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Top 500 Most Common SAT Words
Top 500 Most Common SAT Words
498
Language - English
12th Grade
03/27/2014

Additional Language - English Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
abate
Definition
subside; decrease; become less in amount or intensity
Term
aberration
Definition
deviation, not normal
Term
abhor
Definition
fill with horror and loathing; horrify; hate
Term
abstruse
Definition
obscure; profound; difficult to understand
Term
accost
Definition
approach and speak to boldly or aggressively, as with demand or request
Term
acrimony
Definition
bitter animosity
Term
acumen
Definition
mental keenness; quickness of perception
Term
adamant
Definition
extremely hard; inflexible; stubbornly unyielding
Term
adept
Definition
expert at; very skilled; having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
Term
adroit
Definition
skillful and adept under pressing conditions
Term
affected
Definition
speaking or behaving in artificial way; emotionally stirred or moved; infected or attacked
Term
alacrity
Definition
cheerful promptness or willingness; eagerness; speed or quickness
Term
allocate
Definition
assign, portion
Term
altruistic
Definition
unselfishly generous; concerned for others
Term
amenable
Definition
responsive to advice or suggestion; responsible to higher authority; willing to comply with; agreeable
Term
amiable
Definition
good-natured and likable; lovable; warmly friendly
Term
amicable
Definition
exhibiting friendliness or goodwill; not quarrelsome
Term
antediluvian
Definition
antiquated; extremely old and ancient; belonging to very ancient times
Term
anthropology
Definition
social science that studies origins and social relationships of human beings
Term
antipathy
Definition
strong feeling of aversion; dislike
Term
apathetic
Definition
feeling or showing a lack of interest or concern; indifferent
Term
apt
Definition
likely; exactly suitable; appropriate; quick to learn or understand
Term
arcane
Definition
secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated
Term
ascendancy
Definition
superiority or decisive advantage; domination
Term
ascetic
Definition
leading a life of self-discipline and self-denial; austere
Term
aspire
Definition
seek to attain; long for; strive toward an end
Term
assail
Definition
assault; attack with or as if with violent blows
Term
assiduous
Definition
constant in application or attention; diligent; unceasing or persistent
Term
assuage
Definition
ease or lessen pain; satisfy or appease
Term
atrophy
Definition
wasting away; decrease in size; reduction in the functionality of an organ caused by disease
Term
attenuate
Definition
make slender, fine, or small; weaken; lessen density of
Term
august
Definition
impressive; majestic; inspiring awe or admiration
Term
aura
Definition
air, feeling
Term
auspicious
Definition
attended by favorable circumstances; marked by success; prosperous
Term
autocrat
Definition
dictator; ruler having unlimited power
Term
automaton
Definition
mechanism that imitates actions of humans
Term
avarice
Definition
greediness for wealth; insatiable desire of gain
Term
banal
Definition
obvious and dull; commonplace; lacking originality
Term
barrage
Definition
artificial obstruction; heavy curtain of artillery fire; rapid, concentrated discharge of missiles
Term
belie
Definition
contradict; give a false impression
Term
belligerent
Definition
inclined or eager to fight; aggressive
Term
benevolent
Definition
generous in providing aid to others; charitable
Term
bequeath
Definition
leave to someone by a will; hand down
Term
berate
Definition
rebuke or scold angrily and at length
Term
bitartisanship
Definition
supported by two opposing parties
Term
blighted
Definition
suffering from a disease; destroyed, ruined, or spoiled
Term
bog
Definition
marsh, swamp
Term
bolster
Definition
support or prop up with or as if with a long narrow pillow or cushion
Term
bombastic
Definition
pompous; using inflated language; high-sounding but with little meaning
Term
boorish
Definition
rude and clumsy in behavior; ungentlemanly; awkward in manners
Term
buoyant
Definition
able to float; cheerful and optimistic
Term
burgeon
Definition
grow forth; send out buds; grow or develop rapidly
Term
buttress
Definition
support physically; prop up; support something or someone by supplying evidence
Term
byzantine
Definition
convoluted, complex
Term
cacophonous
Definition
discordant; inharmonious; sounding harshly; ill-sounding
Term
cajole
Definition
influence or urge by gentle urging or flattering
Term
callous
Definition
emotionally hardened; unfeeling
Term
cantankerous
Definition
ill humored; irritable; marked by ill-tempered contradiction or opposition; ugly; malicious
Term
capricious
Definition
fickle; impulsive and unpredictable; apt to change opinions suddenly
Term
castigate
Definition
criticize severely; punish; revise or make corrections to publication
Term
caustic
Definition
capable of burning, corroding, dissolving, or eating away by chemical action
Term
censorious
Definition
critical; addicted to censure; severe in making remarks on others, or on their writings or manners; implying or expressing censure
Term
censure
Definition
expression of strong disapproval or harsh criticism; blame
Term
cerebral
Definition
relating to the brain or cerebrum; intellectual rather than emotional
Term
chagrin
Definition
anxiety caused by humiliation or injured pride; disappointment
Term
charlatan
Definition
quack; one who pretends to knowledge, skill, or importance
Term
chastise
Definition
punish, as by beating; criticize severely; rebuke
Term
chide
Definition
scold mildly so as to correct or improve; express disapproval
Term
churlish
Definition
difficult to work with; rude; unyielding; unmanageable
Term
circuitous
Definition
being or taking a roundabout, lengthy course; going round in a circuit; not direct
Term
circumscribe
Definition
limit narrowly; confine; draw a line around; encircle
Term
circumvent
Definition
surround; enclose or entrapoutwit; beat through cleverness and wit
Term
clandestine
Definition
secret; conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
Term
coalesce
Definition
combine; fuse; grow together; come together so as to form one whole; unite
Term
compendious
Definition
succinct
Term
complacency
Definition
feeling of contented self-satisfaction, especially when unaware of upcoming trouble
Term
compliant
Definition
yielding to request or desire; ready to accommodate; disposed or willing to comply
Term
conciliate
Definition
compromising, apologizing
Term
concur
Definition
agree
Term
conflagration
Definition
large destructive fire; burning; large-scale military conflict
Term
confluence
Definition
act of two things flowing together; junction or meeting place where two things meet
Term
congenial
Definition
compatible
Term
conscientious
Definition
diligent; responsible; reliable
Term
consternation
Definition
intense state of fear or dismay; astonishment combined with terror
Term
contempt
Definition
state of being despised or dishonored; disgrace; disobedience to, or open disrespect of
Term
contemptible
Definition
worthy of contempt; deserving of scorn or disdain; mean
Term
contentious
Definition
quarrelsome; disagreeable; marked by heated arguments or controversy
Term
convivial
Definition
festive; occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company
Term
copious
Definition
plentiful; containing plenty; affording ample supply
Term
corroborate
Definition
establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts; support with evidence
Term
cosmopolitan
Definition
sophisticated; of worldwide scope
Term
credulity
Definition
readiness of belief; disposition to believe on slight evidence
Term
culpable
Definition
blameworthy
Term
cursory
Definition
casual; brief or broad; not cautious, nor detailed
Term
dauntless
Definition
bold; incapable of being discouraged; fearless
Term
dearth
Definition
scarcity; shortage of food; famine from failure or loss of crops
Term
debacle
Definition
sudden downfall; complete disaster
Term
debilitate
Definition
make weak; enfeeble; impair the strength of
Term
debunk
Definition
expose as false, exaggerated, worthless; ridicule
Term
decimate
Definition
destroy or kill a large part of; select by lot and kill one in every ten of
Term
decorum
Definition
propriety in manners and conduct; good taste in manners; conventions or requirements of polite behavior
Term
deference
Definition
willingness to carry out the wishes of others; great respect
Term
degredation
Definition
humiliation
Term
deleterious
Definition
having harmful effect; injurious; having quality of destroying life; noxious; poisonous
Term
delineate
Definition
portray; depict; draw or trace outline of; sketch out
Term
demonstrative
Definition
openly emotional
Term
demure
Definition
modest and reserved in manner or behavior
Term
demystify
Definition
clarify; free from mystery or obscurity
Term
denigrate
Definition
blacken; defame; attack reputation of; degrade
Term
depose
Definition
force to leave; remove from office
Term
depravity
Definition
extreme corruption or degradation; wickedness
Term
deprecate
Definition
express disapproval of; protest against; belittle
Term
depreciation
Definition
devaluation; decrease in price or value
Term
deride
Definition
ridicule; make fun of; laugh at with contempt
Term
derivative
Definition
unoriginal; derived from another source
Term
derogatory
Definition
expressing low opinion; disparaging; belittling
Term
desecration
Definition
violate the sacredness of
Term
despondent
Definition
in low spirits from loss of hope or courage
Term
despot
Definition
tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; eastern Orthodox bishop
Term
destitute
Definition
extremely poor; utterly lacking; devoid
Term
deterrent
Definition
something that discourages; tending to deter
Term
devoid
Definition
completely lacking; barren or empty
Term
didactic
Definition
excessively morally instructive
Term
diffident
Definition
shy
Term
diffuse
Definition
spread out widely; scatter freely; pour out and cause to spread freely
Term
digress(ion)
Definition
stray from the subject at hand
Term
dilatory
Definition
tending to waste time
Term
diminutive
Definition
below the average size; very small; little
Term
dire
Definition
urgent, dreadful
Term
discern
Definition
detect; perceive
Term
discomfited
Definition
disappointed, defeated
Term
discount
Definition
give reduction in price on
Term
disheartening
Definition
discouraging
Term
disillusionment
Definition
disenchantment, disappointment
Term
disingenuous
Definition
giving a false appearance of frankness; insincere
Term
disparage
Definition
belittle; speak of in a slighting or disrespectful way; reduce in esteem or rank
Term
dispassionate
Definition
calm; impartial; unaffected by strong emotion or prejudice
Term
dispel
Definition
scatter; drive away; cause to vanish
Term
disputatious
Definition
argumentative; fond of arguing; inclined to dispute
Term
disquiet
Definition
make uneasy or anxious; trouble
Term
disseminate
Definition
distribute; spread; scatter like seeds
Term
distaste
Definition
dislike, aversion
Term
divergent
Definition
differing; tending to move apart in different directions
Term
divisive
Definition
creating conflict
Term
divulge
Definition
reveal; make known to public
Term
doctrine
Definition
principles presented for belief, as by religious; principle of law; act of teaching; instruction
Term
dormant
Definition
sleeping; not active but capable of becoming active
Term
dupe
Definition
easily deceived person; duplicate of photographic image
Term
duplicitous
Definition
deliberately deceptive
Term
ebullient
Definition
showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm
Term
eclectic
Definition
composed of elements from a variety of sources
Term
efface
Definition
rub or wipe out; make indistinct as if by rubbing
Term
effervesce
Definition
bubble, fizz
Term
egalitarian
Definition
belief in equality
Term
elated
Definition
overjoyed; extremely happy and excited
Term
elicit
Definition
draw out; bring forth or to light; generate or provoke as response or answer
Term
elucidate
Definition
make clear or plain, especially by explanation; clarify
Term
elude
Definition
avoid cleverly; escape perception of
Term
elusive
Definition
difficult to describe; difficult to detect or grasp by mind
Term
embitter
Definition
make worse
Term
embroiled
Definition
throw into confusion; deeply involved especially in something complicated
Term
empathetic
Definition
compassionate
Term
empirical
Definition
derived from experiment and observation rather than theory
Term
encompass
Definition
surround; form a circle or ring around; enclose; envelop
Term
encroaching
Definition
intrusive
Term
encumbrance
Definition
burden
Term
enigma
Definition
puzzle; difficult problem
Term
enumerate
Definition
list each one; mention one by one
Term
ephemeral
Definition
short-lived; enduring a very short time
Term
epiphany
Definition
sudden realization
Term
epitome
Definition
representative or perfect example of a class or type; brief summary, as of a book or article
Term
equanimity
Definition
calmness of temperament; steadiness of mind under stress.
Term
equitable
Definition
marked by or having equity; just and impartial
Term
equivocal
Definition
open to two or more interpretations and often intended to mislead
Term
erudite
Definition
learned; scholarly, with emphasis on knowledge gained from books
Term
esoteric
Definition
hard to understand; known only in a particular group
Term
estrange
Definition
alienate
Term
eulogy
Definition
expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death
Term
evoke
Definition
bring out; arouse; call forth
Term
exacting
Definition
making severe demands; rigorous; requiring great care, effort, or attention
Term
excavate
Definition
unearth; dig out; make a hole in; hollow out
Term
exemplar
Definition
representative example
Term
exhibitionist
Definition
deliberately behaving a certain way to attract attention
Term
exhort
Definition
urge on or encourage, especially by shouts
Term
exorbitant
Definition
greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation; exceeding proper limits
Term
expedient
Definition
suitable; appropriate to a purpose; serving to promote your interest
Term
expose
Definition
set forth; set out to public view
Term
extol
Definition
praise highly; glorify; celebrate
Term
extricate
Definition
free, as from difficulties or perplexities; cause to be emitted or evolved
Term
facile
Definition
done or achieved with little effort or difficulty; ready or fluent
Term
faction
Definition
a party of persons having a common end in view
Term
fallacious
Definition
false; tending to mislead; deceptive
Term
fallacy
Definition
deceptive or false appearance; false notion; deception
Term
fanaticism
Definition
excessive zeal; extreme devotion to a belief or cause
Term
fastidious
Definition
difficult to please; having complicated requirements; excessively particular demanding about details
Term
fathom
Definition
measure the depth; come to understand
Term
felicitious
Definition
well-suited, happy
Term
finesse
Definition
refinement and delicacy of performance; skillful, subtle handling
Term
flagrant
Definition
obvious and offensive, blatant, scandalous; flaming into notice
Term
flippant
Definition
lacking proper seriousness; speaking freely; talkative; communicative
Term
florid
Definition
reddish; elaborately or excessively ornamented
Term
flummox
Definition
confuse
Term
folly
Definition
foolishness; lack of good sense, understanding, or foresight
Term
foolhardy
Definition
rash; marked by unthinking boldness
Term
forlorn
Definition
sad and lonely; wretched; abandoned or left behind
Term
fortitude
Definition
bravery; force; power to attack or to resist attack
Term
fortuitous
Definition
accidental; by chance; coming or occurring without any cause
Term
fraudulent
Definition
cheating; deceitful; planning or using fraud; given to practice of fraud
Term
frugal
Definition
sparing; economical; costing little; inexpensive
Term
furor
Definition
great excitement; public disorder or uproar
Term
furtive
Definition
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy
Term
futile
Definition
useless; having no useful result; vain
Term
gait
Definition
manner of walking or stepping; bearing or carriage while moving; walk; rate of moving
Term
gallant
Definition
courtly; lively and spirited; having or displaying great dignity or nobility
Term
gargantuan
Definition
huge; of a tremendous size, volume, degree
Term
garish
Definition
over-bright in color; tastelessly showy
Term
genial
Definition
friendly; cordial; having a pleasant or friendly disposition or manner
Term
germinate
Definition
cause to sprout or grow; come into existence
Term
glutton
Definition
person who eats too much food and drink
Term
grandiose
Definition
impressive from inherent grandeur; large and impressive, in size, scope or extent
Term
hackneyed
Definition
repeated too often; over familiar through overuse
Term
hamper
Definition
put at disadvantage; prevent progress or free movement of
Term
hardy
Definition
in robust and good health; able to survive under unfavorable conditions
Term
hasten
Definition
accelerate; quicken
Term
heresy
Definition
opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted religion
Term
histrionic
Definition
characteristic of acting or stage performance
Term
hubris
Definition
excessive pride or self-confidence
Term
idiosyncrasy
Definition
behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
Term
idyllic
Definition
excellent and delightful in all respects
Term
ignominy
Definition
deep disgrace; shame or dishonor
Term
illicit
Definition
illegal; unlawful; not authorized or permitted
Term
impasse
Definition
road or passage having no exit; deadlock
Term
imperious
Definition
urgent or pressing; able to deal authoritatively; dictatorial
Term
impetuous
Definition
marked by sudden and violent force; hasty; impulsive and passionate
Term
impudence
Definition
offensively bold behavior; trait of being rude
Term
inane
Definition
silly; senseless; unconsciously foolish; void
Term
incongruity
Definition
quality of disagreeing; being unsuitable and inappropriate
Term
incredulous
Definition
difficult to believe; incredible; skeptical
Term
incriminate
Definition
accuse of a crime or other wrongful act; suggest that someone is guilty
Term
incubate
Definition
hatch; develop under favorable conditions
Term
indeterminate
Definition
uncertain; not clearly fixed; indefinite
Term
indictment
Definition
formally accuse of a crime
Term
indigenuous
Definition
native to a region
Term
indignant
Definition
affected with indignation; wrathful; passionate; irate; feeling wrath by unworthy or unjust treatment
Term
indiscriminate
Definition
choosing at random; not marked by fine distinctions
Term
indolent
Definition
lazy; slow to heal, grow, or develop; inactive
Term
indomitable
Definition
unconquerable; incapable of being overcome
Term
induce
Definition
persuade; bring about; reason or establish by induction
Term
indulgent
Definition
yielding; lenient; forbearing or tolerant
Term
ineffable
Definition
unutterable; cannot be expressed in speech
Term
ineptitude
Definition
incompetence
Term
inert
Definition
inactive; lacking power to move; unable to move or act
Term
ingenuous
Definition
naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated
Term
inherent
Definition
firmly established by nature or habit
Term
inhibit
Definition
restrain; prevent or forbid; hold back
Term
innate
Definition
possessed at birth; inborn
Term
innocuous
Definition
having no adverse effect; harmless
Term
innuendo
Definition
hint; indirect implication , usually malicious
Term
inscrutable
Definition
impenetrable; not readily understood; mysterious
Term
insipid
Definition
lacking flavor or zest; not tasty; dull
Term
insolence
Definition
scornful treatment; insulting speech or conduct
Term
instigate
Definition
goad or urge forward; provoke; incite
Term
insular
Definition
of isolated people, especially having a narrow viewpoint
Term
intrepid
Definition
fearless; indicating or springing from courage
Term
inundate
Definition
overwhelm; cover with water, especially floodwaters
Term
invoke
Definition
call upon; ask for; request earnestly
Term
irate
Definition
feeling or showing extreme anger; enraged
Term
irony
Definition
expression by deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning; witty language used to insult
Term
irreverent
Definition
disrespectful; showing lack of due respect; not revering god
Term
jaded
Definition
fatigued dulled by surfeit; exhausted; worn out; wearied
Term
jocular
Definition
humorous, amusing or joking; sportive; not serious
Term
jovial
Definition
good-natured; marked by good cheer; cheerful and good-humored
Term
judicious
Definition
exhibiting good judgment or sound thinking; prudent
Term
lackadaisical
Definition
lacking purpose or zest; halfhearted; lacking spirit or liveliness
Term
laconic
Definition
brief; effectively cut short; marked by use of few words
Term
laggard
Definition
slow; sluggish; wasting time
Term
languid
Definition
lacking energy or vitality; weak; sluggish; lacking spirit or liveliness
Term
latent
Definition
present or potential but not evident or active; dormant; hidden
Term
laud
Definition
give praise to; glorify; celebrate or honor
Term
listless
Definition
lacking in spirit or energy to exert effort
Term
lithe
Definition
flexible; moving and bending with ease
Term
lucid
Definition
easily understood; clear; intelligible
Term
lucrative
Definition
profitable; producing good profit
Term
lull
Definition
moment of calm; a period of calm weather; temporary quiet and rest
Term
lurid
Definition
causing shock or horror; gruesome
Term
luxuriant
Definition
abundant; rich and splendid; fertile
Term
magnanimous
Definition
generous; high-minded or great-souled; chivalrous
Term
malleable
Definition
capable of being shaped by pounding; impressionable
Term
marred
Definition
damaged or disfigured by injury or rough wear
Term
maudlin
Definition
tearfully sentimental; over-emotional; sickly-sentimental
Term
melancholy
Definition
gloomy; feeling of thoughtful sadness; affected by depression
Term
mercenary
Definition
interested in making money; profit oriented; hired for service in foreign army
Term
mercurial
Definition
capricious; liable to sudden unpredictable change; quick and changeable in temperament
Term
miserly
Definition
indicative of lack of generosity; cautious with money
Term
mitigate
Definition
make less severe or harsh; moderate
Term
modicum
Definition
limited quantity; small or moderate amount; any small thing
Term
morose
Definition
ill humored; sullen; depressingly dark; gloomy; persistent
Term
motley
Definition
multi-colored; mixed; having elements of great variety
Term
multifarious
Definition
varied; greatly diversified; made up of many differing parts
Term
nebulous
Definition
lacking definite form or limits; hazy; cloudy
Term
nefarious
Definition
very wicked; infamous by being extremely wicked
Term
neophyte
Definition
recent convert to a belief; one newly initiated
Term
notoriety
Definition
known for some unfavorable act or quality; bad or ill fame
Term
noxious
Definition
harmful to living things; injurious to health
Term
nuance
Definition
subtle or slight degree of difference
Term
obdurate
Definition
hardened in wrongdoing or wickedness; not giving in to persuasion
Term
obstinate
Definition
stubbornly adhering to an attitude or opinion; hard to control or treat
Term
officious
Definition
marked by excessive eagerness in offering unwanted services or advice to others
Term
onerous
Definition
burdensome or oppressive; not easily borne; wearing
Term
opportunist
Definition
one who takes advantage of any chance to achieve an end, with no regard for principles or consequences
Term
oracle
Definition
answer of god; communications, revelations, or messages delivered by god to the prophets
Term
orthodox
Definition
traditional; conservative in belief; adhering to established faith, especially in religion
Term
ostensible
Definition
put forth or held out as real, actual, or intended; proper or intended to be shown
Term
oversight
Definition
unintentional omission or mistake; watchful care or management; supervision
Term
pacifist
Definition
one opposed to force; antimilitarist
Term
pacify
Definition
ease anger or agitation of; make calm or quiet; end war or violence
Term
painstaking
Definition
extremely careful and diligent work or effort; taking of pains
Term
palliate
Definition
lessen violence of disease; moderate intensity; gloss over with excuses
Term
paradigm
Definition
one that serves as a pattern or model; system of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality
Term
parch
Definition
burn surface of; roast over fire, as dry grain; dry to extremity
Term
parody
Definition
work or performance that imitates another work or performance with ridicule or irony; make fun of
Term
partisan
Definition
one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party
Term
patronize
Definition
act as a patron to; support or sponsor
Term
paucity
Definition
scarcity; smallness of number; fewness
Term
pedant
Definition
one who is overly concerned with formal rules and trivial points of learning
Term
peevish
Definition
unpleasant
Term
penchant
Definition
strong inclination; definite liking
Term
penurious
Definition
cheap, stingy
Term
peremptory
Definition
offensively self-assured; dictatorial; not allowing contradiction or refusal
Term
perfunctory
Definition
done routinely and with little interest or care; acting with indifference
Term
peripheral
Definition
located in outer boundary; unimportant; auxiliary
Term
perquisite
Definition
any gain above stipulated salary; extra payment
Term
petulant
Definition
easily irritated or annoyed; unreasonably irritable or ill-tempered
Term
philanthropist
Definition
person who loves mankind in general; very generous person or institution
Term
piety
Definition
religious devotion and reverence to God; devout act, thought, or statement; godliness
Term
placate
Definition
appease or pacify; bring peace to
Term
placid
Definition
peaceful; tranquil; calm or quiet
Term
plasticity
Definition
ability to be molded, formed, or modeled; quality or state of being plastic
Term
plausible
Definition
likely but not certain to be or become true or real
Term
plethora
Definition
excess; overfullness in any respect; superabundance
Term
pliable
Definition
flexible; yielding; easily bent or shaped
Term
polemical
Definition
aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious
Term
prattle
Definition
speak about unimportant matters rapidly and incessantly; talk artlessly and childishly
Term
precarious
Definition
uncertain; risky; dangerously lacking in security or stability
Term
precipitate
Definition
rash; moving rapidly and heedlessly; speeding headlong; occurring suddenly
Term
preclude
Definition
make impossible, as by action taken in advance; prevent; eliminate
Term
precocious
Definition
advanced in development; appearing or developing early
Term
presumptuous
Definition
overconfident; going beyond what is right or proper; excessively forward
Term
pretext
Definition
excuse; something serving to conceal plans; fictitious reason
Term
prevaricator
Definition
liar
Term
procure
Definition
bring into possession; cause to accrue to, or to come into possession of; cause to come; bring
Term
prodigious
Definition
impressively great in size, force, or extent; enormous
Term
profound
Definition
deep; not superficial; far-reaching
Term
profuse
Definition
in great quantity or abundance; bountiful; exceedingly liberal
Term
prohibitive
Definition
tending to discourage; prohibiting; forbidding
Term
proliferate
Definition
grow rapidly; propagate; reproduce
Term
prolific
Definition
producing offspring or fruit in great abundance; fertile
Term
pronouncement
Definition
formal declaration
Term
propensity
Definition
natural inclination; tendency or preference; predilection
Term
proponent
Definition
one who argues in support of something; advocate; backer
Term
prosaic
Definition
dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact; factual
Term
prospective
Definition
being within view or consideration, as a future event or contingency; relating to the future: expected
Term
provident
Definition
displaying foresight; providing carefully for future; preparing for emergencies
Term
provincial
Definition
relating to a province; limited in outlook; unsophisticated
Term
punctillious
Definition
meticulous, attentive to detail
Term
pundit
Definition
authority on a subject; learned person; expert
Term
quell
Definition
extinguish; put down forcibly; suppress; pacify or quiet
Term
quixotic
Definition
idealistic without regard to practicality
Term
rampant
Definition
unrestrained and violent; occurring without restraint
Term
ramshackle
Definition
of very poor quality or condition; loose-jointed; ill-made; out of gear or repair
Term
rancor
Definition
bitter, long-lasting resentment; deep-seated ill will; hatred
Term
rapport
Definition
emotional closeness; harmony; relationship of mutual trust or emotional affinity
Term
ratify
Definition
approve formally; confirm; verify
Term
raucous
Definition
harsh and rough-sounding; disturbing public peace; loud and rough
Term
ravenous
Definition
extremely hungry; voracious; eager for prey
Term
raze
Definition
destroy completely; scrape or shave off
Term
reap
Definition
gain; harvest a crop from; get or derive; obtain as a result of effort
Term
rebuttal
Definition
proving to be false or incorrect; response with contrary evidence
Term
recalcitrant
Definition
obstinately stubborn; determined to resist authority
Term
recant
Definition
retract a previous statement; sing over again; utter repeatedly in song
Term
recessive
Definition
tending to go backward
Term
recluse
Definition
one who lives in solitude; withdrawn from the world; reclusive
Term
rectify
Definition
set right; correct by calculation or adjustment
Term
redolent
Definition
fragrant; odorous; suggestive of odor
Term
refutation
Definition
arguing that a claim is false
Term
regressive
Definition
tending to return or revert
Term
relegate
Definition
assign to obscure place, position, or condition; delegate; assign
Term
relinquish
Definition
give up something with reluctance; retire from; give up or abandon
Term
renounce
Definition
abandon; disown; turn away from; give up
Term
repertory
Definition
place, such as a storehouse, where a stock of things is kept; storage; entire range of skills or aptitudes
Term
reprehensible
Definition
deserving blame; admonition; blameworthy
Term
reprimand
Definition
reprove severely, especially in a formal or official way; rebuke formally
Term
reproach
Definition
express disapproval or disappointment; bring shame upon; disgrace
Term
repudiate
Definition
disown; refuse to acknowledge; reject validity or authority of
Term
repugnant
Definition
arousing disgust or aversion; offensive or repulsive; hateful
Term
rescind
Definition
cancel; make void; repeal or annul
Term
reticent
Definition
inclined to keep silent; reserved; uncommunicative
Term
reverent
Definition
respectful; worshipful; impressed with veneration or deep respect
Term
rhetorical
Definition
relating to skill of using language effectively and persuasively; insincere in language
Term
rouse
Definition
pull or haul strongly and all together, as upon a rope, without the assistance of mechanical appliances
Term
sage
Definition
one celebrated for wisdom, experience, and judgment; various plants of the genus Salvia
Term
sanctimonious
Definition
excessively or hypocritically pious; possessing sanctity; sacred; holy; saintly; religious
Term
sanction
Definition
give authorization or approval to something; penalize a state, especially for violating international law
Term
sanctity
Definition
holiness
Term
sanguine
Definition
cheerfully confident; optimistic; of healthy reddish color; ruddy
Term
satiate
Definition
satisfy fully; overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself
Term
satire
Definition
form of literature in which irony and ridicule are used to attack human vice and folly
Term
saturate
Definition
soak, fill, or load to capacity; cause to unite with the greatest possible amount of another substance
Term
scanty
Definition
somewhat less than needed in amplitude or extent; insufficient
Term
scathing
Definition
harshly critical
Term
scintillating
Definition
lively, effervescent
Term
scope
Definition
range of one's perceptions, thoughts, or actions; extent; bound
Term
scrupulous
Definition
exactly and carefully conducted; by extreme care and great effort; cautious
Term
scrutinize
Definition
examine closely and critically
Term
self-righteous
Definition
smug, holier-than-thou
Term
self-serving
Definition
selfish
Term
serendipity
Definition
gift for finding valuable or desirable things by accident; accidental good fortune or luck
Term
servile
Definition
slavish; suitable to slave or servant; relating to servitude or forced labor
Term
shrew
Definition
astute, smart
Term
shroud
Definition
hide from view; wrap for burial; shut off from sight; shelter
Term
simile
Definition
comparison of one thing with another, in English generally using like or as
Term
slight
Definition
almost no; very little; deliberate discourtesy
Term
slipshod
Definition
untidy or slovenly; shabby; great carelessness; done poorly or too quickly
Term
solace
Definition
comfort or relieve in sorrow, misfortune, or distress
Term
solicitous
Definition
worried or concerned; full of desire; expressing care or concern
Term
somber
Definition
gloomy; depressing or grave; dull or dark in color
Term
sophistry
Definition
argument for exercise merely; plausible but misleading argument; art or process of reasoning; logic
Term
spartan
Definition
avoiding luxury and comfort; sternly disciplined
Term
sporadic
Definition
occurring at irregular intervals; having no pattern or order in time
Term
spurious
Definition
false; counterfeit; forged; illogical
Term
spurn
Definition
reject disdainfully or contemptuously; scorn
Term
squander
Definition
spend wastefully; fail to take advantage of; lose a chance for
Term
stagnant
Definition
not moving
Term
stark
Definition
bare; complete or extreme
Term
static
Definition
having no motion; being at rest; fixed; stationary
Term
staunch
Definition
strong and loyal
Term
steadfast
Definition
firmly or constant loyal; fixed or unchanging
Term
stock
Definition
certificate for shareholder of corporation; total amount of goods in a shop
Term
strident
Definition
loud and harsh; insistent; high-pitched; rough-sounding
Term
stupefy
Definition
make senseless or dizzy; be mystery or bewildering to
Term
subservient
Definition
behaving like slave; subordinate in capacity or function
Term
substantiate
Definition
establish by evidence; make firm or solid; support
Term
subversive
Definition
tending to overthrow; in opposition to civil authority or government
Term
succulent
Definition
full of juicy; full of richness; highly interesting or enjoyable; delectable
Term
supercilious
Definition
arrogant; feeling or showing haughty disdain; overbearing
Term
superfluous
Definition
being beyond what is required or sufficient
Term
supplant
Definition
replace; usurp; displace and substitute for another
Term
surfeit
Definition
eat until excessively full; be more than full; feed someone to excess
Term
susceptible
Definition
easily influenced; having little resistance, as to a disease; receptive to
Term
sycophant
Definition
one who attempts to win favor by flattering influential people; bootlicker; yes man
Term
tangential
Definition
peripheral; only slightly connected; digressing
Term
teem
Definition
be abuzz; be full of; move in large numbers
Term
temperamental
Definition
of or pertaining to temperament; excessively sensitive or irritable; moody; likely to perform unpredictably; undependable
Term
temporize
Definition
act evasively in order to gain time, avoid argument, or postpone a decision
Term
tenacious
Definition
sticking together; stubbornly unyielding; holding together firmly
Term
tenuous
Definition
long and thin; slender; having little substance
Term
tirade
Definition
extended scolding; long angry or violent speech
Term
toady
Definition
person who flatters or defers to others for self-serving reasons; yes man
Term
torpor
Definition
state of mental or physical inactivity or insensibility; sluggishness; dormancy
Term
totalitarian
Definition
undemocratic, rigid political control
Term
tout
Definition
advertise in strongly positive terms; praise excessively; show off
Term
tractable
Definition
easily managed or controlled; governable; easily handled or worked; docile
Term
transient
Definition
momentary; temporary; staying for short time
Term
treatise
Definition
systematic, usually extensive written discourse on a subject
Term
trepidation
Definition
state of alarm or dread; nervous apprehension; involuntary trembling or quivering
Term
tribulation
Definition
suffering
Term
trifling
Definition
trivial; of slight worth or importance; frivolous or idle
Term
trite
Definition
repeated too often; over familiar through overuse; worn out by use
Term
truculent
Definition
disposed to fight; belligerent; aggressively hostile
Term
ubiquitous
Definition
being or existing everywhere; omnipresent
Term
unabashed
Definition
not embarrassed
Term
uncanny
Definition
strange; mysterious; peculiarly unsettling, as if of supernatural origin or nature
Term
uncouth
Definition
lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
Term
unfathomable
Definition
difficult or impossible to understand; difficult or impossible to measure
Term
ungainly
Definition
awkward; lacking grace in movement or posture
Term
unruly
Definition
difficult or impossible to discipline, control, or rule; not according to rule; irregularly
Term
unwitting
Definition
not intended; not knowing; unaware; ignorant
Term
urbane
Definition
showing a high degree of refinement
Term
usurp
Definition
seize and hold power or rights of another by force or without legal authority
Term
vacuous
Definition
empty; showing lack of thought or intelligence; vacant
Term
vanquish
Definition
conquer; overcome; come out better in a competition
Term
vapid
Definition
dull and unimaginative; lacking taste or flavor
Term
venal
Definition
capable of being bribed; for sale, available for a price; corrupt
Term
venerable
Definition
deserving high respect; impressive by reason of age; profoundly honored
Term
verbose
Definition
wordy; using or containing a great and usually an excessive number of words
Term
vigilant
Definition
attentive to discover and avoid danger, or to provide for safety; wakeful; watchful; circumspect; wary
Term
vindicate
Definition
clear from blame; exonerate; maintain, uphold, or defend
Term
vindictive
Definition
seek revenge or intended for revenge; showing malicious will
Term
virtuoso
Definition
highly skilled artist, as musician; one who is dazzlingly skilled in his field
Term
virulent
Definition
extremely poisonous; hostile; bitter
Term
viscous
Definition
sticky; gluey; having high resistance to flow
Term
vocation
Definition
career; profession
Term
vying
Definition
striving
Term
waning
Definition
lessening
Term
wayward
Definition
selfish, stubborn
Term
wrath
Definition
forceful, often vindictive anger; fury; just punishment of an offense or crime
Term
wry
Definition
turned to one side; twisted; marked by humorous twist, often with a touch of irony
Term
zealot
Definition
fanatically committed person; person who shows excessive zeal
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