Words & Meanings

Word Meaning Word MeaningAbhor Hate Counterfeit Fake, falseEnfranchise Give voting rights Hamper Hinder, obstructKindle To start a fire Noxious Harmful, poisonousPlacid Calm, peaceful Remunerate Payment for work doneTalisman Lucky charm Abrasive Rough, coarse, harshBilk Cheat, defraud Covert Hidden, undercoverEngender Cause Hangar Storage area for a planeKnotty Complex, difficult to solve Nuance Something subtle, a fine shade

of meaningPlagiarism Taking credit for someone

else's writing or ideasRenown Fame

Tangent Going off the main subject Abrasiveness Harshness, coarsenessBillowing Swelling, fluttering, waving Cower Recoil in fear, shrink away

fromHarangue Noisy attacking speech Labyrinth A mazeNullify To counter, make

unimportantPlaintiff Applicant, petitioner

Replete Full Tangible Can be touchedAbrogate Cancel, deny, repeal Blasphemy Speech that offends religious

sentimentsEnigma Puzzle, mystery Harbingers Indicators, signs that

something will happenLabyrinthine Complicated, highly

convolutedNuzzle Cuddle, snuggle

Plaudit Statement giving strong praise

Reprehensible Shameful, very bad

Tardy Slow, late, overdue Absolution Forgiveness, pardonBlatant Obvious Creditable Praiseworthy Ensconce Establish firmly in a position Hasten Hurry, rushLaceration Cut Obdurate StubbornPlausible Can be believed, reasonable Reprieve A respite, postponement of a

sentenceTawdry Of little value, gaudy Abstain Desist, go withoutBlighted Damaged, destroyed Credulous Gullible, ready to believe

anythingEnshroud Cover Haughtiness Arrogance, prideLachrymose Tearful, sad Obfuscate Deliberately make something

hard to understandPlethora An excess Repudiate Shun, eschewTedium Boredom Abstemious Self denying, refraining from

indulgingBlithe Free-spirited, carefree Crepuscular Active at dawn and duskEnunciation Clear pronunciation,

accent, articulationHeadstrong Stubborn, willful

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Lackluster Dull, monotonous, bland Objective UnbiasedPliable Flexible, not stubborn Rescind Retract, repealTemper To moderate, soften Abstruse Obscure, difficult to understandBlunderbuss Type of gun; a clumsy

personCringe Recoil, flinch, shy away

Envenom To cause bitterness and bad feeling

Hedonism Pleasure-seeking

Laconic Brief, short to the point Oblique Indirect, slantingPlumage Feathers of a bird Resignation Acceptance of fateTenacious Stubborn, resolute Accolade Tribute, honor, praiseBolster Support, prop up Cryptic Puzzling, enigmaticEphemeral Short-lived Hedonist A pleasure seekerLamentation Expression of regret or

sorrowObliterate Destroy, demolish, eradicate

Plummet Fall suddenly and steeply Resolution DeterminationTentative Not certain Acquiesce Agree to, give in toBombast Arrogant, pompous

languageCurtail Cut short

Epicure Someone who appreciates good food and drink

Heed Listen to

Lampoon Ridicule, spoof Oblivious Totally unawarePodium Raised platform Resonant EchoingTenuous Flimsy, not solid Acrid Sharp, pungent (for smells &

tastes)Boorish Ill-mannered Cynical Believing that people act only

out of selfish motivesEpistle A letter Heresy Against orthodox opinionLance Spear, spike, javelin Obscure Hard to understand, partially

hiddenPoignant Deeply moving, strongly

affecting emotionsRespite A break, intermission

Terse Concise, to the point Acrophobia Fear of heightsBourgeois Middle class Debility Weakness, incapacityEpistolary Concerned with letters Hiatus Interruption, pauseLanguid Tired, slow Obscured Hidden, coveredPoised Calm, self-possessed Resplendent Shining, glowingTherapeutic Medicinal, curative Acuity Sharpness (mental or vision)Braggart Someone who boasts Debunking Exposing false claims or mythsEpitomized Characterized, personified Hidebound Rigid in opinionLanguish Decay, fade away, get weaker Obsequious Servile, submissivePolemical Causing debate or

argumentRestorative Making someone feel strong

and healthyThwart Prevent, frustrate Adamant Forceful, inflexibleBrawny Muscular Decathlon An athletic competition with 10

eventsEquivocate Speak ambiguously, avoid

telling the truthHieroglyphics Writing hard to read, enigmatic

Larceny Theft, robbery, stealing Obsession A dominating concern

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Ponderous Weighty, slow and heavy Retention Preservation, withholdingTimorous Cowardly, fearful Adroit SkilfulBrevity Being brief Decorum Dignified & decent behavior

(adj. Decorous)Err Make a mistake Largess GenerosityObsolete No longer valid Pontificate Speak pompouslyReticent Restrained, holding

something backTirade Stream of verbal abuse

Adulation Strong admiration, worship Bristle To show irritationDecoy Trap, trick, lure Erratic Wandering, irregularHistrionic Theatrical, exaggerated Laud PraiseObstreperous Noisy and boisterous Portend ForetellRetraction Withdrawal, cancellation of

a statementTitter Giggle quietly

Adversity Hardship Broach Start to discuss, approachDeference Respect Esoteric Obscure, hard to understandHoary Old Lavish On a grand scale, wastefulObtuse Mentally dull Portent A warning sign, omenRevere Worship Tome Large bookBrusque Blunt, abrupt Defoliate Cause leaves to fallEspouse Promote, take up, support Hone Sharpen, increase, whetLax Careless, not strict Obviate Avoid, make unnecessaryPoseur Someone who puts on an

actRiddled Full of (usually full of holes)

Torpid Inactive, lazy, stagnant Aesthetic Concerning art or beautyBulwark Fortification, barricade,

wallDefunct No longer in existence

Etymology Study of word origin Hyperbole Grossly exaggerated speechLegend Key to map / myth or story Odious HatefulPosterity Future generations Rife CommonTorpor Dormancy, sluggishness,

inactivityAffable Friendly, social, easygoing

Bureaucracy Officialdom Degradation Deprivation, poverty, debasement

Eulogy Praise Hypochondriac A person obsessed with healthLegion In large numbers Officious domineering, intrusive,

meddlesome`posthumous After death Rigor ThoroughnessTotter Walk unsteadily Alacrity Eagerness, enthusiasmBurgeon Grow, flourish Deleterious HarmfulEuphemism A polite phrase to cover

something unpleasantHypocritical, Insincere

Lethargic Tired, without energy Ogle Stare at, observe in an obvious manner

postulate Hypothesize, propose Robust Strong, healthy. ToughTractable Obedient, dutiful, polite Alchemy Medieval chemistry / attempt to

change metal into gold

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Burnish Polish Deliberate To think over deeplyEuphony Pleasant sounds Iconoclast Person who opposes

orthodoxyOlfactory Concerned with the sense

of smellPotable Suitable for drinking

Rotund Round and fat Tranquil PeacefulAlibi Excuse to show someone

was not at a crime sceneButtress Strengthen, support

Delineation Demarcation, explanation, definition, outlining

Evacuate Vacate, abandon

Idiosyncrasy A personal peculiarity, something unique to a person

Libertarian Someone who opposes tyranny

Ominous Threatening Potent Powerful, compelling, strongRuminate Think over something,

ponderTranscribe copy

Allay To lessen Byline The line that tells you who wrote an article

Demur Hesitate, refuse Exacerbate Make worseIgnominious Shameful Liniment Soothing lotionAnalgesic Something that relieves

painDecongestant A medicine that helps you

breathe easilyConditioner A liquid that keeps the hair

healthy and shinyDandruff Small pieces of dead skin in

the hairSangfroid The quality of being calm

in a dangerous situationSubterfuge A trick or deceitful way of

achieving somethingStigma A bad reputation that

something has because many people disapprove of it

Nifty Skilful, accurate/ simple & effective

Omnipotent All-powerful Pragmatic PracticalRuse Trick, stratagem Transgress Disobey, commit a sinAlleviate Make less severe Cacophony Discordant loud noisesDenounce Condemn, speak out

againstExasperated Frustrated, annoyed

Ignominy Shame Lithe Flexible, suppleOmniscient All-knowing Pragmatist Concerned with usefulnessSaccharin Falsely sweet Transient Short-lived, ephemeralAloof Distant, detached Cajole CoaxDeplete Use up, lessen Exceptionable Very bad (something which we

should object to)Livid Very angry Onerous Burdensome, hard to

undertakePreamble Introductory material Sacrosanct Very holy, inviolableTraverse Cross Altruism Putting others first, being self-

sacrificingCaldron Huge cooking pot Deplore Regret4

Exculpate Free someone from blame, pardon, acquit

Illusory Deceptive, false, misleading

Lobbyist Try to persuade someone to support a particular cause

Onus Burden

Precarious Unstable, risky Sagacious WiseTrepidation Fear Amass AccumulateCallow Immature Depravity Moral corruptionExecrable Very, very bad Immoderate Excessive, extreme, flatteringLofty Snooty, arrogant, haughty Opaque Does not let light throughPrecedent A previous occurrence

used as a guideSage A wise person

Trinket Something of little value, knick-knack

Ambiguity Uncertainty, vagueness

Candid Frank, honest Deprecate Criticize, denounceExegesis Scholarly explanation or

interpretationOpulent Wealthy, rich, magnificent

Longevity Long life Immutable Unchanging, permanentPrecept Guiding principle Salacious Lecherous, eroticTrite Unoriginal, dull Candor Frankness, opennessDeride Ridicule, make fun of,

mockExemplary Outstandingly good, setting a

fine exampleImpartial Unbiased, neutral Loquacious TalkativeOrdain Destine, confer holy orders

on a priestPrecinct District of a city

Sallow Yellowish Ambivalence Lack of clarity, wavering, being undecided

Cantankerous Bad-tempered, quarrelsome

Derogatory Uncomplimentary

Exemplify Serve as a good example Impecunious Having no moneyLucid Clear Ornate Highly decoratedPrecipice Steep slope Salubrious Health-givingTruant Striker, someone absent

without permissionAmbulatory Able to walk around (used of

hospital patient)Capacious Spacious Desecrate To damage or pollute a holy

placeExhaustive Complete and thorough Impious Wicked, profaneLudicrous Ridiculous, silly Orthodox ConventionalPrecipitous Done in a hurry Salutary Something which teaches you

a lesson, beneficialTruncate Cut short Ameliorate Make betterCapitulate Surrender, give in to Exonerate Acquit, absolve, remove blameImpoverished Destitute, poor Lukewarm Unenthusiastic; neither hot nor

coldOssify Turn to bone, become

fixed and rigidPreclude Prevent or make impossible

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Sanctimonious Hypocritically holy Tumult Uproar, noiseCarping Constant criticism Desist Stop, discontinue, ceaseExorcism Eliminating getting rid of

(esp. demons)Impromptu Unrehearsed, spontaneous

Lummox Clumsy person Ostentatious ShowyPrecocious Developing early Sanction Give approval toTurpitude Depravity Amiable FriendlyCartographer Person who makes maps Despondent Having no hope, miserableExpatriate Refugee, someone living

away from their own country Inadvertent Not intentional

Luscious Juicy, moist, succulent Oust Push out of a positionSanguinary Bloodthirsty, bloody Tyro Novice, beginnerAmity Friendship Castigate Scold stronglyDestitution Hardship, poverty, misery Expedient Convenient, practicalIncantation Chant, invocation, prayer Lynch Assassinate, kill, illegal

hangingOvert Obvious, not hidden Predicament Dilemma, difficult situationSanguine Optimistic, cheerful Ubiquitous Found everywhere,

omnipresentAmorphous Lacking in shape Catharsis Expressing repressed

emotionsDeter Prevent Expedite Make fasterIncarceration Putting in prison Machinations Plots and plansOverwrought Worked up, in an

emotional statePreeminent Famous, outstanding

Sardonic Mocking Unalloyed Undiluted, totalCaucus Type of private political

meetingDeteriorate Worsen, decline

Exposition Clear explanation Incessant Without stoppingMaelstrom Whirlpool, storm in the

oceanPalatable Good to eat, agreeable

Prerogative Right or privilege Savant Person with knowledgeUnctuous Oily; using excessive

flatteryAnalogous Comparable

Caustic Burning Detrimental HarmfulExtol Praise Incipient Just beginningMagnanimous Generous, big-hearted Palisade Fence made of postsPrescient Having fore-knowledge Scale ClimbUndermined Damaged, attacked Anarchy Chaos , lack of governmentCavalcade Procession of vehicles Devoured Greedily eaten, consumedExtradite Deport from one country

back to the home countryInclination Tendency, a leaning toward

Magnate Powerful businessman Palliative A remedy that improves but doesn't cure

Presentiment A feeling that something Scapegoat A person on whom blame is

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might happen placed for faults of othersUnderscore Emphasize Anecdote An amusing brief storyCelerity Speed Dexterous Skilful with handsExtraneous Irrelevant Incoherent Not clearMaladroit Clumsy, unskillful Pallid PalePresumptuous Assuming too much,

arrogantScrupulous Careful, diligent, painstaking

Unequivocal Clear, obvious Animosity Hatred, antagonismDichotomy A division into two parts Extrapolate Extend; predict on the basis of

known dataIncongruous Not fitting in, out of place Malady IllnessPalpable Easily felt, easily perceived Pretentious Pompous, self-importantScrutinize Examine carefully Unfetter Set freeAnnex (n) A building which is an

addition to an existing building

Censure Blame or criticize severely

Didactic Intended to teach, instructive

Extrinsic Irrelevant, on the outside

Inconsequential Unimportant, insignificant, negligible

Malediction A curse

Panacea Remedy for all ills Prevaricate Speak misleadingly and evasively

Scuttle Sink Unfrock To remove a priest from his position

Annex (v) Take possession of, seize, capture

Cerebral Intellectual

Diffident Lacking confidence fallacious FalseInconspicuous Not easily seen Malefactor A wrongdoerParadigm Example, model Pristine UnspoiledSeminary An institution in which

priests are trainedUnprecedented Never having happened before

Anomaly Irregularity Certitude CertainlyDigress Wander off the subject Falter Hesitate, waverIndelible Can't be wiped out Malinger Deliberately avoid work, shirkParagon A perfect example Procrastinate Delay, put offSentinel Guard, sentry Unwitting Not deliberate, unconsciousAntagonistic Opposed, hostile,

aggressiveChary Wary of, cautious about,

reluctant to giveDilatory Slow, falling behind with

one's workFanaticism Passion, excessive devotion

Indigenous Native to a particular area Malleable Flexible, can be shapedParamount Of supreme importance Prodigal Wasteful, extravagantSequester Isolate Upbraid Scold, tell of, reprimandAntediluvian Outdated, prehistoric, very

old-fashionedChastise Punish

Dilemma Puzzling situation Fastidious Overly particular, finicky7

Indolence Laziness Mallet Hammer, stick used for poloProdigious Very large Serendipity Fortunate coincidence,

unsought discoveryUproarious Hilarious, hysterical, very

funnyAnthology A book which is a collection of

poems or storiesChicanery Trickery Dilettante Person who dabbles in a

subject without serious studyFatuous Silly, foolish Inductee Novice, beginnerManipulatable Influencable, controllable Parched Dried upProfane Unholy Serene Calm, peacefulUpshot Outcome Anthropocentrism Putting man at the center of

one's philosophy Chimerical Changeable, unstable Diligent Hard-workingFeasible Possible and practicable Indulgent Pampering, satisfying desiresMarred Damaged, spoiled Pariah An outcast from societyProfanity Swearing, cursing Serrated Jagged, saw-likeUrbane Sophisticated, suave Antiquated Outdated, old-fashionedCholeric Easily angered Diorama Model of a sceneFecund Fertile Inebriation To be drunk, high, intoxicatedMarshal To gather together Parity EqualityProfound Having deep meaning Servile Overly submissive, grovelingUsurp Take someone's position

(usually by force)Apathetic Indifferent, uninterested,

lethargicChronicler Person who records

historical informationDirge Mournful song

Felicitous Apt Ineffable Cannot be expressed in wordsMarsupial Pouched mammal like a

kangarooProfundity Depth

Skeptical Doubting, not gullible Utilitarian UsefulApathy Lack of interest or emotion Circuitous IndirectDisapprobation Disapproval Fervor Passion, enthusiasmInept Incompetent, unskilled,

uselessMartinet Person who believes in strict

disciplineParody A mockery, imitation for

ridiculeProletarian Member of the working class

Skirmish Minor battle Utopian A believer in an ideal worldApocryphal Of doubtful origin Circumlocution Using too many words, long Discern Distinguish one thing from

anotherFickle Unpredictable, whimsical,

easily swayedInertia Inactivity, lethargy Masochist One who intentionally inflicts

pain on oneselfParry Ward off , avoid Prolific Producing a lotSluggard Slow-moving, lethargic

personVacillate Waver, hesitate

Appease Pacify, soothe, calm down, Circumscribe Limit

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make peace withDiscord Disagreement Fineness SkillInevitable Cannot be avoided Matriarchy Society governed by womenParsimonious Economical, frugal, thrifty Proponent Supporter, promoterSmelt Refine an ore Vacuous Empty, silly, meaninglessApprehensive Worried, fearful Circumspect Cautious, considering all sidesDiscordancy Cacophony, harshness,

jarringFitful Not continuous, stopping and

startingInexorable Relentless Maverick A person with independent or

unusual viewsParsimony Stinginess, frugality, cost-

cuttingProsaic Dull, boring, ordinary

Smorgasbord A Swedish buffet of cold dishes

Vagrant Person wandering without a home

Arable Can be cultivated Circumvent AvoidDiscrepancy Something that does not

match up, inconsistencyFlagrant Clearly wrong

Inexpedient Not advisable Meager In short supplyPartisan Biased, one-sided,

committed to one groupProscribe Forbid

Solace Comfort for grief Vapid Dull, uninspiringArbitrary Random, for no definite

reasonClairvoyant Psychic, mystic

Flamboyant Showy, ornate Infallible Perfect, flawlessMeander Wander from side to side Pathos Evoking sadness or pityProsody Study of versification Solicit To ask or seekVariegated Multicolored, speckled Arcane Obscure, known only to a few

peopleClamor Shout, scream Discursiveness IndirectnessFlaunt Show off, display in a

showy mannerInfamous Famous for something bad

Mellow Soft, melodious, ripe Patron One who gives support (usually financial)

Prostration Lying face down, or, be overcome with extreme weakness

Somnambulist Sleepwalker

Vehemence Violence, fervor, forcefulness

Archaic Ancient, outdated

Clandestine Secret, covert, stealthy Disdain Contempt, strong dislikeFlippant Making jokes about serious

mattersInfer Deduce, conclude

Menagerie Collection of animals Patronize Behave in an arrogant manner towards

Protagonist Main character in a film, book, play..

Soothsayer Fortuneteller

Vehement Forceful Archetype Classic example of

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Clemency Mercy Disinterested UnbiasedFlout Defy, reject Ingenue Naïve, unsophisticated personMendacious Given to lying Paucity ShortageProtean Changeable Sophomoric Juvenile, immatureVenal Corrupt, can be bribed Archives Old recordsCliché Overused expression,

something unoriginaldisparage Criticize, belittle

Flustered Worked-up, not calm ingrate Ungrateful personMercenary Concerned only with

moneyPeccadillo Minor weakness, trivial offence

Protégé Person under protection of, or guided by another

Soporific Inducing sleep

Veneer Surface coating Articulate Clear, lucid, eloquentClientele Customers Disparity An inequalityFly-by-night Unreliable, disreputable Inimical HostileMercurial Volatile, changeable Pedant One who insists on strict

adherence to rules or narrow learning

Sparse Spare, bare, meager Venerate Revere, worshipArtifice Deception, trickery Coalesce Come together, mergeDispassionate Neutral, objective Forensic Concerned with courts of law,

concerned with argumentInnate Inherited, inborn Merge Come togetherPedestrian Common, mundane, banal Provincial Unsophisticated, narrow-

mindedSpecious False Venial Minor, unimportantArtisan Craftsman Coddle Pamper, fuss over, indulgeDisseminate Circulate, spread

(information)Fortitude Bravery

Innocuous Harmless, inoffensive Metaphorically Symbolically, figurativelyPeerless Without equal prudent Cautious, wiseSpeckled Spotted, freckled, dotted Veracity TruthfulnessAscetic Without luxuries, severely

simpleCoercion Force

Diurnal Active in daytime Fortuitous Happening by chanceMeticulous Very careful, painstaking Pejorative DerogatoryPuerile Childish Sporadic Not continuous, intermittentVerbose Talkative, rambling Assiduous Thorough, diligentCogent Lucid, well argued Divert Entertain / distract / cause a

detourFractious Irritable, difficult to control Inscrutable Mysterious, impenetrableMettle Courage, bravery, valor Pellucid Transparently clearPunctilious Paying attention to small

detailsSpurious False

Verbosity Using too many words Assuage To calm

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Cogitate Think over something, ponder

Docile Gentle and easily led

Fraudulent Fake, false Insentient UnfeelingMilieu Environment Pensive In a thoughtful mood, thinking

deeplyPurloin Steal Stagnant Still, not movingVertigo Dizziness Astute Perceptive, sharp-wittedCollage Picture made from

fragments of other picturesDogmatic Having stubbornly held opinion

Frivolous Not serious Insipid Dull, bland, boringMire Swamp, muddy ground Penury PovertyPusillanimous Cowardly Staid Dull, sober, seriousVestigial Not developed Asylum Place of refuge or safetyCollate Arrange in order Dolt Stupid personFrugal Economical, not wasting

anythingInstigate To start, provoke

Misanthrope Hater of the rest of mankind

Perceptive Observant

Pyromania Compulsion to start fires Vignette Small sketchAtheist Person who does not

believe in GodDotard Foolish old man

Furrow Groove Instigator Person who entices others to do something

Misnomer Wrong name Percipient Perceptive, insightfulQuaff Drink down quickly Staunch Loyal, faithful, dependableVilification Blackening someone's

nameAtrophy Waste away from lack of use

Collusion Plotting and planning Drawl Speak slowly with words running together

Furtive Hidden and secret Insurgent A rebelMisogynist Hater of women Perdition DamnationQuagmire Marsh, bog Stereotype Fixed imageVindicate Prove right, remove blame Attenuate WeakenCommandeer Take possession of Drivel NonsenseFutile Useless, hopeless Interminable Never endingMisrepresentation Deliberately deceiving Peremptory In a commanding mannerQuaint Picturesque Stevedore Dock workerVirtuoso An accomplished musician Augment Increase, make biggerComplacent Self-satisfied, smug Droll Dryly amusingIntermittent Sporadic, irregular Mitigate Lessen, make less severePerfidy Treachery Quandary Dilemma, puzzleStifle Suppress Virulent Dangerous, harmfulAuspicious Favorable, promising to

turn out wellCompliant Easy to control, submissive

Drone Monotonous noise; to Gambol Frolic, leap, bound

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speak with no emotionIntransigence Stubbornness Modicum Small amountPerfunctory Superficial, cursory Quarantine Isolation to prevent the spread

of diseaseStoic Known for fortitude,

indifferent to pleasure or painAustere Severely plain

Concatenate Link together Dubious DoubtfulGarble Distort, confuse, muddle Momentous Very importantPeripatetic Nomadic, moving from

place to placeQuarry Something that is hunted /

mine for stoneStoke Add fuel to, strengthen Vitriolic Corrosive, strongly attackingAversion A dislike of Dupe To fool someoneGarish Gaudy Intrepid BravePeripheral On the edge, not important Querulous Always complainingStolid Impassive, indifferent Vivacity Liveliness, animationBalk Hinder and prevent,

hesitate overConciliate To bring together, end a

disputeGarner Gather, collect Inveterate HabitualMoratorium Temporary prohibition or

halt to activityPerjury Lying under oath

Quirk Oddity Stratagem Plot, plan, trickVivify Enliven Banal Common, dullConcise Stated in few words Ebullient Very lively, jovial, happyGarrulous Talkative Invidious Arousing envyMoribund On the point of death Pernicious Destructive, harmfulRamble Wander aimlessly Strident Loud and harshVociferous Noisy, loud in speech BanalityCondescend Talk down to Eccentric Unusual, quirky, oddGaunt Emaciated, bony and

angularInviolable Cannot be invaded

Morose Gloomy, bad tempered Persnickety Fastidious, fussyRamifications Branches, subdivisions of

a complex systemStringent Strict or severe

Volatile Dangerously unstable; evaporate easily

Bane Troublesome influence

Condone Tacitly support, overlook Eclectic Taking things from different sources

Genre A category, type Irascible Easily angeredMundane Ordinary, worldly Perpetuated Caused to continueRancor Resentment, animosity,

bad feelingStrut Swagger, show off

Voluble Talkative Bard PoetEdifice Building, structure Germane RelevantIre Anger Munificent Generous, charitablePerpetuity Eternity Rant Use bombastic language

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Stupefying Astonishing, shocking Voluminous Very large, spaciousBastion Fortress, stronghold Conflagration Big fireEfface Wipe out, remove all trace

ofGerminal Just growing, not developed,

immatureIrksome Annoying, infuriating Mutinous Very rebelliousPersonable Attractive Ratify Approve, consentSubpoena Summons to court Voracious RavenousBefuddle Confuse Confound ConfuseEffigy A model of a person Gibbering Making meaningless noisesIronic Satiric, unexpected Myriad In large numbersPerspicacious Insightful, sharp, wise Raucous Rough, unpleasant (of sounds)Substantiate Give supporting evidence Waive Surrender, give upBegrudge Resent Congeal To solidifyEffusive Gushing; demonstrative Glacial Hostile, unfriendly, coldNavigable Suitable for sailing Perspicacity InsightRaze Destroy, demolish Subterfuge A trickwane Grow less Beguile Mislead, lureCongenital Present from birth Egalitarianism Belief in equalityGoad Prod, urge Irreproachable Cannot be criticized, perfectNebulous Vague Pertinent RelevantRebuttal Denial Subtle Not obviouswary Hesitant, cautious Belabor Explain in unnecessary detailConnoisseur Person with refined taste

and good judgementEgregious Obviously bad

Grate Annoy, aggravate, vex Irrevocable Cannot be cancelled, unchangeable

Nefarious Wicked, immoral, disreputable

Peruse Read carefully

Recant Disclaim, retract statement Subversive Rebellious, revolutionaryWax To increase, to grow Beleaguer Besiege, attackConsecrate Dedicate Egress ExitGratis Free of charge Itinerant NomadicNegate Cancel, deny Pervasive Spreading everywhereRecapitulate Summarize Succinct ConciseWaylay Accost, stop, approach,

hinderBelle Contradict

Consensus General agreement Eloquent Fluent and persuasive in speech

Gratuitous Unwarranted Jaded Tired, boredPetrify Terrify; turn to stone Receptacle Container, vessel, holderSuffragist Someone who campaigns

for voting rightsweighty Serious

Belittle To demean Conspicuous Easily seen, prominentElucidate Make clear Gravity Seriousness

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Jargon Specialized language used by experts

Neologism Newly coined word

Petulant Sulky, peevish Recluse Someone who cuts himself off from life

Supercilious Proud and haughty Whelp Young dogBellicose Warlike, aggressive Consummate Complete, totalElusive Hard to pin down Gregarious Sociable, outgoingJaundiced Cynical, pessimistic Nettle AnnoyRecuperate Get better after illness Superlative Extremely good, the bestWhet Sharpen Belligerent Aggressive, ready to fightEmaciated Very thin, withered Gritty Coarse, granularJaunt Short pleasure trip Niggardly Miserly, stingyPhilanthropy Love of mankind Surly Grumpy, rudeWhimsical Capricious, changeable Bemoan Complain aboutContrite Sorry Emancipate Set freeGuffaw Sudden loud laughter Jeopardize Put at riskPhilistine Uncultured person Redolent Smelling of, giving off odorsSurreptitious Secret, sneaky, stealthy Willful StubbornBenevolent Kindly Contrition Sorrow and repentanceEmbezzle Defraud, steal Guile Cunning, craftinessJingoistic Extremely patriotic,

nationalisticNonchalance An appearance of indifference,

calm and composedPhlegmatic Calm, imperturbable Redress Put right something that was

wrongWily Cunning Benign Kindly, harmlessContumacious Stubborn Embroil Involve in hostility or argumentGuileless Frank, straightforward,

honestJocular In a joking manner

Nondescript Having no special features pillage PlunderRedundant Unnecessary, superfluous Susceptible VulnerableWispy Flimsy, frail, delicate Benignity Compassion, gentlenessContusion A bruise Emerge Come out, appearGullibility Unawareness, trustfulness,

being easily fooledJollity Gaiety, happiness

Nonentity A person of no importance Pinnacle Topmost pointReferendum Public vote Wistful Melancholy, pensive,

expressing a longing forBequeath Leave something in one's

will to be given after one's death

Conundrum A puzzle

Emulate To imitate something admired

Gullible Easily fooled

Jubilant Ecstatic, delighted Nostalgia Longing for the pastPious Very religious Refute DisproveSybarite Lover of luxury Zany Crazy, wacky14

Berate Scold, criticize Conventional Usual, customary, commonEndorse Give support or approval to Gustatory Concerned with the sense of

tasteJudicious Correct in judgement, wise Notoriety Infamy, known for wrongdoingRegale Entertain Sycophant Bootlicker, flattererZeal Enthusiasm Beret Type of capCorpulent Fat Endurance Staying power, patience,

staminaHackneyed Common and overused Jurisprudence Science or study of lawNovel New, unusual Placate Pacify, soothe, calmRelegate Dismiss to a lower position Taciturn Quiet, saying littleZealot Fanatic Bestial Behaving like a beast, brutalCorrugated Highly folded Enduring LastingHallowed Worshipped, consecrated Juxtapose Place next toNovice A beginner, tyro Placebo Harmless medicine with no

effectRemorse Regret, sorrow, contrition Tactile Concerned with the sense of

touchzenith Summit Cranny A very small hole, esp. in a

wallPerennial Constantly occurring,

lasting for a long timeTrickle Move slowly or gradually

Creak To make a harsh sound, as when a door opens

Crackle To make a small sharp sound as when dry sticks burn

accost To meet someone and to speak first

Accomplice One who aids and abets a criminal

Admonish To warn about, advise against doing something

agile Lively

Affluent Rich Aglow Shining brightlyAilment A mild illness Ajar Slightly openAmicable Friendly Agitate DisturbAnguish Great sorrow Anomalous UnusualArduous Demanding great effort Arraign To charge, accuseAudacious Bold, daring Autonomous Free, independentAvarice Greed Chasm A deep crack in the earthBeckon To signal with one's hand Beverages DrinksBicker To quarrel Bewilder To confuseBlandishment Coaxing, persuasion by

flatteryBoulder A large rock

Brandish To shake or wave a weapon menacingly

Brawl A noisy fight

Brittle Easily broken Diffidence Lack of confidence in oneselfexacting Detailed, meticulous Divulge To make known, to revealDrench To make very wet Enervate To debilitate, to weakenDingy Dirty, shabby Expanse A large area

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Facile easy Extempore Without preparationFeat An act requiring great

strength or courageExorbitant Extravagant, excessive

Garb Clothing Flounder To move awkwardlyFret about To worry about Homage Allegiance, respectGrouchy Irritable Hoax A trickImminent About to happen Eminent Famous and respectedGrope To search blindly,

uncertainlyGauche Impolite, clumsy

Impartible Indivisible Incidental Of lesser importance, secondary

Infested Inhabited in large numbers by something harmful

Loafer An idle lazy person

Lanky Tall and thin Lustrous Bright, shiningMolest To annoy, bother Moron A foolish, silly personMumble To speak indistinctly Nadir The lowest pointMunch To chew Pauper A very poor personPilfer To steal promulgate To make known, to declare

officiallyReiterate To say again Sagacity Good judgement, wisdomSinuous Winding, curving Slit CutSurmise To guess Surfeit To eat an excessive amountLuminous Bright meddle Interfere, intrude

Choose the correct answer:1- Most people (adroit - abhor - rancor- adore) terrorism.2- The report contained a (plumage - braggart - byline - plethora) of details.3- I suggested putting off the meeting, but the manager (demurred - depleted -

desecrated - exonerated).4- She remained (caustic - savant - sanguine - incipient) about our chances of

success.5- That (feat - loafer - brawl - cranny) will never get the job done.6- The people who are chosen to become astronauts must be healthy and

(timorous - apprehensive - audacious - egregious).7- Her boss (agitated - admonished - arraigned - bewildered) her not to be late for

work again.8- When he (blandished - anguished - brandished - drenched) a knife, the clerk

agreed to give him the money in the cash drawer.9- The diplomats from both countries were (floundered - groped - infested -

enervated) by the long series of talks.10- It is hard to understand him because he has a tendency to (promulgate -

mumble - pilfer - surmise)11- There was a sign on the gate which read "Do not (condescend - ramble -

molest - vivify) the dog."

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12- Although he displays (diffidence - nuance - ensconce - heresy) with strangers, he is very self-confident with friends.

13- I am very (obscure - terse - dubious - poised) about signing this contract because I am not sure about some of the terms.

14- His (redolent - surly - jaunt - egress) manner keeps him from having many friends.

15- Seen from an airplane, the river is as (itinerant - beleaguer - pertinent - sinuous) as a snake.

16- He resented the way she (patronized - meandered - smelted - parched) him.17- (Malefactors - expedites - Lummoxes - Precipices) will be pursued and

punished.18- I feel that I must (traverse - ossify - deprecate - lynch) the allocation of funds for

such an unproductive purpose.19- After the accident, he was amazed to find his car in (sentinel - pristine -

philistine - profane) condition.20- She is usually very (drawled - collated - circumspect - variegated) when she

buys something for her family.21- The boys always (placate - emulate - inculcate - munch) popcorn while they

watch the movie.22- Since I did not expect to address you this evening, my remarks will have to be

(bequeath - pinnacle - extempore - wispy).23- Dr. Taylor's fees are (exorbitant - susceptible - nondescript - contumacious).24- Professor Patterson was (redressed - embezzled - exasperated - emancipated)

by his students constant lateness.25- Professor William's explanation served to obscure rather than (bemoan -

elucidate - whet - nettle) the theory.26- The reporter could not (peruse - succinct - grate - divulge) the source of his

information.27- Whether or not he is (nebulous - goad - culpable - raucous) will be determined

by the jury.28- Even the most (callous - mutinous - voluminous - munificent) observer will be

moved by the news report about the war.29- Margaret is a very (irascible - stringent - morose - congenial) person.

Everybody likes her.30- In spite of efforts by several universities, the (vociferous - cryptic - strident -

moribund) symbols on the mural remained a mystery.31- The city buses are in (ebullient - stolid - decrepit - querulous) condition, but the

bus company does not have funds to purchase new ones.32- His ideas were so (cogent - peripheral - peripatetic - modicum) that nobody

offered an argument against them.33- The lecturer (stifled - mitigated - digressed - augmented) from the subject so

often that it was difficult to take notes.

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34- My schedule is so (hectic - furtive - dotard - vestigial) that I have only half an hour for lunch.

35- The dial on this alarm clock is (momentous - auspicious - luminous - perspicacious) so that it can be seen in the dark.

36- His (obsequious - monotonous - invidious - superfluous) submission to his boss's ideas disgusted his fellow workers.

37- Earnest Hemingway was a very (virulent - sporadic -prolific - pejorative) writer; during his brief career he published seven major novels, six volumes of short stories and poems , and two travel sketches.

38- These ruins are the (coddles - ingrates - disparages - vestiges) of an ancient civilization.

39- She used every (wile - venal - flout - mellow) that she could think of in order to trick him into helping her.

40- The candidate's speech was interrupted by (vagrant - infallible - sporadic - sluggard) applause.

41- She could not convince the (chronicler - sentry -mallet - sequester) to allow her through the gate without proper identification.

42- They paid ((paragon - panacea - homage - malady) to their dead leader by lowering the flag to half-mast.

43- We laughed all through the movie. It was (incongruous - hilarious - scrupulous - extraneous).

44- The actors were costumed in the original (garb - savant - caucus - tyro) of sixteenth-century England.

45- John felt that he had to (desist - sallow - ordain - emulate) the success of his famous father.

46- This point is explained in the (preamble - cacophony - subterfuge - liniment) to the report.

47- Some TV advertisements have a (reticent - deleterious - hidebound - epistolary) effect on our children.

48- She is noted for her (retraction - adversity - torpor - largess). She gives her friends a lot of gifts.

49- Children learn far more by example than by (candor - precept - trite - ambivalence).

50- The car has a (ludicrous - precipitous - capacious - ostentatious) boot. It can hold a lot of things.

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