Top 200 100 Flashcards
(123 cards)
1
Q
abase
A
to humble; to disgrace
2
Q
ABATE
A
to reduce in amount, degree, or severity
ex. As the hurricane’s force ABATED, the winds dropped and the sea became calm
Words with Similar Meanings:
EBB, MODERATE, SUBSIDE, LAPSE, RELENT, WANE, LET UP, SLACKEN
6
Q
abdicate
A
to give up a position, right, or power
7
Q
aberrant
A
deviating from what is normal or expected
8
Q
abeyance
A
temporary suppression or suspension
9
Q
abjure
A
to reject; to abandon formally
10
Q
ABSCOND
A
to leave secretly
ex. The patron ABSCONDED from the restaurant without paying his bill by sneaking out the back door.
Words with Similar Meanings:
DECAMP, ESCAPE, FLEE
15
Q
abstain
A
to choose not to do something
ex. During Lent, practicing Catholics ABSTAIN from eating meat
Words with Similar Meanings:
FORBEAR, REFRAIN, WITHHOLD
20
Q
abstemious
A
moderate in appetite
21
Q
abyss
A
an extremely deep hole ex. The submarine dove into the ABYSS to chart the previously unseen depths Related words: ABYSSAL: pertaining to great depth ABYSMAL: extremely bad Words with Similar Meanings: CHASM, VOID
31
Q
accretion
A
a gradual growth in size; an increase in amount
32
Q
acidulous
A
sour in taste or manner
33
Q
acme
A
the highest point; the summit; the highest level or degree attainable
34
Q
adulterate
A
to make impure
ex. The restaurateur made his ketchup last longer by ADULTERATING it with water
Related Words:
UNADULTERATED: pure
ADULTERY: an illicit relationship; an affair
41
Q
advocate
A
to speak in favor of ex. The vegetarian ADVOCATED a diet containing no meat Related Words: ADVOCACY: active support for Words with Similar Meanings: BACK, CHAMPION, SUPPORT
50
Q
aerie
A
a nest built high in the air; an elevated, often secluded, dwelling
51
Q
affected
A
phony; artificial
52
Q
aggrandize
A
to increase in power influence, and reputation
ex. The supervisor sought to AGGRANDIZE himself by claiming that the achievements of his staff were actually his own
Words with Similar Meanings:
AMPLIFY, DIGNIFY, ENNOBLE, MAGNIFY, WAX, APOTHEOSIZE, ELEVATE, EXALT, SWELL, AUGMENT, ENLARGE, GLORIFY, UPLIFT
58
Q
alacrity
A
speed or quickness
59
Q
alleviate
A
to make more bearable
ex. Taking aspirin helps to ALLEVIATE a headache.
Words with Similar Meanings:
ALLAY, EASE, MITIGATE, ASSUAGE, LESSEN, PALLIATE, COMFORT, LIGHTEN, RELIEVE
65
Q
amalgamate
A
to combine; to mix together
ex. Giant industries AMALGAMATED with Mega Products to form Giant-Mega Products INC.
Related Words:
AMALGAM: a mixture, especially of 2 metals
Words with Similar Meanings:
ADMIX, COMMINGLE, FUSE, MERGE, BLEND, COMMIX, INTERMINGLE, MINGLE, COMBINE, COMPOUND, INTERMIX, MIX
74
Q
ambiguous
A
doubtful or uncertain; can be interpreted in several ways
ex. The directions he gave were so AMBIGUOUS that we disagreed on which way to turn.
Related Words:
AMBIGUITY: the quality of being ambiguous
Words with Similar Meanings:
CLOUDY, EQUIVOCAL, OBSCURE, DOUBTFUL, NEBULOUS, UNCLEAR, DUBIOUS, INDETERMINATE, VAGUE
83
Q
ameliorate
A
to make better; to improve
ex. The doctor was able to AMELIORATE the patients suffering using painkillers
Words with Similar Meanings:
AMEND, PACIFY, BETTER, UPGRADE, IMPROVE
89
Q
amortize
A
to diminish by installment payments
90
amulet
an ornament worn as a charm against evil spirits
91
anachronism
something out of place in time
ex. The aged hippie used ANACHRONISTIC phrases like groovy and far out that had not been popular for years
Words with Similar Meanings:
ARCHAISM, INCONGRUITY
97
analgesia
a lessening of pain without loss of consciousness
98
analogous
similar or alike in some way; equivalent
ex. In a famous argument for the existence of God, the universe is ANALOGOUS to a mechanical timepiece, the creation of a devinely intelligent "clockmaker"
Related Words:
ANALOGY: a similarity between things that are otherwise dissimilar
ANALOGUE: something that is similar in some way to something else
Words with Similar Meanings:
ALIKE, EQUIVALENT, SIMILAR, COMPARABLE, HOMOGENOUS, CORRESPONDING, PARALLEL
108
anodyne
something that calms or soothes pain
109
anomaly
deviation from what is normal
ex. Albino animals may display too great an ANOMALY in their coloring to attract normally colored mates
Related Words:
ANOMALOUS: deviating from what is normal
Words with Similar Meanings:
ABERRANCE, DEVIANCE, PRETERNATURALNESS, ABERRATION, DEVIATION, ABNORMALITY, IRREGULARITY
118
antagonize
to annoy or provoke to anger
ex. The child discovered that he could ANTAGONIZE the cat by pulling its tail.
Related Words:
ANTAGONISTIC: tending to provoke conflict
ANTAGONIST: someone who fights another
Words with Similar Meanings:
CLASH, IRRITATE, PROVOKE, CONFLICT, OPPOSE, VEX, INCITE, PESTER
128
antipathy
extreme dislike
The ANTIPATHY between the French and the English regularly erupted into open warfare
Words with Similar Meanings:
ANIMOSITY, AVERSION, REPELLENCE, ANIMUS, ENMITY, ANTAGONISM, HOSTILITY
134
apathy
lack of interest or emotion
The APATHY of voters is so great that less than half the people who are eligible to vote actually bother to do so.
Words with Similar Meanings:
COOLNESS, IMPASSIVITY, LASSITUDE, PHLEGM, UNRESPONSIVENESS, DISINTEREST, INDIFFERENCE, LETHARGY, STOLIDITY, DISREGARD, INSENSIBILITY, LISTLESSNESS, UNCONCERN
140
apocryphal
of questionable authority or authenticity
141
apostate
one who renounces a religious faith
142
approbation
approval and praise
143
arbitrary
determined by chance or impulse
144
arbitrate
to judge a debate between two opposing parties
ex. Since the couple could not come to an agreement, a judge was forced to ARBITRATE their divorce proceedings
Related Words:
ARBITRATION: a process by which a conflict is resolved
ARBITRATOR: a judge
Words with Similar Meanings:
ADJUDGE, DETERMINE, REFEREE, ADJUDICATE, JUDGE, RULE, DECIDE, MODERATE
154
ARCHAIC
ancient, old-fashioned
ex. Her ARCHAIC Commodore computer could not run the latest software
Related Words:
ARCHAISM: an outdated word or phrase
Words with Similar Meanings:
ANCIENT, BYGONE, FUTSY, OUTDATED, PREHISTORIC, SUPERSEDED, ANTEDILUVIAN, DATED, OBSOLETE, OUTMODED, STALE, VINTAGE, ANTIQUE, DOWDY, OLD-FASHIONED, PASSE, SUPERANNUATED
163
ardor
intense and passionate feeling
ex. Bishop's ARDOR for landscape was evident when he passionately described the beauty of the scenic Hudson Valley
Related Words:
ARDENT: expressing ardor, passionate
Words with Similar Meanings:
DEVOTION, FERVIDITY, FIRE, ZEALOUSNESS, ENTHUSIASM, FERVIDNESS, PASSION, FERVENCY, FERVOR, ZEAL
172
arrogate
to claim without justification; to claim for oneself without right
173
articulate
able to speak clearly and expressively
ex. She is such an ARTICULATE defender of labor that unions are among her strongest supporters
Words with Similar Meanings:
ELOQUENT, LUCID, EXPRESSIVE, SILVER-TONGUED, FLUENT, SMOOTH-SPOKEN
179
assail
to attack; to assault
180
assuage
to make something unpleasant less severe
ex. Like many people, Philip Larkin used alcohol to ASSUAGE his sense of meaninglessness and despair.
Words with Similar Meanings:
ALLAY, COMFORT, LIGHTEN, PACIFY, PROPITIATE, SWEETEN, ALLEVIATE, CONCILIATE, MITIGATE, PALLIATE, RELIEVE, APPEASE, EASE, MOLLIFY, PLACATE, SOOTHE
186
attenuate
to reduce in force or degree; to weaken
ex. The Bill of Rights ATTENUATED the traditional power of government to change laws at will.
Words with Similar Meanings:
DEBILITATE, ENERVATE, SAP, UNDO, WEAKEN, DEVITALIZE, ENFEEBLE, THIN, UNNERVE, DILUTE, RAREFY, UNDERMINE, WATER
192
audacious
fearless and daring
ex. "And you, your majesty, may kiss my bum!" replied the AUDACIOUS peasant
Words with Similar Meanings:
ADVENTURESOME, BOLD, DARING, FEARLESS, HEROIC, PLUCKY, UNAFRAID, VALOROUS, AGGRESSIVE, BRAVE, DAUNTLESS, GALLANT, INTREPID, STOUT, UNDAUNTED, VENTURESOME, ASSERTIVE, COURAGEOUS, DOUGHTY, GAME, METTLESOME, STOUTHEARTED, VALIANT, VENTUROUS
198
augury
a prophecy; a prediction of events
199
august
dignified; grandiose
200
AUSTERE
severe or stern in appearance, undecorated
The lack of decoration makes Zen temples seem AUSTERE to the untrained eye
Related Words:
AUSTERITY: severity, especially poverty
Words with Similar Meanings:
BLEAK, HARD, DOUR, HARSH, GRIM, SEVERE
209
austere
severe or stern in appearance; undecorated
210
axiom
premise; postulate; self-evident truth
211
BANAL
predictable, cliched, boring
He used BANAL phrases like Have a nice day, or Another day, another dollar.
Related Words: BANALITY
Words with Similar Meanings:
BLAND, COMMONPLACE, INNOCUOUS, MUSTY, QUOTIDIAN, STEREOTYPIC, TIRED, WORN-OUT, BROMIDIC, FATUOUS, INSIPID, PLATITUDINOUS, SHOPWORN, THREADBARE, TRITE, CLICHED, HACKNEYED, JEJUNE, PROSAIC, STALE, TIMEWORN, VAPID
219
belfry
a bell tower; the room in which a bell is hung
220
bevy
a group
221
bifurcate
to divide into two parts
222
bilk
to cheat; to defraud
223
blight
to afflict; to destroy
224
blithe
joyful, cheerful, or without appropriate thought
225
bolster
to support; to prop up
ex. The presence of giant footprints BOLSTERED the argument that Sasquatch was in the area
Words with Similar Meanings:
BRACE, SUPPORT, UPHOLD, BUTTRESS, SUSTAIN, PROP, UNDERPIN
231
bombastic
pompous in speech and manner
ex. Mussolini's speeches were mostly BOMBASTIC; his boasting and outrageous claims had no basis in fact.
Related Words:
BOMBAST: pompous speech or writing
Words with Similar Meanings:
BLOATED, GRANDILOQUENT, MAGNILOQUENT, RHETORICAL, DECLAMATORY, GRANDIOSE, OROTUND, SELF-IMPORTANT, FUSTIAN, HIGH-FOWN, PRETENTIOUS
240
bonhomie
good-natured geniality; an atmosphere of good cheer
241
boor
a crude person; one lacking manners or taste
242
burgeon
to grow and flourish
243
burnish
to polish
244
cabal
a secret group seeking to overturn something
245
cacophony
a harsh, jarring noise
ex. The junior high orchestra created an almost unbearable CACOPHONY as they tried to tune their instruments
Words with Similar Meanings:
DISCORD, NOISE, CHAOS, CLAMOR, DISHARMONY, DIN
251
calumny
a false and malicious accusation; misrepresentation
252
canard
a lie
253
candid
impartial and honest in speech
ex. The observations of a child can be charming since they are CANDID and inpretentious
Words with Similar Meanings:
DIRECT, HONEST, STRAIGHT, FORTHRIGHT, OPEN, STRAIGHTFORWARD, FRANK, SINCERE, UNDISGUISED
259
capricious
changing one's mind quickly and often
ex. Queen Elizabeth I was quite CAPRICIOUS; her courtiers could never be sure which of their number would catch her fancy
Related Words:
CAPRICE: whim, sudden fancy
Words with Similar Meanings:
ARBITRARY, ERRATIC, MERCURIAL, WILLFUL, CHANCE, FICKLE, RANDOM, CHANGEABLE, INCONSTANT, WHIMSICAL
268
cartography
the science or art of making maps
269
castigate
to punish or criticize harshly
ex. Americans are amazed at how harshly the authorities in Singapore CASTIGATE perpetrators of what would be considered minor crimes in the United States.
Words with Similar Meanings:
ADMONISH, REBUKE, REPROVE, UNBRAID, CHASTISE, REPRIMAND, SCOLD, CHIDE, REPROACH, TAX
275
catalyst
something that brings about a change in something else
ex. The imposition of harsh taxes was the CATALYST that finally brought on the revolution
Related Words:
CATALYZE: to bring about a change in something else
281
catholic
universal; broad and comprehensive
282
caustic
biting in wit
ex. Dorothy Parker gained her reputation for CAUSTIC wit from her cutting, yet clever, insults.
Words with Similar Meanings:
ACERBIC, TRENCHANT, BITING, MORDANT
288
CHAOS
great disorder or confusion
ex. In most religious traditions, God created an ordered universe from CHAOS.
Related Words:
CHAOTIC: jumbled, confused
Words with Similar Meanings:
CLUTTER, DISARRAY, DISORGANIZATION, MUDDLE, TOPSY-TURVINESS, CONFUSION, DISORDER, JUMBLE, SCRAMBLE, TURMOIL, DISARRANGEMENT, DISORDERLINESS, MESS, SNARL
297
chaos
great disorder; a confused situation
298
chauvinist
someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he or she belongs
ex. The attitude that men are inherently superior to women and therefore must be obeyed is common among male CHAUVINISTS.
Words with Similar Meanings:
PARTISAN
304
chicanery
deception by means of craft or guile
ex Dishonest used car salesmen often use CHICANERY to sell their beat-up old cars
Words with Similar Meanings:
ARTIFICE, DECEPTION, PETTIFOGGERY, SOPHISTRY, CONNIVING, DEVIOUSNESS, SHADINESS, SUBTERFUGE, CRAFTINESS, MISREPRESENTATION, SNEAKINESS, UNDERHANDEDNESS
310
circumspect
cautious; aware of potential consequences
311
cloying
sickly sweet; excessive
312
coalesce
to grow together to form a single whole
313
coffer
a strongbox; a large chest for money
314
COGENT
convincing and well reasoned
ex. Swayed by the COGENT argument of the defense, the jury had no choice but to acquit the defendant
Related Words:
COGITATE: to think deeply
Words with Similar Meanings:
CONVINCING, SOUND, PERSUASIVE, TELLING, SOLID, VALID
323
cogent
convincing and well-reasoned
324
collusion
a collaboration; complicity; conspiracy
325
condone
to overlook, pardon, or disregard
ex. Some theorists believe that failing to prosecute minor crimes is the same thing as CONDONING an air of lawlessness
Words with Similar Meanings:
EXCULPATE, REMIT, EXCUSE, PARDON
331
connoisseur
a person with expert knowledge or discriminating tastes
332
contrite
deeply sorrowful and repentant for a wrong
333
contumacious
rebellious
334
convoluted
intricate and complicated
ex. Although many people bought A Brief History of Time, few could follow its CONVOLUTED ideas and theories.
Words with Similar Meanings:
BYZANTINE, INTRICATE, PERPLEXING, COMPLEX, KNOTTY, TANGLED, ELABORATE, LABRYINTHINE
340
corroborate
to provide supporting evidence
ex. Fingerprints CORROBORATED the witness's testimony that he saw the defendant in the victim's apartment.
Words with Similar Meanings:
AUTHENTICATE, BUTTRESS, VALIDATE, BACK, CONFIRM, VERIFY, BEAR OUT, SUBSTANTIATE
346
cosset
to pamper; to treat with great care
347
coterie
an intimate group of persons with a similar purpose
348
craven
lacking courage
349
credulous
too trusting, gullible
ex. Although some 4-year-olds believe in the Easter Bunny, only the most CREDULOUS 9-year-olds also believe in him
Related Words:
CREDULITY: the quality of being credulous
Words with Similar Meanings:
NAIVE, SUSCEPTIBLE, TRUSTING
358
crescendo
steady increase in volume or force
| ex. The CRESCENDO of tension became unbearable as Evel Knievel prepared to jump his motorcycle over the school buses.
360
cupidity
greed; strong desire
361
curmudgeon
a cranky person, usually an old one
362
debutante
a young woman making debut in high society
363
decorum
appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety
364
DECORUM
appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety
ex. The countess complained that the vulgar peasants lacked the DECORUM appropriate for a visit to the palace.
Related Words:
DECOROUS: conforming to acceptable standards
Words with Similar Meanings:
CORRECTNESS, MANNERS, SEEMLINESS, DECENCY, MORES, ETIQUETTE, PROPRIETY
373
DEFERENCE
respect, courtesy
ex. The respectful young law clerk treated the Supreme Court justice with the utmost DEFERENCE.
Related Words:
DEFER: to delay, to show someone deference,
DEFERENT: courteous and respectful
Words with Similar Meanings:
COURTESY, OBEISANCE, VENERATION, HONOR, RESPECT, HOMAGE, REVERENCE
383
deleterious
subtly or unexpectedly harmful
384
DERIDE
to speak of or to treat with contempt; to mock
ex. The awkward child was often DERIDED by his "cooler" peer.
Related Words:
DERISION: mockery and taunts
DERISIVE: in a mocking manner
Words with Similar Meanings:
GIBE, RIDICULE, TAUNT, JEER, SCOFF, MOCK, SNEER
394
DESICCATE
to dry out thoroughly
ex. After a few weeks of lying on the desert's baking sands, the cow's carcass became completely DESICCATED.
Related Words:
DESICCANT: something that removes water from another substance
Words with Similar Meanings:
DRY, PARCH, DEHYDRATE
403
DESULTORY
jumping from one thing to another; disconnected
ex. Diane had a DESULTORY academic record; she had changed majors 12 times in 3 years/
Words with Similar Meanings:
AIMLESS, HAPHAZARD, PURPOSELESS, UNCONSIDERED, DISCONNECTED, INDISCRIMINATE, RANDOM, UNPLANNED, ERRATIC, OBJECTLESS, STRAY
409
DIATRIBE
an abusive, condemnatory speech
ex. The trucker bellowed a DIATRIBE at the driver who had cut him off.
Words with Similar Meanings:
FULMINATION, JEREMIAD, TIRADE, HARANGUE, MALEDICTION, INVECTIVE, OBLOQUY
415
DIFFIDENT
lacking self-confidence
ex. Steve's DIFFIDENT manner during the job interview stemmed from his nervous nature and lack of experience in the field.
Words with Similar Meanings:
BACKWARD, DEMURE, SELF-EFFACING, BASHFUL, MODEST, SHY, COY, RETIRING, TIMID
421
DILATE
to make larger; to expand
ex. When you enter a darkened room, the pupils of your eyes DILATE to let in more light.
Words with Similar Meanings:
AMPLIFY, ENLARGE, DEVELOP, EXPAND, ELABORATE, EXPATIATE
427
DILATORY
intended to delay
ex. The congressman used DILATORY measures to delay the passage of the bill.
Words with Similar Meanings:
DRAGGING, LAGGING, SLOW-GOING, FLAGGING, SLOW, SLOW-PACED, LAGGARD, SLOW-FOOTED, TARDY
433
DILETTANTE
someone with an amateurish and superficial interest in a topic
ex. Jerry's friends were such DILETTANTED that they seemed to have new jobs and hobbies every week.
Words with Similar Meanings:
AMATEUR, TYRO, DABBLER, SUPERFICIAL
439
DIRGE
a funeral hymn or mournful speech
ex. Melville wrote the poem A DIRGE for James McPherson for the funeral of a Union general who was killed in 1864.
Words with Similar Meanings:
ELEGY, LAMENT
445
DISABUSE
to set right; to free from error
ex. Galileo's observations DISABUSED scholars of the notion that the Sun revolved around the Earth.
Words with Similar Meanings:
CORRECT, UNDECEIVE
451
DISCERN
to perceive; to recognize
ex. It is easy to DISCERN the difference between butter and butter-flavored topping.
Related Words:
DISCERNMENT: taste and cultivation
Words with Similar Meanings:
CATCH, DIFFERENTIATE, ESPY, SEPARATE, TELL, DESCRY, DISCRIMINATE, GLIMPSE, SPOT, DETECT, DISTINGUISH, KNOW, SPY
460
DISPARATE
fundamentally different; entirely unlike
ex. Although the twins appear to be identical physically, their personalities are DISPARATE.
Words with Similar Meanings:
DIFFERENT, DIVERSE, DISSIMILAR, VARIANT, DIVERGENT, VARIOUS
466
DISSEMBLE
to present a false appearance; to disguise one's real intentions or character
ex. The villain could DISSEMBLE to the police no longer- he admited the deed and tore up the floor to reveal the body of the old man.
Words with Similar Meanings:
ACT, CAMOUFLAGE, COVER UP, FAKE, MASQUERADE, PUT ON, AFFECT, CLOAK, DISGUISE, FEIGN, POSE, SHAM, ASSUME, COUNTERFEIT, DISSIMULATE, MASK, PRETEND, SIMULATE
472
DISSONANCE
harsh and disagreeable combination, often of sounds
ex. Cognitive DISSONANCE is the inner conflict produced when long-standing beliefs are contradicted by new evidence.
Words with Similar Meanings:
CLASH, DISSENSION, FRICTION, CONTENTION, DISSENT. STRIFE, DISCORD, DISSIDENCE, VARIANCE
478
DOGMA
a firmly held opinion, often a religious belief
ex. Linus' central DOGMA was that children who believed in the Great Pumpkin would be rewarded.
Words with Similar Meanings:
CREED, TENET, DOCTRINE, TEACHING
484
DOGMATIC
dictatorial in one's opinions
ex. The dictator was DOGMATIC- he, and only he, was right.
Words with Similar Meanings:
AUTHORITARIAN, DOCTRINAIRE, MAGISTERIAL, PEREMPTORY, BOSSY, DOMINEERING, MASTERFUL, DICTATORIAL, IMPERIOUS, OVERBEARING
490
DUPE
to deceive; a person who is easily deceived
ex. Bugs Bunny was able to DUPE Elmer Fudd by dressing up as a lady rabbit.
Words with Similar Meanings:
BEGUILE, COZEN, FOOL, MISLEAD, BETRAY, DECEIVE, HOODWINK, TAKE IN, BLUFF, DELUDE, HUMBUG, TRICK
496
ECLECTIC
selecting from or made up from a variety of sources
ex. Budapest's architecture is an ECLECTIC mix of Eastern and Western styles.
Words with Similar Meanings:
SELECTIVE, CATHOLIC, BROAD
502
EFFICACY
effective, productive
ex. The EFFICACY of penicillin was unsurpassed when it was first introduced; the drug completely eliminated almost all bacterial infections for which is was administered
Related Words:
EFFICACIOUS: effective, productive
Words with Similar Meanings:
DYNAMISM, FORCE, PROFICIENCY, EFFECTIVENESS, POWER, STRENGTH, EFFICIENCY, PRODUCTIVENESS, VIGOR
