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(adj) fleeting; passing quickly; brief
Anti-inflammatory medication can provide TRANSIENT relief for arthritis but does not cure the condition.
temporary, momentary |
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(adj) sharply perceptive; keen; penetrating
To become a world-class player, one must have both a TRENCHANT strategy and an understanding of human nature.
incisive |
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(adj) fierce and cruel; eager to fight
My neighbor's TRUCULENT dog has attacked and chased several kids on the block.
brutal, vitriolic, belligerent |
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(v) to cut off abruptly
Carmen's road trip was supposed to last for two week, but she had to TRUNCAET her trip when she got sick.
shorten |
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(n) novice; greenhorn; rank amateur
The TYRO was unable to stand on top of the surfboard and balance, even on calm waters.
beginner |
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(adj) genuine; not false or hypocritical
I could not tell if his apology was UNFEIGNED since he was smiling the entire time.
honest, sincere |
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(adj) indefensible; not viable; uninhabitable
The captain ordered soldiers to pull out from the UNTENABLE situation.
flawed, illogical |
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(adj) not hampered or impeded
Sometimes I miss the UNTRAMMELED life of my college years, before I had a mortgage, a job, and a family to support.
unrestrained |
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(adj) sophisticated; refined; elegant
The author maintained an URBANE tone even in her personal letters.
cultivated |
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(v) to move indecisively between one course of action or opinion and another
Ashley VACILLATED between the two job offers; one offered a higher salary and the other offered better benefits.
waver |
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(n) unpredictable action
Some investors prefer the relative stability of bonds to the VAGARIES of the stock market.
caprice |
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(adj) multicolored; characterized by a variety of patches of different color.
AS she flew across the country for the first time, the child marveled at the VARIEGATED landscape below.
diversified |
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(adj) capable of being bought or bribed
He avoided spending a night in jail because he was able to pay of the VENAL police officer.
corruptible |
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(v) to revere; to worship
The whole family VENERATES Grandma Sue because she is so generous, patient, and loving.
idolize |
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(n) appearance of truth or reality
Some video games have achieved such VERISIMILITUDE that they are now being used to train pilots and soldiers.
authenticity |
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(n) annoyance; irritation
My brother's pranks on the whole family are a source of VEXATION, not amusement.
aggravation |
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(adj) alertly watchful
The new parents were VIGILANT over their baby and stayed up all night when she got sick.
wary, attentive |
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(adj) thick; sticky
The VISCOUS batter clung to the sides of the bowl.
gelatinous |
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(v) to use harsh, condemnatory language; to abuse severely
I want to VITUPERATE the company for violating pollution laws, especially since it markets itself as being ecologically conscious.
berate, rebuke |
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(adj) readily changing to vapor; changeable; fickle
The price of the VOLATILE stock rose and fell sharply throughout the day.
explosive, mercurial |
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(adj) having an insatiable appetite for an activity or pursuit
He is a VORACIOUS reader; he finishes two books each week.
avid, ravenous, rapacious |
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(v) to cause to move as if by a light breeze
The smell of freshly baked apple pie WAFTED into my bedroom and my mouth began to water.
drift |
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(v) to move to and fro; to sway; to be unsettled in opinion
At the ice cream shop. the child WAVERED between mint chocolate chip and fudge vanilla swirl.
vacillate, falter, hesitate |
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(v) to go; to proceed
I had to WENT my way though the crowds so I could get up close to the stage.
meander |
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(adj) fervent; ardent; impassioned
Andy is a ZEALOUS fan of the show; he always stays home on Friday nights to watch it and has yet to miss an episode.
fanatical, passionate |
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