Vocab M & N Flashcards
The King was “Machiavellian” in his approach of acquiring new kingdoms. He poisoned the water sources and took towns hostage in return for clean water.
Machiavellian - based on the principles of Machiavellian cunning and duplicity; believing the ends justify the means
SYNONYM: awful, demonic, diabolic, mean
The boy looked funny walking with a funny swagger and trying to be “machismo”
machismo - exaggerated masculine pride
SYNONYM: male chauvinism
The wicked witch had a “malevolent” smile that put the shiver down my spine.
Malevolent - evil
SYNONYM: baleful, corrupt, evil-minded, malicious, malignant, murderous, pernicious, poisonous, sinister, vengeful, vicious, vile, vindictive, wicked
The newspaper article “maligned” the reputation of a hardworking citizen.
malign - to speak evil of
SYNONYM: defame, denigrate, impugn, slander, vilify
The soldier was declared a “martyr” for giving up his life to save helpless and innocent lives.
martyr - one who makes extreme sacrifices to further a cause
SYNONYM: saint, scapegoat, sufferer, victim
Monaco exudes a “milieu” of wealth, gentility and desperation with its many casinos, glittering gowns and fancy cars.
milieu - environment, setting, surroundings
SYNONYM: area, neighborhood, vicinity
If you have a “modicum” of integrity, you will turn in yourself to the police for swindling the poor old lady.
modicum - a bit; a small amount
SYNONYM: crumb, drop, fraction, fragment, grain, iota, ounce, particle, pinch, scrap, shred, speck, touch, whit
The aborigines followed “mores” that were centuries old.
mores (mawrz) - traditional customs
SYNONYM: codes, etiquette, manners, policies, practices, protocol, rules, standards
The waiter wore a morose expression while serving customers in the restaurant.
morose - expressive of gloom; sullen
SYNONYM: depressed, pessimistic, somber, sulky
The book had a “mundane” plot that bored me to tears.
mundane - ordinary, plain; boring
SYNONYM: dreary, tedious, tiresome, uneventful
The “newfangled” smartphone was hard to use and hard bad reception.
newfangled - quite recent
SYNONYM: contemporary, fashionable, fresh, gimmicky, modern, popular
The “noisome” pudding made people nauseous and sick.
noisome - offensive, foul
SYNONYM: disgusting, fetid, malodorous, nauseating, noxious, putrid, rank, reeking, repulsive, sickening, smelly, stinking, unhealthful, unwholesome, vile
He got a “nominal” raise that was not in line with the work he put in last year.
nominal - trifling, insignificant; in name only
SYNONYM: moderate, modest, paltry, small
He loved KFC because it made him “nostalgic” about the fun times he had growing up.
nostalgia - sentimental remembrance of the past
SYNONYM: memory, reminiscence
The factory chimney releases “noxious” fumes that make affect the birds and animals around. They have been dying in large numbers since the factory was in operation.
noxious - harmful; offensive; pernicious
SYNONYM: deleterious, malignant, poisonous, unpleasant
