defy

court

woo

scornful

seldom

irksome

pivotal

morbid

assess

daunting

counterfeit

unappealing

devise

feckless

punctilious

incendiary

pathetic

toll

clangorous

tepid

efflorescence

acquisitive

excise

conceal

lout

brazen

schism

Def: to try to make (smn) love you.

to try to attract: to attempt to persuade
(smn) to buy smth from you, vote for you, etc.

He wooed her with flowers and

dinner.

Def: to act in a way that shows that you want or

intend to get married./ to give a lot of attention
and praise to get approval./allure, tempt:
provoke

Sophie was courted by her boyfriend for

two years before they got married.

Syn: ASK (FOR), FLIRT (WITH), INVITE,

COURT

Syn: ASK (FOR), FLIRT (WITH), INVITE,

WOO, LOOK FOR, GO STEADY, KEEP
COMPANY

Def: annoying or irritating.

Tending to irk: tedious (an irksome task)

Def: not often: almost never.

When children are hungry or want

attention, they can get extremely irksome.

Syn: ABRASIVE, AGGRAVATING, PESKY,

BOTHERSOME, FRUSTRATING, GALLING,
ANNOYING, NETTLESOME, VEXATION
Def: to make a judgment about (something)
to officially say what the amount, value
to tax or charge

If the situation hadnt been assessed,

the company would be in trouble.
Syn: ESTIMATE, IMPOSE, CHARGE, EXACT
Def: not attractive or appealing.

Popular
students
often
find
unappealing people who only study.

Syn: GROTESQUE, HIDEOUS, HOMELY, ILLFAVORED,

MONTRUOUS,
UGLY,
UNATTRACTIVE, VILE

Women seldom admit they are

wrong.
Syn: INFREQUENTLY, LITTLE, RARELY, ONCE
IN A BLUE MOON.
Def: relating to unpleasant subjects (such as
death) / not healthy or normal. / of, relating to,
or characteristic of disease. / grisly, gruesome

Some people are attracted to morbid

situations, such as seeing a dead person.
Syn: BLEAK, CHEERLESS, COMFORTLESS,
DEPRESSIVE, GLOOMY, SULLEN
Def: made to look like an exact copy of
something in order to trick people

When the girl realized that she had a

counterfeit doll, she began to cry.

Syn:
BOGUS,
FAKE,
FALSE,
FORGED,
INAUTHENTIC, PHONY, QUEER, SHAM,
SNIDE, SPURIOUS, UNAUTHENTIC

Def: very careful about behaving properly and

doing things in a correct and accurate way

Def: having or resulting from a weak character

or nature

Sometimes,
her
punctiliousness
prevented Mary from having fun.

The media generally portray political

leaders as feckless.

Syn:
CAREFUL,
CORRECT,
DECOROUS,
FORMAL, NICE, PROPER, CEREMONIOUS,
STARCHY, STIFF, STILTED
Def: the sound of a tolling bell.

The bride was excited when she

heard the first bell toll.
Def: the action or process of developing and
unfolding as if coming into flower: blossoming
(periods
of
intellectual
and
artistic
efflorescence)

When
an
era
is
in
its
efflorescence, everyone praises its
achievements.
Def: to hide (something or someone) from sight
to keep (something) secret

Jews were so afraid of being killed

that they concealed their true
identity.
Syn: BURY, CACHE,
SECRETE, DISGUISE

HIDE,

ENSCONCE,

Syn: WEAK, INNEFECTIVE, WORTHLESS,

IRRESPONSIBLE,
INEFFICACIOUS,
COUNTERPRODUCTIVE
Def: causing feelings of sadness and sympathy
very bad, poor, weak
Even though she was dressed with pathetic
clothes, the rich man had no mercy and sent her
away.
Syn:
HEARTBREAKING,
HEARTRENDING,
MISERABLE, PITEOUS, PITIABLE, PITIFUL,
POOR, RUEFUL, SORRY, WRETCHED
Def: not hot and not cold.
not energetic or excited.

David was disappointed because his

girlfriend seemed tepid although he had
suggested a variety of things to do.

Syn: HALFHEARTED, LUKEWARM, UNEAGER,

UNENTHUSIASTIC.
Def: to tax.
to remove by excision (by cutting out surgery)

The governor has long been

obsessed with excising the media
from his life.

Def: to refuse to obey (something or someone)./

to make something very difficult or impossible./
to resist or fight (something)./ dare.

Karen defied her father because

he wanted her to change a flat
tire.

Syn: DISOBEY, MOCK, REBEL (AGAINST),

RESIST
Def: feeling or showing scorn: contemptuous.
Scorn: harsh criticism that shows a lack of
respect or approval for someone or something.

Paparazzi often receive scornful

critics and glares from people in
general.

Syn:
ABHORRENT,
DISDAINFUL,
CONTEMPTUOUS. Ant: ADMIRING.
Def: Very important.

When reports
lack
of
pivotal
information, they have to be redone in
order for people to understand them.
Syn: CRITICAL, KEY, CRUCIAL, VITAL
Def: tending to make people afraid or less
confident: very difficult to do or deal with. /
tending to overwhelm or intimidate.

Although the task was daunting, the

student didnt give up and completed
it.

Syn:
FRIGHTENING,
DETERRING,
DISCOURAGING
Def: to invent, plan or bring about (something
that is difficult or complicated)

Designers are devising a new software to

help engineers to work with finite element
analysis.

Syn: CONCOCT, CONSTRUCT, CONTRIVE,

INVENT,
DRUM
UP,
EXCOGITATE,
FABRICATE, MAKE UP, TRUMP UP, VAMP UP
Def: noun: agitator.
adjective: causing anger

The president couldnt handle the

incendiary
comments
from
the
interviewer and punched him in his
face.
Syn: INFLAMMATORY, SEDITIOUS

Def: a resounding clang or medley of clangs

Mary doesnt like clangorous concerts.

She prefers something quieter.
Syn: NOISY,
VOCIFEROUS

DISCORDANT,

CLAMOROUS,

Def: having a strong desire to own or acquire

more things.

Acquisitive people often dont get a

partner because they dont let them
breathe.

Syn:
GREEDY,
AVARICIOUS,
AVID,
COVETING, COVETOUS, GRABBY, GRASPING,
MERCENARY, MONEYGRUBBING, RAPACIOUS

Def: a division among the members of a group

that occurs because they disagree on sth.
division, separation; also: discord, disharmony
There was a schism between the members of
the party because every one of them wanted to
be the leader.
Syn: CONFLICT, DISACCORD, DISCORDANCE,
DISCORDANCY, DISHARMONY, DISSENT

Def: acting or done in a very open and shocking

way without shame or embarrassment.
He exhibited a brazen disregard for other
peoples feelings, and hence nobody liked him.
Syn: ARCH, AUDACIOUS, BOLD, BOLD-FACED,
BRASSBOUND, BRASSY, NERVY, CHEEKY,
COCKSURE, COCKY, IMPERTINENT, FRESH

erode

indictment

resolve

dubious

assiduous

impecunious

feign

dissemble

asset

untapped

abstruse

hortatory

trifling

render

vexation

vexatious

venal

exact

underscore

tumultuous

providential

relentless

flout

virtual

Def: an awkward brutish (stupid) person.

Simon is so lout that nobody wants

to be his partner.

Syn: CLOD, CLODHOPPER, GAWK, HULK, OAF,

LUBBER,
LUG,
LUMP,
NEANDERTHAL,
PALOOKA

stark

unprincipled

Def: to find an answer or solution to (something)

to make a definite decision to do sth

Syn: CHOOSE, CONCLUDE, DETERMINE,

FIGURE, NAME, OPT, DECIDE, SETTLE

Def: law: an official written statement charging

a person with a crime. An expression or
statement of strong disapproval.
She couldnt help to say an indictment to the
paparazzi when she saw them taking photos.
Syn: COMPLAINT, COUNT, CHARGE, RAP,
ACCUSATION, ALLEGATION, PLEA, CENSURE

Def: having little or no money.

Def: showing great care, attention, and effort.

The issue of the books authorship

was never resolved.

All of his friends pitied him because

of being impecunious.

Syn:
BEGGARED,
BEGGARLY,
BROKE,
DESTITUTE, DIRT-POOR, DOWN-AND-OUT,
FAMISHED,
HARD
UP,
POOR,
IMPOVERISHED, INDIGENT, SKINT

warring

He was an assiduous event planner, so

every bride wanted to have him, but
not every of them could.

Syn:
ACTIVE,
BUSY,
INDUSTRIOUS,
LABORIOUS,
DILIGENT,
SEDULOUS,
WORKING

Def: a valuable person or thing

something that is owned by a person,
company, etc.
His sense of humor is his asset.
In his assets there are car, a house and a yatch.
Syn: ADVANTAGE, AID, HELP, BENEFIT,
BOON, CAPITAL, FORTUNE, MEANS, WORTH,
OPULENCE, SUBSTANCE, WHEREWITHAL

Def: to hide your true feelings, opinions, etc. /

to put on the appearance of: SIMULATE./ to
conceal facts, intentions, under some pretense.
He dissembled happiness when he heard the
news about his ex-girlfriend, but he was actually
sad.
Syn:
ACT,
AFFECT,
ASSUME,
BLUFF,
COUNTERFEIT, FEIGN, FAKE, PRETEND,
SHAM, PUT ON, SIMULATE

Def: hortative, exhortatory

Def: hard to understand.

The governor gave a hortatory

sermon to the audience in order to
encourage them to be better.
Def: the state of being worried or annoyed:
irritation or annoyance./ something that worries
or annoys you.
Sophie couldnt get her work done due to the
consistent vexations.
Syn:
AGRAVATION,
BEDEVILMENT,
TEASING,
BOTHERATION, BOTHERING,
BUGGING, DISTURBANCE, HARRASMENT,
PESTERING
Def: to demand and get (something, such as
payment or revenge) especially by using force or
threats.
He exacted an answer from his enemy by telling
him that he had captured the enemys wife.
Syn: CALL (FOR), CLAIM, CALMOR (FOR),
COMMAND, ENJOIN, DEMAND, INSIST
(ON), QUEST, STIPU;ATE (FOR)
Def: happening at a good time because of luck. /
marked by foresight: PRUDENT

He was just besides the phone when the

providential call arrived. He had won the
lottery!
Syn: FLUKY, FORTUITOUS, HAPPY, HEAVENSENT, LUCKY, FORTUNATE

Syn: PROFOUND, ARCANE, DEEP, ESOTERIC,

HERMETIC, RECONDITE

Def: to cause (smn or sth) to be in a specified

condition. / to give (sth) to somn. / leave /
depict
The artist rendered his horse with great skill,
Depression can render a person helpless.
Syn: CEDE, COUGH UP, DELIVER, GIVE UP,
HAND OVER, LAY DOWN, RELINQUISH,
SURRENDER, TURN IN, TURN OVER, YIELD
Def: willing to do dishonest things in return for
money.

The venal president accepted a bribe

from the media in order for them to
monopolize it.
CORRUPTIBLE,

The action of the waves eventually not

only eroded the rock, but completely
vanished it.
Syn: BITE (AT), CORRODE, EAT, FRET, GNAW,
NIBBLE

Def: unsure or uncertain: feeling doubt about

sth
causing doubt or suspicion: likely to be bad
or wrong.
He made the highly dubious claim that he had a
tiger as a pet. Nobody really believed it.
Syn: DOUBTUL, DABATABLE, DISPUTABLE,
DODGY, DUBITABLE, EQUIVOCAL
Def: to pretend to feel or be affected by
(something)

She feigned puzzlement to make the

little boy feel clever by him asking his
easy riddle.

Syn: PRETEND, DISSEMBLE, FAKE, SHAM,

MAKE BELIEVE
Def: available but not used.

Nobody seemed to understand the

abstruse theories the teacher was
using in order to explain the formula.

Syn:
BRIBABLE,
PURCHASABLE

Def: to gradually destroy (something) or to be

gradually destroyed by natural forces.

DIRTY,

Def: loud, excited, and emotional./ involving a lot

of violence, confusion, or disorder.
After 30 years without seeing her, her father
gave her a tumultuous welcome at the airport.
Her tumultuous life is similar to the unquiet sea,
full of ups and downs.
Syn:
CATACLYSMAL,
STORMY,
TEMPESTUOUS, CONVULSIVE, TURBULENT

Even though they are free, the

books in the library sometimes are
untapped because the students
show no interest in them.
Def: having little value or importance. / lacking
in significance or solid worth: as frivolous, or
trivial.

The child received a trifling present

from one of his friends and cried.

Syn: FIDDLING, FOOLISH, FRIVOLOUS,

INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LITTLE,
MICKEY MOUSE, INCONSIDERABLE, MINOR
Def: causing vexation: distressing/ intended to
harass/ full of disorder or stress: TROUBLED
I cant stand the vexatious phone calls form the
advertising companies.
Syn: ABRASIVE, AGGRAVATING, GALLING,
BOTHERSOME,
CARKING,
CHAFING,
DISTURBING, EXASPERATING, IRKSOME
Def: to emphasize (sth) or show the importance
of (sth) / to draw a line under (sth)

To underscore the main points of her

presentation, she asked the audience
about them.

Syn: ACCENTUATE, BRING OUT, ITALICIZE,

STRESS, UNDERLINE, EMPHASIZE

Def: very close to being something without

actually being it. / existing or occurring on
computers or on the internet
Even though she hadnt been elected yet, Diana
was the virtual president of the class because
she was in charge of everything.
Syn: ADWARE, FLASH, KLUDGE, PHISHING,
RECURSIVE, ROUTER

Def: to break or ignore (a law, rule, etc.)

without hiding what you are doing or showing
fear or shame.

Def: related to war: a state or period of

fighting between countries or groups.

The
warring
opponent
was
determined to win by creating
chaos and confusion.

Def: not having or showing concern for what is

right
The unscrupulous attorney accepted the case
even though he knew that his client was guilty.
Syn:
UNSCRUPULOUS,
IMMORAL,
CUTTHROAT,
UNETHICAL,
UNCONSCIONABLE, MACHIAVELLIAN

Def: rigid in or as if in death / rigidly

conforming: ABSOLUTE / unpleasant and
difficult to accept or experience / very obvious:
easily seen.
People dont accept the stark reality of death.
There isnt a stark truth.
Syn: AUSTERE, DOUR, FIERCE, FLINTY,
GRUFF, INTIMIDATING, ROUGH, ABSOLUTE

dissimilar

deem

debunk

stream

bogus

scathing

acerbic

thrift

stingy

fanciful

involved

tenuous

stem

blunt

disinterested

endorse

unsparing

thorny

voluble

extraneous

attain

Julie knows that in order for her to be

given her child back, she shouldnt flout
the law again.
Syn: DESPISE, DISREGARD, SCORN

Def: continuing without becoming weaker, less

severe, ect. / remaining strict or determined.

The relentless son had decided to buy a

car, and he didnt stop until he bought it.

Syn: IMPLACABLE, UNYIELDING, DOGGED,

GRIM,
DETERMINED,
UNAPPEASABLE,
UNFLINCHING, UNRELENTING

hackneyed

besiege

unseemly

quarrelsome

heretical

mellifluous

Def: to show that something (such as a belief or

theory) is not true: to show the falseness of (a
story, idea, statement, etc.)
The document debunks one popular theory and
that is why it is so interesting.
Syn:
BELIE,
CONFOUND,
CONFUTE,
DISPROVE,
DISCONFIRM,
DISCREDIT,
FALSIFY, REBUT, REFUTE, SHOOT DOWN

Def: to think of (smn or sth) in a particular way.

Def: very harsh or severe.

The author was crying because of the

scathing reviews of the book.

Syn: ACERB, ACERBIC, ACID, ACIDIC, TART,

ACIDULOUS, ACRID, BARBED, BITING,
CAUSTIC, CORROSIVE, CUTTING, MORDANT,
PUNGENT, SARDONIC, SATIRIC, SHARP
Def: not liking or wanting to give or spend
money: not generous. / small in size or amount.

She deemed that killing the murderer

wouldnt be comparable to what he had
done.
Syn:
ALLOW,
CONCEIVE,
CONSIDER,
BELIEVE, ESTEEM, FEEL, FIGURE, GUESS,
HOLD, IMAGINE, JUDGE, RECKON, SUPPOSE,
THINK
Def: not real or genuine: fake or false

The teacher was angry because the

student was showing bogus facts in his
presentation.
Syn: ARTIFICIAL, IMITATION, DUMMY,
ERSATZ, FACTITIOUS, FAKE, FALSE, FAUX,
IMITATIVE, MAN-MADE, MIMIC, MOCK,
SHAM

Syn: CHEAP, MISERLY, CHINTZY, CLOSE,

CLOSEFISTED, MEAN, MINGY, NIGGARD,
PARSIMONIOUS, PENURIOUS, PINCHING

Def: careful use of money so that it is not

wasted. / a business like a bank that is used for
saving money.
The poor family bought a house through hard
work and thrift.
Syn: FRUGALITY, HUSBANDRY, PARSIMONY,
PENNY-PINCHING,
PROVIDENCE,
SCRIMPING, SKIMPING, ECONOMY

Def: not certain, definite, or strong: flimsy,

weak, or uncertain. / very thin.

Def: very complicated. / having a part in

something: included in something

The boss didnt want to raise the

employees salary because he was too
stingy to do it.

They had a tenuous relationship

because they only had one friend in
common.

I have never seen an assembly manual that

was so involved. I couldnt simply follow it.

Def: not influenced by personal feelings,

opinions, or concerns. / having no desire to know
about a particular thing: not interested.
She was disinterested and was not influenced by
other peoples opinions.
Syn: UNBIASED, APATHETIC, CASUAL,
COMPLACENT, INDIFFERENT, INCURIOUS,
INSOUCIANT, NONCHALANT, PERFUNCTORY

Def: having a thick edge or point: not sharp. /

saying or expressing something in a very direct
way that may upset some people.
The blunt guy was rejected by the woman, who
wanted to be treated in a more subtle way.
Syn: ABRUPT, BLUFF, BRUSQUE, CRUSTY,
CURT,
DOWNRIGHT,
SHORT,
SNIPPY,
UNCEREMONIOUS
Def: very harsh or severe. / not frugal: liberal,
profuse
Neighbors were unsparing in their charity when
a local family was rendered homeless by a fire.
Karen was unsparing in her criticism of the
president.
Syn: RUTHLESS, BIGHEARTED, CHARITABLE,
FREE, FULSOME, LIBERAL, GENEROUS

Syn: THIN, SLENDER, SLIM, SLIGHT

Def: having a lot of thorns. / very difficult or

complicated.

Charles liked finding thorny ways to

solve the problems he encountered
although there were many simple ones.
Syn: COMPLICATED, CONVOLUTED

Syn: BAROQUE, BYZANTINE, COMPLICATED,

CONVOLUTED,
DAEDAL,
ELABORATE,
INTRICATE, INVOLUTE, COMPLEX, KNOTTY

Def: not the same: different or unalike

They were twins, and yet, they had

dissimilar ways of thinking.

Syn: UNLIKE, DISPARATE, DIFFERENT,

DISTANT,
DISTINCT,
DISTINCTIVE,
DISTINGUISHABLE,
DIVERSE,
OTHER,
NONIDENTICAL
Def: a natural flow of water that is smaller than
a river. /
any flow of liquid or gas. / a
continuous flow of people or things./ verb: to
move in a steady flow.
A stream flows through the field.
Tears streamed down his cheeks.
Syn: POUR
Def: expressing harsh or sharp criticism in a
clever way. / acid in temper, mood, or tone.

The acerbic critics couldnt help but to

make the artist feel devastated.

Syn: ACERB, SARCASTIC, ACID, ACIDIC,

TARD, ACIDULOUS, ACRID, BARBED, BITING,
CAUSTIC, CORROSIVE, CUTTING, MORDANT
Def: coming from the imagination. / showing
imagination: unusual and appealing
Many children have fanciful friends when they
feel alone and dont have interaction with
others.
Syn: ABSURD, BIZARRE, CRAZY, FANTASTIC,
FOOLISH, INSANE, NONSENSICAL, UNREAL,
PREPOSTEROUS, WILD
Def: to make headway against (as an adverse
tide, current, or wind) / to check or go counter
to (something adverse) / to occur or develop as
a consequence: have or trace an origin
She was able to stem the critics and succeed.
Her success stems from hard work.
Syn: SPRING, ARISE, RISE, ORIGINATE,
DERIVE, FLOW, ISSUE, EMANATE, PROCEED
Def: to publicly or officially say that you
support or approve of (smn or sth). / to write
your name on the back of (a check)
Even though the president was cynical, he had a
crowd that endorsed him.
Syn: ADVOCATE, BACK, CHAMPION, SUPPORT,
INDORSE, PATRONIZE, PLUMP (FOR), PLUNK
(FOR)

Def: to accomplish or achieve (sth): to succeed

in getting or doing (sth) / to grow or increase to
(a particular amount, size, etc.) / to come into
possession of: OBTAIN
She was really happy when she attained her
long-awaited goal of completing her bachelors
degree.
Syn: ACHIEVE, BAG, CHALK UP, GAIN, HIT,
LOG, MAKE, NOTCH, RACK UP, RING UP, WIN

Def: not forming a necessary part of something:

not important.
When he got the car, he eliminated all the
extraneous parts the previous owner had added.
Syn: ACCIDENTAL, ADVENTITIOUS, ALIEN,
EXTRINSIC,
EXTERNAL,
FOREIGN,
SUPERVENIENT

Def: talking a lot in an energetic and rapid way.

Def: to surround with armed forces. / to press

with requests: IMPORTUNE / to cause worry or
distress to: BESET
The manager of the company was besieged with
so many questions from the unsatisfied
customers that he quit.
Syn:
BELEAGUER,
BLOCKADE,
INVEST,
LEAGUER
Def: of, relating to, or characterized by
departure from accepted beliefs or standards:
UNORTHODOX.
In the religious town, he was the only one who
had the heretical belief that God didnt exist.
Syn:
DISSENTIENT,
DISSENTING,
DISSIDENT, HETERODOX, ICONOCLASTIC,
MAVERICK, NONCONFORMIST

Def: not interesting, funny, etc., because of

being used too often: not fresh or original.
He was tired of the hackneyed phrases his
mother used to give him advice.
Syn: CLICH, COBWEBBY, COMMONPLACE,
HACK, BANAL, STALE, MUSTY, OBLIGATORY,
SHOPWORN, STEREOTYPED, THREADBARE,
TRITE
Def: ready or likely to argue or disagree.
The quarrelsome couple was always involved in
disputes and fights against the government.
Syn: CONTENTIOUS, AGGRESSIVE, CHIPPY,
AGONISTIC,
ARGUMENTATIVE,
FEISTY,
ASSAULTIVE,
BELLICOSE,
BRAWLY,
COMBATIVE,
CONFRONTATIONAL,
WARLIKE, GLADIATORIAL

oracular

unparalleled

parsimonious

profligate

improvident

prodigal

cling

dissension

immutable

quintessence

diaphanous

pedantic

archetype

evanescent

demise

contravene

peremptory

deletion

Def: not proper or appropriate for the situation:

not seemly
The host was angry because of the unseemly
questions one of the guests was asking.
Syn: INAPPROPRIATE, AMISS, GRACELESS,
IMPROPER, INAPPOSITE, INAPT, PERVERSE,
UNFIT, INDECOROUS, UNTOWARD, WRONG
Def: having a smooth, flowing sound. / filled
with something (as honey) that sweetens.
The professor was impressed by her mellifluous
voice. He had never heard something similar.
Syn: EUPHONIOUS, LYRICAL, MELLIFLUENT,
LYRIC, MELLOW, MELODIC, MELODIOUS,
MUSICAL

The governor was characterized by his

voluble personality. Many of his
opponents couldnt compete with his
readiness to talk.
Syn: TALKATIVE, LOQUACIOUS, GARRULOUS

seasoned

sage

indigenous

mephitic

nadiral

snipe

resilience

unintelligible

vitiate

Def: not found elsewhere: never seen or

experienced before. / having no equal: better or
greater than anyone or anything else.
He tortured his prisoners with unparalleled
cruelty.
Syn:
INCOMPARABLE,
INIMITABLE,
MATCHLESS,
PEERLESS,
UNEQUALED,
UNEXAMPLED,
UNRIVALED,
UNSURPASSABLE

Def: resembling an oracle (a parson through

whom a god was believed to speak) / of, relating
to, or being an oracle
We met a slave girl with an oracular spirit. She
was known for her accurate future predictions.
Syn:
DICTATORIAL,
MAGISTERIAL,
DOGMATIC, DOCTRINAIRE

Def: very unwilling to spend money.

Charles was so sparing that he didnt want

to spend anything on his children.

Syn:
SPARING,
RESTRAINED,
CHEAP,
CHINTZY,
MEAN,
MINGY,
MISERLY,
NIGGARD, STINGY, PENURIOUS, PINCHING
Def: carelessly and foolishly spending money,
time, etc.

The prodigal girl always spends

allowance the minute she gets it.

her

Syn:
EXTRAVAGANT,
HIGH-ROLLING,
PROFLIGATE, SPENDTHRIFT, THRIFTLESS,
SQUANDERING, WASTEFUL
Def: unable to be changed.
Her father was immutable, and that is why she
never could make him change his answers.
Syn: FIXED, HARD-AND-FAST, INFLEXIBLE,
INALTERABLE,
INCOMMUTABLE,
INVARIABLE,
UNALTERABLE,
UNCHANGEABLE
Def: of, relating to, or being a pedant (a person
who annoys others by correcting small errors
and giving too much attention to minor details) /
unimaginative, dull.
The pedantic teacher didnt praise the
magnificent presentation of the student
because he was too worried about the minor
details to see the whole picture.
Def: the conveyance of an estate / to transmit
by succession or inheritance. / an end of life /
the end of sth
Mary demised her properties to her daughter
because she didnt want them anymore.
He was alone at the moment of his demise.
Syn: DEATH, CURTAINS, DECEASE, DOOM,
END, EXIT, DISSOLUTION, EXPIRATION
Def: the act of taking out / something deleted

The deletion of the files was not

accidental, and now the manager is
looking for the responsible.
Syn: OMISSION, ELISION

Def: not providing or saving for the future: not

wise or sensible regarding money.

The improvident girl never had money in

her accounts because she thought that
nothing could happen to her.
Syn: MYOPIC, SHORTSIGHTED

Def: disagreement that causes the people in a

group to argue about something that is
important to them.
It is common that dissensions appear when
cousins meet.
Syn: DISAGREEMENT, WAR, DISACCORD,
DISCORDANCE, DISHARMONY, DISSENT,
WARFARE, STRIFE, VARIANCE, SCHISM
Def: characterized by such fineness of texture
as to permit seeing through. / characterized by
extreme delicacy of form: ethereal /
insubstantial, vague.
The bride was wearing a diaphanous veil.
He had only a diaphanous hope of success.
Syn: SHEER, FILMY, GAUZELIKE, GAUZY,
GOSSAMER, SEE-THROUGH, TRANSPARENT

Def: carelessly and foolishly wasting money,

materials, etc.: very wasteful.
Consuming more than he had, he was considered
profligate, but he couldnt resist to help others.
Syn:
EXTRAVAGANT,
HIGH-ROLLING,
PRODIGAL, SPENDTHRIFT, SQUANDERING,
THRIFTLESS, UNTHRIFTY, WASTEFUL
Def: to hold together, to adhere as if glued
firmly. / to have a strong emotional attachment
or dependence.

He embellished the jar by making a flower

cling to it.
Syn: ADHERE, CLEAVE, STICK, HEW

Def: the essence of a thing in its purest and

most concentrated form / the most typical
example or representative
The Parthenon was considered the quintessence
of the perfectly proportioned building.
Syn: ACME, APOTHEOSIS, BEAU IDEAL,
BYWORD, CLASSIC, EPITOME, EXEMPLAR,
IDEAL, PERFECTION

Syn: lasting a very short time. / tending to

vanish like vapor.
Rainbow is an evanescent phenomena; yet it is
awesome and full of magic.
Syn:
BRIEF,
EPHEMERAL,
DECIDUOUS,
MOMENTARY,
FLASH,
FLEETING,
TRANSIENT, TRANSITORY

Def: a perfect example of something.

Def: used to describe an order, command, etc.,

that you must obey without any questions or
excuses. / having or showing the insulting
attitude of people who think that they should be
obeyed without question.
Peremptory people always tell others what to do.
Syn:
AUTHORITARIAN,
AUTOCRATIC,
DESPOTIC, DICTATORIAL, IMPERIOUS

Def: to go or act contrary to: VIOLATE / to

oppose in argument: CONTRADICT

Sophie is the archetype of a

successful doctor. Everyone wants
to be like her.

Syn: PROTOTYPE, ANTECEDENT, ANCESTOR,

FOREGOER, PRECURSOR, PREDECESSOR

The
bar
contravened
the
safety
regulations because it was overcrowded
and selling drugs.
Syn: BREACH, BREAK VIOLATE, FRACTURE,
INFRINGE, OFFEND, TRADUCE, TRANSGRESS

Def: produced, living, or existing naturally in a

particular region or environment

There are several indigenous groups in

Ecuador, who live surrounded by indigenous
flora and fauna.

Syn: ABORIGINAL AUTOCHTHONOUS, BORN,

DOMESTIC, ENDEMIC, NATIVE
Def: to shoot at someone from a hidden place. /
to criticize someone or something in a harsh or
unfair way.

Because of his way of dressing, he was

sniped by the elite students.

Def: wise through reflection and experience. /

proceeding from or characterized by wisdom,
prudence, and good judgment.
When girls are proposed marriage, they have to
make a sage decision that will last forever.
Syn: DISCERNING, INSIGHTFUL, WISE,
PERCEPTIVE,
PRUDENT,
SAGACIOUS,
SAPIENT
Def: of, pertaining to, or situated at a nadir
(the worst or lowest point of something)

Many people describe the place

that rapists go as the nadiral hell.

Def: experienced (made competent for a

particular office or function)
The seasoned businessman couldnt stand the
peremptory attitude of the novice employee.
Syn: ESTABLISHED, SETTLED, MATURE,
ABLE EXPERIENCED, MELLOW, WORLDLY,
HARDENED
Def: of, relating to, or resembling mephitis: foul
(very unpleasant to taste or smell)-smelling

The dog was driven to the mephitic

cave by his acute sense of smelling.

The answer of the doctor was vitiated by

his foolish secretary.

Def: that cannot be understood, seen clearly, or

read clearly.
The
documents
contained
unintelligible
information that had been wrote to distract the
manager.
Syn:
INCOMPREHENSIBLE,
BAFFLING,
UNDECIPHERABLE

Def: the ability to become strong, healthy, or

successful again after something bad happens. /
the ability of something to return to its original
shape after it has been pulled, stretched, etc.

heedful

reluctant

timorous

trickle

presage

maudlin

unobtrusive

furnishing

missive

xenophile

linger

remonstrate

conversely

seminal

neoteric

subterfuge

misapprehension

sequestered

Def: to make (something) less effective: to ruin

or spoil (something)

Syn: IMPAIR, BLEMISH, DARKEN, MAR,

POISON, STAIN, TARNISH, TOUCH, TAINT

She has gone through devastating

situations, but her resilience is amazing
and never lets them destroy her.

monolithic

lopsided

deprecate

rosy

sanguine

circumvent

laud

deleterious

execrable

Def: easily frightened. / full of or subject to

fear. / expressing or indicating fear or timidity.
His timorous voice was heard only when he was
very close to someone.
Syn: FAINTHEARTED, FEARFUL, FEARSOME,
COWARDLY, MOUSY, SCARY, SKITTISH,
TIMID, SHY, TREMULOUS

Def: feeling or showing aversion, hesitation, or

unwillingness to do something.

She was reluctant to talk to the police

because she feared that something bad
could happen.
Syn:
CAGEY,
DISINCLINED,
DUBIOUS,
INDISPOSED, LOATH, HESITANT, RETICENT

Def: taking heed (to give careful attention to):

ATTENTIVE
When a person is in the jungle, they have to be
heedful of every animal.
Syn:
ALERT,
CAUTIOUS,
CHARY,
CIRCUMSPECT,
SAFE,
WARY,
CONSERVATIVE, CONSIDERATE, GINGERLY,
GUARDED, CAREFUL

Def: something that foreshadows or portends a

future event: OMEN. / an intuition or feeling of
what is going to happen in the future.

Def: to flow or fall in drops. / to move or go

slowly in small numbers or amounts. / to
dissipate slowly

Def: showing or expressing too much emotion

especially in a foolish or annoying way. / drunk
enough to be emotionally silly.
The bride became maudlin because her friends
have prepared her a surprise.
Syn: SENTIMENTAL, WET, CHOCOLATE-BOX,
CLOYING, DRIPPY, FRUITY, GOOEY, CORNY,
MAWKISH, MUSHY, SAPPY, SCHMALTZY
Def: a written communication.

William sent a missive to his loved one

hoping that she forgave him.
Syn: EPISTLE, MEMO, DISPATCH, LETTER,
NOTE, MEMORANDUM
Def: to disagree and argue or complain about
something. / protest.

I remonstrated about the imperious

attitude of my friend, but he got
resented.
Syn: DEMUR, EXCEPT, EXPOSTULATE, KICK,
PROTEST, OBJECT

Def: recent in origin: MODERN

The neoteric trend in fashion is being

followed by many famous people.
Syn: MODERN, NEW, RECENT

She said that her dreams were a presage

of what was going to happen.

Syn:
FOREBODING,
PREMONITION
PRESENTIMENT, PROGNOSTICATION
Def: an article or accessory of dress. / an
object that tends to increase comfort or utility.

She was wearing a variety of

furnishings that made her feel
glamorous.
Def: to be slow in parting or in quitting sth. / to
remain alive although gradually dying / to be
slow to act: PROCRASTINATE. / to move slowly.
/ to dwell in contemplation, thought, or
enjoyment
She lingered at the artistic exhibition with joy.
Syn: CRAWL, CREEP, DALLY, DAWDLE,
DIDDLE, DILLYDALLY, DRAG, LAG, DELAY,
LOITER, MOPE, POKE, TARRY, SHYLLYSHALLY
Def: having a strong influence on ideas, works,
events, etc., that come later: very important and
influential. / containing or contributing the
seeds of later development: CREATIVE,
ORIGINAL

She contributed to medicine with seminal

researches
and
experiments
about
children.

She wanted to disguise her feelings,

but a few tears trickled down her
cheeks and everyone noticed.
Syn: DRIBBLE, SEEPAGE, DRIP

Def: not attracting attention in a way that

bothers you. / not obtrusive: not blatant,
arresting, or aggressive: inconspicuous
Some TV commercials have unobtrusive
messages designed to make them free of guilt.
Syn:
DISCREET,
INCONSPICUOUS,
INVISIBLE, UNNOTICEABLE.

Def: one attracted to foreign things (as styles

or people)

Because Darwin is xenophile, every

foreign person goes to his house and
feels like home.

Def: reversed in order, relation or action.

Diana likes fruit; conversely, her

sister likes meat and dislikes fruit.

Def: to be kept apart from other people.

The
kidnappers
had
the
boy
sequestered in a room very far from
his hometown.
Syn: SEGREGATED

Def: misunderstanding

There was a misapprehension between

the manager and one of the employees.

Syn: MISCONSTRUED, MISINTERPRETED,

MISKNOWN,
MISPERCEIVED,
MISREAD,
MISSED, MISTAKEN

Syn: to criticize or express disapproval of (smn

or sth)./ make little of.
The expert deprecated the neophyte and made
him feel very little.
Syn: BAD-MOUTH, BELITTLE, CRY DOWN,
DENIGRATE,
DECRY,
DEPRECIATE,
DEROGATE,
DIMINISH,
DISCOUNT,
MINIMIZE, VILIPEND, TRASH

Def: leaning to one side. / lacking in balance,

symmetry, or proportion./ uneven or unequal
The
lopsided score showed the poor
performance of one of the teams.
Syn: UNEVEN, ASKEW, ASLANT, ATILT,
COCKEYED, CRAZY, CROOKED, LISTING,
AWRY,
OBLIQUE,
PITCHED,
SKEWED,
SLANTING, TILTED

Def: to manage to get around especially by

ingenuity or stratagem. / to avoid being stopped
by (law or rule).

Def: confident and hopeful . / consisting of or

relating to blood.

He circumvented the problem by telling an

ingenious lie.
Syn: BEAT, BYPASS, DODGE, GET AROUND,
SHORTCUT, SIDESTEP, SKIRT

The sanguine manager told his employees

to have faith and work hard to recover
from the crisis.
Syn:
OPTIMISTIC,
HOMICIDAL

BLOODY-MINDED,

Def: the use of tricks especially to hide, avoid,

or get something. / a deceptive device or
stratagem
He used subterfuges to avoid telling he was
poor.
Syn:
DECEPTION,
FRAUD,
ARTIFICE,
CHICANE, GAMESMANSHIP, HANKY-PANKY,
JIGGERY-POKERY,
JUGGLERY,
LEGERDEMAIN, SKULDUGGERY
Def: of, relating to, or resembling a monolith:
huge, massive. / cast as a single piece. /
constituting a massive undifferentiated and
often rigid whole.

The monolithic concrete wall didnt have

any cracks and seemed to have been built
as a whole.
Def: having or producing hope for success or
happiness in the future.

When Sophie was applying to medicine

school, she adopted a rosy attitude: she
was very hopeful.
Syn: SANGUINE, OPTIMISTIC

Def:
deserving
to
be
execrated:
DETESTABLE. / very bad: WRETCHED.
The execrable crimes that the murderer
committed were condemned by the whole town.
Syn:
ATROCIOUS,
AWFUL,
DISMAL,
WRETCHED,
HORRIBLE,
LOUSY,
PUNK,
ROTTEN, SUCKY, TERRIBLE

Def: damaging or harmful. / harmful often in a

subtle or unexpected way.
People who consume alcohol see a deleterious
effect on their health after some time.
Syn: ADVERSE, BAD, BALEFUL, BANEFUL,
DAMAGING,
DANGEROUS,
HARMFUL,
DETRIMENTAL,
EVIL,
HURTFUL,
ILL,
NOCUOUS, MISCHIEVOUS, NOXIOUS

pusillanimous

insouciant

conspicuous

bombastic

sojourn

sycophant

propitious

salacious

preclude

decry

anathema

artful

unavailing

seamy

cunning

Def: PRAISE, ACCLAIM

After he performed in a breathtaking

way, he received all the laud from the
audience.
Syn:
ACCLAIM,
ACCOLADE,
APPLAUSE,
CREDIT, DISTINCTION, HOMAGE, HONOR,
KUDOS, GLORY, LAURELS, PROPS, RCLAME

canny

coalition

assuage

outcry

impasse

jaundiced

jocular

consecrate

abrogate

eschew

transcend

impromptu

Def: obvious to the eye or mind / attracting

attention / marked by a noticeable violation of
good taste.
Although the boy tried not to seem attracted to
the girl, his interest was inevitably conspicuous.
Syn:
ARRESTING,
BODACIOUS,
BOLD,
BRILLIANT, COMMANDING, NOTICEABLE,
DRAMATIC, EMPHATIC, NOISY, GRABBY

Def: to be in a relaxed and calm state: a feeling

of not worrying about anything / lighthearted
unconcern: nonchalance
She does not worry about anything. I would like
to be as insouciant as she is.
Def: CASUAL, COMPLACENT, UNCONCERNED,
DISINTERESTED,
DISREGARDLESS,
INCURIOUS, INDIFFERENT, NONCHALANT

Def: arousing or appealing to sexual desire or

imagination: LASCIVIOUS.
Many men have salacious desires that their
women seldom want to satisfy.
Syn: CONCUPISCENT, GOATISH, HORNY,
HOT, HYPERSEXUAL, ITCHY, LASCIVIOUS,
LECHEROUS, LEWD, LIBIDINOUS, RANDY,
LICENTIOUS, LUBRICIOUS, PASSIONATE

Def: lacking courage and resolution: marked by

contemptible timidity.
Pusillanimous people wouldn.t start a fight for
their interests because they are too afraid.
Syn:
CHICKEN,
CRAVEN,
DASTARDLY,
GUTLESS,
LYLY-LIVERED,
POLTROON,
COWARDLY,
RECREANT,
SPINELESS,
UNHEROIC, YELLOW
Def: marked by or given to bombast: pompous,
overblown (excessively elevated, arrogant,
magnificent)
She tries not to seem bombastic when talking
about her studies because she is a PhD and
doesnt want to seem pretentious.
Syn:
RETHORICAL,
GRANDILOQUENT,
GASSY, FUSTIAN, ORATORICAL, OROTUND,
WINDLY
Def: favorably disposed: BENEVOLENT / being
a good omen: AUSPICIOUS / tending to favor:
ADVANTAGEOUS
She had a wonderful first day of work, which
was considered propitious to her career.
Syn: AUSPICIOUS, BRIGHT, ENCOURAGING,
FAIR, GOLDEN,
HEARTENING,
LIKELY,
OPTIMISTIC, PROMISING, HOPEFUL, ROSY

Def: someone or something that is very strongly

disliked. / one that is cursed by ecclesiastical
authority
I dont like seeing people asking for money.
Those kinds of things are anathema for me.
Syn: CURSE, BAN, EXECRATION, WINZE,
IMPRECATION, MALEDICTION, MALISON

Def: to depreciate (as a coin) officially or

publicly / to express strong disapproval of.
Parents generally decry TV programs that
contain violence and are aimed to children.
Syn: DEPRECIATE, DISPARAGE, BELITTLE,
DEPRECATE,
BAD-MOUTH,
DIMINISH,
DEROGATE, DISCOUNT, MINIMIZE

Def: a person who praises powerful people in

order to get their approval.
Always a sycophant, Charles couldnt help but to
tell the minister he loved his new haircut.
Syn: APPLE-POLISHER, BOOTLICKER, TOADY,
BROWNNOSER, FAWNER, FLUNKY, SUCK-UP,
LICKSPITTLE
Def: to prevent (something) from happening. /
to prevent (someone) from doing something.

The Roman Inquisition precluded any

try to advance in heretical ideas.

Syn: PREVENT, AVERT, FORESTALL, HEAD

OFF, HELP, OBVIATE, STAVE OFF
Def: done with or showing artistic skill / good at
getting or achieving things in ways that are
clever and not noticeable.
The artful mother got his son to admit that he
had broken the vase without him noticing.
Syn: BEGUILING, CAGEY, CRAFTY, CUNNING,
CUTE, DESIGNING, DEVIOUS, DODGY, FOXY,
TRICKY, WILY, SUBTLE
Def: getting what is wanted in a clever and
often deceptive way / displaying keen insight /
prettily appealing: CUTE
There was a cunning student who always tricked
the teacher to get what he wanted.
Syn: BEGUILING, CAGEY, CRAFTY, ARTFUL,
CUTE, DESIGNING, FOXY, DODGY, DEVIOUS,
SCHEMING, SCHREWD, SUBTLE, TRICKY

Def: a temporary stay.

My mother needs a two-week sojourn

on the beach to relax.
Syn: VISIT, STAY, TARRY

Def: of or relating to unpleasant and usually

illegal things (such as crime, drugs, etc.)

Young people get easily involved in

seamy crimes.
Syn: UNPLEASANT, DEGRADED, SORDID

Def: not useful or successful.

Every attempt that Mary did to avert a

fight with her brother was futile.

Syn: FUTILE, USELESS, ABORTIVE, VAIN,

BOOTLESS, EMPTY, FRUITLESS, OTIOSE,
INEFFECTUAL

Def: to make (sth, such as an unpleasant feeling)

less painful, severe, etc. / PACIFY, QUIET / to
put an end to by satisfying: APPEASE, QUENCH
Sophie practiced yoga to assuage her stress and
anxiety.
Syn: ALLEVIATE, ALLAY, HELP, EASE,
MITIGATE, MOLLIFY, PALLIATE, RELIEVE,
SOOTHE

Def: the act of coalescing: UNION / a

temporary alliance of distinct parties, people, or
states for joint action.
Some of the students were forming a coalition
to choose a new president for the class.
Syn: BLOCK, BODY, FACTION, PARTY, SECT,
SET, SIDE, WING

Def: exhibiting or influenced by envy, distaste,

or hostility / feeling or showing dislike, distrust,
or anger because of past experiences.
Ever since her brother was given a better toy
than hers, she has acted in a jaundiced way.
Syn: COVETOUS, GREE-EYED, INVIDIOUS,
ENVIOUS, JEALOUS, RESENTFUL

Def: a situation in which no progress seems

possible.
The aboriginal groups in Ecuador seem to have
reached an impasse because they do not want to
progress under any circumstances.
Syn: DEADLOCK, GRIDLOCK, HALT, LOGJAM,
STALEMATE, STANDOFF, STANDSTILL

Def: to abolish by authoritative action:

ANNUL / to treat as nonexistent: abrogating
responsibility
The manager abrogated the policy that forbid
employees to bring their children to work.
The employee was fired for abrogating his
duties.
Syn: ABATE, ABOLISH, ANNUL, AVOID,
CANCEL, DISSOLVE, INVALIDATE, NEGATE,
NULL, QUASH, REPEAL, RESCIND, VACATE

Def: dedicated to a sacred purpose

Every church has consecrate objects

inside it aimed to encourage devoted
people to go there.

Def: very clever and able to make intelligent

decisions.

The canny entrepreneur knew that clients

had to be treated with kindness if he were
to preserve them.

Syn: CLEVER, ASTUTE, SHREWD, CLEAREYED, SHARP, HEADY, SMART, SAVVY,

KNOWING
Def: an expression of strong anger or
disapproval by many people / a loud cry:
CLAMOR / a vehement protest.
The crowd protested with an outcry against
racial discrimination.
Syn: HOWL, HUBBUB, HUE AND CRY,
HULLABALOO, NOISE, CLAMOR, ROAR,
TUMULT, UPROAR, VOCIFERATION

Def: liking to tell jokes / said or done as a joke

The jocular priest was loved by his

parishioners because he gave sermons in
the most playful way possible.

Syn:
BLESSED,
HOLY,
CONSECRATED,
HALLOWED, SACRAL, SACRED, SACROSANT

Syn: CLEVER, FACETIOUS,

WITTY, SMART

HUMOROUS,

Def: not prepared ahead of time: made or done

without preparation.
Julie was characterized by doing her homework
the very last minute before turning it in. She
had an impromptu approach to duties.
Syn: IMPROVISATION, EXTEMPORIZATION,
AD-LIB

Def: to rise above or go beyond the normal

limits of (sth) / OVERCOME
The schism between the members of the party
transcended local news.
Syn: BEAT, BETTER, ECLIPSE, EXCEED, EXCEL,
OUTCLASS, OUTDISTANCE, OUTDO, TOP,
OUTMATCH, OUTSHINE, TOWER, SURPASS

Def: to avoid (sth) especially because you do not

think it is right, proper, etc.
The punctilious boy eschewed any kind of
provocation to drink alcohol by his classmates.
Syn: AVOID, DODGE, DUCK, ELUDE, ESCAPE,
EVADE, FINESSE, GET AROUND, SCAPE,
SHAKE, SHIRK, SHUFFLE, SHUN, WEASEL

beguile

acquiescent

laconic

fusillade

torrent

barring

mimesis

catharsis

inform

obtuse

pertinacious

sap

jaded

repaved

abridge

envisage

collusion

nonplus

exhort

extoll

ingratiate

quixotic

overt

delectable

fatuous

insidious

(quijotesco, soador)

vestigial
Def: using or involving the use of a minimum
words: concise to the point of seeming rude or
mysterious.
She was a laconic girl who seldom shared a word.
Syn: APHORISTIC, APHOTHEGMATIC, BRIEF,
CAPSULE, COMPACT, COMPENDIOUS, CRISP,
CURT, ELLIPTICAL, EPIGRAMMATIC, TERSE,
CONCISE, PITHY, SUCCINT
Def: excluding by exception: EXCEPTING / used
to say that something will happen unless
something else happens.
I will learn to play the piano, barring an accident
that leaves me handicapped.
Syn: APART FROM, ASIDE FROM, BAR,
EXCEPT,
BESIDE,
BUT,
EXCLUDING,
EXCLUSIVE OF, OTHER THAN, OUTSIDE,
SAVE, SAVING

Def: tending to accept or allow what other

people want or demand.
Sophie has never been acquiescent about
sharing her belongings with her sister.
Syn: PASSIVE, NONRESISTANT, RESIGNED,
TOLERANT, TOLERATING, UNRESISTANT,
YIELDING
Def: a violent stream of a liquid (as water or
lava) / a large amount of something that is
released suddenly
Words came out of his mouth as a torrent of
lava whose only purpose is destroying
everything.
Syn:
ALLUVION,
BATH,
CATACLYSM,
CATARACT,
DELUGE,
FLOOD
TIDE,
INUNDATION, NIAGARA, OVERFLOW, SPATE

Def: to give character or essence to / to be the

characteristic quality of: ANIMATE / GUIDE,
DIRECT
The principles that inform modern reading are
not known for some old people.
Syn: FINK, GRASS, RAT (ON), SING, SNITCH,
SQUEAK, TALK, TELL

Def: the act or process of releasing a strong

emotion (such as pity or fear) especially by
expressing it in an art form.
Some people dont even notice, but their
catharsis is talking to their friends about their
problems.
Syn: PURGATION

Def: to subvert by digging or eroding the

substratum or foundation: UNDERMINE / to
gradually diminish the supply or intensity of / to
weaken or exhaust the energy or vitality of
The illness sapped energy from the boy, who was
worse every day.
Syn: WEAKEN, ENFEEBLE, DEBILITATE,
UNDERMINE, CRIPPLE, DISABLE

Def: adhering resolutely to an opinion, purpose,

or design / perversely persistent / stubbornly
tenacious
The pertinacious lady was determined to marry
her enemys boyfriend.
Syn:
DOGGED,
INSISTENT,
PATIENT,
PERSEVERING, PERSISTENT, TENACIOUS

Def: to lead by deception / to trick or deceive

(smn) / to attract or interest someone
The doctor beguiled the child into thinking he
was a superhero.
Everything was beguiling about her. I loved her.
Syn: ALLURE, CHARM, BEWITCH, CAPTIVATE,
ENCHANT, FASCINATE, KILL, MAGNETIZE,
WILE, WITCH
Def: a large number of shots that are fired very
quickly / a spirited outburst especially of
criticism.
The governor couldnt handle the fusillade of
criticism that the reporters were giving
nonstop.
Syn: BLITZ, BLITZKRIEG, BOMBARDMENT,
CANNONADE,
DRUMBEAT,
DRUMFIRE,
FLURRY, BARRAGE, HAIL, SALVO, STORM
Def: IMITATION, MIMICRY: the act of
copying or imitating someone or something /
something that is made or produced as a copy
The play was a mimesis of Romeo and Juliet, so
the audience began to leave one by one.
Syn:
COUNTERFEIT,
CARBON,
CLONE,
DUMMY, DUPE, DUPLICATE, FACSIMILE,
COPY, MOCK, REPLICA
Def: stupid or unintelligent: not able to think
clearly or to understand what is obvious or
simple / difficult to comprehend
Only if you were obtuse, you wouldnt
understand the conspicuous message of the
lecturer.
Syn: BRAIN-DEAD, BRAINLESS, BONEHEAD,
CHUCKLEHEADED, DIM, DORKY, STUPID,

THICK, UNSMART, VACUOUS, WITLESS

Def: to reduce in scope: DIMINISH / to

shorten in duration or extent / CONDENSE / to
lessen the strength or effect of (sth, such as a
right)
The employees work-hours have been abridged
to avoid firing them.
Syn: ABBREVIATE, SHORTEN, CURTAIL CUT
BACK, DOCK, ELIDE, SYNCOPATE, TRUNCATE
Def: to cause to be at a loss as to what to say,
think, or do: PERPLEX
The announcement of their marriage left me
nonplussed because they were too young.
Syn:
ABASH,
CONFOUND,
CONFUSE,
DISCOMFIT, DISCONCERT, FAZE, FLUSTER,
DISCOUNTENANCE, MORTIFY, EMBARRASS,
RATTLE.
Def: to gain favor or approval for (yourself) by
doing or saying things that people like

Sophie ingratiated herself with the

president by saying she agreed with
his policy.
Def:
highly
pleasing:
DELIGHTFUL
/
DELICIOUS / very attractive
She prepares delectable meals, and she as a girl
is delectable as well.
Syn: AGREEABLE, BLESSED, CONGENIAL,
DARLING, PLEASANT, DELIIOUS, JOLLY,
DELIGHTFUL, DREAMY, DULCET, ENJOYABLE,
SWEER, WELCOME

Def: to be covered with new paving

The highway was repaved because it

had a lot of holes which prevented
drivers to go safely.
Def: secret cooperation for an illegal or
dishonest purpose.
There was a collusion between the lawyer and
the judge to obtain more money than the
criminal could give to pay to be free.
Syn:
COMPLICITY,
CONNIVANCE,
CONSPIRACY
Def: to praise (smn or sth) highly

Individuals that study hard and

contribute to science are extolled.

Syn: GLORIFY, BLESS, CAROL, CELEBRATE,

EMBLAZON, EXALT, PRAISE, HYMN, LAUD,
MAGNIFY, RESOUND
Def: easily seen: not secret or hidden / open to
view: MANIFEST

The overt candy were devoured by the

children, and when their mother
noticed that she had left the candy
uncovered, she couldnt blame her kids.

Def: fatigued by overwork: EXHAUSTED /

feeling or showing a lack of interest and
excitement caused by having done or
experienced too much of something.
Im jaded with the incendiary comments he is
always doing.
Syn: ALL IN, AWEARY, BEAT, BEATEN,
BUSHED, DONE, DRAINED, EXHAUSTED
Def: to picture (sth) in your mind / to view or
regard in a certain way
I try to envisage the day when poor and rich are
treated equally, but I doubt that can happen.
Syn: CONCEIT, CONCEIVE, CONJURE, DREAM,
IMAGINE, ENVISION, FANCY, FANTASIZE,
FANTASY, FEATURE, IDEATE, IMAGE
Def: to try to influence (smn) by words or
advice: to strongly urge (smn) to do something /
to give warnings or advice: make urgent appeals
My counselor exhorted me to take the GRE
exam by telling me that I wouldnt graduate
without it.
Syn: EGG (ON), ENCOURAGE, URGE, GOAD,
NUDGE, PRESS, PROD, PROMPT
Def: foolishly impractical especially in the
pursuit of ideals; especially: marked by rash
lofty romantic ideas or extravagantly chivalrous
action / CAPRICIOUS, UNPREDICTABLE
Joining the army was his quixotic attempt to
save the world.
Syn:
IDEALIST,
ROMANTIC,
STARRY,
UTOPIAN, VISIONARY

Def: having a gradual and cumulative effect:

SUBTLE / causing harm in a way that is gradual
or not easily noticed
The boy was so smart that he had accumulated
money in an insidious way, and when he told his
mother the amount he had, she couldnt believe
it.
Syn: TREACHEROUS, SUBTLE

Def: foolish or stupid / complacent or inanely

foolish: SILLY
The teacher didnt like fatuous questions so
many of his students prevented themselves
from asking simple things they didnt
understand.
Syn:
AIRHEADED,
BIRDBRAINED,
BONEHEAD,
BONEHEADED,
BRAINLESS,
DUMB, WITTED, SLOW, UNSMART, WITLESS

borderline

aide

underwrite

toady

traducer

forthright

wrest

disavow

tenet

Def: the last small part that remains of

something that existed before / the smallest
possible amount of something.

The only vestiges of the indigenous tribes

were bones and furnishings.
Syn: ECHO, GHOST, RELIC, SHADOW, TRACE

(asegurar, apoyar)

sapient

prolific

sanctimonious

supercilious

desecrate

inexorable

atavism

pandemonium

tutus

heap

opprobrium

panegyric

slovenly

hearken

belligerence

discourse

commingle

bourgeois

Def: to give money to support (sth, such as a

new business) and agree to be responsible for
any losses if it fails / to agree to pay for a
certain kind of loss or damage by offering (an
insurance policy)
The company underwrote the managers project.
Syn: BANKROLL, CAPITALIZE, ENDOW,
FUND, STAKE, SUBSIDIZE, FINANCE

Def: a person whose job is to assist someone

Def: directly forward / without hesitation:

frankly / at once
Thank you for your forthright explanation.
Everybody was trying to disguise the truth.
Syn: CANDID, DIRECT, FORTHCOMING,
FRANK,
FOURSQUARE,
FREEHEARTED,
HONEST,
OPEN,
OUT-FRONT,
PLAIN,
STRAIGHT, UNGUARDED, UP-FRONT
Def: a principle, belief, or doctrine generally
held to be true / a belief or idea that is very
important to a group.

Def: someone who tells lies about (someone) /

VIOLATE, BETRAY

One of the tenets of the Catholic church

is that people must not kill.
Syn: PRINCIPLE

There were several aides for the doctors

in the hospital because they needed a lot
of help.

Syn:
ADJUNCT,
HELPER,
APPRENTICE,
ASSISTANT,
COADJUTOR,
DEPUTY,
LIEUTENANT, MATE, SIDEKICK

Def: having some but not all characteristics of

something / not quite as severe as what is usual
or expected / existing at or near a border /
adverb: almost or nearly
Her cancer was borderline and the doctors
didnt know which direction to follow.
Syn: FRONTIER, MARGINAL, ABOUT, ALL
BUT, ALMOST, FAIR, FAIRLY, MOST, MUCH,
NEAR

The
prosecutor
traduced
the
defendant because the latter was
winning the case.

Def: one who flatters in the hope of gaining

favors: SYCOPHANT
Even though she was a toady to her boss, he
didnt like her and fired her.
Syn:
APPLE-POLISHER,
BOOTLICKER,
BROWNNOSER,
FAWNER,
FLUNKY,
LICKSPITTLE, SUCK-UP, SYCOPHANT

Def: to deny responsibility for: REPUDIATE /

to refuse acknowledge or accept: DISCLAIM
The priest disavowed his claim that nothing was
wrong if people didnt baptize.
Syn: CONTRADICT, DISAFFIRM, DISALLOW,
DENY, DISCLAIM, DISCONFIRM, DISOWN,
GAINSAY, NEGATE, NEGATIVE, REFUTE,
REJECT, REPUDIATE

Def: to pull, force, or move by violent wringing

or twisting movements / to obtain only by great
and steady effort.
I had to wrest my shoe from the dogs mouth!
I had to go through a lot of hurdles. I definitely
wrested my bachelors degree.
Syn: CORKSCREW, PRIZE, PRY, PULL, ROOT
(OUT), TEAR (OUT), UPROOT, EXTRACT.

Syn:
MALIGN,
ASPERSE,
CALUMNIATE, DEFAME, SLANDER

VILIFY,

YANK

Def: pretending to be morally better than other

people / hypocritically pious or devout.

When he pronounced that sanctimonious

statement, everybody laughed because he
was one of the most heretic people in the
church.
Def: not able to be stopped or changed / not to
be persuaded, moved or stopped: RELENTLESS

Peter was so inexorable that his

friends had to beg him to what it was
required instead of what he was
determined to do.
Syn: RELENTLESS

Def: plural of tutu (ballerina skirt)

Def: producing a large amount of something

He was a prolific entrepreneur who

could devise several machines in a
month.

Syn: FECUND, FRUITFUL, CORNUCOPIAN,

FAT, LUSH, LUXURIANT, PRODUCTIVE,
FERTILE, RICH
Def: to violate the sanctity of: PROFANE / to
treat
disrespectfully,
irreverently,
or
outrageously

Criminals desecrated the church last

night by throwing toilet paper into it.
Syn: DEFILE, PROFANE, VIOLATE

Def: the infernal regions: HELL / a state of

noisy, confused activity: TUMULT

The ballerina was wearing an eyecatching tutu and everybody thought

she was gorgeous.

The pandemonium started when one of the

members of the party said that he didnt
want to endorse the party anymore.

Def: Something (such as speech or a piece of

writing) that praises someone or something.
The army worshiped the dead soldier with a
beautiful panegyric.
Syn:
EULOGY,
ACCOLADE,
CITATION,
COMMENDATION, DITHYRAMB, HOMAGE,
HYMN, PAEAN, ENCOMIUM, SALUTATION,
TRIBUTE
Def: an aggressive or truculent attitude,
atmosphere, or disposition
His belligerence has made of him a lonely man.
He is always looking for trouble anywhere he
goes.
Syn:
AGGRESSION,
ASSAULTIVENESS,
DEFIANCE,
FEISTINESS,
FIGHT,
MILITANCY, PUGNACITY, TRUCULENCE

Def: something that brings disgrace / very

strong disapproval or criticism of a person or
thing especially by a large number of people:
CONTEMPT, REPROACH
Because of the bad things she had done in her
previous work, she was an object of opprobrium.
Syn: DISHONOR, DISGRACE, REFLECTION,
REPROACH, SCANDAL

Syn: ADO, ALARUMS, BALLYHOO, BLATHER,

COIL, DISTURBANCE, KERFUFFLE, TUMULT

Def: LISTEN / to give respectful attention / to

give heed to: HEAR

It is pleasant to talk to him because he

always heeds what you need to say without
judging.
Syn: ATTEND, HARK, HARKEN, HEAR, LISTEN,
HEED, MIND

Def: possessing or expressing great sagacity.

The sapient teacher always gave wise

advice to his students in order for them to
be prudent.

Syn: WISE, SAGE, JUDICIOUS, PRUDENT,

SENSIBLE,
SANE,
DISCERNING,
INSIGHTFUL, PERCEPTIVE, SAGACIOUS
Def: having or showing the proud and unpleasant
attitude of people who think they are better or
more important than other people.
The supercilious art dealer rolled his eyes when
asked if she had anything for under $1000.
Syn: ASSUMPTIVE, BUMPTIOUS, CAVALIER,
CHESTY,
HAUGHTY,
HIGHFALUTIN,
IMPERIOUS, PEREMPTORY, PRESUMING
Def: recurrence in an organism of an ancestral
trait or character / recurrence of or reversion
to a past style, manner, outlook, or activity:
THROWBACK
Since her mothers death, Karen has been
experiencing atavistic feelings when entering
her mothers room.
Syn: THROWBACK
Def: a large, disordered pile of things / a great
number or large amount of something: LOT
He has heap of work to do and very little time.
She accumulated her dirty clothes in a heap on
her chair.
Syn: ABUNDANCE, BARREL, BASKETFUL,
BOATLOAD, BUCKET, BUNCH, BUNDLE,
BUSHEL, CHUNK, TON
Def: messy or untidy / done in a careless way.

No woman wanted to date him because

of his slovenly way of dressing.

Syn: BLOWSY, DOWDY, FROWSY, SLOBBISH,

SLOBBY,
SLOVEN,
SLOPPY,
UNKEMPT,
UNTIDY

Def: to join or mix together / to blend

thoroughly into a harmonious whole / to combine
(funds or properties) into a common fund or
stock
The story is characterized for commingling
romance and action.
Syn: AMALGAMATE, COMBINE, BLEND,
COMMIX,
COMPOSITE,
CONCRETE,
CONFLATE, FUSE, HOMOGENIZE, IMMINGLE

Def: the use of words to exchange thoughts and

ideas / a long talk or piece of writing about a
subject
So interested in Marys love he was, that he
gave a discourse about the benefits of love for
her.
Syn:
CHAT,
COLLOQUE,
CONVERSE,
DIALOGUE, CONVERSATION, DISCUSSION,
EXCHANGE

gentrify

subjugate

chimerical

pastiche

ignominious

august

Def: of, relating to, or characteristic of the

social middle class / marked by a concern for
material interests and respectability and a
tendency toward mediocrity / CAPITALISTIC /
also noun: CAPITALIST
Her bourgeois way of living drove her to nothing
important.
Syn: BURGHER

(aburguesar)

inimical

meager

assortment

lacuna

epigraph

thrive

smorgasbord

swindle

chicanery

stealthy

obstreperous

felonious

judicious

effusive

concomitant

fable

tribulation

unwavering

unbecoming

untoward

uncanny

Def: existing only as the product of unchecked

imagination:
fantastically
visionary
or
improbable / given to fantastic schemes
In the prehistoric age flying a plane was a
chimerical idea.
Syn: IMAGINARY, FABULOUS, FANCIFUL,
FANTASIED, FANTASTIC, IDEAL, MADE-UP,
MYTHICAL, PHANTASMAL, VISONARY
Def: having a formal and impressive quality /
marked by majestic dignity or grandeur
All the presidents of the US come from august
lineage.
Syn:
DIGNIFIED,
DISTINGU,
DISTINGUISHED,
IMPOSING,
PORTLY,
SOLEMN, STAID, STATELY

Def: to defeat and gain control of (someone or

something) by the use of force: to conquer and
gain the obedience of (a group of people, a
country, etc.)
The army subjugated the surrounding lands.
Syn; DOMINATE, OVERPOWER, PACIFY,
SUBDUE, SUBJECT, CONQUER, VANQUISH,
SUBORDINATE
Def: causing disgrace or shame / marked with or
characterized
by
disgrace
or
shame:
DISHONORABLE / deserving of shame or
infamy: DESPICABLE
The prisoner was treated like an ignominious rat.
Syn:
DISCREDITABLE,
DISGRACEFUL,
DISHONORABLE,
LOUCHE,
NOTORIOUS,
OPPROBIOUS, SHADY, SHAMEFUL, SHY

(fbula)

Def: to change (a place, such as an old

neighborhood) by improving it and making it
more appealing to people who have money
The visionary businessman gentrified the
neighborhood. This caused that many people
from different parts of the world wanted to
buy a house from it.
Def: something (such a piece of writing, music,
etc.) that imitates the style of smn or sth else /
a piece of sth that is made up of selections
from different works / a mixture of different
things
The student turned in a wonderful homework,
which had a pastiche of interesting ideas.
Syn: AGGLOMERATE, ASSORTMENT, BOTCH,
COLLAGE,
CLUTTER,
FARRAGO,

GALLIMAUFRY

Def: a group or collection of different things or

people / the act of sorting into groups
The boy likes to collect things. In fact, he has
an assortment of wood cars and toys.
Syn: AGGLOMERATE, MISCELLANY, BOTCH,
CLUTTER, COLLAGE, PASTICHE, RUMMAGE,
SCRAMBLE, SHUFFLE

Def: very small or too small in amount / not

having enough of sth (such as money or food)
for comfort or happiness
When I started studying for the GRE, I had a
meager vocabulary, but now it is growing
nonstop.
Syn: EXIGUOUS, HAND-TO-MOUTH, LIGHT,
NIGGARDLY,
POOR,
SCANT,
SCANTY,
SCARCE, SKIMP, SLENDER, SLIM, SPARE,
SPARING

Def: to grow or develop successfully: to flourish

or succeed. / PROSPER
The student thrived as a result of the strict
teaching method the professor used.
Syn:
BURGEON,
FLOURISH,
PROSPER,
SUCCEED, ARRIVE

Def: an engraved inscription / a quotation set at

the beginning of a literary work or one of its
divisions to suggest its theme

Def: actions or statements that trick people

into believing something that is not true:
deception or trickery
The seller used chicaneries to make the
customers believe that they were buying art.
Syn: ARTIFICE, TRICKERY, HANKY-PANKY,
JIGGERY-POKERY,
JUGGLERY,
LEGERDEMAIN, SUBTERFUGE, WILE

Def: to take money or property from (someone)

by using lies or tricks
The bank swindled its customers and then
closed forever.
Syn: BEAT, BILK, BLEED, CHEAT, CHISEL,
CHOUSE, CON, COZEN, DEFRAUD, DIDDLE,
DO, DO IN, EUCHRE, FIDDLE, FLIMFLAM,
GAFF, GYP, PLUCK, SKIN, SKUNK, SQUEEZE
Def: difficult to control and often noisy /
stubbornly resistant to control: UNRULY
When I went to the toy store, the only thing I
wanted was to return because it was full of
obstreperous children.
Syn: BLATANT, CATERWAULING, CLAMANT,
VOCIFEROUS,
SQUAWKING,
YAWPING,
YOWLING

Def: very evil: VILLAINOUS / of, relating to,

or having the nature of a felony (a serious
crime, such as murder or rape)
She denounced her stepfather after he tried to
commit felonious activities against her.
Syn: CRIMINAL, ILLEGAL, ILLEGITIMATE,
ILLICIT, LAWLESS, UNLAWFUL, WRONGFUL
Def: happening at the same time as something
else.
The concomitant improvement in behavior due to
the improvement in facilities was totally
noticeable.
Syn:
ACCOMPANYING,
ATTENDANT,
COEXISTENT,
COINCIDENTAL,
CONCURRENT
Def: DETERMINED
The unwavering father was determined to get
his son to finish to school.
Syn:
UNFA;TERING,
CONSISTENT,
STEADFAST,
RESOLUTE,
STEADY,
UNSWERVING,
UNSHAKABLE,
DOGGED,
SINGLE-MINDED
Def: strange or unusual in a way that is
surprising or difficult to understand / seeming
to have a supernatural character or origin:
EERIE, MYSTERIOUS
She showed an uncanny easiness to figure any
demanding mathematical problem effortlessly.
Syn: ARCANE, CRYPTIC, DEEP, ENIGMATIC,
INSCRUTABLE, MYSTIC, OCCULT

In the books epigraph, the author

mentioned the principal characters of the
story.

Def: expressing a lot of emotion.

My mother got effusive when my father gave a
speech to honor my sister.
Syn:
DEMONSTRATIVE,
EMOTIONAL,
TOUCHY-FEELY,
UNINHIBITED,
UNRESERVED, UNRESTRAINED
Def: unhappiness, pain, or suffering / an
experience that causes someone to suffer.
It was a long period of tribulation for my
mother that my sister had gone to the US to
study.
Syn:
DEMONSTRATIVE,
EMOTIONAL,
TOUCHY-FEELY,
UNINHIBITED,
UNRESERVED, UNRESTRAINED
Def: bad or unfavorable: not good / not proper
or appropriate / difficult to guide, manage, or
work with: UNRULY, INTRACTABLE
The untoward child refused to eat his
vegetables.
Syn: BALKY, CONTRARY, CONTUMACIOUS,
DEFIANT,
FROWARD,
INCOMPLIANT,
OBSTREPEROUS, REBEL

Def: likely to cause damage or have a bad effect

/ having the disposition of an enemy:
HOSTILE / reflecting or indicating hostility:
UNFRIENDLY
The inimical attitude of the hostess made the
guests feel as intruders.
Syn:
ADVERSARIAL,
ANTAGONISTIC,
HOSTILE,
INHOSPITABLE,
MORTAL,
NEGATIVE, UNFRIENDLY, UNSYMPATHETIC
Def: a gap or blank space in something: a missing
part.
She found a lacuna in the mathematicians
theory and immediately notified it to him.
Syn: GAP, CRUNCH, DEARTH, DEFICIT,
DROUGHT, FAILURE, FAMINE, INADEQUACY,
INSUFFICIENCY, LACK, DEFICIENCY, WANT
Def: a meal with many different foods that are
placed on a large table so that people can serve
themselves / a large mixture of many different
things
Her life was a smorgasbord of activities. She
was a pianist, a manager, a waitress, and so on.
Syn:
AGGLOMERATE,
ASSORTMENT,
PASTICHE, VARIETY, WELTER
Def: quiet and secret in order to avoid being
noticed / intended to escape observation:
FURTIVE
Snakes are stealthy animals that hide and wait
for the perfect moment to prey.
Syn: FURTIVE, SHADY, SHIFTY, SLIPPERY,
SLY, SNEAKING, SNEAKY
Def: having or showing good judgment.

My father always said that judicious

planning of events can save time and
money.
Syn: INTELLIGENT, JUDGMATIC, DISCREET,
PRUDENT
Def: a short story that usually is about animals
and that is intended to teach a lesson / a story
or statement that is not true.

The teacher wanted to teach the value of

truth to his students through a fable.
Syn: APOLOGUE ALLEGORY, PARABLE

Def: not attractive: not becoming. / not

appropriate or acceptable for a person in a
particular job or position
Her boss yelled at her and she deemed that as
an unbecoming behavior for such an eminence.
Syn:
AMISS,
GRACELESS,
IMPROPER,
INAPPOSITE,
INAPT,
INCONGRUOUS,
INCORRECT, INEPT, PERVERSE, UNSEEMLY

strife

pernicious

depict

fluky

belie

trite

heresy

gauche

cobwebby

perfunctory

profuse

gainsay

iconoclast

zenith

boon

humdrum

convey

depletion

bashful

meek

forbearance

humble

belabor

espouse

obsequious

blatant

(humilde)

querulous

Def: to show (smn or sth) in a picture, painting,

photograph, etc. / to describe (smn or sth) using
words, a story, etc.
I have several photographs that depict my early
years in high-school.
Syn: DELINEATE, DESCRIBE, DRAW, IMAGE,
LIMN, PAINT, PICTURE, PORTRAY, RENDER,
SET OUT, SKETCH
Def: not interesting or effective because of
being used too often: not fresh or original
They had given so many thanks that the coming
thanks sounded trite.
Syn:
BANAL,
CLICH,
COBWEBBY,
HACKNEYED, COMMONPLACE, MOTH-EATEN,
MUSTY, OBLIGATORY
Def: filled or covered with cobwebs / gossamer
(a very light or delicate material) / MUSTY
(TRITE)
The cobwebby dress was a delight to the
eyesight.
Her cobwebby statement caused no reaction.
Syn: FLIMSY, FILMY, FROTHY, GAUZY,
GOSSAMER, INSUBSTANTIAL, SLEAZY
Def: to declare to be untrue or invalid /
CONTRADICT, OPPOSE
He tried to gainsay me, though every point I
made was backed up by facts.
Syn: CONTRADICT, DISAFFURM, DISALLOW,
DISAVOW, DISCLAIM, DENY, NEGATE,
REFUTE, REJECT, REPUDIATE
Def: something pleasant or helpful: a benefit or
advantage / FAVOR: one that is given in answer
to a request / CONVIVIAL: sociable
She was pleased to receive an economic boon.
Carlos is a boon guy who likes parties and fun.
Syn: ADVANTAGE, AID, ASSET, BENEFIT,
HELP
/
CLUBBABLE,
GREGARIOUS,
OUTGOING, SOCIABLE
Def: to empty of a principal substance / to
lessen markedly in quantity, content, power, or
value
Terrorists went to the town and depleted its
natural resources.
Syn:
ABSORB,
DRAIN,
EXHAUST,
IMPOVERISH, BANKRUPT, DEVOUR, EXPEND,
PLAY OUT, SPEND, RUN OUT OF
Def: the quality of someone who is patient and
able to deal with a difficult person or situation
without becoming angry
She waited with forbearance for her
gynecologist because she had plenty of time.
Syn:
PATIENCE,
LONG-SUFFERING,
SUFFERANCE, TOLERANCE

Def: to express support for (a cause, belief,

etc.)

Nobody except for her father espouses

her to build an office and have a business.

Syn: BORROW, EMBRACE, ADOPT, TAKE ON,

TAKE UP

Def: causing great harm or damage often in a

way that is not easily seen or noticed / highly
injurious or destructive: DEADLY
She was shocked by the pernicious statement
her father announced.
Syn: ADVERSE, BAD, BALEFUL, DAMAGING,
DELETERIOUS, DETRIMENTAL, EVIL, ILL,
MISCHIEVOUS
Def: to give a false idea of (sth) / to show (sth)
to be false or wrong
The delicate beauty of the ballerina belied her
real intentions towards the president.
The latest information belies the old theory.
Syn: MISREPRESENT, DEBUNK, CONFOUND,
CONFUTE,
DISCONFIRM,
DISCREDIT,
REBUT, FALSIFY, SHOOT DOWN, REFUTE
Def: having or showing a lack of awareness
about the proper way to behave: socially
awkward / not tactful
Would it be gauche of me to ask how much she
weighs?
Syn: CLUMSY, AWKWARD, MALADROIT,
GRACELESS, INELEGANT, ROUGH-HEWN,
RUSTIC, UNEASY, STIFF, UNGRACEFUL
Def: given, produced, or existing in large
amounts / EXTRAVAGANT
She was so embarrassed that she apologized in
a profuse manner.
The profuse businessman spent all his money
carelessly.
Syn: COPIOUS, GALORE, GUSHING, LAVISH,
RIOTOUS / PRODIGAL, LUXURIANT, LUSH
Def: the strongest or most successful period of
time / the highest point reached in the sky by
the sun, moon, etc. / culminating point: ACME
Nathaly remembered with joy the zenith of her
career as a mechanical engineer.
Syn: ACME, APEX, APOGEE, CAPSTONE,
CLIMAX, CRESCENDO, CREST, CROWN, HEAD,
HIGH NOON, PEAK, PINNACLE, SUMMIT
Def: to take or carry (sth or smn) from one
place to another. / to make (sth) known to
someone: COMMUNICATE / to transfer or
transmit (property) to another
He conveyed a powerful message to the
audience.
The assets were conveyed by plane.
Syn:
CONDUCT,
COMMUNICATE,
GIVE,
IMPART, SPREAD, TRANSFER, TRANSFUSE
Def: having or showing a quiet and gentle
nature: not wanting to fight or argue with other
people / SUBMISSIVE
When she was young, she was a meek girl
dominated by her siblings, but now she is
aggressive and no one can take advantage of
her.
Syn: DEMURE, LOWLY, HUMBLE, MODEST,
UNASSUMING, UNPRETENTIOUS
Def: to attack or criticize (smn) / to explain or
insist on excessively
Mark always belabors football players when they
lose.
Her habit of belaboring the obvious makes her a
very boring speaker.
Syn: ABUSE, ASSAIL, ATTACK, BLAST,
SCATHE, SLAM / DWELL, HARP

Def: bitter sometimes violent conflict or

dissension / an act of contention: FIGHT,
STRUGGLE / exertion or contention for
superiority
She doesnt want to start a strife when she said
she was going to marry, but she did.
Syn: CONFLICT, DISACCORD, SCHISM,
DISSENT, DISSONANCE, WARFARE
Def: happening by or depending on chance /
being unsteady or uncertain especially of wind
She claimed that meeting the Pope was a fluky
coincidence.
Syn: FORTUNATE, FORTUITOUS, HAPPY,
HEAVEN-SENT, LUCKY, PROVIDENTIAL
Def: a belief or opinion that does not agree with
the official belief or opinion of a particular
religion.
The Roman Catholic Church killed people who
were accused of heresy in the Inquisition
period.
Syn: DISSENT, DISSIDENCE, HETERODOXY,
NONCONFORMITY
Def: characterized by routine or superficiality:
MECHANICAL. / lacking interest or enthusiasm.
Everyone
was
waiting
a
breathtaking
performance, but the violinist only gave a
perfunctory one.
Syn: APATHETIC, CASUAL, COMPLACENT,
DISINTERESTED, INCURIOUS, INSENSIBLE,
NONCHALANT, POCOCURANTE
Def: a person who criticizes or opposes beliefs
and practices that are widely accepted /
IMAGE DESTROYER
Always an iconoclast, she couldnt accept that
the church was taxing the poor.
Syn: BOHEMIAN, BOHO, DEVIANT, FREE
SPIRIT,
ENFANT
TERRIBLE,
HERETIC,
NONCONFORMIST, LONER, INDIVIDUALIST
Def: not interesting: dull, boring, and ordinary
I tried to find one interesting thing about the
book, but I couldnt. It was humdrum for me.
Syn: DULL, BORING, COLORLESS, ARID,
DRAB,
FLAT,
HEAVY,
LEADEN,
MONOCHROMATIC, PONDEROUS, SLOW,
TIRING, WEARISOME

Def: socially shy or timid because of lack of

confidence: DIFFIDENT
It is cute when a bashful boy ask a girl to dance.
Syn: BACKWARD, SHY, COY, DEMURE,
DIFFIDENT,
INTROVERTED,
MODEST,
RECESSIVE,
RETIRING,
SHEEPISH,
WITHDRAWN
Def: not proud: not thinking of yourself as
better than other people / reflecting,
expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference
or submission
Despite his achievements, he has remained humble.

Its nice to see an arrogant being humbled.

Syn: DEMURE, DOWN-TO-EART, LOWLY,
MEEK,
MODEST,
UNASSUMING,
UNPRETENTIOUS / verb: ABASE, DEGRADE

Def: very obvious and offensive

Sophie showed a blatant disregard for disabled
people and parked her car in one of their
parking lots.
Syn:
BRAZEN,
VOCIFEROUS,
CATERWAULING,
CLAMANT,
OBSTREPEROUS, SQUAWKING, STRIDENT

Def: too eager to help or obey someone

important.
Even though he praised his boss in an effusive
way, he didnt seem obsequious or fawning.
Syn: SUBSERVIENT, SERVILE, SLAVISH,
FAWNING

Def: habitually complaining / FRETFUL (upset

and worried), WHINING (complaining in an
annoying way)
Never let Steven start complaining. He in a
querulous guy and will never end.
Syn: CRABBY, CRANKY, GROUCHY, GRUMPY,
FUSSY

hoax

flock

dignitary

behemoth

unwieldy

preacher

heckle

lark

unanimous

venue

pew

nuisance

span

voyeuristic

tailor

acquiesce

tantamount

harbor

foray

bequeath

forbidding

disparage

belittle

skirt

(mirn)

parlay
Def: important person, VIP

People were excited because a music

dignitary was going to visit them.

Def: religion: minister / a person who gives

sermons

The preacher talked about original sin in

his sermon today.

Def: formed with or indicating unanimity:

agreed to by everyone / having the same opinion
The decision to go on vacation was unanimous.
Everybody wanted to go to the Bahamas.
Syn: AGREEABLE, AMICABLE, COMPATIBLE,
CONGENIAL,
FRICTIONLESS,
KINDRED,
HARMONIOUS, UNITED
Def: a person, thing or situation that is annoying
or that causes trouble or problems / HARM,
INJURY
Learning difficult words is such a nuisance for
me! Id rather do anything else!
Syn: ANNOYANCE, ANNOYER, BOTHER,
GADFLY,
GNAWER,
NUDNIK,
PAIN,
PERSECUTOR, PEST, TEASE, TEASER
Def: to make clothing measured to fit a
particular person / to make or change (sth) so
that it meets a special need / noun: a person
who makes this kinds of clothes for men.
They tailored the show for kids, excising
violence
Syn: ACCLIMATE, ADJUST, CONDITION,
CONFORM, EDIT, DOCTOR, FASHION, FIT,
PUT, SHAPE, SUIT, ADAPT
Def: noun: a place of security and comfort. /
verb: to give shelter to (smn): to hide and
protect (smn) / to have (sth, such as a thought
or feeling) in your mind for a long time
Natives harbored us from the bad weather.
It is not good to harbor resentments. They
hurt.
Syn: ANCHORAGE, HARBORAGE, HAVEN,
PORT /CHERISH, HOLD, NURSE, HANG ON
TO, HAVE
Def: not friendly or appealing: having a
frightening or threatening appearance / such as
to make approach or passage difficult or
impossible.
Nobody wanted to approach the forbidding
house
Syn: ALARMING, DIRE, DIREFUL, DRAD,
DRADFUL,
FEARSOME,
FORMIDABLE,
FRIGHTFUL GHASTLY, INTIMIDATING

dross
(escoria)
Def: a group of animals (as birds or sheep)
assembled or held together / a group under the
guidance of a leader / a large number
The flock of visitors were walking around the
museum.
Syn: ARMY, BIKE, CRAM, CRUSH, DROVE,
CROWD, HERD, HORDE, HOST, LEGION,
MASS, MOB, MULTITUDE, PRESS, ROUT
Def: difficult to handle, control, or deal with
because of being large, heavy or complex
In the office, nobody wanted to use the old
machine because it had an unwieldy system that
few understood.
Syn: AWKWARD, BUNGLESOME, CLUMSY,
CLUNKY, CRANKY, CUMBROUS, PONDEROUS,
UNGAINLY, UNHANDY, CUMBERSOME
Def: something done for fun or adventure /
verb: to engage in harmless fun or mischiefoften used with about
Sophie cooked on a lark, not because she had to.
She would rather lark about in the summer than
do something that carries on responsibilities.
Syn: CAPER, CAVORT, DISPORT, FRISK,
GAMBOL, FROLIC, ROLLICK, ROMP, SPORT

Def: one of the benches with backs and

sometimes doors fixed in rows in a church.

The parishioners were sat in one of the

pews near the preacher.

treacherous
Def: to trick or deceive (smn) / also noun: an act
intended to trick or dupe / sth accepted by
fraud
The worker tried to hoax his boss by telling him
that he was skillful enough to do the job.
Syn:
BAMBOOZLE,
BEGUILE,
BLUFF,
BUFFALO, BURN, CON , COZEN, DELUDE,
GADD,
GULL,
DECEIVE,
MISINFORM,
MISLEAD, STRING, SUCKER
Def: something of monstrous size, power, or
appearance
The newest SUV is a gas-guzzling behemoth
that doesnt even fit in a standard parking
space.
Syn: GIANT, BLOCKBUSTER, COLOSSUS,
DINOSAUR,
DREADNOUGHT,
ELEPHANT,
GOLIATH, JUMBO, LEVIATHAN, MAMMOTH,
MASTODON, MONSTER, TITAN, WHOPPER
Def: to harass and try to disconcert with
questions, challenges, or gibes: BADGER (to
interrupt by shouting annoying or rude
comments or questions)
The lecturer was being heckled by a lot of
journalists, so he couldnt give his speech.
Syn: BAIT, HASSLE, HAZE, TEASE, NEEDLE,
RIDE, TAUNT, HECTOR
Def: the place where an event takes place (legal:
the place from which a jury is drawn and in
which trial is held)
People were angry because they hadnt been
informed that the venue of the trial had
changed, so they couldnt attend.
Syn: FORUM, MEDIUM, OUTLET, PLATFORM,
SOAPBOX, LOCALE, POINT, PLACE

Def: a person who gets sexual pleasure from

secretly watching other people have sex / a
prying observer who is usually seeking the
sordid of the scandalous.
Charlie liked watching couples breaking up;
indeed, he was delighted by seeing that. He was
a voyeuristic guy.

Def: an extent, stretch, reach, or spread

between two limits. / verb: to continue
throughout (a period of time) / to cover or
include (a wide area, a large number of things)
The lifespan of butterflies is short. They only
live a few days.
His career as a singer spanned 25 years.
Their empire once spanned several continents.

Def: equal to something in value, meaning, or

effect
They had a relationship tantamount to a
marriage. They lived together, fought about
stupid things, and so on.
Syn: EQUIVALENT

Def: to accept, agree, or allow something to

happen by staying silent or by not arguing
By smiling, he acquiesced to his wifes desire to
buy the biggest house in the neighborhood.
Syn: ASSENT, CONSENT, ACCEDE, AGREE,
COME ROUND, SUBSCRIBE

Def: to give or leave by will-especially of

personal property / to hand down: TRANSMIT
Michelle Obamas father bequeathed her his
lessons of poverty and good heart.
Syn: LEAVE, WILL

Def: to ravage in search of spoils: PILLAGE / to

make a raid or brief invasion / noun: a sudden
invasion or attack / an attempt to do sth
especially for the first time / a short journey
Troops forayed the town and took everything.
This is the foray of the romantic novelist into fiction.

Syn: DESCENT, RAID, INCURSION, INROAD,

INVASION, INRRUPTION

Def: not able to be trusted: showing that

someone cannot be trusted / not safe because
of hidden dangers
I thought that I could trust her, but no, she
was only a treacherous girl.
We didnt know what the treacherous road had.
Syn:
DISLOYAL,
FALSE,
FICKLE,
INCONSTANT, PERFIDIOUS, TRAITOROUS

Def: to describe (smn or sth) as little or

unimportant / to speak slightingly of:
DISPARAGE
My mom is proud of my successful older sister,
and is always belittling my achievements.
Syn: DECRY, DENIGRATE, BAD-MOUTH,
DEPRECATE,
DEPRECIATE,
DIMINISH,
MINIMIZE, DISPARAGE, VILIPEND
Def: unwanted material that is removed from a
mineral (such as gold) to make it better /
something of low value or quality
There is quite a lot of dross TV programs these
days. I cant find anything worthy.
Syn: CHAFF, DEADWOOD, DEBRIS, DRECK,
GARBAGE, DUST, EFFLUVIUM, JUNK, OFFAL,
REFUSE, RIFFRAFF, SCRAP, SPILTH, TRASH

myriad

deadlock

anoint

forgery

construe

delusion

deify

ruminate

undermine

probity

coltish

cumbersome

lenient

spoil

deluge

sidereal

slanderous

lackadaisical

akimbo

abreast

Def: to avoid (sth) especially because it is

difficult or will cause problems / to lie or go
along the edge of (sth): BORDER
The governor skirted the issue by saying that it
wasnt time to talk about it.
Syn:
BYPASS,
CIRCUMBENT,
DETOUR,
CIRCUMNAVIGATE

(difamatorio)

Def: to describe (smn or sth) as unimportant,

weak, bad, etc.
The last thing children need is that parents
disparage their achievements.
Syn: DECRY, DENIGRATE, BAD-MOUTH,
DEPRECATE,
DEPRECIATE,
DIMINISH,
MINIMIZE, BELITTLE, VILIPEND
Def: to use or develop (sth) to get something
else that has greater value. / noun: a series of
two or more bets so set up in advance that the
original stake plus its winnings are risked on the
successive wagers
She parlayed cotton and manufactured every
kind of clothing.

askance

addlepated

dumbfounded

dissolute

cajole

mendacious

inured

Def: to put oil on (smn) as part of a religious

ceremony / to officially or formally choose
(smn) to do or to be something
I anointed the wound with alcohol to prevent
infection.
The jury anointed her the winner of the
competition.
Syn: SMEAR, BEDAUB, BESMEAR, DAUB
Def: a belief that is not true: a false idea / a
persistent false psychotic belief regarding the
self or persons or objects outside the self that
is maintained despite indisputable evidence to
the contrary.

Def: a situation in which an agreement cannot be

made: a situation in which ending a disagreement
is impossible because neither side will give up
something that it wants / a tie score
Two of the countries that debated the law
reached a deadlock and didnt want to discuss it.
Syn: IMPASSE, GRIDLOCK, HALT, LOGJAM,
STALEMATE, STANDOFF, STANDSTILL
Def: to understand (an action, event, remark,
etc.) in a particular way / to understand the
meaning of (a word, phrase or sentence)
Sophie construes the origin of the universe in a
different way that her sister does.
Syn: CLARIFY, CLEAR (UP), EXPLAIN,
DEMONSTRATE, DEMYSTIFY, ELUCIDATE,
EXPOUND, ILLUMINATE, INTERPRET
Def: to think carefully and deeply about
something.
Her father left her ruminating the thought that
she could be a great doctor.
Syn: CHEW OVER, COGITATE, CONSIDER,
CONTEMPLATE,
DEBATE,
DELIBERATE,
ENTERTAIN, EYE, KICK AROUND, MEDITATE,
MULL (OVER), PERPEND, PORE, PONDER,
MUSE
Def: not subjected to discipline / FRISKY,
PLAYFUL /of, relating to, or resembling a colt
When she has to study for math, she is coltish.
However, when she has to study for English, she
is very disciplined.
Syn: ANTIC, PLAYFUL, ELFISH, FAY, FRISKY,
FROLICSOME,
LARKY,
ROLLICKING,
SPORTFUL, SPORTIVE

He is living under the delusion that he is omnipotent.

Syn:
CHIMERA,
CONCEIT,
DAYDREAM,
FANTASY, DREAM, HALLUCINATION
Def: to make (smn or sth) weaker or less
effective usually in a secret or gradual way / to
wash away supporting material from under.
The events of the past year have undermined
peoples confidence in the government.
Syn: WEAKEN, ENFEEBLE, DEBILITATE, SAP,
CRIPPLE, DISABLE
Def: hard to handle or manage because of size
or weight / complicated and hard to do / long
and difficult to read, say, etc.
The cumbersome tasks were not accomplished
by the tepid and inexperienced team.
Syn: AWKWARD, BUNGLESOME, CLUMSY,
CLUNKY, CRANKY, CUMBROUS, PONDEROUS,
UNGAINLY, UNHANDY, UNWIELDY, HEAVY
Def: a large amount of rain that suddenly falls
in an area / a situation in which a large area of
land becomes completely covered with water / a
large amount of things that come at the same
time / verb: INUNDATE / OVERWHELM,
SWAMP
The deluge of praises made the girl feel good.
The teacher deluged the student with questions.
Syn: FLOOD, INUNDATE, OVERWHELM
Def: feeling or showing a lack of interest or
enthusiasm
The lackadaisical pianist showed no interest
when his professor showed him the new piano.
Syn: ENERVATED, LISTLESS, LANGUID,
LANGUISHING,
LANGUOROUS,
LIMP,
SPIRITLESS

(depravado)

Def: a very large number of things / ten

thousand
Sophie couldnt call her mom because she had a
myriad of things to do and didnt find time.
Syn: ABUNDANCE, BARREL, BASKETFUL,
CHUNK, DOZEN, GOBS, HEAP, LOT, TON,
WEALTH, YARD
Def: the crime of falsely making or copying a
document in order to deceive people / sth that
is falsely made or copied in order to deceive
people: sth that is forged
I thought that this was a Dal original, but it is
only a forgery.
Syn:
COUNTERFEINT,
FAKE,
HOAX,
HUMBUG, PHONY, SHAM

Def: to treat (smn or sth) like a god or goddess.

Carla adored her sister so much that she
treated her like a goddess: she deified her.
Syn: ADORE, ADULATE, CANONIZE, IDOLIZE,
DOTE (ON), HERO-WORSHIP, WORSHIP

Def: the quality of a person who is completely

honest / adherence to the highest principles
and ideals
Because she is a person of indisputable probity,
she should be the one who takes the money.
Syn:
HONOR,
HONESTY,
INTEGRITY,
DECENCY,
GOODNESS,
MORALITY,
RECTITUDE, RIGHTEOUSNESS, VIRTUE

Def: something stolen or taken by thieves,

soldiers, etc / the act of damaging / verb: to
damage or ruin sth / to lose freshness because
of being kept too long
The party was spoiled when some thieves
entered and took spoils.
Syn: BOOTY, PLUNDER, LOOT, SWAG /
DARKEN, MAR, POISON, TARNISH, VITIATE

Def: allowing a lot of freedom and not punishing

bad behavior in a strong way: not harsh, severe,
or strict
Because her mother was lenient, the girl never
learnt how to behave.
Syn: INDULGENT

Def: causing people to have a bad opinion of smn

by saying sth that is false: DEFAMATORY
She said a slanderous statement about the
president and was taken to court.
Syn: MALIGNANT, TRADUCING, ASPERSING,
CALUMNIATING, DEFAMATORY

Def: of, relating to, or expressed in relation to

stars or constellations: ASTRAL
Growing up in an astronomical setting, I had
developed interest in sidereal art as a kid.

Def: in a way that shows a lack of trust or

approval
We looked askance at the dealers assertion
that the car had never been in an accident.
Syn:
DISTRUSTFULLY,
DOUBTFULLY,
DOUBTINGLY,
DUBIOUSLY,
MISTRUSTFULLY, SIDEWAYS, SKEPTICALLY,
SUSPICIOUSLY
Def: used to describe smn (such as a person who
often gets drunk) whose way of living is
considered morally wrong.
Her book is about the dissolute aspects of
human behavior, those that nobody wants to
bring up.
Syn: DEBASED, DEBAUCHED, DECADENT,
DEGENERATE, DEGRADED, DEMORALIZED,
DEPRAVED, DISSIPATED, CORRUPT, RAKISH

Def: beside one another in a line / up to a

particular standard or level especially of
knowledge of recent developments (keeps
abreast of the news)
The street was only wide enough for four people
to walk abreast.
Syn:
FAMILIAR,
ACQUAINTED,
CONVERSANT, INFORMED, UP-TO-DATE

Def: having the hand on the hip and the elbow

turned outward / sent in a bent position (it
implies a posture that communicates defiance,
confidence, aggressiveness, or arrogance)
She stood with her arms akimbo, so the guy
didnt even try to approach her.

Def: to confound briefly and usually with

astonishment
She was dumbfounded when she found out that
her boyfriend had a lover.
Syn: AMAZE, ASTONISH, ASTOUND, BOWL
OVER, SURPRISE, FLABBERGAST, FLOOR,
ROCK, SHOCK, STARTLE, STUN, STUPEFY,
THUNDERSTRIKE

Def: being mixed up: CONFUSED / ECCENTRIC

The addlepated boy couldnt see the difference
between his father and a stranger after getting
off the roller coaster.
Syn: ADDLE. DIZZY, BEDEVILED, BEFOGGED,
BEFUDDLED,
BEMUSED,
BEWILDERED,
BUSHED, CONFOUNDED, CONFUSED, DAZED,
STUNNED, STUPIFIED, ZONKED

Def:
accustomed
to
accept
something
undesirable
In Colombia, some children are inured to
violence because of the constant terrorist
attacks that occur in this country.
Syn: SEASONED, STEELED, STRONG, TOUGH

Def: not honest: likely to tell lies / based on lies

Being hit by a grenade was one of the
innumerous mendacious stories that he used to
tell his wife to avoid saying the truth.
Syn:
DISHONEST,
DECEITFUL,
LYING,
UNTRUTHFUL

Def: to persuade smn to do sth or to give you

sth by making promises or saying nice things:
COAX
Andre cajoled his girlfriend into going to the
cinema by telling her that he was going to pay
for everything.
Syn: BLANDISH, COAX, BLARNEY, PALAVER,
SOFT-SOAP, SWEET-TALK, WHEEDLE

impinge

dampen

chirpy

inveterate

halcyon

scotch

hinder

gallantry

coddled

neglect

breed

palatable

elated

peruse

misanthrope

squalid

sullied

transient

(mimado)

inscrutable

foil

runic

truculent

recalcitrant

begrudging

endeavor

introspection

equanimity

Def: to make (sth) somewhat or slightly wet: to

make (sth) damp / to make (sth) less strong or
active / to become deadened or depressed
We were not going to allow that a storm
dampened our lovely day.
Syn: BEDEW, DAMP, MOISTEN / BENUMB,
BLUNT, CAUTERIZE, DEADEN, NUMB /
CASTRATE, DEVITALIZE, LOBOTOMIZE
Def: a kind of bird / adjective: very happy and
successful / CALM, PEACEFUL / HAPPY,
GOLDEN / PROSPEROUS, AFFLUENT
The sea seemed halcyon. For every fisherman,
an omen that a storm was approaching.
Syn: CALM, HUSHED, LOWN, PEACEFUL,
PLACID, QUIET, SERENE, STILL, STILLY,
TRANQUIL, UNTROUBLED

Def: to strike or dash especially with a sharp

collision / to have an effect: make an impression
/ ENCROACH, INFRINGE
That announcement about abused children
impinged upon my mind.
Syn: BANG, BASH, BUMP, COLLIDE, CRASH,
IMPACT, HIT, KNOCK, RAM, SLAM, SMASH,
STRIKE, SWIPE, THUD
Def: firmly established by long persistence (the
inveterate tendency to overlook the obvious) /
confirmed in a habit: HABIT
She has the inveterate tendency to say
seriously? after someone tells her anything.
Syn: BRED-IN-THE-BONE, CONFIRMED, DEEP,
DEEP-ROOTED, DEEP-SEATED, ENTRENCHED,
HARD-CORE, ROOTED, SETTLED, CHRONIC
Def: to make slow or difficult the progress of:
HAMPER / to hold back: CHECK / to delay,
impede, or prevent action
The witness refused to cooperate, hindering the
investigation.
Syn: CLOG, CRAMP, EMBARRASS, ENCUMBER,
FETTER, HANDCUFF, HANDICAP, HAMPER,
HOBBLE, HOG-TIE, HOLD BACK, HOLD UP

Def: cheerful and lively / making chirps (a short

high-pitched sound)
The chirpy traveler made everybody smile and
get energy from her everywhere she went to.

Def: to put an end to / to make an injury / noun:

a superficial cut: SCORE
She scotched the fight by saying that brothers
should respect and love each other.

Def: to be treated with too much care or

kindness
For Mary, her cuddled dog is the most precious
creature in the world and she treats her as if
she could break.
Syn: NESTLED, SNUGGLED
Def: agreeable to the palate or taste /
agreeable or acceptable to the mind.
I agreed to develop the project with him
because he had a palatable idea of what to do.
Syn: AGREEABLE, ALL RIGHT, COPACETIC,
DUCKY, FINE, GOOD, HUNKY-DORY, JAKE,
OK, SATISFACTORY, APPETIZING, SAVORY,
TASTY, TOOTHSOME

Def:

Def: very brave behavior / polite attention

shown by a man to a woman.

The soldiers were afraid to leave their shelters,

except for one who showed gallantry and went to fight.

Syn: BOTTLE, BRAVERY, COURAGEOUSNESS,

DARING, DAUNTLESSNESS, DOUGHTINESS,
FEARLESSNESS,
INTREPIDITY,
MOXIE,
NERVE, VALOR
Def: to produce (offspring) by hatching or
gestation / ENGENDER / BRINP UP,
NURTURE / to inculcate by training / noun:
CLASS, KIND / a number of persons of the
same stock
Different species of plants are bred in a lab.
A Dalmatian is a working dog breed.
Syn: PROCREATE, MULTIPLY, PROPAGATE /
SORT, CLASS, DESCRIPTION, KIND

Def: to fail to take care of or to give attention

to (smn or sth) / to fail to do (sth) / noun: lack
of attention or care that smn or sth needs / the
condition of not being taken care of
The children were being neglected by the inept
babysitter. She didnt pay attention to them.
Syn:
DISREGARD,
IGNORE,
FORGET,
OVERLOOK / DESOLATION, DILAPIDATION

digress

eulogistic

extempore

protract

inveighing

garner

organic

painstaking

disruptive

winsome

exiguous

wayward

patronize

peeve

vindicate

levity

bonhomie

fealty

relish

assail

mock

sinecure

interregnum

potlatch

rota

indolence

solicitude

multifarious

scant

Quandary

festoon

innuendo

creed

enmity

noteworthy

gentry

rogue

vassal

bromide

inerrant

fickle

treaty

glib

germane

onerous

fawning

indolent

vituperate

imbroglio

supine

probity

picayune

paltry

meretricious

virtuousness

Lying on the back or with the face upward

phlegmatic

expiate

stoic

indefatigable

boorish

slander

zeitgeist

Def: the general beliefs, ideas, and spirit of a

time and place.
His songs perfectly captured the zeitgeist of
1960s America.
Syn: MOOD, TREND

virtuousness

Lying on the back or with the face upward