Vocab Words #4 Flashcards
(12 cards)
Caprice/capricious
Ex: With the caprice of a despotic king, he alternated between kindness and cruelty
Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior; without an apparent or adequate motive
Lucrative
Ex: The business man was highly lucrative in acquiring profits for his company
Producing a great deal of profit
Impertinent
Ex: She stared at him in a rather impertinent manner.
Not showing proper respect; rude
Sully/Sullied
Ex: They were outraged that anyone should sully their good name.
To soil, stain or tarnish the integrity or purity of something.
Prevaricate
Ex: Government officials prevaricated about the real costs of the project.
To speak or act in an evasive way that ignores or tries to move away from the topic
Obstinate
EX: My obstinate brother is determined to continue doing drugs even though it may cost him his life.
Stubborn; refusing to change one’s opinion even in spite of the fact, argument or persuasion.
Insinuate
EX: He was insinuating that I had no self-control
To imply or hint that something’s result is someone’s fault in an indirect way.
Infantilize
EX: He argues that giving money to the poor infantilizes them and stops them from helping themselves.
To treat someone as a child which denies their maturity or experience
Austere
EX: The conditions in the prison could hardly be more austere.
A very severe or strict manner, attitude or appearance.
Paternalistic
EX: The paternalistic account supposes that the masters of mankind have their inferiors’ interest at heart.
Making decisions for other people rather than letting them take responsibility for their own lives (acting like a parent).
Zeal/zealous
EX: He was a zealous supporter of constitutional and parliamentary reform.
Great energy or enthusiasm for something or a objective.
Innocuous
EX: They tested the mask with an innocuous gas.
Harmless, or not likely to give offense.
