EQUALITY BETWEEN PEOPLE OR THINGS; DISSIMILARITY
|
|
|
|
DISPARAGE
|
SAY NEGATIVE THINGS; BELITTLE
|
No one likes to hear disparaging remarks.
|
|
|
EPHEMERAL
|
TEMPORARY; SHORT-LIVED
|
My early morning memory of dreams is ephemeral: By lunchtime, I can't remember a thing.
|
|
|
COMPLY
|
TO OBEY OR TO CONFORM TO SOMETHING AS A RULE, LAW, REGULATION, OR WISH
|
|
|
|
PROSAIC
|
NOT HAVING ANY FEATURES THAT ARE INTERESTING OR IMAGINATIVE; CHARACTERISTIC OF, RESEMBLING, OR CONSISTING OF PROSE
|
|
|
|
PROFUSE
|
IN LARGE AMOUNTS OR QUANTITIES
|
The profusion of food on the cruise was overwhelming, and we stuffed ourselves.
|
|
|
EXPEDIENT
|
APPROPRIATE IN A SITUATION THAT REQUIRES ACTION; ADVANTGEOUS FOR PRACTICAL RATHER THAN MORAL REASONS; SOMETHING ACHIEVING OBJECTIVES QUICKLY
|
She changed her vote because it was expedient for her to do so.
|
|
|
FASTIDIOUS
|
DIFFICULT TO PLEASE
|
The chief was so fastidious, no one could stand to work with him.
|
|
|
BELLIGERENT
|
HOSTILE OR AGGRESSIVE; TAKING PART IN WARFARE
|
|
|
|
ASTUTE
|
CLEVER AND PERCEPTIVE
|
He was an astute investor
|
|
|
LANGUID
|
WITHOUT ENERGY; SLUGGISH
|
He made a languid gesture.
|
|
|
CENSURE
|
TO CRITICIZE
|
The newspaper editorial censured the governor for her budget proposal.
|
|
|
STAGNANT
|
MOTIONLESS; UNCHANGING;DULL
|
Stagnant water gives mosquitoes a calm environment in which to thrive.
|
|
|
MITIGATE
|
MAKE LESS SERVERE; MOLLIFY
|
Her soft tone had a mitigating effect, and the argument ended.
|
|
|
REPREHENSIBLE
|
DESERVING OF CRITICISM; CULPABLE
|
|
|
|
ENGENDER
|
CREATE OR ARISE; HAVE OFFSPRING
|
|
|
|
EXEMPLARY
|
DESERVING IMITATION; SERVING AS AN EXAMPLE
|
The child had exemplary conduct during the teacher's long speech.
|
|
|
NEUTRAL
|
TAKING NO SIDES; POSSESSING NO DISTINCTIVE QUALITY OR REVEALING NO ATTITUDE OR FEELING; WITHOUT HUE
|
She was careful to explain the probleem in neutral terms.
|
|
|
RELEGATE
|
TO MOVE SOMEBODY OR SOMETHING TO A LESS IMPORTANT POSITION OR CATEGORY; EXILE SOMEBODY' TO PASS SOMETHING ON TO SOMEBODY FOR THAT ERSON TO DEAL WITH IT
|
|
|
|
ANECDOTE
|
SOMEBODY'S ACCOUNT OF SOMETHING
|
|
|
|
SCANTY
|
SMALL IN QUANTITY; INSUFFICIENT
|
With such scanty evidence, the prosecution ws forced to drop the charges.
|
|
|
FALLACIOUS
|
FALSE; MISLEADING
|
Many claims we believe to be true may, years later, turn out to be fallacious.
|
|
|
ACCLAIM
|
PRAISE, APPLAUD
|
Mark Twain was a highly-acclaimed author and lecturer.
|
|
|
UNIFORM
|
SIMILAR; CONSISTENT
|
Power tools are helpful when you need to cut a lot of lumber into uniform lengths.
|
|
|
INCOHERENT
|
LACKING CLARITY OR ORGANIZATION; UNABLE TO EXPRESS THINGS CLEARLY
|
|
|
|
INSTIGATE
|
TO CAUSE TO ACT; URGE; INCITE
|
|
|
|
SAGE
|
WISE PERSON; WISE, SHOWING GREAT WISDOM, ESPECIALLY THAT GAINED FROM LONG EXPERIENCE OF LIFE
|
|
|
|
PREDECESSOR
|
AN EARLIER OCCUPANT OF A JOB, OFFICE, OR POSITION
|
She completely redecorated the office, removing all evidence of her predecessor.
|
|
|
JEOPARDY
|
THE THREAT OR POSSIBILITY OF DANGER
|
One drunk driver can put many lives in jeopardy.
|
|
|
TANGIBLE
|
ABLE TO BE TOUCHED; CAPABLE OF BEING UNDERSTOOD AND EVALUATED, AND THEREFORE REGARDED AS REAL
|
There is no tangible eidence to support this claim.
|
|
|
INDULGENT
|
GIVING IN; YIELDING; LENIENT
|
|
|
|
remorse
|
a feeling of guilt; regret; self-reproach
|
After the guilty verdict was read, the defendant showed no remorse for wha he's done.
|
|
|
PIVOTAL
|
VITALLY IMPORTANT
|
|
|
|
SCRUPULOUS
|
VERY THOROUGH; OR, DOING WHAT IS RIGHT AND ETHICAL
|
Rachel was scrupulous in her search, thoroughly examining every book on the subject.
|
|
|
REFUTE
|
PROVE WRONG BY SHOWING EVIDENCE; DENY
|
Military planners tried to refute allegations of poor strategy by showing bomb-damaged footage.
|
|
|
RESPITE
|
BRIEF INTERVAL OF REST; A TEMPORARY DELAY
|
|
|
|
STOIC
|
A PERSON WHO SHOWS NO RESPONSE TO PLEASURE OR PAIN; SOMEONE WHO IS IMPASSIVE
|
Even during torture, he was a stoic and never responded.
|
|
|
VOLATILE
|
CAPABLE OF EVAPORATING, EXPLODING, OR CHANGING
|
The judge ha a volatile temper, so the lawyers were on their best behavior.
|
|
|
PERIPHERAL
|
AT THE EDGE OR RELATING TO THE EDGE OF SOMETHING AS OPPOSED TO ITS CENTER; NOT SIGNIFICANT
|
|
|
|
HEDONISTIC
|
SEEKING OF PLEASURE; DEVOTION TO PLEASURE AND HAPPINESS AS A WAY OF LIFE; PHILOSOPHY OF PLEASURE
|
|
|
|
IDIOM
|
FIXED EXPRESSION WITH NONLITERAL MEANING; NATURAL WAY OF USING LANGUAGE
|
|
|
|
BENEFACTOR
|
FINANCIAL SUPPORTER, SOMEBODY WHO AIDS A CAUSE, INSTITUTION, OR PERSON, ESPECIALLY WITH A GIFT OF MONEY
|
|
|
|
BREVITY
|
BRIEFNESS; USE OF FEW WORDS
|
|
|
|
APOCRYPHAL
|
PROBABLY NOT TRUE, BUT WIDELY BELIEVED TO BE TRUE
|
|
|
|
VIRTUOSO
|
A HIGHLY-SKILLED PERSON
|
|
|
|
SLANDER
|
NEGATIVE ORAL REMARKS BOUT ANOTHER PERSON THAT ARE UNTRUE
|
You can't claim slander if the statements about you are true.
|
|
|
ANIMOSITY
|
A FEELING OF RESENTMENT, HOSTILITY, OR ENMITY
|
|
|
|
DEPLETE
|
use available supply; empty something
|
The epidemic became a medical emergency when supplies of the antibiotic were depleted.
|
|
|
AMITY
|
FRIENDLINESS
|
|
|
|
STRINGENT
|
RIGOROUS OR SEVERE; STRICTLY CONTROLLED OR ENFORCED
|
|
|
|
VOLUMINOUS
|
LARGE; EXTREMELY LONG; PROLIFIC, PRODUCING A LARGE AMOUNT OF CREATIVE WORK
|
Mrs. Green wrote a voluminous report.
|
|
|
AUSPICIOUS
|
PROMISING WELL FOR FUTURE; MARKED BY LUCKY SIGNS OR GOOD OMENS, AND THEREFORE BY THE PROMISE OF SUCCESS OR HAPPINESS
|
|
|
|
FICKLE
|
LACKING LOYALITY; UNPREDICTABLE CHANGEABLE; ERRATIC
|
Audiences are fickle, which is why many celebrities fade from view.
|
|
|
LETHARGIC
|
TIRED; SLUGGISH;DROWSY
|
He intended to mow the lawn, but was too lethargic and simply fell asleep.
|
|
|
HACKNEYED
|
UNORIGINAL; TRITE
|
|
|
|
AMASS
|
TO BRING A LARGE QUANTITY OF THINGS TOGETHER OVER TIME
|
Donald Trump amassed a fortune.
|
|
|
WILLFUL
|
DONE DELIBERATELY; STUBBORN
|
|
|
|
BASTION
|
STRONG SUPPORTER; FORTIFICATION
|
The northeast part of the state is a liberal bastion.
|
|
|
TREPIDATION
|
FEAR
|
Alone in the house at night for the first time, Ed was filled with trepidation.
|
|
|
DESECRATE
|
TO DAMAGE SOMETHING SACRED, OR DO SOMETHING THAT IS OFFENSIVE TO THE RELIGIOUS NATURE OF SOMETHING; DAMAGE SOMETHING REVERED
|
|
|
|
FORTUITOUS
|
ACCIDENTAL OR UNPLANNED, HAPPENING BY CHANCE, ESPECIALLY GIVING RISE TO A FORTUNATE OUTCOME
|
I had a fortuitous encounter with my old roommate of 30 years ago, whom I hadn't seen since graduation.
|
|
|
VEHEMENT
|
STRONGLY EXPRESSED; POWERFUL
|
|
|
|
ASSUAGE
|
TO SOOTHE; RELEIVE SOMETHING UNPLEASANT, TO PROVIDE RELIEF FROM SOMETHING DISTRESSING OR PAINFUL
|
Constant reassurance could not assuage their fears.
|
|
|
prodigious
|
very large
|
After a twenty-year career, her accomplishments were prodigious.
|
|
|
TORPID
|
SLUGGISH; DULL; LACKING ENTHUSIASM
|
Sleep-deprived and depressed, Gary slogged through each day in a torpid state.
|
|
|
FURTIVE
|
SECRETIVE; SHIFTY
|
The conspirators exchanged furtive glances.
|
|
|
SUPERCILIOUS
|
FULL OF CONTEMPT AND ARROGANCE
|
|
|
|
PRUDENT
|
WISE; SHREWD; CAUTIOUS
|
Sometimes the most prudent thing to say is nothing at all.
|
|
|
VERBOSE
|
VERY TALKATIVE; LOQUACIOUS
|
The verbose woman at the next table was giving us a headache.
|
|
|
PEDESTRIAN
|
SOMEBODY WHO IS TRAVELING ON FOOT; DULL
|
|
|
|
INNOCUOUS
|
HARMLESS; INOFFENSIVE
|
The drink looked innocuous, but actually contained a deadly poison.
|
|
|
FANATIC
|
EXTREMEST; FAN OF SOMETHING
|
|
|
|
ENHANCE
|
INTENSIFY; IMPROVE
|
A coat of paint can greatly enhance the appearance of a room.
|
|
|
RETRACT
|
WITHDRAW; TAKE BACK A PREIOUS STATEMENT; RECANT
|
|
|
|
PAUCITY
|
TOO FEW; SCARCITY
|
In many of the poorer nations of Africa, there is a dangerous paucity of food nd medicine.
|
|
|
RESCIND
|
TAKE BACK; REMOVE; VOID
|
|
|
|
ZEAL
|
ENTHUSIASM, ENERGETIC FOR A CAUSE OR IDEA
|
|
|
|
BENIGN
|
KINDLY, NOT-LIFE-THREATENING; HARMLESS; FAVORABLE
|
John had a benign tumor.
|
|
|
COMPLIANT
|
FOLLOWING OSMEONE ELSE'S DEMANDS; CONFORMING; OBEYING
|
Employers who are domineering usually try to hire compliant people.
|
|
|
EMULATE
|
IMITATE
|
As young boy's, we tend to emulate our favorite baseball players.
|
|
|
INNUMERABLE
|
TO MANY TO BE COUNTED
|
|
|
|
MEANDER
|
WANDER IN A CAREFREE MANNER; FOLLOW A WINDING COURSE; RAMBLE
|
Meandering through the woods without a destination was Nancy's favorite activity.
|
|
|
AUTHORITARIAN
|
HAVING COMPLETE CONTROL OVER MANY PEOPLE
|
|
|
|
BRAWN
|
STRONG MUSCLES; BODILY STRENGTH
|
|
|
|
CONTRITE
|
SORRY; PENETENT
|
Genuinely contrite, Debbie confessed to eating all the doughnuts.
|
|
|
EXEMPLIFY
|
SHOW BY EXAMPLE
|
|
|
|
FACILITATE
|
MAKE EASIER
|
|
|
|
HYPOTHETICAL
|
NOT NECESSARILY REAL; BASED UPON SUPPOSITION
|
|
|
|
RECALCITRANT
|
RESISTING AUTHORITY; DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH OR OPERATE; STUBBORN OPPONENT
|
Michael Michael struggled in front of the mirror with a recalicitrant tie.
|
|
|
AMBULATORY
|
RELATING OR EQUIPPED FOR WALKING; WALKING OR MOVING; NOT CONFINED TO BED; REVOCABLE
|
Mr. Sikes was an ambulatory patient.
|
|
|
DIFFIDENCE
|
LACKING SELF-CONFIDENCE AD RATHER SHY; RESERVED OR RESTRAINED IN BEHAVIOR
|
|
|
|
DRONE
|
MAKE LOW HUMMING SOUND; TALKING IN BORING VOICE
|
I could her his voice droning in the background.
|
|
|
GULLIBLE
|
EASILY DECEIVED
|
Don't be so gullible that you believe everything.
|
|
|
MARRED
|
SPOILED, SCRATCHED, BLEMISHED
|
The new table arrived on time, but was marred by scratches and dents.
|
|
|
NULLIFY
|
REMOVE OR CANCEL ALL VALUE OR FORCE; NEGATE
|
The touchdown was nullified because the team had too many players on the field.
|
|
|
PARSIMONY
|
STINGINESS; EXCESSIVE FRUGALITY
|
His parsimony made him an unpopular school board treasurer.
|
|
|
PROPRIETY
|
QUALITY OF BEING SOCIALLY APPROPRIATE; SOCIALLY CORRECT OR APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
|
|
|
|
REJUVENATE
|
MAKE SOMEBODY YOUNG AGAIN; RETURN SOMETHING TO ORIGINAL CONDITION;
|
|
|
|
SKEPTICAL
|
ONE WHO DOESN'T BELIEVE UNLESS HE'S SHOWN ABSOLUTE PROOF; DOUBTER
|
They all swore they saw a ghost, but the landlord remained skeptical.
|
|
|
TENACIOUS
|
STRONG; PERSISTENT; DETERMINED TO HOLD ON
|
The defense lineman was small but tenacious, and he sacked the quarterback twice.
|
|
|
ANIMATED
|
TO MAKE SOMEBODY OR SOMETHING LIVELY; PRESENT SOMETHING USING ANIMATION TECHNIQUES
|
Leaves were animated by a stiff breeze.
|
|
|
AUTHENTIC
|
NOT FALSE OR COPIED; VALID
|
|
|
|
BIASED
|
PREFERENCE
|
|
|
|
BLITHE
|
MERRY; CAREFREE
|
|
|
|
DEARTH
|
Lack; a scarcity of something
|
|
|
|
DIVERT
|
CHANGE SOMETHING'S PATH; DRAW ATTENTION FROM SOMETHING
|
|
|
|
ENTHRALL
|
COMPLETELY FASCINATED
|
|
|
|
HEED
|
NOTICE; PAY ATTENTION TO
|
It's wise toheed the warnings of a coming hurricane or tornado
|
|
|
HINDER
|
GET IN WAY OF
|
A heavy snowfall hindered rescurers' attempts to reach the stranded climber.
|
|
|
IRASCIBLE
|
EASILY ANGERED
|
He's irascible in the morning, so don't talk to him before noon.
|
|
|
MERGER
|
COMBINING OF COMPANIES; A UNION
|
|
|
|
NOSTALGIC
|
WISHING FOR A RETURN TO THE WAY THINGS USED TO BE; LONGING FOR THE PAST; HOMESICK
|
Seeing the old pictures of her parents made Katie nostalgic.
|
|
|
PRETENTIOUS
|
SHOWY; MAKING RIDICULOUS CLAIMS; EXCESSIVELY
|
The house was pretentious, clearly designed and decorated to make visitors feel inferior.
|
|
|
SACCHARIN
|
OF OR LIKE SUGAR; VERY SWEET AND INGRATIATING
|
Rosemary had a saccharin smile.
|
|
|
STANZA
|
DIVISION OF POEM, A NUMBER OF LINES OF VERSE FORMING A SEPARATE UNIT WITHIN A POEM
|
|
|
|
VENERATE
|
RESPECT GREATLY; REVERE
|
|
|
|
VILIFY
|
DEFAME; ATTACK SOMEONE'S REPUTATION
|
He was so vilified in the press that his reputation never recovered.
|
