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SSAT Words
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Abate | To become less intense or widespread. The storm abated after several hours. |
| Abdicate | (of a monarch) to renounce one's throne. In history, some rulers chose to abdicate their thrones voluntarily. |
| Aberrant | Departing from an accepted standard. Aberrant behavior may indicate a need for intervention. |
| Aberration | A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome. The extreme weather was an aberration for that region. |
| Abrogate | Repeal or do away with (a law, right, or formal agreement). The company decided to abrogate the old policy in favor of a more modern approach. |
| Abstain | Restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something. He decided to abstain from sweets for a month. |
| Abundant | Existing in large quantities; plentiful. The garden was filled with abundant flowers of various colors. |
| Accolade | An award or privilege granted as a special honor or as an acknowledgment of merit. The novelist received an accolade for her latest work. |
| Acumen | The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions. Her business acumen was evident in her rapid success. |
| Adroit | Skillful, expert in the use of the hands or mind. She was adroit at solving complex mathematical problems. |
| Affable | Friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to. Her affable nature made her well-liked by her peers. |
| Alacrity | Brisk and cheerful readiness. She accepted the invitation with alacrity. |
| Altruistic | Showing a selfless concern for the well-being of others. Her altruistic actions were admired by all. |
| Ambiguous | Unclear or having more than one meaning. The ending of the story was ambiguous and left us wondering what really happened. |
| Anomaly | Something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected. The scientist studied the anomaly in the experiment's results. |
| Aplomb | Self-confidence or assurance, especially in a demanding situation. She handled the difficult questions with aplomb. |
| Arduous | Involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring. Climbing the mountain was an arduous journey. |
| Astute | Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage. Her astute observations were invaluable during the negotiations. |
| Banal | So lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring. The conversation was banal and uninteresting. |
| Bellicose | Demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight. His bellicose attitude led to many unnecessary arguments. |
| Belligerent | Hostile and aggressive. The belligerent tone of the speech alarmed many listeners. |
| Benevolent | Kind and generous. The benevolent old man donated much of his wealth to charity. |
| Blithe | Showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper. His blithe disregard for the rules irritated his teachers. |
| Boisterous | Noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy. The boisterous crowd cheered loudly at the concert. |
| Bombastic | High-sounding but with little meaning; inflated. His bombastic speech failed to impress the knowledgeable audience. |
| Bravado | A bold manner or a show of boldness intended to impress or intimidate. He displayed bravado in the face of danger. |
| Brevity | Concise and exact use of words in writing or speech. The brevity of her speech was appreciated by the audience. |
| Brusque | Abrupt or offhand in speech or manner. His brusque reply caught everyone off guard. |
| Bucolic | Relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life. The bucolic landscape was a peaceful retreat from city life. |
| Cacophony | A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds. The cacophony of the city streets was overwhelming. |
| Camaraderie | Mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together. The team developed a strong sense of camaraderie. |
| Candid | Honest and straightforward. Her candid remarks about the movie were refreshing. |
| Capricious | Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior. The capricious weather made it difficult to plan outdoor activities. |
| Cathartic | Providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions. Writing in her journal had a cathartic effect on her. |
| Circumspect | Wary and unwilling to take risks. The circumspect cat cautiously approached the new toy. |
| Cognizant | Having knowledge or being aware of. She was cognizant of the complexities of the situation. |
| Complacent | Showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements. After winning the award, he became complacent and stopped innovating. |
| Concise | Giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words; brief but comprehensive. Her concise summary made the complex topic easy to understand. |
| Concur | To agree or be in accord with someone's opinion or statement. The committee members quickly concurred on the decision to fund the new playground. |
| Conundrum | A confusing and difficult problem or question. The mysterious riddle presented a real conundrum. |
| Cryptic | Having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure. The cryptic message left us puzzled. |
| Cursory | Hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed. A cursory glance at the report revealed numerous errors. |
| Dauntless | Showing fearlessness and determination. Her dauntless spirit was admired by everyone who knew her. |
| Decipher | Succeed in understanding, interpreting, or identifying (something). She managed to decipher the coded message. |
| Decorous | In keeping with good taste and propriety; polite and restrained. Her decorous behavior was appreciated at the formal dinner. |
| Deft | Neatly skillful and quick in one's movements. The artist's deft brush strokes created a stunning portrait. |
| Deride | To express contempt for; ridicule. The critics deride the new film for its cliched plot. |
| Despondent | In low spirits from loss of hope or courage. After the defeat, the team felt despondent. |
| Despot | A ruler or other person who holds absolute power, typically one who exercises it in a cruel or oppressive way. The despot ruled the country with an iron fist. |
| Dichotomy | A division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different. The dichotomy between good and evil is often explored in literature. |
| Diligent | Having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties. Her diligent study habits resulted in high grades. |
| Disparage | To regard or represent as being of little worth. He never missed an opportunity to disparage his competitors. |
| Disseminate | Spread or disperse (something, especially information) widely. The internet allows us to disseminate information quickly. |
| Dubious | Doubtful or uncertain. He was dubious about the plan's chances for success. |
| Ebullient | Cheerful and full of energy. He was ebullient at the prospect of starting his new job. |
| Eclectic | Deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources. Her eclectic taste in music included everything from jazz to pop. |
| Eloquent | Fluent and persuasive in speaking or writing. The speaker was so eloquent that everyone was moved by his speech. |
| Elucidate | Make (something) clear; explain. The professor will elucidate the complex topic in today's lecture. |
| Elusive | Difficult to find, catch, or achieve. The elusive bird was rarely seen by birdwatchers. |
| Empathy | The ability to understand and share the feelings of another. She showed great empathy towards the children in need. |
| Empirical | Based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic. Scientists gather empirical data during their research. |
| Enigma | A person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand. The ancient runes were an enigma to the archaeologists. |
| Ephemeral | Lasting for a very short time. The beauty of the ephemeral butterfly is a fleeting wonder. |
| Erudite | Having or showing great knowledge or learning. The erudite professor was an expert in her field. |
| 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. “Passed away” is a euphemism for “died.” |
| Exacerbate | To make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse. The constant delays only served to exacerbate the situation. |
| Facet | A particular aspect or feature of something. The novel explored every facet of human emotion. |
| Facetious | Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor. His facetious comments sometimes offended his colleagues. |
| Facilitate | To make a process or action easier or smoother. The new software was designed to facilitate data analysis for researchers. |
| Fastidious | Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail. She was fastidious about her appearance. |
| Fathom | Understand (a difficult problem or an enigmatic person) after much thought. The philosopher attempted to fathom the nature of existence. |
| Feasible | Possible to do easily or conveniently. It seemed feasible to complete the project before the deadline. |
| Fervent | Having or displaying a passionate intensity. He spoke with fervent enthusiasm about his project. |
| Fledgling | A person or organization that is immature, inexperienced, or underdeveloped. The fledgling company struggled to find its footing in the market. |
| Flippant | Not showing a serious or respectful attitude. Her flippant remarks were often inappropriate during serious discussions. |
| Fortuitous | Happening by accident or chance rather than design. The meeting was fortuitous, although it seemed planned. |
| Frivolous | Not having any serious purpose or value. They spent the day engaging in frivolous activities. |
| Frugal | Sparing or economical with regard to money or food. His frugal lifestyle allowed him to save a substantial amount of money. |
| Furtive | Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive. He cast a furtive glance over his shoulder. |
| Gallant | Brave; heroic. The gallant firefighter saved the family from the blaze. |
| Garish | Obtrusively bright and showy; lurid. The decorations were garish and tasteless. |
| Garner | Gather or collect (something, especially information or approval). The journalist was able to garner important facts for the story. |
| Garrulous | Excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters. The garrulous man bored his listeners with endless stories. |
| Gratuitous | Unnecessary or unwarranted. The film was criticized for its gratuitous violence. |
| Gregarious | Fond of company; sociable. His gregarious personality made him a great host. |
| Haphazard | Lacking any obvious principle of organization. The books were stacked in a haphazard manner. |
| Hapless | Unfortunate. The hapless sailor was lost at sea. |
| Harangue | A lengthy and aggressive speech. The politician's harangue lasted for over an hour. |
| Harbinger | A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another. The blooming flowers were a harbinger of spring. |
| Haughty | Displaying arrogance or a superior attitude toward others. The haughty manager treated her subordinates with disdain. |
| Hedonist | A person who believes that the pursuit of pleasure is the most important thing in life. As a hedonist, he spent much of his time seeking new pleasures. |
| Herald | A person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another. The blooming flowers were a herald of spring. |
| Heterogeneous | Diverse in character or content. The city was a melting pot, a heterogeneous mix of different cultures. |
| Iconoclast | A person who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions. As an iconoclast, he often challenged conventional wisdom. |
| Idiosyncrasy | A mode of behavior or way of thought peculiar to an individual. One of her idiosyncrasies is always wearing mismatched socks. |
| Impeccable | Flawless; without any imperfections. Her taste in fashion is impeccable. |
| Imperative | Of vital importance; crucial. It is imperative that we act now to prevent further damage. |
| Incessant | Continuing without interruption; constant. The incessant rain made it difficult to go outside for days. |
| Incongruous | Not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something. The modern sculpture looked incongruous among the classical architecture. |
| Indolent | Wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy. His indolent attitude led to poor performance at work. |
| Ineffable | Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words. The beauty of the natural landscape was ineffable. |
| Inexorable | Impossible to stop or prevent. The inexorable march of time continues, regardless of our wishes. |
| Infallible | Incapable of making mistakes or being wrong. She considered her mentor to be infallible. |
| Ingratiate | Gain favor with someone by flattering or trying to please them. He tried to ingratiate himself with the new boss. |
| Innovate | Make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products. The company strives to innovate to stay ahead in the market. |
| Jaded | Tired, bored, or lacking enthusiasm, typically after having had too much of something. After years in the same job, he felt jaded and unmotivated. |
| Jettison | Throw or drop (something) from an aircraft or ship. The crew had to jettison the cargo to lighten the ship. |
| Jocular | Fond of or characterized by joking; humorous or playful. His jocular manner made him popular at social gatherings. |
| Jovial | Cheerful and friendly. His jovial demeanor made him popular at parties. |
| Jubilant | Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph. The team was jubilant after their unexpected win. |
| Judicious | Having, showing, or done with good judgment or sense. The judge was respected for her judicious decision-making. |
| Juncture | A particular point in events or time. At this critical juncture, we must make a decision. |
| Juxtapose | To place or deal with close together for contrasting effect. The exhibit juxtaposed modern art with classical pieces. |
| Juxtaposition | The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect. The juxtaposition of modern and traditional designs was striking. |
| Kaleidoscope | A constantly changing pattern or sequence of elements. The city was a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds. |
| Kinetic | Relating to or resulting from motion. The kinetic energy of the object increased as it rolled downhill. |
| Kismet | Destiny; fate. It was kismet that brought them together. |
| Knack | An acquired or natural skill at performing a task. He has a knack for making people feel at ease. |
| Knotty | Full of knots; complex; difficult to solve. The committee faced a knotty problem that required careful consideration. |
| Kudos | Praise and honor received for an achievement. She received kudos from everyone on her excellent performance. |
| Labyrinthine | (of a network) like a labyrinth; irregular and twisting. The labyrinthine streets of the old city were confusing to navigate. |
| Languid | Displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed. The hot summer day made everyone feel languid. |
| Laud | Praise (a person or their achievements) highly. The scientist was lauded for her contributions to medicine. |
| Laudable | Deserving praise and commendation. Her laudable efforts in charity work were recognized by the community. |
| Lethargic | Affected by lethargy; sluggish and apathetic. He felt lethargic after the long journey. |
| Lethargy | A lack of energy and enthusiasm. The hot weather filled everyone with an air of lethargy. |
| Lithe | (especially of a person's body) thin, supple, and graceful. The dancer was admired for her lithe figure. |
| Loquacious | Tending to talk a great deal; talkative. The loquacious host kept the conversation going all evening. |
| Lucid | Clear and easy to understand. The professor's explanation was lucid and helpful. |
| Lurid | Very vivid in color, especially so as to create an unpleasantly harsh or unnatural effect. The lurid neon sign was hard to miss. |
| Maudlin | Self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental, often through drunkenness. The movie's maudlin theme left everyone feeling gloomy. |
| Maverick | A person who thinks and acts in an independent way, often behaving differently from the expected or usual way. His maverick approach to business was both risky and successful. |
| Melancholy | A feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause. There was a touch of melancholy in his voice as he spoke of the past. |
| Mellifluous | Sweet or musical; pleasant to hear. Her mellifluous voice captivated the audience. |
| Mercurial | Characterized by rapid and unpredictable change in mood. His mercurial temperament made him a difficult colleague. |
| Meticulous | Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise. His meticulous approach to the project ensured its success. |
| Misanthrope | A person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society. The old hermit was a misanthrope who lived away from the village. |
| Mollify | To appease the anger or anxiety of (someone). He tried to mollify the angry customer with a refund. |
| Morose | Sullen and ill-tempered. He was morose and silent after the game. |
| Mundane | Lacking interest or excitement; dull. She found her mundane routine to be very tiresome. |
| Munificent | More generous than is usual or necessary. His munificent donation helped build the new library. |
| Myriad | A countless or extremely great number. She faced a myriad of choices for her future. |
| Nadir | The lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization. The company's stock reached its nadir due to the scandal. |
| Nebulous | In the form of a cloud or haze; hazy. His plans for the future were still nebulous and undefined. |
| Nefarious | Wicked or criminal. The villain's nefarious plans were thwarted by the heroes. |
| Nonchalant | Feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed. His nonchalant attitude made it hard to guess what he was thinking. |
| Nonplussed | Surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react. He was nonplussed by the unexpected question. |
| Nostalgic | Characterized by or exhibiting feelings of nostalgia. She felt nostalgic when she visited her old school. |
| Novice | A person new to or inexperienced in a field or situation. As a novice in cooking, she followed the recipe exactly. |
| Obfuscate | Render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible. The technical jargon in the report served to obfuscate the main point. |
| Oblivion | The state of being unaware or unconscious of what is happening around one. The music carried him to a state of oblivion. |
| Obstinate | Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action. Despite the advice, he remained obstinate in his decision. |
| Obstreperous | Noisy and difficult to control. The obstreperous child was causing a disturbance in the classroom. |
| Obtuse | Annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand. He was too obtuse to notice that she was upset. |
| Ominous | Giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen. The ominous clouds signaled an approaching storm. |
| Omnipotent | Having unlimited power; able to do anything. In the story, the wizard was omnipotent. |
| Onerous | (of a task, duty, or responsibility) involving an amount of effort and difficulty that is oppressively burdensome. She found the duties of management to be onerous. |
| Opulent | Ostentatiously rich and luxurious or lavish. The opulent mansion was furnished with the finest decor. |
| Ostensible | Stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so. His ostensible reason for visiting was to see old friends. |
| Ostentatious | Characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice. The ostentatious jewelry was too flashy for her taste. |
| Ostracize | To exclude or banish someone from a group or society. The classmates decided to ostracize the bully in an effort to stop the harassment. |
| Palliate | Make (a disease or its symptoms) less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause. The medication was used to palliate the symptoms. |
| Pensive | Engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought. He had a pensive look on his face while contemplating the problem. |
| Pernicious | Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way. The pernicious influence of excessive screen time worried parents. |
| Pertinent | Relevant or applicable to a particular matter; apposite. She asked me several pertinent questions about the topic. |
| Placid | Not easily upset or excited. The lake was placid and still under the moonlight. |
| Ponderous | Slow and clumsy because of great weight. The ponderous elephant moved gracefully despite its size. |
| Pragmatic | Dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations. Her pragmatic approach to problem-solving was highly effective. |
| Proliferate | Increase rapidly in numbers; multiply. The rabbits proliferated in the absence of natural predators. |
| Prolific | Producing much fruit or foliage or many offspring. The prolific author published several books a year. |
| Pugnacious | Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight. The pugnacious little terrier was always ready to challenge bigger dogs. |
| Quagmire | A soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot; an awkward, complex, or hazardous situation. The negotiations were stuck in a political quagmire. |
| Quandary | A state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation. He was in a quandary over whether to go or stay. |
| Querulous | Complaining in a petulant or whining manner. The querulous tone of the child indicated his tiredness. |
| Quintessence | The most perfect or typical example of a quality or class. She is the quintessence of kindness. |
| Quintessential | Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class. She is the quintessential example of a successful businesswoman. |
| Quixotic | Exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical. His quixotic dreams often led him into trouble. |
| Rambunctious | Uncontrollably exuberant; boisterous. The rambunctious puppies played all day. |
| Rancor | Bitterness or resentfulness, especially when long-standing. He spoke without rancor despite the past disagreements. |
| Recalcitrant | Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline. The recalcitrant student refused to follow the rules. |
| Reciprocal | Given, felt, or done in return. They enjoyed a reciprocal relationship of respect and admiration. |
| Redolent | Strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something. The kitchen was redolent with the aroma of baking bread. |
| Reproach | Address (someone) in such a way as to express disapproval or disappointment. He was reproached for his sloppy appearance. |
| Rescind | Revoke, cancel, or repeal (a law, order, or agreement). The company decided to rescind the controversial policy. |
| Resilient | Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. The resilient community rebuilt their town after the disaster. |
| Resolute | Admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering. She was resolute in her decision to pursue a career in medicine. |
| Reticent | Not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily. He was reticent about his plans for the future. |
| Reverent | Feeling or showing deep and solemn respect. The reverent crowd observed the ceremony in silence. |
| Sagacious | Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment. Her sagacious advice often prevented us from making mistakes. |
| Sanguine | Optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation. He remained sanguine despite the setbacks. |
| Savvy | Shrewdness and practical knowledge; the ability to make good judgments. Her business savvy was evident in her successful strategies. |
| Scrupulous | (of a person or process) diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details. The scrupulous artist paid attention to every detail. |
| Serendipity | The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. Finding the old coin in the garden was pure serendipity. |
| Serene | Calm, peaceful, and untroubled. The view of the tranquil lake at sunset was incredibly serene. |
| Sporadic | Occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few places; scattered or isolated. Sporadic rainfall did little to relieve the drought. |
| Stagnant | Showing no activity; dull and sluggish. The stagnant water in the pond was a breeding ground for mosquitoes. |
| Stoic | Enduring pain and hardship without showing one's feelings or complaining. He adopted a stoic attitude during difficult times. |
| Surreal | Having the qualities of surrealism; bizarre. The whole experience had a surreal quality to it. |
| Surreptitious | Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of. They exchanged surreptitious glances during the meeting. |
| Sycophant | A person who acts obsequiously towards someone important in order to gain advantage. The celebrity was surrounded by sycophants at the party. |
| Tacit | Understood or implied without being stated. Their nodding gave tacit approval to the plan. |
| Taciturn | (of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little. The taciturn man spoke very few words but listened attentively. |
| Tangible | Perceptible by touch. The tension in the room was almost tangible. |
| Tempestuous | Characterized by strong and turbulent or conflicting emotion. Their tempestuous relationship was full of ups and downs. |
| Tenacious | Tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely. Her tenacious grip on her beliefs was admirable. |
| Transient | Lasting only for a short time; impermanent. The transient nature of fashion trends can be frustrating. |
| Transitory | Not permanent. Fashion trends are often transitory. |
| Trepidation | A feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen. He approached the stage with trepidation, as it was his first performance. |
| Truncate | To shorten (something) by cutting off the top or the end. The article was truncated to fit the space available in the newspaper. |
| Tumultuous | Making a loud, confused noise; uproarious. The crowd's tumultuous applause filled the theater. |
| Ubiquitous | Present, appearing, or found everywhere. Mobile phones are ubiquitous in modern life. |
| Umbrage | Offense or annoyance. She took umbrage at his rude comments. |
| Unctuous | Excessively or ingratiatingly flattering; oily. His unctuous manner was not well received by the board. |
| Undulate | Move with a smooth wavelike motion. The fields of grain undulated in the wind. |
| Unfathomable | Incapable of being fully explored or understood. The universe is vast and unfathomable. |
| Unfettered | Not confined or restricted. She relished her unfettered freedom on the open road. |
| Unorthodox | Contrary to what is usual, traditional, or accepted; not orthodox. His unorthodox methods often led to surprising results. |
| Unprecedented | Never done or known before. The scientific breakthrough was unprecedented in its field. |
| Venerable | Accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character. The venerable professor was revered by her students. |
| Veracity | Conformity to facts; accuracy. He was known for his veracity and honesty. |
| Verbose | Using or expressed in more words than are needed. The verbose speaker often strayed off-topic. |
| Vilify | Speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner. He was unfairly vilified by the press. |
| Vindicate | Clear (someone) of blame or suspicion. New evidence vindicated her from the accusation. |
| Vivacious | Attractively lively and animated. Her vivacious personality lit up the room. |
| Volatile | Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse. The stock market was highly volatile during the crisis. |
| Voracious | Wanting or devouring great quantities of food. He had a voracious appetite after the long hike. |
| Wane | To decrease in vigor, power, or extent; become weaker. The moon wanes after the full moon phase. |
| Wary | Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems. She was wary of strangers. |
| Vex | To annoy, confuse, or provoke with difficulty or frustration. The tricky riddle continued to vex even the cleverest of minds. |
| Whet | To sharpen the blade of (a tool or weapon). He whet his knife before starting to carve the wood. |
| Whimsical | Playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way. The artist's whimsical creations delighted children and adults alike. |
| Wily | Skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully. His wily tactics in negotiation often gave him an upper hand. |
| Winsome | Attractive or appealing in appearance or character. Her winsome smile won her many friends. |
| Wistful | Having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing. There was a wistful look in her eyes as she spoke of her past. |
| Xenial | Hospitable, especially to visiting strangers or foreigners. They received a warm and xenial welcome in the village. |
| Xenogenic | Derived or obtained from an organism of a different species. The xenogenic cells were used for the experiment. |
| Xenophile | An individual who is attracted to foreign peoples, cultures, or customs. As a xenophile, she loved traveling to different countries. |
| Xenophobic | Having or showing a dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries. Xenophobic attitudes can lead to social division. |
| Xeric | Characterized by or adapted to a dry environment. The cactus thrived in the xeric landscape of the desert. |
| Yearn | Have an intense feeling of longing for something, typically something that one has lost or been separated from. She yearned for a return to her homeland. |
| Yen | A longing or yearning. She had a yen to see the world and experience new cultures. |
| Yield | Produce or provide (a natural, agricultural, or industrial product). The fertile land yields a rich harvest every year. |
| Yielding | Giving way under pressure; not hard or rigid. The yielding mattress was comfortable to sleep on. |
| Yoke | To join or link. The oxen were yoked together to pull the plow. |
| Zeal | Great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective. Her zeal for environmental conservation was inspiring. |
| Zealot | A person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals. The zealot was fervent in his beliefs. |
| Zealous | Having or showing zeal; fervent. The zealous fans cheered loudly for their team. |
| Zenith | The highest point reached by a celestial or other object. The sun was at its zenith in the sky. |
| Zephyr | A soft gentle breeze. The zephyr made the summer day more pleasant. |
| Zest | Great enthusiasm and energy. She approached every task with zest and vigor. |