R Flashcards
rancorous
(adjective) expressing bitter hostility.
Many Americans are disgusted by recent political campaigns, which seem more rancorous than ever before.
rancor (noun)
rationale
(noun) an underlying reason or explanation.
Looking at the sad faces of his employees, it was hard for the company president to explain the rationale for closing the business.
raze
(verb) to completely destroy; demolish.
The old Coliseum building will soon be razed to make room for a new hotel.
reciprocate
(verb) to give and take mutually.
If you’ll watch my children tonight, I’ll reciprocate by taking care of yours tomorrow.
reciprocity (noun)
reclusive
(adjective) withdrawn from society.
During the last years of her life, actress Greta Garbo led a reclusive existence, rarely appearing in public.
recluse (noun)
reconcile
(verb) to make consistent or harmonious.
FDR’s greatness as a leader can be seen in his ability to reconcile the demands and values of the varied groups that supported him.
reconciliation (noun)
recrimination
(noun) a retaliatory accusation.
After the governor called his opponent unethical, his opponent angrily replied with recriminations that the governor was a hypocrite.
recriminate (verb)
recriminatory (adjective)
recuperate
(verb) to regain health after an illness.
Although Marie left the hospital two days after her operation, it took her a few weeks to fully recuperate.
recuperation (noun)
recuperative (adjective)
redoubtable
(adjective) inspiring respect, awe, or fear.
Johnson’s knowledge, experience, and personal clout made him a redoubtable political opponent.
refurbish
(verb) to fix up; renovate.
It took three days’ work by a team of carpenters, painters, and decorators to completely refurbish the apartment.
refute
(verb) to prove false.
The company invited reporters to visit their plant in an effort to refute the charges of unsafe working conditions.
refutation (noun)
relevance
(noun) connection to the matter at hand; pertinence.
Testimony in a criminal trial may be admitted only if it has clear relevance to the question of guilt or innocence.
relevant (adjective)
remedial
(adjective) serving to remedy, cure, or correct some condition.
Affirmative action can be justified as a remedial step to help minority members overcome the effects of past discrimination.
remediation (noun)
remedy (verb)
remorse
(noun) a painful sense of guilt over wrongdoing.
In Poe’s story The Tell-Tale Heart, a murderer is driven insane by remorse over his crime.
remorseful (adjective)
remuneration
(noun) pay.
In a civil lawsuit, the attorney often receives part of the financial settlement as his or her remuneration.
remunerate (verb)
remunerative (adjective)
renovate
(verb) to renew by repairing or rebuilding.
The television program This Old House shows how skilled craftspeople renovate houses.
renovation (noun)
renunciation
(noun) the act of rejecting or refusing something.
King Edward VII’s renunciation of the British throne was caused by his desire to marry an American divorcee, something he couldn’t do as king.
renounce (verb)
replete
(adjective) filled abundantly.
Graham’s book is replete with wonderful stories about the famous people she has known.
reprehensible
(adjective) deserving criticism or censure.
Although Pete Rose’s misdeeds were reprehensible, not all fans agree that he deserves to be excluded from the Baseball Hall of Fame.
reprehend (verb)
reprehension (noun)
repudiate
(verb) to reject, to renounce.
After it became known that Duke had been a leader of the Ku Klux Klan, most Republican leaders repudiated him.
repudiation (noun)
reputable
(adjective) having a good reputation; respected.
Find a reputable auto mechanic by asking your friends for recommendations based on their own experiences.
reputation (noun)
repute (noun)
resilient
(adjective) able to recover from difficulty.
A professional athlete must be resilient, able to lose a game one day and come back the next with confidence and enthusiasm.
resilience (noun)
resplendent
(adjective) glowing, shining.
In late December, midtown New York is resplendent with holiday lights and decorations.
resplendence (noun)
responsive
(adjective) reacting quickly and appropriately.
The new director of the Internal Revenue Service has promised to make the agency more responsive to public complaints.
respond (verb)
response (noun)
