Abhor hate

narrow-minded,
Bigot prejudiced person

Counterfe fake; false

it

Enfranchi give voting rights

se

Hamper hinder; obstruct

Kindle to start a fire

Noxious harmful; poisonous;

lethal

Placid calm; peaceful

Remuner payment for work

ation done

Talisman lucky charm

Abrasive rough; coarse; harsh

Bilk cheat; defraud

Covert hidden; undercover

Engender cause

Hangar storage area (like

garage) for a plane
 Knotty complex; difficult to
solve

something subtle; a
Nuance fine shade of
meaning

Plagiaris taking credit for

someone else's
m writing or ideas

Renown fame

Tangent going off the main

subject

Abaseme humiliation;
nt degradation

Billowing swelling; fluttering;

waving

recoil in fear or
Cower servility; shrink
away from

Enhance improve; make

better or clearer

Harangue noisy, attacking

speech

Labyrinth a maze
 Nullify to counter; make
unimportant

Plaintif petitioner (in court

of law)

Replete full

Tangible can be touched

Abrogate cancel; deny; repeal

Blasphem speech which

offends religious
y sentiments

Credible believable

Enigma puzzle; mystery

Harbinger indicators; bringers

s of warnings

Labyrinth complicated; highly

ine convoluted

Nuzzle cuddle; snuggle

Plaudit statement giving

strong praise

Reprehen shameful; very bad

sible
 slow; late; overdue;
Tardy delayed

Absolutio forgiveness; pardon;

n release

Blatant obvious
Creditabl praiseworthy
e

Ensconce establish firmly in a

position

Hasten hurry; accelerate;

rush

Laceratio a cut
n

Obdurate stubborn

Plausible can be believed;

reasonable

a respite;
Reprieve postponement of a
sentence

Tawdry of little value; gaudy

Abstain desist; go without;

withdraw
Blighted damaged;
destroyed; ruined

Credulou gullible; ready to

s believe anything

Enshroud cover

Haughtin arrogance; pride

ess
Lachrymo tearful; sad
se

Obfuscat deliberately make

something difficult
e to understand

Plethora an excess

Repudiat shun; eschew

e
Tedium boredom

self denying;
Abstemio refraining from
us indulging

free-spirited;
Blithe carefree

Crepuscul active at dawn and

ar dusk
Enunciati clear pronunciation;
on accent; articulation

Headstro stubborn; willful

ng

Lackluste dull; monotonous;

r bland

Objective unbiased; not

subjective

Pliable flexible; not

stubborn

Rescind retract; repeal

Temper to moderate; soften

Back to top

Group 8

Abstruse difficult to
understand; obscure

Blunderb 1. ancient weapon

(type of gun); 2. a
uss clumsy person

Cringe recoil; flinch; shy

away
Envenom to cause bitterness
and bad feeling

Hedonis self indulgence;

m pleasure-seeking

Laconic using few words;

brief; to the point

Oblique indirect; slanting

Plumage feathers of a bird

Resignati acceptance of fate

on

stubborn; resolute;
Tenacious holding firm to a
purpose

tribute; honor;
Accolade praise

Bolster support; prop up

Cryptic puzzling; enigmatic

Ephemer short-lived
al

Hedonist a pleasure seeker

Lamenta expression of regret
tion or sorrow

Obliterat destroy; demolish;

e eradicate

Plummet fall suddenly and

steeply

Resolutio determination
n

Tentative not certain

Group 10

Acquiesc to agree to; give in

e to

Bombast arrogant, pompous

language

Curtail cut short

someone who
Epicure appreciates good
food and drink

Heed listen to

Lampoon ridicule; spoof

Oblivious totally unaware

Podium raised platform

Resonant echoing

Tenuous flimsy; not solid

Group 1

sharp; pungent
Acrid (used of smells and
tastes)

Boorish ill-mannered

believing that
Cynical people act only out
of selfish motives

Epistle acommunication)
letter (form of

Heresy against orthodox

opinion

Lance spear; spike; javelin

difficult to
Obscure understand; partially
hidden

deeply moving;
Poignant strongly affecting
the emotions

Respite aintermission
break;

Terse concise; to the point

Group 2

Acrophob fear of heights

ia

Bourgeois middle class

Debility weakness;
incapacity
 concerned with
Epistolary letters; through
correspondence

Hiatus interruption; pause

Languid tired; slow

Obscured hidden; covered;

buried

Poised calm; collected; self-

possessed
Resplend shining; glowing
ent
Therapeu medicinal; curative
tic
Group 3

Acuity sharpness (mental

or visual)

Braggart someone who

boasts
Debunkin exposing false
g claims or myths

Epitomize typified;
characterized;
d personified
Hideboun rigid in opinions
d

Languish decay; fade away;

get weaker
Obsequio servile; submissive
us

Polemical causing debate or

argument
Restorati a tonic
ve
Thwart prevent; frustrate
Group 4

Adamant forceful; inflexible

Brawny muscular

Decathlo an athletic
competition with
n ten events
Equivocat speak ambiguously;
avoid telling the
e truth

1. picture writing; 2.
Hieroglyp writing which is
hics difficult to read or
enigmatic

Larceny theft; robbery;

stealing
Obsessio a dominating
n concern
Ponderou weighty; slow and
s heavy

Retention preservation;
withholding

Timorous cowardly; fearful

Group 5

Adroit skilful / skillful

Brevity being brief
dignified, correct
Decorum behavior [decorous
(a)]
Err make a mistake
Hinder obstruct
Largess generosity
Obsolete no longer valid
Pontificat speak pompously or
e dogmatically

restrained; holding
Reticent something back;
uncommunicative

Tirade stream of verbal

abuse
Group 6

Adulation strong admiration;

worship

Bristle to show irritation

Decoy lure; trap; trick
 Erratic wandering; irregular

Histrionic theatrical;
exaggerated
Laud praise
Obstrepe noisy and boisterous
rous
Portend foretell

Retractio withdrawal;
cancellation of a
n statement
Titter giggle quietly
Group 7

Adversity hardship

Broach start to discuss;

approach
Deferenc respect
e

Esoteric obscure and difficult

to understand

Hoary old

Lavish on a grand scale;

wasteful
Obtuse mentally dull

Portent aomen
warning sign;

Revere worship
Tome large book
Group 8

Advocate support

Brusque blunt; abrupt

Defoliate cause leaves to fall

off

Espouse promote; take up;

support
sharpen; increase;
Hone whet
Lax careless; not strict

Obviate avoid; make

unnecessary
 Poseur someone who puts
on an act

Riddled full of (usually full of

holes)

Torpid inactive; lazy;

stagnant
Group 9

Aesthetic concerning art or

beauty

Bulwark fortification;
barricade; wall

Defunct no longer in
existence
Etymolog the study of word
y origins

Hyperbol grossly exaggerated

e speech

Legend 1. key to map; 2.

myth or story
Odious hateful

Posterity future generations

Rife common
dormancy;
Torpor sluggishness;
inactivity
Group 10

Afable friendly; social;

easygoing
Bureaucr officialdom
acy

Degradati deprivation;
poverty;
on debasement
Eulogy praise

Hypocho awith
person obsessed
health; having
ndriac imaginary illnesses

Legion in large numbers

 domineering;
Officious intrusive;
meddlesome
Posthum after death
ous
Rigor thoroughness
Totter walk unsteadily
Group 1

eagerness
;
Alacrity enthusias
m;
quickness

grow;
flourish;
Burgeon put forth
new
shoots

Deleterio harmful
us

a polite
phrase to
Euphemis cover
somethin
m g
unpleasa
nt

Hypocriti insincere
cal
tired;
Lethargic without
energy

stare at;
observe
Ogle in an
obvious
manner

hypothesi
Postulate ze;
propose

strong;
Robust healthy;
tough

obedient;
Tractable dutiful;
polite
Group 2
 medieval
chemistry
; attempt
Alchemy to change
base
metal
into gold

Burnish polish

Deliberat to think
over
e deeply
pleasant
Euphony sounds

person
Iconoclas who
opposes
t orthodox
y

flippancy;
joking
Levity about
serious
matters

concerne
Olfactory d with
the sense
of smell

suitable
Potable for
drinking
Rotund round
Tranquil peaceful
Group 3
 an excuse
that
shows
Alibi someone
was not
at a crime
scene

strengthe
Buttress n;
support

demarcati
on;
Delineati explanati
on on;
definition
; outlining

vacate;
Evacuate empty;
abandon

a
personal
peculiarit
Idiosyncr y;
asy somethin
g unique
to an
individual

someone
Libertaria who
n opposes
tyranny

Ominous threateni
ng

powerful;
Potent compellin
g; strong
 think over
Ruminate somethin
g; ponder

Transcrib copy
e
Group 4

Allay to lessen

the line
that tells
Byline you who
wrote an
article

Demur hesitate;
refuse
Exacerbat make
e worse
Ignomini shameful
ous

Liniment soothing
lotion
Omnipot all-
ent powerful

Pragmatic practical

trick;
Ruse stratagem

go astray;
Transgres disobey;
s commit a
sin

Group 5

Alleviate make less

severe

Cacophon discordan
t loud
y noises
Denounc condemn;
speak out
e against

Exasperat frustrated
ed ; annoyed

shame
Ignominy [ignomini
ous (a) =
shameful]

flexible;
Lithe supple
Omniscie all-
nt knowing

practical
person;
one who
Pragmatis is
t concerne
d with
usefulnes
s

Saccharin falsely
sweet

short-
Transient lived;
ephemer
al

Group 6

distant;
Aloof detached;
cold
Cajole coax

Deplete use up;

lessen
 very bad
(somethi
Exception ng which
able we
should
object to)

to light
Illuminat up or
e make
clear

very
Livid angry

burdenso
me; hard
Onerous to
undertak
e

introduct
Preamble ory
material

Sacrosanc very holy;

t inviolable

Traverse to move
across
Group 7

putting
others
Altruism first;
being
self-
sacrificing

huge
Caldron cooking
pot
Deplore regret
 free
someone
Exculpate from
blame;
pardon;
acquit

deceptive
Illusory ;misleadin
false;

person
who tries
to
persuade
Lobbyist someone
to
support a
particular
cause

Onus burden
Precariou unstable;
s risky

Sagacious wise

Trepidati fear
on
Group 8

Amass accumula
te

Callow immature

moral
Depravity corruptio
n

Execrable very, very

bad

Immoder excessive;
ate extreme

snooty;
Lofty arrogant;
haughty
 does not
Opaque let light
through

a
Preceden previous
occurrenc
t e used as
a guide

a wise
Sage person

somethin
g of little
Trinket value;
knick-
knack

Group 9

uncertain
Ambiguit ty;
y vaguenes
s

Candid frank;
honest

Deprecat criticize;
e denounce

scholarly
explanati
Exegesis on or
interpreta
tion

unchangi
Immutabl ng;
e permane
nt

Longevity long life

wealthy;
Opulent rich;
magnifice
nt

Precept guiding
principle
Salacious lecherous
; erotic
unoriginal
Trite ; dull
Group 10

unclear in
meaning;
Ambiguo can be
interprete
us d in
different
ways

frankness
Candor ;
openness

ridicule;
Deride make fun
of; mock

outstandi
ngly
Exemplar good;
y setting a
fine
example

Impartial unbiased;
neutral
Loquacio talkative
us

1.
destine;
Ordain 2. confer
holy
orders on
a priest

Precinct district of
a city

Sallow yellowish

Trivial unimport
ant
Group 1

lack of
clarity;
Ambivale wavering;
nce being
undecide
d

bad-
Cantanke tempered
rous ;quarrelso
me

Derogato uncompli
ry mentary
to serve
Exemplify as a good
example

Impecuni having no
ous money

Lucid clear

Ornate highly
decorated

Precipice steep
slope
Salubriou health-
s giving

shirker;
someone
Truant absent
without
permissio
n

Group 2

able to
walk
Ambulato around
ry (used of
hospital
patients)

Capaciou spacious
s
 to
damage
Desecrate or pollute
a holy
place

Exhaustiv complete
and
e thorough

Impious wicked;
profane

Ludicrous ridiculous
; silly

Orthodox conventio
nal
Precipito done in a
us hurry

somethin
g which
Salutary teaches
you a
lesson;
beneficial

Truncate cut short

Group 3

Ameliorat make
e better

Capitulat surrender
; give in
e to

Desecrati spoiling
somethin
on g holy

acquits;
Exonerat absolves;
es removes
blame

Impoveris destitute;
hed poor
 1.
unenthusi
Lukewar astic; 2.
m neither
hot nor
cold

1. turn to
bone; 2.
Ossify become
fixed and
rigid

prevent
Preclude or make
impossibl
e

Sanctimo hypocritic
nious ally holy

Tumult uproar;
noise
Group 4

Ameliora improve
tion ment

Carping constant
criticism

stop;
Desist discontin
ue; cease

getting
free/rid
of;
Exorcism eliminatin
g
(especiall
y
demons)

unrehear
Impromp sed;
tu spontane
ous

Lummox clumsy
person
Ostentati showy
ous
Precociou developin
s g early
give
Sanction approval
to

Turpitude depravity

Group 5

Amiable friendly
person
Cartograp who
her makes
maps

Despond having no
hope;
ent miserable

refugee;
emigrant;
someone
Expatriat living
e away
from his
own
country

Inadverte not
intention
nt al

juicy;
Luscious moist;
succulent

push out
Oust of a
position

Predeces one who

came
sor before

Sanguina bloodthir
sty;
ry bloody
 novice;
Tyro beginner
Group 6

Amity friendship

Castigate scold
strongly

Destitutio hardship;
poverty;
n misery

Expedien convenie
nt;
t practical

Incantati chant;
invocatio
on n; prayer

assassinat
e; kill;
Lynch illegal
hanging

obvious;
Overt not
hidden

Predicam dilemma;
difficult
ent situation

Sanguine optimistic
; cheerful

found
Ubiquito everywhe
re;
us omnipres
ent

Group 7

Amorpho lacking in
us shape

purging
Catharsis of pent-
up
emotions
 put off;
Deter prevent

Expedite make
faster
Incarcera putting in
tion prison
Machina plots and
tions plans

worked
Overwro up; in an
ught emotiona
l state

Preemine famous;
outstandi
nt ng
Sardonic mocking
Unalloye undiluted
d ; total
Group 8

medicine
Analgesic to
combat
pain

type of
Caucus private
political
meeting

Deteriora worsen;
te decline

Expositio clear
explanati
n on

Incessant without
stopping

Maelstro whirlpool
; storm in
m the ocean

good to
Palatable eat;
agreeable

Prerogati right or
ve privilege
 person
Savant with
knowledg
e

oily; using
Unctuous excessive
flattery

Group 9

Analogou comparab
s le
Caustic burning
Detrimen harmful
tal
Extol praise

Incipient just
beginning

Magnani generous;
mous big-
hearted

fence
Palisade made of
posts

having
Prescient fore-
knowledg
e
Scale to climb

Undermi damaged;
ned attacked

Group 10

chaos;
Anarchy lack of
governme
nt

Cavalcad processio
n of
e vehicles

greedily
Devoured eaten/co
nsumed
 deport
from one
Extradite country
back to
the home
country

Inclinatio tendency;
a leaning
n toward

powerful
Magnate business
man

a remedy
that
Palliative improves
but
doesn't
cure

a feeling
Presenti that
ment somethin
g might
happen

person on
whom
Scapegoa blame is
t placed for
faults of
others

Undersco emphasiz
re e
Group 1

a brief
Anecdote amusing
story
Celerity speed

Dexterou skilful
with
s hands
Extraneo irrelevant
us
Incohere not clear
nt

Maladroit clumsy;
unskillful

Pallid pale
assuming
Presumpt too
uous much;
arrogant

careful;
Scrupulo diligent;
us painstaki
ng

Unequivo clear;
cal obvious
Group 2

hatred;
Animosit antagonis
y m

Censorio disapprov
ing;
us critical

Dichotom ainto
division
two
y parts

extend;
predict
Extrapola on the
te basis of
known
data
Incongru not fitting
in; out of
ous place

Malady illness

easily
Palpable felt;
easily
perceived

Pretentio pompous;
self-
us important

Scrutinize examine
carefully
Unfetter set free
Group 3

a building
which is
an
Annex (n) addition
to an
existing
building

Censure blame
intended
Didactic to teach;
instructiv
e

irrelevant
Extrinsic ; on the
outside

unimport
Inconseq ant;
uential insignifica
nt;
negligible

Maledicti a curse
on

Panacea remedy
for all ills
 speak
Prevarica misleadin
te gly and
evasively

Scuttle sink

to
remove a
Unfrock priest
from his
position

Group 4

take
possessio
Annex (v) n of;
seize;
capture

Cerebral intellectu
al
lacking
Diffident confidenc
e

Fallacious 0

not easily
seen;
Inconspic subtle;
uous not
noticeabl
e

Malefact a wrong-
or doer

1.
example;
Paradigm 2. model;
3. way of
looking at
things

Pristine unspoiled
 an
institutio
n in
Seminary which
priests
are
trained

never
Unpreced having
ented happene
d before

Group 5

somethin
g which
does not
Anomaly fit in a
pattern;
irregularit
y

Certitude certainty

wander
Digress off the
subject
hesitate;
Falter waver
cannot be
Indelible wiped
out

deliberat
Malinger ely avoid
work;
shirk

apparentl
y
Paradox contradict
ory
statemen
t

Proclivity tendency
towards
 appealing
Sensuous to the
senses

unharme
Unscathe d; intact;
d without a
scratch

Group 6

hostility;
Antagoni strong
sm oppositio
n

trickster
who
claims
Charlatan knowledg
e he
doesn't
have

dam;
Dike embankm
ent

Fanatical obsessive
; fixated

1.
Indiferen neutral;
2. not
t outstandi
ng

person
who
Malinger deliberat
er ely tries
to avoid
work

Paragon aexample
perfect

Procrasti delay; put

nate off

Sentinel guard;
sentry
 not
deliberat
Unwitting e;
unconscio
us

Group 7

opposed;
Antagonis hostile;
tic aggressiv
e

wary of;
cautious
Chary about;
reluctant
to give

slow;
falling
Dilatory behind
with
one's
work

Fanaticis passion;
excessive
m devotion

native to
Indigeno a
us particular
area

Malleabl flexible;
can be
e shaped

of
Paramou supreme
nt importan
ce

wasteful;
Prodigal extravaga
nt

Sequester isolate
 scold; tell
Upbraid off;
repriman
d

Group 8

outdated;
Antediluv prehistori
c; very
ian old-
fashioned

Chastises punishes

Dilemma puzzling
situation

Fastidiou overly
particular
s ; finicky

Indolence laziness

1.
wooden
Mallet hammer;
2. stick
used for
polo

1.
scrounger
; 2.
animal
Parasite which
takes
digested
food from
another

Prodigiou very large

s
 fortunate
Serendipi coinciden
ce;
ty unsought
discovery

hilarious;
Uproario hysterical;
us very
funny

Group 9

a book
Antholog which is a
collection
y of poems
or stories

Chicanery trickery

person
who
dabbles
Dilettante in a
subject
without
serious
study

Fatuous silly;
foolish

Inductee novice;
beginner

influenca
Manipula ble;
table controlla
ble
Parched dried up
Profane unholy

Serene calm;
peaceful
 Upshot outcome
Group 10

putting
man at
Anthropo the
centrism center of
one's
philosoph
y

Chimeric changeab
le;
al unstable

Diligent hard-
working

possible
Feasible and
practicabl
e

pamperin
Indulgent g;
satisfying
desires

Marred damaged;
spoiled

an
Pariah outcast
from
society

Profanity swearing;
cursing

Serrated jagged;
saw-like
sophistica
Urbane ted;
suave
Group 1

Antiquate outdated;
old
d fashioned

Choleric easily
angered

Diorama model of
a scene
Fecund fertile
drunkenn
Inebriatio ess;
n intoxicati
on

Marshal to gather
together
Parity equality
having
Profound deep
meaning

overly
Servile submissiv
e;
groveling

take
someone'
Usurp s position
(usually
by force)

Group 2

indifferen
t;
Apathetic uninteres
ted;
lethargic

person
who
Chronicle records
r historical
informati
on
 mournful
Dirge song

Felicitous apt

cannot be
Inefable expressed
in words

pouched
Marsupia mammal
l (like a
kangaroo)

narrow-
minded;
Parochial concerne
d only
with local
matters

Profundit depth
y
doubting;
Skeptical not
gullible
Utilitaria useful
n
Group 3

lack of
Apathy interest
or
emotion

Circuitous indirect

Disappro disapprov
bation al
passion;
Fervor enthusias
m

incompet
ent;
Inept unskilled;
useless
 person
who
Martinet believes
in strict
discipline

a
mockery;
Parody imitation
for
ridicule;
spoof

member
Proletaria of the
n working
class

Skirmish minor
battle

a believer
Utopian in an
ideal
world

Group 4

Apocryph of
doubtful
al origin

using too
many
Circumloc words;
ution long-
windedne
ss

to
distinguis
Discern h one
thing
from
another

unpredict
able;
Fickle whimsical
; easily
swayed
 Inertia inactivity;
lethargy

person
who
Masochis intention
ally
t inflicts
pain on
himself

ward off;
Parry avoid

Prolific producing
a lot

slow-
Sluggard moving;
lethargic
person

Vacillate waver;
hesitate
Group 5

pacify;
soothe;
calm
Appease down;
make
peace
with

Circumscr limit
ibe

Discord disagree
ment
Finesse skill

Inevitable cannot be
avoided

society
Matriarch governed
y by
women

Parsimon economic
ious al; frugal;
thrifty
 promoter
Proponen s;
ts supporter
s

refine an
Smelt ore

empty;
Vacuous silly;
meaningl
ess

Group 6

Apprehen worried;
sive fearful

cautious;
Circumsp consideri
ect ng all
sides

cacophon
Discorda y;
ncy harshness
; jarring

not
continuo
us;
Fitful stopping
and
starting

Inexorabl relentless
e
Maverick a loner

stinginess
Parsimon ;frugality;
y cost-
cutting

dull;
Prosaic boring;
ordinary

a Swedish
Smorgasb buffet of
ord cold
dishes
 person
Vagrant wanderin
g without
a home

Group 7

Arable can be
cultivated

Circumve avoid
nt

somethin
g which
Discrepan does not
cy match up;
inconsiste
ncy

Flagrant clearly
wrong

Inexpedie not
nt advisable

Meager in short
supply

biased;
one-
Partisan sided;
committe
d to one
group

Proscribe forbid

Solace comfort
for grief
dull;
Vapid uninspirin
g
Group 8
 random;
Arbitrary for no
definite
reason

Clairvoya psychic;
nt mystic

to make a
Discrimin clear
distinctio
ate n; see the
difference

Flamboya showy;
nt ornate

perfect;
flawless;
Infallible cannot
make
mistakes

wander
Meander from side
to side

evoking
Pathos sadness
or pity

study of
Prosody versificati
on

Solicit to ask for;

seek

Variegate multicolo
red;
d speckled
Group 9

obscure;
known
Arcane only to a
few
people

Clamor shout;
scream
 long
Discursiv windedne
eness ss;indirectn
ess

show off;
Flaunt display in
a showy
manner

famous
Infamous for
somethin
g bad

soft;
Mellow melodiou
s; ripe

one who
give
Patron support
(usually
financial)

1. lying
face
down; 2.
Prostratio be
n overcome
with
extreme
weakness

Somnam sleepwalk
bulist er

violence;
Vehemen fervor;
ce forcefuln
ess

Group 10

ancient;
Archaic outdated;
old
fashioned
Clandesti secret;
covert;
ne stealthy

contempt
Disdain ; strong
dislike

making
jokes
Flippant about
serious
matters

Infer deduce;
conclude

Menageri collection
of
e animals

condesce
nd to;
behave in
Patronize an
arrogant
manner
towards

main
Protagoni character
in film,
st book,
play etc.

Soothsay fortunetel
er ler
Vehemen forceful
t
Group 1

Archetyp classic
example
e of

Clemency mercy

Disinteres unbiased
ted
defy;
Flout reject

na�ve,
Ing�nue unsophis
ticated
person

Mendaci given to
ous lying
Paucity shortage

Protean changeab
le

Sophomo juvenile;
ric immature

corrupt;
Venal can be
bribed
Group 2

collection
s of old
records;
Archives place of
storage of
old
documen
ts

overused
expressio
Clich� n;
somethin
g
unoriginal
Disparage criticize;
belittle
worked-
Flustered up; not
calm

Ingrate ungratefu
l person

concerne
Mercenar d only
y with
money

minor
Peccadill weakness
o ; trivial
offence

person
under
Prot�g protectio
� n of, or
guided by
another

Soporific inducing
sleep

Veneer surface
coating
Group 3

clear;
Articulate lucid;
eloquent

Clientele customer
s

Disparity an
inequality

unreliable
Fly-by- ;
night disreputa
ble
Inimical hostile
volatile;
Mercurial changeab
le
 person
who
insists on
Pedant strict
adherenc
e to rules
or narrow
learning

procedur
Protocol e; code of
behavior

spare;
Sparse bare;
meager

Venerate revere;
worship
Group 4

Artifice deception
; trickery

come
Coalesce together;
merge

Dispassio neutral;
nate objective

concerne
d with
argument
Forensic or debate
(esp. for
legal
evidence)

Innate inherited;
inborn

Merge come
together
Pedestria common;
mundane
n ; banal

unsophis
Provincial ticated;
narrow-
minded
Specious 0
minor;
Venial unimport
ant
Group 5

Artisan craftsman

pamper;
Coddle fuss over;
indulge

circulatin
g;
Dissemin broadcas
ating ting;
spreading
(informati
on)

Fortitude bravery

Innocuou harmless;
inoffensiv
s e

symbolica
Metapho lly;
rically figurativel
y

Peerless without
equal

Prudent cautious;
wise
spotted;
Speckled freckled;
dotted
Veracity truthfuln
ess
Group 6

without
Ascetic luxuries;
severely
simple
Coercion force

Diurnal active in
daytime

Fortuitou happenin
g by
s chance

create;
Innovate introduce
somethin
g new

very
Meticulo careful;
us painstaki
ng

Pejorativ derogator
e y
Puerile childish

not
continuo
Sporadic us;
intermitte
nt

talkative;
Verbose long-
winded;
rambling

Group 7

Assiduou thorough;
s diligent

Cogent lucid; well

argued
 1.
entertain;
Divert 2.
distract;
3. cause a
detour

irritable;
Fractious difficult
to control

mysteriou
Inscrutab s;
le impenetr
able

courage;
Mettle bravery;
valor

Pellucid transpare
ntly clear

paying
Punctilio attention
us to small
details

Spurious 0
using too
Verbosity many
words
Group 8

Assuage to calm

think over
Cogitate somethin
g; ponder

gentle
Docile and easily
lead

Fraudule fake; false

nt
Insentien unfeeling
t
 Milieu environm
ent

in a
thoughtfu
Pensive l mood;
thinking
deeply

Purloin steal

Stagnant still; not

moving
Vertigo dizziness
Group 9

perceptiv
Astute e; sharp-
witted

picture
made
Collage from
fragment
s of other
pictures

having
Dogmatic stubbornl
y held
opinions

Frivolous not
serious
dull;
Insipid bland;
boring

swamp;
Mire muddy
ground
Penury poverty
Pusillani cowardly
mous
dull;
Staid sober;
serious

not
Vestigial develope
d
Group 10
 place of
Asylum refuge or
safety

Collate arrange in
order
stupid
Dolt person

economic
Frugal al; not
wasting
anything

Instigate to start;
provoke

hater of
Misanthr the rest
ope of
mankind

Perceptiv observant
e

Pyromani compulsi
on to
a start fires

Stanza section of
a poem

Vignette small
sketch
Group 1

person
who does
Atheist not
believe in
God

local and
Colloquia informal
l (used of
language)

Dotard foolish
old man
Furrow groove

troublem
aker;
person
who
Instigator entices
others to
do
somethin
g

Misnome wrong
r name

Percipien perceptiv
e;
t insightful

drink
Quaf down
quickly

loyal;
Staunch faithful;
dependa
ble

blackenin
Vilificatio g
n someone'
s name

Group 2
 waste
Atrophy away
from lack
of use

plotting
Collusion and
planning

speak
slowly
with
Drawl words
running
together

hidden
Furtive and
secret

Insurgent a rebel

Misogyni hater of
st women

Perdition damnatio
n

Quagmire marsh;
bog
Stereotyp fixed
e image

prove
Vindicate right;
remove
blame

Group 3

Attenuate weaken

Comman take
deer possessio
n of

Drivel nonsense

useless;
Futile hopeless
Intermina never-
ble ending
Misrepre deliberat
sentation ely
deceiving

in a
Perempto command
ry ing
manner

Quaint picturesq
ue
Stevedor dockwork
e er

an
Virtuoso accomplis
hed
musician

Group 4

increase;
Augment make
bigger

Complace self-
satisfied;
nt smug
dryly
Droll amusing

ancient
Galleon type of
sailing
ship

Intermitt sporadic;
ent irregular

lessen;
Mitigate make less
severe

Perfidy treachery

Quandary dilemma;
puzzle
Stifle suppress

Virulent dangerou
s; harmful

Group 5
 favorable;
Auspiciou promising
s to turn
out well

easy to
Complian control;
t submissiv
e

1.
monoton
ous noise
(n); 2. to
Drone speak
with no
emotion
(v);
3.male
bee

frolic;
Gambol leap;
bound
Intransige stubborn
nce ness

Modicum small
amount

Perfuncto superficia
ry l; cursory

isolation
to
Quaranti prevent
ne the
spread of
disease
 known
for
fortitude;
Stoic indifferen
t to
pleasure
or pain

essential;
Vital alive;
important

Group 6

severely
Austere plain

Concaten link
ate together
Dubious doubtful
distort;
Garble confuse;
muddle

Intransige stubborn;
unyieldin
nt g

Momento very
us important

nomadic;
Peripateti moving
from
c place to
place

1.
somethin
Quarry ghunted;
that is

2. mine
for stone

add fuel
to;
Stoke strengthe
n
 corrosive;
Vitriolic strongly
attacking
Group 7

Aversion aofdislike

Concaten linking
ation into
chains

to fool
Dupe someone

Garish gaudy
Intrepid brave

Monoton dull;
ous unvarying

Periphera on the
edge; not
l important

Querulou always
complaini
s ng

impassive
; dull;
Stolid indifferen
t

liveliness;
Vivacity animatio
n

Group 8

hinder
and
Balk prevent;
hesitate
over

to bring
Conciliate together;
end a
dispute
 lively;
Dynamic vibrant;
energetic

Garner gather;
collect
Inveterat habitual
e

temporar
Moratori yprohibitio
um n or halt
to activity

telling lies
Perjury under
oath

Quirk oddity

Stratage plot;
m plan; trick

Vivify enliven
Group 9

common;
Banal dull
stated in
Concise few
words

very
lively;
Ebullient cheerful;
jovial;
happy

Garrulous talkative

Invidious arousing
envy

Moribun on the
point of
d death

Perniciou destructiv
e;
s harmful
 Ramble wander
aimlessly

Strident loud and

harsh

Vociferou noisy;
loud in
s speech
Group 10

ordinarin
Banality ess;
dullness
Condesce talk down
nd to
unusual;
Eccentric quirky;
odd

emaciate
Gaunt d; bony
and
angular

Inviolable cannot be
invaded

gloomy;
Morose bad
tempered

Persnicke fastidious
ty ; fussy

branches;
subdivisio
Ramifica ns of a
tions complex
system;
outcomes

Stringent strict or
severe
 dangerou
sly
Volatile unstable;
evaporate
s easily
Group 1

troubleso
Bane me
influence

tacitly
Condone support;
overlook

taking
things
Eclectic from
different
sources

a
Genre category;
type

Irascible easily
angered

Mundane ordinary;
worldly

Perpetuat caused to
ed continue

resentme
nt;
Rancor animosity
; bad
feeling

swagger;
Strut
show off
Voluble talkative
Group 2

Bard poet

overlooki
Condonin ng;
disregardi
g ng;
ignoring

building;
Edifice structure;
constructi
on
Germane relevant

anger
[irate (a)
Ire = very
angry]

Munifice generous;
nt charitable

Perpetuit eternity
y

use
bombasti
Rant c
language

astonishi
ng;
Stupefyin shocking;
g stunning
into
silence

Volumino very
large;
us spacious
Group 3

fortress;
Bastion stronghol
d
Conflagra big fire
tion

wipe out;
remove
Eface all trace
of

just
growing;
Germinal not
develope
d;
immature
 annoying;
Irksome infuriatin
g

Mutinous very
rebellious

Personabl attractive
e
approve;
Ratify consent
Subpoen summons
a to court

Voracious ravenous

Group 4

Befuddle confuse

Confound confuse

a model
Effigy of a
person

making
Gibbering meaningl
ess noises

satiric;
Ironic unexpect
ed

Myriad in large
numbers

Perspicaci insightful;
sharp;
ous wise

rough
and
Raucous unpleasa
nt (of
sounds)

give
Substanti supportin
ate g
evidence
 Waive surrender
; give up
Group 5

Begrudge resent

Congeal to solidify

gushing;
Efusive demonstr
ative

hostile;
Glacial unfriendl
y; cold;
icy

unreason
Irrational able;
absurd

Navigable suitable
for sailing

Perspicaci insight
ty

destroy;
demolish;
Raze tear
down

Subterfug a trick
e
Wane grow less
Group 6

Beguile mislead;
lure

Congenit present
from
al birth
Egalitaria belief in
nism equality
prod;
Goad urge

Irreproac cannot be
criticized;
hable perfect
Nebulous vague

Pertinent relevant

Rebuttal denial

Subtle not
obvious
hesitant;
Wary cautious
Group 7

explain in
Belabor unnecess
ary detail

person
with
Connoiss refined
eur taste and
good
judgment

outstandi
Egregious ngly,
obviously
bad

1. to
annoy;
Grate (v) aggravate
; vex; 2.
shred

cannot be
Irrevocab cancelled;
le unchange
able

wicked;
Nefarious immoral;
disreputa
ble

Peruse read
carefully
 disclaim;
Recant retract
statemen
t

rebellious
Subversiv ;
e revolutio
nary

to
Wax increase;
to grow
Group 8

Beleague besiege;
r attack
Consecrat dedicate
e
Egress exit
free of
charge;
Gratis without
payment

nomadic;
wanderin
Itinerant g from
place to
place

Negate cancel;
deny

spreading
Pervasive everywhe
re

Recapitul summariz
ate e
Succinct concise
accost;
Waylay stop;
approach;
hinder

Group 9

Belie contradict
Consensu general
agreemen
s t

fluent
and
Eloquent persuasiv
e in
speech

Gratuitou unwarran
s ted
tired;
Jaded bored;
worn out
Negligenc carelessn
e ess
1. terrify;
Petrify 2. turn to
stone

Receptacl container
; vessel;
e holder

someone
who
Sufragist campaign
s for
voting
rights

Weighty serious
Group 10

Belittle to
demean

easily
Conspicu seen;
ous prominen
t

Elucidate make
clear

Gravity seriousne
ss

specialize
d
Jargon language
used by
experts
Neologis newly
coined
m word

Petulant sulky;
peevish

someone
who cuts
Recluse himself
off from
life

Supercilio proud
and
us haughty
young
Whelp dog
Bellicose war-like; aggressive

Consumm complete; total;

ate supremely good

Elusive hard to pin down

Gregariou extroverted; sociable;

s outgoing

Jaundiced cynical; pessimistic

Nettle annoy

Phenome an event or happening

non (plural: phenomena)

Recuperat get better after illness

e

Superlativ extremely good; the

e best

Whet sharpen

Belligeren aggressive; ready to

t fight
Contemp living or happening at
orary the same time
Emaciate very thin; withered
d
Gritty coarse; granular
Jaunt short pleasure trip
Niggardly miserly; stingy

Philanthr charity; love of

opy mankind

Red tape formalities; paperwork;

official procedure

Surly grumpy; rude

Whimsica capricious; changeable
l

Bemoan complain about

Contrite sorry
Emancipa set free
te

Gufaw sudden loud laughter

Jeopardiz put at risk; endanger

e

Nomadic wandering from place

to place

Philistine uncultured person

Redolent smelling of; giving off

odors
Surreptiti secret; sneaky; stealthy
ous
Willful stubborn

Benevole kindly
nt

Contrition sorrow and repentance

Embezzle defraud; steal

Guile cunning; craftiness

Jingoistic extremely patriotic;

nationalistic

Nonchala an appearance of
indifference; calm and
nce composed
Phlegmati calm; imperturbable
c
 Redress put right something
that was wrong
Surreptiti secretly; furtively;
ously stealthily
Wily cunning

Benign kindly; harmless

Contumac stubborn
ious

Embroil involve in hostility or

argument

Guileless frank; straightforward;

honest

Jocular in a joking manner

Nondescri having no special

features; dull and
pt ordinary
Pillage plunder
Redundan unnecessary;
t superfluous
Susceptibl vulnerable
e
Wispy flimsy; frail; delicate

Benignity compassion;
gentleness; fondness

Contusion a bruise

Emerge come out; appear

unwariness;
Gullibility trustfulness; being
easily fooled
Jollity gaiety; happiness
a person of no
Nonentity importance; not
famous
Pinnacle topmost point
Referend public vote
um
Suspect doubtful

Wistful melancholy; pensive;

expressing a longing for
 leave something in
Bequeath one's will to be given
after one's death
Conundru a puzzle
m

Emulate to imitate something

admired
Gullible easily fooled

Jubilant ecstatic; delighted;

rejoicing

Nostalgia longing for the past

Pious very religious

Refute disprove
Sybarite lover of luxury
Zany crazy; wacky

Berate scold; criticize

Conventio usual; customary;
nal common

Endorse give support or

approval to

Gustatory concerned with the

sense of taste

Judicious correct in judgment;

wise

Notoriety infamy; known for

wrong doing

Pivotal of central importance

Regale entertain
Sycophan bootlicker; flatterer
t
Zeal enthusiasm

Beret type of cap

Corpulent fat

Enduranc staying power;

e patience; stamina
Hackneye common and over-used
d
Jurisprud science or study of law
ence
 Novel new; unusual
Placate pacify; soothe; calm

Relegate dismiss to a lower

position
Taciturn quiet; saying little
Zealot fanatic

Bestial behaving like a beast;

brutal
Corrugate highly folded
d
Enduring lasting

Hallowed worshipped;
consecrated

Juxtapose place next to

Novice a beginner; tyro

harmless medicine with
Placebo no effect; dummy
medicine

Remorse regret; sorrow;

contrition

Tactile concerned with the

sense of touch
Zenith summit
Group 1

reduce in
Abate intensity

renounce
; swear to
Abjure refrain
from
somethin
g

words
used to
Blandish coax or
ment flatter
[blandish
(v)]

ill-
mannere
Boor d person
[boorish
(a)]

1. high
ranking
Cardinal church
official; 2.
major,
important

1. slow
(a); 2. to
Deliberat think over
e (v); 3. on
purpose
(a)

speaking
ambiguou
Equivoca sly
tion [equivoca
te (v),
equivocal
(a)]
 feeble;
Feckless helpless;
lacking in
initiative

quality of
being
Impertur calm and
not easily
bability disturbed
[impertur
bable (a)]

Meretrici falsely
attractive;
ous tawdry
Group 2

predictio
n, looking
Augury for
omens
[augur
(v)]

refuse to
Boycott have
dealings
with

slick;
superficia
Glib l esp. in
speech

cut into
[incision
Incise (n);
incisive
(a)]

concerne
d with
Moralistic morals
[moralize
(v)]
 shunning;
social
Ostracism isolation
[ostracize
(v)]

inclinatio
n;
Penchant leaning;
tendency;
predilecti
on

make less
Rarefy dense
[rarefact
on (n)]

fret; be
Repine disconten
ted

specify
Stipulate [stpulato
n (n)]
Group 3

transpare
Diaphano nt; thin
us and
delicate

pretende
d attack;
a move
Feint intended
to
deceive

hardened
Inured ;habituate
d

Mettleso spirited
[mettle
me (n)]

Puissance power
Recondit obscure
e
Stygian very dark

advertisin
g;
Touting supportin
g [tout
(v)]

skill,
expertise
Virtuosity [virtuoso
(n);
virtuosi
(n.pl)]

excessive
talkativen
Volubility ess
[voluble
(a)]

Group 4

punctuati
on mark
Caret signifying
omission

adjacent;
Contiguo touching;
abutting
us [contguit
y (n)]

(used of
vibration)
Damp reduce in
extent

omission
Ellipsis of
essential
words
 wiping
out;
Extirpatio complete
destructi
n on
[extrpate
(v)]

behaving
or
dressing
like a
Foppish dandy;
excessivel
y
concerne
d with
fashion

blunder;
Gafe social
mistake

encouragi
Hortatory ng;
exhorting

expressin
Opprobri gscorn
great
ous [opprobri
um (n)]

Recumbe reclining;
lying
nt down
Group 5

able to
use both
Ambidext left and
right
rous hands
equally
well
 guilt
Culpabilit [culpable
=
y blamewor
thy]

judgment
Discernm ;
ent perceptiv
eness

Encomiu praise
m

coax;
Inveigle cajole;
wheedle;
entice

Minatory threateni
ng

turned to
bone;
Ossified become
rigid
[ossificat
on (n)]

measure
Plumb depth of
(v); exact
(a. slang)

most
typical;
the
Quintess perfect
ential example
of
[quintess
ence (n)]

mysteriou
Runic s; magical

Group 6
 accumula
tion of
matter;
Accretion growth
produced
by adding
from the
outside

occurring
in the
Anachron wrong
istic time
period
[anachro
nism (n)]

long
lasting
(often
used for
Chronic diseases
in which
case the
opposite
is acute)

rudeness;
Churlishn ill-
mannere
ess d
behavior

mob
leader
(who
appeals
Demagog to base
ue instincts)
[demago
gy/dema
goguery
(n)]
 daring;
audacity
Efrontery (has a
negative
connotati
on)

story or
incident
in
peaceful
Idyll or ideal
setting
[idyllic
(a)]

interval
Interregn between
reigns or
um governme
nts

of minor
Nugatory significan
ce; futile

job which
pays
Sinecure salary but
requiring
little
effort

Group 7

electropla
ted;
Anodized coated
with thin
layer of
metal
 expressed
tersely
Aphoristi [aphoris
m (n) =
c short
statemen
t; maxim]

orthodox
[canon
Canonical (n) = set
of
accepted
works]

equal in
Commen significan
surate ce

skill, esp.
with
Dexterity hands
[dexterou
s (a)]

still in
existence
Extant (opposite
of
extinct)

challenge
Impugne d; called
d into
question

uprightne
Probity ss;
honesty

person
Raconteu who
r relates a
story

kindly;
expressin
Solicitous g care
and
concern
Group 8

join;
consolida
Amalgam te
ate [amalga
maton
(n)]

Baleful evil

force
[coercion
Coerce (n);
coercing
(a)]

undevelo
Inchoate ped;
nascent

evil;
Iniquitou unjust
s [iniquity
(n)]

dissolute
Libertine person;
prodigal

hats and
Millinery hat-
making

neat;
Natty dapper;
smart

Occluded obscured;
blocked
of or
Sidereal related to
stars
Group 9

Avariciou greedy
for
s money

Extirpate wipe out

totally
 peaceful
and
happy;
Halcyon calm
(esp. of
summer
weather)

1. to lean
to one
List (v) side; 2. to
write in
order

sad;
sentiment
Maudlin al;
inclined
to weep

Refulgent glowing;
radiant

below the
Sublimin threshold
of
al conscious
ness

irritability
Testiness ;irascibility
[testy (a)]

Vituperat attack
e bitterly

1. carve
with
Whittle knife; 2.
reduce
step by
step

Group 10
 bowl with
holes
Colander used to
drain
vegetable
s etc.

bulky;
difficult
Cumbers to carry
ome [encumbe
r = to
burden]

transpare
Diaphano nt; thin
us and
delicate

1. send
(v); 2.
Dispatch speed;
celerity
(n)

Epistemol theory of
knowledg
ogy e

stubborn;
Froward wayward;
disobedie
nt

lying flat
Supine on
one�s
back

exhibiting
Throwbac primitive,
or
k ancestral,
traits

Untowar unexpect
d ed
 true to
life;
Verisimila giving the
r appearan
ce of
reality
Group 1

Abysmal very deep; very bad

approval [opp.
Approbation disapprobaton]

Bent (n) inclination; aptitude

Cadge get by begging

Debacle disaster

speak without preparation

Extemporize or rehearsal
[extemporaneous (a)]

occupiers of a job or
Incumbents position

Lambaste attack verbally

Noisome disgusting

work (usually artistic) which

imitates, or is composed of
Pastiche parts taken from varied
sources
Group 2

living in trees; concerned

Arboreal with trees

device to separate
Centrifuge substances by spinning them
at high speed

Cloistered isolated

make someone aware of an

Disabuse error in thinking

causing; bringing into being

Engendering [engender (v)]

excessive; immoderate
Intemperate [intemperance (n)]

Lugubrious sad; gloomy

Nonplussed confused

science of education;
Pedagogy teaching
 satisfy; fill completely
Satiate [satable (a); sataton (n)]

Slake quench; satisfy

Group 3

without effort; without

Artless
trickery; simple

beauty; prettiness [comely

Comeliness (a)]

Dof take off (esp. of a hat)

Don put on (esp. of clothes)

learning; scholarly
Erudition knowledge [erudite (a)]

Plaintive sad; mournful

Suborn bribe

Tendentious dogmatic; biased

Tortuous indirect; winding

 excessive or meaningless
Verbiage wordiness

Group 4

making amends for sin or

Atonement crime [atone (v)]

Complaisance flexibility; willingness to

please [complaisant (a)]

Daguerreotype forerunner of the

photograph

behave in a sycophantic
Fawn way; grovel [fawning (a)]

Gregariousness sociability; liking for crowds

[gregarious (a)]

Nascent emerging; newly formed

Paean praise; tribute (esp. in song)

 scolding; criticism [reprove
Reproof (v)]

1. disease due to lack of

Scurvy vitamin C; 2. contemptible;
rascally

serving as a guardian
Tutelary [tutelage (n)]

Group 5

cutting; process causing

Abscission leaves to fall off

causing argument
Contentious [contenton (n); contend (v)]

Debilitating weakening [debilitate (v)]

Foible quirk; minor weakness

Importune beg; solicit [importunate (a)]

 Pertain be relevant to [pertnent (a)]

Slew glut; excess

Toady sycophant; flatterer

Torrid hot and steamy

Veracious true [veracity (n)]

Group 6

Asperity using harsh or critical tone

Blowhard boastful person

Disingenuous crafty

Evanescent short-lived [evanescence (n)]

cannot be touched; abstract

Intangible [intangibility (n)]

Labile changing rapidly; unstable

Malapropism use of similar sounding but

incorrect word
 Posture (v) to put on an act

Proximate immediate; nearest

aggressive, ready to fight

Pugnacious [pugnacity (n)]

Group 7

Foreshadowed indicated a future event

[foreshadow (v)]

Gaucherie awkwardness [gauche (a)]

Heterodox unorthodox

quality of being difficult to

Inscrutability comprehend [inscrutable
(a)]

Limerick short amusing poem

Mannered stylized; pretentious

Pluck (n) courage

persevering; eager and

Sedulous thorough
 Syllogism type of logical reasoning

unexpected change in
Vicissitude fortune or circumstances

Group 8

disciple; follower or
Acolyte attendant

Admonitory scolding [admoniton (n)]

Caprices whimsies; fancies

symbol (horn filled with fruit

Cornucopia etc.) denoting natural
abundance

showing respect [deference

Deferential (n); defer (v)]

stubbornness; resistance
Intractability [intractable (a)]
 Luminary eminent person

Minion underling; servant

Undergird support; strengthen

Vitiate weaken; sap energy

Group 9

clique; small group with

Coterie common interests

Denigrate decry; criticize; belittle

found by experiment or
Empirical practice

Gainsay contradict

Hyperbole exaggeration [hyperbolic (a)]

1. bashful; unpretentious; 2.
Modest not excessive

Prolixity wordiness [prolix (a)]

 puzzle in which pictures give
Rebus clues

Sere withered; old

like a fox [compare with

Vulpine bovine (cow-like); porcine
(pig-like), etc.]

Back to top

Group 10

give supporting evidence

Corroborate [corroboraton (n)]

made worse [exacerbate (v);

Exacerbated exacerbaton (n)]

Exact (v) to demand; extort

whimsical; following a
Faddish fashion

Hapless unlucky
 put a wrong interpretation
Misconstrue on something

Perennial long-lasting

torn (past participle of the

Rent verb to rend)

Shard fragment of pottery

Xenophobe person afraid of foreigners

Group 1

made less
severe
Alleviate [alleviato
d n (n);
alleviate
(v)]

1.
punctuati
on mark;
2. appeal
Apostrop to
he someone
not
present (a
figure of
speech)

roman
soldier
(comman
Centurion der of a
company
of 100
soldiers)

softening
(a);
Emollient somethin
g which
softens
(n)

Fusillade long burst

of gunfire

infallibilit
y;
inability
Inerrancy to make
mistakes
[inerrant
(a)]
 1. chop
into small
pieces; 2.
walk with
Mince tiny steps,
3. speak
in an
affected
manner

medical
term
meaning
Palpate to
examine
with the
hands

unoriginal
Platitude , obvious
saying

1. (v) to
argue
about
minor
matters;
to play on
words
when
Quibble finding
fault; 2.
(n) a
minor
verbal
point in
an
argument

Group 2
 slight
fear;
Apprehen sense of
somethin
sion g
unfavorab
le

cunning;
Conniving scheming
[connive
(v)]

mockery
Derision [deride
(v)]

short,
Epigram witty
saying

lack of
Lassitude energy;
weariness

over-
insistent
on
Pedantic matters
of book-
learning
[pedant
(n)]

branch of
science
concerne
d with
things as
Phenome they are
nology perceived
; not
directly
derived
from
theory
 1. hurried
(a); 2.
insoluble
product
of a
Precipitat reaction
in
e chemistry
(n), 3. to
instigate
or speed
up an
action (v)

go back
on
Renege promise
or retract
statemen
t

Group 3

Armada fleet of
ships

slow
person
who falls
Dawdler behind
others
[dawdle
(v)]

somethin
g
worthless
Dross ;
impurities
left after
refining
 atone;
Expiate make
amends
for

1. chop
roughly;
2. person
who
Hack writes to
earn
money, 3.
hired
horse

1.
vulnerabl
Prone e to; 2.
horizontal

Propensit tendency;
inclinatio
y n

Scabbard cover for

a sword
small
Skif boat

1.
shadow;
Umbrage 2.
offence;
sense of
injury

Group 4

dabbling
esp. in
the arts
Dilettanti [dilettant
sm e (n) =
person
who
dabbles]

Enervate weaken
 having
Malevole evil
intentions
nt [malevole
nce(n)]

new
Neophyte convert;
tyro

speech
praising
Panegyric someone;
laudatory
words

forewarn
Presage of;
indicate

Serration jagged
edge

1. minor
(a); 2.
Slight perceived
insult (v)
and (n)

1. weed;
2.
allowance
Tare made for
container
when
weighing

Unprepos unattracti
sessing ve
Group 5

Aberratio deviation
from the
n normal

insincere
Cant talk
 dig up
Disinter [opposite
inter =
bury]

1. front
elevation
of
building,
Fa�ade 2. false
appearan
ce or
demeano
r

hindering
[impede
Impeding (v);
impedime
nt (n)]

gap;
missing
Lacuna part
[plural =
lacunae]

united in
Monolithi purpose;
forming a
c single
unit

multicolo
Pied
red

Roster list of
names

appropria
te (of
Seemly behavior)
;
decorous

Group 6
 1.
somethin
g similar;
2. output
Analogue proportio
nal to
input
(engineer
ing)

piece of
music at
the end
of a
musical
Coda work;
finale;
final part
of
documen
t

Comming mix
le

ambiguou
s; open to
interpreta
Equivocal tion
[equivoca
te (v),
equivoca
ton (n)]

capable
of making
Fallible mistakes
[fallibility
(n)]

Hallow respect;
worship

Indigence poverty
 material
used for
writing
Papyrus on before
paper
was
invented

1.
annoyanc
e (n); 2.
to
Pique stimulate
interest;
to annoy
(v)

1. liquid
inside
plants (n);
2. to
Sap drain; to
undermin
e (v); 3. a
fool (n)

Group 7

mediator;
person
appointe
Arbitrator d to judge
a dispute
[arbitrate
(v)]

to see
(esp. at a
Descry distance);
catch
sight of
 not
intended
Facetious to be
taken
seriously

unseemly
Indecoro ;inappropr
us iate (of
behavior)

grow and
Proliferat spread
e [prolifera
ton (n)]

to
Scotch (v) prevent;
stop;
disable

1.
supportin
g rod (n);
2. to walk
Strut in an
arrogant
manner;
show off
(v)

Toy (v) to play

with

lending
money at
Usury high
interest
rates

Wag (n) aperson

witty

Group 8
 reappear
ance of
ancestral
Atavism traits;
regressio
n
[atavistc
(a)]

Filibuster delaying
tactics

opening
Gambit move;
transactio
n

making
Mitigatio less
severe
n [mitgate
(v)]

Obligate compulso
ry

Predilecti leaning;
interest;
on talent

appease;
try to
Propitiate gain favor
[propitat
on (n)]

Stanch to stop
parody;
Travesty ridiculous
error

drift
smoothly
Waft (v); whiff;
smell (n)

Group 9

Forage search for

food
 1. walk in
an
Lumber ungainly
way; 2.
timber
(wood)

1. think;
meditate
(v); 2. a
source of
inspiratio
n (n) [in
Muse mytholog
y, a
goddess
who gives
inspiratio
n]

Prescienc foreknowl
e edge

1. to trim;
Prune 2. a dried
plum

Ready (used of
wit) quick

Resolve firmness
(n)
dirty and
Squalid demeanin
g

made
dirty or
Sullied impure
[opposite
unsullied;
sully (v)]
 worship;
respect
Veneratio [venerabl
n e (a),
venerate
(v)]

Group 10

object;
Demur hesitate
to accept

cunning;
Duplicity deception
; double
dealing

urgent
Exigency matter;
pressing
need

offer
strong
Expostula objection
te s;
remonstr
ate

Gossame delicate;
filmy; like
r gauze

Inefficaci ineffectiv
ous e

1. type of
evergreen
Pine tree; 2.
grieve
 narrow-
minded;
excessivel
y
Prudish concerne
d with
morals
[prudery
(n), prude
(n)]

impractic
Quixotic ally
idealistic

cover
Stipple with dots
of paint
etc.
Group 1

1.
damage
to skin
caused by
scraping;
Abrasion 2. process
of
scraping
or
rubbing
[abrade
(v)]

Adumbra outline;
te indicate

concerne
d with
thinking
Cognitive or
perceivin
g
[cogniton
(n)]

condesce
Deign nd

Fervid passionat
e

1.
bitterness
(bad
feeling);
2.
Gall confidenc
e; 3.
abnormal
growth
on a plant
 1. raised
bank of a
river; 2.
Levee morning
reception
held by a
monarch

Preternat unnatural
ural ;abnormal

Quell suppress
written
Score (n) form of
music
Group 2

Abut to adjoin

Constern worry
ation and
concern
judge�s
Gavel hammer

right to
sell
property
held as a
Lien security;
legal hold
on job
etc.

remarks
deviating
from the
main
point
Parenthe [parenthe
sis ses are
round
brackets
in
punctuati
on]
 vigorous;
having
well-
Sinewy develope
d muscles
[a sinew
is a
tendon]

Steep (v) to soak in

water

to plug;
press
loose
matter
down
Tamp tightly
(e.g. pack
explosive
s into a
hole)

1.
hazarding
; risking;
putting
forward;
2. going
somewhe
Venturing re
[ventures
ome
means
courageo
us or
willing to
take risks]
 1. twisted
or bent to
one side;
Wry 2. dryly
humorou
s

Group 3

Arduous hard

kill or
destroy a
Decimate large part
of
d (originally
one
tenth)

1. grow
feathers;
2. leave
nest
[fledgling
Fledge (n) = an
inexperie
nced
person or
a baby
bird]

Gouge cut or dig

out

insignifica
Picayune nt; of
little
value
 fascinatin
g [to rivet
literally
means to
Riveting fix metal
plates
using
metal
pins]

Soliloquy solo
speech

person
who
requests
Supplican or begs
for
t somethin
g
[supplicat
e (v)]

supernat
ural;
going
Transcen beyond
dental normal
experienc
e
[transcen
dent (a)]

true;
Veritable genuine
[verity
(n)]

Group 4

talking
Condesce down to
someone
nsion [condesce
nding (a)]
 Divest remove;
take off
circular
Eddy current
shoulder
Epaulet decoratio
n

wrong
Fallacy idea
[fallaciou
s (a)]

1.
decorativ
e border
Fringe with
tassels
(n); 2. to
form an
edge (v)

to make
light;
modify;
Leaven cause
bread to
rise using
yeast etc.

1. to talk
down to;
condesce
Patronize nd; 2. to
be a
customer
of

1.
eminent;
Prominen 2.
t protrudin
g; 3.
obvious

law
Statute [statutory
(a)]
Group 5

Antipathy hatred

Aver affirm
speak or
Expatiate write at
great
length

1. to lose
Flag (v) energy; 2.
to signal

1. tool
used to
thresh
grain; 2.
to thresh
(separate
Flail grain
from
chaff); 3.
to wave
arms
about
wildly

Indicted accused
(of crime)

laze
around;
hang out
Loll (when
used of
the
tongue)

Malign slander
1. to fix
Secure (v) firmly; 2.
to obtain

long
pointed
Talon nail or
claw

Group 6
 state of
Abeyance inactivity;
disuse

1. take
away
weapons;
2. win
Disarm over to
one�s
side
[disarmin
g (a)]

1.
complex
and
Elaborate detailed
(a); 2. to
expand
on (v)

1. stir up;
2. bathe
Foment with hot
liquids
(medical)

maneuve
ring;
struggling
Jockeying to get
ahead of
others
[jockey
(v)]

Minutiae small
details
regret
Rue [rueful
(a)]

concerne
Somatic d with
the body
 holding
back;
limiting
the
Stinting supply (of
supplies/
money
etc.) [stnt
(v)]

Temperat moderate
e
Group 7

1.
Allure attraction
(n); 2. to
attract (v)

treat with
substance
such as
Caulk tar to
make
water-
tight

1. person
enlisted
compulso
rily into
the
Conscript armed
forces; 2.
(v) to
enlist
compulso
rily

aimless;
Desultory inconsiste
nt in
effort
 poem
concerne
d with
Elegy death;
praise of
a dead
person

Fallow uncultivat
ed

tolerant
Forbearin [forbear
(v);
g forbearan
ce (n)]

political
Hegemon dominati
on;
y complete
authority

lack of
Improbity honesty
or
integrity

Qualm hesitation
or fear
Group 8

1. try; 2.
Assay assess
purity

someone
Chauvinis excessivel
y patriotic
t [chauvinis
m (n)]
 separate;
discontin
uous (not
to be
Discrete confused
with
discreet -
prudent;
diplomati
c]

1. sign up
for the
Enlist army; 2.
obtain

made up;
false;
manufact
Fabricate ured
d [fabricate
(v);
fabricato
n(n)]

1. attack
loudly in
words;
Fulminat denounce
e thundero
usly; 2.
explode
noisily

Hawser thick rope

or cable
 agree
with;
complem
ent;
match up
Jibe with (in
British
usage jibe
means
mock)

1. an
equal; 2.
to stare
Peer at; 3.
noblema
n

one who
is strict
Stickler about
rules or
details

Group 9

closure;
terminati
Cloture ng a
debate by
voting

Congruen matching
[congrue
t ncy (n)]

waste
Dally time; flirt

Dissembl avoid the

e truth

be
excessivel
Dote y fond of
[dotng
(a)]
 1.
wanderin
g; 2.
Errant wrong; 3.
straying
from
accepted
standards

Fervent passionat
e
Stomach to
(v) tolerate

junction
between
Synapse two
nerve
cells

offering a
Undercu lower
tting price;
undermin
ing

Group 10

deliberat
e,
Arson criminal
starting
of fires

dead
Carrion flesh;
carcasses

Intelligibl can be
understo
e od

cannot be
Ironclad altered;
firm
 fluff; soft
material
Lint used to
cover
wounds

assumed
attitude
Pretensio of
n superiorit
y;
arrogance

Pundit expert
ceremoni
Pyre al fire
Sate satisfy

type of
musical
Syncopati rhythm
on with
missed
beats
Group 1

worn
away;
eroded
Abraded [abrade
(v);
abrasion
(n)]

Apposite fitting;
suitable

tirade;
violent
Diatribe denuncia
tion;
stream of
criticism

Gerontoc governme
racy nt by the
aged
Maculate spotted
d
Quisling traitor

thorough
ness;
Sedulity persevera
nce
[sedulous
(a)]

type of
Seine fishing
net
Tender to offer

Waffle talk
nonsense

Group 2

Burlesqu 1. comic
play; 2.
e lampoon
 model
Exemplar type
[exemplar
y (a)]

art of
Homiletic preaching
and
s giving
sermons

challenge
; question
Impugn someone
�s honor
etc.

encumbr
Incubus ance;
nightmari
sh thing

run with
Lope long
strides

soften or
break up
Macerate by
soaking;
weaken

Nostrum remedy

1. tool for
cutting; 2.
Saw wise
saying

prophete
Sibyl ss
Group 3

1. small
Brook stream; 2.
tolerate
 decorate
Emboss with a
raised
design

Eschew shun;
avoid

Limpid transpare
ntly clear

Liturgy form of
worship

Nexus connectio
n

instrume
Odomete nt to
measure
r distance
covered

Purchase 1. grip; 2.
buy
Quotidia daily;
n routine

Seminal essential;
formative

Group 4

amazed;
wide-
Agog eyed with
enthusias
m

pay off a
Amortize debt in
installme
nts

Curmudg grumpy
eon person
Dormanc state of
y inactivity

Efficacy effectiven
ess
 phrase
used as a
label or
Epithet to
express
the
essential
nature of

symbol of
Figurehea power;
d nominal
leader

fight;
Fracas disturban
ce

Jamb door post

to
squeeze;
obtain by
Milk applicatio
n of
pressure

Group 5

Chorales simple
hymns

Dissonan discord;
disagree
ce ment

decorativ
Frieze e border

essence;
Gist main
point

hidden;
Latent real but
undevelo
ped
Partiality bias
 walking
slowly
Plodding and
heavily;
uninspire
d

Rekindle relight;
revive

type of
Symphon musical
y compositi
on

made
Tarnished dull; spoil
(reputatio
n)

Group 6

1.
damaged
or put in
doubt
(esp. of
reputatio
Comprom n); 2.
ised reached
an
agreemen
t by
giving up
part of a
claim

Drabness dullness

give gift;
provide
Endow with
money
etc.

Esoterica obscure
details
Falters hesitates

Prattle mindless
talk
 1.
prohibitin
Prohibitiv g; 2.
e exorbitan
tly
expensive

conserva
tive; one
who
insists on
Purist correct
forms of
language
etc.

Quack charlatan;
fake
mock;
Taunt tease
Group 7

Arresting attracting
attention;
(a) striking

extended
gunfire to
cover an
attack;
Barrage dam
across
river;
deluge or
informati
on etc.

type of
Chantey song sung
by sailors
 concerne
d with
Ferrous iron or its
compoun
ds

Manipula scheming
tive

speak in a
Orate pompous
manner

severe
Psychosis mental
disturban
ce
Savor enjoy

put down
Table (v) for future
discussio
n

Underwri give
guarante
te e, insure
Group 8

person
who
Dissident disagrees
[dissidenc
e (n)]

puzzling
Enigmatic [enigma
(n)]

Foolhard reckless
[foolhardi
y ness (n)]

Homogen evenness;
eity uniformit
y
 1.
represent
somethin
Personific gperson;
as a
2.
ation a
concrete
example
of

1. surface
deposit
on teeth
or in
Plaque artery
etc.; 2.
decorativ
e plate or
sign

believabili
Plausibilit ty
y [plausible
(a)]

resistance
; ability to
Resilienc spring
e back
[resilience
(a)]

set of
three
(literary
Trilogy works
etc.);
tetralogy
= set of
four

somethin
g
Vagary unaccoun
table;
freak

Group 9
 corridor;
passagew
ay (esp.
Aisle between
rows of
seats)

Discounte disallow
nance
Imperativ must be
e obeyed

poor;
Indigent needy
[indigenc
e (n)]

lowest
Nadir point

mental
state
characteri
Paranoia zed by
delusions
or
excessive
fear

Prudence caution;
wisdom

revival
from
Resuscita unconscio
tion usness
[resuscita
te (v)]

avoid
Shirk (esp.
work)

total
Teetotalis abstinenc
m e from
alcohol

Group 10
 soothing
ointment
or
Balm anything
soothing
[balmy
(a)]

mark an
Calibrate accurate
scale on a
device

violently
Cataclys disruptive
mic [cataclys
m (n)]

Impropri inappropr
iate
ety behavior

center;
soft part
Pith of stem;
essence

present
Primordia from the
l beginning
of time

examinati
on or
survey
Reconnai conducte
ssance d in
advance
[reconnoi
ter (v)]

left-
handed
(or
Sinistral countercl
ockwise)
[dextral -
right
handed]
Tempers moderate
s

subvert;
Undermi attempt
to
ne overthro
w