5/20 Flashcards
(24 cards)
denigrate
criticize unfairly, belittle someone or something in the way
eg. tendency to denigrate someone’s achievements as luck
disparage
speak about someone/something in a way that shows you think they are unimportant, to belittle someone or something
eg. LP disparaged RS’s experiences before BLK
compulsive (2)
1) used for actions that people take, that they feel like they must without being able to stop, against one’s own wishes
eg. he’s a compulsive liar
2) very compelling/attention-grabbing
eg. a compulsive novel
formality (2)
1) a rigid observance, things that are done simply to comply, not because it’s actually meaningful
eg. legal formalities
2) politeness, related to being formal
eg. drop the formality when with friends
rife
full of, a common occurrence, widespread
eg. the field is rife with conflicts
undermines (2)
1) erode the base base of (literally/physically)
eg. the flow of water undermined the pillars of the roof
2) lessen the effectiveness or power, gradually or insidiously
eg. this will undermine years of hard work
fertile (2)
1) physically producing/capable of producing vegetation
eg. fertile land
2) production/fruitful in generating new ideas, producing many new ideas
eg. fertile ground for the anti-slavery movement
erratic
irregular, unpredictable
eg. her breathing was erratic
detract
divert the attention from something and in so doing, diminish its importance or value, distract and devalue
eg. loud background noise detracted from enjoyment of the movie
emulate
imitate to match or surpass a person or their achievement
eg. I don’t wish to emulate her work ethic
adhere (2)
1) to stick literally
eg. paint won’t adhere to this type of surface
2) believe in and follow the practice
eg. people adhere to Muslim beliefs
valiant
possessing or showing courage or determination
eg. they valiantly fought until the end
idiosyncrasy
something peculiar to that person, a distinctive element
eg. idiosyncrasy to sleep with bunnies (Mia)
disparate
essentially different, containing elements very different from one another (but could be within)
eg. India has disparate cultural groups
eg. lenders remain a disparate group (nobody is alike in it)
unorthodox
unconventional, nontraditional
eg. an unorthodox teaching style
qualify (2)
1) describe another word
eg. in “very tall”, very qualifies “tall”
2) to add conditions to, make it less absolute, precise
eg. she qualified her statement, to say, only under certain circumstances
presumption
an idea that is taken to be likely true, like in “presumably”
eg. presumption of guilt turned into presumption of innocence
presumptuous
failing to observe the limits of what is permitted/allowed
eg. I hope I won’t be considered presumptuous by offering some career advice
vigilante
a person who takes law into their own hands, acting outside of legal authority to enforce justice, demand, righteousness
eg. bond vigilantes sell Tsys when debt/GDP ratio becomes too large
fallow
plowed, but not planted to restore the soil
eg. let the land live in fallow for now
purport
claim/appear to do something, but falsely or without proof
eg. some people purport to be skilled coders, without formal training
obstinate (2)
1) stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion despite persuasion
eg. my obstinate feelings to keep studying for GMAT instead of GRE
2) of an unwelcome situation that is very difficult to change/overcome
eg. the obstinate issue of high inflation and high unemployment
sham
something that is fake, fraudulent or pretense
eg. shammed illness to skip work
eg. they make a sham apology to avoid bad press
profess (2)
1) claim to have a quality when you don’t
eg. I don’t profess to know things
2) to affirm/assert strongly one’s faith in a religious belief
eg. people professing christianity
