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Vocabulary words
vocab words
784
General Vocab
Not Applicable
11/14/2004

Additional General Vocab Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
abashed
Definition
disconcerted & embarrassed (if you talk shit & they hear)
Term
abate
Definition
"reduce in amt, degree or severity"; As the hurricane's force ABATED, the winds dropped and the sea became calm. (ebb, moderate, subside, lapse, relent, wane, let up, slacken)
Term
abdicate
Definition
formally give up power/office
Term
abhor
Definition
to despise
Term
abhorrent
Definition
hateful
Term
abject
Definition
hopeless; low; pitiful
Term
abridge
Definition
edit/shorten
Term
abscond
Definition
to leave secretly
Term
absolve
Definition
forgive/free from blame
Term
abstain
Definition
choose not to do something
Term
abstemious
Definition
not indulgent; esp. w/food & drink
Term
abstruse
Definition
difficult to comprehend
Term
abysmal
Definition
great extent; immeasurable
Term
abyss
Definition
an extremely deep hole
Term
acclaim
Definition
positive response
Term
acerbic
Definition
"bitter, sharp in taste"
Term
acquiesce
Definition
to agree/give in
Term
acrid
Definition
harsh; bitter
Term
acrimonious
Definition
caustic/bitter in nature
Term
addendum
Definition
"an addition, usually to a book"
Term
adduce
Definition
to offer as proof in an argument
Term
adjourn
Definition
to formally end a session
Term
admonish
Definition
"rebuke; to reprove gently, instinct/direct, reprimand"
Term
adulation
Definition
high praise; hero worship
Term
adulterate
Definition
to corrupt/make impure
Term
adverse
Definition
"unfavorable, unlucky, harmful"
Term
advocate
Definition
to speak in favor of
Term
aesthete
Definition
one w/artistic sensibilities
Term
aesthetic
Definition
concerning the appreciation of beauty
Term
affectation
Definition
"pretense/show, false display"
Term
affluence
Definition
wealth
Term
aggrandize
Definition
"to increase in power, influence, & reputation"
Term
aggregate
Definition
total
Term
agnostic
Definition
one who doubts the existence of god
Term
allay
Definition
to put to rest; relieve
Term
allayed
Definition
minimized
Term
alleviate
Definition
to make more bearable
Term
allusiveness
Definition
quality of making many indirect references
Term
altercation
Definition
a quarrel
Term
altruistic
Definition
"charitable, unselfish concern for others' welfare"
Term
amalgam
Definition
"a mixture, especially of two metals"
Term
amalgamate
Definition
"to combine, to mix together"
Term
ambiguous
Definition
doubtful or uncertain; able to be interpreted several ways
Term
ambivalent
Definition
having mixed feelings
Term
ameliorate
Definition
to make better; to improve
Term
amend
Definition
to fix
Term
amiable
Definition
"agreeable, kind"
Term
amphibian
Definition
creature equally at home in water or on land
Term
amulet
Definition
ornament worn as a charm to ward off evil spirits
Term
anachronism
Definition
something our of place in time
Term
anachronistic
Definition
"out of place, time-wise"
Term
analogous
Definition
similar or alike in some ways; equivalent to
Term
anathematize
Definition
curse someone
Term
angular
Definition
characterized by sharp angles; lean & gaunt
Term
animosity
Definition
"hostility, hatred"
Term
anomaly
Definition
deviation from normal
Term
antagonize
Definition
to annoy; provoke to anger
Term
antipathy
Definition
"hatred, hostility; extreme dislike"
Term
antithetical
Definition
contrasting; opposing
Term
apathy
Definition
lack of interest/emotion
Term
apposite
Definition
fitting; characterized by relevance
Term
appraised
Definition
judged; rated
Term
approbation
Definition
praise
Term
arable
Definition
suitable for cultivation
Term
arbitrate
Definition
to judge a dispute between 2 opposing parties
Term
archaic
Definition
"ancient, old-fashioned"
Term
archetype
Definition
prototype; a perfect experience
Term
ardor
Definition
intense & passionate feeling
Term
arid
Definition
very dry; very boring
Term
arson
Definition
illegal act of burning
Term
articulate
Definition
"speaks readily, easily, quickly, clear, coherent"
Term
articulateness
Definition
ability to speak well
Term
artlessness
Definition
openness; naturalness (not acting)
Term
ascetic
Definition
depriving oneself of luxury; austere
Term
ascribed
Definition
to attribute/assign
Term
askew
Definition
"off center, crooked"
Term
assess
Definition
to sum up/estimate
Term
assuage
Definition
to make something unpleasant less severe; to relieve; ease
Term
astute
Definition
having good judgment
Term
attenuate
Definition
to reduce in force or degree; to weaken
Term
audacious
Definition
fearless & daring; having gall (guts)
Term
augury
Definition
omen
Term
auspicious
Definition
happening at an advantageous time; promising
Term
austere
Definition
severe/stern in appearance; undecorated
Term
avaricious
Definition
greedy
Term
aviary
Definition
large enclosure housing birds
Term
balk
Definition
to hesitate
Term
banal
Definition
"predictable, cliched, boring"
Term
barrage
Definition
a bombardment
Term
barren
Definition
incapable of producing offspring
Term
base
Definition
"lowly, not classy, commonplace, morally low"
Term
bay
Definition
"to bark, esp. in a deep prolonged way"
Term
beam
Definition
to smile broadly
Term
befriend
Definition
make a friend of
Term
beget
Definition
create/To cause to exist or occur
Term
beguile
Definition
"to mislead, trick"
Term
behemoth
Definition
huge creature
Term
belied
Definition
to falsify or misrepresent
Term
bellicose
Definition
"belligerent, hostile"
Term
belligerent
Definition
"hostile, tending to fight"
Term
berate
Definition
to scold harshly
Term
beseech
Definition
to request with great favor
Term
bespoke
Definition
custom-tailored
Term
bias
Definition
"a prejudice, a diagonal"
Term
bibliophile
Definition
one who loves books
Term
blanch
Definition
to bleach
Term
blandish
Definition
to flatter & coax
Term
bluestocking
Definition
a learned woman (esp. in literary circles)
Term
bolster
Definition
to support; to prop up
Term
bombastic
Definition
pompous in speech & manner
Term
boor
Definition
"a crude person, one lacking manners or taste"
Term
bovine
Definition
"cow-like, relating to cows"
Term
brash
Definition
having no regard for consequences; tactless
Term
brevity
Definition
brief; concise expression
Term
brink
Definition
edge
Term
buffoon
Definition
clown/fool
Term
bungling
Definition
unskilled
Term
bustling
Definition
brimming with activity
Term
buttress
Definition
to support; to reinforce
Term
cacophonous
Definition
jarring; unpleasantly noisy
Term
cacophony
Definition
"harsh, jarring noise"
Term
cadging
Definition
begging or scrounging
Term
callous
Definition
"insensitive, thick-skinned"
Term
callow
Definition
"immature, lacking sophistication"
Term
candescent
Definition
giving off light
Term
candid
Definition
impartial & honest in speech
Term
cantankerous
Definition
grumpy
Term
capacious
Definition
"large, roomy, extensive"
Term
capricious
Definition
changing one's mind quickly & often
Term
cardiac
Definition
relating to the heart
Term
carp
Definition
"to find fault with, complain constantly"
Term
castigate
Definition
to condemn; to punish or criticize harshly
Term
casual
Definition
"incidental, occurring by chance; informal, relaxed"
Term
cataclysm
Definition
disaster
Term
catalyst
Definition
something that brings about a change in something else
Term
caustic
Definition
biting in wit; sarcastic; corrosive
Term
cede
Definition
to surrender possession of something
Term
censure
Definition
to find fault with & condemn as wrong; blame
Term
cessation
Definition
a stop
Term
chaos
Definition
great disorder or confusion
Term
chary
Definition
someone who's very wary/shy; displays caution
Term
chauvinist
Definition
someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he/she belongs
Term
chicanery
Definition
deception by trickery; trickery in matters of law
Term
chide
Definition
to scold mildly
Term
chimerical
Definition
unreal
Term
chronicle
Definition
to record historical events
Term
churl
Definition
"a rude, boorish person"
Term
circumlocution
Definition
"roundabout, lengthy way of saying something"
Term
circumspect
Definition
"cautious, wary"
Term
clairvoyant
Definition
having ESP; psychic
Term
clamor
Definition
noisy outcry
Term
cloying
Definition
unpleasant because of excess; sickeningly sweet or sentimental
Term
codify
Definition
to systematize; to put in the form of a code
Term
cogent
Definition
convincing and well-seasoned
Term
cohabit
Definition
to live somewhere together
Term
cohesive
Definition
sticking together
Term
colloquial
Definition
characteristic of informal speech
Term
commensurate
Definition
proportional
Term
composure
Definition
"level-headed, poise"
Term
concede
Definition
to surrender or forfeit something
Term
concession
Definition
"a sacrifice, an admittance, something yielded"
Term
conciliatory
Definition
overcoming distrust or hostility
Term
condign
Definition
deserved or appropriate
Term
condone
Definition
"to overlook, pardon, or disregard; to endorse"
Term
conflates
Definition
combines
Term
congenial
Definition
friendly/agreeable
Term
conglomerate
Definition
collected group of various things
Term
consecrate
Definition
to make holy
Term
contention
Definition
an argument; a striving to win in competition
Term
contentious
Definition
"quarrelsome, argumentative"
Term
contrition
Definition
a sense of remorse
Term
convoluted
Definition
intricate & complicated
Term
corroborate
Definition
to provide supporting evidence
Term
cosmopolitan
Definition
worldwide scope
Term
countenance
Definition
to approve
Term
countermand
Definition
"to annul, cancel, or make a contrary order"
Term
covert
Definition
"hidden, secret"
Term
covet
Definition
to desire
Term
cow
Definition
"to intimidate, to browbeat"
Term
craven
Definition
cowardly
Term
credulous
Definition
too trusting; gullible
Term
crescendo
Definition
steadily increasing volume or force
Term
crotchety
Definition
"complaining, grouchy, irritable"
Term
cryptic
Definition
puzzling
Term
curmudgeon
Definition
"a cranky, cynical person"
Term
cursory
Definition
not thorough
Term
curt
Definition
"blunt, abrupt"
Term
cygnet
Definition
young swan
Term
cynic
Definition
someone who has a distrust of people's motives
Term
dank
Definition
unpleasantly humid
Term
daunt
Definition
to dismay; lessen someone's courage; frighten; alarm
Term
daunted
Definition
intimidated
Term
dauntless
Definition
"bold, courageous"
Term
dearth
Definition
"a shortage, a lack"
Term
debacle
Definition
"sudden collapse, rout"
Term
decorum
Definition
appropriateness of behavior/conduct; propriety
Term
decry
Definition
"to belittle, openly condemn"
Term
deem
Definition
to pronounce judgment
Term
defame
Definition
"to slander, to speak evil of, to libel"
Term
defer
Definition
to save for later
Term
deference
Definition
"respect, courtesy"
Term
deficit
Definition
"a lack of something, a gap"
Term
defile
Definition
"to dirty, to spoil, to disgrace or dishonor"
Term
delectation
Definition
enjoyment
Term
delicacy
Definition
a rare food
Term
deluge
Definition
a flood
Term
demean
Definition
"to degrade, humiliate, humble"
Term
denigrate
Definition
to slur or blacken someone's reputation
Term
denounce
Definition
"to accuse, to blame"
Term
deposition
Definition
dethroning/attestation of truth; legal statement
Term
deprecate
Definition
"to disparage, to belittle (express disapproval of)"
Term
depreciate
Definition
"lessen in value, belittle, disparage"
Term
derelict
Definition
(adj) negligent; (n) a bum
Term
deride
Definition
to speak of/treat with contempt; to mock
Term
derision
Definition
insult; disrespect; making fun of something to express hatred
Term
derisive
Definition
in a mocking manner
Term
derivative
Definition
copied/adapted; not original
Term
derogate
Definition
to denounce or be critical of
Term
derogatory
Definition
impair the value of
Term
descendant
Definition
one who is directly related to someone of an older generation
Term
desecrate
Definition
to violate something sacred
Term
desiccate
Definition
to dry out thoroughly
Term
desirous
Definition
motivated by desire
Term
despot
Definition
an absolute monarch; a tyrant
Term
destitute
Definition
poor
Term
desultory
Definition
jumping from one thing to another; disconnected; random
Term
detritus
Definition
"trash, rubble"
Term
deviation
Definition
"departure, exception; anomaly"
Term
diabolical
Definition
fiendish; wicked
Term
diatribe
Definition
"bitter, verbal attack"
Term
diffident
Definition
"shy, lacking confidence"
Term
dilate
Definition
to make larger; to expand
Term
dilatory
Definition
intended to delay; not prompt
Term
dilettante
Definition
amateurish; someone with superficial interest in a topic
Term
diluvial
Definition
relating to floods
Term
dire
Definition
"extreme, bleak"
Term
dirge
Definition
funeral hymn or mournful speech
Term
disabuse
Definition
to set right; to free from error
Term
disarming
Definition
"charming, alleviating criticism"
Term
discern
Definition
to perceive; to recognize
Term
disclose
Definition
to divulge; to confess
Term
discordant
Definition
"harsh sounding, inharmonious, conflicting"
Term
disjoined
Definition
not in order
Term
disparage
Definition
to belittle; speak disrespectfully about
Term
disparate
Definition
fundamentally different; entirely unlike
Term
dispatch
Definition
"quick efficiency, opposite of serenity"
Term
disputant
Definition
someone involved in a quarrel
Term
dissect
Definition
break into pieces; to analyze
Term
dissemble
Definition
lie; to present a false appearance; to disguise one's real intentions/characters
Term
disseminate
Definition
to spread widely (usually an idea)
Term
dissension
Definition
disagreement; difference of opinion
Term
dissipated
Definition
to drive away; disperse; scattered
Term
dissonance
Definition
harsh & disagreeable combo; often of sounds
Term
distended
Definition
"bloated, swelled up, inflated"
Term
distraught
Definition
worried & depressed
Term
divestiture
Definition
a taking away of something
Term
divulge
Definition
make known/confess
Term
dogma
Definition
firmly held opinion; often a religious belief
Term
dogmatic
Definition
dictatorial in one's opinions; opinionated
Term
doldrums
Definition
state of depression
Term
dolt
Definition
"idiot, dimwit, foolish person, blockhead"
Term
dormant
Definition
"rest, inactive, in suspended state"
Term
dote
Definition
like/admire
Term
dour
Definition
gloomy
Term
drought
Definition
long period of no rainfall
Term
dulcet
Definition
"pleasant sounding, soothing to the ear"
Term
dupe
Definition
to deceive; a person who's easily deceived
Term
duplicity
Definition
quality of being deep or double (i.e. doubletalker)
Term
dyspeptic
Definition
one who suffers from indigestion
Term
ebullient
Definition
bubbling with enthusiasm
Term
eclectic
Definition
selecting at will; combining elements from a variety of sources
Term
efficacy
Definition
effectiveness; productiveness
Term
effrontery
Definition
impudence; audacity
Term
effulgent
Definition
"shining brilliantly, resplendent"
Term
effusive
Definition
full of emotion
Term
egregious
Definition
conspicuously bad or offensive
Term
elegy
Definition
sorrowful poem/speech
Term
elicit
Definition
to draw out; provoke
Term
eloquent
Definition
persuasive & moving; especially in speech
Term
elucidate
Definition
to explain; to make clear or plain
Term
elude
Definition
to escape from
Term
embolden
Definition
to make confident
Term
emendations
Definition
corrections in a text
Term
eminent
Definition
celebrated; distinguished; outstanding
Term
emollient
Definition
having soothing qualities; making less harsh
Term
emulate
Definition
to copy; imitate
Term
encumber
Definition
block/weigh down
Term
endemic
Definition
belonging to a particular area; inherent
Term
enervate
Definition
to weaken; to zap strength from
Term
enervated
Definition
pooped
Term
engender
Definition
"to produce, cause, or bring about"
Term
enigma
Definition
puzzle/mystery
Term
enmity
Definition
state of being an enemy; mutual hatred
Term
enshroud
Definition
to cover; enclose with a dark cover
Term
entreat
Definition
to wander aimlessly; to beg
Term
entrenched
Definition
firmly established
Term
enumerate
Definition
"to count, list, or itemize"
Term
ephemeral
Definition
lasting a short time
Term
epicurean
Definition
person who is likely to indulge himself
Term
epiphyte
Definition
plant that lives off other plants
Term
episodic
Definition
made up of episodes; occasional
Term
epitaph
Definition
writing on a tombstone
Term
epithet
Definition
descriptive term used critically
Term
epitome
Definition
perfect example
Term
epoch
Definition
period of time
Term
equanimity
Definition
calmness; composure
Term
equine
Definition
relating to horses
Term
equivocal
Definition
having 2 meanings/uncertain
Term
equivocate
Definition
use expressions of double meaning in order to mislead
Term
eradicate
Definition
eliminate completely; erase
Term
erratic
Definition
wandering & unpredictable
Term
eructation
Definition
belch
Term
erudite
Definition
"learned, scholarly, bookish"
Term
erudition
Definition
knowledge; deep extensive learning
Term
esoteric
Definition
known or understood by only a few
Term
estimable
Definition
admirable; deserving of esteem
Term
estrange
Definition
to alienate; keep at a distance
Term
eulogy
Definition
speech in praise of someone
Term
euphemism
Definition
way of saying something to make it less offensive
Term
euphony
Definition
"pleasant, harmonious sound"
Term
evanescent
Definition
"momentary, short-lived, fleeting"
Term
exacerbate
Definition
to make worse
Term
exalted
Definition
elevated to a high position
Term
excoriate
Definition
to condemn scathingly
Term
exculpate
Definition
to clear from blame; prove innocent
Term
exertion
Definition
an effort
Term
exigent
Definition
"urgent, requiring immediate action"
Term
exonerate
Definition
clear of blame
Term
expatriate
Definition
one who lives outside one's native land
Term
expedient
Definition
convenient (expedia = convenient)
Term
explicit
Definition
clearly stated/shown
Term
expurgate
Definition
remove objectionable parts; purify
Term
extemporaneous
Definition
spontaneous; carried out with little or no preparation
Term
extemporize
Definition
improvise
Term
extricate
Definition
to free from; to disentangle
Term
exult
Definition
to rejoice
Term
facetious
Definition
dissenting; differ in opinion; humorous
Term
fallacious
Definition
"wrong, unsound, illogical"
Term
fallacy
Definition
falseness
Term
fallow
Definition
uncultivated; unused
Term
fanatical
Definition
acting excessively enthusiastic; filled with extreme devotion
Term
fanaticism
Definition
state of being a fanatic
Term
farcical
Definition
absurd
Term
fawn
Definition
to grovel; flatter excessively; seek the favor of
Term
fearsome
Definition
"inspiring fear, timid"
Term
feckless
Definition
without purpose
Term
fecundity
Definition
"fertility, fruitfulness"
Term
feign
Definition
"to pretend, give a false impression, to invert falsely"
Term
fervid
Definition
intensely emotional; feverish
Term
fickle
Definition
"indecisive, changing your mind quickly, erratic"
Term
fledging
Definition
"young bird just learning to fly; beginner, novice"
Term
florid
Definition
"ruddy, flushed, gaudy, extremely ornate"
Term
flounder
Definition
"to falter, waver, to muddle, struggle"
Term
foment
Definition
to arouse; incite
Term
foolhardy
Definition
"rash, reckless, impetuous"
Term
forbear
Definition
to hold back/control oneself
Term
forestall
Definition
"to delay, to prevent, to anticipate"
Term
fortuitous
Definition
having because of luck; having fortune
Term
foster
Definition
"to nourish, cultivate, promote"
Term
foundering
Definition
"falling helplessly, sinking"
Term
frangible
Definition
fragile; breakable
Term
fret
Definition
to worry
Term
frivolity
Definition
the condition of being frivolous
Term
frivolous
Definition
Unworthy of serious attention; trivial
Term
froward
Definition
stubborn
Term
frugal
Definition
economical
Term
frugality
Definition
a tendency to be thrifty or cheap
Term
furtive
Definition
"secret, stealthy"
Term
futile
Definition
"vain, fruitless"
Term
gadfly
Definition
a tormentor; cattle biting fly
Term
garble
Definition
to pervert; mutilate
Term
garrulous
Definition
very talkative
Term
glib
Definition
"showing little thought, shifty"
Term
gluttonous
Definition
one who eats a lot
Term
gossamer
Definition
"light, filmy, or delicate"
Term
gravity
Definition
seriousness
Term
gregarious
Definition
"outgoing, sociable"
Term
grudgingly
Definition
with reservation
Term
guile
Definition
deceit or trickery
Term
gullible
Definition
"easily fooled, naïve"
Term
hackneyed
Definition
riddled with cliches
Term
hapless
Definition
having bad luck; unfortunate
Term
haughty
Definition
arrogant
Term
hedonism
Definition
living for pleasure
Term
heedlessness
Definition
lack of care in performance
Term
heretic
Definition
a rebel
Term
heretical
Definition
opposed to an established religious orthodoxy
Term
hidebound
Definition
occasionally rigid; dry & stiff
Term
histrionic
Definition
"theatrical, hysterical, dramatic"
Term
homogenous
Definition
of a similar kind
Term
husk
Definition
to remove the husk from (corn); an empty shell
Term
hyperbolic
Definition
purposefully exaggerated language
Term
iconoclast
Definition
"one who opposes established beliefs, customs & institutions"
Term
ideology
Definition
system of beliefs
Term
ignoble
Definition
dishonorable
Term
ignominious
Definition
disgraceful & dishonorable
Term
illicit
Definition
"illegal, improper"
Term
immutable
Definition
not changing
Term
impale
Definition
to puncture something completely; to run it through
Term
impassive
Definition
showing no emotion
Term
impeach
Definition
to charge with misdeeds in public office; accuse
Term
imperturbable
Definition
not capable of being disturbed
Term
impervious
Definition
impossible to penetrate; incapable of being affected
Term
impetuous
Definition
"rash, without a cause"
Term
impetus
Definition
quick to act without thinking
Term
implacable
Definition
impossible to appease; unchangeable; stubborn
Term
implicit
Definition
not directly stated; implied
Term
impose
Definition
"to inflict upon, force upon"
Term
impotent
Definition
having no power
Term
imprecation
Definition
a curse
Term
impudence
Definition
"arrogance, audacity"
Term
impugn
Definition
to attack with words
Term
impunity
Definition
exemption from punishment
Term
incentive
Definition
motivating factors
Term
incessant
Definition
continuous; never ceasing
Term
inchoate
Definition
not fully formed; disorganized
Term
incipient
Definition
beginning to exist or appear
Term
incisive
Definition
"perceptive, penetrating"
Term
incite
Definition
to start an action
Term
indelibility
Definition
something that cannot be removed
Term
indelible
Definition
permanent; not erasable
Term
indict
Definition
to formally charge with a crime
Term
indigenous
Definition
"native, occurring naturally in an area"
Term
indolent
Definition
"habitually lazy, idle"
Term
inebriety
Definition
intoxicated
Term
ineffable
Definition
cannot be expressed in words
Term
ineluctable
Definition
inevitable
Term
inept
Definition
"clumsy, awkward, foolish, nonsensical"
Term
infamy
Definition
reputation for bad deeds
Term
ingenuous
Definition
showing innocence; childlike simplicity
Term
ingratiate
Definition
work someone into the favor of someone else
Term
inherent
Definition
"existing within oneself, inborn"
Term
inimical
Definition
hostile; unfriendly
Term
innate
Definition
inherent in someone/something's nature
Term
innocuous
Definition
harmless/inoffensive
Term
insatiable
Definition
never satisfied
Term
insipid
Definition
lacking in something; no taste; bland; trite
Term
insoluble
Definition
not capable of being solved; mysterious
Term
insularity
Definition
state of being confined to an area
Term
interdict
Definition
to forbid
Term
intersperse
Definition
to scatter
Term
intransigent
Definition
refusing to compromise
Term
intrigue
Definition
to plot & scheme/to interest
Term
inundate
Definition
overwhelm/cover with water
Term
inveterate
Definition
long standing/established
Term
invidious
Definition
"likely to provoke ill-will, offensive"
Term
invoke
Definition
to call upon; request help
Term
irascible
Definition
easily made angry; hot tempered
Term
irrational
Definition
not logical
Term
irreverent
Definition
disrespectful
Term
itinerant
Definition
traveling from place to place
Term
jejune
Definition
immature or sophomoric
Term
jovial
Definition
"jolly, happy, good humored"
Term
laconic
Definition
using few words
Term
lament
Definition
to express sorrow; to grieve
Term
larceny
Definition
theft
Term
lassitude
Definition
languor/fatigue
Term
laud
Definition
to glorify/to give praise
Term
laudable
Definition
praiseworthy
Term
laudatory
Definition
express praise
Term
lavish
Definition
(v) to give unsparingly; (adj) generous; extravagant
Term
lax
Definition
slack; loose
Term
lethargic
Definition
"acting in an indifferent, slow, sluggish manner"
Term
liquidator
Definition
to be bound up in business; to destroy; pay; change to cash
Term
listless
Definition
apathetic
Term
loquacious
Definition
very talkative
Term
low
Definition
"to make a sound, like a cow; moo"
Term
lucid
Definition
clear & easily understood
Term
lugubrious
Definition
sad/mournful
Term
luminous
Definition
"bright, brilliant, glowing"
Term
malevolent
Definition
ill-willed; causing evil/harm to others
Term
malinger
Definition
evade responsibility by pretending to be ill
Term
malingerer
Definition
pretends to be sick to get out of work
Term
malleable
Definition
capable of being shaped
Term
manque
Definition
would-be sweetie
Term
martinet
Definition
insists on strict obedience
Term
maudlin
Definition
overly sentimental
Term
mawkish
Definition
sickeningly sentimental
Term
mendacious
Definition
"lying, dishonest"
Term
metaphor
Definition
figure of speech comparing 2 different things; a symbol
Term
meticulous
Definition
extremely careful about details
Term
minotaur
Definition
"a mythical creature: 1/2 man, 1/2 bull"
Term
misanthrope
Definition
a person who dislikes others
Term
miserly
Definition
greedy; stingy
Term
misnomer
Definition
wrong name
Term
mitigate
Definition
to soften; to lessen
Term
mollify
Definition
calm/make less severe
Term
monotony
Definition
lack of variation
Term
mores
Definition
accepted rules of social behavior
Term
moribund
Definition
"near death, about to die"
Term
morose
Definition
gloomy
Term
movement
Definition
a division of a musical composition
Term
multifarious
Definition
diverse
Term
mundane
Definition
"trite, commonplace"
Term
munificent
Definition
generous
Term
myriad
Definition
immense number; multitude
Term
nadir
Definition
lowest point; opposite of zenith
Term
naïve
Definition
lacking sophistication or experience
Term
nap
Definition
"a soft, woolly texture, as on a piece of fabric"
Term
narcotic
Definition
dulling; painkilling
Term
nebulous
Definition
"vague, cloudy"
Term
nefarious
Definition
"vicious, evil"
Term
negligence
Definition
carelessness
Term
negligible
Definition
not worth caring
Term
noisome
Definition
"stinking, putrid"
Term
noncommittal
Definition
not committing to any one side
Term
notoriety
Definition
unfavorable fame
Term
numismatist
Definition
coin collector
Term
obdurate
Definition
hardened in feeling; resistant to persuasion
Term
obfuscation
Definition
obscurity; confusion
Term
obloquy
Definition
congratulations; opposite = kudos
Term
obsequious
Definition
overly submissive & eager to please; excessively flattering
Term
obsolete
Definition
out of date; no longer necessary
Term
obstinate
Definition
"stubborn, unyielding"
Term
obstreperous
Definition
"loud, unruly"
Term
obtuse
Definition
"stupid, blunt"
Term
obviate
Definition
"to make unnecessary, to anticipate & prevent"
Term
occlude
Definition
to stop up; prevent the passage of
Term
oligarchy
Definition
government ruled by a few
Term
onerous
Definition
troublesome & oppressive; burdensome
Term
opaque
Definition
impossible to see through; preventing passage of light
Term
opprobrium
Definition
public disgrace
Term
orator
Definition
public speaker
Term
ostensible
Definition
apparent
Term
ostentation
Definition
excessive showiness
Term
ostracism
Definition
banishment
Term
outgrowth
Definition
by-product
Term
overhaul
Definition
to examine thoroughly & set in order
Term
pacific
Definition
"calm, peaceful"
Term
palliate
Definition
"to soften, lessen, assuage"
Term
pallid
Definition
lacking color/liveliness
Term
paradigm
Definition
a model
Term
paradox
Definition
"contradiction, dilemma"
Term
paragon
Definition
model of excellence/perfection
Term
paramour
Definition
would-be sweetie
Term
parley
Definition
discussion; usually between enemies
Term
parsimony
Definition
stinginess
Term
passive
Definition
being acted upon; not active
Term
patriarchal
Definition
dominated & controlled by men
Term
patronize
Definition
condescend; do business at an establishment; support a cause
Term
paucity
Definition
scarcity/severe lack
Term
peccadillo
Definition
small wrong or fault
Term
pedant
Definition
someone who shows off learning or scholarship; overly precise teacher
Term
penury
Definition
extreme poverty
Term
peremptory
Definition
"absolute, imperative, allowing no disagreement"
Term
perennial
Definition
present throughout the years; persistent
Term
perfidious
Definition
willing to betray one's trust; faithless; disloyal; untrustworthy
Term
perfunctory
Definition
done in a routine way; indifferent
Term
perjure
Definition
to lie while under oath
Term
permeate
Definition
to penetrate
Term
perspicacious
Definition
"shrewd, astute, keen-witted"
Term
perturb
Definition
"exasperate, to annoy"
Term
petulant
Definition
bad tempered
Term
philanthropic
Definition
"humanitarian, charitable"
Term
philanthropy
Definition
charity; desire/effort to promote goodness
Term
philology
Definition
love of learning and literature
Term
phlegmatic
Definition
"calm, composed; slow, having a stolid temperament"
Term
pithy
Definition
"profound, substantial, concise, succinct, to the point"
Term
pittance
Definition
a very small amount
Term
placate
Definition
"soothe, pacify"
Term
plastic
Definition
"able to be molded, altered, or bent"
Term
platitude
Definition
"stale, overused expression"
Term
plethora
Definition
excess; abundance
Term
plutocrat
Definition
member of the wealthy ruling class
Term
poignant
Definition
strong
Term
ponderous
Definition
being hard to manage because of weight or size
Term
populace
Definition
the population
Term
poseur
Definition
someone with an attitude
Term
pragmatic
Definition
choosing facts over ideals; practical
Term
prattle
Definition
talk freely & chatter idly
Term
precarious
Definition
uncertain
Term
precipitate
Definition
to throw violently/bring about abruptly; lacking deliberation
Term
prescient
Definition
having foresight
Term
presumptuous
Definition
rude; improperly bold
Term
pretentious
Definition
arrogant; outward show
Term
prevaricate
Definition
lie; deviate from the truth
Term
pristine
Definition
fresh & clean; uncorrupted
Term
procure
Definition
to obtain
Term
prodigal
Definition
"lavish, wasteful, spends recklessly"
Term
profligate
Definition
"corrupt, degenerate"
Term
progenitor
Definition
"originator, forefather, ancestor"
Term
prognostication
Definition
prediction of the future
Term
progressive
Definition
someone who supports political change
Term
proliferate
Definition
to increase in number quickly
Term
prolific
Definition
"productive, fertile"
Term
prolix
Definition
verbose & long-winded
Term
prologue
Definition
introduction of a literary work
Term
propitiate
Definition
to make peace with; to appease
Term
propitious
Definition
favorable
Term
proponent
Definition
"supporter, advocate"
Term
propriety
Definition
correct behavior; obedience to rules & customs
Term
prosaic
Definition
dull & unimaginative; commonplace
Term
protean
Definition
readily assuming different forms/characteristics
Term
prudence
Definition
"wisdom, caution, or restraint"
Term
pseudonym
Definition
pen-name
Term
pugilist
Definition
a boxer
Term
pugnacious
Definition
"belligerent, aggressive"
Term
puissant
Definition
powerful; might
Term
pulpit
Definition
place in church where sermons are delivered
Term
pungent
Definition
"strong, sharp in smell, taste"
Term
purge
Definition
to free; especially from guilt
Term
pusillanimous
Definition
cowardly
Term
putrefaction
Definition
process of living matter; decomposing; corruption
Term
pyre
Definition
a pile of wood for burning a dead body
Term
quiescent
Definition
motionless
Term
quixotic
Definition
overly idealistic; impractical
Term
ramification
Definition
"an implication, outgrowth, or consequence"
Term
rancid
Definition
"spoiled, rotten"
Term
rant
Definition
to forcefully scold
Term
rapt
Definition
deeply absorbed
Term
rarefied
Definition
"thin, pure, more refined"
Term
rarefy
Definition
to make thinner or sparser
Term
raucous
Definition
"harsh sounding, boisterous"
Term
rebuke
Definition
"to reprimand, scold"
Term
recant
Definition
"to retract, to take back previous statements"
Term
recast
Definition
to remodel; to throw back
Term
reclusive
Definition
hermit-like; shut off from the world
Term
rectify
Definition
to improve/correct
Term
rectilinear
Definition
characterized by straight lines
Term
refulgent
Definition
"shining, radiant"
Term
refute
Definition
to contradict/discredit
Term
rejoinder
Definition
"response; an answer, especially to a reply"
Term
relics
Definition
sacred objects
Term
relish
Definition
to delight in something
Term
rend
Definition
to forcibly take from; to tear apart
Term
renegade
Definition
someone who rejects a cause
Term
repeal
Definition
to revoke; formally withdraw (as a law)
Term
repine
Definition
to sulk
Term
reprehensible
Definition
worthy of blame
Term
reprobate
Definition
morally unprincipled person
Term
reproof
Definition
condemnation
Term
repudiate
Definition
to reject the validity of
Term
repulse
Definition
"to repel, to fend off, to sicken & disgust"
Term
rescinded
Definition
annul; revoke
Term
resolute
Definition
determined; with a clear purpose
Term
resplendent
Definition
splendid; brilliant
Term
restive
Definition
stubborn; restless
Term
resultant
Definition
resulting from something else
Term
reticent
Definition
not speaking freely; reserved
Term
reverence
Definition
great respect; opposite of contempt
Term
revile
Definition
to criticize with harsh language; to verbally abuse
Term
rhetoric
Definition
effective writing/speaking
Term
risibility
Definition
quality of being risible/laughable; ludicrous
Term
rout
Definition
to beat badly; a humiliating retreat
Term
rubric
Definition
category heading
Term
ruthless
Definition
showing no mercy
Term
sagacious
Definition
"wise, shrewd"
Term
sagacity
Definition
wisdom
Term
salient
Definition
"prominent, conspicuous; what makes something stand out"
Term
salubrious
Definition
"healthful, wholesome"
Term
sanction
Definition
to restrict
Term
sanguine
Definition
"cheerfully optimistic, ruddy"
Term
sardonic
Definition
"cynical, scornfully mocking"
Term
satiate
Definition
to satisfy fully or overindulge
Term
saturnine
Definition
heavy & gloomy
Term
scant
Definition
meager
Term
scintilla
Definition
trace amount
Term
scourge
Definition
"plague ""the scourge of drugs threatens to destroy America"""
Term
scrutinize
Definition
examine carefully
Term
scurrilous
Definition
obscenely abusive
Term
sedulous
Definition
applying oneself faithfully to a task
Term
seedy
Definition
run down
Term
seminal
Definition
relating to the beginning/seeds of something
Term
sequester
Definition
to isolate
Term
shrewd
Definition
keen; quick
Term
simian
Definition
ape-like; relating to apes
Term
skulk
Definition
to sneak
Term
slake
Definition
to relieve (thirst)
Term
slate
Definition
to schedule
Term
sloth
Definition
sluggishness; laziness
Term
smolder
Definition
to burn slowly
Term
sneer
Definition
mock; to express contempt/disrespect; state of disgrace
Term
sodden
Definition
thoroughly soaked; saturated
Term
sophisticated
Definition
"with it, worldly wise, of high intellectual quality"
Term
sophomoric
Definition
immature and overconfident
Term
soporific
Definition
causing sleep; lethargy; sleep-inducing
Term
specious
Definition
deceptively attractive; seemingly plausible but fallacious (illogical)
Term
spendthrift
Definition
person who's careless with money
Term
spore
Definition
a type of seed
Term
sprightly
Definition
"lively, animated, energetic"
Term
spurious
Definition
"false, counterfeit"
Term
spurn
Definition
"to reject, to scorn"
Term
stasis
Definition
motionless state; standstill
Term
steep
Definition
to submerge in a liquid
Term
stigma
Definition
mark of shame/discredit
Term
stipend
Definition
allowance; fixed amount of money paid regularly
Term
stoke
Definition
to replenish (a fire)
Term
stolid
Definition
unemotional; lacking sensitivity
Term
strata
Definition
one of many levels or layers
Term
stratify
Definition
to arrange by layers or classes
Term
stride
Definition
to move with long steps
Term
strident
Definition
"loud, hard, unpleasantly noisy"
Term
stygian
Definition
"infernal, dismal, gloomy"
Term
suave
Definition
smoothly gracious/polite; blandly ingratiating
Term
sublime
Definition
"lofty, grand"
Term
subsidization
Definition
giving money/aid to
Term
subsumed
Definition
absorbed
Term
succinct
Definition
"terse, brief, concise"
Term
sullied
Definition
dirty
Term
sumptuous
Definition
"lavish, splendid, delicious"
Term
supercilious
Definition
"arrogant, haughty, overbearing, condescending"
Term
superfluous
Definition
more than necessary; extra
Term
surfeit
Definition
to feed or supply excess
Term
surreptitious
Definition
secret
Term
sybarite
Definition
person devoted to luxury & pleasure
Term
sycophant
Definition
"self-serving flatterer; kiss up, yes man"
Term
syncopated
Definition
beat where stress is shifted to an irregular beat (out of sync)
Term
tacit
Definition
done without using words
Term
taciturn
Definition
"silent, not talkative"
Term
taint
Definition
"to poison, to make impure (tainted love)"
Term
tawdry
Definition
"gaudy, cheap, showy"
Term
temerity
Definition
"recklessness, foolish daring"
Term
tempestuous
Definition
"stormy, raging, furious"
Term
tepid
Definition
"lukewarm, showing little emotion"
Term
thwart
Definition
to block/prevent from happening; to frustrate
Term
tirade
Definition
"long, harsh speech/verbal attack"
Term
titillate
Definition
to stimulate; to fascinate
Term
toady
Definition
flatterer; hanger-on; yes-man; kiss-ass
Term
torpor
Definition
extreme mental & physical sluggishness
Term
torrential
Definition
coming in great bursts
Term
torrid
Definition
very hot; passionate
Term
tortuous
Definition
not straight; winding or twisting
Term
transgress
Definition
to trespass; to violate a law; exceed or overstep
Term
transitory
Definition
"temporary, lasting a brief time"
Term
travesty
Definition
"parody, exaggerated imitation, caricature"
Term
tremulous
Definition
"trembling, timid, fearful"
Term
trenchant
Definition
perceptive; having keen insight; sarcastic
Term
tribulation
Definition
hardship; great affliction
Term
trite
Definition
"shallow, superficial"
Term
trounce
Definition
to beat severely; to defeat
Term
truculent
Definition
"cruel, ferocious"
Term
tumultuous
Definition
"wild, chaotic, disorganized"
Term
turgid
Definition
swollen; overly ornate
Term
umbrage
Definition
"offense, displeasure"
Term
unctuous
Definition
smooth & oily in manner
Term
undermine
Definition
to weaken by wearing down a foundation
Term
underwrite
Definition
"endorse, ensure"
Term
unfetter
Definition
free & unrestrained
Term
unscrupulous
Definition
dishonest; without scruples
Term
upbraid
Definition
to scold sharply
Term
urbane
Definition
"courteous, refined, suave"
Term
usurp
Definition
forcefully & illegally take control
Term
vacillate
Definition
sway physically; be indecisive
Term
vacuous
Definition
"empty, void, lacking intelligence"
Term
venerable
Definition
commanding respect by virtue
Term
venerate
Definition
to treat with great respect
Term
veracity
Definition
"accuracy, truthfulness"
Term
verbose
Definition
wordy
Term
vernacular
Definition
common language used by everyday people; specialized language of a profession
Term
vestige
Definition
something left over; a legacy
Term
veteran
Definition
person who has served a long time
Term
vex
Definition
to annoy
Term
viable
Definition
able to live or develop
Term
vie
Definition
to compete; to contend
Term
vigilant
Definition
"attentive, watchful"
Term
vindicate
Definition
prove innocent
Term
virtuous
Definition
good; showing moral excellence
Term
virulent
Definition
"extremely poisonous, hateful, malignant"
Term
vitiate
Definition
to spoil/mar; to make something worse; corrupt
Term
vituperative
Definition
verbally abusive
Term
vociferous
Definition
"loud, noisy, vocal"
Term
volatile
Definition
easily aroused/changeable; lively/explosive
Term
voluble
Definition
"speaking much & easily; talkative, glib"
Term
voluminous
Definition
"big, having big volume"
Term
voracious
Definition
having a great appetite
Term
votary
Definition
devoted follower
Term
waive
Definition
to refrain from enforcing a law; to give up a legal right
Term
wan
Definition
sickly pale
Term
wanderlust
Definition
very strong or irresistible impulse to travel
Term
waver
Definition
fluctuate between choices
Term
wayward
Definition
"erratic, unrestrained, reckless"
Term
whimsical
Definition
acting in a fanatical/capricious manner; unpredictable
Term
whit
Definition
the smallest part possible
Term
windfall
Definition
"A sudden, unexpected piece of good fortune or personal gain"
Term
winsome
Definition
"charming, happily engaging"
Term
wistful
Definition
longingly melancholy
Term
wrath
Definition
"violent anger, rage"
Term
wreak
Definition
to cause (used with havoc)
Term
writ
Definition
written document; usually as a law
Term
xenophobia
Definition
fear/hatred of strangers or things that are foreign
Term
yoke
Definition
to join together
Term
zeal
Definition
"passion, excitement"
Term
zealous
Definition
filled with passion and eagerness for a cause
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