Basic Flashcards
(350 cards)
1
Q
acme
A
the highest point of achievement
2
Q
affable
A
likable; easy to talk to
3
Q
affluent
A
wealthy
4
Q
amiable
A
friendly
5
Q
bleak
A
having a depressed or gloomy outlook
6
Q
candid
A
straightforward and honest
7
Q
censor
A
(v) to examine and remove objectionable material (n) an official who censors
8
Q
demean
A
to insult; cause someone to lose dignity
9
Q
demure
A
modest and shy
10
Q
diabolical
A
to be extremely evil like the devil
11
Q
dog
A
to pursue relentlessly; to hound
12
Q
dupe
A
to trick or swindle OR (n) a person who is easily tricked or swindled
13
Q
embroil
A
involve (someone) in an argument, conflict, or situation
14
Q
err
A
to make an error
15
Q
erratic
A
not even or regular in pattern or movement; unpredictable.
“her breathing was erratic”
16
Q
hound
A
to pursue relentlessly
17
Q
indict
A
to formally charge or accuse or wrongdoing
18
Q
indigenous
A
originating in a certain area
19
Q
indignant
A
feeling anger over a perceived injustice
20
Q
inflammatory
A
extremely controversial, incendiary
21
Q
insolvent
A
unable to pay one’s bills; bankrupt
22
Q
inundate
A
to flood or overwhelm
23
Q
macabre
A
suggesting the horror of death and decay; gruesome
24
Q
mesmerize
A
to spellbind or enthrall
25
miser
a person who doesn't like to spend money (because they are greedy)
26
peruse
to read very carefully
27
pine
to yearn for
28
pinnacle
the highest point
29
profuse
plentiful; pouring out in abundance
30
remiss
to be negligent in one's duty
31
reprobate
a person without morals who is disapproved of
32
retiring
to be shy and to be inclined to retract from company
"a gentle, retiring person who avoided conflict"
33
screed
an abusive rant (often tedious)
34
serendipity
the instance in which an accidental, fortunate discovery is made
35
slapdash
carelessly and hastily put together
36
spendthrift
one who spends money extravagantly
37
stipend
a regular allowance (of money)
38
summit
the peak or highest point OR a meeting of high-level leaders
39
telling
significant and revealing of another factor
40
telltale
revealing
41
tender
(v) offer up something formally
42
thoroughgoing
very thorough; complete
43
thrifty
spending money wisely
44
tirade
an angry speech
45
underwrite
to support financially
46
unnerve
to make nervous or upset
47
variance
the quality of being different
48
vindictive
having a strong desire for revenge
49
voracious
very hungry; approaching an activity with gusto
50
zenith
the highest point; culmination
51
aboveboard
open and honest
52
amok
in a frenzied or uncontrolled state
53
animosity
intense hostility
54
apex
the highest point
55
avarice
greed
56
badger
to pester
57
beatific
blissfully happy
58
becoming
appropriate and matches nicely
59
bellicose
warlike; inclined to fight
60
cadaverous
emaciated; gaunt
61
cardinal
of primary importance; fundamental
62
catalyst
something that speeds up an event
63
chauvanist
a person who believes in the superiority of their group
64
check
(v) to limit (usually modifying the growth of something) OR (n) the condition of being held back or limited
65
checkered
marked by disreputable or unfortunate happenings
66
cogent
clear and persuasive
67
contrite
remorseful
68
corroborate
to confirm or lend support to (usually an idea or a claim)
69
desecrate
to willfully violate or destroy a sacred place
70
disparate
two things that are fundamentally different
71
errant
to be wandering; not sticking to a circumscribed path
"he could never forgive his daughter's errant ways"
72
exhort
strongly urge; encourage
“Come on, you guys,” exhorted Linda
73
extenuating
making less guilty or more forgivable
74
ferret
to search for something persistently
75
fleece
to deceive (to pull the wool over one's eyes)
76
flush
to be in abundance
77
heyday
the pinnacle or top of a time period or career
78
hodgepodge
a confusing mixture or jumble
79
immaterial
not relevant
80
imponderable
impossible to estimate or figure out
81
junta
an aggressive takeover by a group (usually military); OR the group that executes such a takeover
82
lassitude
extreme tiredness, either mental or physical
"she was overcome by lassitude and retired to bed"
83
melee
a wild, confusing fight or struggle
84
misanthrope
a hater of mankind (eg. Holden Caulfield)
85
moment
significant and important in value
86
paucity
the lack of something
87
pittance
a small amount (of money)
88
preemptive
done before someone else can do it
89
pugnacious
eager to fight or argue; verbally combative
90
raft
a large number of something
91
replete
completely stocked or furnished with something
92
sanctimonious
making a show of being pious; holier-than-thou
93
sanguine
cheerful; optimistic OR blood-red
94
scintillating
(of a person) brilliant and lively; (of a thing) sparkling or shining brightly.
"the audience loved his scintillating wit"
"the scintillating sun"
95
start
to suddenly move in a particular direction
96
stem
to hold back or limit the growth of something
97
unconscionable
unreasonable; unscrupulous; excessive
"the unconscionable conduct of his son"
"shareholders have had to wait an unconscionable time for the facts to be established"
98
vicarious
felt or undergone as if one were taking part in the experience or feelings of another
99
virago
an ill-tempered or violent woman
100
wax
to gradually increase in size or intensity
101
advocate
speak plead, or argue in favor of OR a person to pleads for a cause
102
appreciable
large enough to be noticed
103
apprehension
fearful expectation
104
archaic
so old as to appear to belong to another period
105
ascendancy
the state that exists when one person or group has power over another
"the ascendancy of good over evil"
106
autonomously
adv. acting independently; self governing (as a country)
107
avid
marked by active interest and enthusiasm
108
boon
(n) a thing that is helpful or beneficial OR (adj) (of a person/friend) very close and cheerful
109
consummate
(adj) having or revealing complete mastery or skill OR (v) to make perfect and complete in every respect
"she dressed with consummate elegance"
"his scheme of colonization was consummated through bloodshed"
110
dearth
a scarcity or lack of something
111
degrade
reduce in worth or character, usually verbally
112
deter
to turn away from by persuasion OR try to prevent; show opposition to
113
discriminate
recognize or perceive a difference
114
disenfranchise
deprive of voting rights
115
disheartened
made less hopeful or enthusiastic
116
elusive
difficult to capture or remember
117
endemic
native; originating where it is found
118
entice
attract or tempt by offering pleasure or advantage
119
fete
(v) to celebrate a person OR (n) a celebration
120
fledgling
(adj) young and inexperienced OR (n) one who is young and inexperienced
121
flounder
to behave awkwardly; have difficulties
122
guffaw
laugh boisterously
123
impede
to hinder
124
impermeable
does not allow fluids to pass through OR not liable to be affected by pain or distress; insusceptible or imperturbable
"women who appear impermeable to pain"
125
incessant
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing; unending
126
inclement
unpleasant, stormy (as weather) OR showing no mercy (as a person or behavior)
127
ingenuity
the power of creative imagination
128
jocular
characterized by jokes and good humor
129
malady
disease or sickness
130
malleable
capable of being easily shaped or influenced (person or object)
131
meander
wander aimlessly
132
moot
open to argument OR meaningless or irrelevant
133
morose
ill-tempered and not inclined to talk; gloomy
134
muted
softened, subdued
135
obdurate
unable to be persuaded or moved emotionally; stubborn; unyielding
he was obdurate in his refusal
136
ornate
made in an intricate shape or decorated with complex patterns OR (of literary style) using unusual words and complex constructions
137
patronize
treat condescendingly
138
pithy
concise and full of meaning
139
plodding
(of movement) slow and laborious
140
proponent
a person who pleads for a cause or idea
141
quandary
a state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
142
raffish
unconventional and slightly disreputable, especially in an attractive manner
143
renege
fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
144
resolve
(v) reach a conclusion after discussion or deliberation OR (n) firm determination
145
respite
a pause from doing something (as work)
146
robust
sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction OR (of food) strong and rich in flavor
147
snide
expressive of contempt; derogatory or mocking in an indirect way
148
stolid
adj. (of a person) calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation.
149
thwart
hinder or prevent (as efforts, plans, desires)
150
transitory
not permanent; lasting a short time
151
altruism
the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
152
assail
to attack in speech or writing
153
assuage
make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense
154
augment
enlarge or increase; improve
155
banish
to expel from a community, residence, or location; drive away
156
benign
kind OR not dangerous to health
157
buck
resist
158
commendable
worthy of high praise
159
conducive
making a situation or outcome more likely to happen
160
cornucopia
an abundant supply of something good
161
contemptuous
scornful, looking down at others with a sneering attitude
162
credence
belief in something
163
debase
reduce the quality or value of something
164
derisive
abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule
"a harsh, derisive laugh"
165
detrimental
causing harm or injury
166
egotist
a conceited and self centered person
167
elaborate
(adj) marked by complexity and richness of detail OR (v) to explain in more detail
168
empathetic
showing understanding and ready comprehension of other peoples' states and emotions
169
euphoria
a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation
170
facetious
treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant
171
fickle
liable to sudden unpredictable change, especially in affections or attachments
172
genial
agreeable, conducive to comfort
173
genteel
marked by refinement in taste and manners
174
glib
(of a person) speaking with ease but without sincerity
175
grovel
lie or crawl abjectly on the ground with one's face downward
176
hamstrung
made ineffective or powerless
177
illicit
illegal
178
impeccable
without fault or error
179
inadvertant
happening by chance or unintentionally
180
irresolute
unsure of how to act
181
jargon
language characteristic of a particular group
182
lucid
(of language) very clear; easily understandable
183
martial
suggesting war or military life
184
perennial
lasting an indefinitely long time; eternal; everlasting
185
perpetuate
cause to continue
186
pertinent
having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand
187
precedent
an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
188
pristine
unspoiled, untouched OR immaculately clean and unused
189
rankle
cause annoyance or resentment that persists (of a comment)
190
sentimental
of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia
191
smattering
a slight or superficial understanding of a subject OR a small amount of something
"Edward had only a smattering of Spanish"
"a smattering of snow"
192
spurn
reject with contempt
193
surly
inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace
194
tawdry
tastelessly showy; cheap and shoddy
195
tumult
state of chaos, noise and confusion
196
uncompromising
not making concessions
197
unruly
noisy and lacking restraint or discipline; unwilling to submit to authority
198
urbane
suave, sophisticated, refined, worldly (of a person, esp. a man) (e.g. james bond)
199
vacuous
devoid of intelligence, matter, or significance
200
whimsical
determined by impulse or whim rather then by necessity or reason
201
aphoristic
something that is concise and instructive of a general truth or principle
202
brusquely
in a blunt, direct manner
203
candidness
the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech
204
collusion
agreement on a secret plot
205
complacent
contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions
206
connive
take part in immoral and unethical plots
207
convoluted
highly complex or intricate
208
credulity
tendency to believe readily
209
destitute
poor enough to need help from others OR completely wanting or lacking (as in 'destitute of')
210
devolve
pass on or delegate to another OR degenerate or be split into
"measures to devolve power to the provinces"
"the Empire devolved into separate warring states"
211
diligent
characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks
212
discord
lack of agreement or harmony
213
eke
to live off meager resources, to scrape by
214
elude
escape understanding
215
embellish
make more attractive by adding ornament, color; make more beautiful
216
enmity
a state of deep-seated ill-will
217
exasperate
to irritate intensely
218
exemplify
(v) to be a typical example of OR (v) clarify by giving an example
219
foible
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
220
goad
urge on with unpleasant comments
221
impending
close in time; about to occur
222
impregnable
immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
223
irk
annoy
224
leery
openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
225
malevolent
wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred
226
maxim
a short saying expressing a general truth
227
obstinate
resistant to guidance or discipline; stubbornly persistent
"the obstinate problem of unemployment"
228
pastoral
relating to the countryside in a pleasant sense
229
peevish
easily irritated or annoyed
230
perturb
make (someone) anxious or alarmed
231
placid
not easily irritated; calm and peaceful
232
ploy
a clever plan to turn a situation to one's advantage
233
presumption
an assumption that is taken for granted OR audacious (even arrogant) behavior that one has no right to
234
quip
a witty saying or remark OR (v) to make a witty remark
235
rash
marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences; imprudently incurring risk
236
reservation
an unstated doubt that prevents you from accepting something wholeheartedly
237
retract
pull inward or towards a center; formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
238
savvy
(n) a perceptive understanding (eg political savvy) OR (v) to get the meaning of something OR (adj) well-informed or perceptive
239
serene
calm and peaceful
240
smug
marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
241
squander
spend thoughtlessly; waste time, money, or an opportunity
242
steadfast
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
243
tact
consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
244
tarnish
make dirty or spotty; to sully or devalue
245
taxing
physically or mentally demanding
246
tout
advertise in strongly positive terms; show off
247
travail
painful or laborious effort
248
unprecedented
having never been done before; novel
249
unseemly
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
250
derogative
expressed as worthless or in negative terms
251
analogous
similar in some respects but otherwise different
252
antedate
precede in time
253
ascribe
attribute or credit to
254
avert
turn away OR ward off
255
begrudge
to envy someone for possessing or enjoying something OR to give reluctantly
"she begrudged Martin his affluence"
"nobody begrudges a single penny spent on health"
256
behoove
it is a duty or responsibility for someone to do something; it is incumbent on.
eg. "it behooves any coach to study his predecessors"
it is appropriate or suitable; it befits.
eg. "it ill behooves the opposition constantly to decry the sale of arms to friendly countries"
257
belittle
lessen the importance, dignity, or reputation of
258
besmirch
damage the good name and reputation of someone
259
buttress
make stronger or defensible
260
cavalier
showing a lack of proper concern; offhand
"Anne was irritated by his cavalier attitude"
261
cerebral
involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct
262
clemency
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
263
coalesce
fuse or cause or grow together
264
cohesive
well integrated, forming a united whole
265
consecrate
to make holy or set apart for a high purpose
266
conundrum
a difficult problem
267
delegate
give an assignment to (a person)
268
deride
treat or speak of with contempt
269
docile
easily handled or managed; willing to be taught or led or supervised or directed
270
eccentric
unconventional and slightly strange
271
emulate
strive to equal or match, especially by imitating; compete with successfully
272
evenhanded
without partiality
273
fawn
give a servile display of exaggerated flattery or affection, typically in order to gain favor or advantage
274
finagle
achieve something by means of trickery or devious methods
275
foolhardy
marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
276
forthright
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
277
glean
collect information bit by bit
278
humdrum
dull and lacking excitement
279
implicate
convey a meaning; imply OR to indicate in wrongdoing
280
incense
make furious
281
incumbent
necessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibility
282
industrious
characterized by hard work and perseverance
283
insipid
dull and uninteresting
284
intermittent
stopping and starting at irregular intervals
285
irascible
quickly aroused to anger
286
lethargic
lacking energy
287
melancholy
a deep, long-lasting sadness
288
piquant
having an agreeably pungent taste
289
precarious
fraught with danger
290
preempt
take action in order to prevent (an anticipated event) from happening; forestall.
"the government preempted a coup attempt"
291
presumptuous
a failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate
292
prevail
to be widespread in a particular area at a particular time; to be current OR prove superior
293
profusion
an abundance of something
294
rakish
having or displaying a dashing, jaunty, or slightly disreputable quality or appearance
"he had a rakish, debonair look"
295
redress
an act of making something right
"the power to redress the grievances of our citizens"
296
rile
cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
297
tribulation
something, especially an event, that causes difficulty and suffering
"his time of tribulation was just beginning"
298
uncanny
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences; surpassing the ordinary or normal
299
veneer
covering consisting of a superficial layer that hides the underlying substance
300
wanton
without check or limitation; showing no moral restraints to one's anger, desire, or appetites
301
abysmal
extremely bad
302
amply
(adv) more than is adequate
| (adj) ample - more than is adequate
303
antiquated
old-fashioned; belonging to an earlier period in time
304
aphorism
a short saying about a general truth (eg a penny saved is a penny earned)
305
balk
refuse to comply
"any gardener will at first balk at enclosing the garden"
306
besiege
harass, as with questions or requests; cause to feel distressed or worried
307
boorish
ill-mannered and coarse or contemptible in behavior or appearance
308
carping
persistently petty and unjustified criticism
309
champion
to fight for a cause
310
chivalrous
(of a man or his behavior) courteous and gallant, especially toward women.
311
colossal
so great in size or force or extent so as to elicit awe
312
complement
enhancing each others' qualities
313
compound
make more intense, stronger, or more marked
314
constraint
something that limits or restricts
315
convival
(of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and enjoyable.
OR (of a person) cheerful and friendly; jovial.
316
cosmopolitan
comprising many cultures; global in reach and outlook
317
creditable
deserving public acknowledgment and praise but not necessarily outstanding or successful.
318
cumbersome
difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
319
debunk
expose as false ideas and claims, especially while ridiculing
320
decimation
destroying or killing a large part of the population
321
deliberate
(v) engage in long and careful consideration. (adj) done consciously and intentionally.
322
differentiate
recognize or ascertain what makes (someone or something) different. OR make or become different in the process of growth or development.
323
dilapidated
(of a building or object) in a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect.
324
discreet
careful to protect one's speech or actions in order to avoid offense or draw attention
325
dispatch
(v) send off to a destination or for a purpose.
(v) deal with (a task, problem, opponent) quickly and efficiently.
(v) kill efficiently and without delay.
(n) the sending of someone or something to a destination or for a purpose.
(n) speed in action; swiftness.
(n) an official report on state or military affairs.
(n) the killing of someone or something.
326
enumerate
(v) determine the number or amount of OR (v) specify individually, one by one; list off
327
evasive
avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger or commitment OR deliberately vague or ambiguous
328
excruciating
extremely painful
329
futile
producing no result or effect; unproductive of success
330
hamper
prevent the progress or free movement of
331
inarticulate
without or deprived of the use of speech or words
332
inkling
a slight suggestion or vague understanding
333
laborious
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
334
malodorous
having an unpleasant smell
335
miscreant
a person who breaks the law
336
misogynist
a person who dislikes women
337
morph
to undergo dramatic change in a seamless and barely noticeable fashion
338
obliging
showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
339
paradoxical
seemingly contradictory but nonetheless possibly true
340
perquisite
a perk; a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)
"the wife of a president has all the perquisites of stardom"
341
provisional
under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon
342
qualm
an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear, especially about one's own conduct; a misgiving.
343
relegate
assign to a lower position
344
resignation
the acceptance of something unpleasant that can't be avoided
345
snub
refuse to acknowledge; reject outright and bluntly
346
sordid
involving ignoble actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt; foul and run-down and repulsive OR dirty and squalid
"the story paints a sordid picture of bribes and scams"
"the overcrowded housing conditions were sordid and degrading"
347
staid
characterized by dignity and propriety
348
stymie
hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
349
vanquish
defeat thoroughly.
350
vie
compete for something
