Vocabulary - Verbs Flashcards
prevaricate
to avoid getting a direct answer or deviate from the truth
e.g. the child chose to prevaricate when asked who had broke the vase
ameliorate
to make a bad situation better
e.g. she attempted to ameliorate their relationship, but it was too late
elucidate
to clarify, explain
e.g. she tried to elucidate why she was upset, but her friends couldn’t understand why she was angry with them
insinuate
to suggest indirectly or subtly
e.g. I wish that Luke and Spencer would stop insinuating that my report card is the result of anything other than my superior intelligence
prattle
talking for a long period of time about insignificant things
e.g. he has a tendency to prattle when asked about his hobbies
debauch
to corrupt by means of sensual pleasures
e.g. an endless amount of good wine and cheese debauched the traveler
husband
to manage prudently and economically
e.g. due to budget cuts, the library had to husband its budget and didn’t order books this year
ingratiate
to become immune to unpleasant events or situations
e.g. he tried to ingratiate himself with his new manager by working overtime
inure
to accustom to accept something undesirable
e.g. he was inured to the cold
propitiate
to conciliate; to appease
e.g. by doing his community service without incident, Harry hoped to quickly propitiate his sentence
carp
to annoy, pester
e.g. the husband divorced his wife after listening to her carping voice for decades
preponderate
to have more influence or power than others
e.g. his opinion often preponderates in meetings
disavow
to deny knowledge of or responsibility for
e.g. not wanting others to criticise her, she disavowed any involvement in the company’s hiring scandal
defenestrate
to throw someone or something out of a window
e.g. the angry mob attempted to defenestrate their leader’s effigy
buffet
to strike with a force
e.g. the strong winds buffeted the ships, threatening to capsize them
