BILK
to cheat; defraud
NOMINAL
existing in name only; negligible
BLIGHT
to afflict; destroy
BLITHE
joyful, cheerful, or without appropriate thought
NUANCE
a subtle expression of meaning or quality
FERVID
intensely emotional; feverish
SPECIOUS
deceptively attractive; seemingly plausible but fallacious
SOLECISM
grammatical mistake; blunder in speech
JETTISON
to discard; get rid of as unnecessary or encumbering
LAMENT
to express sorrow; to grieve
GULLIBLE
easily deceived
FLORID
excessively decorated or embellished
FANATICAL
acting excessively enthusiastic; filled with extreme unquestioned devotion
EPHEMERAL
lasting a short time
SEDITION
behavior that promotes rebellion or civil disorder against the state
GLIB
fluent in an insincere manner; offhand; casual
ABDICATE
to give up a position, right, or power
IRASCIBLE
easily made angry
FLAG
to decline in vigor, strength, or interest
FETID
foul-smelling; putrid
GLOWER
to glare or stare angrily and intensely
MONASTIC
extremely plain or secluded
PEDANT
someone who shows off learning
PATHOGENIC
causing disease
CHAUVINIST
someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he/she belongs
GUILE
deceit; trickery
SOBRIQUET
nickname
NASCENT
starting to develop; coming into existence
BELFRY
bell tower; room in which a bell is hung
BANAL
predictable; cliched; boring
CRESCENDO
steadily increasing in volume or force
FRUGALITY
tending to be thrifty or cheap
CORROBORATE
to support with evidence
AUSTERE
severe or stern in appearance; undecorated
LUMINOUS
bright; brilliant; glowing
GROVEL
to humble oneself in a demeaning way
SANGUINE
ruddy; cheerfully optimistic
STRATAGEM
trick designed to deceive an enemy
EMULATE
to copy; to try to equal or excel
HEGEMONY
the domination of one state or group over its allies
EXPURGATE
to censor
PARLEY
discussion, usually b/w enemies
FECUND
fertile; fruitful; productive
DISSEMBLE
to present a false appearance; to disguise one's real intentions or character
SPORTIVE
frolicsome; playful
VERDANT
green with vegetation; inexperienced
INIQUITY
sin; evil act
CONDONE
to overlook, pardon, or disregard
FALLOW
dormant; unused
OROTUND
pompous
DOGMATIC
dictatorial in one's opinions
TAWDRY
gaudy, cheap, or showy
SULLY
to tarnish; taint
VERNAL
related to spring; fresh
DROLL
amusing in a wry, subtle way
FURTIVE
secret, stealthy
CIRCUMSPECT
cautious; aware of potential consequences
MALINGER
to evade responsibility by pretending to be ill
ELOQUENT
persuasive and moving, especially in speech
RETICENT
silent; reserved
AUDACIOUS
fearless and daring
DIATRIBE
an abusive, condemnatory speech
SARDONIC
cynical; scornfully mocking
ASSUAGE
to make something unpleasant less severe
DESICCATE
to dry out thoroughly
LAMPOON
to ridicule with satire
SURFEIT
excessive amount
GRIEVOUS
causing grief or sorrow; serious and distressing
FRENETIC
frantic; frenzied
INGENUOUS
showing innocence or childlike simplicity
LAPIDARY
relating to precious stones or the art of cutting them
ZEAL
passion; excitement
INEXORABLE
inflexible; unyielding
MISANTHROPE
a person who dislikes others
ABYSS
an extremely deep hole
PRAGMATIC
practical, as opposed to idealistic
MISSIVE
a written note or letter
NETTLE
to irritate
ABSTAIN
to choose not to do something
SYCOPHANT
a self-serving flatterer; yes-man
LACHRYMOSE
tearful
PASTICHE
piece of literature or music imitating other works
FORD
to cross a body of water by wading
CONTRITE
deeply sorrowful or repentant for a wrong
PULCHRITUDE
beauty
ENUMERATE
to count, list, or itemize
NAIVE
lacking sophistication or experience
JUNCTURE
point of time, especially where two things are joined
CANARD
a lie
GREGARIOUS
outgoing; sociable
WINSOME
charming; happily engaging
VACILLATE
to physically sway or be indecisive
ITINERANT
wandering from place to place; unsettled
SACROSANCT
extremely sacred; beyond criticism
DIURNAL
existing during the day
TACITURN
silent; not talkative
ENDEMIC
belonging to a particular area; inherent
TOADY
one who flatters in the hope of gaining favors
NEOLOGISM
new word or expression
SUPPLANT
to replace (another) by force; to take the place of
DYSPEPTIC
suffering from indigestion; gloomy and irritable
DOCTRINAIRE
rigidly devoted to theories without regard for practicality; dogmatic
GESTATION
growth process from conception to birth
EFFICACY
effectiveness
TALON
claw of an animal, especially a bird of prey
TERRESTRIAL
earthly; down-to-earth; commonplace
NEOPHYTE
novice; beginner
ENGENDER
to produce, cause, or bring about
DEFACE
to mar the appearance of; vandalize
OBSTINATE
stubborn; unyielding
LARGESS
generous giving (as of money) to others who may seem inferior
EDIFY
to instruct morally and spiritually
VENERATE
to respect deeply
STENTORIAN
extremely loud
HYPERBOLE
purposeful exaggeration for effect
PLETHORA
excess
OSTENSIBLE
apparent
MALLEABLE
capable of being shaped
OSTENTATION
excessive showiness
WAVER
to fluctuate b/w choices
DIRGE
a funeral hymn or mournful speech
OPAQUE
impossible to see through; preventing the passage of light
DECORUM
appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety
PLACATE
to soothe or pacify
PLASTIC
able to be molded, altered, or bent
OSSIFY
to change into bone; to become hardened or set in a rigidly conventional pattern
TIRADE
long, harsh speech or verbal attack
SERAPHIC
angelic; sweet
LANGUID
lacking energy; indifferent; slow
ARBITRATE
to judge a dispute b/w two opposing parties
SCINTILLA
trace amount
MAR
to damage or deface; spoil
VENERABLE
respected because of age
GAMBOL
to dance or skip around playfully
VERACITY
filled with truth and accuracy
VERBOSE
wordy
VEX
to annoy; irritate; puzzle; confuse
CONTUMACIOUS
rebellious
MULTIFARIOUS
diverse
ETHOS
beliefs or character of a group
REPAST
meal or mealtime
REPLETE
abundantly supplied; complete
JARGON
nonsensical talk; specialized language
FATUOUS
stupid; foolishly self-satisfied
KINDLE
to set fire to or ignite; excite or inspire
EBULLIENT
exhilarated; full of enthusiasm and high spirits
GARRULOUS
tending to talk a lot
INTREPID
fearless; resolutely courageous
FAWN
to grovel
ZEALOT
someone passionately devoted to a cause
CANDID
impartial and honest in speech
SYBARITE
a person devoted to pleasure and luxury
PRISTINE
fresh and clean; uncorrupted
MOLLIFY
to calm or make less severe
PHILANTHROPY
charity; a desire or effort to promote goodness
STOLID
unemotional; lacking sensitivity
PECCADILLO
minor sin or offense
VESTIGE
a trace; remnant
FORTUITOUS
happening by chance; fortunate
POTENTATE
monarch or ruler with great power
SYNCOPATION
temporary irregularity in musical rhythm
AUGUST
dignified; grandiose
PARADOX
a contradiction or dilemma
PERMEATE
to penetrate
PERVADE
to be present throughout; to permeate
ECLECTIC
selecting from or made up from a variety of sources
CACOPHONY
harsh, jarring noise
KUDOS
fame, glory, or honor
AMALGAMATE
to combine; to mix together
BURNISH
to polish
USURY
the practice of lending money at exorbitant rates
DOGMA
a firmly held opinion, especially a religious belief
BIFURCATE
to divide into two parts
CURMUDGEON
cranky person, usually old
EPICURE
person with refined taste in food and wine
SURLY
rude and bad-tempered
TANGENTIAL
digressing; diverting
IGNOBLE
having low moral standards; not noble in character; mean
MIRTH
frivolity; gaiety; laughter
IMPERTURBABLE
not capable of being disturbed
AMELIORATE
to make better; to improve
LAUD
to give praise; to glorify
ANACHRONISM
something out of place in time
SOPORIFIC
causing sleep or lethargy
ANOMALY
deviation from what is normal
DISTEND
to swell, inflate, or bloat
IMPASSE
blocked path; dilemma with no solution
ANTAGONIZE
to annoy or provoke to anger
ESCHEW
to shun; to avoid (as something wrong or distasteful)
EXIGENT
urgent; requiring immediate action
CATALYST
something that brings about a change in something else
DIVINE
to foretell or know by inspiration
IDIOSYNCRASY
peculiarity of temperament; eccentricity
EXCULPATE
to clear from blame; prove innocent
DUPE
to deceive; a person who is easily deceived
CHAOS
great disorder or confused situation
EUPHONY
pleasant, harmonious sound
CONNOISSEUR
a person with expert knowledge or discriminating tastes
LARCENY
theft of property
EUPHEMISM
use of an inoffensive word or phrase in place of a more distasteful one
LASSITUDE
a state of diminished energy
JOCULAR
playful; humorous
APATHY
lack of interest or emotion
ARBITRARY
determined by chance or impulse
METICULOUS
extremely careful; fastidious; painstaking
ENERVATE
to reduce in strength
RUSTIC
rural
DILATE
to make larger; expand
XENOPHOBIA
a fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers
ZEPHYR
a gentle breeze; something airy or insubstantial
NOISOME
stinking; putrid
METAPHOR
figure of speech comparing two different things
ELEGY
a sorrowful poem or speech
PROFLIGATE
corrupt; degenerate
CALUMNY
a false and malicious accusation; misrepresentation
SAGACIOUS
shrewd; wise
PROPITIATE
to conciliate; to appease
HAPLESS
unfortunate; having bad luck
PALATIAL
relating to a palace; magnificent
GARNER
to gather and store
POLYGLOT
a speaker of many languages
LUCID
clear and easily understood
EMBELLISH
to add ornamental or fictitious details
PUNGENT
sharp and irritating to the senses
ABERRANT
deviating from what is normal or expected
BOMBASTIC
pompous in speech and manner
BOLSTER
to support; prop up
BEVY
group
VISCOUS
thick and adhesive, like a slow-flowing fluid
GRADATION
process occurring by regular degrees or stages; variation in color
MORES
fixed customs or manners; moral attitudes
VOLATILE
easily arouse or changeable; lively or explosive
ADVOCATE
to speak in favor of
MITIGATE
to soften; to lessen
ALLEVIATE
to make more bearable
PARRY
to ward off or deflect, especially by a quick-witted answer
TACIT
done without using words
MONOTONY
no variation; tediously the same
MOLT
to shed hair, skin, or an outer layer periodically
ACME
highest point; summit; the highest level or degree attainable
ADULTERATE
to make impure
SLAKE
to calm down or moderate
FRACTIOUS
unruly; rebellious
ENCOMIUM
warm praise
INVECTIVE
abusive language
SALUBRIOUS
healthful
EFFIGY
stuffed doll; likeness of a person
ARCHAIC
ancient; old-fashioned
SENTIENT
aware; conscious; able to perceive
DISTAFF
the female branch of a family
SINECURE
a well-paying job or office that requires little or no work
PUSILLANIMOUS
cowardly; without courage
DEFERENCE
respect; courtesy
ARTICULATE
able to speak clearly and expressively
SATIATE
to satisfy fully or overindulge
REPOSE
relaxation; leisure
REPUDIATE
to reject the validity of
REQUITE
to return or repay
PUERILE
childish, immature, or silly
INTRACTABLE
not easily managed or manipulated
PARIAH
an outcast
POSIT
to assume as real or conceded; propose as an explanation
PALLIATE
to make less serious; ease
ESOTERIC
known or understood only by a few
PROPRIETY
the quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs
PROLIFERATE
to increase in number quickly
INTERREGNUM
period between reigns
PRODIGAL
lavish; wasteful
MILITATE
to operate against; work against
MYOPIC
lacking foresight; having a narrow view or lang-range perspective
ENIGMA
a puzzle; a mystery
AMBIGUOUS
doubtful or uncertain; can be interpreted several ways
DICTUM
authoritative statement
OVERWROUGHT
agitated; overdone
ABATE
to reduce in amount, degree, or severity
ERRATIC
wandering and unpredictable
INUNDATE
to overwhelm; to cover with water
HOMOGENEOUS
of a similar kind
SUBLIME
lofty or grand
INNOCUOUS
harmless
IMPLACABLE
unable to be calmed down or made peaceful
STIGMA
a mark of shame or discredit
IMPETUOUS
quick to act without thinking
HETEROGENEOUS
composed of unlike parts; different; diverse
CAPRICIOUS
changing one's mind quickly and often
EULOGY
speech in praise of someone
LOQUACIOUS
talkative
LETHARGIC
acting in an indifferent or slow, sluggish manner
DISSONANCE
a harsh and disagreeable combination, especially of sounds
SYMBIOSIS
cooperation; mutual helpfulness
FORESTALL
to prevent or delay; anticipate
SPARTAN
highly self-disciplined; frugal; austere
EFFRONTERY
impudent boldness; audacity
AXIOM
premise; postulate; self-evident truth
EXACERBATE
to make worse
EXONERATE
to clear of blame
PUGILISM
boxing
CHICANERY
deception by means of craft or guile
DITHER
to act confusedly or without clear purpose
PROBITY
complete honesty and integriity
NADIR
lowest point
ESTIMABLE
admirable
PRUDENCE
wisdom, caution, restraint
CARTOGRAPHY
science or art of making maps
EXPLICIT
clearly stated or shown; forthright in expression
STASIS
a state of static balance or equilibrium; stagnation
FOMENT
to arouse or incite
VARIEGATED
varied; marked with different colors
INGRATE
ungrateful person
VICISSITUDE
a change or variation; ups and downs
VIM
vitality and energy
VITUPERATE
to abuse verbally; berate
VOLUBLE
talkative; speaking easily; glib
WAN
sickly pale
WANTON
undisciplined; unrestrained; reckless
ABJURE
to reject; abandon formally
ABASE
to humble; disgrace
ACIDULOUS
sour in taste or manner
ALACRITY
speed or quickness
TOME
book, usually large and academic
QUERULOUS
inclined to complain; irritable
QUIESCENT
motionless
PEREGRINATE
to wander from place to place; to travel, especially on foot
DESULTORY
jumping from one thing to another; disconnected
AMORTIZE
to diminish by installment payments
PERFIDIOUS
willing to betray one's trust
QUIXOTIC
overly idealistic; impractical
PERFUNCTORY
done in a routine way; indifferent
AMULET
ornament worn as a charm against evil spirits
QUOTIDIAN
occurring daily; commonplace
DIAPHANOUS
allowing light to show through; delicate
TORPOR
extreme mental and physical sluggishness
TRANSITORY
temporary; lasting a brief time
PROCLIVITY
a natural inclination or predisposition
ANALGESIA
a lessening or pain without loss of consciousness
ABSCOND
to leave secretly
ANALOGOUS
similar or alike in some way; equivalent to
ANODYNE
something that calms or soothes pain
ANTIPATHY
extreme dislike
TRENCHANT
acute, sharp, or incisive; forceful; effective
APOCRYPHAL
of questionable authority or authenticity
APOSTATE
one who renounces a religious faith
ABSTEMIOUS
moderate in appetite
APPROBATION
approval and praise
TURGID
swollen as from a fluid; bloated
ACCRETION
a growth in size; an increase in amount
AERIE
a nest built high in the air; an elevated, often secluded, dwelling
TYRO
beginner; novice
UMBRAGE
offense; resentment
ARDOR
intense and passionate feeling
ARROGATE
to claim without justification; to claim for oneself without right
ASSAIL
to attack; assault
UNCONSCIONABLE
unscrupulous; shockingly unfair or unjust
UNEQUIVOCAL
absolute; certain
UPBRAID
to scold sharply
HERMETIC
tightly sealed
HOARY
very old; whitish or gray from age
AESTHETIC
concerning the appreciation of beauty
ATTENUATE
to reduce in force or degree; weaken
AUGURY
prophecy; prediction of events
AFFECTED
phony; artificial
AGGRANDIZE
to increase in power, influence, and reputation
DECLIVITY
downward slope
HUSBAND
to manage economically; to use sparingly
EQUIVOCATE
to use expressions of double meaning in order to mislead
DECOROUS
proper; tasteful; socially correct
DELETERIOUS
subtly or unexpectedly harmful
DEMAGOGUE
a leader or rabble-rouser, usually appealing to emotion or prejudice
DEMUR
to express doubts or objection
RACONTEUR
witty, skillful storyteller
ERSATZ
fake
ERUDITE
learned; scholarly; bookish
PEJORATIVE
having bad connotations; disparaging
PENURY
an oppressive lack of resource (as money); severe poverty
DERIDE
to speak of or treat with contempt; to mock
RAREFY
to make thinner or sparser
REDRESS
relief from wrong or injury
REJOINDER
response
DIFFIDENT
lacking self-confidence
DILATORY
intended to delay
EXPONENT
one who champions or advocates
PERIPATETIC
wandering from place to place, especially on foot
NUMISMATICS
coin collecting
PERSPICACIOUS
shrewd, astute, or keen-witted
OBDURATE
hardened in feeling; resistant to persuasion
DILETTANTE
someone with an amateurish or superficial interest in a topic
RESTIVE
impatient, uneasy, or restless
PHALANX
a compact or close-knit body of people, animals, or things
DISABUSE
to set right; free from error
DISCERN
to perceive or recognize
PHILISTINE
a person who is guided by materialism and is disdainful of intellectual or artistic values
DISPARATE
fundamentally different; entirely unalike
JINGOISM
belligerent support of one's country
INQUEST
an investigation; an inquiry
KEEN
having a sharp edge; intellectually sharp; perceptive
LATENT
potential that is not readily apparent
INCULCATE
to teach; impress in the mind
OBLIQUE
indirect or evasive; misleading or devious
LAVISH
extremely generous or extravagant; giving unsparingly
OBSEQUIOUS
overly submissive and eager to please
KINETIC
relating to motion; characterized by movement
LEERY
suspicious
OBVIATE
to prevent; to make unnecessary
LEGERDEMAIN
trickery
KNELL
sound of a funeral bell; omen of death or failure
LEVITY
an inappropriate lack of seriousness; overly casual
OCCLUDE
to stop up; prevent the passage of
OFFICIOUS
too helpful; meddlesome
LIBERAL
tolerant or broad-minded; generous or lavish
LACONIC
using few words
INIMICAL
hostile; unfriendly
INCHOATE
not fully formed; disorganized
ONEROUS
troublesome and oppressive; burdensome
OPINE
to express an opinion
PHLEGMATIC
calm and unemotional in temperament
LIBERTINE
a free thinker, usually used disparagingly; one without moral restraint
PITHY
profound or substantial yet concise succinct, and to the point
LICENTIOUS
immoral; unrestrained by society
PLEBEIAN
crude or coarse; characteristic of commoners
LIMPID
clear; transparent
PLUCKY
courageous; spunky
LIONIZE
to treat as a celebrity
LISSOME
easily flexed; limber; agile
POLEMIC
controversy; argument; verbal attack
OPPROBRIUM
public disgrace
LISTLESS
lacking energy and enthusiasm
POLITIC
shrewd and practical in managing or dealing with things; diplomatic
RHETORIC
effective writing or speaking
LIVID
discolored from a bruise; reddened with anger
LUGUBRIOUS
sorrowful; mournful; dismal
LUMBER
to move slowly and awkwardly
MACHINATION
plot or scheme
CLOYING
sickly sweet; excessive
RIBALD
humorous in a vulgar way
ROCOCO
very highly ornamented
IMPUGN
to call into question; to attack verbally
COALESCE
to grow together to form a single whole
COFFER
strongbox; large chest for money
COGENT
convincing and well-reasoned
WHIMSICAL
lightly acting in a fanciful or capricious manner; unpredictable
WILY
clever; deceptive
COLLUSION
collaboration; complicity; conspiracy
WIZENED
shriveled; withered; wrinkled
WRAITH
a ghost or specter; a ghost of a living person seen just before his/her death
YOKE
to join together
ZENITH
the point of culmination; peak
ICONOCLAST
one who opposes established beliefs, customs, and institutions
CONVOLUTED
intricate and complicated
COSSET
to pamper; treat with great care
COTERIE
an intimate group of persons with a similar purpose
CREDULOUS
too trusting; gullible
CRAVEN
lacking courage
CUPIDITY
greed; strong desire
DEBUTANTE
young woman making debut in high society
SALIENT
prominent; of notable significance
PRATTLE
meaningless; foolish talk
PRECIPITATE
to throw violently or bring about abruptly; lacking deliberation
PRECIS
short summary of facts
JUDICIOUS
sensible; showing good judgement
INTRANSIGENT
uncompromising; refusing to be reconciled
INSIPID
lacking interest or flavor
INVIDIOUS
envious, obnoxious, or offensive; likely to promote ill-will
INVESTITURE
ceremony conferring authority
INURE
to harden; accustom become used to
IMPRECATION
a curse
PALLID
lacking color or liveliness
PANACHE
flamboyance or dash in style and action; verve
ABEYANCE
temporary suppression or suspension
PANEGYRIC
elaborate praise; formal hymn of praise
CASTIGATE
to punish or criticize harshly
PANOPLY
impressive array
BONHOMIE
good-natured geniality; atmosphere of good cheer
PARAGON
model of excellence or perfection
BOOR
crude person, one lacking manners or taste
BURGEON
to grow and flourish
MAELSTROM
whirlpool; turmoil; agitated state of mind
MAGNATE
powerful or influential person
MALEDICTION
a curse; a wish of evil upon another
MANNERED
artificial or stilted in character
MARTINET
strict disciplinarian; one who rigidly follows rules
CATHOLIC
universal; broad and comprehensive
PARE
to trim off excess; reduce
CAUSTIC
biting in wit
CABAL
a secret group seeking to overturn something
MAUDLIN
overly sentimental
MENDACIOUS
dishonest
MENDICANT
beggar
MERCURIAL
quick, shrewd, and unpredictable
MERETRICIOUS
gaudy; falsely attractive
INGRATIATE
to gain favor with another by deliberate effort; to seek to please somebody so as to gain an advantage
INSURRECTION
rebellion
PRESCIENT
having foresight
PREVARICATE
to lie or deviate from the truth
INTER
to bury
IMBUE
to infuse, dye, wet, or moisten
IMPECUNIOUS
poor; having no money
IMPERVIOUS
impossible to penetrate
IMPIOUS
not devout in religion
INCARNADINE
blood-red in color
INDOLENT
habitually lazy or idle