Magoosh GRE Basic
382 카드 | mate234
세트공유
aboveboard
a. open and honest
syn:straightforward
The mayor, despite his avuncular face plastered about the city, was hardly aboveboard - some concluded that it was his ingratiating smile that allowed him to engage in corrupt behavior and get away with it.
abysmal
a. extremely bad
syn:abyssal,unfathomable
Coach Ramsey took his newest player off the field after watching a few painful minutes of her abysmal performance.
acme
n. the highest point of achievement
syn:elevation,height,meridian,peak,pinnacle,summit,superlative,tiptop,top
The new Cessna airplanes will be the acme of comfort, offering reclining seats and ample legroom.
adequate
a. good enough for what you need
syn:decent,enough
A very light jacket will be adequate for Los Angeles's warm winter.
advocate
n. a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
syn:advocator,exponent,proponent
Martin Luther King Jr. was a tireless advocate for the rights of African-Americans in the United States.
advocate
v. speak, plead, or argue in favor of
syn:preach
While the senator privately approved of gay marriage, he was unwilling to advocate for the cause in a public venue.
affable
a. likeable; easy to talk to
syn:amiable,cordial,genial
For all his surface affability, Marco was remarkably glum when he wasn't around other people.
affluent
a. wealthy
The center of the city had sadly become a pit of penury, while, only five miles away, multi-million dollar homes spoke of affluence.
altruism
n. the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
syn:selflessness
Albert Schweitzer spent most of his life doing missionary work as a doctor in Africa, seeking no reward, apparently motivated only by altruism.
amiable
a. friendly
syn:affable,cordial,genial
Amy's name was very apt: she was so amiable that she was twice voted class president.
amply
adv. more than is adequate
syn:fully
The boat was amply supplied for its year at sea - no man would go hungry or thirst.
amuck
adv. in a frenzied or uncontrolled state
syn:amok,murderously
Wherever the bowl haircut teen-idol went, his legions of screaming fans ran through the streets amuck, hoping for a glance at his boyish face.
analogous
a. similar in some respects but otherwise different
syn:correspondent
In many ways, the Internet's transformative effect on society has been analogous to that of the printing press.
animosity
n. intense hostility
The governor's animosity toward his rival was only inflamed when the latter spread false lies regarding the governor's first term.
antedate
v. precede in time
syn:antecede,forego,forgo,precede,predate,foredate
Harry was so unknowledgable that he was unaware the Egyptian pharaohs antedated the American Revolution.
antiquated
a. old-fashioned; belonging to an earlier period in time
syn:antediluvian,archaic
Aunt Betty had antiquated notions about marriage, believing that a man should court a woman for at least a year before receiving a kiss.
apex
n. the highest point
syn:acme,peak,vertex
The Ivy League is considered the apex of the secondary education system.
aphorism
n. a short instructive saying about a general truth
syn:apophthegm,apothegm
Nietzsche was known for using aphorisms, sometimes encapsulating a complex philosophical thought in a mere sentence.
aphoristic
a. something that is concise and instructive of a general truth or principle
Sometimes I can't stand Nathan because he tries to impress everyone by being aphoristic, but he just states the obvious.
appreciable
a. large enough to be noticed
syn:usu. refers to an amount
There is an appreciable difference between those who say they can get the job done and those who actually get the job done.
apprehension
n. fearful expectation
syn:apprehensiveness,dread,misgiving
Test day can be one of pure apprehension, as many students worry about their test scores.
archaic
a. so old as to appear to belong to a different period
syn:antediluvian,antiquated
Hoping to sound intelligent, Mary spoke in archaic English that was right out of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice--needless to say, she didn't have many friends.
ascendancy
n. the state that exists when one person or group has power over another
syn:ascendance,ascendence,ascendency,control,dominance
The ascendancy of the Carlsbad water polo team is clear?봳hey have a decade of championships behind them.
ascribe
v. attribute or credit to
syn:assign,attribute,impute
History ascribes The Odyssey and The Iliad to Homer, but scholars now debate whether he was a historical figure or a fictitious name.
assail
v. attack in speech or writing
syn:assault,attack,lash out,round,snipe
In the weekly paper, the editor assailed the governor for wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars in public projects that quickly failed.
assuage
v. make something intense less severe
Her fear that the new college would be filled with unknown faces was assuaged when she recognized her childhood friend standing in line.
augment
v. enlarge or increase; improve
Ideally, the restaurant's augmented menu will expand its clientele and increase its profits.
autonomously
adv. In an autonomous or self-governing manner.
Many of the factory workers are worried about being replaced by machines and computers that will work completely autonomously.
avarice
n. greed
syn:one of the seven deadly sins
syn:avaritia,covetousness,greed,rapacity,avariciousness,covetousness,cupidity
The Spanish conquistadors were known for their avarice, plundering Incan land and stealing Incan gold.
avert
v. ward off or prevent
syn:avoid,debar,deflect,fend off,forefend,forfend,head off,obviate,stave off,ward off
The struggling videogame company put all of its finances into one final, desperate project to avert bankruptcy.
avert
v. turn away
Afraid to see the aftermath of the car crash, I averted my eyes as we drove by.
avid
a. marked by active interest and enthusiasm
syn:zealous
Martin is an avid birdwatcher, often taking long hikes into remote mountains to see some rare eagle.
badger
v. to pester
syn:beleaguer,bug,pester,tease
badgered by his parents to find a job, the 30-year-old loafer instead joined a gang of itinerant musicians.
balk
v. refuse to comply
syn:baulk,jib,resist
The students were willing to clean up the broken glass, but when the teacher asked them to mop the entire floor, they balked, citing reasons why they needed to leave.
banish
v. expel from a community, residence, or location; drive away
syn:ban,blackball,cast out,ostracise,ostracize,shun
The most difficult part of the fast was banishing thoughts of food.
beatific
a. blissfully happy
syn:angelic,angelical,sainted,saintlike,saintly
Often we imagine all monks to wear the beatific smile of the Buddha, but, like any of us, a monk can have a bad day and not look very happy.
becoming
a. appropriate, and matches nicely
syn:comely,comme il faut,decent,decorous,seemly
Her dress was becoming and made her look even more beautiful.
begrudge
v. to envy someone for possessing or enjoying something
syn:resent
Sitting all alone in his room, Harvey begrudged the happiness of the other children playing outside his window.
begrudge
v. to give reluctantly
We never begrudge money spent on ourselves.
behooves
v. to be one's duty or obligation
The teacher looked down at the student and said, "It would behoove you to be in class on time and complete your homework, so that you don't repeat freshman English for a third straight year."
belittle
v. lessen the importance, dignity, or reputation of
syn:diminish,denigrate,derogate,minimize
A good teacher will never belittle his students, but will instead empower them.
bellicose
a. warlike; inclined to quarrel
syn:battleful,combative
Known for their bellicose ways, the Spartans were once the most feared people from Peloponnesus to Persia.
benign
a. kind
I remember my grandfather's face was wrinkled, benign, and calm.
benign
a.
syn:medicine not dangerous to health; not recurrent or progressive
The tumor located in your ear lobe seems to be benign and should not cause you any trouble.
besiege
v. harass, as with questions or requests; cause to feel distressed or worried
syn:beleaguer,circumvent,hem in,surround
After discovering a priceless artifact in her backyard, Jane was besieged by phone calls, emails, and reporters all trying to buy, hold or see the rare piece of history.
besmirch
v. damage the good name and reputation of someone
syn:asperse,calumniate,defame,denigrate,slander,smear,smirch,sully
The prince's distasteful choice of words besmirched not only his own name, but the reputation of the entire royal family.
bleak
a. having a depressing or gloomy outlook
syn:bare,barren,desolate,stark
Unremitting overcast skies tend to lead people to create bleak literature and lugubrious music - compare England's band Radiohead to any band from Southern California.
boon
n. a desirable state
syn:blessing
Modern technology has been a boon to the travel industry.
boon
a. very close and convivial
He was a boon companion to many, and will be sadly missed.
boorish
a. ill-mannered and coarse or contemptible in behavior or appearance
syn:loutish,neandertal,neanderthal,oafish,swinish
Bukowski was known for being a boorish drunk and alienating close friends and family.
brusquely
adv. in a blunt, direct manner
syn:bluffly,bluntly,flat out,roundly
Not one for social pleasantries, the Chief of Staff would brusquely ask his subordinates anything he wanted, even coffee.
buck
v. resist
syn:go against
The profits at our firm bucked the general downturn that affected the real estate industry.
buttress
v. make stronger or defensible
China's economy has been buttressed by a global demand for the electronic parts the country manufactures.
cadaverous
a. emaciated; gaunt
syn:bony,haggard,pinched,skeletal,wasted
Some actors take challenging roles in which they have to lose so much weight that they appear cadaverous.
candid
a. a straightforward and honest look at something
syn:blunt,forthright,frank,free-spoken,outspoken,plainspoken,point-blank,straight-from-the-shoulder
Even with a perfect stranger, Charles was always candid and would rarely hold anything back.
candidness
n. the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech
syn:candor,candour,directness,forthrightness,frankness
Although I was unhappy that the relationship ended, I appreciated her candidness about why she was ready to move on from the relationship.
cardinal
a. of primary importance; fundamental
syn:central,fundamental,key,primal
Most cultures consider gambling a cardinal sin and thus have outlawed its practice.
carping
a. persistently petty and unjustified criticism
syn:faultfinding
What seemed like incessant nagging and carping about my behavior from my mother turned out to be wise and useful advice that has served me well.
catalyst
n. something that speeds up an event
syn:accelerator
Rosa Park's refusal to give up her bus seat acted as a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement, setting into motion historic changes for African-Americans.
cavalier
a. given to haughty disregard of others
syn:high-handed
Percy dismissed the issue with a cavalier wave of his hand.
censor
v. to examine and remove objectionable material
syn:ban
Every fall, high school English teachers are inundated by requests to censor their curriculum by removing The Catcher in the Rye and Scarlet Letter from their reading lists.
censor
n. an official who censors material
The censor insisted that every reference to drugs should be removed from the manuscript.
cerebral
a. involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct
syn:intellectual
A cerebral analysis of most pop music finds it to be simple and childish, but that ignores the point--the music's effect on the listener.
champion
v. to fight for a cause
syn:defend
Martin Luther King Jr. championed civil rights fiercely throughout his short life.
chauvinist
n. a person who believes in the superiority of their group
syn:flag-waver,hundred-percenter,jingo,jingoist,patrioteer
The chauvinist lives on both sides of the political spectrum, outright shunning anybody whose ideas are not consistent with his own.
check
v. to limit
syn:usually modifying the growth of something
Deserted for six months, the property began to look more like a jungle and less like a residence - weeds grew unchecked in the front yard
check
n. the condition of being held back or limited
When government abuses are not kept in check, that government is likely to become autocratic.
checkered
a. one that is marked by disreputable happenings
One by one, the presidential candidates dropped out of the race, their respective checkered pasts - from embezzlement to infidelity - sabotaging their campaigns.
chivalrous
a. being attentive to women like an ideal knight
syn:gallant,knightly
Marco's chivalrous ways, like opening doors and pulling out chairs, was much appreciated by his date.
clemency
n. leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
syn:mercifulness,mercy
In the final moments of the trial, during his closing speech, Phillips was nearly begging the judge for clemency.
coalesce
v. fuse or cause to grow together
syn:blend,combine,commingle,conflate,flux,fuse,immix,meld,merge,mix
Over time, the various tribes coalesced into a single common culture with one universal language.
cogent
a. clear and persuasive
syn:telling,weighty
A cogent argument will change the minds of even the most skeptical audience.
cohesive
a. well integrated, forming a united whole
A well-written, cohesive essay will keep on topic at all times, never losing sight of the main argument.
collusion
n. agreement on a secret plot
syn:connivance
Many have argued that Lee Harvey Oswald, JFK's assassin, was in collusion with other criminals; others maintain that Oswald was a lone gunman.
colossal
a. so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
syn:prodigious,stupendous
Few appreciate the colossal scale of the sun: if hollow, it could contain a million Earths.
commendable
a. worthy of high praise
syn:applaudable,laudable,praiseworthy
The efforts of the firefighters running into the burning building were commendable.
complacent
a. contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions
syn:self-complacent,self-satisfied
After the water polo team won their sixth championship, they became complacent and didn't even make it to the playoffs the next year.
complementary
a. enhancing each other's qualities
syn:for two things or more.
syn:complemental,completing
The head waiter was careful to tell the amateur diners that red wine was complementary with beef, each bringing out subtle taste notes in the other.
compound
v. make more intense, stronger, or more marked
syn:deepen,heighten,intensify
Her headache was compounded by the construction crew outside, which had six jackhammers going at the same time.
conducive
a. making a situation or outcome more likely to happen
Studying in a quiet room is conducive to learning; studying in a noisy environment makes learning more difficult.
conniving
v. taking part in immoral and unethical plots
The queen was so conniving that, with the help of the prince, she tried to overthrow the king.
consecrate
v. to make holy or set apart for a high purpose
syn:bless,hallow,sanctify
At the church of Notre Dame in France, the new High Altar was consecrated in 1182.
constraint
n. something that limits or restricts
syn:restraint
We don't have many resources, so we'll have to work with some very tight constraints.
consummate
a. having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
syn:masterful,masterly,virtuoso
Tyler was the consummate musician: he was able to play the guitar, harmonica, and the drum at the same time.
consummate
v. to make perfect and complete in every respect
The restoration of the ancient church was only consummated after a twenty years of labor.
contemptuous
a. scornful, looking down at others with a sneering attitude
syn:disdainful,insulting,scornful
Always on the forefront of fashion, Vanessa looked contemptuously at anyone wearing dated clothing.
contrite
a. to be remorseful
syn:remorseful,rueful,ruthful
Though he stole his little sister's licorice stick with malevolent glee, Chucky soon became contrite when his sister wouldn't stop crying.
conundrum
n. a difficult problem
syn:brain-teaser,enigma,riddle
Computers have helped solve some of the mathematical conundrums which have puzzled man for many centuries.
convivial
a. describing a lively atmosphere
The wedding reception was convivial; friends who hadn't seen each other for ages drank and ate together before heading to the dance floor.
convoluted
a. highly complex or intricate
syn:byzantine,involved,knotty,tangled,tortuous
Instead of solving the math problem in three simple steps, Kumar used a convoluted solution requiring fifteen steps.
cornucopia
n. an abundant supply of something good
syn:profuseness,profusion,richness
The International Food Expo was a cornucopia of culinary delights: gourmet foods from every continent were under one roof.
corroborate
v. to confirm or lend support to
syn:usually an idea or claim
syn:affirm,confirm,substantiate,sustain,bear out,support,underpin
Her claim that frog populations were falling precipitously in Central America was corroborated by locals, who reported that many species of frogs had seemingly vanished overnight.
cosmopolitan
a. comprising many cultures; global in reach and outlook
syn:ecumenical,general,oecumenical,universal,world-wide,worldwide
There are few cities in the world as diverse and cosmopolitan as New York.
credence
n. belief in something
He placed no credence in psychics, claiming that they offered no special powers beyond the ability to make people part with their money.
creditable
a. deserving of praise but not that amazing
Critics agreed the movie was creditable, but few gave it more than three out of five stars.
credulity
n. tendency to believe readily
Virginia's wide-eyed credulity as a five-year old was replaced by suspicion after she learned that Santa Claus didn't really exist.
cumbersome
a. difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
syn:cumbrous
Only ten years ago, being an avid reader and a traveler meant carrying a cumbersome backpack stuffed with books--these days we need only an e-reader.
dearth
n. a lack or shortage
syn:famine,shortage,paucity
I am surprised by the dearth of fast food chains; this is America and I assumed they were on every street.
debase
v. reduce the quality or value of something
syn:adulterate,dilute,load,stretch
The third-rate script so debased the film that not even the flawless acting could save it from being a flop.
debunk
v. expose as false ideas and claims, especially while ridiculing
syn:expose
Richard Dawkins tries to debunk religious belief, but his ridicule tends to push people away from his points rather than convince them.
decimation
n. destroying or killing a large part of the population
The decimation after atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is incomprehensible.
degrade
v. reduce in worth or character, usually verbally
syn:demean,disgrace,put down,take down
Jesse had mockingly pointed out all of Nancy's faults in front of their friends, publicly degrading the poor girl.
delegate
v. give an assignment to
syn:a person
syn:assign,depute,designate
Since the senior manager had to go on many international business trips, she was forced to delegate many of her responsibilities to two lower-level managers.
deliberate
v. think about carefully; weigh the pros and cons of an issue
syn:consider,debate,moot,turn over
Emergency situations such as this call for immediate action and leave no room to deliberate over options.
demean
v. to insult; to cause someone to lose dignity or respect
syn:degrade,disgrace,put down,take down
At first the soccer players bantered back and forth, but as soon as one of the players became demeaning, calling the other's mother a water buffalo, the ref whipped out a red card.
demure
a. to be modest and shy
syn:coy,overmodest
The portrait of her in a simple white blouse was sweet and demure.
deride
v. treat or speak of with contempt
The nun derided the students for trying to sneak insects and worms into the classroom.
derisive
a. abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule
syn:gibelike,jeering,mocking,taunting
I was surprised by her derisive tone; usually, she is sweet, soft spoken, and congenial.
derogative
a. expressed as worthless or in negative terms
syn:derogatory,disparaging
Never before have we seen a debate between two political candidates that was so derogative and filthy.
desecrate
v. to willfully violate or destroy a sacred place
syn:outrage,profane,violate
After desecrating the pharaoh's tomb, the archaeologist soon fell victim to a horrible illness.
destitute
a. completely wanting or lacking
syn:usually "destitute of"
syn:barren,devoid,free,innocent
Now that the mine is closed, the town is destitute of any economic activity.
destitute
a. poor enough to need help from others
syn:impoverished,indigent,necessitous,needy,poverty-stricken
Jean Valjean, is at first destitute, but through the grace of a priest, he makes something of his life.
deter
v. try to prevent; show opposition to
syn:discourage
The government's primary job should involve deterring paths to war, not finding ways to start them.
deter
v. turn away from by persuasion
syn:dissuade
His mother tried to deter him from joining the army, but he was too intoxicated with the idea of war to listen.
detrimental
a.
syn:sometimes followed by "to" causing harm or injury
syn:damaging,prejudicial,prejudicious
Many know that smoking is detrimental to your health, but processed sugar in large quantities is equally bad.
devolve
v. pass on or delegate to another
syn:degenerate,deteriorate,drop
The company was full of managers known for devolving tasks to lower management, but never doing much work themselves.
devolve
v. grow worse
syn:usually "devolve into"
The dialogue between the two academics devolved into a downright bitter argument.
diabolical
a. to be extremely wicked like the devil
syn:demonic,diabolic,fiendish,hellish,infernal,satanic,unholy,devilish,diabolic,mephistophelean,mephistophelian
The conspirators, willing to dispatch anyone who stood in their way, hatched a diabolical plan to take over the city.
differentiate
v. be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait
syn:sometimes in positive sense
syn:distinguish,mark
Mozart's long melodic lines differentiate his compositions from other works of late 18th century music.
differentiate
v. evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment
syn:specialise,specialize,speciate
Animals on Madagascar differentiated from other similar animal species due to many years of isolation on the island.
dilapidated
a. in terrible condition
syn:bedraggled,broken-down,derelict,ramshackle,tatterdemalion,tumble-down
The main house has been restored but the gazebo is still dilapidated and unuseable.
diligent
a. characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks
syn:persevering
Michael was a diligent gardener, never leaving a leaf on the ground and regularly watering each plant.
discord
n. lack of agreement or harmony
syn:strife
Despite all their talented players, the team was filled with discord--some players refused to talk to others--and lost most of their games.
discreet
a. careful to protect one's speech or actions in order to avoid offense or gain an advantage
The professor thought that he was discreet, subtly wiping the stain off of his shirt, but as soon as he stepped off the podium a member of the audience pointed out the large ketchup stain.
discriminate
v. recognize or perceive the difference
syn:know apart,separate
Sarah couldn't discriminate between a good wine and a bad wine, so she avoided wine tastings.
disenfranchise
v. deprive of voting rights
syn:disfranchise
The U.S. Constitution disenfranchised women until 1920 when they were given the right to vote.
disheartened
a. made less hopeful or enthusiastic
syn:demoralised,demoralized,discouraged
After the visiting team scored nine times, the home team's fans were disheartened, some leaving the game early.
disparate
a. two things are fundamentally different
With the advent of machines capable of looking inside the brain, fields as disparate as religion and biology have been brought together by scientists trying to understand what happens in the brain when people have a religious experience.
dispatch
n. the property of being prompt and efficient
syn:despatch,expedition,expeditiousness
She finished her thesis with dispatch, amazing her advisors who couldn't believe she hadn't written 60 scholarly pages so quickly.
dispatch
v. dispose of rapidly and without delay and efficiently
As soon as the angry peasants stormed the castle, they caught the king and swiftly dispatched him.
docile
a. easily handled or managed; willing to be taught or led or supervised or directed
syn:gentle
Barnyard animals are considerably more docile than the wild animals.
dog
v. to pursue relentlessly; to hound
syn:chase,chase after,give chase,go after,tag,tail,track,trail
Throughout his life, he was dogged by insecurities that inhibited personal growth.
dupe
v. to trick or swindle
syn:befool,cod,fool,gull,put on,put one across,put one over,slang,take in
Once again a get-rich-fast Internet scheme had duped Harold into submitting a $5,000 check to a sham operation.
dupe
n. a person who is easily tricked or swindled
syn:victim
The charlatan mistook the crowd for a bunch of dupes, but the crowd was quickly on to him and decried his bald-faced attempt to bilk them.
eccentric
a. highly unconventional or unusual
syn:usually describes a person
syn:eccentric person,flake,geek,oddball
Mozart was well-known for his eccentricities, often speaking words backward to confuse those around him.
egotist
n. a conceited and self-centered person
syn:egoist,swellhead
An egotist, Natasha had few friends because of her inability to talk about anything except her dream of becoming the next American Idol.
eke
v. To live off meager resources, to scrape by
Stranded in a cabin over the winter, Terry was able to eke out an existence on canned food.
elaborate
v. explain in more detail
syn:dilate,enlarge,expand,expatiate,exposit,expound,flesh out,lucubrate
Most high school physics teachers find themselves elaborating the same point over and over again, since many concepts confuse students.
elaborate
a. marked by complexity and richness of detail
syn:luxuriant
Thomas, on returning from Morocco, replaced his dirty gray carpet with an elaborate one he'd brought back with him.
elude
v. escape understanding
syn:bilk,evade
Even a basic understanding of physics can elude most high schools students.
elusive
a. difficult to capture or difficult to remember
syn:baffling,knotty,problematic,problematical,tough
Many first time skydivers say that describing the act of falling from the sky is elusive.
embellish
v. make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.; make more beautiful
syn:adorn,beautify,decorate,grace,ornament,fancify,prettify
McCartney would write relatively straightforward lyrics, and Lennon would embellish them with puns and poetic images.
embroiled
a. involved in argument or contention
syn:entangled
These days we are never short of a D.C. politician embroiled in scandal?봞 welcome phenomenon for those who, having barely finished feasting on the sordid details of one imbroglio, can sink their teeth into a fresh one.
empathetic
a. showing understanding and ready comprehension of other peoples' states and emotions
syn:empathic
Most discrimination and hatred is based on a lack of empathetic awareness of people that have the same aspirations and fears.
emulate
v. strive to equal or match, especially by imitating; compete with successfully
To really become fluent in a new language, emulate the speech patterns and intonation of people who speak the language.
endemic
a. native; originating where it is found
syn:autochthonal,autochthonic,autochthonous,indigenous
Irish cuisine makes great use of potatoes, but ironically, the potato is not endemic to Ireland.
enmity
n. a state of deep-seated ill-will
syn:antagonism,hostility
Charles rude remark toward Sarah yesterday was due to his illness, not due to any real enmity toward Sarah.
entice
v. get someone to do something through
syn:often false or exaggerated promises
syn:lure,tempt
Harold enticed his wife, Maude, to go on a vacation to Hawaii, with promises of luaus on the beach and all-you-can-eat seafood buffets.
enumerate
v. determine the number or amount of
syn:count,number,numerate
The survey enumerates the number of happy workers and the number of unhappy workers.
enumerate
v. specify individually, one by one
syn:itemise,itemize,recite
I sat and listened as she enumerated all of the things she did not like about the past three months.
err
v. to make an error
syn:mistake,slip
He erred in thinking that "indigent" and "indignant" were synonyms.
errant
a. to be wandering; not sticking to a circumscribed path
Unlike his peers, who spent their hours studying in the library, Matthew preferred errant walks through the university campus.
erratic
a. unpredictable; strange and unconventional
syn:fickle,mercurial,quicksilver
It came as no surprise to pundits that the President's attempt at re-election floundered; even during his term, support for his policies was erratic, with an approval rating jumping anywhere from 30 to 60 percent.
euphoria
n. a feeling of great
syn:usually exaggerated elation
syn:euphory
The euphoria of winning her first gold medal in the 100 meter dash overwhelmed Shelly-Ann Fraser and she wept tears of immense joy.
evasive
a. avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger or commitment
His responses were clearly evasive; he obviously did not want to take on any responsibility or any new work.
evasive
a. deliberately vague or ambiguous
Every time I call the bank, I receive the same evasive answers about our mortgage and never get a clear response.
evenhanded
a. without partiality
Teachers often have trouble being evenhanded to all of their varied students.
exasperate
v. to irritate intensely
syn:aggravate,exacerbate,exacerbate,worsen,incense,infuriate
As a child, I exasperated my mother with strings of never-ending questions.
excruciating
a. extremely painful
syn:agonising,agonizing,harrowing,torturesome,torturing,torturous
After the boulder rolled a couple of feet, pinning my friend's arm, he experienced excruciating pain.
exemplify
v. clarify by giving an example of
syn:illustrate,instance
Please present some case studies that exemplify the results that you claim in your paper.
exemplify
v. be characteristic of
syn:represent
Lincoln exemplified the best of not only America, but also the potential greatness that exists within each person.
exhort
v. to strongly urge on; encourage
syn:barrack,cheer,inspire,pep up,root on,urge,urge on
Nelson's parents exhorted him to study medicine, urging him to choose a respectable profession; intransigent, Nelson left home to become a graffiti artist.
extenuating
a. making less guilty or more forgivable
The jury was hardly moved by the man's plea that his loneliness was an extenuating factor in his crime of dognapping a prized pooch.
facetious
a. cleverly amusing in tone
syn:bantering,tongue-in-cheek
facetious behavior will not be tolerated during sex eduation class; it's time for all of you to treat these matters like mature adults.
fawn
v. try to gain favor by extreme flattery
syn:bootlick,kotow,kowtow,suck up,toady,truckle
The media fawned over the handsome new CEO, praising his impeccable sense of style instead of asking more pointed questions.
ferret
v. to search for something persistently
syn:ferret out
Ever the resourceful lexicographer, Fenton was able to ferret out the word origin of highly obscure words.
fete
v. to celebrate a person
syn:celebrate
After World War II, war heroes were feted at first but quickly forgotten.
fickle
a. liable to sudden unpredictable change, esp. in affections or attachments
syn:erratic,mercurial,quicksilver
She was so fickle in her politics, it was hard to pinpoint her beliefs; one week she would embrace a side, and the next week she would denounce it.
finagle
v. achieve something by means of trickery or devious methods
syn:manage,wangle
Steven was able to finagle one of the last seats on the train by convincing the conductor that his torn stub was actually a valid ticket.
fledgling
a. young and inexperienced; describing any new participant in some activity
syn:callow,unfledged,entrant,fledgeling,freshman,neophyte,newbie,newcomer,starter,
Murray has years of experience in family practice, but he is just a fledgling in surgery.
fleece
v. to deceive
syn:gazump,hook,overcharge,pluck,plume,rob,soak,surcharge
Many people have been fleeced by Internet scams and never received their money back.
flounder
v. behave awkwardly; have difficulties
syn:stagger
Sylvia has excelled at advanced calculus, but ironically, when she has deal with taxes, she flounders.
flush
a. to be in abundance
syn:bloom,blossom,efflorescence,flower,heyday,peak,prime
The exam's passage is flush with difficult words, words that you may have learned only yesterday.
foible
n. a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
syn:idiosyncrasy,mannerism
When their new roommate sat staring at an oak tree for an hour, Marcia thought it indicated a mental problem, but Jeff assured her it was a harmless foible.
foolhardy
a. marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
syn:heady,rash,reckless
The police regularly face dangerous situations, so for a police officer not to wear his bullet-proof vest is foolhardy.
forthright
a. characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
syn:blunt,candid,frank,free-spoken,outspoken,plainspoken,point-blank,straight-from-the-shoulder
I did not expect the insurance agent to give us any straight answers, but I was pleasantly surprised by how forthright he was.
futile
a. producing no result or effect; unproductive of success
syn:ineffectual,otiose,unavailing,bootless,fruitless,sleeveless,vain
I thought I could repair the car myself, but after two days of work with no success, I have to admit that my efforts were futile.
genial
a. agreeable, conducive to comfort
syn:kind
Betty is a genial young woman: everyone she meets is put at ease by her elegance and grace.
genteel
a. marked by refinement in taste and manners
syn:civilised,civilized,cultivated,cultured,polite
A live string quartet would provide a more genteel air to the wedding than would a folk singer.
glean
v. collect information bit by bit
syn:harvest,reap
Herb has given us no formal statement about his background, but from various hints, I have gleaned that he grew up in difficult circumstances
glib
a.
syn:of a person speaking with ease but without sincerity
syn:pat,slick
I have found that the more glib the salesman, the worse the product.
goad
v. urge on with unpleasant comments
syn:prick,needle
Doug did not want to enter the race, but Jim, through a steady stream of taunts, goaded him into signing up for it.
grovel
v. show submission or fear
syn:cower,crawl,creep,cringe,fawn
Every time Susan comes to the office, Frank grovels as if she were about to fire.
guffaw
v. laugh boisterously
syn:laugh loudly
Whenever the jester fell to the ground in mock pain, the king guffawed, exposing his yellow, fang-like teeth.
hamper
v. prevent the progress or free movement of
syn:cramp,halter,strangle
As the rain water began to collect in pools on the highway, it began to hamper the flow of traffic.
hamstrung
v. made ineffective or powerless
The FBI has made so many restrictions on the local police that they are absolutely hamstrung, unable to accomplish anything.
heyday
n. the pinnacle or top of a time period or career
syn:bloom,blossom,efflorescence,flower,flush,peak,prime
During the heyday of Prohibition, bootlegging had become such a lucrative business that many who had been opposed to the 18th Amendment began to fear it would be repealed.
hodgepodge
n. a confusing mixture or jumble
syn:farrago,gallimaufry,hotchpotch,melange,mingle-mangle,mishmash,oddments,odds and ends,omnium-gatherum,ragbag
Those in attendance represented a hodgepodge of the city's denizens: chimney sweepers could be seen sitting elbow to elbow with stockbrokers.
hound
v. to pursue relentlessly
syn:hunt,trace
An implacable foe of corruption, Eliot Ness hounded out graft in all forms - he even helped nab Al Capone.
humdrum
a. dull and lacking excitement
syn:commonplace,prosaic,unglamorous,unglamourous,monotonous
Having grown up in a humdrum suburb, Jacob relished life in New York City after moving.
illicit
a. contrary to or forbidden by law
syn:illegitimate,outlaw,outlawed,unlawful
Though Al Capone was engaged in many illicit activities, he was finally arrested for income tax evasion, a relatively minor offense.
immaterial
a. not relevant
syn:extraneous,impertinent,orthogonal,incorporeal
The judge found the defendant's comments immaterial to the trial, and summarily dismissed him from the witness stand.
impeccable
a. without fault or error
syn:faultless,immaculate
He was impeccably dressed in the latest fashion without a single crease or stain.
impede
v. be a hindrance or obstacle to
syn:hinder,block,close up,jam,obstruct,obturate,occlude
Since the police sergeant had to train the pair of new hires, progress in his own case was impeded.
impending
a. close in time; about to occur
syn:at hand,close at hand,imminent,impendent
The impending doom of our world has been a discussed and debated for 2000 years - maybe even longer.
impermeable
a. does not allow fluids to pass through
The sand bags placed on the river formed an impermeable barrier, protecting the town from flooding.
implicate
v. convey a meaning; imply
syn:entail
By saying that some of the guests were uncomfortable, the manager implicated to the hotel staff that it needed to be more dilligent.
implicate
v. to indicate in wrongdoing, usually a crime
The crime boss was implicated for a long list of crimes, ranging from murder to disturbing the peace.
imponderable
a. impossible to estimate or figure out
According to many lawmakers, the huge variety of factors affecting society make devising an efficient healthcare system an imponderable task.
impregnable
a. immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
syn:inviolable,secure,strong,unassailable,unattackable
As a child, Amy would build pillow castles and pretend they were impregnable fotresses.
inadvertent
a. happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
syn:accidental
Although Prohibition was rooted in noble ideals, the inadvertent and costly consequences of making alcohol illegal in the U.S. led its the repeal.
inarticulate
a. without or deprived of the use of speech or words
syn:unarticulate
Although a brilliant economist, Professor Black was completely inarticulate, a terrible lecturer.
incense
v. make furious
syn:exasperate,infuriate
When Herb bought football tickets for a game on the day of their wedding anniversary, Jill was incensed.
incessant
a. uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
syn:ceaseless,constant,never-ending,perpetual,unceasing,unremitting
I don't mind small children in brief doses, but I think the incessant exposure that their parents have to them would quickly wear me down.
inclement
a.
syn:of weather unpleasant, stormy
After a week of inclement weather, we finally are able to go outside and enjoy the sun.
inclement
a. used of persons or behavior; showing no mercy
Marcus Aurelius, though a fair man, was inclement to Christians during his reign, persecuting them violently.
incumbent
a. necessary
syn:for someone as a duty or responsibility
Middle managers at times make important decisions, but real responsibility for the financial well-being of the corporation is ultimately incumbent on the CEO.
indict
v. to formally charge or accuse of wrong-doing
The bankrobber was indicted on several major charges, including possession of a firearm.
indigenous
a. originating in a certain area
syn:autochthonal,autochthonic,autochthonous,endemic
The plants and animals indigenous to Australia are notably different from those indigenous to the U.S - one look at a duckbill platypus and you know you're not dealing with an opossum.
indignant
a. feeling anger over a perceived injustice
syn:incensed,outraged,umbrageous
When the cyclist swerved into traffic, it forced the driver to brake and elicited an indignant shout of "Hey, punk, watch where you're going!"
industrious
a. characterized by hard work and perseverance
syn:hardworking,tireless,untiring
Pete was an industrious student, completing every assignment thoroughly and on time.
inflammable
a. extremely controversial, incendiary
It only takes one person to leave an inflammable comment on an Internet thread for that thread to blow up into pages upon pages of reader indignation.
ingenuity
n. the power of creative imagination
syn:cleverness,ingeniousness,inventiveness
Daedalus was famous for his ingenuity; he was able to fashion his son Icarus with a pair of wings, using wax to hold them together.
inkling
n. a slight suggestion or vague understanding
syn:glimmer,glimmering,intimation
Lynne speaks four Romance languages, but she doesn't have an inkling about how East Asian languages are structured.
insipid
a. dull and uninteresting
syn:bland,flat,flavorless,flavourless,savorless,savourless,vapid
The movie director was known for hiring beautiful actors in order to deflect attention away from the insipid scripts he would typically use.
insolvent
a. unable to pay one's bills; bankrupt
With credit card bills skyrocketing, a shockingly large number of Americans are truly insolvent.
intermittent
a. stopping and starting at irregular intervals
The intermittent thunder continued and the night was punctuated by cracks of lightning - a surreal sleepless night.
inundate
v. to flood or overwhelm
syn:deluge,submerge,flood,swamp
The newsroom was inundated with false reports that only made it more difficult for the newscasters to provide an objective account of the bank robbery.
irascible
a. quickly aroused to anger
syn:choleric,hot-tempered,hotheaded,quick-tempered,short-tempered
If Arthur's dog is not fed adequately, he becames highly irascible, even growling at his own shadow.
irk
v. irritate or vex
syn:gall
My little sister has a way of irking and annoying me like no other person.
irresolute
a. uncertain how to act or proceed
He stood irresolute at the split in the trail, not sure which route would lead back to the camp.
jargon
n. a characteristic language of a particular group
syn:argot,cant,lingo,patois,slang,vernacular
To those with little training in medicine, the jargon of doctors can be very difficult to understand.
jocular
a. characterized by jokes and good humor
syn:jesting,jocose,joking
My uncle was always in a jocular mood at family gatherings, messing up people's hair and telling knock-knock jokes to anyone who would listen.
junta
n. an aggressive takeover by a group
syn:usually military
As dangerous of a threat as North Korea is, some analysts believe that were a junta suddenly to gain power, it could be even more unpredictable and bellicose than the current leadership
label
n. a name or phrase given to a group of things to identify them
syn:often negative
verb: to give a label to something
label
Synonyms : mark , tag
The meaning of the label ""punk"" has changed greatly in the last 30 years.
laborious
a. characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
syn:arduous,backbreaking,grueling,gruelling,hard,heavy,operose,punishing,toilsome
The most laborious job I've had was working 20 hours a day as a fisherman in King Salmon, Alaska.
leery
a. openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
syn:mistrustful,suspicious,untrusting,wary
Without checking his references and talking to previous employers, I am leery of hiring the candidate.
lethargic
a. lacking energy
syn:unenrgetic
Nothing can make a person more lethargic than a big turkey dinner.
lucid
a.
syn:of language transparently clear; easily understandable
syn:crystal clear,limpid,luculent,pellucid,perspicuous
Though Walters writes about physics and time travel, his writing is always lucid, so readers with little scientific training can understand difficult concepts.
macabre
a. suggesting the horror of death and decay; gruesome
syn:ghastly,grim,grisly,sick
Edgar Allen Poe was considered the master of the macabre; his stories vividly describe the moment leading up to - and often those moments after - a grisly death.
malady
n. a disease or sickness
syn:illness,sickness,unwellness
The town was struck by a malady throughout the winter that left most people sick in bed for two weeks.
malevolent
a. wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred
syn:evil,malefic,malign
Villians are known for their malevolent nature, oftentimes inflicting cruetly on others just for enjoyment.
malleable
a. easily influenced
syn:ductile
My little brother is so malleable that I can convince him to sneak cookies from the cupboard for me.
malleable
a. capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
syn:ductile,pliable,pliant,tensile,tractile
The clay became malleable and easy to work with after a little water was added.
malodorous
a. having an unpleasant smell
syn:ill-smelling,malodourous,stinky,unpleasant-smelling
Some thermally active fountains spew sulfur fumes--the air around them is sometimes so malodorous that many have to plug their noses.
martial
a. suggesting war or military life
syn:warlike,soldierlike,soldierly,warriorlike
Americans tend to remember Abraham Lincoln as kindly and wise, not at all martial, despite the fact that he was involved in the fiercest war America has even fought.
maxim
n. a short saying expressing a general truth
syn:axiom
Johnson initially suggests that the secret to business can be summarized in a single maxim but then requires a 300-page book to explain exactly what he means.
meander
v. to wander aimlessly
syn:thread,wander,weave,wind
A casual observer might have thought that Peter was meandering through the city, but that day he was actually seeking out those places where he and his long lost love had once visited.
melancholy
n. a deep, long-lasting sadness
Hamlet is a figure of tremendous melancholy: he doesn't have a truly cheerful scene throughout the entire play.
melee
n. a wild, confusing fight or struggle
syn:battle royal,scrimmage
After enduring daily taunts about my name, I became enraged and pummeled the schoolyard bully and his sycophantic friends in a brutal melee.
mesmerize
v. to spellbind or enthrall
syn:bewitch,magnetise,magnetize,mesmerise
The plot and the characters were so well developed that many viewers were mesmerized, unable to move their eyes from the screen for even a single second.
misanthrope
n. a hater of mankind
syn:misanthropist
Kevin is such a misanthrope that he refused to attend the Christmas party, claiming that everyone's happiness was "fake" and "annoying."
miscreant
n. a person who breaks the law
syn:reprobate
Come back you miscreant! yelled the woman who just had her purse stolen.
miser
n. a person who doesn't like to spend money
syn:because they are greedy
Monte was no miser, but was simply frugal, wisely spending the little that he earned.
misogynist
n. a person who dislikes women in particular
syn:woman hater
Many have accused Hemingway of being a quiet misogynist, but recently unearthed letters argue against this belief.
moment
n. significant and important value
syn:consequence,import
Despite the initial hullabaloo, the play was of no great moment in Hampton's writing career, and within a few years the public quickly forgot his foray into theater arts.
moot
a. open to argument or debate; undecidable in a meaningless or irrelevant way
syn:arguable,debatable,disputable
Since the Board just terminated Steve as the CEO, what the finance committe might have thought of his proposed marketing plan for next year is now a moot point.
morose
a. ill-tempered and not inclined to talk; gloomy
syn:dark,dour,glowering,glum,moody,saturnine,sour,sullen
After Stanley found out he was no longer able to go on vacation with his friends, he sat in his room morosely.
morph
v. To undergo dramatic change in a seamless and barely noticeable fashion.
The earnestness of the daytime talk shows of the 1970's has morphed into something far more sensational and vulgar: today guests actually standup and threaten to take swings at one another.
muted
a. softened, subdued
syn:hushed,quiet,subdued
Helen preferred muted earth colors, such as green and brown, to the bright pinks and red her sister liked.
obdurate
a. stubbornly persistent in changing an opinion or action
syn:cussed,obstinate,unrepentant
No number of pleas and bribes would get him to change his obdurate attitude.
obliging
a. showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
syn:complaisant
Even after all his success, I found him to be accommodating and obliging, sharing with me his "secret tips" on how to gain wealth and make friends.
obstinate
a. resistant to guidance or discipline; stubbornly persistent
syn:cussed,obdurate,unrepentant,contrary,perverse,wayward
The coach suggested improvements Sarah might make on the balance beam, but she remained obstinate, unwilling to modify any of the habits that made her successful in the past.
ornate
a. marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details
syn:flowery
The ornate Victorian and Edwardian homes spread throughout San Francisco are my favorite part of the city.
paradoxical
a. seemingly contradictory but nonetheless possibly true
syn:self-contradictory
That light could be both a particle and a wave seems paradoxical, but nonetheless, it is true.
pastoral
a. relating to the countryside in a pleasant sense
syn:arcadian,bucolic
Those who imagine America's countryside as a pastoral region are often disappointed to learn that much of rural U.S. is filled with cornfields extending as far as the eye can see.
patronize
v. treat condescendingly
syn:condescend,patronise
She says she genuinely wanted to help me, but instead she patronized me, constantly pointing out how I was inferior to her.
paucity
n. a lack of something
syn:dearth
There is a paucity of jobs hiring today that require menial skills, since most jobs have either been automated or outsourced.
peevish
a. easily irritated or annoyed
syn:cranky,fractious,irritable,nettlesome,peckish,pettish,petulant,scratchy,techy,testy,tetchy
Our office manager is peevish, so the rest of us tip-toe around him, hoping not to set off another one of his fits.
perennial
a. lasting an indefinitely long time; eternal; everlasting
Even at the old-timers games, Stan Musial would get the loudest cheer: he was a perennial favorite of the fans there.
perpetuate
v. cause to continue
If you do not let him do things for himself, you are merely perpetuating bad habits that will be even harder to break in the future.
perquisite
n. a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group
syn:especially a hereditary or official right
syn:exclusive right,prerogative,privilege
Even as the dishwasher at the French restaurant, Josh quickly learned that he had the perquisite of being able to eat terrific food for half the price diners would pay.
pertinent
a. having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand
syn:apposite,apt
While the salaries of the players might draw attention in the media, such monetary figures are not pertinent to the question of who plays the best on the field.
perturb
v. disturb in mind or cause to be worried or alarmed
syn:cark,disorder,disquiet,distract,trouble,unhinge
Now that Henry is recovering from a major illnesses, he no longer lets the little trivialities, such as late mail, perturb him.
peruse
v. to read very carefully
Instead of perusing important documents, people all too often rush to the bottom of the page and plaster their signatures at the bottom.
pine
v. to yearn for
syn:ache,languish,yearn,yen
Standing forlornly by the window, she pined for her lost love.
pinnacle
n. the highest point
syn:acme,elevation,height,meridian,peak,summit,superlative,tiptop,top
At its pinnacle, the Roman Empire extended across most of the landmass of Eurasia, a feat not paralleled to the rise of the British Empire in the 18th and 19th century.
piquant
a. having an agreeably pungent taste
syn:savory,savoury,spicy,zesty
The chef, with a mere flick of the salt shaker, turned the bland tomato soup into a piquant meal.
pithy
a. concise and full of meaning
syn:sententious
I enjoy reading the Daodejing for its pithy and insightful prose; it always gives me something to think about.
pittance
n. a small amount
syn:of money
Vinny's uncle beamed smugly about how he'd offered his nephew fifty dollars for his Harvard tuition; even twice the amount would have been a mere pittance.
placid
a. not easily irritated
syn:equable,even-tempered,good-tempered
Doug is normally placid, so we were all shocked to see him yelling at the television when the Mets lost the game.
plodding
a.
syn:of movement slow and laborious
syn:leaden
Charlie may seem to run at a plodding pace, but he is an ultramarathoner, meaning he runs distances of up to 100 miles, and can run for ten hours at a stretch.
ploy
n. a clever plan to turn a situation to one's advantage
syn:gambit,stratagem
Dennis arranged an elaborate ploy, involving 14 different people lying for him in different situations, so that it could appear that he was meeting Mary completely by chance at the wedding reception.
powwow
n. an informal meeting or discussion
Before the team takes the field, the coach always calls for a powwow so that he can make sure all the players are mentally in the right place.
precarious
a. fraught with danger
syn:parlous,perilous,touch-and-go
People smoke to relax and forget their cares, but ironically, in terms of health risks, smoking is far more precarious than either mountain-climbing or skydiving.
precedent
n. an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
syn:case in point
The principal explained that even though one student had done modelling work outside of school, the outfits that student wore in those photographs in no way established a precedent for what could be worn at school dances.
preempt
v. take the place of or have precedence over
syn:displace
A governmental warning about an imminent terrorist attack would preempt ordinary network programming on television.
preemptive
a. done before someone else can do it
Just as Martha was about to take the only cookie left on the table, Noah preemptively swiped it.
presumption
n. an assumption that is taken for granted
syn:given,precondition
When Mr. Baker found out the family car was gone, he acted under the presumption that his rebellious son had taken the car, calling his son's phone and yelling at him; only later did Mr. Baker realize that Mrs. Baker had simply gone out to get her nails done.
presumption
n. audacious
syn:even arrogant behavior that you have no right to
The new neighbor quickly gained a reputation for her presumption; she had invited herself to several neighbors' homes, often stopping over at inopportune times and asking for a drink.
presumptuous
a. excessively forward
syn:assuming,assumptive
Many felt that Barney was presumptuous in moving into the large office before the management even made any official announcement of his promotion
prevail
v. be widespread in a particular area at a particular time; be current:
During the labor negotiations, an air of hostility prevailed in the office.
prevail
v. prove superior
Before the cricket match, Australia was heavily favored, but India prevailed
pristine
a. Unspoiled, untouched
syn:usu. of nature
The glacial lake was pristine and we filled our canteens to drink deeply.
pristine
a. Immaculately clean and unused
Drill sergeants are known for demanding pristine cabinets, uniforms, and beds, and often make new recruits clean and clean and clean until they meet the expected high standards.
profuse
a. plentiful; pouring out in abundance
syn:exuberant,lush,luxuriant,riotous
During mile 20 of the Hawaii Marathon, Dwayne was sweating so profusely that he stopped to take off his shirt, and ran the remaining six miles wearing nothing more than skimpy shorts.
profusion
n. the property of being extremely abundant
syn:cornucopia,profuseness,richness
When Maria reported that she had been visited by Jesus Christ and had proof, a profusion of reporters and journalists descended on the town.
proponent
n. a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
syn:advocate,advocator,exponent
Ironically, the leading proponent of Flat-Earth Theory flies all over the world in an effort to win more adherents.
provisional
a. under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon
syn:probationary,provisionary,tentative
Until the corporate office hands down a definitive decision on use of the extra offices, we will share their use in a provisional arrangement.
pugnacious
a. eager to fight or argue; verbally combative
The comedian told one flat joke after another, and when the audience started booing, he pugnaciously spat back at them, "Hey, you think this is easy - why don't you buffoons give it a shot?"
qualm
n. uneasiness about the fitness of an action
syn:misgiving,scruple
While he could articulate no clear reason why Harkner's plan would fail, he neverless felt qualms about committing any resources to it.
quandary
n. state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
syn:dilemma
Steve certainly is in a quandary: if he doesn't call Elaine, she will blame him for everything, but if he does call her, the evidence of where he currently is could cost him his job.
quip
n. a witty saying or remark
syn:epigram,crack,sally,wisecrack
In one of the most famous quips about classical music, Mark Twain said: "Wagner's music is better than it sounds."
quip
v. to make a witty remark, to say in jest
syn:gag
When a old English teacher criticized Churchill for ending a sentence with a preposition, he quipped, "This is the kind of criticism up with which we will not put!"
raffish
a. marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness
syn:devil-may-care,rakish
The men found him raffish, but the women adored his smart clothes and casual attitude.
raft
n. a large number of something
syn:batch,deal,flock,good deal,great deal,hatful,heap,lot,mass,mess,mickle,mint,mountain,muckle,passel,peck,pile,plenty,pot,quite a little,sight,slew,spate,stack,tidy sum,wad
Despite a raft of city ordinances passed by an overzealous council, noise pollution continued unabated in the megalopolis.
rakish
a. marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness
syn:devil-may-care,raffish
As soon as he arrived in the city, the rakish young man bought some drugs and headed straight for the seedy parts of town.
rankle
v. gnaw into; make resentful or angry
syn:eat into,fret,grate
His constant whistling would rankle her, sometimes causing her to leave in a huff.
rash
a. marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences; imprudently incurring risk
syn:foolhardy,heady,reckless
Although Bruce was able to make the delivery in time with a nightime motorcycle ride in the rain, Susan criticized his actions as rash.
redress
n. an act of making something right
syn:remediation,remedy
Barry forgot his wife's birthday two years in a row, and was only able to redress his oversight by surprising his wife with a trip to Tahiti.
relegate
v. assign to a lower position
syn:break,bump,demote,kick downstairs
When Dexter was unable to fulfill his basic duties, instead of firing him, the boss relegated him to kitchen cleanup.
remiss
a. to be negligent in one's duty
syn:delinquent,derelict,neglectful
remiss in his duty to keep the school functioning efficiently, the principal was relieved of his position after only three months.
renege
v. fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
syn:go back on,renege on,renegue on
We will no longer work with that vendor since it has reneged on nearly every agreement.
replete
a. completely stocked or furnished with something
Only weeks after the hurricane made landfall, the local supermarket shelves were replete with goods, so quick was the disaster relief response.
reprobate
n. a person who is disapproved of
syn:miscreant
Those old reprobates drinking all day down by the river-they are not going to amount to much.
reservation
n. an unstated doubt that prevents you from accepting something wholeheartedly
syn:arriere pensee,mental reservation
I was initially excited by the idea of a trip to Washington, D.C. but now that I have read about the high crime statistics there, I have some reservations.
resignation
n. the acceptance of something unpleasant that can't be avoided
syn:surrender
Since Jack could not think of a convincing reason why he had to miss the seminar, he attended it with a sense of resignation.
resolve
v. reach a conclusion after a discussion or deliberation
syn:conclude
After much thought, Ted resolved not to travel abroad this summer because he didn't have much money in his bank account.
respite
n. a pause from doing something
syn:as work
syn:break,recess,time out,
relief , rest , rest period
respite
Every afternoon, the small company has a respite in which workers play foosball or board games.
relief , rest , rest period
retiring
a. to be shy, and to be inclined to retract from company
syn:reticent,self-effacing
Nelson was always the first to leave soirees - rather than mill about with "fashionable" folk, he was retiring, and preferred the solitude of his garret.
retract
v. pull inward or towards a center; formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
syn:draw in,abjure,forswear,recant,resile
Email is wonderfully efficient, but once something awkward or damaging has been sent, there is no way to retract it.
rile
v. cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
syn:annoy,bother,chafe,devil,get at,get to,gravel,irritate,nark,nettle,rag,vex
Dan is usually calm and balanced, but it takes only one intense glare from Sabrina to rile him.
robust
a. sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction
Chris preferred bland and mild beers, but Bhavin preferred a beer with more robust flavor.
sanctimonious
a. making a show of being pious; holier-than-thou
syn:holier-than-thou,pharisaic,pharisaical,pietistic,pietistical,self-righteous
Even during the quiet sanctity of evening prayer, she held her chin high, a sanctimonious sneer forming on her face as she eyed those who were attending church for the first time.
sanguine
a. cheerful; optimistic
syn:florid,rubicund,ruddy
With the prospect of having to learn 3,000 words during the course of the summer, Paul was anything but sanguine.
savvy
v. get the meaning of something
syn:apprehend,compass,comprehend,dig,get the picture,grasp,grok
The student savvies the meaning of astrophysics with little effort.
savvy
n. a perceptive understanding
syn:apprehension,discernment,understanding
Although a great CEO, he did not have the political savvy to win the election.
savvy
a. well-informed or perceptive
With his savvy business partner, the company was able to turn a profit within a year.
scintillating
a. describes someone who is brilliant and lively
syn:aglitter,coruscant,fulgid,glinting,glistering,glittering,glittery,scintillant,sparkly,bubbling,effervescent,frothy
Richard Feynman was renowned for his scintillating lectures?봳he arcana of quantum physics was made lucid as he wrote animatedly on the chalkboard.
screed
n. an abusive rant
syn:often tedious
Joey had difficulty hanging out with his former best friend Perry, who, during his entire cup of coffee, enumerated all of the government's deficiencies--only to break ranks and launch into some screed against big business.
sentimental
a. effusively or insincerely emotional, especially in art, music, and literature
syn:bathetic,drippy,hokey,kitschy,maudlin,mawkish,mushy,schmaltzy,schmalzy,slushy,soppy,soupy
I don't like romanticism for the same reason I don't like melodramatic acting and soap operas - overly sentimental.
serendipity
n. the instance in which an accidental, fortunate discovery is made
By pure serendipity, Sarah discovered, at a flea market in Peoria, a matching earring to replace the one that fell down the storm drain back home.
serene
a. calm and peaceful
syn:tranquil,unagitated
I'd never seen him so serene; usually, he was a knot of stress and anxiety from hours of trading on the stock exchange.
slapdash
a. carelessly and hastily put together
syn:haphazard,slipshod,sloppy
The office building had been constructed in a slapdash manner, so it did not surprise officials when, during a small earthquake, a large crack emerged on the fa챌ade of the building.
smattering
n. a slight or superficial understanding of a subject; a small amount of something
syn:handful
I know only a smattering of German, but Helen is able to read German newspapers and converse with natives.
smug
a. marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
syn:self-satisfied
When Phil was dating the model, he had a smug attitude that annoyed his buddies.
snide
a. expressive of contempt; derogatory or mocking in an indirect way
syn:sneering,supercilious
The chairman interpreted Taylor's question about promotions as a snide remark, but in all innocence Taylor was trying to figure out the company's process.
snub
v. refuse to acknowledge; reject outright and bluntlySynonyms :cut,disregard,ignore,rebuff,repel
Wheeler was completely qualified for the committee, but the board snubbed him, choosing an obviously lesser qualified candidate instead.
sordid
a. involving ignoble actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt; foul and run-down and repulsive
syn:seamy,seedy,sleazy,squalid,flyblown
The nightly news simply announced that the senator had had an affair, but the tabloid published all the sordid details of the interaction.
spendthrift
n. one who spends money extravagantly
syn:scattergood,spend-all,spender
Taking weekly trips to Vegas, Megan was a spendthrift whose excesses eventually caught up to her.
spurn
v. reject with contempt
syn:disdain,freeze off,pooh-pooh,reject,scorn,turn down
She spurned all his flattery and proposals, and so he walked off embarrassed and sad.
squander
v. spend thoughtlessly; waste time, money, or an opportunity
syn:blow,waste,consume,ware
Fearing his money would be squandered by his family, he gave all of it to charity when he died.
staid
a. characterized by dignity and propriety
syn:sedate
Frank came from a staid environment, so he was shocked that his college roommate sold narcotics.
start
v. to suddenly move in a particular direction
All alone in the mansion, Henrietta started when she heard a sound.
steadfast
a. marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
syn:firm,steady,stiff,unbendable,unfaltering,unshakable,unwavering
A good captain needs to be steadfast, continuing to hold the wheel and stay the course even during the most violent storm.
stem
v. to hold back or limit the flow or growth of something
To stem the tide of applications, the prestigious Ivy requires that each applicant score at least 330 on the Revised GRE.
stipend
n. a regular allowance
syn:of money
He was hoping for a monthly allowance loan from the government, but after no such stipend was forthcoming he realized he would have to seek other means of paying for his college tuition.
stolid
a. having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
syn:impassive
Elephants may appear stolid to casual observers, but they actually have passionate emotional lives.
stymie
v. hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
syn:block,blockade,embarrass,hinder,obstruct,stymy
The engineers found their plans stymied at every turn and were ultimately able to make almost no progress on the project.
summit
n. the peak or highest point
syn:acme,elevation,height,meridian,peak,pinnacle,superlative,tiptop,top,crest,crown
After hiking for two days, the climbers finally reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
summit
n. a meeting of high-level leaders
Since climate change policy has been mired in congressional fighting, this summit should help set the goals for president's next term.
surly
a. inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace
syn:ugly
Every morning, Bhavin was a surly unhappy person, but once he ate breakfast, he became loving, laughing, and a joy to be around.
tact
n. consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
syn:tactfulness
In a tremendous display of tact, Shelly was able to maintain a strong friendship with Marcia, even though Marcia's husband, Frank, confessed to finding Shelley more attractive than Marcia.
tarnish
v. make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
syn:defile,maculate,stain,sully
Pete Rose was one of the best baseball players of his generation, but his involvement with gambling on baseball games has tarnished his image in the eyes of many.
tawdry
a. tastelessly showy; cheap and shoddy
syn:brassy,cheap,flash,flashy,garish,gaudy,gimcrack,loud,meretricious,tacky,tatty,trashy,cheapjack,shoddy
Carol expected to find New York City magical, the way so many movies had portrayed it, but she was surprised how often tawdry displays took the place of genuine elegance.
taxing
a. use to the limit; exhaust
syn:burdensome,onerous
The hike to the summit of Mt. Whitney was so taxing that I could barely speak or stand up.
telling
a. significant and revealing of another factor
Her unbecoming dress was very telling when it came to her sense of fashion.
telltale
a. revealing
The many telltale signs of chronic smoking include yellow teeth, and a persistent, hacking cough.
tender
v. offer up something formally
syn:bid
The government was loath to tender more money in the fear that it might set off inflation.
thoroughgoing
a. very thorough; complete
syn:exhaustive,thorough
As a thoroughgoing bibliophile, one who had turned his house into a veritable library, he shocked his friends when he bought a Kindle.
thrifty
a. spending money wisely
syn:careful
He was economical, spending his money thriftily and on items considered essential.
thwart
v. hinder or prevent
syn:the efforts, plans, or desires of
syn:baffle,bilk,cross,foil,frustrate,queer,scotch,spoil
I wanted to spend a week in New York this autumn, but the high costs of travel and lodging thwarted my plans.
tirade
n. an angry speech
syn:broadside,philippic
In terms of political change, a tirade oftentimes does little more than make the person speaking red in the face.
tout
v. advertize in strongly positive terms; show off
syn:blow,bluster,boast,brag,gas,gasconade,shoot a line,swash,vaunt
At the conference, the CEO touted the extraordinary success of his company's Research & Development division.
transitory
a. lasting a very short time
syn:ephemeral,fugacious,passing,short-lived,transient
If we lived forever and life was not transitory, do you think we would appreciate life less or more?
travail
n. use of physical or mental energy; hard work; agony or anguish
syn:effort,elbow grease,exertion,sweat
While they experienced nothing but travails in refinishing the kitchen, they completed the master bedroom in less than a weekend.
tribulation
n. something, especially an event, that causes difficulty and suffering
syn:trial,visitation
As of 2013, nearly 1.5 million Syrians have fled their country hoping to escape the tribulations of a civil war tearing their country to pieces.
tumult
n. a state of chaos, noise and confusion
syn:garboil,tumultuousness,uproar,commotion,din,ruckus,ruction,rumpus
Riots broke out just in front of our apartment building, and the tumult continued late into the night.
uncanny
a. suggesting the operation of supernatural influences; surpassing the ordinary or normal
syn:eldritch,unearthly,weird,preternatural
Reggie has an uncanny ability to connect with animals: feral cats will readily approach him, and sometimes even wild birds will land on his finger.
uncompromising
a. not making concessions
syn:inflexible,sturdy
The relationship between Bart and Hilda ultimately failed because they were both so uncompromising, never wanting to change their opinions.
unconscionable
a. unreasonable; unscrupulous; excessive
syn:exorbitant,extortionate,outrageous,steep,usurious
The lawyer's demands were so unconscionable that rather than pay an exorbitant sum or submit himself to any other inconveniences, the defendant decided to find a new lawyer.
underwrite
v. to support financially
syn:subvent,subvention
The latest symphony broadcast was made possible with underwriting from the Carnegie Endowment.
unnerve
v. to make nervous or upset
syn:enervate,faze,unsettle
At one time unnerved by math problems, she began avidly "Magoosh-ing", and soon became adept at even combinations and permutations questions.
unprecedented
a. having never been done or known before; novel
When America first created its national parks, the idea of setting aside the most beautiful land in a country was unprecedented in the history of mankind.
unruly
a.
syn:of persons noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline; unwilling to submit to authority
syn:boisterous,rambunctious,robustious,rumbustious,disobedient
Walk in to any preschool and I am sure that you will find an unruly and chaotic scene - unless it's nap time.
unseemly
a. not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
syn:indecent,indecorous,unbecoming,uncomely,untoward
He acted in an unseemly manner, insulting the hostess and then speaking ill of her deceased husband.
urbane
a. showing a high degree of refinement and the assurance that comes from wide social experience
syn:polished,refined,svelte
Because of his service as an intelligence officer and his refined tastes, W. Somerset Maugham became the inspiration for the urbane and sophistcate spy James Bond.
vacuous
a. devoid of intelligence, matter, or significance
syn:asinine,fatuous,inane,mindless,empty,hollow
To the journalist's pointed question, the senator gave a vacuous response, mixing a few of his overall campaign slogans with platitudes and completely avoiding the controversial subject of the question.
vanquish
v. come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
syn:beat,beat out,crush,shell,trounce
For years, Argentina would dominate in World Cup qualifying matches, only to be vanquished by one of the European countries during the late stages of the tournament.
variance
n. the quality of being different
The cynic quipped, "There is not much variance in politicians; they all seem to lie".
veneer
n. covering consisting of a thin superficial layer that hides the underlying substance
Mark Twain referred to the Victorian Period in America as the "Gilded Age", implying the ample moral corruption that lay beneath a mere veneer of respectability
vicarious
a. felt or undergone as if one were taking part in the experience or feelings of another
The advent of twitter is a celebrity stalker's dream, as he or she can - through hundreds of intimate "tweets" - vicariously live the life of a famous person.
vie
v. compete for something
syn:compete,contend
While the other teams in the division actively vie for the championship, this team seems content simply to go through the motions of playing.
vindictive
a. to have a very strong desire for revenge
Though the other girl had only lightly poked fun of Vanessa's choice in attire, Vanessa was so vindictive that she waited for an entire semester to get the perfect revenge.
virago
n. an ill-tempered or violent woman
syn:amazon
Poor Billy was the victim of the virago's invective - she railed at him for a good 30-minutes about how he is the scum of the earth for speaking loudly on his cellphone in public.
voracious
a. very hungry; approaching an activity with gusto
syn:edacious,esurient,rapacious,ravening,ravenous,wolfish
Steven was a voracious reader, sometimes finishing two novels in the same day.
wanton
a. without check or limitation; showing no moral restraints to one's anger, desire, or appetites
syn:easy,light,loose,promiscuous,sluttish
Due to wanton behavior and crude language, the drunk man was thrown out of the bar and asked to never return.
wax
v. to gradually increase in size or intensity
syn:climb,mount,rise
Her enthusiasm for the diva's new album only waxed with each song; by the end of the album, it was her favorite CD yet.
whimsical
a. determined by impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
syn:capricious,impulsive
Adults look to kids and envy their whimsical nature at times, wishing that they could act without reason and play without limitation.
zenith
n. the highest point; culmination
At the zenith of his artistic career, Elvis was outselling any other artist on the charts.
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