Vocab

Question 1

encomium

Answer 1

praise

Question 2

perspicacity

“the perspicacity of her remarks”

Answer 2

astuteness

the quality of having a ready insight into things; shrewdness

Question 3

obloquy

“He endured years of contempt and obloquy.”

Answer 3

criticism

Question 4

pastiche

“the operetta is a pastiche of 18th century styles”

Answer 4

artwork that imitates other pieces

Question 5

panegyric

“Vera’s panegyric on friendship”

Answer 5

praise

Question 6

prevarication

“Because my sister Sarah does not take bad news well, I always prevaricate when telling her something she does not want to hear.”

Answer 6

speaking in an evasive fashion

to deviate from the truth; equivocate

Question 7

equivocation

“Sean continued to equivocate when the FBI persisted in their questioning”

Answer 7

to speak vaguely as to avoid revealing the truth; prevaricate

Question 8

discernment

“Sean showed an astonishing lack of discernment.”

Answer 8

ability to judge

Question 9

auspicious

it was not the most auspicious moment to hold an election

Answer 9

favourable; conducive to success

Question 10

intimation

Answer 10

implying or hinting at something

Question 11

contrivance / contrived

Answer 11

to pull off something in an artificial or unnatural manner.

Question 12

Esoteric

Answer 12

– known only to those with specialized knowledge

Question 13

Dilatory

Answer 13

– slow; delaying

Question 14

Polemic

Answer 14

– a written or verbal attack against someone

Question 15

Alacrity

The first three weeks at his new job, Mark worked with such alacrity that upper management knew they would be giving him a promotion

Answer 15

eager and willing to do something

Question 16

Prosaic

Unlike the talented artists in his workshop, Paul had no such bent for the visual medium, so when it was time for him to make a stained glass painting, he ended up with a prosaic mosaic.

Answer 16

** dull and lacking imagination

Question 17

verasity

After years of political scandals, the congressman was hardly known for his veracity; yet despite this distrust, he was voted into yet another term.

Answer 17

truthful

Question 18

eminent

Answer 18

(of a person) famous and respected within a particular sphere or profession.

Question 19

staid

Answer 19

sedate, respectable, and unadventurous.

Question 20

garrulous

Answer 20

excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.

Question 21

forlorn

Answer 21

pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely.

Question 22

gregarious

Answer 22

(of a person) fond of company; sociable.

Question 23

bumbling

Answer 23

blunder specifically : to speak ineptly in a stuttering and faltering manner

Question 24

prodigious

Answer 24

remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree

Question 25

probing

Answer 25

the act or an instance of making a thorough inquiry, such as one by a newspaper into corrupt practices.

Question 26

ingenuity

Answer 26

the quality of being clever, original, and inventive.

Question 27

coalesced

Answer 27

come together to form one mass or whole.

Question 28

sedulous

Answer 28

(of a person or action) showing dedication and diligence.

Question 29

clarion

Answer 29

loud and clear

Question 30

perdition

Answer 30

the place or state in which one suffers eternal punishment

Question 31

eccentricity

Answer 31

strange and unconventional behavior; quirky

Question 32

prod

Answer 32

push against gently

Question 33

prevaricate

Answer 33

be deliberately ambiguous or unclear

Question 34

emollient

Answer 34

a substance with a soothing effect when applied to the skin

Question 35

emollient

Answer 35

a substance with a soothing effect when applied to the skin

Question 36

fester

Answer 36

ripen and generate pus

Question 37

analogy

Answer 37

drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity

Question 38

analogy

Answer 38

drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity

Question 39

Aberration “The Fed will probably need convincing that the latest labour-market report was an aberrationbefore tightening policy.”

Answer 39

noun, a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected BEaR-Ant

Question 40

Abreast “These daily updates were designed to help readers keep abreast of the markets...”

Answer 40

adjective, Up to date with the latest news, ideas, or information Synonyms: in touch with, plugged into

Question 41

Abstain “The decision to abstain from such techniques, just and wise though it was, came at a cost.”

Answer 41

verb, Restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something | Synonyms: refrain, desist, hold back

Question 42

Abyss “Whose dire warnings about risks... seem most believable? Which abyss looks darker and deeper?”

Answer 42

noun, a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm | Synonyms: gorge, ravine, void

Question 43

Adept “An abundance of clever people—adept in English law as much as in finance—draws in banks, fund managers and so forth...”

Answer 43

Adept: adjective, Very skilled or proficient at something Synonyms: expert, proficient, accomplished

Question 44

Agog: “We are now agog to know when, on the basis of its forecasts, the Bank will push up interest rates...”

Answer 44

adjective, Very eager or curious to hear or see something | Synonyms: excited, impatient, in suspense

Question 45

Allure: “Yet it was the allure of the Model T for millions of consumers that finally drove the horse off the road.”

Answer 45

noun, the quality of being powerfully and mysteriously attractive or fascinating Synonyms: attraction, lure, draw

Question 46

Allure: “Yet it was the allure of the Model T for millions of consumers that finally drove the horse off the road.”

Answer 46

noun, the quality of being powerfully and mysteriously attractive or fascinating Synonyms: attraction, lure, draw

Question 47

Altruism “Dr Decety is not the first to wonder, in a scientific way, about the connection between religion and altruism.”

Answer 47

Altruism: noun, the belief in or practice of selfless concern for the well-being of others Synonyms: selflessness, compassion, goodwill

Question 48

Ambivalent “The first was a chronic lack of focus. Right from the start Yahoo was ambivalent about whether it should be a media or a technology company.”

Answer 48

Ambivalent: adjective, having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone Synonyms: equivocal, uncertain, unsure

Question 49

Annul “Last month’s election was a re-run of a vote in October 2015, the results of which were annulled after several candidates alleged electoral malpractice.”

Answer 49

Annul: verb, Declare invalid Synonyms: repeal, reverse, rescind

Question 50

Apathy “Perhaps most difficult will be overcoming the cynicism, and apathy, of the public.”

Answer 50

Apathy: noun, Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern Synonyms: indifference, passivity, ennui

Question 51

Arbitrary | “The prevailing belief among linguists had been that the sounds used to form those words were arbitrary.”

Answer 51

Arbitrary: adjective, Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system Synonyms: capricious, random, chance

Question 52

Arbiter “The viewer is, ultimately, the arbiter of influence: either partaking in the objectification, or actively challenging the power dynamic.”

Answer 52

Arbiter: noun, a person who settles a dispute or has ultimate authority in a matter Synonyms: authority, judge, controller

Question 53

Artless “He is loveably artless and embarrassingly awkward in his unstoppably cheerful attempts to win over the frosty members of the band...”

Answer 53

Artless: adjective, without guile or deception Synonyms: candid, direct, forthright

Question 54

Audacious “It was as audacious as any heist and yet unlikely material for a Hollywood blockbuster.”

Answer 54

Audacious: adjective, showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks Synonyms: bold, daring, fearless

Question 55

Austere “Not all Western airports have austere arrival concourses à la Heathrow; many have eateries and bars...”

Answer 55

Austere: adjective, Having an extremely plain and simple style or appearance Synonyms: unadorned, subdued, stark

Question 56

Blight “Yet the USFS predicts that within a couple of decades, because of slowing growth and climate-related blights, the forests will become an emissions source.”

Answer 56

Blight: noun, a thing that spoils or damages something Synonyms: affliction, scourge, bane

Question 57

Blithe “Mr. Cameron’s government was too posh, too cocky, too blithe about globalization’s merits, too metropolitan. Too Notting Hill.

Answer 57

Blithe: adjective, showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper Synonyms: indifferent, unconcerned, blasé “

Question 58

Blowhard “His name conjured up associations such as ‘arrogant’ and ‘blowhard’ ...”

Answer 58

Blowhard: noun, a person who blusters and boasts in an unpleasant way Synonyms: boaster, bragger, show-off

Question 59

Bolster | “If the results are confirmed, they will bolster voters’ belief in the system.”

Answer 59

Bolster: verb, Support or strengthen Synonyms: reinforce, prop up, boost

Question 60

Boycott “Conversely some prominent black women have called for a boycott, seeing Mr. Parker’s past as a disqualifying stain.”

Answer 60

Boycott: noun, a punitive ban that forbids relations with certain groups Synonyms: veto, shunning, rejection

Question 61

Bombastic “Cynics may ascribe Mr. Rubio’s mild tone to the diverse population of his home state, and the fact that bombastic Mr. Trump trails in the polls there.” Source: "A bloody week for America" published in The Economist

Answer 61

Bombastic: adjective, High-sounding but with little meaning; inflated Synonyms: pompous, blustering, turgid

Question 62

Burlesque “Madame JoJo’s, a burlesque bar in London’s Soho, had its license revoked in 2014 after two bouncers brandished a baseball bat at a rowdy crowd.”

Answer 62

Burlesque: noun, a variety show Synonyms: skit, farce, striptease

Question 63

Chronic “Pessimists think the productivity problem is chronic. Technological advances, they say, are ever-less revolutionary...”

Answer 63

Chronic: adjective, (Of a problem) long lasting and difficult to eradicate Synonyms: constant, continuing, persistent

Question 64

Cacophany

Answer 64

Cacophony: noun, a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds Synonyms: racket, noise, clamor “In 1957 New York’s subway contained a haphazard mishmash of fonts, both serif and sans, and a typographic designer, sick of the visual cacophony, submitted a brief to the New York City Transit Authority...” Source: "Fonts and cities: a love story" published in The Economist

Question 65

Coda

Answer 65

Coda: noun, a concluding event, remark or section Synonyms: ending, finale “With distinct ballad, opera and hard rock sections—and a pensive intro and coda, for good measure—the song was not for listeners in a hurry.” Source: "Bohemian Rhapsody's long legacy" published in The Economist

Question 66

Confound

Answer 66

Confound: verb, Prove (a theory, expectation, or prediction) wrong Synonyms: contradict, counter, go against “Yet in another sense, the Fed has confounded predictions—at least, those it made itself.” Source: "The Federal Reserve prepares to raise interest rates again" published in The Economist

Question 67

Deign

Answer 67

Deign: verb, Do something that one considers to be beneath one's dignity Synonyms: come down from one's high horse “If the Senate deigns to consider and confirm a nominee, do not expect changes overnight.” Source: "How the election will shape the Supreme Court" published in The Economist

Question 68

Disingenuous “But shamelessly self-interested and probably contrary to his real views on the EU though it is, the mayor’s move is perhaps not entirely disingenuous.”

Answer 68

Disingenuous: adjective, not candid or sincere Synonyms: dishonest, deceitful, duplicitous

Question 69

Docile

Answer 69

Docile: adjective, Ready to accept control or instruction; submissive Synonyms: compliant, obedient, pliant “Docile with humans, they are fierce defenders of territory and their young.” Source: "Breeding cows that can defend themselves against jaguars" published in The Economist

Question 70

Doff

Answer 70

Doff: verb, Remove (an item of clothing) Synonyms: lay hold of, take hold of “To don shoes, to doff them, or even to throw them at somebody?” Source: "Putting their best feet forward" published in The Economist

Question 71

Dote

Answer 71

Dote: verb, be extremely and uncritically fond of Synonyms: adore, love dearly, be devoted to “Falling birth-rates allowed parents to dote on fewer children, who were increasingly likely to go to school.” Source: "Love’s labour" published in The Economist

Question 72

Ephemeral

Answer 72

Ephemeral: adjective, Lasting for a very short time Synonyms: fleeting, passing, short-lived “One was Song Dong, just 19 and studying oil painting which he quickly abandoned. Now he is known for his performances and his ephemeral—sometimes edible—installations.” Source: "Robert Rauschenberg: Ripe for reassessment" published in The Economist

Question 73

Endow

Answer 73

Endow: verb, Provide with a quality, ability, or asset Synonyms: equip, bless, give “Good and inspiring teachers, meanwhile, such as... J.K. Rowling’s Minerva McGonagall, are portrayed as endowed with supernatural gifts...” Source: "Teaching the teachers" published in The Economist

Question 74

Ethos

Answer 74

Ethos: noun, the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community Synonyms: character, atmosphere, climate “Mr. Cotton presented himself as a member of the generation moved by the patriotic spirit... leaving civilian careers to join the army and learn a ‘warrior ethos.’” Source: "Growing Cotton in Iowa" published in The Economist

Question 75

Facetious

Answer 75

Facetious: adjective, Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor Synonyms: flippant, glib, tongue-in-cheek “'More disturbing,' says Mr. Hart, I didn't note that his column was facetious. In tone, it was indeed, and I should have noted that.” Source: "The etymological fallacy" published in The Economist

Question 76

Faction

Answer 76

Faction: noun, a small, organized, dissenting group within a larger one, especially in politics Synonyms: contingent, section, sector “One particular separatist faction is now widely accepted to have been responsible for a string of small bombs which detonated in August...” Source: "The death of the Thai king throws the country into turmoil" published in The Economist

Question 77

Fallow

Answer 77

Fallow: adjective, Inactive Synonyms: dormant, quiet, slack “Their fickle attention might waver for a few fallow years of rebuilding, but Angel Stadium will still be standing...” Source: "Why baseball’s best player should be sent packing" published in The Economist

Question 78

Falter

Answer 78

Falter: verb, Move unsteadily or in a way that shows lack of confidence Synonyms: stumble, fumble “His early steps were faltering, and a frailer soul might have been daunted by his mentors’ fate...” Source: "Obituary: John Glenn died on December 8th" published in The Economist

Question 79

Flail

Answer 79

Flail: verb, Flounder; struggle uselessly Synonyms: thrash, thresh, squirm “This means that, a good accent, rhythm and grammar notwithstanding, the intermediate-to-advanced learner is likely to flail...” Source: "The humble linguist" published in The Economist

Question 80

Fluke

Answer 80

Fluke: noun, Unlikely chance occurrence, especially a surprising piece of luck Synonyms: coincidence, accident, a twist of fate “Was this a fluke? Mr. Baker is not the first to notice the anomaly.” Source: "Risk and the stockmarket" published in The Economist

Question 81

Forage

Answer 81

Forage: verb, (of a person or animal) search widely for food or provisions Synonyms: hunt, scavenge, grub “And you must be ready to abandon tired orthodoxies of the left and right and forage for good ideas across the political spectrum.” Source: "The next supermodel" published in The Economist

Question 82

Fortuitous

Answer 82

Fortuitous: adjective, Happening by a lucky chance Synonyms: fortunate, advantageous, opportune “Thanks to these sensible policies, and the fortuitous tailwind of higher productivity growth, the economy boomed and prosperity was shared.” Source: "Can she fix it?" published in The Economist

Question 83

Fringe

Answer 83

Fringe: noun, the unconventional, extreme, or marginal wing of a group or sphere of activity Synonyms: peripheral, radical, unorthodox “Fringe beliefs reinforced in these ways can establish themselves and persist long after outsiders deem them debunked...” Source: "Yes, I’d lie to you" published in The Economist

Question 84

Garner

Answer 84

Garner: verb, Gather or collect (something, especially information or approval) Synonyms: accumulate, amass, assemble “Labs that garnered more pay-offs were more likely to pass on their methods to other, newer labs...” Source: "Incentive malus" published in The Economist

Question 85

Gist

Answer 85

Gist: noun, the substance or essence of a speech or text Synonyms: quintessence, main idea “Machine translation, too, has gone from terrible to usable for getting the gist of a text...” Source: "Finding a voice" published in The Economist

Question 86

Gossamer

Answer 86

Gossamer: adjective, Used to refer to something very light, thin, and insubstantial or delicate Synonyms: gauzy, gossamery, fine “Like a saintly relic, the gossamer threads that tie the two halves offer the promise of miraculous healing by evoking the vulnerability of the suffering body.” Source: "Die and do" published in The Economist

Question 87

Grovel

Answer 87

Grovel: verb, Act in an obsequious manner in order to obtain someone's forgiveness or favor Synonyms: be servile, suck up, flatter “She writes...in the knowledge that some of these lovers will snoop into her diary to see what she's written. ('Does she get a kick out of my groveling in the last two years?)” Source: "When she was good" published in The Economist

Question 88

Harangue

Answer 88

Harangue: noun, a lengthy and aggressive speech Synonyms: tirade, diatribe, rant “State-run China Central Television (CCTV) has broadcast harsh criticisms of some multinationals, including an absurd harangue over Starbucks’ prices...” Source: "A harder road ahead" published in The Economist

Question 89

Impetuous

Answer 89

Impetuous: adjective, Acting or done quickly and without thought or care Synonyms: impulsive, rash, hasty “The report holds many lessons, including for this newspaper, which supported the invasion of Iraq: about the danger of impetuous decision-making...” Source: "The dangerous chill of Chilcot" published in The Economist

Question 90

Inert

Answer 90

Inert: adjective, Lacking vigor Synonyms: idle, inactive, underactive “America’s founders, he argued, put their faith in reasoned discussion among citizens and believed that the 'greatest menace to freedom is an inert people.' “ Source: "Citizen Brandeis" published in The Economist

Question 91

Indictment

Answer 91

Indictment: noun, a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime Synonyms: arraignment, citation “A criminal indictment would, in all likelihood, force the prime minister to resign.” Source: "A new scandal rocks Israel’s prime minister" published in The Economist

Question 92

Ingrate

Answer 92

Ingrate: noun, an ungrateful person “Greater liberty... over the past generation is abused by ingrates who think it funny to depict their leaders pantless...” Source: "Run!" published in The Economist

Question 93

Insipid

Answer 93

Insipid: adjective, Lacking vigour or interest Synonyms: boring, vapid, dull “It was a stultifying procession of patriotic songs... insipid skits and bald propaganda.” Source: "Core values" published in The Economist

Question 94

Lax

Answer 94

Lax: adjective, Not sufficiently strict, severe, or careful Synonyms: slack, slipshod, negligent “Mario Draghi has faced attacks from critics in Germany (for being too lax) and Greece (for being too tight).” Source: "Rethinking central bank independence" published in The Economist

Question 95

Listless

Answer 95

Listless: adjective, (Of a person or their manner) lacking energy or enthusiasm Synonyms: lethargic, enervated, lackadaisical “Ukraine is brimming with weapons and thousands of militiamen, angry with a corrupt and listless government they feel has hijacked the revolution.” Source: "Mr. Saakashvili goes to Odessa" published in The Economist

Question 96

Loll

Answer 96

Loll: verb, Sit, lie, or stand in a lazy, relaxed way Synonyms: lounge, sprawl, drape oneself “The pair loll on a green hillside at Murnau south of Munich where Münter had bought a house.” Source: "Eye music" published in The Economist

Question 97

Livid

Answer 97

Livid: adjective, furiously angry Synonyms: infuriated, irate, fuming “A livid Vladimir Putin minced no words in his response, calling the downing a 'stab in the back'...” Source: "Turkey’s downing of a Russian jet was a confrontation waiting to happen" published in The Economist

Question 98

Lurid

Answer 98

Lurid: adjective, Presented in vividly shocking or sensational terms Synonyms: melodramatic, exaggerated, overdramatized “Their absence from the public eye, especially in a Western country with an abundant supply of good hospitals, tends to spark lurid rumours of illness and even death.” Source: "Malawi’s president disappears" published in The Economist

Question 99

Mar

Answer 99

Mar: verb, Impair the quality or appearance of Synonyms: spoil, ruin, damage “These oversights mar an otherwise engaging and interesting account, but perhaps it is natural that a history of space should have a few gaping holes.” Source: "The uncanny physics of empty space" published in The Economist

Question 100

Mince

Answer 100

Mince: verb, Use polite or moderate expressions to indicate disapproval “President Barack Obama didn’t mince his words in a tweet on June 21st, the day after the Senate failed to pass four proposals...” Source: "Senators fail the American people (again)" published in The Economist

Question 101

Minion

Answer 101

Minion: noun, a follower or underling of a powerful person Synonyms: henchman, yes-man, lackey “Its minions have set up thousands of social-media “bots” and other spamming weapons to drown out other content.” Source: "Yes, I’d lie to you" published in The Economist

Question 102

Mirth

Answer 102

Mirth: noun, Amusement, especially as expressed in laughter Synonyms: merriment, high spirits “A further proposal, to cut the salaries of senior public managers by 25%, has caused both anger and mirth.” Source: "Letting go, slowly" published in The Economist

Question 103

Modest

Answer 103

Modest: adjective, not excessively large, elaborate, or expensive Synonyms: ordinary, simple, plain “They can be seen in the modest dress, office decor and eating habits of Angela Merkel, the daughter of a Lutheran pastor...” Source: "How Martin Luther has shaped Germany for half a millennium" published in The Economist

Question 104

Morose

Answer 104

Morose: adjective, Sullen and ill-tempered Synonyms: sullen, sulky, gloomy “Mr. Macron’s can-do political energy stands out in morose France, home to 10% unemployment and growth last year of just 1.1%.” Source: "Beardless youth" published in The Economist

Question 105

Muse

Answer 105

Muse: noun, a person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist Synonyms: inspiration, influence, stimulus “Mr. Blackwell’s mother was Fleming’s mistress, muse and supposedly the model for Pussy Galore.” Source: "Island story" published in The Economist

Question 106

Oblique

Answer 106

Oblique: adjective, Not explicit or direct in addressing a point Synonyms: indirect, inexplicit, roundabout “'Fire at Sea' has been praised for offering an oblique, poetic alternative to a more conventional campaigning documentary...” Source: "The odd, award-winning migration movie 'Fire at Sea'" published in The Economist

Question 107

Opaque

Answer 107

Opaque: adjective, Not able to be seen through; not transparent Synonyms: cloudy, obscure “But Mr. Kim is so opaque and so little is known about how decisions come about in the capital, Pyongyang, that deterring North Korea is fraught with difficulty.” Source: "A nuclear nightmare" published in The Economist

Question 108

Overwrought “She made prodigious strides as a writer and learned to temper her overwrought outpourings.”

Answer 108

Overwrought: adjective, (of a piece of writing or a work of art) too elaborate or complicated in design or construction Synonyms: overblown, contrived, exaggerated

Question 109

Pertain

Answer 109

Pertain: verb, be appropriate, related, or applicable Synonyms: concern, relate to, be related to “Religious exceptions to the law, such as those pertaining to animal welfare, should ideally be ended...” Source: "Like other old institutions, England’s state religion uses artful adaptation" published in The Economist

Question 110

Pine

Answer 110

Pine: verb, Miss and long for the return of “Few DJs pine for the days of ones-and-twos; the possibilities of modern technology are too alluring.” Source: "Now that anyone can be a DJ, is the art form dead?" published in The Economist

Question 111

Placate

Answer 111

Placate: verb, Make (someone) less angry or hostile Synonyms: appease, pacify, mollify “The government has tried to placate voters without abandoning its policies.” Source: "It’s cold outside" published in The Economist

Question 112

Platitude

Answer 112

Platitude: noun, A remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful Synonyms: cliché, truism, commonplace “For most of her end-of-term grilling by the liaison committee... she wore an aquiline scowl, quibbling with the questions and, when pushed, cleaving to evasive platitudes...” Source: "Assessing the first six months of Theresa May" published in The Economist

Question 113

Pletora

Answer 113

Plethora: noun, a large or excessive amount Synonyms: excess, overabundance, surplus “Podcasts were facing fierce competition for audiences’ attention from a plethora of other new digital-native products including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.” Source: "2016: the year the podcast came of age" published in The Economist

Question 114

Posit

Answer 114

Posit: verb, Put forward as fact or as a basis for argument Synonyms: postulate, propound, submit “Mr. Ansar and his co-authors assume this margin is 40%: they posit a ratio of expected benefits to costs of 1.4 for every project.” Source: "Opinion is divided on China’s massive infrastructure projects" published in The Economist

Question 115

Prodigal

Answer 115

Prodigal: noun, a person who leaves home and behaves recklessly, but later makes a repentant return “As the 73-year-old Mr. Obiang becomes frailer, his sons, including the prodigal Teodorín, have begun jockeying to succeed him.” Source: "Palace in the jungle" published in The Economist

Question 116

Prophetic

Answer 116

Prophetic: adjective, Accurately describing or predicting what will happen in the future Synonyms: predictive, visionary “As the depleted council began, Metropolitan Kallistos Ware... said he still hoped it could avoid being mired in Orthodoxy’s internal woes and 'speak in a firm, prophetic voice' to humanity.” Source: "The autumn of the patriarchs" published in The Economist

Question 117

Purist

Answer 117

Purist: noun, a person who insists on absolute adherence to traditional rules or structures Synonyms: pedant, dogmatist, perfectionist “From this purist point of view, there is only one Christian church worthy of the name....” Source: "Eastern Christian leaders face ultra-conservative grumbles as they prepare for a summit" published in The Economist

Question 118

Pyre

Answer 118

Pyre: noun, a heap of combustible material, especially one for burning a corpse as part of a funeral ceremony “Yet Ms McInerney takes the story deeper, skillfully setting a funeral pyre 'for that Ireland'...” Source: "Irish charm" published in The Economist

Question 119

Quack

Answer 119

Quack: noun, a person who dishonestly claims to have special knowledge in some field Synonyms: swindler, charlatan, fraud “That can cause malnutrition and eating disorders—and supports a vast, quack-ridden diet industry.” Source: "Declare war on misleading metaphors" published in The Economist

Question 120

Reticence

Answer 120

Reticence: noun, the quality of not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily Synonyms: reserve, introversion, restraint “Mr. Harding is more comfortable with facts; with classic English reticence, he buries his family’s responses in footnotes and summaries.” Source: "Vantage point" published in The Economist

Question 121

Rue

Answer 121

Rue: verb, Bitterly regret (something one has done or allowed to happen) Synonyms: deplore, lament, bemoan “Meanwhile, Mr. Showalter will now have a long six months to rue his slavery to the save rule before his club plays another game.” Source: "Progressive managers are finding sweet relief by unshackling their closers" published in The Economist

Question 122

Ruminate

Answer 122

Ruminate: verb, Think deeply about something Synonyms: contemplate, consider, mull over “Alfred Sauvy, the French thinker... was prone to worry that the first world would become 'a society of old people, living in old houses, ruminating about old ideas.'” Source: "Age invaders" published in The Economist

Question 123

Stigma

Answer 123

Stigma: noun, a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person Synonyms: shame, disgrace, dishonour “A stigma against adults having fun, strong in the aftermath of the Second World War, has faded.” Source: "Toymakers bounce back in the land of adult nappies" published in The Economist

Question 124

Strut

Answer 124

Strut: verb, Walk with a stiff, erect, and apparently arrogant or conceited gait Synonyms: swagger, prance, parade “Dogs strut their stuff on its pavements tricked out in tutus, hoodies, boots, overalls and trousers.” Source: "Furry fashionable" published in The Economist

Question 125

Strut

Answer 125

Strut: verb, Walk with a stiff, erect, and apparently arrogant or conceited gait Synonyms: swagger, prance, parade “Dogs strut their stuff on its pavements tricked out in tutus, hoodies, boots, overalls and trousers.” Source: "Furry fashionable" published in The Economist

Question 126

Sublime

Answer 126

Sublime: adjective, of very great excellence or beauty Synonyms: awe-inspiring, awesome, majestic “Yet life in the ocean can still mount sublime spectacles.” Source: "If the ocean was transparent" published in The Economist

Question 127

Syncopation

Answer 127

Syncopation: noun, A displacement of the beat or accents in (music or a rhythm) so that strong beats become weak and vice versa “She dances an assortment of lissom steps, marvelously shedding shoes and socks as the Beethoven famously shifts from solemnity to syncopation.” Source: "Her final steps" published in The Economist

Question 128

Surly

Answer 128

Surly: adjective, Bad-tempered and unfriendly Synonyms: ill-natured, grumpy, glum “Here, poverty and economic decline has led to the surly separation of a left-behind, resentful white working class and a Muslim minority.” Source: "Integration nation" published in The Economist

Question 129

Taunt

Answer 129

Taunt: noun, A remark made in order to anger, wound, or provoke someone Synonyms: jeer, gibe, sneer “But in the past two years taunts have turned into deadly attacks.” Source: "Murder for profit" published in The Economist

Question 130

Tawdry

Answer 130

Tawdry: adjective, Showy but cheap and of poor quality Synonyms: gaudy, flashy, garish “A team of 21 organisers resigned from the National Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine (NPBCU), throwing the festival of tawdry pop into doubt.” Source: "Why Ukraine’s Eurovision song contest is in crisis" published in The Economist

Question 131

Temperate

Answer 131

Temperate: adjective, Relating to or denoting a region or climate characterized by mild temperatures Synonyms: mild, clement, pleasant “It can remain temperate in such a close orbit only because Proxima is a red dwarf, and thus much cooler than the sun. “ Source: "Proximate goals" published in The Economist

Question 132

Terse

Answer 132

Terse: adjective, Sparing in the use of words Synonyms: curt, brusque, abrupt “In a terse phone-call on Thursday night, President Barack Obama paused only briefly to congratulate Mr. Netanyahu on his victory...” Source: "Picking up the pieces" published in The Economist

Question 133

Tome

Answer 133

Tome: noun, a book, especially a large, heavy, scholarly one Synonyms: volume, work, opus “It is a tome to which most recent arguments about regulation and economic reform are merely annotations.” Source: "Britain’s newly interventionist economic consensus is a question, not an answer" published in The Economist

Question 134

Torrid

Answer 134

Torrid: adjective, Full of difficulty or tribulation “The pound, after a few torrid days of trading immediately after the vote, has stabilized.” Source: "How Britain’s post-referendum economy is faring" published in The Economist

Question 135

Transgression

Answer 135

Transgression: noun, an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct Synonyms: offense, crime, sin “We can forgive most kinds of transgression—anger, adultery, avarice—but we cannot forgive absurdity.” Source: "Can we forgive Anthony Weiner?" published in The Economist

Question 136

Treacherous

Answer 136

Treacherous: adjective, Guilty of or involving betrayal or deception Synonyms: traitorous, disloyal, perfidious “It sang of domineering men, treacherous women and the manly solace of tequila.” Source: "Mexico’s mirror" published in The Economist

Question 137

Vapid

Answer 137

Vapid: adjective, offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging; bland Synonyms: insipid, uninspired, uninteresting “Mr. Silver delighted in savaging commentators who relied on vapid clichés like 'momentum shifts' and 'game-changers.'” Source: "Pushback" published in The Economist

Question 138

Vestige

Answer 138

Vestige: noun, a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists Synonyms: remnant, remainder, fragment “He said this would remove a 'lingering vestige of the cold war.' “ Source: "Politics this week" published in The Economist

Question 139

Vilify

Answer 139

Vilify: verb, Speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner Synonyms: disparage, denigrate, defame “Its publications and social-media accounts, however, have vilified Turkey ever since the country decided last year to open its airbases to coalition jets...” Source: "Soft target" published in The Economist

Question 140

Viscous

Answer 140

Viscous: adjective, having a thick, sticky consistency between solid and liquid Synonyms: gummy, glue-like, gluey “Not all barrels of oil are alike. Crudes can be viscous like tar or so 'light' they float on water.” Source: "Crude measure" published in The Economist

Question 141

Volatile

Answer 141

Volatile: adjective, Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse Synonyms: tense, strained, turbulent “The period from the 1940s to the 1970s, when governments took primary responsibility for keeping economies out of slumps, was more volatile and inflationary...” Source: "The desperation of independents" published in The Economist

Question 142

Waffle

Answer 142

Waffle: noun, Lengthy but trivial or useless talk or writing Synonyms: prattle, hot air, drivel “Most voters say they know little about the candidates or their policies, some of which are pure waffle.” Source: "No walk in the Park" published in The Economist

Question 143

Waft

Answer 143

Waft: verb, Pass or cause to pass easily or gently through or as if through the air Synonyms: drift, float, glide “The acrid scent of smoke wafts from his clothes.” Source: "Despite tough talk, Indonesia’s government is struggling to stem deforestation" published in The Economist

Question 144

Wanton

Answer 144

Wanton: adjective, (of a cruel or violent action) deliberate and unprovoked Synonyms: malicious, malevolent, spiteful “Over the decades these Muslim non-people, without legal or any other sort of protection, have been the victims of wanton discrimination and violence…” Source: "Myanmar’s shame" published in The Economist

Question 145

Whitewash

Answer 145

Whitewash: verb, Deliberately attempt to conceal unpleasant facts about (a person or organization) Synonyms: cover up, sweep under the carpet “Indeed, in trying to whitewash the past, the government may stir up prejudice instead.” Source: "The politics of memory" published in The Economist

Question 146

Whittle

Answer 146

Whittle: verb, Reduce something in size, amount, or extent by a gradual series of steps Synonyms: erode, wear away, diminish “Democrats had spent a nervous September watching that lead whittle away after Mrs. Clinton’s bout of pneumonia...” Source: "Hillary Clinton’s polling compared with Barack Obama’s" published in The Economist

Question 147

Winsome

Answer 147

Winsome: adjective, Attractive or appealing in appearance or character Synonyms: engaging, charming, winning “By the time Mr. Pattinson came along as the winsome vampire in “Twilight”, the teenage rebels were starting the movie already dead.” Source: "James Dean, death-cult idol" published in The Economist

Question 148

Wizened

Answer 148

Wizened: adjective, Shriveled or wrinkled with age Synonyms: lined, creased, withered “His son, himself a wizened old man, is nonplussed by the news; he looks like an eccentric, or maybe the village drunk...” Source: "The meandering, sure-footed genius of "Thithi" published in The Economist

Question 149

Wry

Answer 149

Wry: adjective, Using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor Synonyms: ironic, sardonic, satirical “Catherine Merridale is one of the foremost foreign historians of Russia, combining wry insights with deep sympathy for the human beings...” Source: "Missed connection" published in The Economist

Question 150

Zeal

Answer 150

Zeal: noun, Great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective Synonyms: passion, zealousness, fervor “But it was his zeal in amassing land by borrowing heavily that gave him his edge—and ultimately brought him down.” Source: "A gambler on shale" published in The Economist

Question 151

Abasement

Answer 151

Abasement: noun, the action or fact of abasing or being abased; humiliation or degradation Synonyms: belittlement, disgrace “But of course, Europe needs more than humility or self-abasement if it is to absorb the migrants who are now sailing or trudging towards its heart.” Source: "A non-European pope is hailed as the greatest European" published in The Economist

Question 152

Acerbic

Answer 152

Acerbic: adjective, (Especially of a comment or style of speaking) sharp and forthright Synonyms: sardonic, biting, caustic “Mr. Zhang presented a friendly face in Hong Kong, prompting the Big Lychee, an acerbic local blog, to note: 'Few sights are more painful to behold than a senior Chinese Communist Party official attempting to be nice...'” Source: "Rocking boats, shaking mountains" published in The Economist

Question 153

Acolyte

Answer 153

Acolyte: noun, a person assisting the celebrant in a religious service or procession Synonyms: assistant, helper, follower “Critics refer to a ‘cult’ of ‘acolytes’ around a ‘Great Leader’, unwilling to challenge him or engage seriously with the work of non-Chomskyan scholars.” Source: "Noam Chomsky" published in The Economist

Question 154

Accession

Answer 154

Accession: verb, the action or process of formally joining an association or institution Synonyms: joining, signing up, enrollment “China had expected to win the status of a market economy in December, 15 years after its accession to the World Trade Organization...” Source: "An obsession with stable growth leads to vulnerabilities in China" published in The Economist

Question 155

Acumen

Answer 155

Acumen: noun, the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain Synonyms: astuteness, awareness, acuity “Literary critics admire his summer reading selections, musicians his playlists, scientists and tech entrepreneurs his acumen and curiosity.” Source: "A reflection on Barack Obama’s presidency" published in The Economist

Question 156

Abate

Answer 156

Abate: verb, become less intense or widespread Synonyms: subside, die away, die down “A broad cash crunch and broken supply chains threaten a sharp economic slowdown—albeit one that will abate...” Source: "The dire consequences of India’s demonetization initiative" published in The Economist

Question 157

Apostle

Answer 157

Apostle: noun, a vigorous and pioneering advocate or supporter of a particular cause Synonyms: proponent, promoter, propagandist “On the website of this apostle of anti-Americanism, there is an article rejoicing in the fact that the United States need no longer be treated as an enemy... “ Source: "Russian anti-liberals love Donald Trump but it may not be entirely mutual" published in The Economist

Question 158

Apprise

Answer 158

Apprise: verb, Inform or tell (someone) Synonyms: notify, let know, advise “If not exactly legitimate, secret information is often useful in apprising countries of the intentions of others.” Source: "What are the spies for?" published in The Economist

Question 159

Armada

Answer 159

Armada: noun, a fleet of warships Synonyms: flotilla, squadron, navy “This month he also unveiled plans to send an armada of tiny spaceships, powered by laser beams and equipped with all sorts of sensors...” Source: "Crazy diamonds" published in The Economist

Question 160

Winsome “By the time Mr. Pattinson came along as the winsome vampire in “Twilight”, the teenage rebels were starting the movie already dead.”

Answer 160

Winsome: adjective, Attractive or appealing in appearance or character Synonyms: engaging, charming, winning

Question 161

Wizened “His son, himself a wizened old man, is nonplussed by the news; he looks like an eccentric, or maybe the village drunk...”

Answer 161

Wizened: adjective, Shriveled or wrinkled with age Synonyms: lined, creased, withered

Question 162

Wry “Catherine Merridale is one of the foremost foreign historians of Russia, combining wry insights with deep sympathy for the human beings...”

Answer 162

Wry: adjective, Using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor Synonyms: ironic, sardonic, satirical

Question 163

Zeal “But it was his zeal in amassing land by borrowing heavily that gave him his edge—and ultimately brought him down.”

Answer 163

Zeal: noun, Great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective Synonyms: passion, zealousness, fervor

Question 164

Abasement “But of course, Europe needs more than humility or self-abasement if it is to absorb the migrants who are now sailing or trudging towards its heart.”

Answer 164

Abasement: noun, the action or fact of abasing or being abased; humiliation or degradation Synonyms: belittlement, disgrace

Question 165

Acerbic “Mr. Zhang presented a friendly face in Hong Kong, prompting the Big Lychee, an acerbic local blog, to note: 'Few sights are more painful to behold than a senior Chinese Communist Party official attempting to be nice...'”

Answer 165

Acerbic: adjective, (Especially of a comment or style of speaking) sharp and forthright Synonyms: sardonic, biting, caustic

Question 166

Acolyte “Critics refer to a ‘cult’ of ‘acolytes’ around a ‘Great Leader’, unwilling to challenge him or engage seriously with the work of non-Chomskyan scholars.”

Answer 166

Acolyte: noun, a person assisting the celebrant in a religious service or procession Synonyms: assistant, helper, follower

Question 167

Accession “China had expected to win the status of a market economy in December, 15 years after its accession to the World Trade Organization...”

Answer 167

Accession: verb, the action or process of formally joining an association or institution Synonyms: joining, signing up, enrollment

Question 168

Acumen “Literary critics admire his summer reading selections, musicians his playlists, scientists and tech entrepreneurs his acumen and curiosity.”

Answer 168

Acumen: noun, the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain Synonyms: astuteness, awareness, acuity

Question 169

Abate “A broad cash crunch and broken supply chains threaten a sharp economic slowdown—albeit one that will abate...”

Answer 169

Abate: verb, become less intense or widespread Synonyms: subside, die away, die down

Question 170

Apostle “On the website of this apostle of anti-Americanism, there is an article rejoicing in the fact that the United States need no longer be treated as an enemy... “

Answer 170

Apostle: noun, a vigorous and pioneering advocate or supporter of a particular cause Synonyms: proponent, promoter, propagandist

Question 171

Apprise “If not exactly legitimate, secret information is often useful in apprising countries of the intentions of others.”

Answer 171

Apprise: verb, Inform or tell (someone) Synonyms: notify, let know, advise

Question 172

Armada “This month he also unveiled plans to send an armada of tiny spaceships, powered by laser beams and equipped with all sorts of sensors...”

Answer 172

Armada: noun, a fleet of warships Synonyms: flotilla, squadron, navy

Question 173

Arson “The political landscape already feels as ready to burn as any... drought-stricken forest, so that throwing inflammatory statements around would be as wicked as any act of arson.”

Answer 173

Arson: noun, the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property Synonyms: incendiarism, pyromania

Question 174

Ascribe “He had spent years training to be a neurosurgeon; his doctor first ascribed his sharp pains and dwindling frame to the demands of residency.”

Answer 174

Ascribe: verb, Attribute something to (a cause) Synonyms: attribute to, assign to, blame on

Question 175

Barrage “Whatever the outcome of individual claims, the barrage of litigation will probably prompt firms to adjust their online terms.”

Answer 175

Barrage: noun, A concentrated outpouring, as of questions or blows Synonyms: abundance, mass, profusion

Question 176

Bevy “Of the bevy of bullet points in Mr. Obama’s new package of executive actions, the most consequential is his decision to require significantly expanded background checks.”

Answer 176

Bevy: noun, a large group of people or things of a particular kind Synonyms: group, crowd, cluster

Question 177

Boor “End a sentence in a preposition, and there are still people who will think you a boor.”

Answer 177

Boor: noun, an unrefined, ill-mannered person Synonyms: lout, oaf, ruffian

Question 178

Bucolic “General Electric... is now swapping its bucolic site for a collection of warehouses on the Boston waterfront.”

Answer 178

Bucolic: adjective, Relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life Synonyms: rustic, rural, pastoral

Question 179

Canonical “The medium now mostly consists of recycling the same canonical works by European men from centuries past.”

Answer 179

Canonical: adjective, (Of an artist or work) belonging to the literary or artistic canon Synonyms: established, authoritative

Question 180

Capricious “But there is a body of academic work that supports the idea that elections often misfire. For one thing, voters can be capricious.”

Answer 180

Capricious: adjective, given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior Synonyms: fickle, inconstant, changeable

Question 181

Chauvinism “As recently as 2014, a biannual survey of right-wing attitudes in Germany found that xenophobia, chauvinism, anti-Semitism and authoritarian longings were declining.”

Answer 181

Chauvinism: noun, Excessive or prejudiced loyalty or support for one’s own cause, group, or gender Synonyms: jingoism, excessive patriotism, sectarianism

Question 182

Circumpsect “'This is an area where we need to be extraordinarily careful and circumspect', he said. 'We’re literally talking about life and death.'”

Answer 182

Circumspect: adjective, Wary and unwilling to take risks Synonyms: cautious, wary, careful

Question 183

Coalesce “As they radiate away, the waves tend to coalesce to form two main shock waves.”

Answer 183

Coalesce: verb, Come together and form one mass or whole Synonyms: merge, unite, fuse

Question 184

Coffer “This scheme drains public coffers and is horribly corrupt.”

Answer 184

Coffer: noun, the funds or financial reserves of a group or institution Synonyms: resources, money, finances

Question 185

Condone “Rashad Ali... argues that deradicalisation can be worse than useless if practitioners, while condemning IS, condone other violence.”

Answer 185

Condone: verb, Accept and allow (behavior that is considered morally wrong or offensive) Synonyms: disregard, let pass, excuse

Question 186

Contrite “As the election results were coming in, a contrite Mr. Turnbull took 'full responsibility' for the government’s poor performance.”

Answer 186

Contrite: adjective, Feeling or expressing remorse or penitence Synonyms: regretful, sorry, apologetic

Question 187

Credulous “Supplements boast a unique trifecta: lax regulation, potent marketing and millions of credulous consumers keen to pin their hopes of a healthier life on a pill.”

Answer 187

Credulous: adjective, having or showing too great a readiness to believe things Synonyms: gullible, naive

Question 188

Elucidate “One was from almost 600 people who had completed... a questionnaire intended to elucidatethe different tendencies of people to engage in sexual relationships without a deep emotional commitment.” Source: "Cads and dads" published in The Economist

Answer 188

Elucidate: verb, Make (something) clear Synonyms: explain, make plain, illuminate

Question 189

Endemic “One of the mysteries of epidemiology is why Asia does not suffer from yellow fever. The disease is endemic in Africa, the continent where it evolved.” Source: "A preventable tragedy" published in The Economist

Answer 189

Endemic: adjective, (Of a disease or condition) regularly found among particular people or in a certain area Synonyms: local, regional

Question 190

Epistemology “The only way to know for sure is to run the experiment (Mr. Lind's exotic epistemologynotwithstanding).” Source: "Michael Lind's bad argument against anything" published in The Economist

Answer 190

Epistemology: noun, the theory of knowledge, especially with regard to its methods, validity, and scope

Question 191

Epithet “Preposterous’ and ‘absurd’ were among the milder epithets that could be overheard in the multilingual din.” Source: "Snafus and successes at the Olympics" published in The Economist

Answer 191

Epithet: noun, an adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing; a term of abuse Synonyms: name, label, smear

Question 192

Errant “He could admit the error and fire the errant speechwriter.” Source: "Melania Trump’s excruciating blunder" published in The Economist

Answer 192

Errant: adjective, Erring or straying from the proper course or standards Synonyms: offending, guilty, culpable

Question 193

Esoteric “The subjects at hand often sound esoteric, if not silly, but the questions may prove more than merely academic.” Source: "Sneaking with the fishes" published in The Economist

Answer 193

Esoteric: adjective, Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest Synonyms: abstruse, obscure, arcane

Question 194

Exemplar ‘At times 'Utopia' seems less an exemplar of idealism, and more of a satire on it.” Source: "500 years on, are we living in Thomas More’s Utopia?" published in The Economist

Answer 194

Exemplar: noun, a person or thing serving as a typical example or excellent model Synonyms: epitome, perfect example

Question 195

Extol “This is likely to become a media circus, with patient advocates likely to attend and extol the benefits of the treatments they received.” Source: "A dish called hope" published in The Economist

Answer 195

Extol: verb, Praise enthusiastically Synonyms: go wild about, wax lyrical about

Question 196

Façade “Its grey stone façade and arched doorways convey a feeling of prosperity, a splash of high finance in this small county town in eastern China...” Source: "Big but brittle" published in The Economist

Answer 196

Façade: noun, the face of a building | Synonyms: front, frontage, exterior

Question 197

Fetid “The fetid smog that settled on Beijing in January 2013 could join the ranks of these game-changing environmental disruptions.” Source: "The East is grey" published in The Economist

Answer 197

Fetid: adjective, smelling extremely unpleasant Synonyms: stinking, smelly, foul-smelling

Question 198

Florid “A victorious Governor Jerry Brown, his voice gruffer, his pate sparer and his metaphors more florid than during his first stint in office...” Source: "Brownian motion" published in The Economist

Answer 198

Florid: adjective, using unusual words or complicated rhetorical constructions Synonyms: extravagant, grandiloquent

Question 199

Flout “It relies on its members, and on institutions... to shame and discourage people who flout important political norms.” Source: "How strong are the institutions of liberal societies?" published in The Economist

Answer 199

Flout: verb, Openly disregard Synonyms: defy, refuse to obey, go against

Question 200

Foible “The elder Bongo had a gift for politics as outsized as his personality (among other foibles, he liked to show off his pet tiger to guests).” Source: "Trying to get past oil" published in The Economist

Answer 200

Foible: noun, a minor weakness or eccentricity in someone’s character Synonyms: idiosyncrasy, eccentricity, peculiarity

Question 201

Itinerant “Her first America-set film is a freewheeling road movie in which an 18-year-old escapes a dysfunctional family by joining a group of itinerant young misfits.” Source: "Noblesse oblige at Cannes" published in The Economist

Answer 201

Itinerant: adjective, Traveling from place to place Synonyms: peripatetic, wandering, roving

Question 202

Largesse “All else equal, such largesse should indeed give the economy some temporary vim.” Source: "King of debt" published in The Economist

Answer 202

Largesse: noun, Generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others Synonyms: liberality, munificence, bounty

Question 203

Limpid “Unlike many writers of Spanish, he preferred short, simple sentences, and they gave his writing a limpid intensity.” Source: "Poet of a magical Latin American world" published in The Economist

Answer 203

Limpid: adjective, (especially of writing or music) clear and accessible or melodious Synonyms: lucid, plain, understandable

Question 204

Loquacious “Edwina, Williams’ mother, was judgmental, frigid and pious, but also as loquacious as her husband was laconic.” Source: "Making Tenn out of Tom" published in The Economist

Answer 204

Loquacious: adjective, Tending to talk a great deal Synonyms: talkative, voluble, communicative

Question 205

Lucid “But his style is lucid and his judgments scrupulously fair.” Source: "A near-run thing" published in The Economist

Answer 205

Lucid: adjective, Showing ability to think clearly Synonyms: rational, sane, in one's right mind

Question 206

Leery ``` “The past two decades have left working-class voters in many countries leery of globalisation.” Source: "Trade in the balance" published in The Economist ```

Answer 206

Leery: adjective, Cautious or wary due to realistic suspicions Synonyms: careful, circumspect, on one's guard

Question 207

Malign “Other, darker interpretations of what malign force the monster may represent once again abound...” Source: "A well-loved monster takes Japan’s box office by storm once again" published in The Economist

Answer 207

Malign: adjective, evil in nature or effect Synonyms: harmful, bad, malevolent

Question 208

Maudlin “Alas, he never really fixed his state’s finances, and voters at home have tired of his maudlintheatrics...” Source: "Chris Christie and Carly Fiorina drop out" published in The Economist

Answer 208

Maudlin: adjective, Self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental Synonyms: emotional, tearful, lachrymose

Question 209

Milieu “Armed with a view of themselves in a seething milieu of particles careening around a stretchy space-time, readers are reminded they are 'an integral part of the world which we perceive...'” Source: "The universe, writ small" published in The Economist

Answer 209

Milieu: noun, a person’s social environment Synonyms: sphere, background, backdrop

Question 210

Mire “Ms Park is hopelessly mired in an ever-deepening influence-peddling scandal.” Source: "Why Park Geun-hye should resign" published in The Economist

Answer 210

Mire: verb, involve someone or something in (a difficult situation) Synonyms: entangle, tangle up, embroil

Question 211

Modish “With these modish safety demonstrations becoming the norm, the question is what, exactly, do they accomplish?” Source: "Why airline safety videos are getting catchier" published in The Economist

Answer 211

Modish: adjective, Conforming to or following what is currently popular and fashionable Synonyms: modern, trendy, in

Question 212

Modish “With these modish safety demonstrations becoming the norm, the question is what, exactly, do they accomplish?” Source: "Why airline safety videos are getting catchier" published in The Economist

Answer 212

Modish: adjective, Conforming to or following what is currently popular and fashionable Synonyms: modern, trendy, in

Question 213

Morose “Mr. Macron’s can-do political energy stands out in morose France, home to 10% unemployment and growth last year of just 1.1%.” Source: "Beardless youth" published in The Economist

Answer 213

Morose: adjective, Sullen and ill-tempered Synonyms: sullen, sulky, gloomy

Question 214

Forestall “To forestall a social crisis, he mused, governments should consider a tax on robots; if automation slows as a result, so much the better.”

Answer 214

Forestall: verb, Prevent or obstruct (an anticipated event or action) by taking action ahead of time Synonyms: pre-empt, get in before, get ahead of

Question 215

Frenetic “Frenetic multi-tasking—surfing the web while watching TV while listening to music—is a formula for distraction, rather than good management.”

Answer 215

Frenetic: adjective, Fast and energetic in a rather wild and uncontrolled way Synonyms: frantic, wild, frenzied

Question 216

Gall With enough gall and entrepreneurial spirit, it suggests, anyone can end up driving a Porsche and living in a marble-floored luxury apartment.

Answer 216

Gall: noun, Bold, impudent behavior Synonyms: insolence, nerve, audacity

Question 217

Galvanize “'The decay of American politics,' Mr. Fukuyama writes, 'will probably continue until some external shock comes along to catalyze a true reform coalition and galvanize it into action.'”

Answer 217

Galvanize: verb, Shock or excite (someone), typically into taking action Synonyms: jolt, impel

Question 218

Gambit “What began as a gambit to hold together his divided Tory party is turning into an alarmingly close contest.”

Answer 218

Gambit: noun, a device, action, or opening remark, typically one entailing a degree of risk, that is calculated to gain an advantage Synonyms: plan, scheme, strategy

Question 219

Goad “Her words were meant to goad officials into action, not (presumably) to describe how she saw the coming four years of her term.”

Answer 219

Goad: verb, Provoke or annoy (someone) so as to stimulate some action or reaction Synonyms: spur, prod, egg on

Question 220

Gossamer “Like a saintly relic, the gossamer threads that tie the two halves offer the promise of miraculous healing by evoking the vulnerability of the suffering body.”

Answer 220

Gossamer: adjective, Used to refer to something very light, thin, and insubstantial or delicate Synonyms: gauzy, gossamery, fine

Question 221

Gouge “They do not want monopolists to gouge consumers and stifle innovation, yet they often struggle to determine the extent to which such things are happening.”

Answer 221

Gouge: verb, Overcharge; swindle

Question 222

Grandiloquent “The authors give it a rather grandiloquent name: the desire 'to force destiny, to create serendipity.'”

Answer 222

Grandiloquent: adjective, Pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner Synonyms: pompous, bombastic, magniloquent

Question 223

Grouse “Some economists grouse about such rules, which can interfere with the smooth functioning of competitive labour markets...”

Answer 223

Grouse: verb, complain pettily; grumble Synonyms: moan, groan, protest

Question 224

Hapless “By the 1970s, many fans argued that the spectacle of hapless pitchers feebly trying to fend off blazing fastballs was turning their at-bats into a mockery of the game.”

Answer 224

Hapless: adjective, (Especially of a person) unfortunate Synonyms: unlucky, luckless, out of luck

Question 225

Homage “Over the past year, numerous young directors have been paying gushing homage to the movies which enchanted them in their youth.”

Answer 225

Homage: noun, Special honour or respect shown publicly Synonyms: tribute, acknowledgement, admiration

Question 226

Imbue “Some feminists argue, moreover, that the very framework of economics is imbued with subtler forms of sexism.”

Answer 226

Imbue: verb, Inspire or permeate with a feeling or quality Synonyms: saturate, fill, suffuse

Question 227

Indolence “The indolence of a society brought up to expect that oil riches will be lavished upon them is another large hurdle.”

Answer 227

Indolence: noun, Avoidance of activity or exertion Synonyms: laziness, idleness, slothfulness

Question 228

Immutable “After all, whom institutions choose to celebrate and how they depict the past are choices to be debated, not immutable facts.”

Answer 228

Immutable: adjective, Unchanging over time or unable to be changed Synonyms: permanent, set, steadfast

Question 229

Impasse “The Catalan impasse is part of a wider Spanish gridlock. Elections on December 20th splintered the political landscape.”

Answer 229

Impasse: noun, a situation in which no progress is possible, especially because of disagreement Synonyms: deadlock, dead end, stalemate

Question 230

Inculcate “The tests and ceremonies were to start inculcating a sense of common values that had previously been lacking.”

Answer 230

Inculcate: verb, Instill (an attitude, idea, or habit) by persistent instruction Synonyms: imbue, infuse, inspire

Question 231

Inquest “A jury at a second inquest ruled that they were unlawfully killed.”

Answer 231

Inquest: noun, a judicial inquiry to ascertain the facts relating to an incident, such as a death Synonyms: enquiry, investigation, inquisition

Question 232

Irascible “He survived, but some of his contemporaries thought that the accident changed his personality from pleasant to irascible.”

Answer 232

Irascible: adjective, having or showing a tendency to be easily angered Synonyms: irritable, quick-tempered, short-tempered

Question 233

Laconic “After decades in obscurity, he has been resurrected as an important literary figure, praised for his laconic style and eyewitness testimony...”

Answer 233

Laconic: adjective, (of a person, speech, or style of writing) using very few words Synonyms: brief, concise, terse

Question 234

Prudish “Several Pacific nations ban cross-dressing (another hand-me-down from prudish Victorians).” Source: "Knife-edge lives" published in The Economist

Answer 234

Prudish: adjective, having a tendency to be easily shocked by matters relating to sex or nudity Synonyms: puritanical, prim, goody-goody

Question 235

Qualm “Qualms about the force’s quality extend beyond their handling of demonstrators.” Source: "The force is with who?" published in The Economist

Answer 235

Qualm: noun, an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear Synonyms: misgiving, doubt, reservation

Question 236

Qualm “Qualms about the force’s quality extend beyond their handling of demonstrators.” Source: "The force is with who?" published in The Economist

Answer 236

Qualm: noun, an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear Synonyms: misgiving, doubt, reservation

Question 237

Quell “So the correct response is to...plump up the capital cushions of its vulnerable banks with enough public money to quell fears of a systemic crisis.” Source: "The Italian job" published in The Economist

Answer 237

Quell: verb, Suppress (a feeling, especially an unpleasant one) Synonyms: calm, soothe, pacify

Question 238

Quibble “One can quibble with some of the detail; perhaps the labour market participation rate can rise again, particularly if baby boomers find they don't have enough money with which to retire.” Source: "Nevsky’s prospects: China, fat tails and opaque markets" published in The Economist

Answer 238

Quibble: verb, Argue or raise objections about a trivial matter Synonyms: object to, criticize, nitpick

Question 239

Quotidian “They are seers, and mystics unfettered by the quotidian, connecting with the divine and reporting back.” Source: "The figure of the mad artistic genius is compelling, but unhelpful" published in The Economist

Answer 239

Quotidian: adjective, Ordinary or everyday, especially when mundane Synonyms: day-to-day, average, daily

Question 240

Recalcitrant “In a move that may test the mettle of recalcitrant Senate Republicans, Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland, a widely respected and politically moderate judge...” Source: "Barack Obama nominates Merrick Garland to fill Antonin Scalia’s seat" published in The Economist

Answer 240

Recalcitrant: adjective, having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority Synonyms: uncooperative, intractable

Question 241

Recant “Analysts who predict turmoil are warned to shut up or recant.” Source: "The muzzle grows tighter" published in The Economist

Answer 241

Recant: verb, Say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief Synonyms: renounce, disavow, retract

Question 242

Recant “Analysts who predict turmoil are warned to shut up or recant.” Source: "The muzzle grows tighter" published in The Economist

Answer 242

Recant: verb, Say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief Synonyms: renounce, disavow, retract

Question 243

Salient “The reason for that emphasis may in part be because of the salient threat of terrorism…” Source: "The Democrats’ orchestral finale" published in The Economist

Answer 243

Salient: adjective, Most noticeable or important Synonyms: conspicuous, noticeable, obvious

Question 244

Sardonic “Ms Jefferson, it must be said, is a master of the arched-eyebrow, sardonic quip.” Source: "A world apart" published in The Economist

Answer 244

Sardonic: adjective, grimly mocking or cynical Synonyms: satirical, sarcastic, ironic

Question 245

Savant “The more a society treats its businesspeople as hero savants based on their professional successes, elevating them to positions of political power.” Source: "Let them die" published in The Economist

Answer 245

Savant: noun, a learned person, especially a distinguished scientist Synonyms: intellectual, scholar, sage

Question 246

Soliloquy “Patrick Stewart, for instance, reworked Hamlet’s soliloquy as an ode to the letter B ('B or not a B, that is the question').” Source: "Big Bird, big brain" published in The Economist

Answer 246

Soliloquy: noun, an act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud when by oneself, especially by a character in a play Synonyms: monologue, speech

Question 247

Stigma “A stigma against adults having fun, strong in the aftermath of the Second World War, has faded.” Source: "Toymakers bounce back in the land of adult nappies" published in The Economist

Answer 247

Stigma: noun, a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person Synonyms: shame, disgrace, dishonour

Question 248

Stigma “A stigma against adults having fun, strong in the aftermath of the Second World War, has faded.” Source: "Toymakers bounce back in the land of adult nappies" published in The Economist

Answer 248

Stigma: noun, a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person Synonyms: shame, disgrace, dishonour

Question 249

Stipulate “In trade negotiations, size matters. Larger economies can stipulate terms that suit them.” Source: "Britain’s excruciating embrace of Donald Trump shows how little independence it has gained from Brexit" published in The Economist

Answer 249

Stipulate: verb, Demand or specify (a requirement), typically as part of a bargain or agreement Synonyms: set down, set out, lay down

Question 250

Stratum “But exalting Western aviation security to a higher stratum than that found in Africa is a delusion.” Source: "The troubling case of the bomb on a flight from Mogadishu" published in The Economist

Answer 250

Stratum: noun, a thin layer within any structure Synonyms: level, class, echelon

Question 251

Subpoena “Subpoenas issued by a federal grand jury earlier this year demanded that the Port Authority hand over Mr. Samson’s personal travel records...” Source: "The chairman’s flight" published in The Economist

Answer 251

Subpoena: noun, A writ ordering a person to attend a court Synonyms: summons, mandate, court order

Question 252

Syntax “The three decided to record their reactions to Belinda’s not-particularly-erotic escapades and the author’s idiosyncratic syntax.” Source: "2016: the year the podcast came of age" published in The Economist

Answer 252

Syntax: noun, the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a languag

Question 253

Tenet “In the Warren and Burger courts of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, religious accommodation was a liberal tenet.” Source: "Left, right" published in The Economist

Answer 253

Tenet: noun, a principle or belief Synonyms: doctrine, precept, creed

Question 254

Tout “Providers have focused on the home, touting products such as coffee pots that turn on when the alarm clock rings...” Source: "Where the smart is" published in The Economist

Answer 254

Tout: verb, Attempt to sell (something), typically by pestering people in an aggressive manner Synonyms: endorse, urge

Question 255

Verbose “But in recent years they have become particularly verbose, bombarding consumers with any small detail that might enhance the brand.” Source: "It’s the real thing" published in The Economist

Answer 255

Verbose: adjective, Using or expressed in more words than are needed Synonyms: wordy, loquacious, long-winded

Question 256

Whet “But sham democracy often whets people’s appetite for the real thing.” Source: "The road less travelled" published in The Economist

Answer 256

Whet: verb, Excite or stimulate (someone's desire, interest, or appetite) Synonyms: arouse, rouse, trigger

Question 257

Urbane “Beneath its urbane surface all Mr. Hough’s music is, in one way or another, a crusade.” Source: "He’s the piano man" published in The Economist

Answer 257

Urbane: adjective, (Of a person, especially a man) courteous and refined in manner Synonyms: suave, sophisticated, debonair

Question 258

Abeyance “With the euro crisis in abeyance, high oil prices have become the latest source of worry for the world economy.” Source: "The new grease?" published in The Economist

Answer 258

Abeyance: noun, a state of temporary disuse or suspension Synonyms: suspense, remission, reserve

Question 259

Abjure “Since 1986 he has been asking candidates for public office to sign his Taxpayer Protection Pledge, in which they abjure tax increases of any sort forever.” Source: "It’s not over for Grover" published in The Economist

Answer 259

Abjure: verb, Solemnly renounce (a belief, cause, or claim) Synonyms: relinquish, reject, disavow

Question 260

Anodyne “The prospect of a day spent milling around... at the G20 summit this week, with nothing to show for it but an anodyne/2016-11-27">anodyne communiqué, must be depressing enough.” Source: "Agreeing to agree" published in The Economist

Answer 260

Anodyne: adjective, not likely to cause offence or disagreement and somewhat dull Synonyms: bland, inoffensive, innocuous

Question 261

Bilk “Partly because they are not paid properly, they bilk the system and get away with it, thanks to political contacts.” Source: "A tale of two villages" published in The Economist

Answer 261

Bilk: verb, Obtain or withhold money from (someone) by deceit or without justification Synonyms: swindle, defraud, deceive

Question 262

Canard “In March 2014 Newsweek... identified a man living in California... as the real Satoshi, but this turned out to be an embarrassing canard.”

Answer 262

Canard: noun, an unfounded rumor or story Synonyms: piece of gossip, whisper

Question 263

Catalyst “Europe, which is where the global refugee regime began 65 years ago... will have to be the catalyst for change.” Source: "Looking for a home" published in The Economist

Answer 263

Catalyst: noun, a person or thing that precipitates an event Synonyms: stimulus, impetus, spark

Question 264

Catharsis “...Robin Hanbury-Tenison, another British explorer, who is president of Survival International, calls 'the gosh factor'—that rush of amazement and catharsis when a pinnacle is reached or a mad exploit in some jungle or desert achieved...” Source: "A new age of discovery" published in The Economist

Answer 264

Catharsis: noun, the process of releasing and providing relief from strong or repressed emotions Synonyms: emotional release, relief

Question 265

Cloture 'If you do not have the support of 60 Senators to invoke cloture and end a filibuster... you cannot pass such a deeming resolution in the Senate.'” Source: "Why the Senate hasn't passed a budget" published in The Economist

Answer 265

Cloture: noun, (in a legislative assembly) a procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote

Question 266

Compendium “He relies on a crowdsourced compendium of fishermen’s tales.” Source: "Wiki-fishing" published in The Economist

Answer 266

Compendium: noun, a collection of concise but detailed information about a particular subject Synonyms: compilation, anthology

Question 267

Conscript “Most Jewish Israelis are conscripted into the military; about 100,000 new recruits, fresh out of secondary school, are drafted each year...” Source: "Tales from Silicon wadi" published in The Economist

Answer 267

Conscript: verb, Enlist (someone) compulsorily Synonyms: draft, recruit, call up

Question 268

Conscript “Most Jewish Israelis are conscripted into the military; about 100,000 new recruits, fresh out of secondary school, are drafted each year...” Source: "Tales from Silicon wadi" published in The Economist

Answer 268

Conscript: verb, Enlist (someone) compulsorily Synonyms: draft, recruit, call up

Question 269

Cosset “With a big haul, Scotland’s politicians could perhaps afford to cosset oil firms. Without one, the young nation might have to milk them harder than ever.” Source: "Running on fumes" published in The Economist

Answer 269

Cosset: verb, Care for and protect in an overindulgent way Synonyms: indulge, pander to

Question 270

Coterie “He rules through a tight coterie of loyal aides, many of whom worked with him in his previous job as governor of the state of Mexico...” Source: "The unspeakable and the inexplicable" published in The Economist

Answer 270

Coterie: noun, a small group of people with shared interests or tastes Synonyms: clique, circle, inner circle

Question 271

Daguerreotype "Indeed, the earliest applications of multimedia for remembrance were the post-mortem daguerreotypes used by grieving Victorians as mementos of their dear departed.” Source: "Difference Engine: Facebook for the dead" published in The Economist

Answer 271

Daguerreotype: noun, A photograph taken by an early photographic process employing an iodine-sensitized silvered plate and mercury vapor

Question 272

Dilettante “This is not the work of a dilettante, but a strong follow-up to her acclaimed short stories that came out in 2007.” Source: "Magical realism" published in The Economist

Answer 272

Dilettante: noun, a person who cultivates an area of interest without real commitment or knowledge Synonyms: dabbler, potterer, tinkerer

Question 273

Diurnal “People walk on two legs like most avian species. They are also largely diurnal and rely upon sight as their primary sense.” Source: "Fairy creatures" published in The Economist

Answer 273

Diurnal: adjective, (Of animals) active in the daytime Synonyms: daily, everyday

Question 274

Dross “Some of its best properties could be sold quickly, but the dross might take years to offload.” Source: "How Donald Trump should handle conflicts of interest" published in The Economist

Answer 274

Dross: noun, something regarded as worthless Synonyms: rubbish, junk, debris

Question 275

Ebullient “And in Elon Musk, its ebullient boss, it has a figurehead whose relentless promotion has quickly established Tesla as a luxury brand...” Source: "On a charge" published in The Economist

Answer 275

Ebullient: adjective, Cheerful and full of energy Synonyms: exuberant, buoyant, joyful

Question 276

Edify “Shows that revolve around women are so few and far between. The ones that exist are expected not only to entertain but to represent and edify us too.” Source: "Great expectations" published in The Economist

Answer 276

Edify: verb, Instruct or improve (someone) morally or intellectually Synonyms: educate, instruct, enlighten

Question 277

Egress “The government must 'protect passenger safety by mandating minimum seat pitch standards to preclude ingress/egress and health issues.'” Source: "A passenger revolt against squashed legroom" published in The Economist

Answer 277

Egress: noun, the action of going out of or leaving a place Synonyms: departure, exit, withdrawal

Question 278

Ersatz “As any computer scientist will tell you, creating an ersatz version of something in software is inevitably less precise and more computationally costly than simply making use of the thing itself.” Source: "You’ve got a nerve" published in The Economist

Answer 278

Ersatz: adjective, (Of a product) used as a substitute, typically an inferior one, for something else Synonyms: artificial, substitute, imitation

Question 279

Dyspeptic “Pity V.S. Naipaul: every couple of years or so the dyspeptic writer makes a pronouncement so extreme that it sounds like a plea for attention…” Source: "A bend in the logic" published in The Economist

Answer 279

Dyspeptic: adjective, Of or having indigestion or consequent irritability or depression Synonyms: bad-tempered, short-tempered, irritable

Question 280

Erstwhile “The stake of the Co-operative Group, its erstwhile owner, was reduced to just 20%.” Source: "The Co-op Bank puts itself up for sale" published in The Economist

Answer 280

Erstwhile: adjective, former Synonyms: old, past, one-time

Question 281

Euphony “'Good news—clarity's a-coming!' extol choristers from the Hot Air Ensemble in jouncing Harlemesque euphony...” Source: "Blasting the bombast" published in The Economist

Answer 281

Euphony: noun, the quality of being pleasing to the ear Synonyms: melodiousness, musicality

Question 282

Expiate “So, among the countless humiliations endured by a defeated nation, this was a petty one, now forgotten. It will be expiated on May 26th...” Source: "Rebuilding bridges" published in The Economist

Answer 282

Expiate: verb, Atone for (guilt or sin) Synonyms: make amends for, make up for

Question 283

Extant “The earliest extant painting dates to 1825 and shows him with vivid eyes and thin, sculpted lips.” Source: "Bosom buddies" published in The Economist

Answer 283

Extant: adjective, still in existence; surviving Synonyms: living, still existing, remaining

Question 284

Fracas “By the time the broadcaster took the video off its website a day later, it had caused a diplomatic fracas between Turkey and Germany.”

Answer 284

Fracas: noun, a noisy disturbance or quarrel Synonyms: scuffle, brawl, affray

Question 285

Frieze “A frieze on the wall of America's Supreme Court shows some of the great law-givers of history, including the Roman emperor Justinian, Moses and Muhammad.” Source: "Shalt or shalt not" published in The Economist

Answer 285

Frieze: noun, a broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration, especially on a wall near the ceiling

Question 286

Fusillade “But thanks to poor communication, many saw it as China’s first fusillade in a global currency war. “ Source: "Taking a tumble" published in The Economist

Answer 286

Fusillade: noun, a series of shots fired or missiles thrown all at the same time or in quick succession Synonyms: salvo, volley, bombardment

Question 287

Gaffe “Personally he is likeable. But he is also gaffe-prone and the progenitor of a series of undiplomatic comments...” Source: "Britain’s new prime minister will regret appointing Boris Johnson" published in The Economist

Answer 287

Gaffe: noun, an unintentional act or remark causing embarrassment to its originator Synonyms: blunder, mistake, error

Question 288

Gainsay “She was too young to know better, let alone gainsay her wicked uncle.” Source: "Royally embarrassed" published in The Economist

Answer 288

Gainsay: verb, Speak against or oppose (someone) Synonyms: be against, object to, be hostile to

Question 289

Gerontocracy “But Muhammad bin Salman is not merely a young face in a gerontocracy; he is a dynamic and apparently purposeful one.” Source: "The challenged kingdom" published in The Economist

Answer 289

Gerontocracy: noun, a state, society, or group governed by old people

Question 290

Gerontocracy “But Muhammad bin Salman is not merely a young face in a gerontocracy; he is a dynamic and apparently purposeful one.” Source: "The challenged kingdom" published in The Economist

Answer 290

Gerontocracy: noun, a state, society, or group governed by old people

Question 291

Halcyon “In their halcyon days the mainstream parties used to share most of the vote between them.” Source: "The churn down under" published in The Economist

Answer 291

Halcyon: adjective, Denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful Synonyms: happy, golden, idyllic

Question 292

Hegemony “Yet if the hegemony of the dollar is unstable, its would-be successors are unsuitable.” Source: "Dominant and dangerous" published in The Economist

Answer 292

Hegemony: noun, Leadership or dominance, especially by one group over others Synonyms: leadership, dominance, dominion

Question 293

Hermetic “More worryingly, there was a hermetic logic to them which, with the passions they aroused, made it possible to see how they could beguile and thrill many more.” Source: "How a nation went mad" published in The Economist

Answer 293

Hermetic: adjective, Insulated or protected from outside influences Synonyms: airtight, sealed

Question 294

Heterodox “Among those discriminated against for holding heterodox religious views, the Bahai community continues particularly to suffer.” Source: "Human rights in Iran are still atrocious" published in The Economist

Answer 294

Heterodox: adjective, not conforming with accepted or orthodox standards or beliefs Synonyms: unorthodox, heretical, dissenting

Question 295

Homogeneous “It also has proportionately more immigrants than almost anywhere else. Next to London, famously cosmopolitan cities like Paris and Berlin are actually rather homogeneous.” Source: "Britain’s unparalleled diversity is here to stay" published in The Economist

Answer 295

Homogeneous: adjective, of the same kind; alike Synonyms: uniform, identical, unvaried

Question 296

Homogeneous “It also has proportionately more immigrants than almost anywhere else. Next to London, famously cosmopolitan cities like Paris and Berlin are actually rather homogeneous.” Source: "Britain’s unparalleled diversity is here to stay" published in The Economist

Answer 296

Homogeneous: adjective, of the same kind; alike Synonyms: uniform, identical, unvaried

Question 297

Iconoclast “He has overtaken Manuel Valls, the centre-left prime minister, as the left’s most outspoken iconoclast, and shown up the Socialist left as die-hard conservatives.” Source: "How France’s economy minister is trying to change the country" published in The Economist

Answer 297

Iconoclast: noun, a person who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions Synonyms: critic, skeptic, dissenter

Question 298

Idyll “That might just persuade them to forgive the scriptwriters for the unwelcome disruption to their rural idyll.” Source: "Violence in the shires" published in The Economist

Answer 298

Idyll: noun, an extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque episode or scene Synonyms: perfect time, ideal time, honeymoon

Question 299

Ignoble “Moreover, by controlling the body he controlled the equally unruly mind, keeping it pure from 'ignoble strife'.” Source: "Raising the temple" published in The Economist

Answer 299

Ignoble: adjective, not honorable in character or purpose Synonyms: dishonorable, unworthy, base

Question 300

Impugn “Impugning Mr. Abe’s motives is too cynical. His commitment to economic revival was no doubt sincere...” Source: "Three-piece dream suit" published in The Economist

Answer 300

Impugn: verb, Dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of (a statement or motive) Synonyms: call into question, challenge

Question 301

Incise “This 12th-century incense burner is incised with calligraphy that identifies its maker and first owner.” Source: "Centuries of glory" published in The Economist

Answer 301

Incise: verb, Mark or decorate (an object or surface) with a cut or a series of cut Synonyms: engrave, etch, carve

Question 302

Incubus “The Japanese people, freed of the incubus of a war industry which by 1938 was absorbing 61 per cent of their national income, have a chance of recovering...” Source: "Victory in the East" published in The Economist

Answer 302

Incubus: noun, a cause of distress or anxiety

Question 303

Knell “The change in policy is a blow to the prison industry, but it hardly sounds a death knell for its business model.” Source: "America is phasing out the federal use of private prisons" published in The Economist

Answer 303

Knell: noun, the sound of a bell, especially when rung solemnly for a death or funeral Synonyms: toll, ringing, chime

Question 304

Lachrymose “This morning the world is not talking about a dubious song by the host, a lachrymose speech or even an appalling outfit.” Source: "Normal for Hollywood" published in The Economist

Answer 304

Lachrymose: adjective, Inducing tears; sad Synonyms: sad, tearful, weepy

Question 305

Lacuna “This insane lacuna in the justice system reflects extreme systemic prejudice by drivers against cyclists, and would be easy enough to fix.” Source: "The American right-of-way" published in The Economist

Answer 305

Lacuna: noun, an unfilled space or interval; a gap Synonyms: interval, gap

Question 306

Lambaste “Yet the president was lambasted for his otherworldly complacency.” Source: "Learning to live with it" published in The Economist

Answer 306

Lambaste: verb, Criticize (someone or something) harshly Synonyms: castigate, chastise, condemn

Question 307

Larceny “But there are still no checks and balances on its exercise, as the larceny of governors illustrates.” Source: "With an unfriendly neighbour, Mexico needs to strengthen itself" published in The Economist

Answer 307

Larceny: noun, Theft of personal property Synonyms: stealing, robbery, pilfering

Question 308

Libertine “There are aunts for every worldview, from libertine to puritan and from reactionary to radical.” Source: "Whatever should I do?" published in The Economist

Answer 308

Libertine: adjective, a person who rejects accepted opinions in matters of religion Synonyms: freethinker, hedonist, profligate

Question 309

Lugubrious “The lugubrious strains of 'Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now' waft across a sunny beach in Acapulco.” Source: "Girlfriend in a conga" published in The Economist

Answer 309

Lugubrious: adjective, Looking or sounding sad and dismal Synonyms: mournful, gloomy, sad

Question 310

Maelstrom “The execution of its leaders, as much as the Easter Rising itself, triggered a maelstrom of events: a surge of anti-British rage...” Source: "A terrible problem is born" published in The Economist

Answer 310

Maelstrom: noun, a situation or state of confused movement or violent turmoil Synonyms: turbulence, tumult, turmoil

Question 311

Magnate “Several of America’s great industrialists built empires in Pittsburgh, including Andrew Carnegie, a steel magnate. “ Source: "From zero to seventy (billion)" published in The Economist

Answer 311

Magnate: noun, a wealthy and influential businessman or businesswoman Synonyms: industrialist, tycoon, mogul

Question 312

Magnate “Several of America’s great industrialists built empires in Pittsburgh, including Andrew Carnegie, a steel magnate. “ Source: "From zero to seventy (billion)" published in The Economist

Answer 312

Magnate: noun, a wealthy and influential businessman or businesswoman Synonyms: industrialist, tycoon, mogul

Question 313

Malaproprism “And so on down the list of supposed malapropisms. 'You can observe a lot by watching,' means plenty...” Source: "Yogi Berra, linguistic savant" published in The Economist

Answer 313

Malaproprism: noun, the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect Synonyms: misuse, solecism, blunder

Question 314

Misanthropy “[Labour] did not fall into the traps of the old left: confusing individualism for misanthropy...” Source: "The land that Labour forgot" published in The Economist

Answer 314

Misanthropy: noun, a dislike of humankind Synonyms: cynicism, hatred of mankind

Question 315

Monolithic ``` “Four things have made Europe a harsher environment for the centre left: its own success, structural change in the economy, a reduced fear of political extremes and the decline of monolithic class groups.” Source: "Rose thou art sick" published in The Economist ```

Answer 315

Monolithic: adjective, large, powerful, and intractably indivisible and uniform Synonyms: inflexible, rigid, unbending

Question 316

Munificent “Anyone with a few million dollars to spare can join in. The initial awards for physics, for example, were followed by equally munificent prizes in life sciences and mathematics.” Source: "The Breakthrough prizes" published in The Economist

Answer 316

Munificent: adjective, Larger or more generous than is usual or necessary Synonyms: bountiful, lavish, handsome

Question 317

Myopic “They are also myopic, judging politicians’ economic management on the basis of only the very recent past.” Source: "X marks the knot" published in The Economist

Answer 317

Myopic: adjective, nearsighted Synonyms: short-sighted, insular, small-minded

Question 318

Myopic “They are also myopic, judging politicians’ economic management on the basis of only the very recent past.” Source: "X marks the knot" published in The Economist

Answer 318

Myopic: adjective, nearsighted Synonyms: short-sighted, insular, small-minded

Question 319

Nadir “Between its pre-crisis peak in late 2007 and its nadir at the end of 2009, the economy contracted by 11.2%” Source: "Celtic phoenix" published in The Economist

Answer 319

Nadir: noun, the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization Synonyms: the all-time low, zero

Question 320

Neophyte “Mr. Gioia also delves into musical theory, in a way that will help both jazz neophytes and experts understand what they are listening to.” Source: "Steps to heaven" published in The Econom

Answer 320

Neophyte: noun, a person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief Synonyms: beginner, learner, novice

Question 321

Noisome “Last July the Internal Security Ministry placed a follow-on order for Skunk, worth $45,000. So far the noisome substance has not been used abroad...” Source: "A whiff from hell" published in The Economist

Answer 321

Noisome: adjective, having an extremely offensive smell Synonyms: irritating, disagreeable, unpleasant

Question 322

Nostrum “It became a nostrum among rank-and-file Republicans that mainstream opinion polls are biased and should be ignored...” Source: "State of denial" published in The Economist

Answer 322

Nostrum: noun, a pet scheme or favorite remedy, especially one for bringing about some social or political reform or improvement Synonyms: cure, prescription, answer

Question 323

Occlude “Mars will be as far away as 370m kilometres in 2013, and occluded for two weeks by the sun to boot...” Source: "Interplanetary broadband" published in The Economist

Answer 323

Occlude: verb, Stop, close up, or obstruct Synonyms: block, cover, shut in

Question 324

Paean “'It is the right that has inherited the ambitious modernist urge to destroy and innovate in the name of a universal project,' Tony Judt, a British historian, lamented in 'Ill Fares the Land', a paean to social democracy he dictated on his death bed.” Source: "Rose thou art sick" published in The Economist

Answer 324

Paean: noun, a song of praise or triumph Synonyms: song of praise, hymn, alleluia

Question 325

Panoply “'The panoply of restrictions results in greater disenfranchisement,' the ruling read, 'than any of the law’s provisions individually.'” Source: "North Carolina voter ID law is struck down as racially discriminatory" p

Answer 325

Panoply: noun, a complete or impressive collection of things Synonyms: array, range, collection

Question 326

Pastiche “Both enjoyed producing small articles and pastiches, she for the college magazine, he for avant-garde publications...”

Answer 326

Pastiche: noun, an artistic work consisting of a medley of pieces taken from various sources Synonyms: mixture, blend, medley

Question 327

Paucity (n) “Yet the paucity of businesses is not due to a shortage of opportunities to make money.”

Answer 327

lack of something; small quantity; insufficient quantity Synonyms: scarcity, sparseness, dearth

Question 328

Pellucid “Turning a crowd from hostility to adoration through pellucid, charismatic truthtelling is a venerable Hollywood trope...”

Answer 328

Pellucid: adjective, clear; easily understood Synonyms: comprehensible, understandable

Question 329

Phalanx “A collection of giant slabs surrounded by thick iron railings, protected by a phalanx of armed guards...”

Answer 329

Phalanx: noun, a body of troops or police officers standing or moving in close formation

Question 330

Phalanx “A collection of giant slabs surrounded by thick iron railings, protected by a phalanx of armed guards...”

Answer 330

Phalanx: noun, a body of troops or police officers standing or moving in close formation

Question 331

Philistine “By choosing such an unimpeachably serious and artistic project as its first film production, the company has made anyone who grumbles seem like a philistine.”

Answer 331

Philistine: noun, A person who is hostile or indifferent to culture and the arts Synonyms: oaf, anti-intellectual, boor

Question 332

Pique “The Russians have responded with predictable pique—just as many refused to condemn the violence of their football hooligans...”

Answer 332

Pique: noun, a feeling of irritation or resentment resulting from a slight Synonyms: annoyance, displeasure, indignation

Question 333

Polemic “Marion Nestle's heavyweight polemic against Coca-Cola and PepsiCo comes at an odd moment for the industry.”

Answer 333

Polemic: noun, a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something Synonyms: diatribe, invective

Question 334

Précis “His latest book, 'Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking', is a précis of those 50 years, distilled into 77 readable and mostly bite-sized chapters.”

Answer 334

Précis: noun, a summary or abstract of a text or speech | Synonyms: synopsis, summation

Question 335

Prosaic “However, while it is large-scale evacuations at times of crisis that grab attention, the biggest risks that business travellers face are more prosaic.”

Answer 335

Prosaic: adjective, Commonplace; unromantic Synonyms: ordinary, everyday

Question 336

Prosaic “However, while it is large-scale evacuations at times of crisis that grab attention, the biggest risks that business travellers face are more prosaic.”

Answer 336

Prosaic: adjective, Commonplace; unromantic Synonyms: ordinary, everyday

Question 337

Puerile “Meanwhile, out of puerile spite, Mr. Trump launched an assault on his disapproving party leadership...”

Answer 337

Puerile: adjective, childishly silly and trivial Synonyms: immature, babyish, infantile

Question 338

Pundit “And yet the prevailing view among pundits is that Russia is indeed back in Asia.”

Answer 338

Pundit: noun, an expert in a particular subject or field who is frequently called on to give opinions about it to the public Synonyms: authority, adviser

Question 339

Querulous “Their querulous, hostile or annoyed faces recur in her work from the late 1950s.” Source: "Exposed" published in The Economist

Answer 339

Querulous: adjective, Complaining in a petulant or whining manner Synonyms: pettish, touchy, testy

Question 340

Quiescence “Horrible conditions do not guarantee revolts, and moderately bad conditions do not necessarily thwart them. The question is what to make of the relative quiescence of America’s poor.”

Answer 340

Quiescence: noun, a state or period of inactivity or dormancy Synonyms: inactivity, inertia, latency

Question 341

Quixotic “In one chapter... the director probes some of the quixotic visionaries driving the digital revolution forward.”

Answer 341

Quixotic: adjective, exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical Synonyms: unrealistic, impractical, romantic

Question 342

Quixotic “In one chapter... the director probes some of the quixotic visionaries driving the digital revolution forward.”

Answer 342

Quixotic: adjective, exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical Synonyms: unrealistic, impractical, romantic

Question 343

Raconteur “The latest continental raconteur eager to spin Ireland’s tale is the European Union.”

Answer 343

Raconteur: noun, a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way Synonyms: storyteller, spinner of yarns

Question 344

Redress “There must be redress by an independent tribunal for those who have been mistreated.”

Answer 344

Redress: noun, remedy or compensation for a wrong or grievance Synonyms: reparation, restitution, recompense

Question 345

Repast “Lunchtime, it is held, would be the optimal time to invade France. Little can distract a Frenchman from his sacred noonday repast.”

Answer 345

Repast: noun, a meal Synonyms: feast, banquet

Question 346

Ribald “When challenged... about human rights in Chechnya, he replied with a ribald offer to arrange for the questioner's Islamic circumcision.”

Answer 346

Ribald: adjective, Referring to sexual matters in an amusingly rude or irreverent way Synonyms: bawdy, indecent, risqué

Question 347

Rococo ‘The building, which once served as the local town hall, boasts rococo wall carvings, a statue of Pallas Athena...”

Answer 347

Rococo: adjective, Characterized by an elaborately ornamental late baroque style of decoration

Question 348

Rococo ‘The building, which once served as the local town hall, boasts rococo wall carvings, a statue of Pallas Athena...”

Answer 348

Rococo: adjective, Characterized by an elaborately ornamental late baroque style of decoration

Question 349

Sanguine “Some fear a future of mass unemployment. Others are sanguine that people will have time to adapt.”

Answer 349

Sanguine: adjective, Optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation Synonyms: hopeful, buoyant, assured

Question 350

Semantic “Semantic parsing also ensued over whether the modifier 'meaningful' is significantly (or meaningfully) different from 'significant.'”

Answer 350

Semantic: adjective, Relating to meaning in language or logic Synonyms: lingual, semasiological

Question 351

Sobriquet “This provoked widespread debate about the role of intellectual property and earned him the sobriquet 'Champion of Patents.'”

Answer 351

Sobriquet: noun, a person’s nickname Synonyms: appellation, moniker

Question 352

Soporific “In the soporific heat you would be forgiven for thinking that time had forgotten the New Jersey-sized nation.”

Answer 352

Soporific: adjective, Tending to induce drowsiness or sleep Synonyms: sleep-inducing, somnolent, sedative

Question 353

Supine “Last year Shinzo Abe, the prime minister, brought in a corporate-governance code which...requires hitherto supine institutional investors to keep a close eye on firms they invest in.”

Answer 353

Supine: adjective, Failing to act as a result of moral weakness or indolence Synonyms: weak, spineless

Question 354

Toady “Britain’s Conservative government is accused of sacrificing the steel industry to toady up to China.”

Answer 354

Toady: verb, Act in an obsequious way Synonyms: be servile towards, grovel to

Question 355

Truculent “Mr. Boehner, having abandoned his long battle with his party’s truculent right-wingers and announced his resignation in September, wanted to ‘clear the barn’ for his successor.”

Answer 355

Truculent: adjective, Eager or quick to argue or fight Synonyms: defiant, aggressive

Question 356

Turgid “It promotes a cult of personality around Mr. Baghdadi. It churns out turgid propaganda about repaired bridges and newly opened schools.”

Answer 356

Turgid: adjective, (of language or style) tediously pompous or bombastic Synonyms: overblown, inflated, grandiose

Question 357

Tyro “When he was a young tyro in Silicon Valley, his libertarian vision inspired many of his business decisions.”

Answer 357

Tyro: noun, a beginner or novice Synonyms: learner, neophyte, newcomer

Question 358

Synoptic “They were mind-expandingly right in their synoptic vision, if frequently inexact and sometimes mistaken in their specifics.”

Answer 358

Synoptic: adjective, Taking or involving a comprehensive mental view Synonyms: concise, succinct, compressed

Question 359

Synoptic “They were mind-expandingly right in their synoptic vision, if frequently inexact and sometimes mistaken in their specifics.”

Answer 359

Synoptic: adjective, Taking or involving a comprehensive mental view Synonyms: concise, succinct, compressed

Question 360

Umbrage “Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s president, takes umbrage at charges that reforms are lagging.”

Answer 360

Umbrage: noun, Offense or annoyance Synonyms: insult, affront

Question 361

Upbraid “In the past its neighbours isolated and upbraided Austria for its flirtations with nationalist extremism...”

Answer 361

Upbraid: verb, Find fault with (someone) Synonyms: scold, reprimand, rebuke

Question 362

Verdant “The Holey Artisan Bakery... overlooking a placid lake in Dhaka, was a foodie’s labour of love in a verdant corner of the chaotic capital.”

Answer 362

Verdant: adjective, (of countryside) green with grass or other rich vegetation Synonyms: leafy, grassy, lush

Question 363

Virulent ‘A more likely catastrophe, Mr. Rawles believes, would be a pandemic virulent enough to cause the breakdown of the national sewerage system as well as the grid.”

Answer 363

Virulent: adjective, extremely severe or harmful in its effects Synonyms: toxic, deadly, destructive

Question 364

Vitiate ‘The firm admitted that it vitiated its stated standards for evaluating securities in an area where those standards put in question its ability to win business.”

Answer 364

Vitiate: verb, Destroy or impair the legal validity of Synonyms: put an end to, do away with, scrap

Question 365

Vitiate ‘The firm admitted that it vitiated its stated standards for evaluating securities in an area where those standards put in question its ability to win business.”

Answer 365

Vitiate: verb, Destroy or impair the legal validity of Synonyms: put an end to, do away with, scrap

Question 366

Vitriol “Given the vitriol that has followed the film since its inception, it does well simply not to be a colossal misstep."

Answer 366

Vitriol: noun, Cruel and bitter criticism Synonyms: venom, nastiness

Question 367

Yoke “The existential consequences of throwing off the yoke of religion is debated in many countries.”

Answer 367

Yoke: noun, a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull Synonyms: bond, tie, subjection

Question 368

Vociferous “Ten weeks of ever-more vociferous argument, claims and counterclaims stretch between now and June 23rd, when the vote will take place.”

Answer 368

Vociferous: adjective, (Especially of a person or speech) vehement or clamorous Synonyms: blatant, clamorous, noisy

Question 369

Welter “At the same time they are subjected to a welter of conflicting pressures—acting as spin-doctors and bean-counters as well as corporate strategists and auditors.”

Answer 369

Welter: noun, a large number of items in no order; a confused mass Synonyms: confusion, jumble, tangle

Question 370

Winnow “Many lawmakers from both parties join Mr. Obama in wishing to winnow America’s overstuffed prisons.”

Answer 370

Winnow: verb, blow a current of air through (grain) in order to remove the chaff Synonyms: sift out, filter out

Question 371

Xenophobia “Denk will not win more than a few seats in next year’s general election, but it is posing a crucial question: at a time of rising xenophobia, can Europe’s minorities rely on the broad centre-left parties for which they usually vote?”

Answer 371

Xenophobia: noun, Intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries

Question 372

Barbs

Answer 372

critical expressions

Question 373

Slights

Answer 373

front; insult

Question 374

Snub

Answer 374

Put someone down; insult

Question 375

Valor (n)

Answer 375

Fighting bravely (almost associated with war)

Question 376

Pugnacity

Answer 376

readiness to fight

Question 377

Arrogance

Answer 377

(-) Think you are better than everybody else

Question 378

Hautiness

Answer 378

(-) Think you are better than everybody else

Question 379

Benignity

Answer 379

Harmlessness

Question 380

Truculence

Answer 380

readiness to fight

Question 381

Labyrinthine "Although you may think that statecraft is a daunting affair, you should investigate the labyrinthine complexities of ecclesiastical politics practiced by hierarchal churchmen."

Answer 381

irregular and twisting; confusing

Question 382

Ecclesiastical "Although you may think that statecraft is a daunting affair, you should investigate the labyrinthine complexities of ecclesiastical politics practiced by hierarchal churchmen."

Answer 382

of or relating to a church especially as an established institution

Question 383

Disconcerting

Answer 383

causing one to feel unsettled

Question 384

Daunting "Although you may think that statecraft is a daunting affair, you should investigate the labyrinthine complexities of ecclesiastical politics practiced by hierarchal churchmen."

Answer 384

seeming difficult to deal with in anticipation; intimidating

Question 385

Spate "The construction foreman required his workers to exercise caution around the worksite, as a recent spate of workplace accidents left him wary of another incident."

Answer 385

Group of events

Question 386

Dearth "there is a dearth of evidence"

Answer 386

scarcity; lack of something

Question 387

congruent

Answer 387

in agreement or harmony

Question 388

equivocal "the equivocal nature of her remarks"

Answer 388

open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous; ambivalent

Question 389

quixotic "...a vast and perhaps quixotic project..."

Answer 389

exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical

Question 390

squalid "the squalid, overcrowded prison" "a squalid attempt to save themselves from electoral embarrassment"

Answer 390

- of a place) extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect. - showing or involving a contemptible lack of moral standards

Question 391

transcendental

Answer 391

elating to a spiritual or nonphysical realm.

Question 392

churlish

Answer 392

rude

Question 393

surveyor

Answer 393

look around and take note

Question 394

martinet

Answer 394

strict disciplinarian

Question 395

Aplomb

Answer 395

Self-confidence

Question 396

Hackneyed

Answer 396

(of a phrase or idea) lacking significance through having been overused; unoriginal and trite

Question 397

Dissemble

Answer 397

lie; disguise

Question 398

Flamboyance

Answer 398

flashy

Question 399

Dissimilitude

Answer 399

lack of resemblance

Question 400

Histronics "The judge did not care one whit for histrionics and would angrily berate any who embellished their testimonies with elaborate, pleading gestures or, worse yet, broke into feigned bouts of sobbing."

Answer 400

theatrics

Question 401

Whit "The judge did not care one whit for histrionics and would angrily berate any who embellished their testimonies with elaborate, pleading gestures or, worse yet, broke into feigned bouts of sobbing."

Answer 401

very small

Question 402

Feign "The judge did not care one whit for histrionics and would angrily berate any who embellished their testimonies with elaborate, pleading gestures or, worse yet, broke into feigned bouts of sobbing."

Answer 402

pretend

Question 403

Bout "The judge did not care one whit for histrionics and would angrily berate any who embellished their testimonies with elaborate, pleading gestures or, worse yet, broke into feigned bouts of sobbing."

Answer 403

Short period intense activity

Question 404

Pithy "The philosopher avoided a contemporary style and instead liberally employed the use of aphorisms and pithy paragraphs."

Answer 404

concise and forcefully expressive

Question 405

Aphorism "The philosopher avoided a contemporary style and instead liberally employed the use of aphorisms and pithy paragraphs."

Answer 405

short sayings

Question 406

Ignominy

Answer 406

disgrace

Question 407

Tantamount

Answer 407

the same as

Question 408

Heresy

Answer 408

Not following tradition in a strong way

Question 409

Reversion

Answer 409

going back to

Question 410

Lionize

Answer 410

hold someone as a hero

Question 411

Soporific

Answer 411

drowsiness

Question 412

Impertinent

Answer 412

rude

Question 413

Obdurate

Answer 413

Stubborn (in a aggravating way)

Question 414

Munificent

Answer 414

Generous

Question 415

Verisimilitude

Answer 415

appearance of being true/real

Question 416

Curmudeon

Answer 416

Grumpy

Question 417

Unseemly

Answer 417

Inappropriate

Question 418

Enumerate

Answer 418

List

Question 419

Polemic

Answer 419

Strong verbal/written attack on something

Question 420

Desultory

Answer 420

Rambling, lacking a plan

Question 421

Augury

Answer 421

sign about the future

Question 422

Trope

Answer 422

Overused chiche or idea

Question 423

Anodynes

Answer 423

Provide relief

Question 424

timorous

Answer 424

fearful

Question 425

vigorous

Answer 425

energetic

Question 426

bellicose

Answer 426

aggressive

Question 427

exaltation

Answer 427

feeling extreme happiness

Question 428

notoriety

Answer 428

fame for a bad quality

Question 429

stopgap

Answer 429

measure, gap

Question 430

churlish

Answer 430

mean spirited, surly

Question 431

hapless

Answer 431

unfortunate

Question 432

preeminent

Answer 432

foremost, at the top

Question 433

syncophantic

Answer 433

fawning, kissing up

Question 434

Harried "Harried by a swarm of tabloid reporters, their camera flashes creating an incessant whir, the celebrity made a quick escape into a limousine with tinted windows."

Answer 434

annoyed; troubled

Question 435

Besieged "Besieged by a swarm of tabloid reporters, their camera flashes creating an incessant whir, the celebrity made a quick escape into a limousine with tinted windows."

Answer 435

Harrassed

Question 436

Feted

Answer 436

Celebrated

Question 437

Mollify

Answer 437

make less angry, placate

Question 438

Ingratiate

Answer 438

calculated to please

Question 439

Fawn

Answer 439

brown nose

Question 440

habitual

Answer 440

happens over and over again

Question 441

derelict

Answer 441

not doing his duties

Question 442

inveterate

Answer 442

habitual, constant

Question 443

untiring

Answer 443

not changing

Question 444

dithering

Answer 444

tremble, uncertain

Question 445

obstinacy

Answer 445

resistance

Question 446

fecklelessness

Answer 446

lazy; lacking intiative

Question 447

chasten

Answer 447

punishment

Question 448

congenial

Answer 448

friendly

Question 449

disenfranchised

Answer 449

deprived of the right to vote

Question 450

tactless

Answer 450

does not behave the proper way in social settings

Question 451

admonitory

Answer 451

warn or caution beforehand

Question 452

openhanded

Answer 452

generous; magnanomous

Question 453

garrulous

Answer 453

talkative

Question 454

tantamount

Answer 454

equivalent in seriousness

Question 455

shiftless

Answer 455

lack of ambition

Question 456

plastic

Answer 456

changing; adaptable

Question 457

consummate

Answer 457

highly accomplished

Question 458

fledgling

Answer 458

inexperienced

Question 459

repudiate

Answer 459

refuse to accept; deny; reject

Question 460

amalgam

Answer 460

mixture

Question 461

superfluity

Answer 461

excess

Question 462

remission

Answer 462

cancel; go away (healed or recovered)

Question 463

profligate

Answer 463

spending resources wastefully or recklessly

Question 464

capacious

Answer 464

comprehensive

Question 465

defame

Answer 465

slander; libel

Question 466

revelry

Answer 466

festive

Question 467

merriment

Answer 467

gaiety; fun

Question 468

carousing

Answer 468

activity of drinking and having fun

Question 469

wallow

Answer 469

indulge in unrestrained way

Question 470

despoil

Answer 470

steal or violently remove value

Question 471

furtive

Answer 471

stealthy - unnoticed

Question 472

obsequious

Answer 472

servile Synonym: Toady

Question 473

caustic

Answer 473

mean

Question 474

draconian

Answer 474

limiting in an unkind way

Question 475

truculent

Answer 475

taking a fighting stance

Question 476

capitulate

Answer 476

surrender

Question 477

calumny

Answer 477

making a statement to injure someones reputation

Question 478

dispensation

Answer 478

exemption from a rule

Question 479

tenacious

Answer 479

unchanging stubborn

Question 480

logorrhea

Answer 480

outpour of words

Question 481

bracing

Answer 481

invigorating

Question 482

derivative

Answer 482

imitative; based upon something else

Question 483

cursory

Answer 483

superficial

Question 484

rigorous

Answer 484

thorough

Question 485

sanguine

Answer 485

optimistic

Question 486

beguile

Answer 486

attractive

Question 487

gleen

Answer 487

gather

Question 488

spartan

Answer 488

hard training

Question 489

martial

Answer 489

warlike

Question 490

salutary

Answer 490

producing good effects

Question 491

dysphoric

Answer 491

feeling distress

Question 492

despondent

Answer 492

sad

Question 493

taciturn

Answer 493

uncommunicative

Question 494

unflappable

Answer 494

composure

Question 495

forlorn

Answer 495

hopeless

Question 496

inimical

Answer 496

hostile

Question 497

apotheosis

Answer 497

noun: exaltation to divine status; the highest point of development

Question 498

vicissitude

Answer 498

noun – Regular change or succession of one thing to another; alternation.

Question 499

modicum

Answer 499

small amount

Question 500

contentious

Answer 500

constantly arguing

Question 501

subvert

Answer 501

undermine; go against

Question 502

jingoism

Answer 502

excessive patriotism

Question 503

cupidity

Answer 503

greed for money

Question 504

restiveness

Answer 504

agitation **

Question 505

want

Answer 505

lack **

Question 506

assuage

Answer 506

make something intense less severe

Question 507

stultified

Answer 507

hold back (hamper)

Question 508

hamper

Answer 508

hold back (stultified)

Question 509

spur

Answer 509

reject

Question 510

protracted

Answer 510

make longer

Question 511

penurious

Answer 511

careless

Question 512

plodding

Answer 512

slow; laborious

Question 513

exacting

Answer 513

demanding accuracy

Question 514

drivel

Answer 514

does not make sense

Question 515

recondite

Answer 515

obscure; esoteric

Question 516

pious

Answer 516

devotely religious

Question 517

sartorial

Answer 517

relating to fashion/clothes

Question 518

assiduity

Answer 518

attention to detail; slow to change

Question 519

maladroit

Answer 519

clumsy

Question 520

enervate

Answer 520

drained of energy; weaken

Question 521

mollify

Answer 521

appease anger or anxiety

Question 522

Protean

Answer 522

ability to change quickly Synonym: versatile

Question 523

unassailable

Answer 523

unable to be attacked, deleted, questioned

Question 524

ill beehove

Answer 524

not suitable

Question 525

abrogate

Answer 525

appeal, overturn

Question 526

promulgate

Answer 526

annouce

Question 527

decrepit

Answer 527

old

Question 528

unscrupulous

Answer 528

without principles; unethical

Question 529

pernicious

Answer 529

harmful

Question 530

caviling

Answer 530

raising suspicions

Question 531

carping

Answer 531

persistently petty

Question 532

groveling

Answer 532

to lie down

Question 533

temerity

Answer 533

fearless daring

Question 534

retiring

Answer 534

reserved; shy

Question 535

hautiness

Answer 535

pride

Question 536

mulled over

Answer 536

to muddle, mix up

Question 537

punctillious

Answer 537

punctual

Question 538

steel

Answer 538

mentally prepare for something difficult