Words Meanings

Abandon complete lack of inhibition or restraint.

Abrasive showing little concern for the feelings of others;
harsh.
Abreast up to date with the latest news, ideas, or
information
Abridge shorten (a piece of writing) without losing the sense.
Abstruse difficult to understand; obscure.
Accentuate to make (something) more prominent or noticeable
Accord an official agreement or treaty.
Acerbic sharply or bitingly critical, sarcastic, or ironic in
temper, mood, or tone
Acquisitive excessively interested in acquiring money or
material things.
Activism the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to
bring about political or social change.
Acumen superior insight; quickness and shrewdness of
judgment, especially in practical matters.
Acute present or experienced to a severe or intense
degree.
Acute having or showing a perceptive understanding or
insight; shrewd.
Adroit clever or skillful in using the hands or mind.
Adulation obsequious flattery; excessive admiration or praise.
Aesthetic concerned with beauty or the appreciation of
beauty.
Affable friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to.
Affectation behavior, speech, or writing that is artificial and
designed to impress.
Aghast filled with horror or shock.
Alacrity brisk and cheerful readiness.
Alienate cause (someone) to feel isolated or estranged.
Aloof conspicuously uninvolved and uninterested, typically
through distaste.
Ambiguity the quality of being open to more than one
interpretation; inexactness.
Ambivalent having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about
something or someone.
Ameliorate make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better,
improve
Amiable having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.
Amuse cause (someone) to find something funny; entertain.
Anachronism belonging to a period other than that being
portrayed.
Antagonistic showing or feeling active opposition or hostility
toward someone or something.
Antedate precede in time; come before (something) in date.
Antiquity the ancient past, especially the period before the
middle ages.
Antithesis a contrast or opposition between two things.
Apathy lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
Aplomb complete and confident composure or self-
assurance
Apologist a person who offers an argument in defense of
something controversial.
Apposite apt in the circumstances or in relation to something.
Appropriate take (something) for one's own use, typically without
the owner's permission.
Arbitrary based on random choice or personal whim, rather
than any reason or system.
Arcane understood by few; mysterious or secret.
Arduous involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and
tiring.
Articulate (of a person or a person's words) having or showing
the ability to speak fluently and coherently.
Assertive having or showing a confident and forceful
personality.
Assiduous showing great care and perseverance.
Astonish surprise or impress (someone) greatly.
Astound shock or greatly surprise.
Attainment a thing achieved, especially a skill or educational
achievement.
Attribute regard something as being caused by (someone or
something).
Augment make (something) greater by adding to it; increase.
Austerity extreme plainness and simplicity of style or
appearance.
Aversion a strong dislike or disinclination.
Avert prevent or ward off (an undesirable occurrence).
Banal so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring.
Banish send (someone) away from a country or place as an
official punishment.
Bearing relation; relevance.
Befriend act as a friend to (someone) by offering help or
support.
Beguile charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a
deceptive way.
Beguile trick (someone) into doing something.
Beguile help (time) pass pleasantly.
Beholden owing thanks or having a duty to someone in return
for help or a service.
Belie (of an appearance) fail to give a true notion or
impression of (something); disguise or contradict.
Bemuse puzzle, confuse, or bewilder (someone).
Benign harmless, kind, gentle
Betray unintentionally reveal; be evidence of.
Bias prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or
group compared with another, usually in a way
considered to be unfair.
Blemish spoil the appearance of (something) that is
otherwise aesthetically perfect.
Blight have a severely detrimental effect on.
Blithe showing a casual and cheerful indifference
considered to be callous or improper.
Blunt (of a person or remark) uncompromisingly
forthright.
Bogus not genuine or true; fake.
Bolster support or strengthen; prop up.
Boon a thing that is helpful or beneficial.
Braggart a person who boasts about achievements or
possessions.
Brandish wave or flourish (something, especially a weapon) as
a threat or in anger or excitement.
Brazen bold and without shame. endure an embarrassing or
difficult situation by behaving with apparent
confidence and lack of shame.
Brevity concise and exact use of words in writing or speech.
Bridle bring (something) under control; curb.
Bucolic relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside
and country life.
Buoyancy an optimistic and cheerful disposition.
Calamitous involving calamity; catastrophic or disastrous.
Callous feeling or showing no sympathy for others
Calumny a false and slanderous statement.
Canny having or showing shrewdness and good judgment,
especially in money or business matters.
Canonize treat or regard as being above reproach or of great
significance.
Caprice a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or
behavior.
Catastrophe an event causing great and often sudden damage or
suffering; a disaster.
Cerebral intellectual rather than emotional or physical.
Check stop or slow down the progress of (something
undesirable).
Cherish protect and care for (someone) lovingly.
Circumscribe restrict (something) within limits.
Circumstantial pointing indirectly toward someone's guilt but not
conclusively proving it.
Clangor a continuous loud banging or ringing sound.
Clearheaded alert and thinking logically and coherently.
Clerical (of a job or person) concerned with or relating to
work in an office, especially routine documentation
and administrative tasks.
Clerical relating to the clergy.
Cloak hide, cover, or disguise (something).
Clumsy done awkwardly or without skill or elegance.
Coalesce come together to form one mass or whole.
Cogent (of an argument or case) clear, logical, and
convincing.
Coherent (of an argument, theory, or policy) logical and
consistent.
Collusion secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially
in order to cheat or deceive others.
Commensurate corresponding in size or degree; in proportion.
Commonplace a trite saying or topic; a platitude, a usual or ordinary
thing.
Compel force or oblige (someone) to do something.
Complacent showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself
or one's achievements.
Complementary acting or serving to complete; completing.
Compliance unworthy or excessive acquiescence.
Conditional subject to one or more conditions or requirements
being met; made or granted on certain terms.
Condone accept and allow (behavior that is considered
morally wrong or offensive) to continue.
Confound cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially
by acting against their expectations.
Consensus a general agreement.
Conspicuous standing out so as to be clearly visible.
Contemporary living or occurring at the same time.
Contemptuous feeling or expressing angry disgust, as at something
unworthy or wicked; scornful.
Contend struggle to surmount (a difficulty or danger).
Contend assert something as a position in an argument.
Contend engage in a competition or campaign in order to win
or achieve (something).
Contentment a state of happiness and satisfaction.
Conundrum a confusing and difficult problem or question.
Convoluted (especially of an argument, story, or sentence)
extremely complex and difficult to follow.
Cope (of a person) deal effectively with something
difficult.
Copious abundant in supply or quantity.
Corroborate confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or
finding).
Counterfeit a fraudulent imitation of something else; a forgery.
Counterintuitive contrary to intuition or to common-sense
expectation (but often nevertheless true).
Counterproductive having the opposite of the desired effect.
Cow cause (someone) to submit to one's wishes by
intimidation.
Crafty clever at achieving one's aims by indirect or deceitful
methods.
Crestfallen sad and disappointed.
Cunning having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by
deceit or evasion.
Cursory hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed.
Curtail to make less by or as if by cutting off or away some
part
Cynical believing that people are motivated by self-interest;
distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.
Daunt make (someone) feel intimidated or apprehensive.
Debacle a sudden collapse into disaster; downfall.
Debase to reduce in value, quality, esteem, or character.
Debunk to expose or ridicule the falseness or exaggerations
of (a claim, theory, or the like).
Deceit the act or practice of misleading, tricking, or
cheating.
Deceptive able or tending to trick or mislead.
Defamatory causing or tending to cause injury to another's
reputation; libelous or slanderous.
Deferential respectfully submissive to the desires, opinions, or
judgments of others.
Deft capable, quick, and clever in action; skillful;
dexterous.
Defy to resist or challenge openly; act against the wishes
or decrees of.
Deleterious harmful or injurious, as to health.
Delineate to describe or portray in precise or vivid detail.
Demur raise doubts or objections or show reluctance.
Denigrate criticize unfairly; disparage.
Derivative copied, modeled on, or extracted from something
else.
Detrimental causing harm, disadvantage, or deterioration.
Devious not the straightest, most direct way; winding;
roundabout.
Devolve (of duties or responsibility) pass to (a body or person
at a lower level).
Didactic in the manner of a teacher, particularly so as to treat
someone in a patronizing way.
Diffident modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence.
Diffuse spread out over a large area; not concentrated.
Disaffection a state or feeling of being dissatisfied with the
people in authority and no longer willing to support
them.
Disapprobation strong disapproval, typically on moral grounds.
Discern to perceive, make out, or detect.
Discomfit make (someone) feel uneasy or embarrassed.
Discount regard (a possibility, fact, or person) as being
unworthy of consideration because it lacks
credibility.
Discredit to harm the reputation of.
Discrepancy lack of agreement; difference; inconsistency.
Disentangle to free or become free from entanglement or
involvement; extricate.
Disgruntle to make irritably dissatisfied or discontent.
Disintegrate to come apart; break down into component parts or
fragments.
Disinterested having or feeling no interest in something.
Dislocation disturbance from a proper, original, or usual place or
state.
Dismantle to tear down; take apart.
Disparate essentially different and distinct.
Dispassionate without strong feeling or bias; calm; impartial.
Dispense to give out or distribute.
Disquiet lack of mental calm or peace; anxiety; uneasiness.
Dissemble to disguise or hide behind a false semblance; conceal
the true nature or state of.
Disseminate to spread widely, as though scattering seed.
Dissimilar not alike; different.
Dissolution debauched living; dissipation.
Distill extract the essential meaning or most important
aspects of.
Distort give a misleading or false account or impression of.
Divergent deviating, differing, or diverging.
Doctrinaire dogmatically adhering to a theory or a school of
thought, regardless of its practicality.
Dogmatic asserting beliefs and opinions as though they were
proven facts.
Dubious having or showing doubt; skeptical.
Duplicity deceitful speech or action.
Dynamism the quality of being characterized by vigorous
activity and progress.
Eclectic deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and
diverse range of sources.
Eclipse overshadow, outshine
Ecstatic in a condition of extreme delight, overpowering
emotion, or religious trance; enraptured.
Efficacy the ability to produce desired results; effectiveness.
Egoism the tendency to evaluate everything in relation to
one's own interests; self-centeredness.
Egotist a conceited person; braggart.
Elate to make extremely happy or proud; cause to be in
elevated spirits.
Elevate to raise or lift up to a higher physical position.
Eloquence skill or ability to use language that impresses or
persuades.
Elusive hard to perceive, understand, or remember.
Empathy the ability to understand and share the feelings of
another.
Emulate to try to be the same as or better than (another
person), especially by imitating.
Enchant to put under a magic spell, or as if under a magic
spell; bewitch.
Endanger to cause to be exposed to danger.
Endorse to approve or give support to.
Enfeeble to take away the strength of; make feeble, as from
age or disease.
Engage occupy, attract, or involve (someone's interest or
attention).
Enigmatic puzzling, mysterious, or inexplicable.
Entail involve (something) as a necessary or inevitable part
or consequence.
Entreaty an earnest or humble request.
Entrench establish (an attitude, habit, or belief) so firmly that
change is very difficult or unlikely.
Ephemeral lasting for only a short period.
Equitable characterized by fairness; just.
Equivocal open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous.
Erode gradually destroy or be gradually destroyed.
Erratic not occurring predictably or consistently;
unpredictable.
Erroneous containing or based on a mistake; incorrect.
Erstwhile of an earlier time; former.
Estrange cause (someone) to be no longer close or
affectionate to someone; alienate.
Euphoric having or exhibiting a strong feeling of well-being or
elation.
Evanescent tending to disappear like vapor; vanishing; fleeting.
Evasive ambiguous, tending to avoid commitment or self-
revelation, especially by responding only indirectly.
Exacerbate make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling)
worse.
Exacting making great demands on one's skill, attention, or
other resources.
Exigent requiring immediate attention; urgent or critical.
Exotic attractive or striking because colorful or out of the
ordinary.
Expedient a means of attaining an end, especially one that is
convenient but considered improper or immoral.
Explicit stated fully, clearly, and without equivocation.
Exploit make full use of and derive benefit from (a
resource).
Exposition a comprehensive description and explanation of an
idea or theory.
Extant still in existence; current; not extinct, destroyed, or
lost.
Extraneous coming from outside; foreign.
Extravagance the act or an instance of spending excessively or
imprudently.
Factual containing or based upon real or true things.
Fastidious very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and
detail.
Feckless weak or incompetent; ineffective.
Feeble without strength or vigor, physically, mentally, or
morally.
Fester (of a negative feeling or a problem) becoming worse
or more intense, especially through long-term
neglect or indifference.
Fickle quickly changing without reason or warning,
especially in affection or allegiance; variable or
capricious.
Fixate cause (someone) to acquire an obsessive attachment
to someone or something.
Fleeting lasting for a very short time.
Florid elaborately or excessively intricate or complicated.
Flourish to make bold and sweeping gestures
Flout openly disregard (a rule, law or convention).
Foreground make (something) the most prominent or important
feature.
Foresight the ability to predict or the action of predicting what
will happen or be needed in the future.
Forestall to prevent or hinder by taking action beforehand.
Forgo omit or decline to take (something pleasant or
valuable); go without.
Forsake to abandon or desert.
Fortuitous happening or appearing by chance, as a coincidence.
Fractious (typically of children) irritable and quarrelsome.
Fringe not part of the mainstream; unconventional,
peripheral, or extreme.
Frivolous unworthy of serious consideration or merit; trivial or
silly.
Frugality prudent or sparing use of resources, especially
money.
Futile unlikely to produce or incapable of producing a
desired result; ineffective; useless.
Galvanize to stimulate into awareness or activity.
Gawky ungainly; awkward; clumsy.
Germane having relevance to a given matter; pertinent;
significant.
Global relating to or embracing the whole of something, or
of a group of things.
Gloom to look, feel, or act sullen or despondent
Goosebumps a state of the skin caused by cold, fear, or
excitement, in which small bumps appear on the
surface as the hairs become erect.
Gracious inclined to do what is polite, kind, right, or
considerate.
Gratify to give pleasure or satisfaction to (someone).
Hackneyed made trite or commonplace by overuse, as an
expression or phrase.
Harbinger a person or thing that announces or signals the
approach of another.
Harmonious characterized by agreement or accord.
Heed to give one's attention to; take notice of.
Herald be a sign that (something) is about to happen.
Heterodox deviating from an officially approved belief or
doctrine, especially in religion.
Hidebound unwilling or unable to change because of tradition or
convention.
Hindrance someone or something that acts as an obstacle, as to
an action or goal.
Homogeneity the quality or state of being all the same or all of the
same kind.
Hortatory urging or exciting to some course of action with
strong arguments, appeals, or advice.
Humdrum lacking variety; dull, monotonous, and
commonplace.
Hyperbole exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be
taken literally.
Hypocrite one who states or pretends to hold beliefs or
principles he or she does not actually practice.
Iconoclastic attacking or breaking away from established
traditions, beliefs, or values.
Illiberal lacking tolerance; bigoted.
Illuminate help to clarify or explain.
Imitate to follow the manner or pattern of; attempt to
resemble; mimic.
Imminent about to happen or likely to happen very soon.
Immunity protection or exemption from something, especially
an obligation or penalty.
Immure to confine within or as though within walls; shut in.
Immutable not subject to change; unchanging or unchangeable.
Impair to weaken, damage, or cause to diminish in value or
quality.
Impartial not biased or prejudiced; even-handed or objective.
Impecunious having little or no money.
Impediment an obstacle or hindrance.
Impenetrable impossible to understand.
Imperative extremely important; urgent; unavoidable.
Impetuous acting or done quickly and without thought or care.
Impetus something that urges or impels; a driving force.
Implicit essentially or very closely connected with; always to
be found in.
Impolitic not showing good sense or judgment; unwise or
injudicious.
Improvisation produce or make (something) from whatever is
available.
Imprudent not showing care for the consequences of an action;
rash.
Impudence the act or condition of being boldly disrespectful;
insolence.
Impulsive motivated by spontaneous wishes and needs rather
than careful thought.
Inalienable not subject to transfer, surrender, or removal,
especially one's rights as a citizen.
Inarticulate unable to speak distinctly or express oneself clearly.
Incendiary tending to stir up conflict.
Incensed very angry; enraged.
Incongruous not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or
other aspects of something.
Inconsequential having no significant effect or result; not important.
Inconsiderable unimportant or insignificant.
Indebted obligated to another person or persons, as for
money or favors.
Indecision inability or unwillingness to make a decision.
Indecorous not in keeping with good taste and propriety;
improper.
Indefatigable (of a person or their efforts) persisting tirelessly.
Indemnify to make compensation to for loss, damage, or
expense incurred.
Indifferent lacking interest or concern; not caring.
Indiscernible impossible to see or clearly distinguish.
Indolent wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy.
Industrious diligent and hard-working.
Inestimable too great to calculate.
Infallible incapable of error.
Informed having or showing knowledge of a particular subject
or situation.
Ingenious (of a person) clever, original, and inventive.
Inhibit to hold back, restrain, prevent, or tend to do so.
Inimical unfriendly; hostile.
Injudicious lacking in or poor in judgment; rash or unwise.
Innocuous not capable of causing damage; harmless.
Inscrutable impossible to comprehend or interpret; mysterious.
Insightful having or showing an accurate and deep
understanding; perceptive.
Insipid having a bland or uninteresting flavor; tasteless.
Insolence rude or impudent behavior or speech.
Integrate to bring together and blend into a whole.
Intelligible capable of being clearly understood;
comprehensible.
Interchangeable of two things, able to be put or used in place of each
other.
Intermediary a person who acts as an agent or mediator between
persons, groups, or the like; go-between.
Interminable endless or seemingly endless; monotonously long.
Interweave blend closely.
Intimately in a way that involves detailed knowledge.
Intractable not easily controlled, managed, or persuaded.
Intransigent refusing to alter an idea or a position in response to
others' wishes; uncompromising.
Intrigue to strongly draw the interest of; puzzle; fascinate.
Intrinsic being essential to or of the nature of a thing;
inherent.
Invaluable having a worth too great to estimate or measure;
priceless.
Inveigle to entice or ensnare by clever talk or flattery.
Invigorate to fill with energy, strength, or life.
Involved difficult to comprehend; complicated.
Irascible easily angered or irritated; short-tempered.
Irksome causing annoyance; bothersome or tiresome.
Ironic happening in the opposite way to what is expected,
and typically causing wry amusement because of
this.
Irrefutable impossible to disprove; indisputable.
Irremediable impossible to cure, repair, or correct.
Irresolute showing or feeling hesitancy; uncertain.
Jettison throw or drop (something) from an aircraft or ship.
Judicious characterized by or using sound judgment; wise;
prudent.
Juxtaposition the fact of two things being seen or placed close
together with contrasting effect.
Keen extremely sharp; able to cut readily and finely.
Kindred similar in kind; related.
Laborious requiring considerable effort or perseverance.
Lament a passionate expression of grief or sorrow.
Latitude scope for freedom of action or thought.
Laudable worthy of praise.
Lax not rigorous, strict, or careful; loose; lenient.
Layperson a person without professional or specialized
knowledge in a particular subject.
Lionize to view or treat (someone) as a celebrity or
extraordinary person.
Long-Winded speaking or writing at too great a length, especially
in a dull or tiresome way; verbose.
Loquacious given to talking much or excessively; garrulous.
Lucid easy to understand; articulate; clear.
Lucrative producing monetary gain; profitable.
Lure to attract, as by a desirable quality.
Lurid sensational; shocking or dramatic.
Magnanimity generosity or willingness to forgive.
Makeshift a temporary or improvised arrangement.
Maladroit not skillful; clumsy; tactless.
Malign to speak badly of; defame; slander.
Malignant evil or injurious in intent, effect, or character.
Malleable easily influenced; pliable.
Manacle restrain, hinder
Manipulate control or influence (a person or situation) cleverly,
unfairly, or unscrupulously.
Marginalize to exclude or treat as being of no importance,
especially so as to divert attention from.
Mask conceal (something) from view.
Materialize become actual fact; happen.
Meager low in quantity, extent, strength, or richness; scanty
or feeble.
Melding blend; combine.
Menace that which poses a danger or threatens injury or
harm; threat.
Mercurial volatile in temper; changeable; fickle.
Meticulous carefully attentive to every small detail; painstaking.
Mimic to copy or imitate, often playfully or as part of a
learning process.
Misnomer an incorrect or inappropriate name.
Mitigate to lessen the force, severity, or impact of.
Modish being in or according to current fashion or style;
fashionable.
Monotony lack of variety and interest; tedious repetition and
routine.
Morbid in an unhealthy, gloomy mental state; preoccupied
with sickness, abnormality, or death.
Mortify to subject (someone) to extreme embarrassment,
shame, or humiliation.
Mounting grow larger or more numerous.
Multifaceted having several aspects or stages; complex or various.
Mundane of or pertaining to what is common and everyday;
ordinary; commonplace.
Murky not fully explained or understood, especially with
concealed dishonesty or immorality.
Naive (of a person or action) showing a lack of experience,
wisdom, or judgment.
Narcissism excessive interest in or admiration of oneself and
one's physical appearance.
Narrative an account, description, or story, or the oral or
written work containing such material.
Nascent coming into being or starting to develop.
Nettles irritate or annoy (someone).
Nonchalant not showing excitement or anxiety; coolly confident,
unflustered, or unworried;casually indifferent.
Normative establishing, relating to, or deriving from a standard
or norm, especially of behavior.
Novel new or unusual in an interesting way.
Noxious harmful, dangerous, or destructive, especially to
health.
Obdurate stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or
course of action.
Objurgate to criticize sharply; rebuke vehemently; berate.
Obligate to bind legally or morally; constrain.
Obscure not important or well known.
Obsequious obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile
degree, fawning
Obsolete no longer produced or used; out of date.
Obstinate holding stubbornly to one's own ideas or purposes;
unwilling to change.
Obviate avoid; prevent.
Omnipresent existing in all places at any given time.
Omniscient infinite in knowledge; all-knowing.
Opportunism the taking of opportunities as and when they arise,
regardless of planning or principle.
Optimistic expecting or tending to expect favorable outcomes.
Opulent having or displaying wealth or richness.
Original created directly and personally by a particular artist;
not a copy or imitation.
Outmoded no longer in keeping with current standards or
practices; obsolete.
Overly excessively
Overshadow appear much more prominent or important than.
Overstate to inflate the importance of; exaggerate.
Panacea a remedy or solution for all diseases, ills, or
difficulties; cure-all.
Panache a confidently stylish, dashing, or flamboyant manner.
Partial favoring one side in a dispute above the other;
biased.
Partiality unfair bias in favor of one thing or person compared
with another; favoritism.
Partisan devoted to or favoring a particular cause, group,
political party, or the like.
Passable just good enough to be acceptable; satisfactory.
Pastoral of or relating to the country or country life; rural.
Patent easily recognizable; obvious.
Peculiarity the state or fact of being odd or strange.
Pedestrian lacking inspiration or excitement; dull.
Pejorative expressing contempt or disapproval.
Pellucidity lucid in style or meaning; easily understood.
Penchant a strong or habitual liking for something or tendency
to do something.
Penetrate be fully understood or realized by someone.
Penitent feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having
done wrong; repentant.
Perfunctory done quickly and as a matter of routine; performed
without care.
Peripheral of secondary or minor importance; marginal.
Pernicious having a very harmful or fatal effect; injurious,
deadly, or destructive.
Perseverance persistence in doing something despite difficulty or
delay in achieving success.
Persistence firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in
spite of difficulty or opposition.
Personify to be a perfect or typical example of; embody.
Perspicacity keenness of mental perception or grasp; astuteness.
Pessimism the belief that events will turn out badly; tendency
to expect the worst.
Phlegmatic not given to shows of emotion or interest; slow to
excite.
Picturesque visually pleasing, enchanting, or unusual; suggestive
of a painting.
Pithy exactly and concisely appropriate; effective; forceful.
Pivotal critically important or crucial; on which something is
contingent.
Placid calm, smooth, or tranquil.
Plastic not genuine; artificial or unnatural.
Plod to move slowly or heavily, as if with weariness or
reluctance; trudge.
Polemic a strong verbal or written attack on someone or
something.
Portend be a sign or warning that (something, especially
something momentous or calamitous) is likely to
happen.
Pragmatism a practical approach to problems and issues.
Precarious dependent on chance; uncertain.
Precedence priority in importance, order, or rank.
Precocious (of a child) having developed certain abilities or
inclinations at an earlier age than is usual or
expected.
Predicament a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation.
Predominant having or exerting control or power.
Preeminent surpassing all others; very distinguished in some
way.
Premonition a strong feeling that something is about to happen,
especially something unpleasant.
Presage be a sign or warning of (an imminent event, typically
an unwelcome one).
Prescience the fact of knowing something in advance;
foreknowledge.
Pressing requiring quick or immediate action or attention.
Presume take for granted that something exists or is the case.
Pretension the use of affectation to impress; ostentatiousness.
Pretentious attempting to impress by affecting greater
importance or merit than is actually possessed.
Prevalent widespread in a particular area or at a particular
time.
Prevaricate speak or act in an evasive way.
Pristine in its original condition; unspoilt.
Probity the quality of having strong moral principles;
honesty and decency.
Prodigal spending money or resources freely and recklessly;
wastefully extravagant.
Profligate recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of
resources.
Profound (of a subject or idea) demanding deep study or
thought.
Prolix (of speech or writing) using or containing too many
words; tediously lengthy.
Promulgate promote or make widely known (an idea or cause).
Propagate spread and promote (an idea, theory, etc.) widely.
Prophetic accurately predicting what will happen in the future.
Propped support or keep in position.
Prosaic commonplace
Provincial limited in outlook; narrow-minded.
Provoke stimulate or give rise to (a reaction or emotion,
typically a strong or unwelcome one) in someone.
Proxy a person authorized to act on behalf of another.
Prudent acting with or showing care and thought for the
future.
Pugnacious eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight.
Punctilious showing great attention to detail or correct
behaviour.
Puzzle cause (someone) to feel confused because they
cannot understand something.
Quandary a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do
in a difficult situation.
Quirky characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits.
Quixotic exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical.
Quotidian of or occurring every day; daily.
Rallying the action or process of coming together to support
a person or cause.
Ramble talk or write at length in a confused or
inconsequential way.
Rationalize attempt to explain or justify (behaviour or an
attitude) with logical reasons, even if these are not
appropriate.
Recondite (of a subject or knowledge) little known; abstruse.
Recrudesce to break out or appear again after a period of
dormancy
Redemption the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or
evil.
Redouble make or become much greater, more intense, or
more numerous.
Redundant unnecessarily repetitive.
Refuge the state of being safe or sheltered from pursuit,
danger, or difficulty.
Rein keep under control; restrain.
Rejuvenate give new energy or vigour to; revitalize.
Relish great enjoyment.
Remedial giving or intended as a remedy or cure.
Replicate make an exact copy of; reproduce.
Repudiate refuse to accept; reject.
Residual remaining after the greater part or quantity has
gone.
Resolute admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.
Restive (of a person) unable to remain still, silent, or
submissive, especially because of boredom or
dissatisfaction.
Restrain prevent (someone or something) from doing
something; keep under control or within limits.
Resurgent increasing or reviving after a period of little activity,
popularity, or occurrence.
Reverence deep respect for someone or something.
Rhapsody an effusively enthusiastic or ecstatic expression of
feeling.
Ridicule subject to contemptuous and dismissive language or
behaviour.
Row dispute
Ruinous disastrous or destructive.
Ruminate think deeply about something.
Salubrious health-giving; healthy.
Sanguine optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad
or difficult situation.
Sartorial relating to tailoring, clothes, or style of dress.
Scanty small or insufficient in quantity or amount.
Scathe harm; injure.
Schism a split or division between strongly opposed sections
or parties, caused by differences in opinion or belief.
Scintillating brilliantly and excitingly clever or skillful.
Scornful feeling or expressing contempt or derision.
Scrupulous adhering strictly to standards of ethics or morality;
punctilious.
Scrutinize examine or inspect closely and thoroughly.
Scuffle to take part in a brief, confused fight among a few
people.
Flattery excessive and insincere praise, given especially to
further one's own interests.
Self-Righteous having or characterized by a certainty, especially an
unfounded one, that one is totally correct or morally
superior.
Serendipity the occurrence and development of events by
chance in a happy or beneficial way.
Sham an imitation that is passed as genuine; counterfeit.
Shirk avoid or neglect (a duty or responsibility).
Shrewd having or showing sharp powers of judgement;
astute.
Sinister giving the impression that something harmful or evil
is happening or will happen.
Skeptic a person inclined to question or doubt accepted
opinions.
Skittish nervous or excitable; easily scared
Slighted insult (someone) by treating or speaking of them
without proper respect or attention.
Snare catch or trap (someone).
Sparing moderate; economical.
Sporadic occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few
places; scattered or isolated.
Spurious not being what it purports to be; false or fake.
Stanched stop or restrict (a flow of blood) from a wound.
Staple main or important, especially in terms of
consumption.
Startling very surprising, astonishing, or remarkable.
Stigmatize describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great
disapproval.
Stimulate encourage or arouse interest or enthusiasm in.
Stingy ungenerous.
Stun astonish or shock (someone) so that they are
temporarily unable to react.
Substantiate provide evidence to support or prove the truth of.
Subtle especially of a change or distinction) so delicate or
precise as to be difficult to analyse or describe.
Subversion the undermining of the power and authority of an
established system or institution.
Sullen a sulky or depressed mood.
Superfluous unnecessary, especially through being more than
enough.
Supersede take the place of (a person or thing previously in
authority or use); supplant.
Supplement a thing added to something else in order to
complete or enhance it.
Supplication the action of asking or begging for something
earnestly or humbly.
Surly bad-tempered and unfriendly
Surrogate substitute, especially a person deputizing for
another in a specific role or office.
Susceptible likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a
particular thing.
Sycophant a person who acts obsequiously towards someone
important in order to gain advantage
Synoptic of or forming a general summary or synopsis.
Syntactical of or relating to or conforming to the rules of syntax
Synthesize to bring together or combine (separate elements) to
form a whole.
Taciturn (of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in
speech; saying little.
Tactless having or showing a lack of skill and sensitivity in
dealing with others or with difficult issues.
Temperate showing moderation or self-restraint.
Tendentious expressing or intending to promote a particular
cause or point of view, especially a controversial
one.
Tepid showing little enthusiasm
Thrift the quality of using money and other resources
carefully and not wastefully.
Timorous showing or suffering from nervousness or a lack of
confidence.
Tranquil free from disturbance; calm.
Transcend surpass (a person or achievement).
Transgression an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of
conduct; an offence.
Transitory not permanent.
Trifle a thing of little value or importance.
Trite lacking originality or freshness; dull on account of
overuse.
Trivial of little value or importance.
Ubiquitous present, appearing, or found everywhere.
Uncultivated (of a person) not highly educated or socially adept.
Undemonstrative (of a person) not tending to express feelings,
especially of affection, openly.
Undermine lessen the effectiveness, power, or ability of,
especially gradually or insidiously.
Underscore emphasize.
Understate describe or represent (something) as being smaller
or less good or important than it really is.
Undo unfasten, untie, or loosen (something).
Unintelligible impossible to understand.
Unmistakable not able to be mistaken for anything else; very
distinctive.
Unprecedented never done or known before.
Unpremeditated (of an act, remark, or state) not thought out or
planned beforehand.
Unpretentious not attempting to impress others with an
appearance of greater importance, talent, or culture
than is actually possessed.
Unpropitious (of a circumstance) not giving or indicating a good
chance of success; unfavourable.
Unseemly (of behaviour or actions) not proper or appropriate
Unsound not safe or robust; in poor condition.
Untapped (of a resource) not yet exploited or used.
Utterly completely and without qualification; absolutel
Venal showing or motivated by susceptibility to bribery;
corrupt.
Veracious speaking or representing the truth.
Vestigial forming a very small remnant of something that was
once greater or more noticeable, remaining,
surviving
Viable capable of working successfully; feasible.
Vigilance the action or state of keeping careful watch for
possible danger or difficulties.
Vindicate clear (someone) of blame or suspicion.
Virulence the severity or harmfulness of a disease or poison.
Vociferous expressing or characterized by vehement opinions;
loud and forceful.
Voluble (of a person) talking fluently, readily, or incessantly
Wanting lacking in a required or necessary quality.
Wary feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or
problems.
Wilful (of a bad or harmful act) intentional; deliberate
Witty showing or characterized by quick and inventive
verbal humour
Woo seek the favour, support, or custom of
Zealot a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in
pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals.