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PrepScholar 357
Word | Meaning |
---|---|
abate | v. to diminish in intensity; v. to cause to diminish in intensity |
aberrant | adj. diverging from the standard type |
abjure | v. to reject or renounce |
abscond | v. to leave secretly, evading detection |
abstain | v. to voluntarily refrain from doing something |
acumen | n. keen judgment and perception |
admonish | v. scold or to advise firmly |
adulterate | v. to contaminate or make impure by introducing inferior elements |
advocate | v. to recommend, support, or advise; n. one who advocates |
aesthetic | adj. concerned with the nature of beauty and art |
affectation | n. fake or artificial behavior, often meant to impress or conceal the truth |
aggrandize | v. enlarge or increase, esp. wealth, power, reputation |
alacrity | n. promptness and eagerness |
alleviate | v. to relieve a problem or ease a burden |
amalgamate | v. to combine to or mix together |
ambiguous | adj. unclear; adj. open to multiple interpretations |
ambivalent | adj. having mixed or contradictory feelings about someone or something |
ameliorate | v. to improve or mitigate a situation |
amenable | adj. easily convinced or persuaded |
anachronism | n. something old-fashioned; n. something appearing in a time period where it does not belong |
analogous | n. comparable; n. appropriate for analogy |
anoint | v. to choose for a particular office or position; v. to use oil on a person in a religious ceremony |
anomaly | n. an exception or unusual case |
antipathy | n. strong dislike or hatred |
antithetical | adj. contrary to the very nature of |
apathy | n. state of total disinterest or unenthusiasm |
appease | v. to placate; v. to satisfy (an appetite, a need) |
arbitrary | adj. seemingly chosen or designated without reason or purpose |
arcane | adj. secret or known only to a select group |
archaic | adj. old-fashioned; adj. no longer in the common usage |
arduous | adj. difficult, taxing, requiring considerable effort |
articulate | adj. exhibiting considerable communication skills, well-spoken |
artless | adj. without artifice; adj. natural, untrained |
ascetic | adj. austere or self-denying |
assuage | v. to provide relief from an unpleasant feeling; v. to satisfy a need or appetite |
astonishment | n. total surprise, shock |
audacious | adj. very bold or presumptuous |
austere | adj. severe, unadorned |
avarice | n. greed |
aver | v. to assert or allege |
banal | adj. boring, cliché |
belie | v. give a false impression (intentional or unintentional) in word, appearance, or deed |
benign | adj. gentle, harmless |
biased | adj. prejudiced, displaying partiality |
bolster | v. to shore up or support |
bombastic | adj. overblown, theatrical |
brazen | adj. bold or open to the point of shocking; adj. shameless |
bucolic | adj. pastoral, rustic, countryfied |
burgeon | v. flourish, bloom, expand or increase quickly |
cacophony | n. loud and chaotic noise |
calumny | n. lie or slander |
candid | adj. honest, open |
canon | n. accepted rules and tenets of a discipline; n. sacred works/scripture; in this sense it is also used to refer to notable literary and artistic works of a culture or discipline |
capacity | n. the capability to perform a particular action or fulfill a given function; n. the total amount a container can hold; n. a particular position or role (i.e. “she served in an advisory capacityâ€) |
capricious | adj. mercurial, unpredictable, whimsical |
castigate | v. to scold or berate strongly |
catalyst | n. something that speeds up a process or causes action |
caustic | adj. corrosive; adj. bitterly sarcastic |
censure | v. to express intense condemnation |
chauvinist | n. someone who believes prejudicially that their own group is the superior one |
chicanery | n. trickery or deception |
chronological | adj. ordered by time |
coalesce | v. to come together, esp. from disparate parts |
cogent | adj. clearly laid out and persuasive |
commensurate | adj. in accordance with, proportional |
compelling | adj. captivating; adj. very persuasive |
comprehensive | adj. complete and thorough |
condone | v. to approve or allow |
confound | v. to confuse or astonish |
connoisseur | n. an expert in a particular subject matter area, usually relating to the fine arts or cultural pursuits |
consequential | adj. as a result of; adj. significant or memorable |
construe | v. to interpret |
consumption | n. utilization (esp. of a resource) |
contend | v. assert or claim; v. grapple with |
contentious | adj. controversial; adj. involving conflict |
contrite | adj. remorseful |
convoluted | adj. roundabout, not straightforward |
copious | adj. plentiful or abundant |
cosmopolitan | adj. of or relating to a city or urban area; adj. sophisticated |
covet | v. to desire something that does not belong to you |
craft | n. cunning; n. skill |
craven | adj. cowardly to the point of being shameful |
credence | n. belief or trust |
credulous | adj. gullible, naïve |
decorum | n. appropriate behavior or good manners |
deference | n. respect or polite submission |
deflect | v. divert or cause to ricochet |
deftness | adj. skill, acumen; adj. manual dexterity |
delineate | v. to describe very accurately; v. to clearly demarcate a boundary; v. to render an outline |
demur | v. to object or raise concerns |
denigrate | v. say negative things about, particularly in a defamatory way |
deride | v. to mock or ridicule |
derivative | adj. imitates another work in a way that is unoriginal or uninspiring |
desiccate | v. to dry out completely; v. to suck out the vitality and passion |
desultory | adj. halfhearted; adj. inconsistent or random |
detachment | n. objectivity or aloofness |
determinant | n. a strong factor in an outcome |
diatribe | n. a rant or angry speech denouncing someone or something |
didactic | adj. educational or with an instructive purpose; often includes an element of moralizing |
diffident | adj. shy, timid, or reserved due to a lack of confidence |
dilettante | n. someone with an amateur, nonserious interest in something |
dirge | n. funeral or mourning lament; n. any sad, slow song |
disabuse | v. to dispel someone’s illusions or false impressions about something |
discern | v. to perceive |
discrepancy | n. inconsistency |
disinterested | adj. objective, unbiased; adj. not invested in the outcome |
disparage | v. to belittle |
disparate | adj. dissimilar to such a degree that comparison is not possible |
dispassionate | adj. impartial or cool |
disregard | v. to ignore or pay no attention to |
dissemble | v. to mislead or conceal the truth, esp. with respect to one’s motives |
disseminate | v. to spread widely (esp. information) |
dissonance | n. a clash between two elements that don’t blend well |
diverge | v. to split apart, esp. a road or path |
dogma | n. the official beliefs or tenets of particular sect or group |
dupe | v. to deceive or fool |
ebullient | adj. cheerful, enthusiastic, excited |
eccentric | adj. quirky or unusual |
eclectic | adj. composed of a variety of styles, themes, motifs, etc. |
efficacy | n. effectiveness |
elegy | n. sad poem or song, often in remembrance of someone deceased |
elicit | v. to provoke a response |
eloquence | adj. persuasive and articulate speech |
eminent | adj. well-known, respected, distinguished |
empirical | adj. based on evidence |
emulate | v. to imitate or attempt to equal in accomplishment |
enervate | v. to exhaust or drain of energy |
engender | v. to cause or give rise to |
enhance | v. intensify, increase, augment |
entitlement | n. belief that one deserves things one has not earned; n. the rights one is afforded under the law |
ephemeral | adj. short-lived or transient |
equable | adj. even-tempered; adj. not given to much change or variation |
equivocate | v. to use ambiguous language in order to mislead or deceive |
erroneous | adj. incorrect |
erudite | adj. learned |
eschew | v. avoid or abstain from |
esoteric | adj. obscure, arcane |
estimable | adj. deserving respect, esteem, and admiration |
eulogy | n. memorial speech for one who has passed, normally given at a funeral |
exacerbate | v. to make worse |
exacting | adj. challenging, demanding, grueling |
exculpate | v. to exonerate or vindicate |
exigent | adj. urgent or pressing |
exonerate | v. to clear of charges of wrongdoing |
expatiate | v. to elaborate on something in great detail |
explicate | v. to explain in detail |
exposition | n. a thorough explanation; n. a public show or fair |
extraneous | adj. irrelevant or superfluous |
extrapolate | v. to estimate or conjecture about the future based on presently available information or facts |
facetious | adj. glib or flippant |
facilitate | v. to make something easier or simpler |
fallacious | adj. relying on a fallacy and thus incorrect/misinformed |
fastidious | adj. meticulous; adj. invested in cleanliness |
fluctuate | v. to shift without apparent pattern |
foment | v. to foster unrest or discontent |
forestall | v. to hold off or try to prevent |
fortuitous | adj. fortunate and lucky |
frugal | adj. economical, thrifty |
gainsay | v. deny or oppose |
galvanize | v. to prod someone into action |
garrulous | adj. talkative |
gauche | adj. socially inept, inappropriate, or awkward |
germane | adj. relevant to the matter at hand |
glib | adj. talking volubly, but carelessly or insincerely |
gregarious | adj. sociable, genial |
guile | n. craftiness and cunning |
hackneyed | adj. cliché, trite, banal |
harangue | n. diatribe or rant |
hedonism | n. the pursuit of pleasure |
hierarchical | adj. arranged in rank order or hierarchy |
homogenous | adj. uniform, identical |
hyperbole | n. obvious exaggeration for effect |
iconoclast | n. a person who attacks traditional religious and cultural institutions |
ideological | adj. relating to a particular belief system or theory |
imminent | adj. about to happen |
immutable | adj. unchangeable |
impair | v. to hinder or weaken someone or something |
impediment | n. barrier, hindrance, or obstruction |
imperturbable | adj. remaining calm under any circumstance |
implacable | adj. unforgiving; adj. relentless |
implicit | adj. implied or insinuated without being directly stated |
imprudence | n. bad judgment |
impudent | adj. disrespectful |
inadvertent | adj. by accident or unintentional |
Inchoate | adj. rudimentary, in the beginning stages |
inconclusive | adj. indeterminate or unresolved |
indebted | adj. owing money; adj. owing gratitude to someone or something |
indefatigable | adj. cannot be made tired |
indolent | adj. lazy; adj. idle |
infer | v. to conclude from implicit evidence (as opposed to explicit facts) |
ingenuous | adj. naïve or innocent |
inimical | adj. harmful or hostile |
Innocuous | adj. harmless |
inscrutable | adj. enigmatic, incomprehensible |
insipid | adj. bland, uninspired, inane |
insular | adj. tight-knit and isolated; uninterested in matters outside one’s immediate sphere |
intensive | adj. concentrated and in-depth |
intermediary | n. a go-between |
intimate | adj. close (as in a relationship); adj. particularly private; v. to imply |
intractable | adj. unmanageable; adj. stubborn or obstinate |
intransigent | adj. uncompromising, obstinate |
intrepid | adj. bold and adventurous |
inveterate | adj. ingrained, habitual |
invulnerable | adj. indestructible, impervious to harm |
irascible | adj. irritable, testy, touchy |
irresolute | adj. wishy-washy, hesitant |
laconic | adj. taciturn, reserved, succinct |
laud | v. to praise |
laudable | adj. praiseworthy |
litigation | n. legal proceedings |
loquacious | adj. talkative |
lucid | adj. clear and coherent |
luminous | adj. full of light |
magnanimity | n. generosity and nobility of spirit |
maladroit | adj. clumsy, awkward, inept |
malign | adj. evil or harmful; v. to speak negatively about someone or something |
malleable | adj. pliant or pliable; adj. easily influenced |
maverick | n. an unorthodox person or rebel |
mendacity | n. untruthfulness, dishonesty |
mercurial | adj. easily changeable, fickle |
meticulous | adj. paying close attention to detail |
misanthrope | n. person who hates humanity |
mitigate | v. to improve a painful, unpleasant, or negative situation |
modest | adj. not boastful; adj. not overly showy |
mollify | v. placate |
monotony | n. boredom and repetition |
mundane | adj. everyday, boring |
munificent | adj. very generous |
naïve | adj. inexperienced or gullible |
nascent | adj. just beginning or in the early stages |
neglect | v. to abandon or leave uncared-for |
nonplussed | adj. confused and baffled |
notoriety | n. fame for doing something negative or criminal |
nuance | n. subtle shades of difference |
obdurate | adj. stubborn, obstinate |
obscure | adj. mysterious or not well-known; v. to cover something up or make it more difficult to perceive |
obsequious | adj. overly fawning and helpful in a way that is disingenuous |
obstinate | adj. stubborn, uncompromising |
obviate | v. to forestall the need for something; v. to prevent |
occlude | v. to block or obstruct |
occult | n. the mystical and supernatural |
offset | v. to counterbalance or counteract |
olfactory | adj. relating to smell or the sense of smell |
omniscience | n. the quality or state of being all-knowing |
onerous | adj. difficult or burdensome |
opaque | adj. not see-through; blocking light |
opportunism | n. the practice of taking advantage of opportunities as they arise without particular concern for morality or ethics |
opprobrium | n. criticism or condemnation |
oscillate | v. to swing back and forth between two points, poles, or positions |
ostentatious | adj. overly showy in a way that is gaudy or vulgar |
outstrip | v. to overtake or outrun |
overshadow | v. to literally cast a shadow over; v. to appear more notable than |
painstaking | adj. attentive to detail, meticulous |
partial | adj. incomplete |
partisan | n. a devoted supporter of a group, cause, or person |
patent | adj. blatant, obvious |
paucity | n. scarcity, poverty |
pedantic | adj. overly concerned with irrelevant detail, fussy |
pedestrian | adj. boring, monotonous, run-of-the-mill |
perfidy | n. treachery or deceit |
perfunctory | adj. done without much effort, care, or thought |
peripheral | adj. on the edge or periphery; not centrally important |
permeate | v. to pervade or penetrate throughout |
perseverance | n. persistence in the face of obstacles |
peruse | v. to read something carefully and closely; v. to read something informally or quickly (context is critical for this word!) |
pervasive | adj. found everywhere, widespread; often has a negative connotation |
phenomena | n. things that happen |
phlegmatic | adj. cool and unruffled |
pith | n. the essential substance of something |
placate | v. to calm, esp. an angry or upset person |
plastic | adj. easily shaped or molded; adj. made of plastic |
platitude | n. a trite or cliché statement |
plausible | adj. believable, reasonable |
plethora | n. a surplus or overabundance of something |
plummet | v. to fall quickly and far |
polarize | v. to cause a sharp division between two groups |
polemical | adj. angry, hostile, harshly critical |
pragmatic | adj. practical |
precarious | adj. uncertain or unstable |
preceded | adj. went before |
precipitate | v. to cause; adj. hastily and not well-considered; n. particulate matter formed within a solution |
precursor | n. a forerunner |
prescient | adj. knowing things before they happen, prophetic |
presumptuous | adj. overly familiar; invades social boundaries |
prevail | v. to succeed, esp. with respect to vanquishing an opponent; v. to convince or persuade |
prevaricate | v. to evade or deceive without outright lying |
pristine | adj. untouched, clean, pure |
probity | n. integrity and honor |
prodigal | n. a reckless spender |
prodigious | adj. enormous, immense, gigantic |
profligate | adj. extravagant and wasteful, esp. in an immoral way |
proliferate | v. to multiply and spread rapidly |
propitiate | v. to obtain special favor from someone, esp. a powerful person or deity, by performing a pleasing action; v. to appease someone who is angry |
propriety | n. appropriateness, manners, decorum |
prospective | adj. potential or likely; adj. applicable to the future |
qualification | n. credential; n. a modifying statement |
quotidian | adj. relating to the everyday or mundane |
rationalize | v. to attempt to justify with reasons that are only superficially valid |
reconcile | v. to bring into harmony; v. to repair a relationship |
recondite | adj. arcane or obscure |
refute | v. to rebut or disprove |
relentless | adj. never stopping, constant |
relevant | adj. relating to the topic or issue at hand |
reproach | v. to scold or express criticism |
repudiate | v. to renounce or disown |
rescind | v. to take back or retract (an offer or statement) |
respectively | adv. in the sequential order previously given |
reticent | adj. hesitant to speak; adj. introverted or silent |
reverent | adj. solemn and respectful |
rhetoric | n. the art of effective communication (written or verbal) |
salubrious | adj. health-promoting |
sanction | v. to give official permission; v. to impose a penalty for a particular action; n. punishments imposed for breaking a regulation |
satiate | v. to completely satisfy (with respect to hunger or appetite) |
secular | adj. of or relating to the world or worldly matters (as opposed to religious ones) |
sediment | n. material that settles at the bottom of a body of water |
sedulous | adj. dedicated and careful |
simultaneous | adj. occurring at the same moment |
solicitous | adj. considerate, attentive |
soporific | adj. makes sleepy |
sparse | adj. scattered or scarce; adj. austere and unadorned |
specious | adj. spurious; appearing true but actually false |
sporadic | adj. occasional or scattered |
spurious | adj. fake or false |
stolid | adj. calm and dependable |
subjective | adj. open to personal interpretation; not based in objective fact |
substantiate | v. to corroborate or give evidence of something |
subversive | adj. meant to undercut established institutions or norms |
sufficient | adj. enough for a given purpose |
superbly | adv. excellently |
supine | adj. laying back with the face upward (opposite position to prone) |
supplant | v. to overtake or replace |
sycophant | n. a fawning, insincere admirer |
synthesize | v. to combine disparate parts into a coherent whole |
tacit | adj. unspoken; implicit |
taciturn | adj. reticent or reserved; tending towards silence |
temperance | n. moderation and restraint, sometimes used to specifically describe abstinence from alcohol |
tenuous | adj. weak, flimsy, insubstantial |
timorous | adj. meek or timid |
tirade | n. an angry rant |
torpor | n. tiredness, lethargy |
tortuous | adj. winding or twisty; adj. complicated |
tractable | adj. can be easily influenced or managed |
transient | adj. passes quickly; short-lived |
ubiquitous | adj. ever-present or universal |
unadorned | adj. plain; unembellished |
undermine | v. to weaken or compromise |
underscore | v. to line underneath for emphasis; v. to emphasize |
untenable | adj. weak or unsupportable, esp. with respect to an opinion or situation |
vacillate | v. to shift between multiple options or opinions |
venality | n. the state of being capable of being bribed |
venerate | v. to give a high degree of respect; may border on worship |
veracity | n. Truth and factual accuracy |
verbose | adj. long-winded; loquacious |
vexation | n. state of being frustrated, irritated, or concerned. |
volatile | adj. easily changeable or extreme; unstable |
whimsical | adj. fanciful or capricious |
zeal | n. passion or fervor |