SAT Direct Hits ALL Flashcards
(455 cards)
1
Q
Ambivalent
A
Having mixed or opposing feelings at the same time.
2
Q
Anomaly
A
Deviation from the norm or what is expected.
3
Q
Sardonic
A
Mocking; derisive; taunting; stinging
4
Q
Dearth, Paucity
A
A scarcity or shortage of something (x2)
5
Q
Prattle
A
To speak in a foolish manner; to babble incessantly
6
Q
Wry, Droll
A
Dry; humorous with a clever twist and a touch of irony (x2)
7
Q
Unorthodox
A
Not ordinary or typical; characterized by avoiding customary conventions and behaviors
8
Q
Meticulous, Fastidious
A
Extremely careful; very EXACTING (x2)
9
Q
Audacious
A
Fearlessly, often recklessly daring; very bold
10
Q
Apathetic
A
Marked by a lack of interest or concern; nonchalant
11
Q
Diffident, Self-effacing
A
Hesitant due to a lack of self-confidence; unassertive; shy; retiring (x2)
12
Q
Pragmatic
A
Practical, sensible, NOT idealistic or romantic
13
Q
Evocation
A
An imaginative re-creation of something; a calling forth
14
Q
Presumptuous
A
Taking liberties, brashly overstepping one’s place, impertinently bold; displaying effrontery
15
Q
Recalcitrant
A
Stubbornly resistant and defiant; obstinate; obdurate; refractory (disobedient)
16
Q
Boon
A
A timely benefit; blessing
17
Q
Bane
A
A source of harm and ruin
18
Q
Clandestine, Surreptitious
A
Secret; covert; not open; not ABOVEBOARD (x2)
19
Q
Affable, Amiable, Genial, Gregarious
A
Agreeable; marked by a pleasing personality; warm and friendly (x4)
20
Q
Austere
A
Having no adornment or ornamentation; bare; not ORNATE
21
Q
Altruism
A
Unselfish concern for the welfare of others
22
Q
Ambiguity
A
The quality or state of having more than one possible meaning; doubtful; equivocal
23
Q
Upbraid, Reproach, Castigate
A
To express disapproval; to scold; to rebuke; to CENSURE (x3)
24
Q
Nostalgia
A
A WISTFUL sentimental longing for a place or time in the past
25
Conjecture
An inference based upon guesswork; a SUPPOSITION
26
Antiquated
No longer in use; outmoded in design or style
27
Auspicious, Propitious
Very favorable (x2)
28
Gaffe
A blunder; a faux pas; a clumsy social or diplomatic error
29
Impasse
A deadlock, stalemate; failure to reach an agreement
30
Anachronism
The false agreement of an event, person, scene or language to a time when the person, scene or word did not exist
31
Belie
To contradict, to prove false, used of appearances that are misrepresentative
32
Mitigate, Mollify, Assuage, Alleviate
To relieve, to lessen, to ease (x4)
33
Covet
To strongly desire; to crave
34
Trite, Hackneyed, Banal, Platitudinous, Insipid
Unoriginal; commonplace; overused; clichﾂd (x5)
35
Antecedent
A preceding event; forerunner; precursor
36
Prudent
Careful; cautious; sensible
37
Aesthetic
Relating to the nature of beauty, art and taste; having a sense of what is beautiful, attractive or pleasing
38
Paradox
A seemingly contradictory statement that nonetheless expresses a truth
39
Enigmatic, Inscrutable
Mysterious; puzzling; unfathomable; baffling (x2)
40
Acquiesce
To comply; to agree; to give in
41
Naive, Gullible
Unaffectedly simple; lacking worldly expertise; overly CREDULOUS; unsophisticated; immature; inexperienced; INGENUOUS (x2)
42
Autonomy
Independence; self-governance
43
Indigenous, Endemic
Native to an area (x2)
44
Ubiquitous, Prevalent
Characterized by being everywhere; omnipresent; widespread, PERVASIVE (x2)
45
Pandemic
An epidemic that is geographically widespread and affects a large proportion of the population
46
Fortitude
Strength of mind that allows one to endure pain or adversity with courage.
47
Diminutive
Very small
48
Minutiae
Minor everyday details
49
Exhort
To encourage, to urge, to give a pep talk, to IMPLORE
50
Antipathy
Strong dislike, ill will, the state of detesting someone; ENMITY; RANCOR
51
Digress
To depart from a subject; to wander; to ramble
52
Tenacious
Characterized by holding fast to something valued; showing great determination
53
Indulgent
Characterized by excessive generosity; overly tolerant
54
Polarize
To create disunity or dissension; to break up into opposing factions or groups; to be divisive
55
Nebulous
Vague; cloudy; misty; lacking a fully-developed form
56
Analogy
A similarity or likeness between things - events, ideas, actions, trends - that are otherwise unrelated
57
Ephemeral, Fleeting, Evanescent
Very brief, lasting for a short time, transient (x3)
58
Penchant, Predilection, Propensity
A liking or preference for something; a BENT; an INCLINATION (x3)
59
Capricious, Mercurial, Fickle
Very changeable; characterized by constantly-shifting moods (x3)
60
Boorish, Uncouth, Crass
Vulgar, characterized by rude behavior and deplorable manners; unrefined (x3)
61
Indignant
Characterized by outrage at something that is perceived as unjust
62
Innuendo
A veiled reference; an insinuation
63
Thwart, Stymie
To stop; to frustrate; to prevent (x2)
64
Adroit, Deft, Adept
Having or showing great skill, dexterous, nimble (x3)
65
Admonish
To earnestly caution; to warn another to avoid a course of action
66
Incontrovertible
Impossible to deny or disprove; demonstrably true
67
Voracious, Ravenous, Rapacious
Having a huge appetite that cannot be satisfied; INSATIABLE (x3)
68
Callous
Emotionally hardened; insensitive; unfeeling
69
Intrepid, Undaunted
Courageous, RESOLUTE, fearless (x2)
70
Nonchalant
Having an air of casual indifference, UNFLAPPABLE
71
Convoluted
Winding, twisting, and therefore difficult to understand; intricate
72
Itinerant
Migrating from place to place, NOT SEDENTARY
73
Poignant
Moving, touching, heartrending
74
Impetus
A stimulus or encouragement that results in increased activity
75
Bucolic, Rustic, Pastoral
Characteristic of charming, unspoiled countryside and the simple, rural life (x3)
76
Equanimity
Calmness, composure, even-temperedness, poise
77
Panache, Verve, Flamboyance, ﾐlan
Great vigor and energy; dash, especially in artistic performance and composition (x4)
78
Provocative
Provoking discussion; stimulating controversy; arousing a reaction
79
Placid, Serene
Calm or quiet, undisturbed by tumult or disorder (x2)
80
Fortuitous
Of accidental but fortunate occurrence; having unexpected good fortune
81
Dispel
To drive away; scatter, as to a misconception
82
Amalgam
A mixture; a blend; a combination of different elements
83
Viable, Feasible
Capable of being accomplished, possible (x2)
84
Anguish
Agonizing physical or mental pain; torment
85
Intemperate
Lacking restraint; excessive
86
Temperate
Exercising moderation and restraint
87
Superficial
Shallow; lacking in depth; concerned with surface appearances
88
Laud, Extol, Tout, Acclaim
To praise; to applaud (x4)
89
Dismissive
Showing overt intentional INDIFFERENCE or disregard; rejecting
90
Remiss
Negligent, lax, careless
91
Remit
To send back, pay money, diminish in intensity
92
Missive
A note sent by an emissary
93
Disparage
To speak in a slighting or disrespectful way; to belittle
94
Pompous
Filled with excessive self-importance, PRETENTIOUS; OSTENTATIOUS; boastful
95
Cryptic
Having a hidden or AMBIGUOUS meaning; mysterious
96
Disparity
An inequality; a gap; an imbalance
97
Curtail
To cut short or reduce
98
Innocuous
Harmless; unlikely to give offense or to arouse strong feelings or hostility; not INIMICAL
99
Diatribe, Tirade, Harangue
A bitter, abusive denunciation; a thunderous verbal attack; to RANT (x3)
100
Charlatan
A fake; fraud; imposter; cheat
101
Skeptic
A person who doubts; asks questions; and lacks faith
102
Rhetorician
An eloquent writer or speaker; a master of rhetoric (the art of speaking and writing)
103
Hedonist
A person who believes that pleasure is the chief goal of life
104
Ascetic
A person who gives up material comforts and leads a life of self-denial, especially as an act of religious devotion
105
Raconteur
A person who excels in telling Anecdotes
106
Iconoclast
A person who attacks and ridicules cherished figures, ideas, and institutions
107
Partisan
A supporter of a person, party or cause; a person with strong and perhaps biased beliefs
108
Polymath
A person whose expertise spans a significant number of subject areas
109
Dilettante
An amateur or dabbler; a person with SUPERFICIAL interest in an art of a branch of knowledge; a trifler
110
Mentor
An advisor, a teacher, a guide
111
Acolyte
Devoted follower
112
Demagogue
A leader who appeals to the fears, emotions and prejudices of the populace
113
Automaton
A self-operating machine; a mindless follower; a person who acts in a mechanical fashion
114
Recluse
A person who lives a secluded or solitary life
115
Bungler
A person who is clumsy or inept; a person who makes mistakes because of incompetence
116
Clairvoyant
Having the supposed power to see objects and events that cannot be perceived with the five traditional senses; as a noun, a SEER
117
Prognosticator
A person who makes predictions based upon current information and data
118
Pundit
An expert commentator; an authority who expresses his or her opinon; usually on political issues
119
Zealot
A very enthusiastic person; a champion; a true believer, perhaps to an excessive degree; a fanatic
120
Neophyte, Novice, Greenhorn
A beginner; someone new to a field or activity (x3)
121
Dissembler, Prevaricator
A liar and deceiver (x2)
122
Proponent
One who argues in support of something; an ADVOCATE; a champion of a cause
123
Oracle
A person considered to be ORACULAR, a source of wise counsel or prophetic opinions
124
Misanthrope
A person who hates or distrusts humankind
125
Innovator
A person who introduces something new
126
Sycophant
A person who seeks favor by flattering people of influence; a TOADY; someone who behaves in an OBSEQUIOUS or SERVILE manner
127
Stoic, Stolid
Seemingly INDIFFERENT to or unaffected by joy, grief, pleasure or pain; impassive and emotionless (x2)
128
Reprobate
A morally unprincipled person
129
Renegade
A disloyal person who betrays his or her cause; a traitor; a deserter
130
Draconian
Characterized by very strict laws, rules and punishments
131
Laconic
Very brief; concise; SUCCINCT; TERSE
132
Spartan
Plain; simple; AUSTERE
133
Halcyon
Idyllicaly calm and peaceful; an untroubled golden time of satisfaction, happiness, and tranquility
134
Sophistry
A plausible but deliberately misleading or FALLACIOUS argument designed to deceive someone
135
Chimerical
Given to fantastic schemes; existing only in the imagination; impossible; vainly conceived
136
Ostracize
To deliberately exclude from a group; to BANISH
137
Impecunious
Poor; penniless; NOT AFFLUENT
138
Nefarious
Famous for being wicked; VILLAINOUS; vile
139
Jovial
Good-humored; cheerful; JOCULAR
140
Dirge
A funeral hymn; a slow, mournful, LUGUBRIOUS musical composition
141
Maudlin
Tearful; excessively sentimental, but not MAWKISH
142
Quixotic
Foolishly impractical in the pursuit of ideals; impractical idealism
143
Pandemonium
A wild uproar; tumult
144
Martinet
A strict disciplinarian; a person who demands absolute adherence to forms and rules.
145
Fiasco
A complete failure; a DEBACLE
146
Bowdlerize
To remove or delete parts of a book, song, or other work that are considered offensive; to EXPURGIATE
147
Galvanize
To electrify; to stir into action as if with an electric shock
148
Picayune
Small value or importance; petty; trifling
149
Gerrymander
To divide a geographic area into voting districts so as to give unfair advantage to one party in elections
150
Maverick
An independent individual who does not go along with a group or party; a nonconformist
151
Juggernaut
An irresistible force that crushes everything in its path
152
Serendipity
Discovery by fortunate accident
153
Zenith
The highest point; the peak; the APEX
154
Nadir
The lowest point; the bottom
155
Expunge, Excise, Expurgate
To take OUT; to delete; to remove (x3)
156
Eccentric
Literally OUT of the center; departing from a recognized, conventional, or established norm; an odd, UNCONVENTIONAL person
157
Extricate
To get OUT of a difficult situation or entanglement
158
Exemplary
Standing OUT from the norm; outstanding; worthy of imitation
159
Enumerate
To count OUT; to list; to tick off the reasons for
160
Elusive
OUT of reach and therefore difficult to catch, define, or describe
161
Exorbitant
Literally OUT of orbit and therefore unreasonably expensive
162
Redundant
Needlessly repetitive; saying things AGAIN and AGAIN
163
Repudiate, Recant, Renounce
To take BACK; to reject; to DISAVOW (x3)
164
Relinquish
To surrender or give BACK a possession, right, or privilege
165
Resilient
Bouncing BACK from ADVERSITY or misfortune; recovering quickly
166
Reaffirm
To assert AGAIN; to confirm; to state positively
167
Reticent
Holding BACK one's thoughts, feelings and personal affairs; restrained or reserved
168
Rebuff
To repel or drive BACK; to bluntly reject
169
Renovate
To make new AGAIN; to restore by repairing and remodeling
170
Rejuvenate
To make young AGAIN; to restore youthful vigor and appearance
171
Resurgent
Rising AGAIN; sweeping or surging BACK
172
Repugnant
Abhorrent; offensive to the mind or senses; causing distaste or AVERSION
173
Deleterious
Going DOWN in the sense of having a harmful effect; injurious
174
Decry
To put DOWN in the sense of openly condemning; to express strong disapproval
175
Despondent, Morose
DOWNCAST; very dejected; FORLORN (x2)
176
Denounce
To put DOWN in the sense of a making a formal accusation; to speak against
177
Demise
Sent DOWN in the sense of ending in death; the cessation of existence or activity
178
Debunk
To put DOWN by exposing false and exaggerated claims
179
Deride (--\> Derisive)
To put DOWN with contemptuous jeering; to ridicule or laugh at
180
Devoid
DOWN in the sense of being empty; completely lacking in substance or quality; BEREFT; vacant
181
Impeccable
Having NO flaws; perfect
182
Implacable
Not capable of being PLACATED or appeased
183
Inexorable
NOT capable of being stopped; relentless; inevitable
184
Incoherent
NOT coherent and therefore lacking organization; lacking logical or meaningful connections
185
Insurmountable
NOT capable of being surmounted or overcome
186
Irreverent
Lacking proper respect or seriousness; disrespectful
187
Irresolute
NOT RESOLUTE; uncertain how to act or proceed; INDECISIVE; VACILLATING
188
Circumspect
Looking carefully AROUND--thus cautious and careful; PRUDENT; discreet
189
Circuitous
CIRCULAR and therefore indirect in language, behavior, or action, roundabout
190
Circumvent
To circle AROUND and therefore bypass; to avoid by artful maneuvering
191
Circumscribe
To draw a line AROUND and therefore to narrowly limit or restrict actions
192
Magnanimous
FILLED WITH generosity and forgiveness; forgoing resentment and revenge
193
Erroneous
FILLED WITH errors; wrong
194
Momentous
FILLED WITH importance; very significant
195
Mellifluous
Smooth and sweet; flowing like honey
196
Ominous
FILLED WITH menace; threatening
197
Acrimonious
FILLED WITH bitterness; sharpness in words; RANCOROUS
198
Copious
FILLED WITH abundance; plentiful
199
Abstemious
FILLED WITH moderation; TEMPERATE in eating and drinking
200
Malodorous
FILLED WITH an unpleasant odor; foul-smelling
201
Tedious
FILLED WITH boredom; very tiresome; dull and fatiguing
202
Heinous, Egregious
Flagrantly, conspicuously bad; abominable; shockingly evil; monstrous; outrageous (x2)
203
Gratuitous
Unwarranted; not called for by the circumstances; unnecessary
204
Precarious, Perilous
Uncertain; characterized by a lack of security or stability (x2)
205
Impugn
To fight against, attack, challenge the motives of
206
Pugilist
A boxer, one who fights with his fists
207
Wistful
Longing and yearning, tinged with MELANCHOLY (long-lasting sadness) and PENSIVENESS
208
Earnest
Serious in intention or purpose; showing depth and SINCERITY of feelings
209
Disgruntled, Discontented
Angry; dissatisfied; annoyed; impatient; irritated (x2)
210
Authoritative
Commanding and self-confident; likely to be respected and obeyed, based on competent authority
211
Frivolous
Lacking any serious purpose or value; given to trifling or levity
212
Acerbic, Acid
Harsh; bitter; sharp; CAUSTIC (x2)
213
Solemn, Grave, Somber
Not cheerful or smiling; serious; gloomy (x3)
214
Inquisitive
Curious; inquiring
215
Reflective, Pensive
Engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought, usually marked by sadness or MELANCHOLY (x2)
216
Equivocal
AMBIGUOUS; open to interpretation; having an uncertain significance or meaning
217
Equivocate
To avoid making an explicit statement; to hedge; to use vague or AMBIGUOUS language
218
Deferential
Respectful; dutiful
219
Ebullient, Elated, Ecstatic, Euphoric, Exuberant
Feeling or expressing great happiness or triumph (x5)
220
Benevolent
Well-meaning; kindly
221
Malevolent
Wishing evil to others, showing ill will
222
Whimsical
Playful; fanciful; CAPRICIOUS; given to whimsies or odd notions
223
Vindictive
Having a strong desire for revenge
224
Prosaic, Mundane
Dull; uninteresting; ordinary; commonplace; tedious; PEDESTRIAN; VAPID; BANAL; HACKNEYED; unexpceptional (x2)
225
Vitriolic
Bitter; CAUSTIC; ACERBIC; filled with malice
226
Conciliatory
Appeasing; intending to PLACATE
227
Despairing
Showing the loss of all hope
228
Inflammatory
Arousing; intended to inflame a situation or ignite angry or violent feelings
229
Abject
Humble, Servile, Wretched
230
Antediluvian
Before the Biblical flood, a hyperbolic word describing something extremely old
231
Anteroom
A waiting room outside a larger room
232
Idiosyncrasy
A trait or mannerism that is peculiar to an individual
233
Censorious, Captious
Highly critical; fault-finding (x2)
234
Consternation
A state of great dismay and confusion
235
Didactic
Tending to give instruction or advice; inclined to teach or lecture others too much; containing a political or moral lesson
236
Elucidate
To make clear or plan, especially by explanation
237
Effusive
Expressing excessive emotion in an unrestrained manner; gushing
238
Prolific
Very productive
239
Furor
A general commotion; an uproar
240
Paranoia
A tendency toward excessive or irrational suspiciousness; irrational fear; delusions of persecution
241
Marginal, Peripheral
Of secondary importance; NOT central; on the perimeter (x2)
242
Obfuscate
To deliberately confuse; to make something so confusing that it is hard to understand
243
Flummoxed
Confused or perplexed; utterly dumbfounded
244
Spate
A large number or amount
245
Ineffable
Too overwhelming to be put into words; indescribable; inexpressible
246
Histrionic, Overwrought
Excessively dramatic or MELODRAMATIC; theatrical; overacted (x2)
247
Placate
To soothe or calm; to appease
248
Eschew
To avoid; to shun; to stay clear of
249
Stopgap
A temporary solution designed to meet an urgent need
250
Flotsam
The floating wreckage of a ship; debris
251
Jetsam
Part of a ship, its cargo or equipment that is purposefully thrown overboard or JETTISONED to lighten the load in an emergency and that sinks or is washed up on shore.
252
Churlish, Sullen, Surly
Ill-tempered; rude; lacking civility (x3)
253
Restitution
The act of making good or compensating for a loss, damage or injury
254
Disquieting
Disturbing; upsetting; vexing; causing unease; worrisome
255
Ornate
Characterized by elaborate and expensive decorations; LAVISH
256
Execrable, Odious, Repugnant
Detestable; repulsive; extremely bad (x3)
257
Perspicacious, Prescient, Discerning
Insightful, perceptive (x3)
258
Eclectic
Choosing or using a variety of sources
259
Hiatus
An interruption in time or continuity; a break
260
Vertiginous
Characterized by or suffering from dizziness; having VERTIGO
261
Esoteric, Arcane
Characterized by knowledge that is known only to a small group of specialists; obscure; RECONDITE; ABSTRUSE (x2)
262
Supercilious
Showing haughty DISDAIN or arrogant superiority
263
Blithe
Joyous; sprightly; mirthful; light; vivacious
264
Underwrite
To assume financial responsibility for
265
Discomfited
Uneasy; in a state of embarassment
266
Taciturn
Habitually quiet; uncommunicative
267
Sinecure
An office or position that provides an income for little or no work
268
Cosmopolitan
Worldly; sophisticated; open-minded and aware of the big picture
269
Provincial, Parochial, Insular
Limited in perspective; narrow; restricted in scope and outlook (x3)
270
Lugubrious
Sad, mournful, MELANCHOLIC
271
Fecund
Intellectually productive or inventive; fertile
272
Ostentatious
Showy, intended to attract notice, PRETENTIOUS
273
Guile
Treacherous cunning; skillful deceit; DUPLICITY
274
Sanguine
Cheerfully confident; optimistic
275
Scintillating
Sparkling; shining; brilliantly clever
276
Pristine
Remaining in a pure state; uncorrupted by civilization
277
Rampant
Unrestrained, unchecked
278
Pernicious
Highly INJURIOUS; destructive; deadly
279
Oblivious
Lacking conscious awareness; unmindful; unaware
280
Refractory
RECALCITRANT; OBSTINATELY resistant to authority; hard to manage
281
Garrulous, Verbose, Loquacious, Voluble
Annoyingly talkative; speaking INCESSANTLY; babbling (x4)
282
Convivial
Sociable; fond of feasting, drinking and good company
283
Brusque, Curt
Abrupt in manner or speech; discourteously blunt (x2)
284
Tepid
Lukewarm; mild; half-hearted
285
Protean
Readily taking on varied forms and meanings
286
Solicitous
Showing great care and concern; attentive
287
Ingenuous
Free from deviousness, innocent, NA?VE; GUILELESS; sincere
288
Disingenuous
INSINCERE; NOT CANDID; NOT straightforward; calculating; OBLIQUE
289
Venerate, Revere
To regard with great respect; to hold in high esteem (x2)
290
Contentious
Quarrelsome; argumentative; likely to provoke a controversy; DISPUTATIOUS
291
Preclude
To make impossible; to rule out; to prevent
292
Compunction, Contrition, Remorse, Penitence
Feelings of sincere and deep regret (x4)
293
Demography
The study of the characteristics of human populations
294
Aphorism, Axiom
A statement that is universally accepted as true; a MAXIM (x2)
295
Juxtapose
To place side by side or in close PROXIMITY (nearness)
296
Juxtaposition
The position of being close together or side by side
297
Bombastic
POMPOUS of PRETENTIOUS in speech or writing; OSTENTATIOUSLY lofty in style
298
Forbearance
Abstaining from the enforcement of a right; the act of refraining from acting on a desire or impulse
299
Unfettered
Free of restraint of any kind; liberated
300
Prescribe
To require; to order; to direct
301
Proscribe
To forbid; to prohibit; to outlaw
302
Puerile, Callow, Sophomoric
Childishly foolish; inexperienced; immature (x3)
303
Pellucid
Clear, transparent, DIAPHANOUS, LIMPID
304
Pugilist
A boxer, one who fights with his fists
305
Impugn
To fight against, attack, challenge the motives of
306
Lambaste
Denounce; strongly criticize
307
Quiescent
Marked by inactivity; in a state of quiet repose
308
Provisional
Tentative; temporary; for the time being
309
Lurid
Sensational; shocking; ghastly
310
Truculent, Pugnacious, Belligerent
Defiantly aggressive; eager to fight (x3)
311
Propitiate
To appease; to conciliate; to regain the favor of or goodwill of
312
ﾐlan
A vigorous spirit; great enthusiasm
313
Perfunctory
In a spiritless, mechanical and routine manner
314
Aplomb
Self-assurance; confident composure; admirable poise under pressure
315
Opaque
Hard to understand; impenetrably dense and obscure
316
Craven
Cowardly; CONTEMPTIBLY faint-hearted; BASE
317
Venal
Corrupt; dishonest; open to bribery
318
Licentious
Immoral; DISSOLUTE; DEBAUCHED
319
Noxious
Harmful; injurious to physical, mental or moral health; PERNICIOUS
320
Superfluous, Extraneous
Unnecessary; extra (x2)
321
Duplicitous
Deliberately deceptive in behavior or speech
322
Profligate
Wasteful; SQUANDERING in time and money by living for the moment
323
Epiphany
A sudden realization; an insightful moment
324
Insidious
Causing harm in a SUBTLE or stealthy manner; INJURIOUS
325
Vacuous, Inane
Empty; lacking in serious purpose; VAPID (x2)
326
Harbinger, Portent, Presage
Something that FORESHADOWS a future event; an omen; a PROGNOSTIC (x3)
327
Beleaguer
To beset; to surround with problems
328
Burgeon
To grow rapidly; to expand
329
Imperious
Domineering and arrogant; haughty
330
Petulant, Querulous
Peevish; irritable; whining or complaining in a childlike way (x2)
331
Complaisant
Agreeable; marked by a pleasing personality; AFFABLE; AMIABLE
332
Fawning, Obsequious
Behaving in a SERVILE or SUBSERVIENT manner; SYCOPHANTIC; overly obedient; submissive (x2)
333
Obdurate, Intransigent
Very stubborn; OBSTINATE; unyieldingly persistent; inflexible; INTRACTABLE (x2)
334
Redolent, Reminiscent
Having a strong specific smell; bringing to mind; suggestive of (x2)
335
Chicanery
Deception by SUBTERFUGE; deliberate trickery and ARTIFICE
336
Conundrum
A difficult problem; a dilemma with no easy solution
337
Slight
To treat in a disparaging manner; to deliberately ignore; to disrespect
338
Capitulate
To surrender; to comply without protest
339
Disheartening
Very discouraging; dismaying; dispiriting
340
Apocryphal
Of doubtful authenticity; false; SPURIOUS
341
Magisterial
Learned and authoritative
342
Plastic, Malleable, Pliable
Flexible; easily shaped, especially by outside influences or forces (x3)
343
Chagrin
The feeling of distress caused by humiliation, failure, or embarrassment
344
Obstreperous
Noisily and stubbornly defiant; unruly; boisterous
345
Idyllic
Charmingly simple and carefree
346
Dilapidated
In a state of disrepair; broken-down; in deplorable condition
347
Extemporize, Improvise
To lecture or speak without notes in an IMPROMPTU way (x2)
348
Myriad
Many; numerous
349
Ungainly
Awkward; clumsy; NOT graceful
350
Dilatory
Habitually late; tardy
351
Vituperative
Characterized by verbal abuse and bitter criticism
352
Discordant
Not in harmony; incompatible; at variance with; as in a detail that doesn't fit a pattern
353
Perfidy
Deliberate breach of faith or trust; disloyalty
354
Perfidious
Treacherous; traitorous; deceitful; faithless
355
Proliferate
To increase rapidly
356
Indomitable, Resolute
Very determined; unwavering (x2)
357
Moribund
Approaching death; about to become OBSOLETE
358
Nuance
A SUBTLE shade of meaning or feeling a degree of difference
359
Flippant, Facetious
Treating serious matters with lighthearted humor or lack of respect (x2)
360
Credulous
Easily convinced; tending to believe too readily; GULLIBLE
361
Incredulous
Disbelieving, SKEPTICAL
362
Florid
Flowery in style; very ORNATE
363
Excoriating, Scathing
Expressing strong disapproval; condemning; loudly DECRYING (x2)
364
Interloper
An intruder; a gatecrasher
365
Cerebral
Intellectual rather than emotional
366
Visceral
Instinctive rather than rational
367
Nonplussed, Confounded
Utterly PERPLEXED; completely puzzled; totally bewildered (x2)
368
Ignonimous
Humiliating; shameful; disgraceful
369
Euphony
Soothing or pleasant sounds; harmony
370
Cacophany
Harsh, clashing, jarring, grating sounds; disharmony
371
Vacillate
To WAVER; to hesitate; to swing back and forth; to be indecisive
372
Timorous
Showing nervousness or fear
373
Narcissist
A person with a psychological condition characterized by self-preoccupation, lack of EMPATHY, vanity, and a feeling of self-entitlement
374
Insolent, Impudent
Boldly insulting; brash; rude (x2)
375
Arrest
To bring to a stop; to halt
376
Gravity
Seriousness; dignity; solemnity; weight
377
Precipitate
To cause, to bring about prematurely, hastily or suddenly; IMPULSIVE
378
Relief
Elevation of a land surface
379
Check
To restrain; halt; hold back; contain
380
Flag
To become weak, feeble or spiritless; to lose interest
381
Discriminating
Characterized by the ability to make fine distinctions; having refined taste
382
Eclipse
To overshadow; to outshine; to surpass
383
Coin
To devise a new word or phrase
384
Stock
A stereotypical and formulaic character in a novel or film
385
Currency
General acceptance or use; prevalence
386
Bent
A strong tendency; a leaning; an inclination; a PROPENSITY
387
Court
To attempt to gain the favor or support of a person or group; to woo
388
Negotiate
To successfully travel through, around, or over an obstacle or terrain
389
Temper
To soften; to moderate; to MITIGATE
390
Pedestrian
Undistinguished; ordinary; CONVENTIONAL
391
Cavalier
Having an arrogant attitude or a HAUGHTY disregard for others.
392
Sanction
An official approval or disapproval for an action.
393
Compromise
To reduce the quality or value of something; to jeopardize or place at risk
394
Channel
To direct or guide along a desired course
395
Qualify
To modify; to limit by adding exceptions or restricting conditions
396
Personification
A perfect example; embodiment; EPITOME; PARAGON; QUINTESSENCE
397
Catalyst
Any agent that provokes or triggers change.
398
Caustic
Causing damage; hurting or burning
399
Crystallize
To give definite form to an idea or plan
400
Osmosis
The gradual, often unconscious process of ASSIMILATION
401
Sedentary
Settled and therefore accustomed to sitting or doing little exercise
402
Virulent
The quality of being bitterly hostile, hateful and antagonistic (esp. language)
403
Empirical
Guided by practical experience, not theory.
404
Entomology
The scientific study of insects
405
Gestate
To conceive and develop in the mind
406
Cathartic
Purgative, either physically or emotionally, cleansing
407
Paradigm
A framework or model of thought.
408
Avarice, Cupidity
Excessive desire for material wealth; greed; COVETOUSNESS (x2)
409
Glut, Plethora, Surfeit
A surplus or excess of something (x3)
410
Destitute, Impoverished, Indigent
Very poor, lacking basic resources (x3)
411
Affluent, Opulent
Very rich, having abundant resources (x2)
412
Munificent
Very generous
413
Parsimonious
Excessively cheap with money; stingy
414
Remunerate
To compensate; to make payment for; to pay a person
415
Accord
A formal concurrence, agreement or harmony of minds
416
Enlighten, Edify
To inform, instruct, illuminate, remove darkness and ignorance (x2)
417
Appeasement
The policy of granting concessions to maintain peace
418
Nullify
To make null; to declare invalid
419
Pretext
An excuse; an alleged cause
420
Watershed
Critical point that marks a change of course; a turning point
421
Autocrat, Despot
A ruler or other person with unlimited power and authority (x2)
422
Manifesto
A public declaration of beliefs, policies or intentions
423
Enfranchise
To endow with the rights of citizenship, esp. the right to vote
424
Disenfranchise
To deprive of some privilege or right, esp. the right to vote
425
Coerce
To force to act or think in a certain way by use of pressure, threats, or torture; to compel
426
Egalitarian
Favoring social equality; believing in a society in which all people have equal political, economic and civil rights
427
Inquisition
A severe interrogation; a systematic questioning
428
Ameliorate
To make a situation better
429
Exacerbate
To make a situation worse
430
Desiccated
Thoroughly dried out; lifeless; totally arid
431
Contiguous
Sharing an edge or boundary; touching
432
Pertinent
Relevant; to the point; clearly illustrative of a major point
433
Complicity
Association or participation in a wrongful act
434
Exonerate, Exculpate
To free from guilt or blame (x2)
435
Indisputable
Not open to question; undeniable; irrefutable
436
Precedent
An act or instance that is used as an example in dealing with subsequent similar instances
437
Unprecedented
Without previous example, never known before
438
Malfeasance
Misconduct or wrongdoing, esp. by a public official; intentionally performing an act that is illegal
439
Probity
Integrity and uprightness; honesty; high moral standards.
440
Figurative/Metaphorical Language
A general term referring to language that describes a thing in terms of something else -- the resemblance is FIGURATIVE, not LITERAL
441
Simile
An EXPLICIT(clearly stated) figure of speech that is a comparison between two essentially unlike things, usually using the two words "like" or "as", which points out a FIGURATIVE way that two things are alike.
442
Metaphor
In its more narrow sense, a figure of speech in which one thing is described in terms of another using an IMPLICIT (implied) comparison, without the use of "like" or "as"
443
Personification
A figure of speech in which an inanimate object is given human qualities or abilities
444
Parallelism/Parallel Structure
A rhetorical device or SYNTACTICAL (relating to sentence structure) construction which involves using matching grammatical patterns to establish the equivalent relationship or importance of two or more items.
445
Literary Irony
A figure of speech in which what we say or write conveys the opposite of its literal meaning
446
Situational Irony
Incongruity between the actual result of a sequence of events and the normal or expected result
447
Synopsis
A brief summary of the major points of a thesis, theory, story or literary work, a PRﾐCIS
448
Satire, Lampoon, Parody
A work that ridicules human vices, follies, and FOIBLES; comic criticism. Note that LAMPOON and PARODY are often used as verbs meaning to ridicule
449
Hyperbole
A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect; extreme exaggeration
450
Caricature
Visual art or descriptive writing that deliberately exaggerates distinctive features or peculiarities of a subject for comic or absurd effect.
451
Epic
A long narrative poem written in a grand style to celebrate the feats of a legendary hero.
452
Foreshadowing
A suggestion or indication that something will happen in a story; a hint that PRESAGES
453
Anecdote
A short account of an interesting or humorous incident
454
Eulogy
A LAUDATORY speech or written tribute, especially one praising someone who has died.
455
Allusion
An indirect or brief reference to a person, event, place, phrase, piece of art, or literary work that assumes a common knowledge with the reader or listener.
