500 Essential Words Flashcards
(513 cards)
1
Q
abate
A
reduce, diminish
2
Q
abdicate
A
formally give up the throne (or some power or responsibility) in a voluntarily
3
Q
aberrant
A
abnormal, deviant
4
Q
abhor
A
detest, regard with disgust
5
Q
abjure
A
give up, renounce; repudiate, recant, or shun (especially formally or under oath)
6
Q
abrasive
A
rough, suitable for grinding or polishing (such as sandpaper); causing irritation or annoyance
7
Q
abridge
A
condense or curtail; shorten by omitting parts throughout while retaining the main idea
8
Q
abstain
A
hold back, refrain (especially from something bad or unhealthy); decline to vote
9
Q
acme
A
summit, peak, highest point
10
Q
activism
A
the practice of pursuing political or other goals through vigorous action, often including protests and demonstrations
11
Q
adhere
A
stick (to), such as with glue, or to a plan or belief
12
Q
admonish
A
mildly scold; caution, advise, or remind to do something
13
Q
adverse
A
opposing, harmful
14
Q
advocate
A
speak or argue in favor of (verb); a person who pleads for a cause or on behalf of another person (noun)
15
Q
aesthetic
A
concerning the appreciation of beauty or good taste, pertaining to the science of what is beautiful (adj); a set of principles or tastes guiding an artistic practice
16
Q
affable
A
warm and friendly, pleasant, approachable
17
Q
affectation
A
fake behavior (such as in speech or dress) adopted to give a certain impression
18
Q
aggrandize
A
make greater; exaggerate
19
Q
aggregate
A
gather together, amount to (verb); constituting a whole made up of constituent parts (adj); a collection of things forming a whole
20
Q
alacrity
A
cheerful or speedy willingness
21
Q
alienate
A
cause to become unfriendly, hostile, or distant; in law, to transfer property
22
Q
alleviate
A
lessen, make easier to endure
23
Q
ambiguous
A
not clear, hard to understand, open to having several meanings or interpretations
24
Q
ambivalent
A
uncertain; unable to decide, or wanting to do two contradictory things at once
25
analogous
comparable, corresponding in some particular way (making a good analogy)
26
anarchy
absence of law or government; chaos, disorder
27
anoint
rub or sprinkle oil on; make sacred, such as by a ceremony that includes applying oil to someone
28
anomaly
deviation from what is common; inconsistency
29
antagonize
make hostile or unfriendly
30
antipathy
deep dislike, aversion, or repugnance, sometimes without reason
31
apathy
not caring; absence of feeling; lack of interest or concern
32
apocryphal
of questionable authenticity; false
33
appease
pacify, satisfy, relieve; concede to belligerent demands, sometimes at the expense of principles
34
appreciable
enough to be perceived, considerable
35
arbitrary
based entirely on one's discretion; capricious, unreasonable, or having no basis
36
arcane
known or understood by only a few; obscure, secret
37
archaic
characteristic of an earlier period, ancient, primitive
38
arduous
very difficult, strenuous; severe, hard to endure
39
articulate
using language in a clear, fluent way (adj); speak distinctly or give clarity to an idea (verb)
40
artifact
any object made by humans, especially those from an earlier time, such as those excavated by archaeologists
41
artless
free of deceit or craftiness, natural, genuine; lacking skill or knowledge, crude, uncultured
42
ascertain
find out with certainty
43
ascetic
abstinent or austere in lifestyle (adj); a person who leads an austere and simple life without material pleasures, esp. someone who does this for religious reasons (noun)
44
assuage
make milder, relieve, pacify, or calm
45
audacious
very bold or brave, often in a rude or reckless way; extremely original
46
augment
make larger
47
austere
severe in manner or appearance; very self-disciplined, ascetic; without luxury or ease; sober or serious
48
autonomous
self-governing, independent
49
aver
declare or affirm with confidence, say
50
avid
enthusiastic, dedicated, passionate; excessively desirous
51
balk
refuse to proceed or to do something
52
base
morally low, mean, dishonorable; or little or no value; crude and unrefined; counterfeit
53
belie
contradict or misrepresent
54
benign
harmless; favorable; kindly, gentle, or beneficial; not cancerous
55
bogus
fake, fraudulent
56
bolster
strengthen or support
57
boor
rude, ill-mannered, or insensitive person; a peasant or country bumpkin
58
buffer
something that shields, protects, absorbs shock, or cushions
59
bureaucracy
government characterized by many bureaus and petty administrator or by excessive, seemingly meaningless requirements
60
burgeon
grow or flourish rapidly; put forth buds or shoots (of a plant)
61
buttress
support or encourage (verb); a support or prop, esp. projecting from and supporting the wall of a building (verb)
62
bygone
past, former (adj); that which is in the past (usually plural noun)
63
cacophony
harsh, discordant, or meaningless mixture of sound
64
candid
open, sincere, honest
65
canonical
authorized, recognized; pertaining to the canon, or body of accepted rules, standards or artistic works
66
capricious
acting on impulse, erratic
67
cartography
mapmaking
68
castigate
criticize severely; punish in order to correct
69
catalyst
causer of change
70
caustic
capable of corroding metal or burning the skin; very critical or sarcastic
71
censure
strong disapproval or official reprimand (noun); to issue such disapproval or reprimand (verb)
72
chauvinism
fanatical patriotism or blind enthusiasm for military glory; undue or biased devotion to any group, cause, etc.
73
chronological
arranged in or relating to time order
74
clamor
noisy uproar or protest, as from a crowd (noun); a loud, continuous noise (noun)
75
clinch
make final or settle conclusively; to fasten or hold together
76
coalesce
come together, unite; fuse together
77
cogent
very convincing, logical
78
commensurate
the same in size, extent, etc., equivalent; proportional
79
complacent
self-satisfied, smug; overly content (and therefore lazy, neglectful or some other bad quality)
80
complementary
completing; fitting together well; filling mutual needs
81
compliant
obeying, submissive; following the requirements
82
concede
give in, admit, yield; acknowledge reluctantly; grant or give up (such as giving up land after losing a war)
83
conciliatory
reconciling, appeasing, attempting to make the peace
84
concur
approve, agree
85
condone
overlook, tolerate, regard as harmless
86
confer
consult, compare views; bestow or give
87
connoisseur
expert, especially in the fine arts; person of educated, refined tastes
88
console
lessen the suffering or grief of (verb); a control panel, or small table or cabinet (noun)
89
consolidate
unite, combine, solidify, make coherent
90
constrict
squeeze, compress; restrict the freedom of
91
construe
interpret or translate
92
contentious
controversial; prone to causing arguments, especially gratuitous or petty ones
93
contextualize
place in context, such as by giving the background or circumstances
94
conundrum
a riddle; any mystery
95
converge
move towards one another or towards a point; unite
96
conversant
knowledgeable about or experienced with
97
conversely
in an opposite way; on the other hand
98
convoluted
twisted; very complicated
99
copious
plentiful, bountiful
100
corroborate
support, add evidence to
101
cosmopolitan
belonging to the entire world, at home globally; free from local or national prejudices or attachments
102
countenance
facial expression or face (noun); approve or tolerate (verb)
103
counterintuitive
against what one would intuitively expect
104
counterpoint
contrasting item, opposite; a complement; the use of contrast or interplay in a work of art
105
counterproductive
defeating the purpose; preventing the intended goal
106
covert
secret, veiled, undercover
107
crafty
cunning, skillful in deception or underhanded schemes
108
craven
very cowardly, lacking courage
109
credibility
believability, trustworthiness
110
credulous
gullible; prone to believing or trusting too easily or without enough evidence
111
crescendo
steady increase in force, intensity, or the loudness of a musical passage; a climatic moment or peak (noun); to rise in volume or intensity (verb)
112
culminate
reach the highest point or final stage
113
cynical
thinking the worst of others' motivations; bitterly pessimistic
114
daunt
discourage, dishearten, lessen the courage of
115
debase
degrade; lower in quality, value, rank, etc.; lower in moral quality
116
debunk
expose, ridicule, or disprove false or exaggerated claims
117
decorous
behaving with propriety and good taste; polite
118
deem
judge; consider
119
deface
vandalize, mar the appearance of
120
defamatory
slanderous, injurious to someone's reputation
121
default
failure to act, neglect (noun); fail to fulfill an obligation, especially a financial one (verb)
122
deference
respectful submission; yielding to the authority or opinion of another
123
deflect
cause to curve; turn aside, esp. from a straight course; avoid
124
deleterious
harmful, unhealthy
125
delineate
mark the outline of; sketch; describe in detail
126
denigrate
belittle, attack the reputation of
127
denote
stand as a name or symbol from; indicate (this word contrasts with 'connote,' which describes what something implies or suggests beyond its literal meaning.)
128
deride
mock, scoff at, laugh at contemptuously
129
derivative
derived from something else; not original
130
desiccate
thoroughly dried up, dehydrated
131
detached
impartial, disinterested; unconcerned, distant, aloof
132
deterrent
something that restrains or discourages
133
diatribe
bitter, abusive attack or criticism; rant
134
didactic
intended to instruct; teaching or teach a moral lesson
135
digress
go off-topic when speaking or writing
136
din
loud, confused noise, esp. for a long period of time
137
disabuse
free someone from a mistake in thinking
138
discerning
having good judgment or insight; able to distinguish mentally
139
discredit
injure the reputation of, destroy credibility of or confidence in
140
discrepancy
difference or inconsistency
141
discriminating
judicious, discerning, having good judgment or insight (as an adj, positive spin; as a verb, negative spin!)
142
disingenuous
insincere, not genuine
143
disinterested
unbiased, impartial; not interested
144
disjointed
disconnected, not coherent, jerky
145
dismiss
allow to disperse of leave; fire from a job; put aside or reject, especially after only a brief consideration
146
dispassionate
unbiased, not having a selfish or personal motivation; calm, lacking emotion
147
dispatch
send off or deal with in a speedy way (verb); speed, promptness (noun)
148
disperse
scatter, spread widely, cause to vanish
149
disposition
a person's general or natural mood; tendency
150
disquieting
disturbing, causing anxiety
151
disseminate
scatter, spreada bout, broadcast
152
dissent
disagree or take an opposing view, esp. in relation to a formal body such as a government, political party, or church (verb); an opposing opinion (noun)
153
dissonance
harsh, inharmonious sound; cacophony; disagreement
154
distill
purify; extract the essential elements of
155
diverge
differ, deviate; branch off or turn aside, as from a path
156
divest
deprive or strip of a rank, title, etc., or of clothing or gear; to sell off holdings (opposite of invest)
157
divine
discover through divination or supernatural means; perceive by insight
158
document
support with evidence, cite sources in a detailed way, create documentary evidence of
159
dogma
a system of principles laid down by an authority; established belief
160
dormant
asleep, inactive, on a break
161
dubious
doubtful, questionable, suspect
162
e.g.
(exempli gratia) for example, such as
163
eccentric
peculiar, odd, deviating from the norm, esp. in a whimsical way
164
eclectic
selecting the best of everything or from many diverse sources
165
eclipse
the obscuring of one thing by another, such as the sun by the moon or a person by a more famous or talented person (noun); to obscure, darken, make less important (verb)
166
efficacy
the quality of being able to produce the intended effect
167
egalitarian
related to belief in the equality of all people, esp. in political, economic, or social spheres
168
egregious
extraordinarily or conspicuously bad; glaring
169
elated
very happy, in high spirits
170
elevate
raise, lift up; lift the spirits of; move up to a higher rank or status or raise up to a higher spiritual or intellectual plane
171
elicit
call forth, bring out, evoke
172
eloquent
marked by forceful, fluid, apt speech; expressive, emotionally moving
173
embellish
decorate, add ornamentation; enhance (a story) with fictional or fanciful details
174
eminent
prominent, distinguished, of high rank
175
empirical
coming from, based on, or able to be verified by experience or experimentation; not purely based on theory
176
emulate
copy in an attempt to equal or be better than
177
enervate
tire out; weaken (this definition can function both with and without an object)
178
enhance
raise to a higher value, desirability, etc.
179
enigma
puzzle, mystery, riddle; mysterious or contradictory person
180
entitlement
having the right to certain privileges; believing, sometimes without cause, that one deserves or has a right to certain privileges
181
enumerate
count or list; specify one-by-one
182
ephemeral
lasting only a short time, fleeting
183
equitable
fair, equal, just
184
erratic
inconsistent, wandering, having no fixed course
185
erroneous
mistaken, in error; improper, morally incorrect
186
erudite
scholarly, knowledgeable; possessing deep, often systematic, knowledge
187
eschew
shun, avoid, abstain from
188
esoteric
understood by or intended for only a few; secret
189
estimable
worthy of esteem, admirable; able to be estimated
190
eulogy
speech or praise or written work of praise, esp. a speech given at a funeral
191
exacerbate
make worse (more violent, severe, etc.), inflame; irritate or embitter (a person)
192
exacting
very severe in making demands; requiring precise attention
193
exculpate
clear from guilt of blame
194
exhaustive
comprehensive, thorough, exhausting a topic or subject, accounting for all possibilities; draining, tending to exhaust
195
explicit
direct, clear, fully revealed; clearly depicting sex or nudity
196
exponent
person who expound or explains; champion, advocate, or representative
197
extraneous
irrelevant; foreign, coming from without, not belonging
198
extrapolate
conjecture about an unknown by projecting information about something known; predict by projecting past experience
199
facetious
joking, humorous, esp. inappropriately; not serious, concerned with frivolous things
200
facilitate
make easier, help the progress of
201
fallacious
containing a fallacy, or mistake in logic; logically unsound; deceptive
202
fanatical
excessively devoted, enthusiastic, or zealous in an uncritical way
203
fanciful
whimsical, capricious; imaginary; freely imaginative rather than based on reason or reality
204
fathom
measure the depth of (usually of water) as with a sounding line; penetrate and discover the meaning of, understand
205
feasible
possible; logical or likely; suitable
206
fidelity
faithfulness, loyalty; strict observance of duty; accuracy in reproducing a sound or image
207
figurative
metaphorical, based on figures of speech; containing many figures of speech (as fancy-sounding writing); related to portraying human or animal figures, as opposed to abstract objects
208
finesse
extreme delicacy, subtlety, or diplomacy in handling a sensitive situation or in a performance or skill (noun); use tact or diplomacy; employ a deceptive strategy (verb)
209
flag
get tired, lose enthusiasm; hang limply or droop
210
fleeting
passing quickly, transitory
211
foment
incite, instigate, stir up, promote the growth of; apply medicated liquid to a body part
212
foreshadow
indicate or suggest beforehand, presage
213
forfeit
surrender or lose as a result of an error, crime, or failure to fulfill an obligation
214
fortify
strengthen, invigorate, encourage
215
fringe
on the margin, periphery (adj); the people in a group who hold the most extreme views (noun)
216
frugal
economical, thrifty, not wasteful with money; inexpensive
217
futile
producing no useful result, ineffective; trivial or unimportant
218
gainsay
declare false, deny; oppose
219
garrulous
talkative, wordy, rambling
220
gauche
tactless, lacking social grace, awkward, crude
221
gawky
physically awkward (esp. of a tall, skinny person, often used to describe teenagers)
222
germane
relevant and appropriate, on-topic
223
gist
main idea, essence
224
glib
fluent and easy in a way that suggests superficiality or insincerity
225
goosebumps
the "bumps" created by hairs standing up on the skin in response to cold, fear, etc.
226
gradation
a progression, a process taking place gradually, in stages; one of these stages
227
gregarious
sociable, pertaining to a flock or crowd
228
guile
clever deceit, cunning, craftiness
229
hackneyed
so commonplace as to be stable; not fresh or original
230
hardy
bold, brave, capable of withstanding hardship, fatigue, cold, etc.
231
haven
harbor or port; refuge, safe place
232
hearken
listen, pay attention to
233
hedonist
person devoted to pleasure
234
heterogeneous
different in type, incongruous; composed of different types of elements
235
hierarchy
a ranked series; a classification of people according to rank, ability, etc.; a ruling body
236
hodgepodge
mixture of different kinds of things, jumble
237
homogeneous
of the same kind; uniform throughout
238
hyperbole
deliberate exaggeration for effect
239
idiosyncrasy
characteristic or habit peculiar to an individual; peculiar quality, quirk
240
illiberality
narrow-mindedness, bigotry; strictness or lack of generosity
241
imminent
ready to occur, impending
242
impair
make worse, weaken
243
impartial
unbiased, fair
244
impede
hold back, obstruct the progress of
245
implication
act of implying or that which is implied; close connection, esp. in an incriminating way
246
implicit
implied, no stated directly; involved in the very essence of something, unquestionable
247
implode
burst inward; fall apart
248
inadvertent
unintentional; characterized by a lack of attention, careless
249
inasmuch
in like manner, considering that (contraction of "in as much," generally followed by "as")
250
incendiary
setting on fire, pertaining to arson; arousing strife, rebellion, etc.; "inflaming" the senses
251
incentive
something that encourages greater action or effort, such as a reward
252
inchoate
just begun, underdeveloped, unorganized
253
incipient
just beginning; in a very early stage
254
incongruous
out of place, inappropriate, not harmonious
255
inconsequential
insignificant, unimportant; illogical
256
incorporate
include, take in; combine, unite; form a legal corporation; embody, give physical form to
257
indeterminate
not fixed or determined, indefinite; vague
258
indifferent
not caring, having no interest; unbiased, impartial
259
inform
inspire, animate; give substance, essence, or context to; be the characteristic quality of
260
ingenuous
genuine, sincere, not holding back; naive
261
ingrained
deep-rooted, forming part of the very essence; worked into the fiber
262
inherent
existing as a permanent, essential quality; intrinsic
263
innocuous
harmless, inoffensive
264
intelligible
able to be understood, clear
265
intractable
difficult to control, manage, or manipulate; hard to cure; stubborn
266
intrepid
fearless, brave, enduring in the face of adversity
267
intrinsic
belonging to the essential nature of a thing
268
jargon
vocabulary specific to a group or occupation; convoluted or unintelligible language
269
jocular
joking or given to joking all the time; jolly, playful
270
judicious
using good judgment; wise, sensible
271
juncture
critical point in time, such as a crisis or a time when a decision is necessary; a place where two things are joined together
272
keen
sharp, piercing; very perceptive or mentally sharp; intense (of a feeling) (adj); wailing or moaning (verb)
273
kudos
praise, honor, congratulations
274
lackluster
not shiny; dull, mediocre; lacking brilliance or vitality
275
laconic
using few words, concise
276
lament
mourn; express grief, sorrow, or regret (verb); an expression of grief, esp. as a song or poem (noun)
277
lampoon
a harsh satire (noun); ridicule or satirize (verb)
278
landmark
object (such as a building) that stands out and can be used to navigate by (noun); a very important place, event, etc.
279
languid
drooping from exhaustion, sluggish, slow; lacking in spirit
280
lassitude
tiredness, weariness; lazy indifference
281
laudable
worthy of praise
282
lavish
abundant or giving in abundance; marked by excess (adj); give very generously (verb)
283
layperson
a person who is not a member of the clergy or not a member of a particular profession (such as medicine, law, etc.)
284
levity
lightness (of mind, spirit, or mood) or lack of seriousness, sometimes in an inappropriate way
285
levy
collect tax from, wage war on, or enlist for military service; (verb); act of collecting tax or amount owed, or the drafting of troops into military service (noun)
286
liberal
favorable to progress or reform; believing in maximum possible individual freedom; tolerant, open-minded; generous (adj); a person with such beliefs or practices (noun)
287
libertine
morally or sexually unrestrained person; freethinker (regarding religion)
288
likewise
also, in addition to; similarly, in the same way
289
log
keep a record of, write down; travel for or at a certain distance or speed (verb); a written record
290
loquacious
talkative, wordy
291
lucid
clear, easy to understand; rational, sane, clear-headed
292
lull
soothe or cause to fall asleep (as in a lullaby); quiet down; make to feel secure, sometimes falsely (verb); a period of calm or quiet (noun)
293
makeshift
a temporary, often improvised, substitute (noun); improvised for temporary use (adj)
294
malleable
able to be bent, shaped or adapted
295
maverick
rebel, individualist, dissenter
296
mendacious
lying, habitually dishonest
297
mercurial
quickly and unpredictably changing moods; fickle, flighty
298
metamorphosis
a complete change or transformation (in biology, a change such as a caterpillar becoming a pupa and then a butterfly)
299
meticulous
taking extreme care in regards to details; precise, fussy
300
mitigate
make less severe; lessen or moderate (damage, grief, pain, etc.)
301
modest
humble; simply rather than showy; decent (esp. covering up in terms of dress); small limited
302
mollify
calm or soothe (an angry person); lessen or soften
303
monotony
sameness or repetitiousness to the point of being boring; lack of variation, uniformity, esp. repetition in sound
304
moreover
besides; in addition to what was just said
305
mores
customs, manners, or morals of a particular group
306
mundane
common, ordinary, everyday
307
naive
simple and unsophisticated, unsuspecting, lacking worldly experience and critical judgment
308
nascent
coming into existence, still developing
309
negate
deny or refute; make void or cause to be ineffective
310
net
remaining after expenses or other factors have been deducted; ultimate (adj); to bring in as profit, or to catch as in a net (verb)
311
nevertheless/nonetheless
however, even so, despite that
312
notoriety
ill fame; the state of being well-known for a disgraceful reason
313
novel
new, fresh, original
314
nuance
a subtle difference in tone, meaning, expression, etc.
315
objective
factual, related to reality or physical object; not influenced by emotions, unbiased
316
obsequious
servile, very compliant, fawning
317
obsolete
out of date, no longer in use
318
obstinate
stubborn or hard to control
319
obviate
prevent, eliminate, or make unnecessary
320
occult
the supernatural (noun); pertaining to magic, astrology, etc.; mysterious, secret or hidden (adj.); to hide, to shut off from view (verb)
321
offhand
casual, informal; done without preparation or forethought; rude in a short way, brusque
322
officious
excessively eager in giving unwanted advice or intruding where one is not wanted; meddlesome, pushy
323
offset
counteract, compensate for (verb); a counterbalance (noun)
324
onerous
burdensome, oppressive, hard to endure
325
opaque
not translucent; not allowing light, heat, etc. to pass through; dark, unclear, or stupid
326
optimal/optimum
best, most desirable or favorable
327
orthodox
adhering to a traditional, established faith, or to anything customary or commonly accepted
328
oscillate
swing back and forth; waver, change one's mind
329
outstrip
surpass, exceed; be larger or better than; leave behind
330
overshadow
cast a shadow over, darken; dominate, make to seem less important
331
paradigm
model or pattern; worldview, set of shared assumptions, values, etc.
332
paradox
contradiction, or seeming contradiction that is actually true
333
pariah
social outcast, untouchable
334
partial
biased, prejudiced, favoring one over others; having a special liking for something or someone (usually partial to)
335
partisan
devoted to a particular group, cause etc. (adj.); fervent supporter of a group, party, idea, etc.; guerrilla fighter (noun)
336
patent
obvious, apparent, plain to see (adj); a letter from a government guaranteeing an inventor the rights to his or her invention (noun)
337
pathological
relating to or caused by disease; relating to compulsive bad behavior
338
patronizing
condescending, having a superior manner, treating as an inferior
339
paucity
scarcity, the state of being small in number
340
peccadillo
small sin or fault
341
pedestrian
ordinary, dull, commonplace
342
penchant
liking or inclination (usually penchant for)
343
perfidious
disloyal, treacherous, violating one's trust
344
peripheral
relating to or making up an outer boundary or region; not of primary importance, fringe
345
permeate
spread or penetrate throughout
346
pervasive
tending to spread throughout
347
philanthropy
effort to improve the well-being of humankind, generally through giving money
348
phony
fake, counterfeit; insincere, not genuine
349
pious
devout; religiously reverent and dutiful
350
pith
core, essence; significance or weight
351
placate
satisfy or calm down (an angry or dissatisfied person) esp. by conciliatory gestures
352
placid
peaceful, calm, tranquil
353
plastic
able to be shaped or formed; easily influenced
354
plausible
believable; having the appearance of truth
355
plummet
plunge, fall straight down
356
polarized
divided into sharply opposed groups
357
ponderous
heavy; bulky and unwieldy; dull, labored
358
posthumous
happening or continuing after death
359
potentate
ruler, person of greater power
360
pragmatic
practical; dealing with actual facts and reality
361
preamble
introductory statement, preface
362
precarious
unstable, insecure, dangerous
363
precursor
something that comes before, esp. something that also announces or suggests something on its way
364
predisposed
having an inclination or tendency beforehand; susceptible
365
preempt/pre-empt
prevent; take the place of, supplant; take before someone else can
366
presumptive
based on inference or assumption; providing reasonable grounds for belief
367
presumptuous
too bold or forward; going beyond that which is proper
368
pretentious
claiming or demanding a position of importance or dignity, esp. when unjustified; showing off, creating a deceptive, false show of worth
369
principled
having high moral standards
370
pristine
in an original, pure state; uncorrupted
371
probity
honesty, integrity
372
prodigal
wasteful, extravagant; giving abundantly, lavish
373
prodigious
extraordinarily large, impressive, etc.
374
profligate
completely and shamelessly immoral, or extremely wasteful
375
profound
very insightful, penetrating deeply into a subject; pervasive, intense, down to the very bottom; at the very bottom
376
profuse
abundant, extravagant, giving or given freely
377
prohibitive
tending to forbid something, or serving to prevent something
378
proliferate
increase or spread rapidly or excessively
379
prologue
introductory part to a book, play, etc.
380
pronounced
distinct, strong, clearly indicated
381
propriety
conforming to good manners or appropriate behavior; justness
382
prosaic
dull, ordinary
383
proscribe
prohibit, outlaw, denounce; exile or banish
384
prospective
potential, in the future
385
prudent
wise in practical matters, carefully providing for the future
386
pugnacious
inclined to fight, combative
387
qualified
modified, limited, conditional on something else
388
quandary
uncertainty or confusion about what to do, dilemma
389
quibble
make trivial arguments or criticisms, find faults in a petty way, esp. to evade something more important
390
quotidian
daily; everyday, ordinary
391
ranks
personnel; a group of people considered all together
392
reap
harvest, such as by cutting; gather; get as a result of one's effort
393
recluse
person who lives in seclusion
394
refute
prove to be false
395
relegate
send or commit to an inferior place, rank, condition, etc; exile, banish; assign (a task) to someone else
396
remedial
providing a remedy, curative; correcting a deficient skill
397
render
give, submit, surrender; translate; declare formally; cause to become
398
replete
supplied in abundance, filled, gorged (used with with)
399
reproach
blame, disgrace (noun); criticize, express disappointment in (verb)
400
repudiate
reject, cast off, deny that something has authority
401
requite
reciprocate, repay, or revenge
402
rescind
annul, repeal, make void
403
resolution
the quality of being firmly determined; resolving to do something; a formal judgment, esp. decided by a vote
404
resolve
find a solution to; firmly decide to do something; decide by formal vote (verb); firmness of purpose (noun)
405
respectively
in the order given
406
restive
restless; impatient or uneasy under the control of another
407
reticent
not talking much; private (of a person), restrained, reserved
408
retrospective
looking to the past or backward; applying to the past, retroactive (adj); an art exhibit of an artist's work over a long period of time (noun)
409
reverent
feeling or expressing very deep respect and awe
410
rhetoric
the art or study of persuasion through speaking or writing; language that is elaborate or pretentious but actually empty, meaning little
411
rife
happening frequently, abundant, currently being reported
412
rudimentary
elementary, relating to the basics; undeveloped, primitive
413
rustic
relating to country life, unsophisticated; primitive; made of rough wood (adj); a rural or uncultured person (noun)
414
sacrosanct
sacred, inviolable, not to be trespassed on or violated; above any criticism.
415
sagacious
wise; showing good judgment and foresight
416
salubrious
healthful, promoting health
417
sanction
permission or approval, something that gives support or authority to something else (noun); to allow, confirm, ratify (verb); OR a legal action by one or more countries against another country to get it to comply (noun); to place sanctions or penalties on (verb)
418
sanguine
cheerfully optimistic, hopeful; reddish, ruddy (as in rosy-red cheeks indicting health or vitality)
419
sap
the inner fluid of a plant or any essential body fluid; energy, vitality; a person taken advantage of (noun); undermine, weaken, tire out (verb)
420
satiate/sate
to fully satisfy; to go beyond satisfying to the point of excess (possibly inducing disgust, tiredness, etc.)
421
saturate
soak or imbue thoroughly; cause a substance to unite with the greatest possible amount of another substance
422
savor
a characteristic taste or flavor (usually pleasant) (noun_; appreciate fully, taste or smell with pleasure (verb)
423
scant
not enough or barely enough
424
scathing
severe, injurious; bitterly harsh or critical (as a remark)
425
secular
not religious or holy; pertaining to worldly things
426
sedulous
persevering, persistent, diligent in one's efforts
427
sentient
conscious; experiencing sensation or perceiving with the senses
428
simultaneous
at the same time
429
skeptic
person inclined to doubting or questioning generally accepted beliefs
430
skirt
border, lie along the edge of, go around; evade
431
slack
loose, negligent, lazy, weak (adj.); neglect to do one's duties; loosen up, relax (verb); period of little work (noun)
432
slew
a large number or quantity
433
slight
small, not very important, slender or delicate (adj); treat as though not very important; snub, ignore (verb); an act of treating in this way, a discourtesy (noun)
434
solicitous
concerned or anxious (about another person), expressing care; eager or desirous; very careful
435
soporific
causing sleep; sleepy, drowsy (adj); something that causes sleep (noun)
436
sound
measure the depth of (usually of water) as with a sounding line; penetrate and discover the meaning of, understand (usually as sound the depths)
437
spartan
very disciplined and stern; frugal, living simply, austere; suggestive of the ancient Spartans
438
spate
sudden outpouring or rush; flood
439
spearhead
be the leader of
440
specious
seemingly true but actually false; deceptively attractive
441
spectrum
a broad range of nevertheless related qualities or ideas, esp. those that overlap to create a continuous series ( as in a color spectrum, where each color blends into the next in a continuous way)
442
speculate
contemplate; make a guess or educated guess about; engage in a risky business transaction, gamble
443
sporadic
occasional, happening irregularly or in scattered locations
444
sportive
playful, merry, joking around, done "in sport" (rather than intended seriously)
445
standing
status, rank, reputation (noun); existing indefinitely, not movable (adj)
446
stark
complete, total, utter; harsh or grim; extremely simple, severe, blunt, or plain
447
static
fixed, not moving or changing, lacking vitality
448
status quo
existing state or condition
449
stingy
not generous with money, reluctant to spend or give
450
stoic/stoical
indifferent to pleasure or pain, enduring without complaint (adj); person indifferent to pleasure or pain (noun)
451
stolid
unemotional, showing little emotion, not easily moved
452
stymie/stymy
block, hinder, or thwart (verb); an obstacle (noun)
453
subjective
existing in the mind or relating to one's own thoughts, opinions, emotions, etc.; personal, individual, based on feelings
454
subside
sink, settle down, become less active; return to a normal level
455
substantiate
support with evidence or proof; give a material existence to
456
succeeding
coming after or following
457
supersede
replace, take the position of, cause to be disregarded as void or obsolete
458
supplicate
pray humbly; ask, beg, or seek in a humble way
459
surfeit
excess, excessive amount, overindulgence
460
surmise
guess, infer, opine
461
sycophant
servile flatterer, toady
462
synchronous
happening at the same time; occurring at the same rate and thus happening together repeatedly
463
table
lay aside to discuss later, often as a way to postpone discussion indefinitely
464
tacit
understood without being said; implied, not stated directly
465
taciturn
not talking much, reserved; silent, holding back in conversation
466
tangential
only slightly relevant, going off-topic
467
temperance
moderation, self-control, esp. regarding alcohol or other desires or pleasures; total abstinence from alcohol
468
tenuous
flimsy, having little substance; long and thin, slender
469
timely
well-timed, happening at a suitable time
470
timorous
fearful, timid
471
tirade
bitter, abusive criticism or verbal attack
472
torpor
sluggishness, lethargy, or apathy; a period of inactivity
473
torrid
very hot, parching, burning; passionate
474
sycophant
servile flatterer, toady
475
synchronous
happening at the same time; occurring at the same rate and thus happening together repeatedly
476
table
lay aside to discuss later, often as a way to postpone discussion indefinitely
477
tacit
understood without being said; implied, not stated directly
478
ubiquitous
existing everywhere at the same time
479
tangential
only slightly relevant, going off-topic
480
temperance
moderation, self-control, esp. regarding alcohol or other desires or pleasures
481
tenuous
flimsy, having little substance; long and thin, slender
482
timely
well-timed, happening at a suitable time
483
timorous
fearful, timid
484
tirade
bitter, abusive criticism or verbal attack
485
torpor
sluggishness, lethargy, or apathy; a period of inactivity
486
torrid
very hot, parching, burring; passionate
487
tractable
easily controlled or managed, docile; easily shaped or molded
488
transitory
temporary, short-lived, not lasting
489
trifling
trivial, not very important; so small as to be unimportant; frivolous, shallow
490
trite
lacking freshness and originality, lacking effectiveness due to overuse, cliche
491
ubiquitous
existing everywhere at the same time
492
undermine
weaken, cause to collapse by digging away at the foundation (of a building or an argument); injure or attack in a secretive or underhanded way
493
underscore
emphasize (or, literally, to underline text)
494
unearth
dig up, uncover, expose
495
unequivocal
unambiguous, clear, absolute; having only one possible meaning
496
unprecedented
never before known or seen, without having happened previously
497
unseemly
improper, inappropriate, against the rules of taste or politeness
498
vacillate
waver in one's mind or opinions, be indecisive
499
venerate
revere, regard with deep respect and awe
500
veracity
truthfulness, accuracy; habitual adherence to the truth
501
verbose
wordy
502
viable
capable of living (or growing, developing, etc.); practical, workable
503
vintage
related to items of high quality from a previous era, old-fashioned, antique (adj); the wine of a particular year (noun)
504
virtual
existing only in the mind or by means of a computer network; existing in results or in essence but not officially or in name
505
vituperate
verbally abuse, rebuke or criticize harshly
506
volatile
varying, inconstant, fleeting; tending to violence, explosive
507
warranted
justified, authorized (warrant can mean to justify or a justification, but can also mean to vouch for or guarantee)
508
wary
watchful, motivated by caution, on guard against danger
509
whereas
while on the contrary, considering that
510
whimsical
marked or motivated by whims (odd, fanciful ideas); erratic, unpredictable
511
wily
crafty, cunning, characterized by tricks or artifice
512
zeal
great fervor or enthusiasm for a cause, person, etc., tireless diligence in furthering that cause; passion, ardor
513
zenith
high point, culmination
