gre1000_formatted

aberrant,-,(adjective) markedly different from an accepted norm
aberration,-,(noun) a deviation from what is normal or expected
abstain,-,(verb) choose not to consume or take part in (particularly something enjoyable)
abstruse,-,(adjective) difficult to understand; incomprehensible
accolade,-,(noun) an award or praise granted as a special honor
acerbic,-,(adjective) harsh in tone
acrimony,-,(noun) bitterness and ill will
adamant,-,(adjective) refusing to change one's mind
admonish,-,(verb) to warn strongly, even to the point of reprimanding
admonitory,-,(adjective) serving to warn; expressing reproof or reproach especially as a corrective
aesthete,-,(noun) one who professes great sensitivity to the beauty of art and nature
aesthetic,-,(adjective) concerned with the appreciation of beauty
aesthetic,-,(noun) a set of principles underlying and guiding the work of a particular artist or artistic
amalgam,-,(noun) a mixture of multiple things
ambiguous,-,(adjective) open to more than one interpretation
ambivalent,-,(adjective) mixed or conflicting emotions about something
ameliorate,-,(verb) make something bad better
amenable,-,(adjective) easily persuaded
amorphous,-,(adjective) shapeless
anomalous,-,(adjective) not normal
anomaly,-,(noun) something that is not normal, standard, or expected
antipathy,-,(noun) an intense feeling of dislike or aversion
antithetical,-,(adjective) sharply contrasted in character or purpose
apathetic,-,(adjective) marked by a lack of interest
apathy,-,(noun) an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
apocryphal,-,(adjective) being of questionable authenticity
appease,-,(verb) pacify by acceding to the demands of
arbitrary,-,(adjective) based on a random, groundless decision
arcane,-,(adjective) requiring secret or mysterious knowledge
arduous,-,(adjective) demanding considerable mental effort and skill; testing powers of endurance
artful,-,(adjective) exhibiting artistic skill
artful,-,(adjective) clever in a cunning way
ascetic,-,(adjective) practicing self-denial
ascetic,-,(noun) one who practices great self-denial
askance,-,(adverb) with a look of suspicion or disapproval
audacious,-,(adjective) willing to be bold in social situations or to take risks
audacity,-,(noun) aggressive boldness in social situations
auspicious,-,(adjective) favorable, the opposite of sinister
austere,-,(adjective) practicing self-denial
austere,-,(adjective) unadorned in style or appearance
austere,-,(adjective) harsh in manner of temperament
avaricious,-,(adjective) excessively greedy
banal,-,(adjective) repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
banality,-,(noun) a trite or obvious remark
belie,-,(verb) to give a false representation to; misrepresent
belligerent,-,(adjective) characteristic of one eager to fight
betray,-,(verb) to reveal or make known something, usually unintentionally
blatant,-,(adjective) without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
bolster,-,(verb) support and strengthen
brazen,-,(adjective) unrestrained by convention or propriety
bucolic,-,(adjective) relating to the pleasant aspects of the country
bumbling,-,(adjective) lacking physical movement skills, especially with the hands
burgeon,-,(verb) grow and flourish
calumny,-,(noun) making of a false statement meant to injure a person"s reputation
capricious,-,(adjective) determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
castigate,-,(verb) to reprimand harshly
censure,-,(verb) to express strong disapproval
chastise,-,(verb) to reprimand harshly
chortle,-,(verb) to chuckle, laugh merrily
circumscribe,-,(verb) restrict or confine
circumvent,-,(verb) cleverly find a way out of one's duties or obligations
commensurate,-,(adjective) to be in proportion or corresponding in degree or amount
concede,-,(verb) acknowledge defeat
concede,-,(verb) admit (to a wrongdoing)
concede,-,(verb) give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
confound,-,(verb) be confusing or perplexing to
confound,-,(verb) mistake one thing for another
conspicuous,-,(adjective) without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
constituent,-,(noun) a citizen who is represented in a government by officials for whom he or she votes
constituent,-,(noun) an abstract part of something
construe,-,(verb) interpreted in a particular way
contingent,-,(noun) a gathering of persons representative of some larger group
contingent,-,(adjective) possible but not certain to occur
contrition,-,(noun) the feeling of remorse or guilt that comes from doing something bad
contrive,-,(verb) to pull off a plan or scheme, usually through skill or trickery
copious,-,(adjective) in abundant supply
craven,-,(adjective) pathetically cowardly
cryptic,-,(adjective) mysterious or vague, usually intentionally
culminate,-,(verb) reach the highest or most decisive point
culpability,-,(noun) a state of guilt
decorous,-,(adjective) characterized by good taste in manners and conduct
decorum,-,(noun) propriety in manners and conduct
deferential,-,(adjective) showing respect
deleterious,-,(adjective) harmful to living things
delineate,-,(verb) describe in detail
demur,-,(verb) to object or show reluctance
denigrate,-,(verb) charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of
denote,-,(verb) be a sign or indication of; have as a meaning
derivative,-,(adjective) (or a creative product, e.g. music, writing, etc.) not original but drawing on the
derive,-,(verb) come from; be connected by a relationship of blood, for example
derive,-,(verb) reason by deduction; establish by deduction
dictatorial,-,(adjective) expecting unquestioning obedience; characteristic of an absolute ruler
didactic,-,(adjective) instructive (especially excessively)
diffident,-,(adjective) showing modest reserve; lacking self-confidence
dilatory,-,(adjective) wasting time
dilettante,-,(noun) an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends
disaffected,-,(adjective) discontented as toward authority
discrete,-,(adjective) constituting a separate entity or part
disinterested,-,(adjective) unbiased; neutral
dispassionate,-,(adjective) unaffected by strong emotion or prejudice
disseminate,-,(verb) cause to become widely known
dogmatic,-,(adjective) highly opinionated, not accepting that your belief may not be correct
duress,-,(noun) compulsory force or threat
eclectic,-,(adjective) comprised of a variety of styles
economical,-,(adjective) avoiding waste, efficient
edifying,-,(adjective) enlightening or uplifting so as to encourage intellectual or moral improvement
efficacious,-,(adjective) producing the intended result
egregious,-,(adjective) standing out in negative way; shockingly bad
elicit,-,(verb) call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
elucidate,-,(verb) make clearer and easier to understand
eminent,-,(adjective) standing above others in quality or position
enervate,-,(verb) to sap energy from
engender,-,(verb) give rise to
entrenched,-,(adjective) fixed firmly or securely
ephemeral,-,(adjective) lasting a very short time
equivocal,-,(adjective) confusing or ambiguous
eradicate,-,(verb) to completely destroy
erudite,-,(adjective) having or showing profound knowledge
eschew,-,(verb) avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
esoteric,-,(adjective) confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle
espouse,-,(verb) to adopt or support an idea or cause
exacerbate,-,(verb) make worse
exacting,-,(adjective) requiring and demanding accuracy
exalt,-,(verb) praise or glorify
exonerate,-,(verb) pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
expound,-,(verb) add details or explanation; clarify the meaning; state in depth
extant,-,(adjective) the opposite of extinct
fallacious,-,(adjective) of a belief that is based on faulty reasoning
fastidious,-,(adjective) overly concerned with details; fussy
flux,-,(noun) a state of uncertainty about what should be done (usually following some important event)
foment,-,(verb) try to stir up public opinion
forlorn,-,(adjective) marked by or showing hopelessness
forthcoming,-,(adjective) available when required or as promised
forthcoming,-,(adjective) at ease in talking to others
fortuitous,-,(adjective) occurring by happy chance; having no cause or apparent cause
frivolous,-,(adjective) not serious in content or attitude or behavior
frugal,-,(adjective) not spending much money (but spending wisely)
frustrate,-,(verb) hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
furtive,-,(adjective) marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
gainsay,-,(verb) deny or contradict; speak against or oppose
gall,-,(noun) the trait of being rude and impertinent
gall,-,(noun) feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
galvanize,-,(verb) to excite or inspire (someone) to action
garrulous,-,(adjective) full of trivial conversation
gauche,-,(adjective) lacking social polish
germane,-,(adjective) relevant and appropriate
glut,-,(noun) an excessive supply
glut,-,(verb) supply with an excess of
gossamer,-,(adjective) characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy
gregarious,-,(adjective) to be likely to socialize with others
guileless,-,(adjective) free of deceit
hackneyed,-,(adjective) lacking significance through having been overused
haphazard,-,(adjective) marked by great carelessness; dependent upon or characterized by chance
harangue,-,(noun) a long pompous speech; a tirade
harangue,-,(verb) to deliver a long pompous speech or tirade
harried,-,(adjective) troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances
haughty,-,(adjective) having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as
hegemony,-,(adjective) dominance over a certain area
heretic,-,(noun) a person who holds unorthodox opinions in any field (not merely religion)
iconoclast,-,(noun) somebody who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions
iconoclastic,-,(adjective) defying tradition or convention
idiosyncrasy,-,(noun) a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
ignoble,-,(adjective) dishonorable
ignominious,-,(adjective) (used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
immutable,-,(adjective) not able to be changed
impartial,-,(adjective) free from undue bias or preconceived opinions
impertinent,-,(adjective) being disrespectful; improperly forward or bold
implacable,-,(adjective) incapable of making less angry or hostile
implausible,-,(adjective) describing a statement that is not believable
imprudent,-,(adjective) not wise
impudent,-,(adjective) improperly forward or bold
incisive,-,(adjective) having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
incongruous,-,(adjective) lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
incorrigible,-,(adjective) impervious to correction by punishment
indecorous,-,(adjective) not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite
indifference,-,(noun) the trait of seeming not to care
inexorable,-,(adjective) impossible to stop or prevent
ingenuous,-,(adjective) to be naA�Pve and innocent
ingratiate,-,(verb) gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts
inimical,-,(adjective) hostile (usually describes conditions or environments)
innocuous,-,(adjective) harmless and doesn"t produce any ill effects
inscrutable,-,(adjective) not easily understood; unfathomable
insidious,-,(adjective) working in a subtle but destructive way
insolent,-,(adjective) rude and arrogant
intimate,-,(verb) to suggest something subtly
intransigent,-,(adjective) unwilling to change one's beliefs or course of action
intrepid,-,(adjective) fearless
inveterate,-,(adjective) habitual
involved,-,(adjective) complicated, and difficult to comprehend
irrevocable,-,(adjective) incapable of being retracted or revoked
itinerant,-,(adjective) traveling from place to place to work
jingoism,-,(noun) fanatical patriotism
jovial,-,(adjective) full of or showing high-spirited merriment
jubilant,-,(adjective) full of high-spirited delight because of triumph or success
juxtapose,-,(verb) place side by side
laconic,-,(adjective) one who says very few words
lambast,-,(verb) criticize severely or angrily
languid,-,(adjective) not inclined towards physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed
largess,-,(noun) extreme generosity and giving
laudable,-,(adjective) worthy of high praise
lionize,-,(verb) assign great social importance to
magnanimous,-,(adjective) noble and generous in spirit, especially towards a rival or someone less
maintain,-,(verb) to assert
maladroit,-,(adjective) clumsy
maverick,-,(noun) someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action
mawkish,-,(adjective) overly sentimental to the point that it is disgusting
mendacity,-,(noun) the tendency to be untruthful
mercurial,-,(adjective) (of a person) prone to unexpected and unpredictable changes in mood
meticulous,-,(adjective) marked by extreme care in treatment of details
misconstrue,-,(verb) interpret in the wrong way
mitigate,-,(verb) make less severe or harsh
mitigate,-,(verb) lessen the severity of an offense
mollify,-,(verb) to make someone angry less angry; placate
mundane,-,(adjective) repetitive and boring; not spiritual
mundane,-,(adjective) relating to the ordinary world
munificent,-,(adjective) very generous
myopic,-,(adjective) lacking foresight or imagination
myriad,-,(noun) a large indefinite number
negligible,-,(adjective) so small as to be meaningless; insignificant
nonplussed,-,(verb) unsure how to act or respond
nuance,-,(noun) a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
obscure,-,(verb) make unclear
obscure,-,(adjective) known by only a few
obsequious,-,(adjective) attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner; attempting to win favor from
opaque,-,(adjective) not clearly understood or expressed
opulence,-,(noun) wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living
ostentatious,-,(adjective) intended to attract notice and impress others; tawdry or vulgar
ostracize,-,(verb) exclude from a community or group
panache,-,(noun) distinctive and stylish elegance
parochial,-,(adjective) narrowly restricted in scope or outlook
parsimonious,-,(adjective) extremely frugal; miserly
pedantic,-,(adjective) marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects
pedestrian,-,(adjective) lacking imagination
pejorative,-,(adjective) expressing disapproval (usu. refers to a term)
perfidy,-,(noun) an act of deliberate betrayal; a breach of a trust
pernicious,-,(adjective) exceedingly harmful; working or spreading in a hidden and injurious way
petulant,-,(adjective) easily irritated or annoyed
placate,-,(verb) cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
platitude,-,(noun) a trite or obvious remark
poignant,-,(adjective) emotionally touching
polemic,-,(noun) a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something.
posit,-,(verb) assume as fact
pragmatic,-,(adjective) guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory
precipitous,-,(adjective) done with very great haste and without due deliberation
preclude,-,(verb) keep from happening or arising; make impossible
precocious,-,(adjective) characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity
predilection,-,(noun) a strong liking
prescience,-,(noun) the power to foresee the future
prevaricate,-,(verb) to speak in an evasive way
prodigal,-,(adjective) rashly or wastefully extravagant
prodigious,-,(adjective) so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
profligate,-,(adjective) spending money recklessly or wastefully
profligate,-,(noun) someone who spends money recklessly or wastefully
prolific,-,(adjective) intellectually productive
propitious,-,(adjective) presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs of success
provincial,-,(adjective) characteristic of the a limited perspective; not fashionable or sophisticated
pundit,-,(noun) someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
qualify,-,(adjective) to be legally competent or capable
qualify,-,(verb) to make less severe; to limit (a statement)
querulous,-,(adjective) habitually complaining
quotidian,-,(adjective) found in the ordinary course of events
ravenous,-,(adjective) extremely hungry; devouring or craving food in great quantities
rebuke,-,(verb) criticize severely or angrily; censure
reconcile,-,(verb) make (one thing) compatible with (another)
recondite,-,(adjective) difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or
refractory,-,(adjective) stubbornly resistant to authority or control
refute,-,(verb) prove to be false or incorrect
reproach,-,(verb) to express criticism towards
repudiate,-,(verb) reject as untrue or unfounded
rescind,-,(verb) cancel officially
restive,-,(adjective) restless
resurgent,-,(adjective) rising again as to new life and vigor
reticent,-,(adjective) reluctant to draw attention to yourself; temperamentally disinclined to talk
reverent,-,(adjective) feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
rudimentary,-,(adjective) being in the earliest stages of development; being or involving basic facts or
rustic,-,(adjective) characteristic of rural life; awkwardly simple and provincial
sanction,-,(verb) give authority or permission to
sanction,-,(noun) a legal penalty for a forbidden action
scrupulous,-,(adjective) characterized by extreme care and great effort
scrupulous,-,(adjective) having a sense of right and wrong; principled
soporific,-,(adjective) inducing mental lethargy; sleep inducing
specious,-,(adjective) based on pretense; deceptively pleasing
specious,-,(adjective) plausible but false
sporadic,-,(adjective) recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances
spurious,-,(adjective) plausible but false
staunch,-,(adjective) firm and dependable especially in loyalty
stringent,-,(adjective) demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
subsume,-,(verb) contain or include
subsume,-,(verb) consider (an instance of something) as part of a general rule or principle
subversive,-,(adjective) in opposition to a civil authority or government
sullen,-,(adjective) showing a brooding ill humor
superfluous,-,(adjective) serving no useful purpose
superfluous,-,(adjective) more than is needed, desired, or required
supplant,-,(verb) take the place or move into the position of
sycophant,-,(noun) a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
taciturn,-,(adjective) habitually reserved and uncommunicative
tantamount,-,(adjective) being essentially equal to something
temperance,-,(noun) the trait of avoiding excesses
tempered,-,(adjective) moderated in effect
tenacious,-,(adjective) stubbornly unyielding
timorous,-,(adjective) timid by nature or revealing fear and nervousness
torpor,-,(noun) inactivity resulting from lethargy and lack of vigor or energy
tortuous,-,(adjective) marked by repeated turns and bends; not straightforward
tractable,-,(adjective) readily reacting to suggestions and influences; easily managed (controlled or
transient,-,(adjective) lasting a very short time
travesty,-,(noun) an absurd presentation of something; a mockery
treacherous,-,(adjective) tending to betray
treacherous,-,(adjective) dangerously unstable and unpredictable
trite,-,(adjective) repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
truncate,-,(verb) reduce the length of something
undermine,-,(adjective) to weaken (usually paired with an abstract term)
underscore,-,(verb) give extra weight to (a communication)
unequivocal,-,(adjective) admitting of no doubt or misunderstanding; having only one meaning or
unscrupulous,-,(adjective) without scruples or principles
upbraid,-,(verb) to reproach; to scold
vacillate,-,(verb) be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of
vehement,-,(adjective) marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions
venality,-,(noun) the condition of being susceptible to bribes or corruption
venerate,-,(verb) to respect deeply
veracious,-,(adjective) truthful
vilify,-,(verb) spread negative information about
vindicate,-,(verb) to clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting arguments or proof
vociferous,-,(adjective) conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
volubility,-,(noun) the quality of talking or writing easily and continuously
wanting,-,(adjective) lacking
winsome,-,(adjective) charming in a childlike or naive way
aboveboard,-,(adjective) open and honest
abysmal,-,(adjective) extremely bad
acme,-,(noun) the highest point of achievement
advocate,-,(verb) speak, plead, or argue in favor of
advocate,-,(noun) a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
affable,-,(adjective) likeable; easy to talk to
affluent,-,(adjective) wealthy
altruism,-,(noun) the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
amiable,-,(adjective) friendly
amply,-,(adverb) more than is adequate
amuck,-,(adverb) in a frenzied or uncontrolled state
analogous,-,(adjective) similar in some respects but otherwise different
animosity,-,(noun) intense hostility
antedated,-,(verb) precede in time
antiquated,-,(adjective) old-fashioned; belonging to an earlier period in time
apex,-,(noun) the highest point
aphorism,-,(noun) a short instructive saying about a general truth
aphoristic,-,(adjective) something that is a concise and instructive of a general truth or principle
appreciable,-,(adjective) large enough to be noticed (usu. refers to an amount)
apprehension,-,(noun) fearful expectation
archaic,-,(adjective) so old as to appear to belong to a different period
ascendancy,-,(noun) the state that exists when one person or group has power over another
ascribe,-,(verb) attribute or credit to
assail,-,(verb) attack in speech or writing
assuage,-,(verb) make something intense less severe
augment,-,(verb) enlarge or increase; improve
autonomously,-,(adverb) In an autonomous or self-governing manner.
avarice,-,(noun) greed (one of the seven deadly sins)
avert,-,(verb) turn away
avert,-,(verb) ward off or prevent
avid,-,(adjective) marked by active interest and enthusiasm
badger,-,(verb) to pester
balk,-,(verb) refuse to comply
banish,-,(verb) expel from a community, residence, or location; drive away
beatific,-,(adjective) blissfully happy
becoming,-,(adjective) appropriate, and matches nicely
begrudge,-,(verb) to envy someone for possessing or enjoying something
begrudge,-,(verb) to give reluctantly
behooves,-,(verb) to be one's duty or obligation
belittle,-,(verb) lessen the importance, dignity, or reputation of
bellicose,-,(adjective) warlike; inclined to quarrel
benign,-,(adjective) kind
benign,-,(adjective) (medicine) not dangerous to health; not recurrent or progressive
besiege,-,(verb) harass, as with questions or requests; cause to feel distressed or worried
besmirch,-,(verb) damage the good name and reputation of someone
bleak,-,(adjective) having a depressing or gloomy outlook
boon,-,(noun) a desirable state
boon,-,(adjective) very close and convivial
boorish,-,(adjective) ill-mannered and coarse or contemptible in behavior or appearance
brusquely,-,(adverb) in a blunt, direct manner
buck,-,(verb) resist
buttress,-,(verb) make stronger or defensible
cadaverous,-,(adjective) emaciated; gaunt
candid,-,(adjective) a straightforward and honest look at something
candidness,-,(noun) the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech
cardinal,-,(adjective) of primary importance; fundamental
carping,-,(adjective) persistently petty and unjustified criticism
catalyst,-,(noun) something that speeds up an event
cavalier,-,(adjective) given to haughty disregard of others
censor,-,(verb) to examine and remove objectionable material
cerebral,-,(adjective) involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct
champion,-,(verb) protect or fight for as a champion
chauvinist,-,(noun) a person who believes in the superiority of their group
check,-,(verb) to limit (usually modifying the growth of something)
check,-,(noun) the condition of being held back or limited
checkered,-,(adjective) one that is marked by disreputable happenings
chivalrous,-,(adjective) being attentive to women like an ideal knight
clemency,-,(noun) leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with
coalesce,-,(verb) fuse or cause to grow together
cogent,-,(adjective) clear and persuasive
cohesive,-,(adjective) well integrated, forming a united whole
collusion,-,(noun) agreement on a secret plot
colossal,-,(adjective) so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
commendable,-,(adjective) worthy of high praise
complacent,-,(adjective) contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions
complementary,-,(adjective) enhancing each other's qualities (for two things or more).
compound,-,(verb) make more intense, stronger, or more marked
conducive,-,(adjective) making a situation or outcome more likely to happen
conniving,-,(verb) taking part in immoral and unethical plots
consecrate,-,(verb) to make holy or set apart for a high purpose
constraint,-,(noun) something that limits or restricts
consummate,-,(adjective) having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
consummate,-,(verb) to make perfect and complete in every respect
contemptuous,-,(adjective) scornful, looking down at others with a sneering attitude
contrite,-,(adjective) to be remorseful
conundrum,-,(noun) a difficult problem
convivial,-,(adjective) describing a lively atmosphere
convoluted,-,(adjective) highly complex or intricate
cornucopia,-,(noun) an abundant supply of something good
corroborate,-,(verb) to confirm or lend support to (usually an idea or claim)
cosmopolitan,-,(adjective) comprising many cultures; global in reach and outlook
credence,-,(noun) belief in something
creditable,-,(adjective) deserving of praise but not that amazing
credulity,-,(noun) tendency to believe readily
cumbersome,-,(adjective) difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
dearth,-,(noun) a lack or shortage
debase,-,(verb) reduce the quality or value of something
debunk,-,(verb) expose as false ideas and claims, especially while ridiculing
decimation,-,(noun) destroying or killing a large part of the population
degrade,-,(verb) reduce in worth or character, usually verbally
delegate,-,(verb) give an assignment to (a person)
deliberate,-,(verb) think about carefully; weigh the pros and cons of an issue
demean,-,(verb) to insult; to cause someone to lose dignity or respect
demure,-,(adjective) to be modest and shy
deride,-,(verb) treat or speak of with contempt
derisive,-,(adjective) abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule
derogative,-,(adjective) expressed as worthless or in negative terms
desecrate,-,(verb) to willfully violate or destroy a sacred place
destitute,-,(adjective) poor enough to need help from others
destitute,-,(adjective) completely wanting or lacking (usually "destitute of")
deter,-,(verb) turn away from by persuasion
deter,-,(verb) try to prevent; show opposition to
detrimental,-,(adjective) (sometimes followed by "to") causing harm or injury
devolve,-,(verb) pass on or delegate to another
devolve,-,(verb) grow worse (usually "devolve into")
diabolical,-,(adjective) to be extremely wicked like the devil
differentiate,-,(verb) be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait (sometimes in positive sense)
differentiate,-,(verb) evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the
dilapidated,-,(adjective) in terrible condition
diligent,-,(adjective) characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks
discord,-,(noun) lack of agreement or harmony
discreet,-,(adjective) careful to protect one's speech or actions in order to avoid offense or gain an
discriminate,-,(verb) recognize or perceive the difference
disenfranchise,-,(verb) deprive of voting rights
disheartened,-,(adjective) made less hopeful or enthusiastic
disparate,-,(adjective) two things are fundamentally different
dispatch,-,(noun) dispose of rapidly and without delay and efficiently
dispatch,-,(verb) the property of being prompt and efficient
docile,-,(adjective) easily handled or managed; willing to be taught or led or supervised or directed
dog,-,(verb) to pursue relentlessly; to hound
dupe,-,(verb) to trick or swindle
dupe,-,(noun) a person who is easily tricked or swindled
eccentric,-,(adjective) highly unconventional or usual (usually describes a person)
egotist,-,(noun) a conceited and self-centered person
eke,-,(verb) To live off meager resources, to scrape by
elaborate,-,(adjective) marked by complexity and richness of detail
elaborate,-,(verb) explain in more detail
elude,-,(verb) escape understanding
elusive,-,(adjective) difficult to capture or difficult to remember
embellish,-,(verb) make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.; make more beautiful
embroiled,-,(adjective) involved in argument or contention
empathetic,-,(adjective) showing understanding and ready comprehension of other peoples' states and
emulate,-,(verb) strive to equal or match, especially by imitating; compete with successfully
endemic,-,(adjective) native; originating where it is found
enmity,-,(noun) a state of deep-seated ill-will
entice,-,(verb) get someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises
enumerate,-,(verb) determine the number or amount of
enumerate,-,(verb) specify individually, one by one
err,-,(verb) to make an error
errant,-,(adjective) to be wandering; not sticking to a circumscribed path
erratic,-,(adjective) unpredictable; strange and unconventional
euphoria,-,(noun) a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation
evasive,-,(adjective) avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger or commitment
evasive,-,(adjective) deliberately vague or ambiguous
evenhanded,-,(adjective) without partiality
exasperate,-,(verb) to irritate intensely
excruciating,-,(adjective) extremely painful
exemplify,-,(verb) be characteristic of
exemplify,-,(verb) clarify by giving an example of
exhort,-,(verb) to strongly urge on; encourage
extenuating,-,(adjective) making less guilty or more forgivable
facetious,-,(adjective) cleverly amusing in tone
fawn,-,(verb) try to gain favor by extreme flattery
ferret,-,(verb) to search for something persistently
fete,-,(verb) to celebrate a person
fickle,-,(adjective) liable to sudden unpredictable change, esp. in affections or attachments
finagle,-,(verb) achieve something by means of trickery or devious methods
fledgling,-,(adjective) young and inexperienced; describing any new participant in some activity
fleece,-,(verb) to deceive
flounder,-,(verb) behave awkwardly; have difficulties
flush,-,(adjective) to be in abundance
foible,-,(noun) a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
foolhardy,-,(adjective) marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
forthright,-,(adjective) characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
futile,-,(adjective) producing no result or effect; unproductive of success
genial,-,(adjective) agreeable, conducive to comfort
genteel,-,(adjective) marked by refinement in taste and manners
glean,-,(verb) collect information bit by bit
glib,-,(adjective) (of a person) speaking with ease but without sincerity
goad,-,(verb) urge on with unpleasant comments
grovel,-,(verb) show submission or fear
guffaw,-,(verb) laugh boisterously
hamper,-,(verb) prevent the progress or free movement of
hamstrung,-,(verb) made ineffective or powerless
heyday,-,(noun) the pinnacle or top of a time period or career
hodgepodge,-,(noun) a confusing mixture or jumble
hound,-,(verb) to pursue relentlessly
humdrum,-,(adjective) dull and lacking excitement
illicit,-,(adjective) contrary to or forbidden by law
immaterial,-,(adjective) not relevant
impeccable,-,(adjective) without fault or error
impede,-,(verb) be a hindrance or obstacle to
impending,-,(adjective) close in time; about to occur
impermeable,-,(adjective) does not allow fluids to pass through
implicate,-,(verb) convey a meaning; imply
implicate,-,(verb) to indicate in wrongdoing, usually a crime
imponderable,-,(adjective) impossible to estimate or figure out
impregnable,-,(adjective) immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
inadvertent,-,(adjective) happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
inarticulate,-,(adjective) without or deprived of the use of speech or words
incense,-,(verb) make furious
incessant,-,(adjective) uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
inclement,-,(adjective) (of weather) unpleasant, stormy
inclement,-,(adjective) used of persons or behavior; showing no mercy
incumbent,-,(adjective) necessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibility
indict,-,(verb) to formally charge or accuse of wrong-doing
indigenous,-,(adjective) originating in a certain area
indignant,-,(adjective) feeling anger over a perceived injustice
industrious,-,(adjective) characterized by hard work and perseverance
inflammable,-,(adjective) extremely controversial, incendiary
ingenuity,-,(noun) the power of creative imagination
inkling,-,(noun) a slight suggestion or vague understanding
insipid,-,(adjective) dull and uninteresting
insolvent,-,(adjective) unable to pay one's bills; bankrupt
intermittent,-,(adjective) stopping and starting at irregular intervals
inundate,-,(verb) to flood or overwhelm
irascible,-,(adjective) quickly aroused to anger
irk,-,(verb) irritate or vex
irresolute,-,(adjective) uncertain how to act or proceed
jargon,-,(noun) a characteristic language of a particular group
jocular,-,(adjective) characterized by jokes and good humor
junta,-,(noun) an aggressive takeover by a group (usually military)
laborious,-,(adjective) characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
leery,-,(adjective) openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
lethargic,-,(adjective) lacking energy
lucid,-,(adjective) (of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
macabre,-,(adjective) suggesting the horror of death and decay; gruesome
malady,-,(noun) a disease or sickness
malevolent,-,(adjective) wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred
malleable,-,(adjective) capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
malleable,-,(adjective) easily influenced
malodorous,-,(adjective) having an unpleasant smell
martial,-,(adjective) suggesting war or military life
maxim,-,(noun) a short saying expressing a general truth
meander,-,(verb) to wander aimlessly
melancholy,-,(noun) a deep, long-lasting sadness
melee,-,(noun) a wild, confusing fight or struggle
mesmerize,-,(verb) to spellbind or enthrall
misanthrope,-,(noun) a hater of mankind
miscreant,-,(noun) a person who breaks the law
miser,-,(noun) a person who doesn't like to spend money (because they are greedy)
misogynist,-,(noun) a person who dislikes women in particular
moment,-,(noun) significant and important value
moot,-,(adjective) open to argument or debate; undecidable in a meaningless or irrelevant way
morose,-,(adjective) ill-tempered and not inclined to talk; gloomy
morph,-,(verb) To undergo dramatic change in a seamless and barely noticeable fashion.
muted,-,(adjective) softened, subdued
obdurate,-,(adjective) stubbornly persistent in changing an opinion or action
obliging,-,(adjective) showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
obstinate,-,(adjective) resistant to guidance or discipline; stubbornly persistent
ornate,-,(adjective) marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details
paradoxical,-,(adjective) seemingly contradictory but nonetheless possibly true
pastoral,-,(adjective) relating to the countryside in a pleasant sense
patronize,-,(verb) treat condescendingly
paucity,-,(noun) a lack of something
peevish,-,(adjective) easily irritated or annoyed
perennial,-,(adjective) lasting an indefinitely long time; eternal; everlasting
perpetuate,-,(verb) cause to continue
perquisite,-,(noun) a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or
pertinent,-,(adjective) having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand
perturb,-,(verb) disturb in mind or cause to be worried or alarmed
peruse,-,(verb) to read very carefully
pine,-,(verb) to yearn for
pinnacle,-,(noun) the highest point
piquant,-,(adjective) having an agreeably pungent taste
pithy,-,(adjective) concise and full of meaning
pittance,-,(noun) a small amount (of money)
placid,-,(adjective) not easily irritated
plodding,-,(adjective) (of movement) slow and laborious
ploy,-,(noun) a clever plan to turn a situation to one's advantage
powwow,-,(noun) an informal meeting or discussion
precarious,-,(adjective) fraught with danger
precedent,-,(noun) an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
preempt,-,(verb) take the place of or have precedence over
preemptive,-,(adjective) done before someone else can do it
presumption,-,(noun) an assumption that is taken for granted
presumption,-,(noun) audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to
presumptuous,-,(adjective) excessively forward
prevail,-,(verb) be widespread in a particular area at a particular time; be current:
prevail,-,(verb) prove superior
pristine,-,(adjective) Unspoiled, untouched (usu. of nature)
pristine,-,(adjective) Immaculately clean and unused
profuse,-,(adjective) plentiful; pouring out in abundance
profusion,-,(noun) the property of being extremely abundant
proponent,-,(noun) a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
provisional,-,(adjective) under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon
pugnacious,-,(adjective) eager to fight or argue; verbally combative
qualm,-,(noun) uneasiness about the fitness of an action
quandary,-,(noun) state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally
quip,-,(noun) a witty saying or remark
raffish,-,(adjective) marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness
raft,-,(noun) a large number of something
rakish,-,(adjective) marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness
rankle,-,(verb) gnaw into; make resentful or angry
rash,-,(adjective) marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences; imprudently incurring risk
redress,-,(noun) an act of making something right
relegate,-,(verb) assign to a lower position
remiss,-,(adjective) to be negligent in one"s duty
renege,-,(verb) fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
replete,-,(adjective) completely stocked or furnished with something
reprobate,-,(noun) a person who is disapproved of
reservation,-,(noun) an unstated doubt that prevents you from accepting something wholeheartedly
resignation,-,(noun) the acceptance of something unpleasant that can't be avoided
resolve,-,(verb) reach a conclusion after a discussion or deliberation
respite,-,(noun) a pause from doing something (as work)
retiring,-,(adjective) to be shy, and to be inclined to retract from company
retract,-,(verb) pull inward or towards a center; formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually
rile,-,(verb) cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
robust,-,(adjective) sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction
sanctimonious,-,(adjective) making a show of being pious; holier-than-thou
sanguine,-,(adjective) cheerful; optimistic
savvy,-,(noun) a perceptive understanding
savvy,-,(verb) get the meaning of something
savvy,-,(adjective) well-informed or perceptive
scintillating,-,(adjective) describes someone who is brilliant and lively
screed,-,(noun) an abusive rant (often tedious)
sentimental,-,(adjective) effusively or insincerely emotional, especially in art, music, and literature
serendipity,-,(noun) the instance in which an accidental, fortunate discovery is made
serene,-,(adjective) calm and peaceful
slapdash,-,(adjective) carelessly and hastily put together
smattering,-,(noun) a slight or superficial understanding of a subject; a small amount of something
smug,-,(adjective) marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
snide,-,(adjective) expressive of contempt; derogatory or mocking in an indirect way
snub,-,(verb) refuse to acknowledge; reject outright and bluntly
sordid,-,(adjective) involving ignoble actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt; foul
spendthrift,-,(noun) one who spends money extravagantly
spurn,-,(verb) reject with contempt
squander,-,(verb) spend thoughtlessly; waste time, money, or an opportunity
staid,-,(adjective) characterized by dignity and propriety
start,-,(verb) to suddenly move in a particular direction
steadfast,-,(adjective) marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
stem,-,(verb) to hold back or limit the flow or growth of something
stipend,-,(noun) a regular allowance (of money)
stolid,-,(adjective) having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
stymie,-,(verb) hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
summit,-,(noun) the peak or highest point
summit,-,(noun) a meeting of high-level leaders
surly,-,(adjective) inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace
tact,-,(noun) consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
tarnish,-,(verb) make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
tawdry,-,(adjective) tastelessly showy; cheap and shoddy
taxing,-,(adjective) use to the limit; exhaust
telling,-,(adjective) significant and revealing of another factor
telltale,-,(adjective) revealing
tender,-,(verb) offer up something formally
thoroughgoing,-,(adjective) very thorough; complete
thrifty,-,(adjective) spending money wisely
thwart,-,(verb) hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
tirade,-,(noun) an angry speech
tout,-,(verb) advertize in strongly positive terms; show off
transitory,-,(adjective) lasting a very short time
travail,-,(noun) use of physical or mental energy; hard work; agony or anguish
tribulation,-,(noun) something, especially an event, that causes difficulty and suffering
tumult,-,(noun) a state of chaos, noise and confusion
uncanny,-,(adjective) suggesting the operation of supernatural influences; surpassing the ordinary or
uncompromising,-,(adjective) not making concessions
unconscionable,-,(adjective) unreasonable; unscrupulous; excessive
underwrite,-,(verb) to support financially
unnerve,-,(verb) to make nervous or upset
unprecedented,-,(adjective) having never been done or known before; novel
unruly,-,(adjective) (of persons) noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline; unwilling to submit to
unseemly,-,(adjective) not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
urbane,-,(adjective) showing a high degree of refinement and the assurance that comes from wide social
vacuous,-,(adjective) devoid of intelligence, matter, or significance
vanquish,-,(verb) come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
variance,-,(noun) the quality of varying
veneer,-,(noun) covering consisting of a thin superficial layer that hides the underlying substance
vicarious,-,(adjective) felt or undergone as if one were taking part in the experience or feelings of
vie,-,(verb) compete for something
vindictive,-,(adjective) to have a very strong desire for revenge
virago,-,(noun) an ill-tempered or violent woman
voracious,-,(adjective) very hungry; approaching an activity with gusto
wanton,-,(adjective) without check or limitation; showing no moral restraints to one's anger, desire, or
wax,-,(verb) to gradually increase in size or intensity
whimsical,-,(adjective) determined by impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
zenith,-,(noun) the highest point; culmination
abjure,-,(verb) formally reject or give up (as a belief)
abrogate,-,(verb) revoke formally
adjudicate,-,(verb) to serve as a judge in a competition; to arrive at a judgment or conclusion
afford,-,(verb) provide with an opportunity
alacrity,-,(noun) an eager willingness to do something
anachronism,-,(noun) something that is inappropriate for the given time period (usually something old).
anathema,-,(noun) a detested person; the source of somebody's hate
anemic,-,(adjective) lacking energy and vigor
anodyne,-,(noun) something that soothes or relieves pain
anodyne,-,(adjective) inoffensive
antic,-,(adjective) ludicrously odd
aplomb,-,(noun) great coolness and composure under strain
apogee,-,(noun) the highest point
apostate,-,(noun) a person who has abandoned a religious faith or cause
apothegm,-,(noun) a short, pithy instructive saying
apotheosis,-,(noun) exaltation to divine status; the highest point of development
approbatory,-,(adjective) expressing praise or approval
appropriate,-,(verb) to give or take something by force
appropriate,-,(verb) to allocate
appurtenant,-,(adjective) supply added support
arch,-,(adjective) to be deliberately teasing
arrant,-,(adjective) complete and wholly (usually modifying a noun with negative connotation)
arriviste,-,(noun) a person who has recently reached a position of power; a social climber
arrogate,-,(verb) seize and control without authority
artifice,-,(noun) cunning tricks used to deceive others
artless,-,(adjective) without cunning or deceit
artlessness,-,(noun) the quality of innocence
asperity,-,(noun) harshness of manner
assiduously,-,(adverb) with care and persistence
atavism,-,(noun) a reappearance of an earlier characteristic; throwback
attenuate,-,(verb) to weaken (in terms of intensity); to taper off/become thinner.
autocratic,-,(adjective) characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolute sovereignty
autocratic,-,(adjective) offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted power
baleful,-,(adjective) threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
base,-,(adjective) the lowest, class were without any moral principles
bastardization,-,(noun) an act that debases or corrupts
beg,-,(verb) to evade or dodge (a question)
bemoan,-,(verb) express discontent or a stong regret
benighted,-,(adjective) fallen into a state of ignorance
bereft,-,(adjective) unhappy in love; suffering from unrequited love
bereft,-,(adjective) sorrowful through loss or deprivation
besotted,-,(adjective) strongly affectionate towards
besotted,-,(adjective) very drunk
bilious,-,(adjective) irritable; always angry
blinkered,-,(adjective) to have a limited outlook or understanding
bowdlerize,-,(verb) edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
bridle,-,(verb) the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess
bridle,-,(verb) anger or take offense
bristle,-,(verb) react in an offended or angry manner
broadside,-,(noun) a strong verbal attack
bromide,-,(noun) a trite or obvious remark
brook,-,(verb) put up with something or somebody unpleasant
browbeat,-,(verb) be bossy towards; discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner
byzantine,-,(adjective) intricate and complex
callow,-,(adjective) young and inexperienced
canard,-,(noun) a deliberately misleading fabrication
capitulate,-,(noun) to surrender (usually under agreed conditions)
cataclysm,-,(noun) an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
catholic,-,(adjective) of broad scope; universal
cede,-,(verb) relinquish possession or control over
celerity,-,(noun) speed, rapidity
chagrin,-,(noun) strong feelings of embarrassment
chagrin,-,(verb) cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of
charlatan,-,(noun) a flamboyant deceiver; one who attracts customers with tricks or jokes
chary,-,(adjective) cautious
chauvinism,-,(noun) fanatical patriotism; belief that one's group/cause is superior to all other
chimera,-,(noun) something desired or wished for but is only an illusion and impossible to achieve
choleric,-,(adjective) prone to outbursts of temper; easily angered
churlish,-,(adjective) lacking manners or refinement
complaisant,-,(adjective) showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
complicit,-,(adjective) Associated with or participating in an activity, especially one of a questionable
conciliate,-,(verb) to make peace with
concomitant,-,(adjective) describing an event or situation that happens at the same time as or in
conflagration,-,(noun) a very intense and uncontrolled fire
conflate,-,(verb) mix together different elements or concepts
contentious,-,(adjective) likely to argue
corollary,-,(noun) a practical consequence that follows naturally
cosseted,-,(verb) treat with excessive indulgence
coterminous,-,(adjective) being of equal extent or scope or duration
countermand,-,(verb) a contrary command cancelling or reversing a previous command
cow,-,(verb) to intimidate
crestfallen,-,(adjective) brought low in spirit
crystallize,-,(verb) cause to take on a definite and clear shape
cupidity,-,(noun) greed for money
curmudgeon,-,(noun) a grouchy, surly person
debonair,-,(adjective) having a sophisticated charm
decry,-,(verb) express strong disapproval of
defray,-,(verb) to help pay the cost of, either in part of full
deign,-,(verb) do something that one considers to be below one's dignity
demonstrative,-,(adjective) given to or marked by the open expression of emotion
denouement,-,(noun) the final resolution of the many strands of a literary or dramatic work; the
derelict,-,(adjective) (of a person) not doing one's duties
derelict,-,(noun) (of a building) abandoned
desiccated,-,(adjective) uninteresting, lacking vitality
desideratum,-,(noun) something desired as a necessity
despot,-,(noun) a cruel and oppressive dictator
diatribe,-,(noun) a strong verbal attack against a person or institution
diminutive,-,(noun) to indicate smallness
diminutive,-,(adjective) very small
disabuse,-,(verb) to persuade somebody that his/her belief is not valid
discursive,-,(adjective) (of e.g. speech and writing) tending to depart from the main point
disingenuous,-,(adjective) not straightforward; giving a false appearance of frankness
dispensation,-,(noun) an exemption from a rule or obligation
dissemble,-,(verb) conceal one's true motives, usually through deceit
dissipate,-,(verb) squander or spend money frivolously
dissipate,-,(verb) to disperse or scatter
dissolution,-,(noun) a living full of debauchery and indulgence in sensual pleasure
doleful,-,(adjective) filled with or evoking sadness
dolorous,-,(adjective) showing sorrow
doughty,-,(adjective) brave; bold; courageous
dovetail,-,(verb) fit together tightly, as if by means of a interlocking joint
duplicity,-,(noun) deceitfulness, pretending to want one thing but interested in something else
ebullient,-,(adjective) joyously unrestrained
effervescent,-,(adjective) marked by high spirits or excitement
effrontery,-,(noun) audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to
elegiac,-,(adjective) expressing sorrow
embryonic,-,(adjective) in an early stage of development
empiricism,-,(noun) any method that derives knowledge from experience, used in experimental science
enamor,-,(verb) attraction or feeling of love
encumber,-,(verb) hold back
enjoin,-,(verb) give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority
enormity,-,(noun) an act of extreme wickedness
enthrall,-,(verb) hold spellbound
epigram,-,(noun) a witty saying
epiphany,-,(noun) a sudden revelation or moment of insight
eponym,-,(noun) the name derived from a person (real or imaginary); the person for whom something is
equitable,-,(adjective) fair to all parties as dictated by reason and conscience
equivocate,-,(verb) to speak vaguely, usually with the intention to mislead or deceive
ersatz,-,(adjective) not real or genuine; phony
estimable,-,(adjective) deserving of esteem and respect
ethereal,-,(adjective) characterized by lightness and insubstantiality
evanescent,-,(adjective) tending to vanish like vapor
excoriate,-,(verb) to criticize very harshly
execrate,-,(verb) to curse and hiss at
exegesis,-,(noun) critical explanation or analysis, especially of a text
exemplar,-,(noun) something to be imitated
exiguity,-,(noun) the quality of being meager
exorbitant,-,(adjective) greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
expansive,-,(adjective) communicative, and prone to talking in a sociable manner
expunge,-,(verb) to eliminate completely
expurgate,-,(verb) to remove objectionable material
extrapolate,-,(verb) draw from specific cases for more general cases
facile,-,(adjective) arrived at without due care or effort; lacking depth
factious,-,(adjective) produced by, or characterized by internal dissension
factitious,-,(adjective) artificial; not natural
feckless,-,(adjective) lazy and irresponsible
fecund,-,(adjective) intellectually productive
fell,-,(adjective) terribly evil
firebrand,-,(noun) someone who deliberately creates trouble
flag,-,(verb) droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness; become less intense
flippant,-,(adjective) showing inappropriate levity
flummox,-,(verb) be a mystery or bewildering to
fractious,-,(adjective) irritable and is likely to cause disruption
gaffe,-,(noun) a socially awkward or tactless act
gambit,-,(noun) a manuveur or risk in a game or conversation, designed to secure an advantage
gerrymander,-,(verb) to manipulate voting districts in order to favor a particular political party
graft,-,(noun) corruption, usually through bribery
grandiloquent,-,(adjective) puffed up with vanity
gumption,-,(noun) resourcefulness and determination
hagiographic,-,(adjective) excessively flattering toward someone's life or work
hail,-,(verb) enthusiastically acclaim or celebrate something
halcyon,-,(adjective) idyllically calm and peaceful; suggesting happy tranquillity; marked by peace and
hauteur,-,(noun) overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors
hector,-,(verb) to bully or intimidate
hedge,-,(verb) to limit or qualify a statement; to avoid making a direct statement
histrionic,-,(adjective) to be overly theatrical
hoary,-,(adjective) ancient
hobble,-,(verb) to hold back the progress of something
hoodwink,-,(verb) to deceive or trick someone
hubris,-,(noun) overbearing pride or presumption
illustrious,-,(adjective) widely known and esteemed; having or conferring glory
imbibe,-,(verb) to drink or absorb as if drinking
imbroglio,-,(noun) a confusing and potentially embarrassing situation
immure,-,(verb) to enclose, usually in walls
impecunious,-,(adjective) lacking money; poor
imperious,-,(adjective) having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as
impervious,-,(adjective) not admitting of passage or capable of being affected
impetuous,-,(adjective) characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation
importuned,-,(verb) beg persistently and urgently
improvident,-,(adjective) not given careful consideration
impugn,-,(verb) attack as false or wrong
impute,-,(verb) attribute (responsibility or fault) to something
inanity,-,(noun) total lack of meaning or ideas
inchoate,-,(adjective) only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
incontrovertible,-,(adjective) necessarily or demonstrably true; impossible to deny or disprove
indigent,-,(adjective) poor; having very little
indigent,-,(noun) a poor or needy person
ineffable,-,(adjective) too sacred to be uttered; defying expression or description
ineluctable,-,(adjective) impossible to avoid or evade:
inequity,-,(noun) injustice by virtue of not conforming with rules or standards
infelicitous,-,(adjective) inappropriate
inimitable,-,(adjective) defying imitation; matchless
insouciance,-,(noun) lack of concern
insufferable,-,(adjective) intolerable, difficult to endure
internecine,-,(adjective) (of conflict) within a group or organization
intimation,-,(noun) an indirect suggestion
inure,-,(verb) to make accustomed to something unpleasant
invective,-,(noun) abusive or denunciatory language
invidious,-,(adjective) likely to cause resentment
inviolable,-,(adjective) never to be broken, infringed, or dishonored
inviolate,-,(adjective) must be kept sacred
irrefutable,-,(adjective) impossible to deny or disprove
jaundice,-,(adjective) to be biased against due to envy or prejudice
jejune,-,(adjective) dull; lacking flavor
jejune,-,(adjective) immature; childish
jingoist,-,(noun) a person who thinks that their country should be at war
juggernaut,-,(noun) a force that cannot be stopped
kowtow,-,(verb) to bow or act in a subservient manner
lacerate,-,(verb) deeply hurt the feelings of; distress
lachrymose,-,(adjective) showing sorrow
lampoon,-,(verb) ridicule with satire
languish,-,(verb) become feeble
lascivious,-,(adjective) lecherous; sexually perverted
limpid,-,(adjective) clarity in terms of expression
litany,-,(noun) any long and tedious account of something
loath,-,(adjective) unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom (usually followed by 'to')
lugubrious,-,(adjective) excessively mournful
machinate,-,(verb) engage in plotting or enter into a conspiracy, swear together
magisterial,-,(adjective) offensively self-assured or given to exercising unwarranted power
malapropism,-,(noun) the confusion of a word with another word that sounds similar
malfeasance,-,(adjective) misconduct or wrongdoing (especially by a public official)
malingerer,-,(noun) someone shirking their duty by pretending to be sick or incapacitated
martinet,-,(noun) a strict disciplinarian
maudlin,-,(adjective) overly emotional and sad
maunder,-,(verb) wander aimlessly
maunder,-,(verb) speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
mellifluous,-,(adjective) smooth and sweet-sounding
mendicant,-,(noun) a pauper who lives by begging
meteoric,-,(adjective) like a meteor in speed or brilliance or transience
mettlesome,-,(adjective) filled with courage or valor
misattribute,-,(verb) To erroneously attribute; to falsely ascribe; used especially of authorship.
modicum,-,(noun) a small or moderate or token amount
mordant,-,(adjective) biting and caustic in thought, manner, or style
moribund,-,(adjective) being on the point of death; declining rapidly losing all momentum in progress
mulct,-,(verb) to defraud or swindle
nadir,-,(noun) the lowest point
nettlesome,-,(adjective) causing irritation or annoyance
noisome,-,(adjective) having an extremely bad smell
nonchalant,-,(adjective) coming across as cooly uninterested
objurgate,-,(verb) express strong disapproval of
oblique,-,(adjective) not straightforward; indirect
obstreperous,-,(adjective) noisily and stubbornly defiant; willfully difficult to control
obtain,-,(adjective) be valid, applicable, or true
obtuse,-,(adjective) slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity; lacking in insight or
officious,-,(adjective) intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
ossify,-,(verb) make rigid and set into a conventional pattern
overweening,-,(adjective) arrogant; presumptuous
palatable,-,(adjective) acceptable to the taste or mind
palaver,-,(verb) speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
palimpsest,-,(noun) something that has been changed numerous times but on which traces of former
panacea,-,(noun) hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases; a universal solution
panegyric,-,(noun) a formal expression of praise
paragon,-,(noun) model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
paragon,-,(noun) an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
pariah,-,(noun) an outcast
parvenu,-,(noun) a person who has suddenly become wealthy, but not socially accepted as part of a
patent,-,(adjective) glaringly obvious
pecuniary,-,(adjective) relating to or involving money
pellucid,-,(adjective) transparently clear; easily understandable
penurious,-,(adjective) lacking money; poor
penurious,-,(adjective) miserly
percipient,-,(adjective) highly perceptive
peremptory,-,(adjective) bossy and domineering
perfunctory,-,(adjective) done routinely and with little interest or care
peripatetic,-,(adjective) traveling by foot
perspicacious,-,(adjective) acutely insightful and wise
phantasmagorical,-,(adjective) illusive; unreal
philistine,-,(adjective) smug and ignorant towards artistic and cultural values
phlegmatic,-,(adjective) showing little emotion
picayune,-,(adjective) trifling or petty (a person)
pillory,-,(verb) ridicule or expose to public scorn
pith,-,(noun) the most essential part of something
plucky,-,(adjective) marked by courage and determination
Pollyannaish,-,(adjective) extremely optimistic
ponderous,-,(adjective) weighed-down; moving slowly
pontificate,-,(verb) talk in a dogmatic and pompous manner
portentous,-,(adjective) ominously prophetic
precipitate,-,(adjective) hasty or rash
precipitate,-,(verb) to cause to happen
presentiment,-,(noun) a feeling of evil to come
primacy,-,(noun) the state of being first in importance
probity,-,(noun) integrity, strong moral principles
prognostication,-,(noun) a statement made about the future
prolixity,-,(noun) boring verbosity
promulgate,-,(verb) state or announce
propitiate,-,(verb) to placate or appease
prosaic,-,(adjective) dull and lacking imagination
proscribe,-,(verb) command against
proselytize,-,(verb) convert to another religion, philosophy, or perspective
protean,-,(adjective) readily taking on different roles; versatile
provident,-,(adjective) careful in regard to your own interests; providing carefully for the future
puerile,-,(adjective) of or characteristic of a child; displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity
puissant,-,(adjective) powerful
punctilious,-,(adjective) marked by precise accordance with details
pyrrhic,-,(adjective) describing a victory that comes at such a great cost that the victory is not worthwhile
quail,-,(verb) draw back, as with fear or pain
quisling,-,(noun) a traitor
quixotic,-,(adjective) wildly idealistic; impractical
raconteur,-,(noun) a person skilled in telling anecdotes
raillery,-,(noun) light teasing
rapprochement,-,(noun) the reestablishing of cordial relations
rarefied,-,(verb) make more subtle or refined
recapitulation,-,(noun) a summary (think of recap)
recrimination,-,(noun) mutual accusations
recrudesce,-,(verb) to break out or happen again
redoubtable,-,(adjective) inspiring fear or awe
remonstrate,-,(verb) to make objections while pleading
reprisal,-,(noun) a retaliatory action against an enemy in wartime
ribald,-,(adjective) humorously vulgar
row,-,(noun) an angry dispute
sagacious,-,(adjective) having good judgement and acute insight
sangfroid,-,(noun) calmness or poise in difficult situations
sardonic,-,(adjective) disdainfully or ironically humorous; scornful and mocking
sartorial,-,(adjective) related to fashion or clothes
saturnine,-,(adjective) morose or gloomy
schadenfreude,-,(noun) joy from watching the suffering of others
sedulous,-,(adjective) done diligently and carefully
self-effacing,-,(adjective) reluctant to draw attention to yourself
semblance,-,(noun) an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
sententious,-,(adjective) to be moralizing, usually in a pompous sense
simulacrum,-,(noun) a representation of a person (especially in the form of sculpture)
simulacrum,-,(noun) a bad imitation
sinecure,-,(noun) an office that involves minimal duties
solecism,-,(noun) a socially awkward or tactless act
solicitous,-,(adjective) showing hovering attentiveness
solicitude,-,(noun) a feeling of excessive concern
spartan,-,(adjective) unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment; practicing great selfdenial
splenetic,-,(adjective) very irritable
squelch,-,(verb) suppress or crush completely
stalwart,-,(adjective) dependable; inured to fatigue or hardships
stultify,-,(verb) cause one, through routine, to lose energy and enthusiasm
subterfuge,-,(noun) something intended to misrepresent the true nature of an activity
supercilious,-,(adjective) haughty and disdainful; looking down on others
surfeit,-,(noun) an excessive amount of something
surreptitious,-,(adjective) stealty, taking pains not to be caught or detected
sybarite,-,(noun) a person who indulges in luxury
temerity,-,(noun) fearless daring
tempestuous,-,(adjective) as if driven by turbulent or conflicting emotions; highly energetic and wildly
tendentious,-,(adjective) likely to lean towards a controversial view
transmute,-,(verb) change or alter in form, appearance, or nature
trenchant,-,(adjective) characterized by or full of force and vigor; having keenness and forcefulness and
truculence,-,(noun) defiant aggressiveness
truculent,-,(adjective) having a fierce, savage nature
turgid,-,(adjective) (of language) pompous and tedious
turpitude,-,(noun) depravity; a depraved act
tyro,-,(noun) someone new to a field or activity
umbrage,-,(noun) a feeling of anger caused by being offended
unassailable,-,(adjective) immune to attack; without flaws
unflappable,-,(adjective) not easily perturbed or excited or upset; marked by extreme calm and
unforthcoming,-,(adjective) uncooperative, not willing to give up information
unimpeachable,-,(adjective) free of guilt; not subject to blame; beyond doubt or reproach
unprepossessing,-,(adjective) creating an unfavorable or neutral first impression
unpropitious,-,(adjective) (of a circumstance) with little chance of success
unstinting,-,(adjective) very generous
untenable,-,(adjective) (of theories etc) incapable of being defended or justified
untoward,-,(adjective) unfavorable; inconvenient
untrammeled,-,(adjective) not confined or limited
unviable,-,(adjective) not able to work, survive, or succeed (also spelled inviable).
vaunted,-,(adjective) highly or widely praised or boasted about
venial,-,(adjective) easily excused or forgiven; pardonable
verisimilitude,-,(noun) the appearance of truth
veritable,-,(adjective) truthfully, without a doubt
vicissitude,-,(noun) change in one"s circumstances, usually for the worse
vitriol,-,(noun) abusive or venomous language used to express blame or bitter deep-seated ill will
vitriolic,-,(adjective) harsh or corrosive in tone
vituperate,-,(adjective) to criticize harshly; to berate
zeitgeist,-,(noun) spirit of the times