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Alex expanded vocab
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| brittle | breakable. Example: The brittle cookie snapped in half. |
| combustion | The process of burning; often releasing heat and light. Example: The engine uses combustion to release energy. |
| inquire | ask info from someone else. Example: I called the office to inquire about registration. |
| pry | inquire to closely into a person's business; ask lots of personal questions. Example: Don't pry into your friend's private messages. |
| revelation | surprising and unknown fact; something you find out. Example: The surprising revelation changed the investigation. |
| mollified | appease the anger of someone; to calm down. Example: An apology mollified the angry coach. |
| enmity | hatred of someone. Example: Years of rivalry created enmity between the teams. |
| rebuffed | to reject to something aburptly. Example: He offered to help but was rebuffed. |
| assent | the expression of approval or agreement; 'gave a nod of assent'. Example: The principal nodded in assent. |
| torpor | state of physical or mental inactivity. Example: The hot afternoon left everyone in a state of torpor. |
| bric-a-brac | Small decorative objects or ornaments; often of little monetary value. Example: The shelf was crowded with old figurines and other bric-a-brac. |
| Trompe-l'oeil | visual illusion in art. Example: The painting looked like a real window; but it was trompe-l'oeil. |
| litterateur | person who is interested in and knowledgable about literature. Example: The famous litterateur wrote essays about novels. |
| Joie De Vivre | exuberant enjoyment of life 'joy of living'. Example: Her cheerful dancing showed a real joie de vivre. |
| exuberant | filled with or characterized by a lively; energy or excitement. Example: The exuberant fans celebrated the victory. |
| moue | pouting expression used to convey annoyance or distaste / from French and pronounced 'moo'. Example: She made a small moue when she tasted the bitter drink. |
| bricolage | construction /creation from diverse range of available things. Example: The sculpture was a bricolage of scraps and found objects. |
| neophyte | person who is new to subject/skill/belief. Example: As a neophyte tennis player; he was still learning the rules. |
| ambisinister | clumsy w both hands. Example: He was ambisinister and struggled with both hands. |
| ambidextrous | skilled w both hands. Example: The ambidextrous player could shoot with either hand. |
| cavalcade | formal procession of people walking/on horseback/riding vehicles. Example: A cavalcade of cars rolled through the parade. |
| wunderkind | person who achieves great success when reletively young. Example: The young piano wunderkind performed with professionals. |
| fartlek | system of training for distance runners. Example: Her fartlek run alternated sprints and easy jogging. |
| malapropism | Using a similar-sounding but incorrect word; often humorously. Example: Calling an electoral vote an electrical vote is a malapropism. |
| verdiscent | greenish color. Example: The spring leaves had a verdiscent tint. |
| nom de plume | assumed name by writer instead of real name. Example: The novelist published under a nom de plume. |
| synecdoche | figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole 'nice wheels' - wheels means car but it's only a part of a car; for example. Example: In 'all hands on deck;' hands stands for sailors. |
| deglutition | action/process of swallowing. Example: Pain during deglutition made swallowing difficult. |
| consentient | of the same opinion in a matter; in agreement. Example: The committee was consentient about the proposed plan. |
| armamentarium | medicines;equipment; and techniques available to medical practitioner. Example: A stethoscope is part of a doctor's armamentarium. |
| practitioner | person actively engaged in an art;discipline; or profession; especially medicene. Example: She is a skilled medical practitioner. |
| fracas | noisy disturbance or quarrel. Example: A fracas broke out after the disputed call. |
| ortho | straight. Example: Orthodontics uses ortho-; meaning straight or correct. |
| impulsive | doing things without thinking. Example: His impulsive decision came before he considered the risks. |
| salubrious | Healthful or beneficial to health. Example: The fresh mountain air felt salubrious. |
| sachem | A leader or chief in some Indigenous peoples of northeastern North America. Example: The sachem was an important Indigenous leader. |
| turbid | cloudy; opaque; or thick with suspended matter. Example: Heavy rain turned the clear river turbid. |
| biennial | event celebrated or taking place every 2 years. Example: The biennial festival happens every two years. |
| sternutation | action of sneezing. Example: A cloud of dust caused a bout of sternutation. |
| pontificate | express one's opinions in a way considered annoyingly pompous and dogmatic. Example: He pontificated about the rules without listening to anyone. |
| dogmatic | when you think your opinion is the only one; stubbornly having ideas and not being open to other ideas. Example: Her dogmatic opinion left no room for debate. |
| lament | To express sadness; regret; or grief (not always by crying). Example: Fans lamented the loss of their favorite player. |
| appease | To calm someone or satisfy a demand; often by giving something. Example: The coach tried to appease the disappointed parents. |
| garble | to jumble or confuse. Example: A poor phone connection garbled the message. |
| inert | inactive or sluggish. Example: The broken robot lay inert on the floor. |
| grievance | complaint. Example: The student filed a grievance over an unfair rule. |
| impair | to weaken or damage. Example: A sprained ankle can impair your ability to run. |
| precise | exact. Example: The scientist needed precise measurements. |
| relevant | closely connected; appropriate for a situation. Example: Only include facts relevant to the question. |
| furtive | secretive or sly. Example: He gave a furtive glance at the answer key. |
| imperceptible | very slight; hard to seen; not able to be felt; invisible. Example: The clock moved so slowly the change was imperceptible. |
| contort | to move into funny shapes; twist; bend. Example: The gymnast contorted her body into a tight shape. |
| gimp (noun; use with care) | A limp or limping movement; can also be an offensive term for a disabled person. Example: The damaged machine had a gimp in its operation. |
| snappish | nervous; irritable. Example: He grew snappish after missing lunch. |
| intuition | having a feeling about something; like you know what's going to happen. Example: My intuition told me something was wrong. |
| instinctual | behavior you're born with; not something you learn; something you just know to do -. Example: A baby's instinctual grasp happens without being taught. |
| demented (avoid as a label for people) | Historically used for impaired thinking; can be stigmatizing. In fiction; may describe wildly irrational behavior. Example: The villain's demented plan made no sense. |
| rant | to go off yelling and angry. Example: He launched into a rant about the unfair call. |
| gawking | staring. Example: Tourists stood gawking at the giant skyscraper. |
| attest | to show or prove 'I can attest to that'. Example: I can attest that she worked hard all season. |
| devil's advocate | Someone who argues an opposing view to test an idea. Example: I'll play devil's advocate and argue the other side. |
| defamation | A false statement presented as fact that harms someone’s reputation. Example: Publishing a false accusation can be defamation. |
| assault | An act or threat of unlawful physical harm; legal definitions vary. Example: The police investigated the alleged assault. |
| muster | to gain; build up; gather. Example: She mustered the courage to speak in public. |
| counter / counter argument | to say the opposite /. Example: A strong counterargument challenges the first claim. |
| gravitate | to have an attraction to friends or other people. Example: He tends to gravitate toward people who love sports. |
| homogeneity | A state of being similar or uniform in kind. Example: The group showed little variety; with striking homogeneity. |
| mandated | required. Example: Helmets were mandated for every player. |
| nuisance | something bothersome or annoying. Example: The buzzing fly became a nuisance. |
| demise | the downfall; going away. Example: The team's losing streak led to the coach's demise. |
| confiscate | to take away. Example: The teacher confiscated the distracting phone. |
| eloquent | Smart; well-spoken; good writers. Example: Her eloquent speech moved the audience. |
| subconsciously | not on purpose; just sort of a feeling;. Example: He subconsciously tapped his foot during the song. |
| bluff | lie. Example: He bluffed about holding the winning card. |
| slender | slim. Example: A slender branch bent in the wind. |
| dormant | inactive. Example: The volcano has been dormant for years. |
| persistent | not giving up. Example: Her persistent practice improved her serve. |
| abated | to get less and less; or go away. Example: The storm finally abated after midnight. |
| ruefully | sadly. Example: He smiled ruefully after missing an easy shot. |
| crude | simple. Example: The first model was crude but functional. |
| gratified | pleased. Example: She was gratified by the team's support. |
| primitive | in the early stages. Example: Early people used primitive stone tools. |
| vital | very important. Example: Drinking water is vital during a hot match. |
| rectify | make better. Example: We must rectify the scoring error. |
| tatter | rip up. Example: The old flag began to tatter in the wind. |
| windbreaker | jacket. Example: He wore a windbreaker on the chilly court. |
| unduly | extremely. Example: Don't become unduly worried over one grade. |
| incessant | continuing without interruption/pause. Example: The incessant barking made it hard to sleep. |
| bough | main branch of tree. Example: A heavy bough hung over the sidewalk. |
| chipper | cheerfully. Example: She was chipper despite the early start. |
| unwittingly | See the example for meaning. Example: He unwittingly spoiled the surprise party. |
| immense(ly) | huge/big / enormously. Example: The stadium was immense. |
| rummage | to search in a messy way. Example: He rummaged through the drawer for a pencil. |
| furor | craziness. Example: The referee's decision caused a public furor. |
| perceive | to feel or understand. Example: She perceived a change in her friend's tone. |
| expectantly | excited feeling that something's about to happen. Example: The crowd waited expectantly for the announcement. |
| intuition | a feeling about something ; to just know. Example: My intuition told me something was wrong. |
| attest | to prove; to testify; to swear. Example: I can attest that she worked hard all season. |
| mandated | ordered; required. Example: Helmets were mandated for every player. |
| chiseled | carved out; something with grooves. Example: The sculptor chiseled a face from marble. |
| barbaric | wild; animal like; beastly. Example: The barbaric treatment shocked observers. |
| hulking | strong; large. Example: A hulking defender blocked the doorway. |
| barbarian | a person with no manners; monster-like; animal like. Example: In the story; a barbarian stormed the castle. |
| bard | poet. Example: Shakespeare is sometimes called the Bard. |
| mopey | gloomy; lazy. Example: He sat mopishly after his team lost. |
| seizure | A sudden episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain; symptoms vary. Example: The doctor explained what to do if someone has a seizure. |
| crusade | a battle; a fight; a journey; campaign. Example: She began a crusade to improve school lunches. |
| campaign | an organized course of action to achieve a goal; presidents have one on their way to election. Example: The class launched a campaign to reduce waste. |
| nuisance | something that's annoying or bothersome. Example: The buzzing fly became a nuisance. |
| demise | the death; the going away of something. Example: The team's losing streak led to the coach's demise. |
| confiscate | to take away; without asking. Example: The teacher confiscated the distracting phone. |
| eloquent | smart and well-spoken. Example: Her eloquent speech moved the audience. |
| subconsciously | to know something. Example: He subconsciously tapped his foot during the song. |
| elaborate (verb) | to give more detail. Example: Please elaborate on your answer with an example. |
| elaborate (adjective) | Elaborate is an adjective meaning detailed or intricate. Example: The costume was elaborate; with intricate decorations. |
| explicitly | clear. Example: The rules explicitly prohibit cheating. |
| rancid | having a bad odor or taste. Example: The old butter smelled rancid. |
| resurgence | coming back to popularity. Example: The sport enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. |
| tedious | boring; long;. Example: Copying hundreds of numbers was tedious. |
| arduous | Very difficult and demanding; requiring sustained effort. Example: Climbing the steep mountain was arduous. |
| whim | a sudden change or mind 'on a whim'. Example: On a whim; we went to the beach. |
| virtues | good characteristics of people; like honesty; or compassion. Example: Kindness and honesty are virtues. |
| dilapidated | old and falling apart. Example: The dilapidated house had broken windows. |
| reciprocal / to reciprocate | something you do in return; do something for someone after they do for you. Example: She reciprocated his kindness by helping him later. |
| reluctant | not wanting to do something; hesitating. Example: He was reluctant to try out for the team. |
| hesitant | afraid or not wanting to do something. Example: She gave a hesitant answer. |
| tenant | person who lives in an apartment. Example: A tenant rents the upstairs apartment. |
| exclusive | unique. Example: The club offered exclusive access to members. |
| stationary / stationery | Stationary = not moving; stationery = paper and writing supplies. Example: The parked car remained stationary; the letter was written on stationery. |
| suspicious | unsure; weird; could be responsible for a crime. Example: The guard noticed suspicious movement near the gate. |
| chandelier | beautiful lights. Example: An elegant chandelier hung above the table. |
| alcove | little room. Example: They placed a reading chair in a small alcove. |
| gruesome | gross. Example: The movie showed a gruesome crime scene. |
| corpse | dead body. Example: The detective discovered a corpse. |
| measly | few or small. Example: He was disappointed by the measly reward. |
| stubble | hair on a man's face or chin from not shaving. Example: Short stubble covered his chin. |
| asylum | Protection granted by a country to someone fleeing persecution. Example: The refugee applied for asylum to escape persecution. |
| limper | not stiff; without energy. Example: The wet noodle was limper than the dry one. |
| hassock | footstool. Example: He rested his feet on the hassock. |
| delicate | fragile. Example: Handle the delicate glass carefully. |
| tantrum | to fight or argue. Example: The toddler threw a tantrum when the toy was taken away. |
| rigid | straight; uptight; stiff. Example: The rigid board would not bend. |
| facade | side or front of a building. Example: The theater's ornate façade faced the street. |
| ample | more than enough. Example: We had ample time to finish the test. |
| confidential | kept secret. Example: Keep the confidential medical records private. |
| vigil | staying awake at night. Example: The family kept a vigil at the hospital. |
| meager | little amount. Example: The campers survived on meager rations. |
| pyrotechnic | relating to fire. Example: The concert featured a pyrotechnic display. |
| coroner | person who investigates how a person died. Example: The coroner investigated the unexpected death. |
| heir | person who inherits money from someone who died. Example: She was the heir to her grandfather's estate. |
| legacy | something left behind from someone who died usually. Example: The coach's legacy was the athletes he inspired. |
| appraise | assess the monetary value. Example: An expert will appraise the antique vase. |
| impish | doing naughty things for fun. Example: His impish grin hinted at a harmless prank. |
| elfin | small; mischevious. Example: The character had small; elfin features. |
| scrutiny | critical observation 'looked carefully'. Example: The proposal came under intense scrutiny. |
| intern | student who works. Example: The summer intern learned from the engineers. |
| regal | grand. Example: The queen entered with regal dignity. |
| adjacent | next to. Example: Our seats were adjacent to the aisle. |
| eccentric | strange. Example: His eccentric wardrobe included purple hats. |
| autopsy | examine a dead person to find out the cause of death. Example: An autopsy may help determine the cause of death. |
| culprit | person responsible for crime. Example: The detective identified the culprit. |
| sanity | reasonable; good mental health. Example: After a hectic week; she needed a moment of sanity. |
| corrupt | dishonest. Example: The corrupt official accepted bribes. |
| reverence | showing respect. Example: The audience showed reverence for the veteran. |
| hobbling | walking awkwardly. Example: He was hobbling after hurting his ankle. |
| cripple (verb; avoid about people) | Severely damaged or weakened; avoid using to label a person. Example: The storm crippled the city's transit system. |
| invalid (adjective) | Adjective: not valid or acceptable. The noun for a person is outdated and offensive. Example: The expired ticket was invalid. |
| pretentious | showing off. Example: His pretentious speech used big words just to impress people. |
| stint | short time period. Example: She worked a short stint as a camp counselor. |
| wreak | cause damage. Example: The hurricane could wreak havoc along the coast. |
| incriminating | make someone appear guilty. Example: The fingerprint was incriminating evidence. |
| inscrutable | impossible to understand. Example: His poker face was inscrutable. |
| divisive | causes disagreement. Example: The new policy proved divisive among parents. |
| jaunty | cheerful. Example: He walked in with a jaunty hat and smile. |
| pompous | know it all. Example: The pompous speaker acted as if he knew everything. |
| obedient | good listener. Example: The obedient dog sat when told. |
| indignant | angry. Example: She was indignant at the unfair accusation. |
| logical | makes sense. Example: The solution followed a logical sequence. |
| pension | Income paid during retirement; often through an employer plan. Example: A pension provides retirement income. |
| exquisite | Extremely beautiful; delicate; or finely made. Example: The museum displayed an exquisite painting. |
| sappy | overly happy; emotional. Example: The movie's sappy ending made everyone roll their eyes. |
| uppity | snobby. Example: He called the newcomer uppity for acting superior. |
| hors d'oeuvres | appetizers. Example: The guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres before dinner. |
| tardy | late. Example: He was marked tardy for arriving late. |
| prattle | talking in foolish way. Example: The child prattled happily about his day. |
| appetizers | what you eat before entreé at a restaurant. Example: We ordered appetizers before the main course. |
| paternal | having to do with father. Example: His paternal grandparents are his father's parents. |
| maternal | having to do with mother. Example: Her maternal aunt is her mother's sister. |
| embrace | hug. Example: They embraced after the reunion. |
| coiffeur (hairdresser) | A hairdresser; not a hairstyle. Example: The coiffeur styled her hair for the event. |
| abstention | declining to vote / stay away from something. Example: His abstention meant he did not vote. |
| clutch | to hold on to tightly. Example: She clutched the trophy tightly. |
| irrational | doesn't make sense. Example: His fear seemed irrational despite the evidence. |
| fond | to like. Example: She is fond of mystery novels. |
| philosopher | someone who thinks a lot. Example: The philosopher asked what makes a good life. |
| coax | to persuade. Example: She coaxed the shy dog from under the bed. |
| lopsided | unbalanced; shaky. Example: The basketball game ended in a lopsided victory. |
| contemplate | to think for a while. Example: He contemplated whether to switch teams. |
| abruptly | suddenly. Example: The music stopped abruptly. |
| addled | confused. Example: Lack of sleep left him addled. |
| grief | extremely sad. Example: She felt deep grief after the loss. |
| forage | search for food. Example: The birds foraged for seeds. |
| amplify | make louder. Example: The microphone amplified his voice. |
| sullen | depressed. Example: He remained sullen after the argument. |
| dainty | small. Example: She held the dainty porcelain cup. |
| snarl | aggressive growl. Example: The dog snarled at the stranger. |
| flailed ('flailing arms' | swinging arms. Example: He flailed his arms to stay afloat. |
| bureaus | drawers. Example: The clothes were stored in wooden bureaus. |
| custody | to be under protection. Example: The police took the suspect into custody. |
| pitifully | `sad. Example: The injured puppy whined pitifully. |
| ration | a fixed amount. Example: Each camper received a small ration of water. |
| stocky | solid sturdy; built stock. Example: The stocky wrestler had a sturdy build. |
| talisman | stone or ring; something that brings good luck. Example: He carried a lucky coin as a talisman. |
| chancellor | chief minister. Example: The university chancellor announced the decision. |
| turmoil | great confusion. Example: The sudden change threw the team into turmoil. |
| mosque | Islam temple. Example: The community gathered at the mosque for prayers. |
| ethereal | airy; light. Example: The soft music gave the room an ethereal feeling. |
| catatonic | unresponsive. Example: The patient appeared catatonic and unresponsive. |
| shabby | worn down. Example: His shabby coat was torn at the sleeve. |
| gaunt | bony. Example: After the long illness; he looked gaunt. |
| manically | insane; maniac; crazy. Example: She worked manically to meet the deadline. |
| rubble | broken down bits of things; after knocking down. Example: The fallen wall left piles of rubble. |
| strewn | scattered or sprinkled. Example: Books were strewn across the floor. |
| debris | remains of something broken down. Example: Workers cleared debris after the storm. |
| deserters | leaving behind. Example: The army searched for deserters who had fled. |
| procession | people moving in an orderly fashion; people moving together. Example: A procession of graduates entered the hall. |
| diminutive | unusually small. Example: The diminutive puppy fit into one hand. |
| refrain | to stop yourself from doing something. Example: Please refrain from talking during the performance. |
| dissidents | people who oppose something. Example: The dissidents publicly challenged the government. |
| dubious | doubting of something; to be suspicious; to not believe in something. Example: He was dubious about the unbelievable excuse. |
| flogging | to get beat from a stick. Example: The historical account described a cruel flogging. |
| churlish | rude. Example: His churlish reply offended the visitor. |
| brute | violent person. Example: The villain was portrayed as a violent brute. |
| sedate | to put someone or something to sleep. Example: The veterinarian had to sedate the animal. |
| berate | to criticize angrily. Example: The coach berated the team for ignoring instructions. |
| sedate | put someone to sleep. Example: The veterinarian had to sedate the animal. |
| unison | do something together. Example: The choir sang in unison. |
| instantaneous | done instantly. Example: The reaction was almost instantaneous. |
| canister | round big container. Example: She stored flour in a glass canister. |
| oblivious | clueless. Example: He was oblivious to the surprise behind him. |
| woozy | dizzy. Example: She felt woozy after spinning in circles. |
| obituary | notice of death in newspaper. Example: The newspaper published an obituary honoring his life. |
| paraphernalia | equipment / stuff. Example: The photographer packed all her paraphernalia. |
| prop | something you use to hold something up 'to prop up'. Example: Use a book to prop up the screen. |
| caption | something that describes a picture. Example: The caption explained the photo. |
| mementos | souvenirs. Example: He kept ticket stubs as mementos. |
| baffled | perplexed; confused. Example: The puzzle left us baffled. |
| bodice | upper part of dress. Example: The bodice of the dress was embroidered. |
| ritual | religious ceremony. Example: Their morning ritual included breakfast together. |
| petrified | frightened. Example: She was petrified by the thunder. |
| distraught | upset. Example: He was distraught when the dog went missing. |
| demean | discredit; make someone feel wrong. Example: Mocking someone's mistakes can demean them. |
| brewery | place where they make and sell beer. Example: The brewery produces several kinds of beer. |
| guffaw | laugh. Example: The joke made him guffaw loudly. |
| flattery | praising someone. Example: The compliment sounded more like flattery than sincerity. |
| obsequious | overly obedient; attentive; annoyingly in someone's face; a kiss up; a brown-noser. Example: The obsequious assistant praised every decision. |
| oath | promise. Example: The witness took an oath to tell the truth. |
| deception | lying. Example: The magician's trick depended on deception. |
| rigid | stiff. Example: The rigid board would not bend. |
| interrogate | ask questions over and over. Example: Detectives interrogated the suspect. |
| bribery | to offer someone something in place of something else. Example: Offering money for a favorable decision is bribery. |
| impractical | doesn't make sense. Example: Wearing sandals in a snowstorm is impractical. |
| vague | unclear; undefinite. Example: Her vague directions left us confused. |
| amnesia | to forget everything by memory. Example: After the accident; he experienced amnesia. |
| eluding | avoiding. Example: The answer kept eluding him. |
| bonbon | candy. Example: She offered a small chocolate bonbon. |
| incinerator | machine that burns something. Example: The waste went into an incinerator. |
| confer | discuss. Example: The judges conferred before announcing the result. |
| broker | person who buys and sells goods for others. Example: The broker helped the family buy a house. |
| propellant | substance that pushes or makes something move forward or in the sky. Example: The rocket used propellant to lift off. |
| ailment | an illness. Example: He stayed home because of a minor ailment. |
| malady | a disease. Example: The doctor diagnosed a rare malady. |
| graft | A piece of living tissue transplanted during surgery; also a joining of plants. Example: Surgeons used a skin graft to repair the wound. |
| ransom | Money demanded in exchange for releasing someone or returning something. Example: The kidnappers demanded a ransom. |
| legit | legal. Example: The ticket looked legit; not counterfeit. |
| hack | to break into a system; like to sneak into a computer. Example: Someone tried to hack into the account. |
| faltered | Became unsteady; weaker; or hesitant. Example: His voice faltered as he spoke. |
| elope | run away to get married without a real wedding. Example: The couple decided to elope. |
| loathe | to feel dislike or disgust; opposite of love. Example: She loathes waking up before dawn. |
| alibi | Evidence or a claim that someone was somewhere else when a crime occurred. Example: The suspect had an alibi for the time of the crime. |
| opaque | not able to see through; dark; unclear. Example: The opaque curtain blocked the light. |
| transparent | see through; clear. Example: The transparent glass let us see inside. |
| prejudice | judgement against a group. Example: The policy was shaped by prejudice rather than fairness. |
| propensity | tendency; likelihood; proneness. Example: He has a propensity to take unnecessary risks. |
| prone | Likely or inclined to do something; also lying face down. Example: She is prone to losing her keys. |
| propagation | The process of spreading; reproducing; or increasing. Example: The rapid propagation of the rumor surprised everyone. |
| recalcitrant | uncooperative. Example: The recalcitrant child refused to follow directions. |
| taper | narrow. Example: The path began to taper toward the bridge. |
| immaculate | clean or perfect spotless. Example: The room was immaculate after cleaning. |
| opulent | luxurious; rich; lavish. Example: The opulent palace glittered with gold. |
| reckless | not careful; causing harm. Example: His reckless driving endangered others. |
| rouse | to stir someone up / excite them (positive or negative). Example: The loud alarm roused everyone from sleep. |
| abdicate | To give up a position of power; especially a throne. Example: The king chose to abdicate the throne. |
| apprehension | anxiety; worry about something. Example: She felt apprehension before the audition. |
| foolhardy | doing something reckless or not carefully. Example: It would be foolhardy to hike during the blizzard. |
| impasse | a blockage; something you can't get around. Example: Negotiations reached an impasse. |
| linger | to wait around. Example: They lingered after the concert ended. |
| Ostentatious | showy; bragging; trying to show off. Example: He made an ostentatious entrance in a gold suit. |
| refute | disprove; prove wrong; disagree. Example: The new evidence refuted the claim. |
| abhor | to really hate. Example: She abhors cruelty to animals. |
| censor | to take out the bad parts. Example: The editor censored inappropriate language. |
| tapioca | a food like pudding. Example: The dessert contained chewy tapioca pearls. |
| delusional | having crazy thoughts that don't make sense. Example: He held a delusional belief despite clear evidence. |
| conspire | to hatch a plot. Example: The friends conspired to throw a surprise party. |
| lukewarm | slightly warm; neither hot nor cold. Example: The soup was lukewarm; neither hot nor cold. |
| nonchalant | Calm; relaxed; and seemingly unconcerned. Example: He acted nonchalant even though he was nervous. |
| tentative | not certain; not for sure; hesitatingly. Example: We made a tentative plan for Saturday. |
| kindling | something with fire. Example: Small twigs made good kindling for the fire. |
| tinder | something with fire. Example: Dry grass can serve as tinder. |
| eddied | swirled. Example: Leaves eddied in the swirling stream. |
| bluff | a lie. Example: He bluffed about holding the winning card. |
| punky | soft or rotten. Example: The old wood was punky and crumbled easily. |
| willow | type of tree. Example: The willow tree's long branches drooped. |
| hummock | a hump. Example: She climbed a grassy hummock. |
| refract | To bend light as it passes between materials. Example: A prism refracts light; bending its path. |
| intercede | to get in the middle of something. Example: The teacher interceded to stop the argument. |
| petition | written request. Example: The students signed a petition for extra recess. |
| nonchalantly | in a casually calm and relaxed manner. Example: He nonchalantly shrugged at the news. |
| trendsetter | person who leads the way in fashion or ideas. Example: She became a trendsetter with her new style. |
| stealthily | secretly or quietly. Example: The cat moved stealthily toward the bird. |
| penetrating | able to make a way through something. Example: A penetrating question revealed the real issue. |
| calamity | disaster. Example: The flood was a calamity for the town. |
| aphorism | witty saying. Example: “Actions speak louder than words” is an aphorism. |
| aneurysm | dangerous health condition in brain. Example: Doctors treated the dangerous aneurysm. |
| fuse | combine or come together. Example: Heat can fuse two pieces of metal together. |
| endorse | to voice support of something 'Joe Biden endorsed Kamala for president'. Example: The athlete endorsed the charity. |
| bargain | make an offer;trade. Example: They bargained over the price of the bike. |
| alimony | when a spouse has to pay their former spouse after a divorce. Example: The divorce agreement included alimony payments. |
| photogenic | look good in photos. Example: She looks especially photogenic in natural light. |
| throttle | device controlling the flow of fuel/power to an engine. Example: He adjusted the engine throttle. |
| hoard (verb or noun) | to collect something selfishly 'he hoarded all the candy' / a stash. Example: He hoarded all the Halloween candy. |
| trove | collection of valuable things. Example: They uncovered a trove of old photographs. |
| guild | a society of merchants. Example: The craftsmen formed a guild. |
| crypt | An underground vault or chamber; often for burials. Example: The crypt lay beneath the old church. |
| horde | large group of people. Example: A horde of fans rushed toward the gates. |
| conscientious | describes someone who cares about doing things right and accurate. Example: The conscientious student checked every answer. |
| objector | someone who tries to stop things from happening. Example: A conscientious objector may refuse military service. |
| porcelain | ceramic material for dishes or a nice sink or table. Example: The porcelain vase broke easily. |
| congeal | solidify; come together. Example: The sauce began to congeal as it cooled. |
| behemoth | giant. Example: The cargo ship looked like a behemoth. |
| undermine | to weaken someone's authority. Example: Mocking your partner can undermine their confidence. |
| portent | omen. Example: The darkening sky seemed a portent of trouble. |
| uprise | protest. Example: The citizens rose up to protest the law. |
| pantomime | act out. Example: The actor pantomimed opening an invisible door. |
| stern | serious. Example: The teacher gave a stern warning. |
| carp | a fish. Example: The pond was full of carp. |
| slit | cut. Example: She cut a narrow slit in the envelope. |
| pomade | waxy water substance. Example: He styled his hair with pomade. |
| treason | crime of betraying one's country. Example: Betraying one's country can be prosecuted as treason. |
| lade | load. Example: Workers lade the truck with supplies. |
| propaganda | information; used to persuade an audience. Example: The posters used propaganda to shape public opinion. |
| bouffant | hairstyle. Example: Her bouffant hairstyle rose high above her head. |
| barricade | barrier or a wall that blocks something else. Example: Police set up a barricade across the street. |
| poindexter | boringly studious person. Example: The teasing nickname 'poindexter' implied he was a nerd. |
| emulate | imitate or try to do something the way someone else does. Example: He tried to emulate his favorite athlete's practice routine. |
| gunnysack | bag. Example: They carried potatoes in a gunnysack. |
| earnest | sincere. Example: Her earnest apology sounded sincere. |
| conspire | secret plan. Example: The friends conspired to throw a surprise party. |
| veil | covering of face. Example: A thin veil covered her face. |
| prefect | captain. Example: The school prefect helped supervise students. |
| beseech | to beg. Example: I beseech you to reconsider your decision. |
| mourn | To feel or express sorrow; especially after a death. Example: Friends gathered to mourn the loss. |
| bewildered | confused. Example: The confusing directions left him bewildered. |
| sodden | soaked. Example: His shoes were sodden after the rain. |
| vapid | dull. Example: The vapid speech said nothing meaningful. |
| surly | glum; grumpy; rude. Example: The surly waiter answered rudely. |
| smuggle | sneak something in. Example: Someone tried to smuggle candy into the theater. |
| bargain | offer a trade. Example: They bargained over the price of the bike. |
| resist | stop from doing someone. Example: He resisted the urge to look at his phone. |
| The Resistance | an opposing group. Example: The resistance organized against the occupying force. |
| dither | indecisive. Example: Don't dither between two choices all day. |
| pus | the gross stuff that oozes out of an infection. Example: The infected cut was leaking pus. |
| brandish | waving around. Example: He brandished the sword dramatically. |
| scathing | angry looking ; harshly critical. Example: The critic wrote a scathing review. |
| discern | percieve of something. Example: From a distance; she could barely discern the letters. |
| coward | someone afraid of things. Example: The bully called him a coward for walking away. |
| cremated | burnt instead of being in a grave. Example: The family chose to have the remains cremated. |
| succinct | short. Example: His succinct answer used just one sentence. |
| laureate | person honored for intellectual achievement. Example: The poet laureate read at the ceremony. |
| tawny | Yellowish-brown or orange-brown. Example: The lion's fur was tawny. |
| prowl | sneak. Example: The fox prowled through the yard. |
| plausible | believable. Example: Her explanation sounded plausible. |
| misshapen | deformed shape. Example: The misshapen clay bowl leaned to one side. |
| innocuous | harmless; not a big deal. Example: The harmless joke was innocuous. |
| jive | style of dance. Example: They danced the jive to lively music. |
| nonplussed | So surprised or confused that one is unsure how to respond. Example: The strange question left him nonplussed. |
| armamentarium | tools and techniques available to a doctor. Example: A stethoscope is part of a doctor's armamentarium. |
| practitioner | person working in a profession. Example: She is a skilled medical practitioner. |
| turbid | cloudy or thick; opaque. Example: Heavy rain turned the clear river turbid. |
| synecdoche | figure of speech where a part represents the whole. Example: In 'all hands on deck;' hands stands for sailors. |
| harbinger | A sign or person that announces something coming. Example: The first buds were a harbinger of spring. |
| terse | abrupt. Example: The coach gave a terse reply: 'No.' |
| capitalism | economic system based on private business. Example: Under capitalism; businesses are generally privately owned. |
| morbid | unhealthy interest in death or disease. Example: He had a morbid fascination with crime stories. |
| swindle | cheat someone. Example: The scammer tried to swindle her out of money. |
| defraud | illegally get $. Example: The accountant was accused of defrauding customers. |
| retort | sharp reply. Example: She retorted sharply; 'That's not true.' |
| elated | very happy. Example: The players were elated after the championship. |
| covert | secret. Example: The spies carried out a covert operation. |
| intone | speak in a certain voice. Example: He intoned the announcement in a solemn voice. |
| obscenities | rude language. Example: The angry fan shouted obscenities. |
| grandeur | magnificence. Example: The castle's grandeur impressed its visitors. |
| swathe | wrap. Example: She swathed the baby in a soft blanket. |
| corral | enclose. Example: The rancher corralled the horses. |
| emaciated | extremely thin. Example: The neglected animal was dangerously emaciated. |
| thwart | prevent. Example: The guard thwarted the attempted break-in. |
| exertion | effort. Example: The long hike required great exertion. |
| fixate | focus intensely. Example: Don't fixate on one mistake. |
| pungent | Having a strong; sharp smell or taste. Example: The pungent smell of onions filled the kitchen. |
| banal | ordinary. Example: The movie relied on banal clichés. |
| deprecate | express disapproval. Example: He deprecated the plan as unrealistic. |
| satin | smooth fabric. Example: The pillowcase was made of smooth satin. |
| provocative | intended to attract attention. Example: The provocative question sparked debate. |
| gossamer | very light and delicate. Example: A gossamer web glistened in the sun. |
| commotion | noisy confusion. Example: A loud commotion broke out in the hallway. |
| catacombs | underground burial chamber. Example: They explored the ancient catacombs beneath the city. |
| straddle | sit with one leg of each side. Example: He straddled the bicycle seat. |
| salvation | rescue or saving. Example: The rescue boat was their salvation. |
| gorge | fill with food. Example: He gorged on pizza after the game. |
| causality | The relationship between causes and effects (causality). Example: The scientist studied causality: whether one event caused another. |
| deteriorate | become worse. Example: The old bridge began to deteriorate. |
| conceal | hide. Example: She concealed the gift behind her back. |
| devise | think up. Example: The team devised a new strategy. |
| unrelenting | not easing up. Example: The unrelenting rain continued all day. |
| neglect | fail to care for. Example: Don't neglect your responsibilities. |
| hoist | lift up. Example: They hoisted the flag up the pole. |
| materialize | To appear; happen; or become real. Example: The promised reward never materialized. |
| daunting | intimidating. Example: The difficult exam seemed daunting. |
| desolate | empty and barren. Example: The abandoned village looked desolate. |
| convulse | shake violently. Example: He convulsed with laughter. |
| conceive | think up. Example: She conceived an idea for a new invention. |
| happenstance | coincidence. Example: We met by happenstance at the airport. |
| subdue | calm or control. Example: The officers worked to subdue the disturbance. |
| sated | satisfied. Example: After the big meal; everyone felt sated. |
| treed | forced into a tree. Example: The dog treed the frightened cat. |
| groggy | weak or sleepy. Example: He felt groggy immediately after waking. |
| probe | investigate. Example: The reporter probed the official's explanation. |
| eradicated | destroyed completely. Example: The program nearly eradicated the disease. |
| hyperventilating | breathe very fast. Example: She began hyperventilating from panic. |
| prod | poke or harass. Example: The coach prodded him to keep practicing. |
| onslaught | fierce attack. Example: The defense faced an onslaught of attacks. |
| wrack | cause intense pain. Example: The illness wracked his body with pain. |
| parsnip | root vegetable. Example: She roasted parsnips with carrots. |
| quotas | fixed amount allowed. Example: The factory had daily production quotas. |
| keel | fall over. Example: The exhausted runner nearly keeled over. |
| burlap | rough fabric opposite of satin. Example: The rough burlap sack scratched his arm. |
| proximity | nearness. Example: The hotel's proximity to the stadium was convenient. |
| lethargy | extreme tiredness. Example: The heat caused a feeling of lethargy. |
| peruse | To read or examine carefully (sometimes used more loosely for browsing). Example: She perused the menu before ordering. |
| penance | punishment for wrongdoing. Example: He volunteered to clean up as penance for his mistake. |
| awning | covering outside a building. Example: They waited beneath the awning to stay dry. |
| leach | drain away from soil; ash; or similar material by the action of liquid passing through. Example: Rainwater can leach minerals from soil. |
| percolate | filter through a surface. Example: Coffee percolated through the filter. |
| futile | pointless. Example: Arguing after the final decision felt futile. |
| sapling | young tree. Example: They planted a young oak sapling. |
| snare | trap for catching birds. Example: The rabbit escaped the hunter's snare. |
| provocation | action that makes someone annoyed. Example: The insult was intended as a provocation. |
| salve | ointment used to promote healing of skin or protection. Example: He applied salve to the scraped skin. |
| exorbitant | unreasonably high price. Example: The stadium charged exorbitant prices for snacks. |
| douse | drench. Example: They doused the campfire with water. |
| itinerary | planned schedule. Example: Our travel itinerary listed every stop. |
| sadism | Taking pleasure in causing another person pain or suffering. Example: The villain's sadism made him enjoy others' suffering. |
| ambiguous | open to more than one interpretation. Example: The ambiguous directions could mean two things. |
| latter | situated toward the end of something. Example: Of tennis and basketball; he preferred the latter. |
| lapel | part of jacket. Example: He pinned a flower to his jacket lapel. |
| incentive | something that motivates or encourages someone. Example: Extra free time was an incentive to finish early. |
| waterfowl | aquatic birds. Example: Ducks and geese are waterfowl. |
| commotion | state of confusion and noisy disturbance. Example: A loud commotion broke out in the hallway. |
| brusque | abrupt. Example: The clerk's brusque reply sounded rude. |
| onerous | very difficult. Example: The onerous project took weeks of work. |
| picturesque | very beautiful. Example: The picturesque village looked like a postcard. |
| camaraderie | mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together. Example: The team's camaraderie grew over the season. |
| entourage | group of people surrounding an important person. Example: The singer arrived with a large entourage. |
| cloying | overly sweet or disgusting. Example: The dessert was so sweet it became cloying. |
| resonate | To vibrate deeply; or to affect someone emotionally. Example: Her speech resonated with students. |
| embodiment | a form of an idea or feeling; representation of something. Example: She was the embodiment of determination. |
| erratic | unpredictable. Example: His erratic driving worried the passengers. |
| noose | a loop with a running knot. Example: The rope formed a noose. |
| vexed | annoyed. Example: He was vexed by the difficult problem. |
| emanate | to give or spread out. Example: Music emanated from the open window. |
| aberration | a mistake or something unusual that doesn't fit a pattern. Example: One bad grade was an aberration from his usual performance. |
| rabid | highly emotional. Example: The team had a rabid fan base. |
| precarious | in a risky or dangerous situation. Example: The ladder balanced in a precarious position. |
| vantage | a good spot to see or understand something better. Example: From this vantage point; we could see the court. |
| divulge | to reveal something not supposed to be told. Example: She refused to divulge the secret. |
| awl | sharp tool used for poking holes. Example: The leatherworker used an awl to make holes. |
| joshing | joking. Example: We're just joshing; it was a joke. |
| coercion | practice of persuading someone by threats. Example: Threatening punishment to force agreement is coercion. |
| cosset | care and protect in an overindulgent way. Example: They cosseted the puppy with endless attention. |
| derision | mockery. Example: His proposal was met with derision. |
| ingenious | creative. Example: She invented an ingenious solution. |
| pestilential | contagious. Example: The pestilential swamp was associated with disease. |
| chortling | laughing. Example: He was chortling at the funny story. |
| hoax | trick. Example: The viral rumor turned out to be a hoax. |
| squabble | argument. Example: The siblings squabbled over the remote. |
| debilitating | making someone very weak. Example: The illness left him with debilitating fatigue. |
| sinus | cavity within a bone. Example: A blocked sinus can cause facial pressure. |
| garrote | a weapon or method used to choke or strangle someone; usually wire or rope. Example: The mystery mentioned a garrote as the murder weapon. |
| dilated | make bigger. Example: The eye doctor checked her dilated pupils. |
| hunch | lean or curl forward. Example: He hunched over his desk. |
| tantamount | Equivalent in seriousness; effect; or meaning. Example: Refusing to listen was tantamount to giving up. |
| disconcerted | confused. Example: The unexpected question left her disconcerted. |
| circuitous | in a roundabout. Example: The circuitous route took twice as long. |
| speculate | to inference. Example: Without evidence; we can only speculate about the cause. |
| telltale | sign showing hints. Example: The muddy footprints were a telltale sign. |
| predecessor | someone that comes before you. Example: The new captain thanked her predecessor. |
| grovel | lie or crawl on ground. Example: He groveled for forgiveness after the mistake. |
| surreptitiously | doing something secretively. Example: He surreptitiously peeked at the surprise. |
| admonitory | giving a warning. Example: The admonitory sign warned hikers of danger. |
| confounded | confused. Example: He looked confounded by the riddle. |
| syringe | tube or nozzle for sucking in liquid ; used for healing wounds. Example: The nurse used a sterile syringe. |
| sardonic | sarcastic. Example: His sardonic smile suggested he was mocking the idea. |
| excess | too much. Example: There was an excess amount of shirts leftover after the bar mitzvah. |
| conspicuous | Easy to notice: Example: The runner in all white was conspicuous at night. |
| diligent | hardworking, careful. Example: I was diligent when I took my math test. |
| pragmatic | focused on something that will actually work. Example: Although Alex wanted to finish all his homework in one night, he took a pragmatic approach and divided the assignments over several days. |
| exacerbate | to make worse. Example: I exacerbated the scab by itching it. |
| austere | plain OR strict. Example: The coach was known for his austere approach, enforcing strict rules and allowing few exceptions. |
| candid | honest and straightforward, sometimes used to describe photos. Example: Claudio was candid when he said my serve was average. |
| formidable | powerful Example:The pitcher's formidable fastball made him one of the toughest opponents in the league. |
| unequivocally | certain, no doubt. Example: He was unequivocal when he said he got 100 on the test and he did. |
| cogent | convincing, clear and logical. Example: The debater gave a cogent response with lots of evidence. |
| corroborate | to confirm a statement with evidence. Ex: The security camera helped corroborate the witness's story about what happened |
| perfunctory | little effort. Ex: The student gave a perfunctory apology to his teacher, saying "sorry" without really meaning it. |
| concise | short, to the point, opposite of wordy Ex: The teacher asked the students to write a concise summary of the chapter in no more than three sentences. |
| sporadic | unpredictable The rain occurred at sporadic times |
| tenuous | very weak and uncertain The student had a tenuous excuse for missing his homework because he couldn't provide any proof that his computer had crashed. |
| circumspect | cautious. considering from all angles Ex: The basketball coach was circumspect about putting his injured star player back into the game, not wanting to risk further injury. |
| devise | think up a plan The students worked together to devise a creative solution to their science project problem. |
| obviate | to eliminate the need for something or make unnecessary The student’s excellent grades obviated the need for him to take the final exam. |
| inchoate | not yet fully formed The student had an inchoate idea for his science project but needed more time to develop it into a complete plan. |
| deleterious | causing harm in a way that isn't obvious The student was deleterious when he told the kids wrong answers. |
| nuance | small but important difference Although Mrs Maloney's nice personality made some people like her, she had a nuance of not teaching. |
| ambivalent | mixed feelings for something I was ambivalent after visiting day |
| concede | admitting something is correct I conceded that if I continued to not work on footwork, I would lose the match |
| substantiate | to support The student needed to substantiate his argument in the essay by including specific examples from the book. |
| relinquish | give up something for something else Color was relinquished for sameness |
| pervade | spread through and perceive Rosemary's memories were pervaded through the community after she was released |
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