-
-
NOMINAL
existing in name only; negligible
-
BLIGHT
to afflict; destroy
-
BLITHE
joyful, cheerful, or without appropriate thought
-
NUANCE
a subtle expression of meaning or quality
-
FERVID
intensely emotional; feverish
-
SPECIOUS
deceptively attractive; seemingly plausible but fallacious
-
SOLECISM
grammatical mistake; blunder in speech
-
JETTISON
to discard; get rid of as unnecessary or encumbering
-
LAMENT
to express sorrow; to grieve
-
-
FLORID
excessively decorated or embellished
-
FANATICAL
acting excessively enthusiastic; filled with extreme unquestioned devotion
-
EPHEMERAL
lasting a short time
-
SEDITION
behavior that promotes rebellion or civil disorder against the state
-
GLIB
fluent in an insincere manner; offhand; casual
-
ABDICATE
to give up a position, right, or power
-
IRASCIBLE
easily made angry
-
FLAG
to decline in vigor, strength, or interest
-
FETID
foul-smelling; putrid
-
GLOWER
to glare or stare angrily and intensely
-
MONASTIC
extremely plain or secluded
-
PEDANT
someone who shows off learning
-
PATHOGENIC
causing disease
-
CHAUVINIST
someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he/she belongs
-
-
-
NASCENT
starting to develop; coming into existence
-
BELFRY
bell tower; room in which a bell is hung
-
BANAL
predictable; cliched; boring
-
CRESCENDO
steadily increasing in volume or force
-
FRUGALITY
tending to be thrifty or cheap
-
CORROBORATE
to support with evidence
-
AUSTERE
severe or stern in appearance; undecorated
-
LUMINOUS
bright; brilliant; glowing
-
GROVEL
to humble oneself in a demeaning way
-
SANGUINE
ruddy; cheerfully optimistic
-
STRATAGEM
trick designed to deceive an enemy
-
EMULATE
to copy; to try to equal or excel
-
HEGEMONY
the domination of one state or group over its allies
-
-
PARLEY
discussion, usually b/w enemies
-
FECUND
fertile; fruitful; productive
-
DISSEMBLE
to present a false appearance; to disguise one's real intentions or character
-
SPORTIVE
frolicsome; playful
-
VERDANT
green with vegetation; inexperienced
-
-
CONDONE
to overlook, pardon, or disregard
-
-
-
DOGMATIC
dictatorial in one's opinions
-
TAWDRY
gaudy, cheap, or showy
-
-
VERNAL
related to spring; fresh
-
DROLL
amusing in a wry, subtle way
-
-
CIRCUMSPECT
cautious; aware of potential consequences
-
MALINGER
to evade responsibility by pretending to be ill
-
ELOQUENT
persuasive and moving, especially in speech
-
RETICENT
silent; reserved
-
AUDACIOUS
fearless and daring
-
DIATRIBE
an abusive, condemnatory speech
-
SARDONIC
cynical; scornfully mocking
-
ASSUAGE
to make something unpleasant less severe
-
DESICCATE
to dry out thoroughly
-
LAMPOON
to ridicule with satire
-
-
GRIEVOUS
causing grief or sorrow; serious and distressing
-
FRENETIC
frantic; frenzied
-
INGENUOUS
showing innocence or childlike simplicity
-
LAPIDARY
relating to precious stones or the art of cutting them
-
-
INEXORABLE
inflexible; unyielding
-
MISANTHROPE
a person who dislikes others
-
ABYSS
an extremely deep hole
-
PRAGMATIC
practical, as opposed to idealistic
-
MISSIVE
a written note or letter
-
-
ABSTAIN
to choose not to do something
-
SYCOPHANT
a self-serving flatterer; yes-man
-
-
PASTICHE
piece of literature or music imitating other works
-
FORD
to cross a body of water by wading
-
CONTRITE
deeply sorrowful or repentant for a wrong
-
-
ENUMERATE
to count, list, or itemize
-
NAIVE
lacking sophistication or experience
-
JUNCTURE
point of time, especially where two things are joined
-
-
GREGARIOUS
outgoing; sociable
-
WINSOME
charming; happily engaging
-
VACILLATE
to physically sway or be indecisive
-
ITINERANT
wandering from place to place; unsettled
-
SACROSANCT
extremely sacred; beyond criticism
-
DIURNAL
existing during the day
-
TACITURN
silent; not talkative
-
ENDEMIC
belonging to a particular area; inherent
-
TOADY
one who flatters in the hope of gaining favors
-
NEOLOGISM
new word or expression
-
SUPPLANT
to replace (another) by force; to take the place of
-
DYSPEPTIC
suffering from indigestion; gloomy and irritable
-
DOCTRINAIRE
rigidly devoted to theories without regard for practicality; dogmatic
-
GESTATION
growth process from conception to birth
-
-
TALON
claw of an animal, especially a bird of prey
-
TERRESTRIAL
earthly; down-to-earth; commonplace
-
NEOPHYTE
novice; beginner
-
ENGENDER
to produce, cause, or bring about
-
DEFACE
to mar the appearance of; vandalize
-
OBSTINATE
stubborn; unyielding
-
LARGESS
generous giving (as of money) to others who may seem inferior
-
EDIFY
to instruct morally and spiritually
-
VENERATE
to respect deeply
-
STENTORIAN
extremely loud
-
HYPERBOLE
purposeful exaggeration for effect
-
-
-
MALLEABLE
capable of being shaped
-
OSTENTATION
excessive showiness
-
WAVER
to fluctuate b/w choices
-
DIRGE
a funeral hymn or mournful speech
-
OPAQUE
impossible to see through; preventing the passage of light
-
DECORUM
appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety
-
PLACATE
to soothe or pacify
-
PLASTIC
able to be molded, altered, or bent
-
OSSIFY
to change into bone; to become hardened or set in a rigidly conventional pattern
-
TIRADE
long, harsh speech or verbal attack
-
-
LANGUID
lacking energy; indifferent; slow
-
ARBITRATE
to judge a dispute b/w two opposing parties
-
-
MAR
to damage or deface; spoil
-
VENERABLE
respected because of age
-
GAMBOL
to dance or skip around playfully
-
VERACITY
filled with truth and accuracy
-
-
VEX
to annoy; irritate; puzzle; confuse
-
-
-
ETHOS
beliefs or character of a group
-
-
REPLETE
abundantly supplied; complete
-
JARGON
nonsensical talk; specialized language
-
FATUOUS
stupid; foolishly self-satisfied
-
KINDLE
to set fire to or ignite; excite or inspire
-
EBULLIENT
exhilarated; full of enthusiasm and high spirits
-
GARRULOUS
tending to talk a lot
-
INTREPID
fearless; resolutely courageous
-
-
ZEALOT
someone passionately devoted to a cause
-
CANDID
impartial and honest in speech
-
SYBARITE
a person devoted to pleasure and luxury
-
PRISTINE
fresh and clean; uncorrupted
-
MOLLIFY
to calm or make less severe
-
PHILANTHROPY
charity; a desire or effort to promote goodness
-
STOLID
unemotional; lacking sensitivity
-
PECCADILLO
minor sin or offense
-
-
FORTUITOUS
happening by chance; fortunate
-
POTENTATE
monarch or ruler with great power
-
SYNCOPATION
temporary irregularity in musical rhythm
-
AUGUST
dignified; grandiose
-
PARADOX
a contradiction or dilemma
-
-
PERVADE
to be present throughout; to permeate
-
ECLECTIC
selecting from or made up from a variety of sources
-
CACOPHONY
harsh, jarring noise
-
KUDOS
fame, glory, or honor
-
AMALGAMATE
to combine; to mix together
-
-
USURY
the practice of lending money at exorbitant rates
-
DOGMA
a firmly held opinion, especially a religious belief
-
BIFURCATE
to divide into two parts
-
CURMUDGEON
cranky person, usually old
-
EPICURE
person with refined taste in food and wine
-
SURLY
rude and bad-tempered
-
TANGENTIAL
digressing; diverting
-
IGNOBLE
having low moral standards; not noble in character; mean
-
MIRTH
frivolity; gaiety; laughter
-
IMPERTURBABLE
not capable of being disturbed
-
AMELIORATE
to make better; to improve
-
LAUD
to give praise; to glorify
-
ANACHRONISM
something out of place in time
-
SOPORIFIC
causing sleep or lethargy
-
ANOMALY
deviation from what is normal
-
DISTEND
to swell, inflate, or bloat
-
IMPASSE
blocked path; dilemma with no solution
-
ANTAGONIZE
to annoy or provoke to anger
-
ESCHEW
to shun; to avoid (as something wrong or distasteful)
-
EXIGENT
urgent; requiring immediate action
-
CATALYST
something that brings about a change in something else
-
DIVINE
to foretell or know by inspiration
-
IDIOSYNCRASY
peculiarity of temperament; eccentricity
-
EXCULPATE
to clear from blame; prove innocent
-
DUPE
to deceive; a person who is easily deceived
-
CHAOS
great disorder or confused situation
-
EUPHONY
pleasant, harmonious sound
-
CONNOISSEUR
a person with expert knowledge or discriminating tastes
-
LARCENY
theft of property
-
EUPHEMISM
use of an inoffensive word or phrase in place of a more distasteful one
-
LASSITUDE
a state of diminished energy
-
JOCULAR
playful; humorous
-
APATHY
lack of interest or emotion
-
ARBITRARY
determined by chance or impulse
-
METICULOUS
extremely careful; fastidious; painstaking
-
ENERVATE
to reduce in strength
-
-
DILATE
to make larger; expand
-
XENOPHOBIA
a fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers
-
ZEPHYR
a gentle breeze; something airy or insubstantial
-
-
METAPHOR
figure of speech comparing two different things
-
ELEGY
a sorrowful poem or speech
-
PROFLIGATE
corrupt; degenerate
-
CALUMNY
a false and malicious accusation; misrepresentation
-
-
PROPITIATE
to conciliate; to appease
-
HAPLESS
unfortunate; having bad luck
-
PALATIAL
relating to a palace; magnificent
-
GARNER
to gather and store
-
POLYGLOT
a speaker of many languages
-
LUCID
clear and easily understood
-
EMBELLISH
to add ornamental or fictitious details
-
PUNGENT
sharp and irritating to the senses
-
ABERRANT
deviating from what is normal or expected
-
BOMBASTIC
pompous in speech and manner
-
BOLSTER
to support; prop up
-
-
VISCOUS
thick and adhesive, like a slow-flowing fluid
-
GRADATION
process occurring by regular degrees or stages; variation in color
-
MORES
fixed customs or manners; moral attitudes
-
VOLATILE
easily arouse or changeable; lively or explosive
-
ADVOCATE
to speak in favor of
-
MITIGATE
to soften; to lessen
-
ALLEVIATE
to make more bearable
-
PARRY
to ward off or deflect, especially by a quick-witted answer
-
TACIT
done without using words
-
MONOTONY
no variation; tediously the same
-
MOLT
to shed hair, skin, or an outer layer periodically
-
ACME
highest point; summit; the highest level or degree attainable
-
ADULTERATE
to make impure
-
SLAKE
to calm down or moderate
-
FRACTIOUS
unruly; rebellious
-
-
INVECTIVE
abusive language
-
-
EFFIGY
stuffed doll; likeness of a person
-
ARCHAIC
ancient; old-fashioned
-
SENTIENT
aware; conscious; able to perceive
-
DISTAFF
the female branch of a family
-
SINECURE
a well-paying job or office that requires little or no work
-
PUSILLANIMOUS
cowardly; without courage
-
DEFERENCE
respect; courtesy
-
ARTICULATE
able to speak clearly and expressively
-
SATIATE
to satisfy fully or overindulge
-
REPOSE
relaxation; leisure
-
REPUDIATE
to reject the validity of
-
REQUITE
to return or repay
-
PUERILE
childish, immature, or silly
-
INTRACTABLE
not easily managed or manipulated
-
-
POSIT
to assume as real or conceded; propose as an explanation
-
PALLIATE
to make less serious; ease
-
ESOTERIC
known or understood only by a few
-
PROPRIETY
the quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs
-
PROLIFERATE
to increase in number quickly
-
INTERREGNUM
period between reigns
-
PRODIGAL
lavish; wasteful
-
MILITATE
to operate against; work against
-
MYOPIC
lacking foresight; having a narrow view or lang-range perspective
-
ENIGMA
a puzzle; a mystery
-
AMBIGUOUS
doubtful or uncertain; can be interpreted several ways
-
DICTUM
authoritative statement
-
OVERWROUGHT
agitated; overdone
-
ABATE
to reduce in amount, degree, or severity
-
ERRATIC
wandering and unpredictable
-
INUNDATE
to overwhelm; to cover with water
-
HOMOGENEOUS
of a similar kind
-
-
-
IMPLACABLE
unable to be calmed down or made peaceful
-
STIGMA
a mark of shame or discredit
-
IMPETUOUS
quick to act without thinking
-
HETEROGENEOUS
composed of unlike parts; different; diverse
-
CAPRICIOUS
changing one's mind quickly and often
-
EULOGY
speech in praise of someone
-
-
LETHARGIC
acting in an indifferent or slow, sluggish manner
-
DISSONANCE
a harsh and disagreeable combination, especially of sounds
-
SYMBIOSIS
cooperation; mutual helpfulness
-
FORESTALL
to prevent or delay; anticipate
-
SPARTAN
highly self-disciplined; frugal; austere
-
EFFRONTERY
impudent boldness; audacity
-
AXIOM
premise; postulate; self-evident truth
-
-
EXONERATE
to clear of blame
-
-
CHICANERY
deception by means of craft or guile
-
DITHER
to act confusedly or without clear purpose
-
PROBITY
complete honesty and integriity
-
-
-
PRUDENCE
wisdom, caution, restraint
-
CARTOGRAPHY
science or art of making maps
-
EXPLICIT
clearly stated or shown; forthright in expression
-
STASIS
a state of static balance or equilibrium; stagnation
-
FOMENT
to arouse or incite
-
VARIEGATED
varied; marked with different colors
-
INGRATE
ungrateful person
-
VICISSITUDE
a change or variation; ups and downs
-
-
VITUPERATE
to abuse verbally; berate
-
VOLUBLE
talkative; speaking easily; glib
-
-
WANTON
undisciplined; unrestrained; reckless
-
ABJURE
to reject; abandon formally
-
ABASE
to humble; disgrace
-
ACIDULOUS
sour in taste or manner
-
ALACRITY
speed or quickness
-
TOME
book, usually large and academic
-
QUERULOUS
inclined to complain; irritable
-
-
PEREGRINATE
to wander from place to place; to travel, especially on foot
-
DESULTORY
jumping from one thing to another; disconnected
-
AMORTIZE
to diminish by installment payments
-
PERFIDIOUS
willing to betray one's trust
-
QUIXOTIC
overly idealistic; impractical
-
PERFUNCTORY
done in a routine way; indifferent
-
AMULET
ornament worn as a charm against evil spirits
-
QUOTIDIAN
occurring daily; commonplace
-
DIAPHANOUS
allowing light to show through; delicate
-
TORPOR
extreme mental and physical sluggishness
-
TRANSITORY
temporary; lasting a brief time
-
PROCLIVITY
a natural inclination or predisposition
-
ANALGESIA
a lessening or pain without loss of consciousness
-
ABSCOND
to leave secretly
-
ANALOGOUS
similar or alike in some way; equivalent to
-
ANODYNE
something that calms or soothes pain
-
ANTIPATHY
extreme dislike
-
TRENCHANT
acute, sharp, or incisive; forceful; effective
-
APOCRYPHAL
of questionable authority or authenticity
-
APOSTATE
one who renounces a religious faith
-
ABSTEMIOUS
moderate in appetite
-
APPROBATION
approval and praise
-
TURGID
swollen as from a fluid; bloated
-
ACCRETION
a growth in size; an increase in amount
-
AERIE
a nest built high in the air; an elevated, often secluded, dwelling
-
-
UMBRAGE
offense; resentment
-
ARDOR
intense and passionate feeling
-
ARROGATE
to claim without justification; to claim for oneself without right
-
ASSAIL
to attack; assault
-
UNCONSCIONABLE
unscrupulous; shockingly unfair or unjust
-
UNEQUIVOCAL
absolute; certain
-
-
-
HOARY
very old; whitish or gray from age
-
AESTHETIC
concerning the appreciation of beauty
-
ATTENUATE
to reduce in force or degree; weaken
-
AUGURY
prophecy; prediction of events
-
AFFECTED
phony; artificial
-
AGGRANDIZE
to increase in power, influence, and reputation
-
-
HUSBAND
to manage economically; to use sparingly
-
EQUIVOCATE
to use expressions of double meaning in order to mislead
-
DECOROUS
proper; tasteful; socially correct
-
DELETERIOUS
subtly or unexpectedly harmful
-
DEMAGOGUE
a leader or rabble-rouser, usually appealing to emotion or prejudice
-
DEMUR
to express doubts or objection
-
RACONTEUR
witty, skillful storyteller
-
-
ERUDITE
learned; scholarly; bookish
-
PEJORATIVE
having bad connotations; disparaging
-
PENURY
an oppressive lack of resource (as money); severe poverty
-
DERIDE
to speak of or treat with contempt; to mock
-
RAREFY
to make thinner or sparser
-
REDRESS
relief from wrong or injury
-
-
DIFFIDENT
lacking self-confidence
-
DILATORY
intended to delay
-
EXPONENT
one who champions or advocates
-
PERIPATETIC
wandering from place to place, especially on foot
-
NUMISMATICS
coin collecting
-
PERSPICACIOUS
shrewd, astute, or keen-witted
-
OBDURATE
hardened in feeling; resistant to persuasion
-
DILETTANTE
someone with an amateurish or superficial interest in a topic
-
RESTIVE
impatient, uneasy, or restless
-
PHALANX
a compact or close-knit body of people, animals, or things
-
DISABUSE
to set right; free from error
-
DISCERN
to perceive or recognize
-
PHILISTINE
a person who is guided by materialism and is disdainful of intellectual or artistic values
-
DISPARATE
fundamentally different; entirely unalike
-
JINGOISM
belligerent support of one's country
-
INQUEST
an investigation; an inquiry
-
KEEN
having a sharp edge; intellectually sharp; perceptive
-
LATENT
potential that is not readily apparent
-
INCULCATE
to teach; impress in the mind
-
OBLIQUE
indirect or evasive; misleading or devious
-
LAVISH
extremely generous or extravagant; giving unsparingly
-
OBSEQUIOUS
overly submissive and eager to please
-
KINETIC
relating to motion; characterized by movement
-
-
OBVIATE
to prevent; to make unnecessary
-
-
KNELL
sound of a funeral bell; omen of death or failure
-
LEVITY
an inappropriate lack of seriousness; overly casual
-
OCCLUDE
to stop up; prevent the passage of
-
OFFICIOUS
too helpful; meddlesome
-
LIBERAL
tolerant or broad-minded; generous or lavish
-
-
INIMICAL
hostile; unfriendly
-
INCHOATE
not fully formed; disorganized
-
ONEROUS
troublesome and oppressive; burdensome
-
OPINE
to express an opinion
-
PHLEGMATIC
calm and unemotional in temperament
-
LIBERTINE
a free thinker, usually used disparagingly; one without moral restraint
-
PITHY
profound or substantial yet concise succinct, and to the point
-
LICENTIOUS
immoral; unrestrained by society
-
PLEBEIAN
crude or coarse; characteristic of commoners
-
LIMPID
clear; transparent
-
PLUCKY
courageous; spunky
-
LIONIZE
to treat as a celebrity
-
LISSOME
easily flexed; limber; agile
-
POLEMIC
controversy; argument; verbal attack
-
OPPROBRIUM
public disgrace
-
LISTLESS
lacking energy and enthusiasm
-
POLITIC
shrewd and practical in managing or dealing with things; diplomatic
-
RHETORIC
effective writing or speaking
-
LIVID
discolored from a bruise; reddened with anger
-
LUGUBRIOUS
sorrowful; mournful; dismal
-
LUMBER
to move slowly and awkwardly
-
MACHINATION
plot or scheme
-
CLOYING
sickly sweet; excessive
-
RIBALD
humorous in a vulgar way
-
ROCOCO
very highly ornamented
-
IMPUGN
to call into question; to attack verbally
-
COALESCE
to grow together to form a single whole
-
COFFER
strongbox; large chest for money
-
COGENT
convincing and well-reasoned
-
WHIMSICAL
lightly acting in a fanciful or capricious manner; unpredictable
-
-
COLLUSION
collaboration; complicity; conspiracy
-
WIZENED
shriveled; withered; wrinkled
-
WRAITH
a ghost or specter; a ghost of a living person seen just before his/her death
-
-
ZENITH
the point of culmination; peak
-
ICONOCLAST
one who opposes established beliefs, customs, and institutions
-
CONVOLUTED
intricate and complicated
-
COSSET
to pamper; treat with great care
-
COTERIE
an intimate group of persons with a similar purpose
-
CREDULOUS
too trusting; gullible
-
-
CUPIDITY
greed; strong desire
-
DEBUTANTE
young woman making debut in high society
-
SALIENT
prominent; of notable significance
-
PRATTLE
meaningless; foolish talk
-
PRECIPITATE
to throw violently or bring about abruptly; lacking deliberation
-
PRECIS
short summary of facts
-
JUDICIOUS
sensible; showing good judgement
-
INTRANSIGENT
uncompromising; refusing to be reconciled
-
INSIPID
lacking interest or flavor
-
INVIDIOUS
envious, obnoxious, or offensive; likely to promote ill-will
-
INVESTITURE
ceremony conferring authority
-
INURE
to harden; accustom become used to
-
-
PALLID
lacking color or liveliness
-
PANACHE
flamboyance or dash in style and action; verve
-
ABEYANCE
temporary suppression or suspension
-
PANEGYRIC
elaborate praise; formal hymn of praise
-
CASTIGATE
to punish or criticize harshly
-
-
BONHOMIE
good-natured geniality; atmosphere of good cheer
-
PARAGON
model of excellence or perfection
-
BOOR
crude person, one lacking manners or taste
-
BURGEON
to grow and flourish
-
MAELSTROM
whirlpool; turmoil; agitated state of mind
-
MAGNATE
powerful or influential person
-
MALEDICTION
a curse; a wish of evil upon another
-
MANNERED
artificial or stilted in character
-
MARTINET
strict disciplinarian; one who rigidly follows rules
-
CATHOLIC
universal; broad and comprehensive
-
PARE
to trim off excess; reduce
-
-
CABAL
a secret group seeking to overturn something
-
MAUDLIN
overly sentimental
-
-
-
MERCURIAL
quick, shrewd, and unpredictable
-
MERETRICIOUS
gaudy; falsely attractive
-
INGRATIATE
to gain favor with another by deliberate effort; to seek to please somebody so as to gain an advantage
-
-
PRESCIENT
having foresight
-
PREVARICATE
to lie or deviate from the truth
-
-
IMBUE
to infuse, dye, wet, or moisten
-
IMPECUNIOUS
poor; having no money
-
IMPERVIOUS
impossible to penetrate
-
IMPIOUS
not devout in religion
-
INCARNADINE
blood-red in color
-
INDOLENT
habitually lazy or idle
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