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GRE Vocab
Important vocab for the GRE
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| abound | exist in large numbers or amounts |
| amorphous | without a clearly defined shaped or form |
| belie | 1. (of an appearance) fail to give a true impression of something 2. fail to fulfil or justify (a claim or expectation) |
| capricious | given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior |
| cerebral | 1. of the cerebrum of the brain 2. intellectual rather than emotional or physical |
| congenial | 1. (of a person) pleasing or liked on account of having qualities or interest that are similar to one's own 2. (of a thing) pleasant or agreeable because suited to one's taste or inclination |
| conspicuous | 1. clearly visible 2. attracting notice or attention |
| cursory | hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed |
| daunting | seeming difficult to deal with in prospect; intimidating |
| deify | worship or regard as a god |
| didactic | in the manner of a teacher, particularly so to appear patronizing |
| disseminate | spread (something, especially information) widely |
| feasible | possible to do easily or conveniently |
| flout | openly disregard (a rule, law, or convention) |
| homegenous | of the same kind alike |
| hundrum | lacking excitement or variety; boringly monotonous |
| loquacious | tending to talk a great deal; talkative |
| misanthropic | having or showing a dislike of other people; unsociable |
| misnomer | a wrong or inaccurate name or designation |
| negligent | failing to take proper care over something |
| obsequious | obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree |
| quixotic | extremely idealistic; unrealistic and impractical |
| taciturn | (of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little |
| austere | 1. strict in manner 2. lack of comfort or luxuries |
| placate | make (someone) less angry or hostile |
| proclivity | a tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition towards a particular thing |
| puerile | childishly silly and immature |
| spendthrift | a person who spends money in an extravagant, irresponsible way |
| wary | feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems |
| adulterate | render (something) poorer in quality by adding another substance |
| advocate | a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy |
| aggrandize | increase the power, status, or wealth of |
| alacrity | brisk and cheerful readiness |
| ambivalent | having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone |
| ameliorate | make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better |
| amendable | open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled |
| anachronistic | belonging to a period other than being portrayed |
| audacious | 1. showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks 2. showing an impudent lack of respect |
| avaricious | having or showing an extreme greed for wealth or material gain |
| banal | so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring |
| benign | 1. gentle and kind 2. not harmful to the environment |
| brazen | bold and without shame |
| calumny | the making of false and defamatory statements about someone in order to damage their reputation; slander |
| candid | truthful and straightforward; frank |
| castigate | reprimand (someone) severely |
| caustic | 1. sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way 2. able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action |
| construe | interpret (a word or action) in a particular way |
| contrile | feeling or expressing remorse at the recognition that one had done wrong |
| convoluted | 1. (especially of an argument, story, or sentence) extremely complex and difficult to follow 2. intricately folded, twisted, or coiled |
| covet | yearn to possess (something, especially something belong to another) |
| craven | contemptibly lacking in courage; cowardly |
| decorum | behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety |
| deft | neatly skillful and quick in one's movements |
| demur | raise objections or show reluctance |
| derivative | 1. something which is based on another source 2. imitative or the work of another artist, write, etc., and usually disapproved of for that reason |
| desiccate | remove the moisture from (something); cause to become completely dry |
| diatribe | a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something |
| incredulous | (of a person or their manner) unwilling or unable to believe something |
| ingenuous | (of a person or action) innocent and unsuspecting |
| abate | (of something unpleasant or severe) become less intense or widespread |
| abjure | solemnly renounce (a belief, cause, or claim) |
| anomalous | deviating from what is standard, or expected |
| antipathy | a deep-seating feeling of aversion |
| arcane | understood by few; mysterious or secret |
| arduous | involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring |
| artless | without effort or pretentiousness; natural and simple |
| ascetic | characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons |
| assuage | make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense |
| betray | 1. unintentionally reveal; be evidence of 2. expose (one's country, a group, or a person) to danger by treacherously giving information to an enemy |
| bucolic | relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life |
| burgeon | begin to grow or increase; flourish |
| cacophonous | involving or producing a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds |
| canonize | 1. place in or regard as belonging to a canon of literary or artistic works 2. (in the Roman Catholic Church) officially declare (a dead person) to be a saint |
| censure | express severe disapproval of (someone or something), especially in a formal statement |
| chicanery | the use of deception or subterfuge to achieve one's purpose |
| coalesce | come together to form one mass or whole |
| cogent | (of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing |
| compelling | evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way |
| contend | 1. compete with others in a struggle to achieve (something) 2. assert something as a position in an argument |
| copious | abundant in supply or quantity |
| cosmopolitan | 1. including people from many different countries 2. (of a plant or animal) found all over the world |
| deference | polite submission and respect |
| desultory | lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm |
| diffident | modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence |
| dilatory | 1. slow to act 2. intended to cause delay |
| equivocate | use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself |
| polarize | divide or cause to divide into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs |
| prodigal | 1. spending money or using resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant 2. having or giving something on a lavish scale |
| verbose | using or expressed in more words than are needed |
| abstain | 1. restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something 2. formally decline to vote either for or against a proposal or motion |
| approbation | approval or praise |
| cherish | 1. protect and care for (someone) lovingly 2. keep (a hope or ambition) in one's mind |
| corroborate | confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding) |
| disparate | essentially different in kind; not able to be compared |
| emulate | match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation |
| enervate | make (someone) feel drained of energy or vitality |
| ephemeral | lasting for a very short time |
| fervid | intensely enthusiastic or passionate; especially to an excessive degree |
| garrulous | excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters |
| incendiary | 1. tending to stir up conflict 2. (of a device or attack) designed to cause fires |
| inimical | tending to obstruct or harm |
| intimate | 1. closely acquainted; familiar 2. state or make known |
| invigorate | given strength or energy to |
| mitigate | make (something bad) less severe, serious, or painful |
| obsolete | no longer produced or used; out of date |
| opaque | 1. not able to be seen through; not transparent 2. (especially of language) hard or impossible to understand |
| paradigmatic | 1. serving as a typical example of something 2. of or denoting the relationship between a set of linguistic items that form mutually exclusive choices in a particular syntactic roles |
| pedantic | excessively concerned with minor details or rules; overscrupulous |
| placid | 1. not easily upset or excited 2. calm and peaceful, with little movement or activity |
| polemical | of a involving strongly critical or disputatious speech |
| precipitate | cause (an event or situation, typically one that is undesirable) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely |
| profundity | great depth of insight or knowledge |
| prophetic | accurately predicting what will happen in the future |
| prudent | acting with or showing care and thought for the future |
| punctilious | showing great attention to detail or correct behavior |
| recondite | (of a subject or knowledge) little known; abstruse |
| scrupulous | (of a person or process) careful, thorough, and extremely attentive to details |
| tranquil | free from disturbance; calm |
| vacillate | waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive |
| aloof | not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant |
| clangor | a continuous loud banging or ringing sound |
| conventional | 1. based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed 2. (of a bid) intended to convey a particular meaning according to an agreed convention |
| debunk | expose the falseness or hollowness of (an idea or belief) |
| diminutive | 1. extremely or unusually small 2. (of a word, name, or suffix) implying smallness, either actual or imputed to convey affection, scorn, etc. |
| discernible | able to be discerned; perceptible |
| enigmatic | difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious |
| estranged | (of a person) no longer close or affectionate to someone; alienated |
| extravagant | lacking restraint in spending money or using resources |
| fanciful | 1. over-imaginative and unrealistic 2. highly ornamental or imaginative in design |
| frivolous | not having any serious purpose or value |
| heterogeneous | diverse in character or content |
| imperious | arrogant and domineering |
| impertinent | 1. not showing proper respect; rude 2. not pertinent to a particular matter; irrelevant |
| invasive | tending to spread very quickly and undesirably or harmfully |
| irresolute | showing or feeling hesitancy; uncertain |
| laudable | (of an action, idea, or aim) deserving praise and commendation |
| lax | 1. not sufficiently strict, severe, or careful 2. (of the limbs or muscles) relaxed |
| marginalize | treat (a person, group, or concept) as insignificant or peripheral |
| panache | flamboyant confidence of style or manner |
| plodding | slow-moving and unexciting |
| prosaic | having or using the style or diction of prose as apposed to poetry; lacking imaginativeness or originality |
| remedial | giving or intended as a remedy or cure |
| restive | (of a person) unable to remain still, silent, or submissive, especially because of boredom or dissatisfaction |
| sporadic | occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few places; scattered or isolated |
| stigmatize | describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval |
| undermine | 1. lessen effectiveness, power, or ability of, especially gradually or insidiously 2. erode the base or foundation of (a rock formation) |
| utterly | completely and without qualification; absolutely |
| weary | feeling or showing extreme tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion |
| zealous | having or showing zeal |
| admonish | warn or reprimand someone firmly |
| aesthetic | concern with beauty or the appreciation of beauty |
| affectation | behavior, speech, or writing that is pretentious and designed to impress |
| alleviate | make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe |
| analogous | comparable in certain respects, typically in a way which makes clearly the nature of things compared |
| bolster | support or strengthen |
| chauvinistic | feeling or displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism |
| connoisseur | an expert judge in matters of taste |
| dissemble | conceal or disguise one's true feelings or beliefs |
| dogged | having or showing tenacity and grim persistence |
| dupe | deceive; trick |
| empirical | based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic |
| engender | cause or give rise to (a feeling, situation, or condition) |
| entitled | believing oneself to be inherently deserving or privileges or special treatment |
| pertinacious | holding firmly to an opinion or a course of action |
| presumptuous | (of a person or their behavior) failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate/overconfident |
| probity | the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency |
| proliferate | increase rapidly in number; multiply |
| specious | superficially plausible, but actually wrong |
| spurious | not being what is purports to be; false or fake |
| subjective | based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions |
| subvert | undermine the power and authority of (an established system or institution) |
| timorous | showing or suffering from nervousness or a lack of confidence |
| tortuous | 1. full of twists and turns 2. excessively lengthy and complex |
| tractable | easy to control or influence |
| transient | lasting only for a short time; impermanent |
| ubiquitous | present, appearing, or found everywhere |
| underscore | emphasize |
| venal | showing or motivated by susceptibility to bribery; corrupt |
| venerate | regard with great respect; revere |
| appease | 1. pacify or placate (someone) by acceding to their demands 2. assuage or satisfy (a demand or feeling) |
| arbitrary | 1. rather on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system 2. (of power or ruling body) unrestrained and autocratic in the use of authority |
| archaic | very old or old-fashioned |
| clamorous | 1. making a loud and confused noise 2. expressing or characterized by vehement protests or demands |
| dearth | a scarcity or lacking of something |
| explicable | able to be accounted for or understood |
| hyperbole | exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally |
| immutable | unchanging over time or unable to be changed |
| indefatigable | (of a person or their efforts) persisting tirelessly |
| indolent | 1. wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy 2. (of a disease or condition) causing little or no pain |
| insular | ignorant of or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one's own experiences |
| intransigent | unwilling or refusing to change one's views or to agree about something |
| intrepid | fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect) |
| irreverent | showing a lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously |
| loathe | feel intense dislike or disgust for |
| malign | 1. evil in nature or effect 2. speak about (someone) in a spitefully critical manner |
| malleable | easily influenced; pliable |
| neophyte | 1. a person who is new to a subject or activity 2. a new convert to a religion |
| plastic | 1. not genuine; artificial or unnatural 2. (of a substance or material) easily shaped or molded |
| platitude | a remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful |
| prescient | having or showing knowledge of events before they take place |
| pristine | in its original condition; unspoil |
| reproach | express to (someone) one's disapproval of or disappointment in their actions |
| robust | 1. strong and healthy; vigorous 2. (of wine or food) strong and rich in flavor or smell |
| salubrious | 1. health-giving; healthy 2. (of a place) pleasant; not run-down |
| sanction | 1. a threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule 2. official permission or approval for an action |
| sedulous | (of a person or action) showing dedication or diligence |
| soporific | tending to induce drowsiness or sleep |
| stern | (of a person or their manner) serious and unrelenting, especially in the assertion of authority and exercise of discipline |
| tendentious | expressing or intending to promote a particular cause or point of view, especially a controversial one |
| accentuate | make more noticeable or prominent |
| conjectural | based on or involving conjecture |
| convivial | friendly, lively, and enjoyable |
| decadent | characterized by or reflecting a state of moral or cultural decline |
| egregious | outstandingly bad; shocking |
| evanescent | soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing |
| flamboyant | 1. (of a person or their behavior) tending to attract attention because of their exuberance, confidence, and stylishness 2. bright, colorful, and very noticeable |
| forestall | prevent or obstruct (an anticipated event or action) by taking advance action |
| gainsay | deny or contradict (a fact or statement) |
| galvanize | 1. shock or excite (someone) into taking action 2. coat (iron or steel) with a protective layer of zinc |
| indiscriminate | done at random or without careful judgement |
| innocuous | not harmful or offensive |
| momentary | lasting for a very short time; brief |
| mundane | 1. lacking interest or excitement; dull 2. of this earthly world rather than a heavenly or spiritual one |
| nettlesome | causing annoyance or difficulty |
| nullify | more legally null and void; invalidate |
| omnipresent | widely or constantly encountered; widespread |
| oust | drive out or expel (someone) from a position or place |
| palpable | 1. (of a feeling or atmosphere) so intense as to seem almost tangible 2. able to be touched or felt |
| perfidy | that state of being deceitful and untrustworthy |
| profuse | (especially of something offered or discharge) very plentiful; abundant |
| pugnacious | eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight |
| sagacious | having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgement; wise or shrewd |
| sanguine | optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation |
| scant | barely sufficient or adequate |
| skullduggery | underhand, unscrupulous, or dishonest behavior or activities |
| trivial | of little value or importance |
| utilitarian | 1. designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive 2. relating to or adhering to the doctrine of utilitarianism |
| vapid | offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging; bland |
| obviate | 1. remove (a need or difficulty) 2. avoid or prevent (something undesirable) |
| boorish | rough and bad-mannered; coarse |
| brook | to tolerate; to endure; to countenance |
| circumspect | wary and unwilling to take risks |
| comity | 1. an association of nations for their mutual benefit 2. courtesy and considerate behavior towards others |
| commensurate | corresponding in size or degree; in proportion |
| cordial | 1. warm and friendly 2. strongly felt |
| deleterious | causing harm or damage |
| dichotomy | a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different |
| edify | instruct or improve (someone) morally or intellectually |
| elicit | evoke or draw out (a reaction, answer, or fact) from someone |
| erudite | having or showing great knowledge or learning |
| fecund | producing or capable of producing an abundance of offspring or new growth; highly fertile |
| feeble | 1. lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness 2. lacking strength of character 3. failing to convince or impress |
| felicitous | 1. well chosen or suited to the circumstances 2. pleasing and fortunate |
| forbear | politely or patiently restrain an impulse to do something; refrain |
| haphazard | lacking any obvious principle or organization |
| hodgepodge | a confused mixture; a hotchpotch |
| impede | delay or prevent (someone or something) by obstructing them; hinder |
| impetuous | acting or done quickly and without thought or care |
| irascible | having or showing a tendency to be easily angered |
| mercenary | 1. primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics 2. professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army |
| meticulous | showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise |
| mordant | (especially of humor) having or showing a sharp or critical quality; biting |
| outstrip | move faster than and overtake (someone else)/exceed |
| precarious | not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse |
| quirky | having or characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits or aspects |
| repudiate | 1. refuse to accept; reject 2. deny the truth or validity of |
| tact | skill and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues |
| trifling | unimportant or trivial |
| turbulent | characterized by conflict, disorder, or confusion; not stable or calm |
| acumen | the ability to make good judgements and take quick decisions |
| antithesis | 1. a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else 2. (in Hegelian philosophy) the negation of the thesis as the second stage in the process of dialectical reasoning |
| ascribe | regard something as being due to (a cause)/ assign |
| befuddled | cause to become unable to think clearly |
| eschew | deliberately avoid using; abstain from |
| esoteric | intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number or people with a specialized knowledge or interest |
| evasive | tending to avoid commitment or self-revelation, especially by responding only indirectly |
| exculpate | showing or declare that (someone) is not guilty of wrongdoing |
| expedite | make (an action or process) happen sooner or be accomplished more quickly |
| fastidious | very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail |
| feign | pretend to be affected by (a feeling, state, or injury) |
| furtive | attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive |
| hamper | 1. hinder or impede the movement or progress of 2. a basket with a carrying handle and a hinged lid, used for food, cutlery, and plates on a picnic |
| indispensable | absolutely necessary |
| lament | a passionate expression of grief or sorrow |
| myopic | 1. short-sided 2. lacking foresight or intellectual insight |
| nonchalant | (of a person or manner) feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm |
| partial | 1. existing only in part; incomplete 2. favoring one side in dispute above the other; biased 3. having a liking for |
| pensive | engaged in, involved, or reflecting deep or serious thought |
| portend | be a sign of warning that (something, especially something momentous or calamitous) is likely to happen |
| provincial | 1. of a concerning a province of a country or empire 2. of a concerning the regions outside the capital city of a country, especially when regarded as unsophisticated or narrow-minded |
| rudimentary | involving or limited to basic principles |
| salutary | (especially with reference to something unwelcome or unpleasant) producing good effects; beneficial |
| sever | 1. divide by cutting or slicing, especially suddenly and forcibly 2. put an end to (a connection or relationship), break off |
| slight | 1. insult (someone) by treating or speaking of them without proper respect or attention 2. small in degree; inconsiderable 3. (of a person or their build) not sturdy; thin or slender |
| somnolent | sleep; drowsy |
| stoic | 1. a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining 2. a member of the ancient philosophical school of Stoicism |
| supersede | take the place of (a person or thing previously in authority or use); supplant |
| tout | 1. attempt to sell (something), typically by a direct or persistent approach 2. attempt to persuade people of the merits of |
| wane | 1. (of a state or feeling) decrease in vigor or extent; become weaker 2. (of the moon) having a progressively smaller part of its visible surface illuminate, so that it appears to decrease in size |
| abhor | regard with disgust and hatred |
| boisterous | 1. noisy, energetic, and cheerful 2. (of weather or water) wild or stormy |
| chivalrous | 1. (of a man or his behavior) courteous and gallant, especially towards women 2. relating to the historical concept of chivalry |
| churlish | rude in a mean-spirited and surly way |
| clandestine | kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit |
| complacent | showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself and one's achievements |
| cumbersome | 1. large or heavy and therefore difficult to carry or use; unwieldy 2. slow of complicated and therefore inefficent |
| debilitating | make (someone) very weak and infirm |
| deliberate | done consciously and intentionally |
| droll | curious or unusual in a way that provokes dry amusement |
| eccentric | (of a person or their behavior) unconventional and slightly strange |
| fractious | 1. (typically of children) irritable and quarrelsome 2. (of a group or organization) difficult to control; unruly |
| limpid | 1. completely clear and transparent 2. (especially of writing or music) clear and accessible or melodious |
| mawkish | sentimental in an exaggerated or false way |
| obeisance | a gesture expressing deferential respect, such as a bow or curtsy |
| ostentatious | characterized by pretentious or showy display; designed to impress |
| panacea | a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases |
| perfunctory | (of an action) carried out without real interest, feeling, or effort |
| perilous | full of danger or risk |
| pervasive | (especially of an unwelcome influence or physical effect) spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people |
| preclude | prevent from happening; make impossible |
| predilection | a preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something |
| rapacious | aggressively greedy or grasping |
| relish | 1. enjoy greatly 2. anticipate with pleasure |
| satirical | sarcastic, critical, and mocking another's weaknesses |
| sham | falsely present something as the truth |
| skirt | 1. attempt to ignore; avoid dealing with 2. go round or past the edge of |
| sluggish | 1. slow-moving or inactive 2. lacking energy or alertness |
| spartan | showing or characterized by austerity or a lack of comfort or luxury |
| truculent | eager or quick to argue or flight; aggressively defiant |
| acrimonious | (typically of speech or discussion) angry and bitter |
| belligerent | hostile and aggressive |
| beneficent | (of a person) generous or doing good |
| canny | having or showing shrewdness and good judgement, especially in money or business matters |
| cavalier | 1. showing a lack of proper concern; offhand 2. a dashing and attentive man, especially one acting as a lady's escort 3. a small spaniel of a breed with a long snout |
| distressed | 1. suffering from extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain 2. (of furniture or clothing) having simulated marks of age and wear |
| dwindling | gradually diminishing in size, amount, or strength |
| eclipse | 1. an obscuring of the light from one celestial body by the passage of another between it and the observer or between it and its source of illumination 2. a loss of significance or power in relation to another person or thing |
| encyclopedic | comprehensive in terms of information |
| exacerbate | make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse |
| exasperated | intensely irritated and frustrated |
| fungible | (of goods contracted for without an individual specimen being specified) replaceable by another identical item; mutually interchangeable |
| hackneyed | (of a phrase or idea) having been overused; unoriginal and trite |
| incongruous | not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something |
| interchangeable | 1. apparently identical; very similar 2. (of two things) able to be interchanged |
| laconic | (of a person, speech, or style of writing) using very few words |
| lucrative | producing a great deal of profit |
| magisterial | having or showing great authority/domineering; dictatorial |
| onerous | (of a task or responsibility) involving a great deal of effort, trouble, or difficulty |
| opprobrium | harsh criticism or censure |
| parsimonious | very unwilling to spend money or use resources |
| peripheral | 1. relating to or situated on the edge or periphery of something 2. of secondary or minor importance; marginal |
| provocation | causing anger or another strong reaction, especially deliberately |
| renounce | formally declare one's abandonment of (a claim, right, or possession |
| tempestuous | 1. characterized by strong and turbulent or conflicting emotion 2. very stormy |
| tenable | 1. able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection 2. (of an office, position, scholarship, etc.) able to be held or used |
| transgression | an act that goes against a law, rule or code of conduct; an offense |
| urbane | (of a person, especially a man) courteous and refined in manner |
| verisimilitude | the appearance of being true or real |
| vitiate | spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of |
| affinity | a natural liking for and understanding of someone or something |
| altruistic | showing a disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others; unselfish |
| baroque | highly ornate and extravagant in style |
| byzantine | (of a system or situation) excessively complicated, and typically involving a great deal of administrative detail |
| compromise | 1. settle a dispute by mutual concession 2. weaken or harm by accepting standards that are lower than is desirable |
| conciliatory | intended or likely to placate or pacify |
| countenace | 1. admit as acceptable or possible 2. a person's face or facial expression |
| covert | not openly acknowledged or displayed |
| credible | able to be believed; convincing |
| diffuse | 1. spread out over a large area; not concentrated 2. lacking clarity or conciseness |
| documentary | 1. consisting of or based on official documents 2. using pictures or interviews with people involved in real events to provide a factual report on a particular subject |
| exhaustive | including or considering all elements or aspects; fully comprehensive |
| exhilarating | making one feel very happy, animated, or elated; thrilling |
| extraneous | 1. irrelevant or unrelated to the subject being dealt with. 2. of external origin |
| fervor | intense and passionate feeling |
| futile | incapable of producing any useful result; pointless |
| illusory | based on illusion; not real |
| invidious | 1. (of an action or situation) likely to arouse or incur resentment or anger in others 2. (of a comparison or distinction) unfairly discriminating; unjust |
| lethargic | affected by lethargy; sluggish and apathetic |
| metaphorical | characteristic of or relating to metaphor; figurative |
| mimic | imitate (someone or their actions or words), especially in order to entertain or ridicule |
| numinous | having a strong religious or spiritual quality; indicating or suggesting the presence of a divinity |
| obscure | 1. not discovered or known about; uncertain. 2. not clearly expressed or easily understood |
| overt | done or shown openly; plainly apparent |
| pellucid | easily understood; lucid |
| perpetuate | make (something) continue indefinitely |
| rational | based on or in accordance with reason or logic |
| scathing | witheringly scornful; severely critical. |
| subtle | 1. (especially of a change or distinction) so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyse or describe. 2. making use of clever and indirect methods to achieve something. |
| superficial | 1. existing or occurring at or on the surface. 2. appearing to be true or real only until examined more closely. 3. not thorough, deep, or complete; cursory. |
| acquiesce | accept something reluctantly but without protest. |
| adroit | clever or skillful |
| amend | 1. make minor changes to (a text, piece of legislation, etc.) in order to make it fairer or more accurate, or to reflect changing circumstances. 2. improve the texture or fertility of (soil) |
| animus | 1. hostility or ill feeling. 2. motivation to do something. |
| apologist | a person who offers an argument in defense of something controversial. |
| astringent | 1. causing the contraction of skin cells and other body tissues. 2. (of taste or smell) slightly acidic or bitter. 3. sharp or severe in manner or style. |
| collaborate | produced by or involving two or more parties working together |
| competent | having the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to do something successfully |
| correlate | have a mutual relationship or connection, in which one thing affects or depends on another. |
| deride | express contempt for; ridicule |
| dictate | 1. state or order authoritatively. 2. say or read aloud (words to be typed, written down, or recorded on tape). |
| discreet | careful and prudent in one's speech or actions, especially in order to keep something confidential or to avoid embarrassment. |
| divorced | separate or dissociate (something) from something else, typically with an undesirable effect. |
| elitist | relating to or supporting the view that a society or system should be led by an elite. |
| exacting | making great demands on one's skill, attention, or other resources. |
| flummoxed | bewildered or perplexed. |
| fruitful | producing good or helpful results; productive. |
| inborn | existing from birth. |
| polymath | a person of wide knowledge or learning. |
| reticent | not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily. |
| stringent | (of regulations, requirements, or conditions) strict, precise, and exacting. |
| subservient | prepared to obey others unquestioningly. |
| surreptitious | kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of. |
| tantalizing | tormenting or teasing with the sight or promise of something unobtainable. |
| tantamount | equivalent in seriousness to; virtually the same as. |
| torpor | a state of physical or mental inactivity; lethargy. |
| trechant | vigorous or incisive in expression or style. |
| umbrage | offence or annoyance. |
| versatile | able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities. |
| wayward | difficult to control or predict because of willful or perverse behavior. |
| alienate | make (someone) feel isolated or estranged. |
| apathy | lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern. |
| apropos | 1. with reference to; concerning. 2. very appropriate to a particular situation |
| apt | 1. appropriate or suitable in the circumstances. 2. having a tendency to do something. 3. quick to learn. |
| cloak | 1. a sleeveless outdoor overgarment that hangs loosely from the shoulders. 2. something serving to hide or disguise something. |
| consensus | a general agreement |
| distort | 1. pull or twist out of shape. 2. give a misleading or false account or impression of. 3. change the form of (an electrical signal or sound wave) during transmission, amplification, or other processing. |
| divergent | tending to be different or develop in different directions. |
| elated | make (someone) ecstatically happy |
| enchant | 1. fill (someone) with great delight; charm. 2. put (someone or something) under a spell; bewitch. |
| entrenched | (of an attitude, habit, or belief) firmly established and difficult or unlikely to change; ingrained |
| exotic | 1. originating in or characteristic of a distant foreign country. 2. attractive or striking because colorful or out of the ordinary. |
| exploitative | making use of a situation or treating others unfairly in order to gain an advantage or benefit. |
| foreseeable | able to be foreseen or predicted. |
| forsake | abandon or leave./renounce or give up (something valued or pleasant). |
| gratify | give (someone) pleasure or satisfaction. |
| heed | pay attention to; take notice of. |
| judicious | having, showing, or done with good judgement or sense. |
| lucid | expressed clearly; easy to understand. |
| pertinent | relevant or applicable to a particular matter; apposite. |
| propriety | 1. conformity to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals. 2. the condition of being right, appropriate, or fitting. |
| scintillating | 1. sparkling or shining brightly. 2. brilliantly and excitingly clever or skillful. |
| sensational | causing great public interest and excitement. |
| sophisticated | 1.having, revealing, or involving a great deal of worldly experience and knowledge of fashion and culture. 2. (of a machine, system, or technique) developed to a high degree of complexity. |
| strife | angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict. |
| understated | presented or expressed in a subtle and effective way. |
| unscrupulous | having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair. |
| veracity | conformity to facts; accuracy./habitual truthfulness. |
| virulent | 1.(of a disease or poison) extremely severe or harmful in its effects. 2. bitterly hostile. |
| volatile | 1. (of a substance) easily evaporated at normal temperatures. 2. liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse |
| antedate | precede in time; come before (something) in date. |
| banish | 1. send (someone) away from a country or place as an official punishment. 2. get rid of (something unwanted). |
| bridle | 1. show one's resentment or anger, especially by throwing up one's head and drawing in one's chin. 2. put a bridle on (a horse). |
| comply | act in accordance with a wish or command. |
| crestfallen | sad and disappointed. |
| curtail | reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on. |
| elucidate | make (something) clear; explain. |
| evade | escape or avoid (someone or something), especially by guile or trickery. |
| feckless | lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible. |
| fester | 1. (of a wound or sore) become septic; suppurate. 2. (of a negative feeling or a problem) become worse or more intense, especially through long-term neglect or indifference. |
| iconoclastic | criticizing or attacking cherished beliefs or institutions. |
| immure | enclose or confine (someone) against their will. |
| improvise | 1. create and perform (music, drama, or verse) spontaneously or without preparation. 2. produce or make (something) from whatever is available. |
| inhibit | 1. hinder, restrain, or prevent (an action or process). 2. make (someone) self-conscious and unable to act in a relaxed and natural way. 3. (in ecclesiastical law) forbid (a member of the clergy) to exercise clerical functions. |
| inscrutable | impossible to understand or interpret. |
| lionize | give a lot of public attention and approval to (someone); treat as a celebrity |
| monotonous | dull, tedious, and repetitious; lacking in variety and interest. |
| peculiar | 1. different to what is normal or expected; strange. 2. particular; special. |
| premeditate | think out or plan (an action, especially a crime) beforehand. |
| profligate | 1. recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources. 2. licentious; dissolute. |
| reconcile | 1. restore friendly relations between. 2. make (one account) consistent with another, especially by allowing for transactions begun but not yet completed. |
| refine | remove impurities or unwanted elements from (a substance), typically as part of an industrial process. |
| relinquish | voluntarily cease to keep or claim; give up. |
| ruminate | 1. think deeply about something. 2. (of a ruminant) chew the cud. |
| skittish | 1. (of a person) playfully frivolous or unpredictable. 2. (of an animal, especially a horse) nervous or excitable; easily scared. |
| superfluous | unnecessary, especially through being more than enough. |
| synoptic | taking or involving a comprehensive mental view. |
| thorough | complete with regard to every detail; not superficial or partial. |
| visonary | 1. thinking about or planning the future with imagination or wisdom. 2. relating to or having the ability to see visions in a dream or trance, or as a supernatural apparition. |
| vociferous | expressing or characterized by vehement opinions; loud and forceful. |
| acclaim | praise enthusiastically and publicly. |
| ascertain | find (something) out for certain; make sure of. |
| assertive | having or showing a confident and forceful personality. |
| bogus | not genuine or true (used in a disapproving manner when deception has been attempted). |
| cataclysmic | (of a natural event) large-scale and violent. |
| circumscribe | restrict (something) within limits. |
| complementary | combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize the qualities of each other or another. |
| contentious | causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial. |
| disingenuous | not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does. |
| divulge | make known (private or sensitive information). |
| dogmatic | inclined to lay down principles as undeniably true./opinionated |
| fallacious | based on a mistaken belief. |
| foolhardy | recklessly bold or rash. |
| hinder | make it difficult for (someone) to do something or for (something) to happen. |
| impair | weaken or damage (something, especially a faculty or function). |
| impugn | dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of (a statement or motive); call into question. |
| incessant | (of something regarded as unpleasant) continuing without pause or interruption. |
| inclined | 1. be favorably disposed towards or willing to do something. 2. have a tendency to do something. 3. lean or turn away from a given plane or direction, especially the vertical or horizontal. |
| inveterate | having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change. |
| miserly | 1. of or characteristic of a miser. 2. (of a quantity) pitiably small or inadequate. |
| patent | 1. a government authority or licence conferring a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention. 2. easily recognizable; obvious. |
| petulant | (of a person or their manner) childishly sulky or bad-tempered. |
| pithy | 1. (of language or style) terse and vigorously expressive. 2. (of a fruit or plant) containing much pith. |
| pliant | 1. easily bent. 2. easily influenced or directed; yielding. |
| sanctimonious | making a show of being morally superior to other people. |
| sound | 1. vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach a person's or animal's ear. 2. an idea or impression conveyed by words. 3. in good condition; not damaged, injured, or diseased. |
| tarnish | 1. damage or harm done to something. 2. dullness of color; loss of brightness. |
| tepid | 1. (especially of a liquid) only slightly warm; lukewarm. 2. showing little enthusiasm. |
| upbraid | find fault with (someone); scold. |
| vexation | the state of being annoyed, frustrated, or worried. |
| abet | encourage or assist (someone) to do something wrong, in particular to commit a crime. |
| accessible | 1. (of a place) able to be reached or entered. 2. (of a person, especially one in a position of authority) friendly and easy to talk to; approachable. |
| acquisitive | excessively interested in acquiring money or material things. |
| amalgamate | combine or unite to form one organization or structure. |
| attenuate | reduce the force, effect, or value of. |
| augment | make (something) greater by adding to it; increase. |
| aversion | a strong dislike or disinclination. |
| blithe | showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper. |
| contempt | the feeling that a person or a thing is worthless or beneath consideration. |
| dawdle | waste time; be slow. |
| deflect | 1. cause (something) to change direction; turn aside from a straight course. 2. cause (someone) to deviate from an intended purpose. |
| discount | 1. deduct an amount from (the usual price of something). 2. regard (a possibility or fact) as being unworthy of consideration because it lacks credibility |
| dissident | a person who opposes official policy, especially that of an authoritarian state. |
| efficacious | (of something inanimate or abstract) successful in producing a desired or intended result; effective. |
| equitable | fair and impartial. |
| erratic | not even or regular in pattern or movement; unpredictable. |
| industrious | diligent and hard-working. |
| inform | 1. give (someone) facts or information; tell. 2. give an essential or formative principle or quality to. |
| irksome | irritating; annoying. |
| manacle | one of two metal bands joined by a chain, for fastening a person's hands or ankles./shackles |
| modest | 1. unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements. 2. (of an amount, rate, or level) relatively moderate, limited, or small. |
| noxious | harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant. |
| pernicious | having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way. |
| predicament | a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation. |
| proficient | competent or skilled in doing or using something. |
| prolix | (of speech or writing) using or containing too many words; tediously lengthy |
| scorn | a feeling and expression of contempt or disdain for someone or something. |
| subordinate | of less or secondary importance. |
| unseemly | (of behavior or actions) not proper or appropriate. |
| veritable | used for emphasis, often to qualify a metaphor. |
| acolyte | a person assisting a priest in a religious service or procession. |
| anoint | 1. smear or rub with oil, typically as part of a religious ceremony. 2. nominate or choose (someone) as successor to or leading candidate for a position. |
| base | 1. use (something specified) as the foundation or starting point for something. 2. (adjective)without moral principles; ignoble |
| coercion | the action or practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats. |
| coin | 1. invent 2. a flat disc or piece of metal with an official stamp, used as money. |
| cunning | having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion. |
| discomfit | make (someone) feel uneasy or embarrassed. |
| dissent | hold or express opinions that are at variance with those commonly or officially held. |
| distill | 1. purify (a liquid) by heating it so that it vaporizes, then cooling and condensing the vapor and collecting the resulting liquid. |
| dubious | 1. hesitating or doubting. 2. not to be relied upon; suspect |
| ebullient | cheerful and full of energy. |
| facetious | treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant. |
| fallible | capable of making mistakes or being wrong. |
| florid | 1. excessively intricate or elaborate. 2. having a red or flushed complexion. |
| gawky | nervously awkward and ungainly. |
| inveigle | persuade (someone) to do something by means of deception or flattery. |
| jettison | abandon or discard (someone or something that is no longer wanted). |
| mendacity | untruthfulness |
| munificent | characterized by or displaying great generosity. |
| naive | (of a person or action) showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgement. |
| noble | 1. belonging by rank, title, or birth to the aristocracy. 2. having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles. |
| parochial | having a limited or narrow outlook or scope. |
| pedestrian | 1. a person walking rather than travelling in a vehicle. 2. lacking inspiration or excitement; dull. |
| prevaricate | speak or act in an evasive way. |
| prime | 1. of first importance; main. 2. the state or time of greatest vigor or success in a person's life. 3. make (something) ready for use or action. |
| radical | 1. (especially of change or action) relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something; far-reaching or thorough. 2. advocating or based on thorough or complete political or social change |
| recrudescent | break out again; recur. |
| temporal | 1. relating to worldly as opposed to spiritual affairs; secular. 2. relating to time. |
| transitory | not permanent. |
| viable | capable of working successfully; feasible |
| abreast | 1.side by side and facing the same way. 2. alongside or level with something. |
| confound | 1. cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially by not according with their expectations. 2. mix up (something) with something else. |
| digression | a temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing. |
| discrepancy | an illogical or surprising lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts. |
| duplicitous | deceitful |
| expedient | (of an action) convenient and practical although possibly improper or immoral. |
| fabricate | 1. invent (something) in order to deceive. 2. construct or manufacture (an industrial product), especially from prepared components. |
| glum | looking or feeling dejected; morose. |
| harbinger | a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another./indicator |
| intrinsic | belonging naturally; essential. |
| largesse | generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others. |
| libertine | 1.a person, especially a man, who freely indulges in sensual pleasures without regard to moral principles. 2. a freethinker in matters of religion. |
| manifest | 1. show (a quality or feeling) by one's acts or appearance; demonstrate. 2. a document listing a ship's contents, cargo, passengers, and crew, for the use of customs officers. |
| minute | 1. so small as to be insignificant. 2. (of an investigation or account) taking the smallest points into consideration; precise and meticulous. 3.a summarized record of the proceedings at a meeting. |
| modish | conforming to or following what is currently popular and fashionable. |
| nascent | (especially of a process or organization) just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential. |
| perennial | lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite time; enduring or continually recurring. |
| pious | 1. devoutly religious. 2. (of a hope) sincere but unlikely to be fulfilled. |
| providential | 1. occurring at a favorable time; opportune. 2. involving divine foresight or providence. |
| prowess | 1. skill or expertise in a particular activity or field. 2. bravery in battle. |
| schism | a split or division between strongly opposed sections or parties, caused by differences in opinion or belief. |
| slander | make false and damaging statements about (someone). |
| stalwart | loyal, reliable, and hard-working. |
| supplicate | ask or beg for something earnestly or humbly. |
| terse | sparing in the use of words; abrupt. |
| tirade | a long, angry speech of criticism or accusation. |
| universal | relating to or done by all people or things in the world or in a particular group; applicable to all cases./ubiquitous |
| vanquish | defeat thoroughly./conquer |
| woeful | 1. characterized by, expressive of, or causing sorrow or misery. 2. very bad; deplorable. |
| malfeasance | wrongdoing, especially (US) by a public official. |
| abject | 1. (of something bad) experienced or present to the maximum degree. 2. (of a person or their behavior) completely without pride or dignity; self-abasing. |
| amicable | characterized by friendliness and absence of discord. |
| animosity | strong hostility. |
| aver | state or assert to be the case. |
| barrage | 1.bombard (someone) with questions, criticisms, complaints, etc. 2. an artificial barrier across a river or estuary to prevent flooding, aid irrigation or navigation, or to generate electricity by tidal power. |
| cathartic | providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions; causing catharsis |
| decipher | succeed in understanding, interpreting, or identifying (something). |
| delusion | 1. an idiosyncratic belief or impression maintained despite being contradicted by reality or rational argument. 2. the action of deluding or the state of being deluded./deception |
| dispense | 1. distribute or provide (a service or information) to a number of people. 2. manage without or get rid of. |
| eloquent | fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing. |
| enthrall | capture the fascinated attention of. |
| eradicate | destroy completely; put an end to. |
| fledgling | a person or organization that is immature, inexperienced, or underdeveloped. |
| fortitude | courage in pain or adversity. |
| fortuitous | happening by chance rather than intention./happening by a lucky chance; fortunate. |
| goad | 1. provoke or annoy (someone) so as to stimulate an action or reaction. 2. drive (an animal) with a spiked stick |
| imminent | about to happen |
| incontrovertible | not able to be denied or disputed. |
| itinerant | travelling from place to place. |
| magnanimous | generous or forgiving, especially towards a rival or less powerful person. |
| meritorious | deserving reward or praise. |
| mutiny | an open rebellion against the proper authorities, especially by soldiers or sailors against their officers. |
| paradoxical | seemingly absurd or self-contradictory. |
| perseverance | persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. |
| render | 1.provide or give (service, help, etc.) 2.cause to be or become; make 3.represent or depict artistically 4.covertly send (foreign criminal/terrorist suspect) for interrogation abroad; subject to extraordinary rendition 5.melt down (fat) in order to cl |
| repertoire | 1. a stock of plays, dances, or items that a company or a performer knows or is prepared to perform. 2. a stock of skills or types of behavior that a person habitually uses. |
| resilient | 1. (of a person or animal) able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. 2. (of a substance or object) able to recoil or spring back into shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed. |
| resolute | admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering. |
| supple | bending and moving easily and gracefully; flexible. |
| valor | great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle. |
| cumbersome | large or heavy and therefore difficult to carry or use; unwieldy./slow or complicated and therefore inefficient. |
| unprecedented | never done or known before. |
| stinting | supply a very ungenerous or inadequate amount of (something). |
| extrapolate | extend the application of (a method or conclusion) to an unknown situation by assuming that existing trends will continue or similar methods will be applicable. |
| liability | 1. the state of being legally responsible for something. 2. a person or thing whose presence or behavior is likely to put one at a disadvantage. |
| euphoric | characterized by or feeling intense excitement and happiness. |
| elementary | 1. relating to the rudiments of a subject. 2. not decomposable into elements or other primary constituents. |
| heterodox | not conforming with accepted or orthodox standards or beliefs. |
| fervent | having or displaying a passionate intensity. |
| gaffe | an unintentional act or remark causing embarrassment to its originator; a blunder. |
| temper | 1. a person's state of mind seen in terms of their being angry or calm. 2. the degree of hardness and elasticity in steel or other metal. 3. act as a neutralizing or counterbalancing force to (something). |
| painstaking | done with or employing great care and thoroughness. |
| economy | 1. the state of a country or region in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services and the supply of money. 2. careful management of available resources |
| qualm | an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear, especially about one's own conduct; a misgiving. |
| exonerate | 1. (of an official body) absolve (someone) from blame for a fault or wrongdoing. 2. release someone from (a duty or obligation). |
| implicit | 1. suggested though not directly expressed. 2. always to be found in; essentially connected with. 3. with no qualification or question; absolute. |
| phlegmatic | (of a person) having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition. |
| propensity | an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way. |
| foment | instigate or stir up (an undesirable or violent sentiment or course of action). |
| embellish | make (something) more attractive by the addition of decorative details or features. |
| inviolate | free or safe from injury or violation. |
| renege | go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract. |
| arresting | 1. striking; eye-catching. 2. denoting a person or agency that seizes and detains someone by legal authority. |
| obstinate | stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so. |
| vivacious | (especially of a woman) attractively lively and animated. |
| histrionic | excessively theatrical or dramatic in character or style. |
| prodigious | remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree. |
| tentative | 1. not certain or fixed; provisional. 2. done without confidence; hesitant. |
| falter | lose strength or momentum. |
| chastise | rebuke or reprimand severely./scold |
| intermittent | occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady. occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady. occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady. occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady. |
| profound | 1. (of a state, quality, or emotion) very great or intense. 2. (of a person or statement) having or showing great knowledge or insight. |
| propagate | 1. spread and promote (an idea, theory, etc.) widely. 2. breed specimens of (a plant or animal) by natural processes from the parent stock. |
| allusive | using or containing suggestion rather than explicit mention. |
| glib | (of words or a speaker) fluent but insincere and shallow. |
| curb | 1. a check or restraint on something. 2. a type of bit with a strap or chain attached which passes under a horse's lower jaw, used as a check |
| lull | 1. make (someone) feel deceptively secure or confident. 2. calm or send to sleep, typically with soothing sounds or movements. 3.a temporary interval of quiet or lack of activity |
| mettlesome | (of a person or animal) full of spirit and courage; lively. |
| astute | having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage. |
| fawn | 1. (of a person) give a servile display of exaggerated flattery or affection, typically in order to gain favour. 2. (of a deer) produce young. |
| precipitous | 1. (of an action) done suddenly and without careful consideration. 2. dangerously high or steep. |
| repercussion | an unintended consequence of an event or action, especially an unwelcome one. |
| regress | return to a former or less developed state. |
| refute | prove (a statement or theory) to be wrong or false; disprove. |
| evoke | 1. bring or recall (a feeling, memory, or image) to the conscious mind. 2. invoke (a spirit or deity). |
| ire | anger |
| languid | 1. (of a person, manner, or gesture) having or showing a disinclination for physical exertion or effort. 2. weak or faint from illness or fatigue. |
| mollify | appease the anger or anxiety of (someone). |
| pretentious | attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed. |
| duress | threats, violence, constraints, or other action used to coerce someone into doing something against their will or better judgement. |
| vigilant | keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. |
| headstrong | energetically willful and determined. |
| convalescent | (of a person) recovering from an illness or medical treatment. |
| nonplussed | so surprised and confused that one is unsure how to react. |
| fret | 1. be constantly or visibly anxious. 2. gradually wear away (something) by rubbing or gnawing. 3. flow or move in small waves. |
| decry | publicly denounce. |
| recourse | a source of help in a difficult situation. |
| commence | begin |
| neutralize | make (something) ineffective by applying an opposite force or effect. |
| exorcise | 1. completely remove (something unpleasant) from one's mind or memory. 2. rid (a person or place) of a supposed evil spirit. |
| finicky | (of a person) fussy about their needs or requirements./showing or requiring great attention to detail. |
| assail | make a concerted or violent attack on./ criticize strongly |
| contravene | offend against the prohibition or order of (a law, treaty, or code of conduct)./conflict with (a right, principle, etc.), especially to its detriment. |
| reiterate | say something again or a number of times, typically for emphasis or clarity. |
| poignant | evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret. |
| inundate | 1. overwhelm (someone) with things or people to be dealt with. 2. flood |
| obvious | not aware of or concerned about what is happening around one. |
| ironclad | impossible to contradict, weaken, or change. |
| plaintive | sounding sad and mournful. |
| surmount | 1. overcome (a difficulty or obstacle). 2. stand or be placed on top of. |
| escalate | increase rapidly./make or become more intense or serious. |
| denounce | publicly declare to be wrong or evil./inform against |
| foil | 1. prevent (something considered wrong or undesirable) from succeeding. 2. frustrate the efforts or plans of. |
| deviate | depart from usual or accepted standards. |
| buoyant | 1. able or tending to keep afloat or rise to the top of a liquid or gas. 2. cheerful and optimistic. 3. (of an economy, business, or market) involving or engaged in much successful trade or activity. |
| benevolent | well meaning and kindly./(of an organization) serving a charitable rather than a profit-making purpose. |
| intertwined | twist or twine together./connect or link (two or more things) closely. |
| berate | scold or criticize (someone) angrily. |
| quiescent | in a state or period of inactivity or dormancy. |
| mercurial | 1. subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind. 2. of or containing the element mercury. |
| despotic | of or typical of a despot; tyrannical. |
| perpetrate | carry out or commit (a harmful, illegal, or immoral action). |
| subsume | include or absorb (something) in something else. |
| subside | 1. become less intense, violent, or severe. 2.(of water) go down to a lower or the normal level. |
| condone | accept (behavior that is considered morally wrong or offensive). |
| tangential | 1. diverging from a previous course or line; erratic. 2. hardly touching a matter; peripheral. 3. relating to or along a tangent. |
| jeopardize | put (someone or something) into a situation in which there is a danger of loss, harm, or failure. |
| disinterested | 1. not influenced by considerations of personal advantage. 2. having or feeling no interest in something; uninterested. |
| buttress | 1. provide (a building or structure) with buttresses. 2. increase the strength of or justification for; reinforce. |
| bereft | 1. deprived of or lacking (something). 2. (of a person) sad and lonely, especially through someone's death or departure. |
| frailty | the condition of being weak and delicate./weakness in character or morals. |
| disentangle | free (something or someone) from something that they are entangled with. |
| pomposity | the quality of being pompous; self-importance. |
| delineate | 1. describe or portray (something) precisely. 2. indicate the exact position of (a border or boundary). |
| conclusive | of evidence or argument) having or likely to have the effect of proving a case; decisive. |
| vitality | the state of being strong and active; energy. |
| steadfast | resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering. |
| archetype | 1. a very typical example of a certain person or thing. 2. an original which has been imitated; a prototype. |
| relent | abandon or mitigate a severe or harsh attitude, especially by finally yielding to a request./become less severe. |
| grievance | a real or imagined cause for complaint, especially unfair treatment |
| harangue | a lengthy and aggressive speech. |
| auspicious | conducive to success; favorable./giving or being a sign of future success. |
| yield | 1. produce or provide (a natural, agricultural, or industrial product). 2.give way to arguments, demands, or pressure. 3. (of a mass or structure) give way under force or pressure. |
| appropriate | 1. take (something) for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission. 2. devote (money or assets) to a special purpose. 3. suitable or proper in the circumstances. |
| rhetoric | the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the exploitation of figures of speech and other compositional techniques. |
| conspire | 1. make secret plans jointly to commit an unlawful or harmful act. 2. (of events or circumstances) seem to be working together to bring about a particular negative result. |
| whimsical | 1. playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way. 2. acting or behaving in a capricious manner. |
| proxy | 1. the authority to represent someone else, especially in voting. 2. a figure that can be used to represent the value of something in a calculation. |
| sparse | thinly dispersed or scattered./scanty; in short supply. |
| adverse | preventing success or development; harmful; unfavorable. |
| exhort | strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something. |
| poise | 1. graceful and elegant bearing in a person. 2. be or cause to be balanced or suspended./be ready and prepared to do something. |
| adept | very skilled or proficient at something. |
| tedious | too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous. |
| rigor | 1. the quality of being extremely thorough and careful. 2. severity or strictness. 3. harsh and demanding conditions. |
| articulate | having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently. |
| suspect | 1. have an idea or impression of the existence, presence, or truth of (something) without certain proof. 2. doubt the genuineness or truth of. |
| ploy | a cunning plan or action designed to turn a situation to one's own advantage. |
| captious | tending to find fault or raise petty objections. |
| lugubrious | looking or sounding sad and dismal. |
| transcend | be or go beyond the range or limits of (a field of activity or conceptual sphere). |
| flustered | make (someone) agitated or confused. |
| incidental | 1. happening as a minor accompaniment to something else. 2. occurring by chance in connection with something else. 3. happening as a result of (an activity) |
| axiomatic | self-evident or unquestionable. |
| macabre | disturbing because concerned with or causing a fear of death. |
| gullible | easily persuaded to believe something; credulous. |
| ingrained | 1.(of a habit, belief, or attitude) firmly fixed or established; difficult to change. 2. (of dirt or a stain) deeply embedded and thus difficult to remove |
| tacit | understood or implied without being stated. |
| exorbitant | (of a price or amount charged) unreasonably high. |
| serene | calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil. |
| treatise | a written work dealing formally and systematically with a subject. |
| corporeal | relating to a person's body, especially as opposed to their spirit. |
| figurative | 1. departing from a literal use of words; metaphorical. 2. (of an artist or work of art) representing forms that are recognizably derived from life. |
| morose | sullen and ill-tempered. |
| fickle | changing frequently, especially as regards one's loyalties or affections. |
| ramification | a complex or unwelcome consequence of an action or event. |
| eclectic | deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources. |
| apprehension | 1. anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen. 2. understanding; grasp. 3. the action of arresting someone |
| idiosyncratic | relating to idiosyncrasy; peculiar or individual. |
| insolent | showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect. |
| ardent | very enthusiastic or passionate. |
| doctrinate | seeking to impose a doctrine in all circumstances without regard to practical considerations. |
| officious | assertive of authority in a domineering way, especially with regard to trivial matters. |
| cease | come or bring to an end. |
| lavish | bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities on. |
| conductive | having the property of conducting something (especially heat or electricity). |
| equanimity | calmness and composure, especially in a difficult situation. |
| supplant | supersede and replace. |
| lampoon | publicly criticize (someone or something) by using ridicule, irony, or sarcasm. |
| bombastic | high-sounding but with little meaning; inflated. |
| lambaste | criticize (someone or something) harshly. |
| undercut | 1.offer goods or services at a lower price than (a competitor). 2.cut or wear away the part below or under (something, especially a cliff). 3.weaken; undermine. |
| euphemism | a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing./polite term |
| turpitude | depraved or wicked behavior or character. |
| peccadillo | a relatively minor fault or sin. |
| antagonize | cause (someone) to become hostile. |
| barren | 1. (of land) too poor to produce much or any vegetation. 2. (of a place or building) bleak and lifeless. |
| philistine | a person who is hostile or indifferent to culture and the arts. |
| relegate | assign an inferior rank or position to. |
| dirge | a lament for the dead, especially one forming part of a funeral rite. |
| imperturbable | unable to be upset or excited; calm. |
| excoriate | 1. criticize (someone) severely. 2. damage or remove part of the surface of (the skin). |
| curmudgeon | a bad-tempered person, especially an old one. |
| swindle | use deception to deprive (someone) of money or possessions. |
| wheedle | use flattery or coaxing in order to persuade someone to do something or give one something. |
| sentimental | of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia. |
| miscreant | a person who has done something wrong or unlawful. |
| implacable | unable to be appeased or placated. |
| haughty | arrogantly superior and disdainful. |
| estimable | worthy of great respect. |
| tangible | perceptible by touch./clear and definite; real. |
| chary | cautiously or suspiciously reluctant to do something. |
| repugnant | 1. extremely distasteful; unacceptable. 2. in conflict or incompatible with. |
| xenophobic | having or showing a dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries. |
| squander | 1.waste (something, especially money or time) in a reckless and foolish manner. 2. allow (an opportunity) to pass or be lost. |
| cajole | persuade (someone) to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery. |
| unalloyed | 1. (of metal) not alloyed; pure. 2. (chiefly of emotions) complete and unreserved |
| heady | 1. having a strong or exhilarating effect. 2. (of alcoholic drink) potent; intoxicating. |
| exigent | pressing; demanding. |
Created by:
rayyben12
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