Vocabulary Improvement Flashcards
(283 cards)
1
Q
Platitudinous
A
boring and having no meaning because of being said so many times before
2
Q
Ambivalent
A
having mixed feelings about someone or something; being uncertain
3
Q
Gentrify
A
renovate and improve / make someone more polite
4
Q
Annul
A
declare invalid
5
Q
Substantive
A
dealing with things that are important
6
Q
Stifle
A
make (someone) unable to breathe properly; suffocate.
7
Q
Raucous
A
loud and unpleasant
8
Q
Indispensable
A
absolutely necessary, vital
9
Q
Apportion
A
divide up and share out.
10
Q
Affliction
A
a cause of pain or harm.
11
Q
Magnanimous
A
generous or forgiving, especially towards a rival or less powerful person.
12
Q
Fellowship
A
friendly association, especially with people who share one’s interests.
13
Q
Lobby
A
seek to influence on an issue
14
Q
Coup
A
a sudden, violent and illegal seizure of power from a government
15
Q
Admonish
A
to warn / advise or urge
16
Q
Zealously
A
with great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective.
17
Q
Divergence
A
a situation in which two things become different
18
Q
Clemency
A
mercy
19
Q
Presumptive
A
believed to be something, or likely to be true
20
Q
Foliage
A
the leaves of a plant or tree
21
Q
Agglomeration
A
a mass or collection of things
22
Q
Enmity
A
a feeling of hate
23
Q
Cleave
A
to split apart or stick together
24
Q
Frenetic
A
fast and energetic in a rather wild and uncontrolled way.
25
Subsidiary
is a company that is owned or controlled by another company, which is called the parent company
26
Stave
avert or delay something bad or dangerous.
27
Negate
make ineffective
28
Reverberate
echoes / having a continuing effect
29
Reconciliation
restoration of friendly relations.
30
Hamstring
severely restrict the efficiency or effectiveness of.
31
Riveted
to not be able to stop looking at something because it is so interesting or frightening
32
Bipartisan
agreement or cooperation of two political parties that usually oppose each other's policies.
33
Weather
also means to withstand
34
Callous
showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others.
35
Indict
formally accuse of or charge with a crime.
36
Condone
to accept and allow behaviour that is considered wrong and offensive
37
Obituary
a notice of a death
38
Revoke
officially cancel
39
Envisage
form a mental picture of (something not yet existing or known).
40
Whims
a sudden desire or change of mind, especially one that is unusual or unexplained.
(“She bought it on a whim”)
41
Anecdotal
not necessarily true or reliable, because based on personal accounts rather than facts or research.
42
Agonise
undergo great mental anguish through worrying about something.
43
Dubious
hesitating or doubting.
44
Servitude
the state of being a slave or completely subject to someone more powerful.
45
Reverie
a state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream.
46
Fretting
be constantly or visibly anxious.
47
Convulsion
throw (a country) into violent social or political upheaval.
48
Reprieve
a cancellation or postponement of a punishment
49
Notional
existing as or based on a suggestion, estimate, or theory; not existing in reality.
50
Copious
abundant in supply or quantity.
51
Precipitous
dangerously high or steep.
52
Ineptitude
lack of skill or ability.
53
Lustre
a gentle sheen or soft glow.
| The lustre of the Milkyway
54
Garner
gather or collect
55
Esoteric
intended for or understood by only a few people who have special knowledge
56
Gregarious
fond of company; sociable.
57
Dissipate
disappear or cause to disappear.
58
Parsimonious
very unwilling to spend money or use resources.
59
Gallimaufry
a confused jumble of things.
60
Polarisation
division into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs.
61
Infighting
hidden conflict or competitiveness within an organization.
62
Sentiment
a view or opinion that is held or expressed
63
Idiocy
extremely stupid behaviour.
64
Deliberate
action, or thought is done carefully without hurrying
65
Fashionista
A person who creates or promotes high fashion.
66
Abominable
very bad; terrible.
67
Precipitate
cause (an event or situation, typically one that is undesirable) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely.
68
Contempt
disregard for something that should be considered.
69
Backdrop
is a situation that already exists and that influences the event
70
Trounce
defeat heavily in a contest.
71
Rapprochement
an agreement reached by opposing groups or people
72
Confounded
to throw (a person) into confusion or perplexity
73
Dirigisme
economic planning and control by the state.
74
Absolve
declare (someone) free from guilt, obligation, or punishment.
75
Reprimand
expression of disapproval.
76
Sombre
having or conveying a feeling of deep seriousness and sadness.
77
Ingrate
a very ungrateful person
78
Earmark
designate (funds or resources) for a particular purpose.
79
Ostensible
stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so.
80
Bigwigs
an important person
81
Impoverish
make (a person or area) poor
82
Reprehensible
Deserving Condemnation
83
Disingenuous
misleading or dishonest
84
Tenet
a principle or belief
85
Spurned
reject with disdain or contempt.
86
Taciturn
uncommunicative in speech; saying little.
87
Indifference
lack of interest, concern, or sympathy. Neither like it or dislike it.
88
onerous
a great deal of effort, trouble, or difficulty.
89
Dirigiste
relating to a system in which a government has a lot of control over a country's economy
90
Chasm
a profound difference between people, viewpoints, feelings, etc.
91
Deride
to laugh at someone or something in a way that shows you think they are stupid or of no value
92
Bout
a short period of intense activity
93
Cooping
to confine in a small space.
94
Acquittal
At the end of a criminal trial, a finding by a judge or jury that a defendant is not guilty.
95
Scapegoating
the act of blaming a person or thing for something bad that someone else has done
96
Imbue
inspire
97
Upheaval
strong or violent change or disturbance, as in a society
98
Recalcitrant
unwilling to do what you are asked or ordered to do, even if it is reasonable
99
Invariably
always
100
Fallacy
An idea that a lot of people think is true but is in fact false
101
Disenfranchisement
the action of taking away the right to vote from a person or group
102
Fickle
changing frequently, especially as regards one's loyalties or affections.
103
Mandate
to give official permission for someone to do something, or for something to happen
104
Chaste
abstaining from extramarital, or from all, sexual intercourse.
105
Mustered
to collect or assemble
106
Quack
If you call someone a quack or a quack doctor, you mean that they claim to be skilled in medicine but are not
107
Perforate
pierce and make a hole or holes in.
108
Shunned
persistently avoided, ignored, or rejected. ("a shunned and lonely character")
109
Aristocracy
form of government that places strength in the hands of a small, privileged ruling class.
110
Plaudit
a fact, argument, or event that settles a matter conclusively.
111
Secession
withdrawal into privacy or solitude : retirement
112
Reticence
the quality of being reticent (reticent - reserved behavior, body language, response or emotion which is withdrawn or distant.)
113
Orthodox
of the ordinary or usual type; normal.
114
Repression
the action of subduing someone or something by force. (Quelling)
115
Throes
intense or violent pain and struggle
116
Scorn
a feeling a disdain
117
Indispensable
Absolutely necessary
118
Lionize
give a lot of public attention and approval to (someone); treat as a celebrity.
119
Emphatic
strong and determined in speech or action, so that what is said or done gets attention
120
Immediacy
Quality or state of being immediate
121
Intubate
insert a tube into (a person or a body part
122
Preferential
in favour of or privilege.
| "preferential interest rates may be offered to employees"
123
Capricious
describes someone who displays sudden changes of mood or behaviour (“Jenny’s mood is capricious”)
124
Peeve
make (someone) rather annoyed; irritate.
125
Embolden
give (someone) the courage or confidence to do something.
126
Braying
speak or laugh loudly and harshly.
127
Saddle
burden (someone) with an onerous responsibility or task.
128
Plight
a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation.
129
Subversion
an attempt to change or weaken a government or to remove it from power by working secretly within it.
130
Platitude
a saying or phrase that has been repeated too many times to be useful
131
Intone
say or recite with little rise and fall of the pitch of the voice
132
Fallacy
An idea that a lot of people think is true but is in fact false
133
Monolithic
(of an organization or system) large, powerful, indivisible, and slow to change.
134
Sartorial
relaying to tailor made clothing
135
Unilateral
done or undertaken by one person or party
136
Squalls
a sudden violent gust of wind
137
Delineate
describe or portray (something) precisely.
138
Purports
appear to be or do something, especially falsely.
139
Incursion
an invasion or attack, especially a sudden or brief one.
140
Prefectures
(in certain countries) a district under the authority of a prefect or governor.
141
Appreciable
large or important enough to be noticed.
142
Waning
to become weaker.
143
Hitherto
until now
144
Vitriol
| ['vit-ree-ol]
bitter, harsh criticism
145
Parochial
having a limited or narrow outlook or scope.
146
Remit
cancel or refrain from exacting or inflicting (a debt or punishment).
147
Bedevil
to confuse, annoy, or cause problems or difficulties for someone or something
148
Wrought
beaten out or shaped by hammering.
149
Stricture
a restriction on a person or activity.
150
Ample
enough or more than enough; plentiful.
151
Whitewash
to defeat (an opponent) easily by winning every game
152
Internment
the state of being confined as a prisoner
153
Conjure
to make something appear by magic, or as if by magic
154
Repose
a state of rest, sleep, or tranquillity.
155
Ubiquitous
seeming to be everywhere
156
Bludgeon
beat (someone) repeatedly with a heavy object.
157
Aplomb
complete and confident composure
158
Irredeemably
not redeemable; incapable of being bought back or paid off.
159
Clincher
a fact, argument, or event that settles a matter conclusively.
160
Memorandum
a written message in business or diplomacy.
161
Assuage
make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense. / Satisfy
162
Attuned
able to understand or recognise something
163
Beset
trouble (someone or something) persistently.
164
Draconian
excessively harsh and severe.
165
Ubiquity
presence everywhere or in many places especially simultaneously
166
Stringent
(of regulations, requirements, or conditions) strict
167
Desecrate
treat a sacred place or thing with violent disrespect
168
Exult
feel or show triumphant elation or jubilation.
169
Cocksure
confident in an excessive or arrogant way.
170
Prolific
producing a large number or amount of something
171
Lament
express passionate grief about
172
Retroactively
with effect from a date in the past.
173
Embroil
involve (someone) deeply in an argument, conflict, or difficult situation.
174
Flippant
not serious/respectful about a serious subject in an attempt to be funny
175
Frugal
careful when using money or food
176
Astute
able to understand a situation quickly and see how to take advantage of it
177
Exacerbating
make worse
178
Flippant
not serious/respectful about a serious subject in an attempt to be funny
179
Adjourn
break of ( a meeting ) with the intention of resuming later
180
Partisan
a strong supporter of a party, cause, or person.
181
Lockstep
close adherence to and emulation of another's actions.
182
Tout
to advertise, talk about, or praise something or someone repeatedly, especially as a way of encouraging people to like, accept, or buy something
183
Insubordinate
defiant of authority; disobedient to orders.
184
Incumbent
necessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility / (of an official or regime) currently holding office.
185
Faculty
ability, power
186
Supersede
to replace something, especially something older or more old-fashioned
187
Angst
fear or anxiety
188
Dole
to give or distribute
189
Bided
to wait for
190
Proliferation
rapid increase in the number or amount of something. / Large number of something
191
Consortium
an association
192
Sentimental
feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia
193
Charade
an act or event that is clearly false
194
Splinter
separate into smaller units, typically as a result of disagreement.
195
Subvert
to destroy its power and influence
196
Infatuated
possessed with an intense but short-lived passion or admiration for someone.
197
Curtail
reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on.
198
Echelon
a level or rank in an organisation, a profession, or society.
199
Defector
a person who has abandoned their country or cause in favour of an opposing one.
200
Plebeians
a member of the lower social classes.
201
Infamy
a bad and shocking act or event
202
Wane
become weaker.
203
Castigating
Reprimand (expression of disapproval ) severely
204
Placards
a printed or handwritten notice or sign for public display, either fixed to a wall or carried during a demonstration.
205
Frenetic
fast and energetic in a rather wild and uncontrolled way.
206
Hortatory
trying to strongly encourage or persuade someone to do something
207
Poignant
evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret (touching, moving sad)/ sharp or pungent in taste or smell.
208
Monolith
a large single upright block of stone, especially one shaped into or serving as a pillar or monument.
209
Prognosis
a forecast of the likely outcome of a situation.
210
Mercenary
primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics / solider hired to serve in a foreign army
211
Doctor
change the content or appearance of (a document or picture) in order to deceive; falsify.
212
Throng
a large, densely packed crowd of people or animals.
213
Paradox
logically self-contradictory statement or a statement that runs contrary to one's expectation.
214
Repealing
removal or reversal of a law.
215
Eclectic
wide range of.
216
Appals
greatly dismay or horrify.
217
Lauded
highly praised or admired
218
Requisition
officially asking for or taking something
219
Recalcitrant
unwilling to do what you are asked or ordered to do, even if it is reasonable
220
Assent
the expression of approval or agreement.
221
Prevalence
The proportion of individuals in a population having a disease or characteristic
222
Vigilance
the action or state of keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.
223
Punitive
Harsh
224
Endemic
(of a disease or condition) regularly found among particular people or in a certain area.
225
Nascent
just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential.
226
Seditious
inciting or causing people to rebel against the authority of a state or monarch
227
Embezzlement
Fraudulent taking of personal property by someone to whom it was entrusted.
228
Skittish
(of people or animals) nervous or easily frightened
229
Conflagration
an extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property
230
Corral
gather together and confine (a group of people or things)
231
Vagaries
unexpected events or changes that cannot be controlled
232
Spurious
Bogus / false or fake
233
Unanimity
Agreement by all people involved
234
Ignominiously
Causing or deserving public disgrace or shame
235
Replete
filled or well supplied of something
236
Rancour
bitterness
237
Beseech
implore/ask someone urgently to do something
238
Galvanise
shock or excite someone into taking action
239
Stymie
prevent or hinder the progress of
240
Beget
Cause
241
Intractable
Hard to control or deal with
242
Acclaim
praise enthusiastically by the public
243
Inertia
unchanged / tendency to do nothing
244
Contentious
controversial / heated
245
Partisan
strong supporter of a party
246
Belie
Contradict / conceal
247
Cacophony
a harsh mixture of sounds
248
Adversity
Misfortune
249
Lacklustre
lacking in force or conviction, uninspired
250
Malign
evil in nature or effect
251
Assimilate
Take in and understand fully (information or ideas)
252
Vehemently
in a forceful, intense or passionate manner
253
Treatchery
Betrayal
254
Disseminate
Spread (especially information)
255
Impervious
unaffected by / impermeable
256
Consign
deliver
257
Inequitable
unfair
258
Hiatus
pause
259
Exorcise
to drive out / to rid
260
Insubordination
Disobedience
261
Feign
to pretend
262
Exultation
Jubilation
263
Despot
A ruler or other leader who holds absolute power, tyrant
264
Abound
plentiful
265
Pragmatic
dealing with things sensibly And realistically
266
Austere
Severe
267
Lament
a passionate expression of grief or sorrow
268
Stifle
Suffocate
269
Ostensibly
apparently
270
Truancy
Staying away from school for no reason, absenteeism
271
Juncture
Point (in time)
272
Dynamism
energy
273
Rebuke
strong disapproval
274
Pretence
an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true, make-believe
275
Indignity
Shame
276
Spurn
refuse
277
Elucidate
make (something) clear; explain.
278
Presages
To be a sign or a warning of (an imminent event)
279
Posits
Put forward as a fact or a basis for arguement.
280
Moniker
Name
281
Subjugation
the act or process of bringing someone or something under one's control
282
Inexorable
impossible to stop or prevent.
283
Inextricable
impossible to disentangle or separate.
