Advanced Vocab Words - Set 8 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.
Define
nonchalant
(non-shuh-lont)
adj. casually unconcerned
Lauren was nonchalant about being chosen as valedictorian; she simply didn’t think it was a big deal.
Define
oscillate
(oss-ih-lehyt)
v. to move or swing from side to side
v. to waver between conflicting positions
Her feelings towards her cynical commanding officer _oscillate_d between admiration and disgust.
Define
ostentatious
(oss-ten-tay-shuss)
adj. intended to impress
adj. characterized by pretension
She loves to show off that ostentatious ring her rich husband got for her.
Define
overwrought
(oh-vur-rawt)
adj. deeply agitated or anxious
Everyone in the family was overwrought with the thought that the children might be in danger .
Define
pacific
(puh-sif-ick)
adj. of a peaceful nature
adj. promoting peace and conflict resolution
The government decided to pursue a pacific policy and call back its troops on the border.
Define
palatable
(pal-ih-tuh-bull)
adj. acceptable to one’s taste or mind
Though clearly necessary to balance the budget, unpopular tax increases are not palatable to any political party.
Define
perennial
(puh-ren-ee-ul)
adj. endless
adj. recurring over and over
Not being able to pay rent on time was a perennial problem for him.
Define
perfidy
(per-fih-dee)
n. a betrayal of trust
The soldier was known for his loyalty, so his act of perfidy was particularly shocking to his superior officers.
Define
perfunctory
(per-funk-tuh-ree)
adj. done as a formality, without attention to detail
Her apology was clearly only a perfunctory gesture and not truly heartfelt.
Define
pernicious
(per-nish-us)
adj. harmful; hurtful, especially in a slow or subtle way
The pernicious effects of money in politics are hardly unique to this country.
Define
perspicacity
(per-spih-kass-ih-tee)
n. sharp powers of observation
The writer’s perspicacity made it easy for her to understand and write about human nature.
Define
perturb
(purr-turb)
v. to disturb or cause disorder, esp. in one’s mental state
Even her sleep was _perturb_ed by her obsession over her credit card debt.
Define
placate
(play-kate)
v. to ease another’s anger
Lewis attempted to placate the angry woman whose car had been hit, but she continued screaming and pacing back and forth.
Define
placid
(plass-id)
adj. free from disturbance
There currently reigns a placid atmosphere at City Hall, but don’t expect it to last much longer.
Define
pivotal
(piv-uh-tul)
adj. of crucial importance
The audience was enraged when the film reel broke during a pivotal scene in the movie.
Define
pragmatic
(prag-mat-ick)
adj. guided by practical experience and observation
Her pragmatic attitude often put her at odds with her idealistic peers, whom she called unrealistic and naive.
Define
predilection
(pred-ih-leck-shun)
n. preference; a strong liking for
He had a predilection for expensive cars that was hard on his wallet.
Define
preside
(prih-zahyd)
v. to be in a position of authority over a group
The newly-elected president _preside_d over the first meeting of the council in September.
Define
prevaricate
(pruh-vair-ih-kate)
v. to be deliberately ambiguous in order to hide the truth; to lie
The guest chose to prevaricate by answering the host’s questions with unrelated anecdotes.
Define
probity
(pro-bih-tee)
n. honesty and decency
The group chose Eduardo to represent them, not only because he was the eldest, but because he had shown the most probity during their discussions.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. casually unconcerned
nonchalant
(non-shuh-lont)
synonyms: easygoing, careless
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to move or swing from side to side
v. to waver between conflicting positions
oscillate
(oss-ih-lehyt)
synonyms: dangle, sway; change, alternate
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. intended to impress
adj. characterized by pretension
ostentatious
(oss-ten-tay-shuss)
synonyms: showy, flashy, pretentious
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. deeply agitated or anxious
overwrought
(oh-vur-rawt)
synonyms: frantic, wound up, nervous
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. of a peaceful nature
adj. promoting peace and conflict resolution
pacific
(puh-sif-ick)
synonyms: soothing, peaceful, conciliatory
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. acceptable to one’s taste or mind
palatable
(pal-ih-tuh-bull)
synonyms: delicious, agreeable, acceptable
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. endless
adj. recurring over and over
perennial
(puh-ren-ee-ul)
synonyms: enduring, perpetual, ceaseless
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a betrayal of trust
perfidy
(per-fih-dee)
synonyms: treachery, betrayal, corruption
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. done as a formality, without attention to detail
perfunctory
(per-funk-tuh-ree)
synonyms: automatic, habitual, careless
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. harmful; hurtful
pernicious
(per-nish-us)
synonyms: damaging, devastating
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. acute perception
perspicacity
(per-spih-kass-ih-tee)
synonyms: insight, astuteness
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to disturb or cause disorder, esp. in one’s mental state
perturb
(purr-turb)
synonyms: unsettle, alarm
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to ease another’s anger
placate
(play-kate)
synonyms: soothe, pacify
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. free from disturbance
placid
(plass-id)
synonyms: composed, calm
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. of crucial importance
pivotal
(piv-uh-tul)
synonyms: critical, crucial
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. guided by practical experience and observation
pragmatic
(prag-mat-ick)
synonyms: businesslike, efficient, practical
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. preference; a strong liking for
predilection
(pred-ih-leck-shun)
synonyms: inclination, love, fondness
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to be in a position of authority over a group
preside
(prih-zahyd)
synonyms: administer, conduct, direct
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to be deliberately ambiguous in order to hide the truth; to lie
prevaricate
(pruh-vair-ih-kate)
synonyms: deceive, garble, misrepresent
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. honesty and decency
probity
(pro-bih-tee)
synonyms: goodness, honor
Define
proclivity
(pro-kliv-ih-tee)
n. a natural inclination
Her proclivity for laziness is going to be a problem when we begin the new project.
Define
prodigal
(prod-ih-guhl)
adj. lavishly wasteful
adj. being generous or giving abundantly
n. one who spends recklessly
The woman ended up regretting her prodigal lifestyle when she went bankrupt after a few years.
Define
pugnacious
(pug-nehy-shuss)
adj. combative in nature
The pugnacious young man was eventually suspended for constantly fighting with other students.
Define
quandary
(kwon-duh-ree)
n. a state of uncertainty, a dilemma
After receiving several great offers, I was in a quandary as to which I should accept.
Define
quash
(kwash)
v. to forcibly suppress
v. to extinguish
The prosecution’s star witness _quash_ed any chance the defense had of winning the trial.
Define
quibble
(kwib-ul)
v. to evade the truth or importance of an issue by raising trivial objections
n. a trivial objection
The argument grew even more aggravating when my opponent began to quibble with me over semantics.
Define
quiescent
(kwee-ess-unt)
adj. being quiet or still
The outlying region, usually a quiescent outpost of the empire, was the unlikely origin of the rebellion that would unseat the emperor.
Define
rancor
(rang-kur)
n. a feeling of deep and bitter anger
Once the game ended there was no rancor between the opponents, despite the intensity of their match.
Define
recalcitrant
(rih-kal-sih-trunt)
adj. stubborn and defiant of authority
Instead of obeying the police’s instructions, the protesters became recalcitrant and refused to move.
Define
recess
(ree-sess)
v. to suspend proceedings
n. a break from class or business
n. an indented or hollowed-out space
The legislative body will recess next week.
Define
redoubtable
(rih-dow-tuh-bull)
adj. fearsome or awe-inspiring
I knew Mauricio would be a redoubtable opponent after hearing my own coach sing his praises.
Define
sagacious
(suh-gehy-shuss)
adj. very insightful or shrewd
My best friend is quite sagacious, so I know I can always turn to her for wise advice.
Define
salubrious
(suh-loo-bree-uss)
adj. healthy or health-promoting
My new exercise routine has had a salubrious impact on my life.
Define
salutary
(sal-yuh-tare-ee)
adj. beneficial, esp. relating to health
Anti-pollution laws have salutary effects for humans and animals.
Define
satiate
(sehy-she-ehyt)
v. to fill to satisfaction
Sasha knew that the small portions served in the cafeteria would not satiate him.
Define
scruple
(skrew-pull)
n. an ethical or moral concern
v. to hesitate on moral grounds
The man _scruple_d to tell a blatant lie, but eventually realized that he had no choice.
Define
sedentary
(sed-en-tair-ee)
adj. sitting or seated
adj. tending to stay in the same place
Ming wanted to quit his sedentary job at the library and become a police officer.
Define
sediment
(sed-ih-munt)
n. matter deposited by some natural process
n. settled matter at the bottom of a liquid
Kate refused to drink the water from the well when she noticed the sediment at the bottom of the bucket.
Define
sordid
(sore-did)
adj. dirty or rundown
adj. immoral or unethical
During the divorce trial, the husband was asked to reveal the sordid details of his affair.
Define
specious
(spee-shuss)
adj. plausible but false
adj. deceptively pleasing
After doing some research of my own, I realized that his argument was specious at best.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a natural inclination
proclivity
(pro-kliv-ih-tee)
synonyms: tendency, disposition, leaning
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. lavishly wasteful
adj. being generous or giving abundantly
adj. one who spends recklessly
prodigal
(prod-ih-guhl)
synonyms: excessive, luxurious, copious
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. combative in nature
pugnacious
(pug-nehy-shuss)
synonyms: hostile, belligerent
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a state of uncertainty, a dilemma
quandary
(kwon-duh-ree)
synonyms: dilemma, predicament
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to forcibly suppress
v. to extinguish
quash
(kwash)
synonyms: defeat, destroy, squash
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to evade the truth or importance of an issue by raising trivial objections
n. a trivial objection
quibble
(kwib-ul)
synonyms: split hairs; trifle, detail
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. being quiet or still
quiescent
(kwee-ess-unt)
synonyms: inactive, motionless, inert
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a feeling of deep and bitter anger
rancor
(rang-kur)
synonyms: antagonism, hatred
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. stubborn and defiant of authority
recalcitrant
(rih-kal-sih-trunt)
synonyms: disobedient, resistant, rebellious
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to suspend proceedings
n. a break from class or business
n. an indented or hollowed-out space
recess
(ree-sess)
synonyms: halt; breather; nook
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. fearsome or awe-inspiring
redoubtable
(rih-dow-tuh-bull)
synonyms: dreadful, admirable, worthy
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. very insightful or shrewd
sagacious
(suh-gehy-shuss)
synonyms: smart, acute, sensible
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. healthy or health-promoting
salubrious
(suh-loo-bree-uss)
synonyms: beneficial, good, hygienic
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. beneficial, esp. relating to health
salutary
(sal-yuh-tare-ee)
synonyms: aiding, restorative
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to fill to satisfaction
satiate
(sehy-she-ehyt)
synonyms: satisfy, stuff, gratify
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. an ethical or moral concern
v. to hesitate on moral grounds
scruple
(skrew-pull)
synonyms: conscience, qualm; to balk at
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. sitting or seated
adj. tending to stay in the same place
sedentary
(sed-en-tair-ee)
synonyms: desk-bound, motionless, stationary
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. matter deposited by some natural process
n. settled matter at the bottom of a liquid
sediment
(sed-ih-munt)
synonyms: debris, deposit
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. dirty or rundown
adj. immoral or unethical
sordid
(sore-did)
synonyms: nasty, vile; corrupt
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. plausible but false
adj. deceptively pleasing
specious
(spee-shuss)
synonyms: misleading, deceptive, apparent