Advanced Vocab Words - Set 2 Flashcards

Learn to understand and effectively use 100 advanced vocabulary words. Improve your test scores, or simply be more articulate in your daily life. Each word is used in context in a sample sentence and includes synonyms and a pronunciation guide.

1
Q

Define

odium

(oh-dee-um)

A

n. repugnance, hatred

n. strong dislike

The popular odium of attorneys is often unmerited.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define

officious

(uh-fish-us)

A

adj. prone to giving unwanted advice

I make a habit of giving honest opinions, but I try to avoid being officious with my friends.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define

opaque

(owe-peyk)

A

adj. blocking all light

adj. hard to understand

The windows became so dirty they were almost opaque.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Define

opportune

(opp-er-tune)

A

adj. happening under fitting circumstances, or at an appropriate or favorable time

The students waited for an opportune moment to surprise their teacher with the bouquet of flowers they had prepared.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Define

superfluous

(suh-per-flu-us)

A

adj. more than necessary; unnecessary

The student’s essay was full of superfluous phrases that needed to be deleted.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define

supersede

(sue-per-seed)

A

v. to substitute; to take precedence over

It had been my understanding that the new tax code _supersede_s the old one, but actually both are in vigor simultaneously.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Define

supplant

(suh-plant)

A

v. to replace

The higher-ups tried to supplant rebellious teachers with conformists.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Define

supplicate

(sup-lih-kate)

A

v. to humbly ask

The churchgoers then bowed their heads and _supplicate_d God to answer their prayers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Define

surmount

(ser-mount)

A

v. to overcome

v. to rise above

Through sheer determination, he was able to surmount his disadvantages and win the contest outright.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Define

surreptitious

(ser-up-tish-us)

A

adj. secretive

Since they were not allowed to speak, the couple exchanged surreptitious glances from across the room.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Define

symbiotic

(sim-bee-ott-ik)

A

adj. related to a relationship between two or more organisms living together

The whale and the small fish that cling to its body have a symbiotic relationship.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Define

synapse

(sin-apse)

A

n. the small gap between the cells of nerves

Neurotransmitters travel across the synapse between brain cells.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Define

synchronous

(sing-kruh-nuss)

A

adj. operating at the same time or at the same rate

The film was notable for its synchronous premiere in 11 capital cities around the globe.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Define

tacit

(tass-it)

A

adj. implied or unspoken

There was a tacit agreement between the two companies that neither would expand into the other’s city.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Define

taciturn

(tass-ih-turn)

A

adj. tending to be silent; quiet

Some of the students were quite taciturn and had to be asked to participate more.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Define

exacerbate

(ig-zass-er-bate)

A

v. to make worse

The children’s screaming _exacerbate_d their father’s headache.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Define

exact

(ig-zact)

A

v. to forcibly obtain

The detectives finally _exact_ed the truth from the witness.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Define

exculpate

(ek-skull-pate)

A

v. to free from blame

The political prisoner was fully _exculpate_d only when the dictatorship was overthrown and an independent truth commission established.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Define

exhort

(ig-zort)

A

v. to urge by strong appeal

Taking the loudspeaker in her hand, the policewoman _exhort_ed the kidnapper to release his hostage.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Define

exigent

(ek-suh-djunt)

A

adj. requiring immediate attention; pressing, demanding

The show’s run was cut short by an exigent lack of funds.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. blame

n. strong dislike

A

odium

(oh-dee-um)

synonyms: shame, dishonor; disgust, detestation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. prone to giving unwanted advice

A

officious

(uh-fish-us)

synonyms: forward, meddlesome

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. blocking all light

adj. hard to understand

A

opaque

(owe-peyk)

synonyms: blurred, darkened, lusterless; baffling, cryptic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. happening under fitting circumstances

A

opportune

(opp-er-tune)

synonyms: advantageous, favorable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. more than necessary; unnecessary

A

superfluous

(suh-per-flu-us)

synonyms: extra, excessive, overdone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to substitute; to take precedence over

A

supersede

(sue-per-seed)

synonyms: usurp, succeed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to replace

A

supplant

(suh-plant)

synonyms: substitute, usurp

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to humbly ask

A

supplicate

(sup-lih-kate)

synonyms: ask, pray for, desire

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to overcome

v. to rise above

A

surmount

(ser-mount)

synonyms: vanquish, transcend

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. secretive

A

surreptitious

(ser-up-tish-us)

synonyms: sneaky, secret, covert

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. related to a relationship between two or more organisms living together

A

symbiotic

(sim-bee-ott-ik)

synonyms: coactive, harmonious, joining

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. the small gap between the cells of nerves

A

synapse

(sin-apse)

synonyms: break, gap, divide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. operating at the same time or at the same rate

A

synchronous

(sing-kruh-nuss)

synonyms: concurrent, simultaneous

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. implied or unspoken

A

tacit

(tass-it)

synonyms: suggested, unsaid, understood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. tending to be silent; quiet

A

taciturn

(tass-ih-turn)

synonyms: aloof, silent, mum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to make worse

A

exacerbate

(ig-zass-er-bate)

synonyms: intensify, worsen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to forcibly obtain

A

exact

(ig-zact)

synonyms: claim, take

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to free from blame

A

exculpate

(ek-skull-pate)

synonyms: forgive, excuse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to urge by strong appeal

A

exhort

(ig-zort)

synonyms: warn, beseech

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. requiring immediate attention; pressing, demanding

A

exigent

(ek-suh-djunt)

synonyms: urgent, pressing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

Define

exonerate

(ig-zawn-ih-rate)

A

v. to clear of blame, guilt, or burden

Though the defendant had clearly done something wrong, the court had no choice but to exonerate her on the present charges.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

Define

expedient

(ek-spee-dee-unt)

A

adj. beneficial for one’s goal

n. a hastily prepared solution to a sudden problem

The politician tended to bring up his humble origins when it was politically expedient.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

Define

expedite

(ek-spuh-dahyt)

A

v. to speed up

For an extra fee, the post office can expedite your package’s delivery.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

Define

expiate

(ek-spee-ate)

A

v. to atone for

After destroying his friend’s car, Jim hoped the fruit basket he sent would expiate his guilt.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

Define

extemporaneous

(ik-stem-puh-ray-nee-us)

A

adj. made up on the spot, ad-libbed

To be a news anchor, she would have to improve her extemporaneous speaking skills.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

Define

extol

(ik-stole)

A

v. to praise

Melinda was often heard _extol_ling her daughter’s many talents.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

Define

extrapolate

(ek-strap-ih-late)

A

v. to make a guess based on facts

Pete figured it was possible to extrapolate her personality from her Facebook profile.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

Define

extricate

(ek-strih-kate)

A

v. to disentangle, to break free from

It was heartbreaking to watch the butterfly struggle in vain to extricate itself from the spider web.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

Define

churl

(churl)

A

n. a rude person

n. a cheap person

I had been waiting in line for hours when some churl tried to cut in front of me.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

Define

circuitous

(sir-cue-ih-tuss)

A

adj. roundabout

Because of the traffic accident, we had to take a circuitous route to the bank.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

Define

circumscribe

(sir-come-skrahyb)

A

v. to draw or contain in a circle

v. to limit or restrain

I believe our government’s actions are _circumscribe_d by financial interests as well as moral imperatives.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

Define

circumspect

(sir-come-spekt)

A

adj. prudent; cautious

Though her mother’s boyfriend attempted to win affection with toys and treats, Elise remained circumspect around him.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

Define

circumvent

(sir-kum-vent)

A

v. to get around an obstacle

She managed to circumvent security and approached her favorite actor backstage.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

Define

cleave

(kleev)

A

v. to cut off with force

v. to be loyal to

v. to develop an emotional bond with

She vowed that even when tempted she would cleave to her principles.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

Define

cloister

(cloy-stur)

A

v. to isolate

n. a place for religious isolation

The boy’s parents tended to cloister him from the harsher realities of the world.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

Define

coagulate

(koh-ag-yuh-late)

A

v. to clot or solidify

The poorly-made syrup began to coagulate on the pancakes after a few minutes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

Define

coalesce

(koh-ih-less)

A

v. to come together to form a single unit

Our county’s many poverty initiatives are too different to coalesce into an effective whole.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

Define

cogent

(koh-djunt)

A

adj. clear and convincing

adj. relevant

We won the debate because the other team was unable to mount a cogent counter argument.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

Define

cohere

(koh-heer)

A

v. to be logically connected to

v. to stick to each other

These short stories are quite charming when taken separately, but they will not cohere if published together as a collection.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

Define

intransigent

(in-tran-suh-junt)

A

adj. unwilling to compromise

The government remained intransigent despite the people’s protest.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to clear of blame or guilt

A

exonerate

(ig-zawn-ih-rate)

synonyms: absolve, acquit, vindicate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
62
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. beneficial for one’s goal

n. a hastily prepared solution to a sudden problem

A

expedient

(ek-spee-dee-unt)

synonyms: worthwhile, advantageous; means

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
63
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to speed up

A

expedite

(ek-spuh-dahyt)

synonyms: accelerate, hasten

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
64
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to atone for wrongdoing

A

expiate

(ek-spee-ate)

synonyms: amend, atone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
65
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. made up on the spot, ad-libbed

A

extemporaneous

(ik-stem-puh-ray-nee-us)

synonyms: improvised, impromptu

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
66
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to praise

A

extol

(ik-stole)

synonyms: praise, celebrate, laud

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
67
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to make a guess based on facts; to conjecture

A

extrapolate

(ek-strap-ih-late)

synonyms: assume, hypothesize

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
68
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to disentangle, to break free from

A

extricate

(ek-strih-kate)

synonyms: clear, disburden, extract

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
69
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a rude person

n. a cheap person

A

churl

(churl)

synonyms: lout, oaf; miser, peasant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
70
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. roundabout

A

circuitous

(sir-cue-ih-tuss)

synonyms: indirect, labyrinthine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
71
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to draw or contain in a circle

v. to limit or restrain

A

circumscribe

(sir-come-skrahyb)

synonyms: mark off, bound, confine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
72
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. prudent; cautious

A

circumspect

(sir-come-spekt)

synonyms: discreet, guarded

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
73
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to get around an obstacle

A

circumvent

(sir-kum-vent)

synonyms: avoid, bypass

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
74
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to cut off with force

v. to be loyal to

v. to develop an emotional bond with

A

cleave

(kleev)

synonyms: divide, split; devote, join; bond, affix

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
75
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to isolate

n. a place for religious isolation

A

cloister

(cloy-stur)

synonyms: secluded; convent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
76
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to clot or solidify (for liquids)

A

coagulate

(koh-ag-yuh-late)

synonyms: condense, concrete, thicken

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
77
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to come together to form a single unit

A

coalesce

(koh-ih-less)

synonyms: adhere, cling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
78
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. clear and convincing

adj. relevant

A

cogent

(koh-djunt)

synonyms: apt, compelling, valid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
79
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to be logically connected to
v. to stick to each other

A

cohere

(koh-heer)

synonyms: adhere, conform

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
80
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. unwilling to compromise

A

intransigent

(in-tran-suh-junt)

synonyms: stubborn, unwilling, bullheaded

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
81
Q

Define

intrepid

(in-trep-id)

A

adj. courageous

The intrepid naturalist routinely braved storms and mudslides to document new species.

82
Q

Define

intrinsic

(in-trin-zik)

A

adj. related to an object’s essence

Unfortunately, some degree of inefficiency is intrinsic to all democracies.

83
Q

Define

inure

(in-your)

A

v. to become accustomed to something negative or unpleasant

Nearby residents soon became _inure_d to the noise from the construction project.

84
Q

Define

invective

(in-vek-tiv)

A

adj. verbally abusive

n. abusive or stern language

What this debate needs is a little less invective and a little more substance

85
Q

Define

irrevocable

(ih-rev-ih-kuh-bull)

A

adj. unable to be revoked; permanent

The laws the king decreed were irrevocable even after he left the throne.

86
Q

Define

jocular

(jock-yuh-lur)

A

adj. related to jokes

The boy was popular with his classmates due to his cheerful, jocular nature.

87
Q

Define

kernel

(kur-null)

A

n. the central part of a situation or seed

The kernel of the matter was that she didn’t even know where to begin looking for a new house.

88
Q

Define

lackluster

(lack-luss-tur)

A

adj. not lively; not bright

Tired from a long day, Susan gave a very lackluster performance during the dress rehearsal.

89
Q

Define

refractory

(rih-frack-tuh-ree)

A

adj. stubborn; difficult to treat or handle

The doctors did not know how to deal with such a refractory infection.

90
Q

Define

regiment

(redj-ih-munt)

A

n. a military unit of troops

v. to enforce a strict order or conformity

Four army _regiment_s occupied the city last week.

91
Q

Define

remonstrate

(rih-mon-strehyt)

A

v. to protest

Many special-interest groups remonstrated against the new legislation.

92
Q

Define

remunerate

(rih-mew-nuh-rehyt)

A

v. to compensate monetarily for trouble or work done

Although they finally had to throw the computer out, Linda _remunerate_d her friend for trying to fix it anyway.

93
Q

Define

render

(ren-der)

A

v. to take forcibly, result in, or cause to become

v. to do something for someone else

His harsh words _render_ed her speechless.

94
Q

Define

repose

(rih-poze)

A

n. peacefulness, rest

v. to be lying or stationary

In the summer, she would often lie under the willow trees in complete repose.

95
Q

Define

repudiate

(rih-pew-dee-ehyt)

A

v. to renounce ownership or disown

v. to refuse to recognize

v. to reject as true

The scientists who discovered the fossil were shocked when it was _repudiate_d as a fake.

96
Q

Define

reticent

(rett-ih-sunt)

A

adj. not wanting to talk; reluctant

When asked about the stolen vase, the maid was reticent even though she had seen the thief take it.

97
Q

Define

retiring

(rih-tie-ring)

A

adj. shy; quiet

During high school, Mary became so retiring that people sometimes didn’t notice when they shared a class with her.

98
Q

Define

revere

(rih-veer)

A

v. to admire greatly; to honor

The mayor was so _revere_d by the village that every single man, woman, and child attended his funeral.

99
Q

Define

platitude

(plat-ih-tewd)

A

n. a cliché, dull, or unenlightening saying

My father’s favorite platitude was, “Winners never quit, quitters never win”.

100
Q

Define

pliant

(ply-unt)

A

adj. easy to change or bend

adj. easy to convince

The professor needed a particularly pliant mind for his brainwashing experiments.

101
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. courageous

A

intrepid

(in-trep-id)

synonyms: brave, heroic

102
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. related to an object’s essence

A

intrinsic

(in-trin-zik)

synonyms: basic, inborn, fundamental

103
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to become accustomed to something negative or unpleasant

A

inure

(in-your)

synonyms: desensitize, familiarize, habituate

104
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. verbally abusive

n. abusive or stern language

A

invective

(in-vek-tiv)

synonyms: berating, abuse, denunciation

105
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. unable to be revoked; permanent

A

irrevocable

(ih-rev-ih-kuh-bull)

synonyms: unchangeable, unalterable

106
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. related to jokes

A

jocular

(jock-yuh-lur)

synonyms: amusing, campy, jokey

107
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. the central part of a situation or seed

A

kernel

(kur-null)

synonyms: core, crux

108
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. not lively; not bright

A

lackluster

(lack-luss-tur)

synonyms: dull, colorless, muted

109
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. stubborn; difficult to treat or handle

A

refractory

(rih-frack-tuh-ree)

synonyms: resistant, immune, unresponsive

110
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a military unit of troops

v. to enforce a strict order or conformity

A

regiment

(redj-ih-munt)

synonyms: military unit, command, designate

111
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to protest

A

remonstrate

(rih-mon-strehyt)

synonyms: argue, challenge

112
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to compensate monetarily for trouble or work done

A

remunerate

(rih-mew-nuh-rehyt)

synonyms: compensate, reimburse

113
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to take forcibly, result in, or cause to become

v. to do something for someone else

A

render

(ren-der)

synonyms: cause, become, execute; carry out, accomplish

114
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. peacefulness

n. rest

A

repose

(rih-poze)

synonyms: rest, lack of work

115
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to renounce ownership or disown

v. to refuse to recognize

v. to reject as true

A

repudiate

(rih-pew-dee-ehyt)

synonyms: reject, decline, disown

116
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. not wanting to talk; reluctant

A

reticent

(rett-ih-sunt)

synonyms: not talkative, reserved

117
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. shy; quiet

A

retiring

(rih-tie-ring)

synonyms: bashful, unassuming

118
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to admire greatly; to honor

A

revere

(rih-veer)

synonyms: adore, esteem, value

119
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a cliché, dull, or unenlightening saying

A

platitude

(plat-ih-tewd)

synonyms: banality, cliché

120
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. easy to change or bend

adj. easy to convince

A

pliant

(ply-unt)

synonyms: amenable, compliant, pliable

121
Q

Define

poignant

(poin-yunt)

A

adj. so emotionally intense as to be painful

Watching her daughter wake up was particularly poignant for her mother who had worried by her bedside the whole night.

122
Q

Define

polar

(poe-lur)

A

adj. related to opposite extremes or sides

The two were so different their personalities could be considered polar opposites.

123
Q

Define

polemic

(puh-lem-ik)

A

adj. controversial

n. a controversial argument

As soon as the graduate student obtained her doctorate, she published a polemic refutation of her mentor’s work.

124
Q

Define

ponderous

(pon-dur-us)

A

adj. difficult to handle due to heaviness

adj. requiring a lot of work

The ponderous task was completed in no time, thanks to the large number of volunteers we had.

125
Q

Define

portend

(pore-tend)

A

v. to foretell

The witch claimed that the stormy weather _portend_ed the ruler’s downfall.

126
Q

Define

posit

(poz-it)

A

v. to assume as fact

Some physicists posit that the universe will expand forever.

127
Q

Define

postulate

(poss-chuh-lehyt)

A

v. to assume a basic truth

Economic theory _postulate_s limits on essential resources as the basis of human behavior.

128
Q

Define

bolster

(bole-stur)

A

v. to support

The candidate’s campaign was _bolster_ed by endorsements by several former military leaders.

129
Q

Define

bombastic

(bom-bass-tick)

A

adj. inflated, arrogant

The bombastic way in which the author described his new novel repulsed me.

130
Q

Define

brood

(brewd)

A

n. a group of offspring

v. to worry over

The hen protected her new brood from the farmer’s inspection.

131
Q

Define

burgeon

(burr-djun)

A

v. to grow

The _burgeon_ing mass of bees was heading straight for the picnic.

132
Q

Define

exacting

(ig-zak-ting)

A

adj. making severe demands or requirements

adj. requiring great care

The exacting professor wanted a 15-page paper due the next day in class.

133
Q

Define

rebuke

(rih-byook)

A

v. to reprimand, to scold sharply

The child was _rebuke_d for stealing candy.

134
Q

Define

dulcet

(duhl-sit)

A

adj. pleasant sounding or looking

The dulcet tone of the musical parody contrasted sharply with its offensive lyrics.

135
Q

Define

toady

(toh-dee)

A

n. a flatterer, a yes man

The president was surrounded by _toadi_es rather than people with honest criticisms.

136
Q

Define

gall

(gawl)

A

n. audacity, impudence

He had the gall to request a raise after it was discovered that he was calling in sick in order to play golf.

137
Q

Define

cloying

(kloi-ing)

A

adj. unpleasant due to excess; sickeningly sweet or sentimental

Unfortunately, cloying romantic comedies are sure box-office hits, and so Hollywood continues to churn them out.

138
Q

Define

sully

(suhl-ee)

A

v. to stain or tarnish the purity of

Joe’s reputation as an ethical CEO was _sulli_ed by his selfish actions during his company’s merger.

139
Q

Define

defile

(dih-fahyl)

A

v. to dirty, spoil, or dishonor

v. to violate the chastity of

The holy site was unwittingly _defile_d when the invaders, for whom it held no special meaning, used it as a stable.

140
Q

Define

pithy

(pith-ee)

A

adj. concise and relevant

Satya’s pithy keynote speech was more enlightening than the endless lectures that had preceded it.

141
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. so emotionally intense as to be painful

A

poignant

(poin-yunt)

synonyms: agonizing, bitter; sharp, keen

142
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. related to opposite extremes or sides

A

polar

(poe-lur)

synonyms: opposite, contrary, counter

143
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. controversial

n. a controversial argument

A

polemic

(puh-lem-ik)

synonyms: refutation, dispute

144
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. difficult to handle due to heaviness; or

adj. requiring a lot of work

A

ponderous

(pon-dur-us)

synonyms: burdensome, unwieldy

145
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to foretell

A

portend

(pore-tend)

synonyms: foreshadow, harbinger

146
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to assume as fact

A

posit

(poz-it)

synonyms: propose an explanation based upon assumptions, postulate

147
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to assume a basic truth

A

postulate

(poss-chuh-lehyt)

synonyms: assert, premise, suppose

148
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to support

A

bolster

(bole-stur)

synonyms: assist, aid, help

149
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. inflated, arrogant

A

bombastic

(bom-bass-tick)

synonyms: grandiose, egotistical

150
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a group of offspring

v. to worry over

A

brood

(brewd)

synonyms: cluster, breed; grieve, dwell upon

151
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to grow

A

burgeon

(burr-djun)

synonyms: blossom, grow, expand

152
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. making severe demands or requirements

adj. requiring great care

A

exacting

(ig-zak-ting)

synonyms: claim, command; difficult, formidable

153
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to reprimand, to scold sharply

A

rebuke

(rih-byook)

synonyms: berate, blame, condemn

154
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. pleasant sounding or looking

A

dulcet

(duhl-sit)

synonyms: melodious, pleasurable

155
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a flatterer, a yes man

A

toady

(toh-dee)

synonyms: doter, brownnoser

156
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. audacity, impudence

A

gall

(gawl)

synonyms: nerve, brashness

157
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. unpleasant due to excess; sickeningly sweet or sentimental

A

cloying

(kloi-ing)

synonyms: cheesy, overly sentimental, sappy

158
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to stain or tarnish the purity of

A

sully

(suhl-ee)

synonyms: stain, blot, smear

159
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to dirty, spoil, dishonor

v. to violate the chastity of

A

defile

(dih-fahyl)

synonyms: befoul, besmirch

160
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. concise and relevant

A

pithy

(pith-ee)

synonyms: concise, cogent, precise

161
Q

Define

slovenly

(sluhv-uhn-lee)

A

adj. untidy, disheveled; unclean in appearance or habits

The other dinner guests held the slovenly drunkard in contempt.

162
Q

Define

onerous

(oh-ner-uhs)

A

adj. causing hardship; burdensome, troublesome

The students relished making the teacher’s job as onerous as possible.

163
Q

Define

scourge

(skurdj)

A

n. a plague or cause of affliction

n. something that causes suffering

The scourge of drugs in American society will be its downfall.

164
Q

Define

candor

(kan-der)

A

n. the quality of being frank, sincere, or impartial in expression

Giorgio was known for his candor, so it surprised no one when he began to talk at length about his love life.

165
Q

Define

boor

(boor)

A

n. a crude, unmannered, or rude person

The boor upset everyone at the fancy restaurant.

166
Q

Define

moribund

(mawr-uh-buhnd)

A

adj. dying, decaying, on the brink of extinction

The moribund customs of the indigenous culture are only practiced in a few outlying areas.

167
Q

Define

pine

(pahyn)

A

v. to suffer from extreme desire or painful longing; to yearn deeply

v. to waste away with grief

The sailor’s wife _pine_d for him all through the long, harsh winter.

168
Q

Define

siren

(sahy-ruhn)

A

n. a beautiful, seductive, or charming woman

The young men of the neighborhood are smitten with the siren who moved in last week.

169
Q

Define

cache

(kash)

A

n. a hidden place, a secret storage

n. a place for valuables

The bomb shelter had a cache of resources capable of supporting the family.

170
Q

Define

lionize

(lahy-uh-nahyz)

A

v. to treat a person as a celebrity

When the musical sensation returned to her hometown, she was _lionize_d by everyone she knew.

171
Q

Define

skulk

(skuhlk)

A

v. to lie in wait; to hide with evil intent

The fugitive was spotted _skulk_ing about the docks just past midnight.

172
Q

Define

emendation

(ee-muhn-dey-shuhn)

A

n. a correction or revision in a text

Once the _emendation_s have been made, the pamphlet can be sent to the printer.

173
Q

Define

euphony

(yoo-fuh-nee)

A

n. a pleasant, harmonious sound

The euphony of the Italian language is unparalleled.

174
Q

Define

terse

(turs)

A

adj. succinct, curt

Your terse apology does not even begin to give an adequate explanation for your behavior.

175
Q

Define

trite

(trahyt)

A

adj. uninteresting due to overuse; hackneyed

Though some may find Valentine’s Day chocolates trite, I look forward to every box I get.

176
Q

Define

malefactor

(mal-uh-fak-ter)

A

n. evildoer, culprit, a violator of the law

The Nuremberg trials brought the Nazi _malefactor_s to justice.

177
Q

Define

obtuse

(uhb-toos)

A

adj. stupid, dull

adj. slow to perceive, feel, or respond

The obtuse response lacked a great deal of sophistication.

178
Q

Define

ingratiate

(ing-grey-shee-eyt)

A

v. to work oneself into the favor of someone

The intern _ingratiate_d himself to his superiors starting on the first day.

179
Q

Define

travesty

(trav-uh-stee)

A

n. a perverse or ludicrous representation

Thom’s checkered tux was a travesty of good taste.

180
Q

Define

philology

(fih-lol-uh-djee)

A

n. the study of linguistics and literature

The students of philology were hunched over their Spanish literature texts.

181
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. untidy, disheveled; unclean in appearance or habits

A

slovenly

(sluhv-uhn-lee)

synonyms: dirty, careless

182
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. causing hardship; burdensome, troublesome

A

onerous

(oh-ner-uhs)

synonyms: arduous, cumbersome, vexatious

183
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a plague or cause of affliction

A

scourge

(skurdj)

synonyms: torment, affliction, pestilence

184
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. the quality of being frank, sincere, or impartial in expression

A

candor

(kan-der)

synonyms: honesty, directness

185
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a crude, unmannered, or rude person

A

boor

(boor)

synonyms: goon, oaf, barbarian

186
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. dying, decaying, on the brink of extinction

A

moribund

(mawr-uh-buhnd)

synonyms: doomed, expiring, passing

187
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to suffer from extreme desire or painful longing

v. to waste away with grief

A

pine

(pahyn)

synonyms: dream, hanker, lust

188
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a beautiful, seductive, and charming woman

A

siren

(sahy-ruhn)

synonyms: seductress, charmer

189
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a hidden place, a secret storage

n. a place for valuables

A

cache

(kash)

synonyms: a secret storage place

190
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to treat a person as a celebrity

A

lionize

(lahy-uh-nahyz)

synonyms: adulate, worship

191
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to lie, to sneak into hiding, with evil intent

A

skulk

(skuhlk)

synonyms: tiptoe, sneak, slither, creep

192
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a correction or revisions in a text

A

emendation

(ee-muhn-dey-shuhn)

synonyms: editing, proofreading

193
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a pleasant, harmonious sound

A

euphony

(yoo-fuh-nee)

synonyms: melody, symphony

194
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. succinct, curt

A

terse

(turs)

synonyms: brief, short

195
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. uninteresting due to overuse; hackneyed

A

trite

(trahyt)

synonyms: banal, common

196
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. evildoer, culprit, a violator of the law

A

malefactor

(mal-uh-fak-ter)

synonyms: felon, outlaw, villain

197
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. stupid, dull

adj. slow to perceive, feel, or respond

A

obtuse

(uhb-toos)

synonyms: dense, dumb, insensitive

198
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to work oneself into the favor of someone

A

ingratiate

(ing-grey-shee-eyt)

synonyms: flatter, curry favor

199
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a perverse or ludicrous parody or exaggeration

A

travesty

(trav-uh-stee)

synonyms: caricature, burlesque

200
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. the study of linguistics and literature

A

philology

(fih-lol-uh-djee)

synonyms: the study of language; linguistics, and literature