Professional Documents
Culture Documents
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or stored in any form without the prior written consent of the
publisher.
After the storm ABATED, people left the shelter and returned to their homes.
The rodent scurried into his hiding place in the deep ABYSS of the cave.
Related words
ABYSSAL: pertaining to great depth
ABYSMAL: extremely bad
Related words
UNADULTERATED: pure
ADULTERY: an illicit relationship; an affair
Related words
ADVOCACY: active support for
Related words
The overzealous job candidate AGGRANDIZED himself by claiming achievements beyond his
ability.
Related Words
AMALGAM: a mixture, especially of two metals
Jane's AMBIGUOUS response to his marriage proposal made Joe doubt her sincerity.
Related Words
AMBIGUITY: the quality of being ambiguous
12) AMELIORATE: to make better; to improve
Related words
ANALOGY: a similarity between things that are otherwise dissimilar
ANALOGUE: something that is similar in some way to something else
Her friendly behavior at the dance was an ANOMALOUS deviation from her ususal frosty
demeanor.
Related words
ANOMALOUS: deviating from what is normal
Related Words
ANTAGONISTIC: tending to provoke conflict
ANTAGONIST: someone who fights another
The ANTIPATHY between Clare and her mother-in-law often descended into verbal fighting..
Since the couple could not agree on a property settlement, a judge was forced to ARBITRATE
their divorce proceedings.
Related words
ARBITRATION: a process by which a conflict is resolved
ARBITRATOR: a judge
20) ARCHAIC: ancient, old-fashioned
Related words
ARCHAISM: an outdated word or phrase
Jason's ARDOR for Joan was evident when he passionately described the beauty of her smile.
Related words
ARDENT: expressing ardor; passionate
His ARTICULATE defense of his client convinced the jury to acquit him of all charges.
The new law ATTENUATED the government's power to arrest people for frivolous reaosns..
The AUDACIOUS waitress insulted her customer, with no fear of possible reprisal.
Related words
AUDACITY: the quality of being audacious
Related words
AUSTERITY: severity, especially poverty
Flight attendants greet all passengers with BANAL phrases like "Have a nice day".
Related words
BANALITY: the quality of being banal
Related words
BOMBAST: pompous speech or writing
The chirping of the birds created a CACOPHONY in the normally silent backyard.
Related words
CAPRICE: whim, sudden fancy
European countries CASTIGATE perpetrators harshly for crimes that are considered minor in the
United States.
Jack's great job on the project was the CATALYST that led to his promotion.
Related Words
CATALYZE: to bring about a change in something else
Jim's insulting, yet clever remarks gave him a reputation for CAUSTIC wit.
Without proper supervision, the children's behavior will descend into CHAOS.
Related Words
CHAOTIC: jumbled, confused
Dishonest salesmen often use CHICANERY to sell their least desirable products.
Swayed by the COGENT argument of the defense, the jury acquitted the defendant.
Related words
COGITATE: to think deeply
Rather than tell the truth, Jane made up a long, CONVOLUTED story to explain her absence.
Related words
CREDULITY: the quality of being credulous
Related words
DECOROUS: conforming to acceptable standards
Gentle George treated his elderly grandmother with the utmost DEFERENCE.
Related words
DEFER: to delay; to show someone deference
DEFERENT: courteous and respectful
The awkward teenager was often DERIDED by his more popular peers.
Related words
DERISION: mockery and taunts
DERISIVE: in a mocking manner
Related words
DESICCANT: something that removes water from another substance
Sara's DIFFIDENT manner during her date suggested she was not interested in Jake.
It is not always easy to DISCERN the difference between the truth and lies.
Related words
DISCERNMENT: taste and cultivation
59) DISSEMBLE: to present a false appearance; to disguise one's real intentions or character
The lying husband could DISSEMBLE to his wife no longer; he admitted his plans to leave her.
The DISSONANCE in the woods was caused by the is the inner conflict produced when long-
standing beliefs are contradicted by new evidence.
Karen's firm DOGMA was that our souls all live multiple lives through reincarnation.
Con artists often DUPE the elderly out of their life savings.
The EFFICACY of the drug is reduced if it is not taken according to the directions.
Related words
EFFICACIOUS: effective; productive
65) ELEGY: a sorrowful poem or speech
Related words
ELEGIAC: like an elegy; mournful
Jody tried to EMULATE her older sister Connie, copying her dress, hairstyle and mannerisims.
Related words
UNNERVE: to deprive of strength or courage
Laura's fear of dogs was ENGENDERED at age six, when she was bitten by a pit bull.
Lois was so quiet about her personal life that she was somewhat of an ENIGMA in the otherwise
close group.
The wife ENUMERATED her husband's faults during their bitter argument.
The heady romantic phase of a relationship is EPHEMERAL in the context of a lifelong marriage.
Related Words
EQUIVOCAL: undecided; trying to deceive
EQUIVOCATION: the act or state of equivocating
The excited puppy ran ERRATICALLY through the house, often bumping into the furniture.
Related words
ERRANT: straying, mistaken, roving
The annual research meeting attracted the most ERUDITE, well-published individuals.
Related words
ERUDITION: extensive knowledge or learning
The teacher struggled to explain the ESOTERIC world of forensic science to the young class.
Related words
ESTEEM: high regard
David gave his father's EULOGY; outlining his achievements and delightful personality.
79) EUPHEMISM: use of an inoffensive word or phrase in place of a more distasteful one
The human resource director preferred to use the EUPHEMISM "outsourced" instead of "fired."
Because the bank robbers had loaded weapons, it was EXIGENT for the police to capture them.
Mr. Williams was EXONERATED when his partner confessed to stealing the money.
The homeowners left a list of EXPLICIT instructions for their housecleaner to follow.
Related Words
EXPLICABLE: capable of being explained
EXPLICATE: to give a detailed explanation
85) FANATICAL: acting excessively enthusiastic; filled with extreme, unquestioned devotion
The moviegoers were FANATICAL in their devotion to Jim Carrey, praising even his worst
movies.
Diane FAWNED over the stagehand, hoping to gain a backstage pass for the concert.
Bon Jovi fans were FERVID, doing anything to catch a glimpse of the group.
Related Words
FERVENT: enthusiastic
FERVOR: passion
The candidate tried to FOMENT sentiment against the war during his impassioned speech.
Due to Claire's FRUGALITY, she was able to save more than half of her take-home pay.
Jake loved GARRULOUS women, whose continuous allowed him to quietly listen.
Related words
GUILELESS: innocent, without trickery
The con man fooled GULLIBLE elderly people into investing their life savings.
Related words
GULL: a person who is easily tricked
The group was fairly HOMOGENOUS, including seven food science majors.
Related words
HOMOGENIZED: thorougly mixed together
96) ICONOCLAST: one who opposes established beliefs, customs, and institutions
Because he rejected traditional beliefs, Jerry Garcia was considered an ICONOCLAST.
The day care worker seemed IMPERTURBABLE, even when faced with the wildest tantrums.
Related words
PERTURB: to disturb greatly
Rachel preffered to think through her options thoroughly, rather than make an IMPETUOUS
move.
Related Words
IMPETUS: impulse
John's rage at his wife's betrayal left him IMPLACABLE for weeks.
Related Words
PLACATE: to make peaceful
In his first rough manuscript, the author's ideas were still in an INCHOATE.
Diane was INGENUOUS by nature, trusting everyone with the innocence of a child.
Related Words
INGENUE: a naive girl or young woman
DISINGENUOUS: giving a false impression of innocence
Despite settling their lawsuit, the two sides were still INIMICAL to each other.
104) INNOCUOUS: harmless
Joe's boss was INTRANSIGENT on the deadline, insisting that the project be completed on time.
After the hurricane, the insurance company was INUNDATED with claims.
Related Words
IRATE: angry
The students LAUDED the success of Mr. Stevens, who was named Teacher of the Year.
Related words
LAUDABLE: worth of praise
LAUDATORY: expressing praise
The effects of mono left Grace so LETHARGIC that she couldn't complete her chores.
Her LOQUACIOUS nature was a problem at times when listening was more important than
talking.
Related Words
ELOQUENCE: powerful, convincing speaking
LOQUACITY: the quality of being loquacious
The explanations were written in a simple and LUCID manner that readers easily understood.
Related Words
LUCIDITY: clarity
LUCENT: glowing with light
Related Words
ILLUMINATE: to shine light on
LUMINARY: an inspiring person
John hoped that his MALINGERING would prevent him from being drafted.
Related words
LINGER: to be slow in leaving
MALLEABLE precious metals can easily be formed into almost any shape.
119) METAPHOR: a figure of speech comparing two different things; a symbol
The METAPHOR "a sea of troubles" suggests a lot of troubles by comparing their number to the
vastness of the sea.
Related Words
METAPHORICAL: standing as a symbol for something else
The storm MITIGATED after several hours, allowing stranded motorists to resume their journey
home.
The sparring spouses were so angry that no compromise would MOLLIFY them.
The MONOTONY of the simple task drove the factoy worker crazy.
Related Words
MONOTONE: a sound that is made at the same tone or pitch
Jane was so young and NAIVE that she believed the man's insincere flattery.
Related words
NAIVETE: the state of being naive
Monica was OBDURATE on the issue, and no amount of persuasion would change her mind.
127) OBSEQUIOUS: overly submissive and eager to please
The OBSEQUIOUS new secretary complimented her supervisors to the point of embarrassment.
Related Words
OBEISANCE: a physical show of respect or submission, such as a bow
The OBSTINATE child refused to eat any food that she disliked.
The unexpected bonus check OBVIATED her need for an emergency loan.
During a solar eclipse, the light from the sun is OCCLUDED by the moon.
The huge assignment was an ONEROUS burden to the already overworked team.
Related Words
OPACITY: the quality of being obscure and indecipherable
After his torrid extramarital affair became public, the Governor resigned in OPPROBRIUM.
Related Words
OSTENSIBLE: apparent
In a sad PARADOX , those most in need of medical attention are least able to obtain it.
Miss America is the PARAGON of what a young woman should be: beautiful, intelligent, talented
and fit.
The professor's excessive commentary on the topic gained him a reputation as a PEDANT.
Related words
PEDANTIC: making an excessive display of learning
The actress's PERFIDIOUS boyfriend revealed all of her intimate secrets to the press.
Related Words
PERFIDY: deceit, treachery
The harried waitress took the order and gave the waiting customer a PERFUNCTORY smile.
Related words
IMPERMEABLE: unable to be permeated
Charities owe most of their working cpaital to the PHILANTHROPY of private citizens in the
community.
Related words
PHILANTHROPIST: someone who is generous and desires to promote goodness
142) PLACATE: to soothe or pacify
Related words
PLACID: tolerant; calm
IMPLACABLE: unable to be made peaceful
The PLASTIC material could be formed into products of vastly different shape.
While dreamers think they may win the lottery, PRAGMATIC people realize that the odds are
stacked heavily stacked against them.
Related Words
PRAGMATISM: a practical approach to problem solving
Related Words
PRECIPITOUS: very steep
PRECIPICE: a steep cliff
PRECIPITATION: weather phenomena, like rain or snow, that fall from the sky
Rather than admit the truth, the employee PREVARICATED to avoid being chastised.
Jane cleaned all day so that Bob would return to a PRISTINE house.
Related Words
PRODIGALITY: excessive or reckless spending
Related Words
PROLIFIC: very productive or highly able to reproduce rapidly
Related Words
PROPITIOUS: advantageous, favorable
Related Words
APPROPRIATE: suitable for a particular occasion or place
The college student exhibited PRUDENCE by carefully managing her small savings.
Related Words
PRUDE: someone who is excessively concerned with propriety
PRUDISH: prissy and puritanical
Related Words
QUIESCENCE: state of rest or inactivity
156) RAREFY: to make thinner or sparser
Because the atmosphere RAREFIES as altitudes increase, the air at the top of very tall
mountains is too thin to breathe.
Related Words
RAREFACTION: the process of making something less dense
The woman's paternity suit was REPUDIATED when DNA tests showed her ex-boyfriend was not
the father of her baby.
His desire for power was so great that nothing could SATIATE it.
Related Words
SATE: to fully satisfy or ov:erindulge
INSATIABLE: incapable of being satisfied
Related Words
SOPOR: deep sleep
Jill's SPECIOUS excuse sounded legitimate, but was proved otherwise when her teacher called
her home.
163) STIGMA: a mark of shame or discredit
Related Words
STIGMATIZE: to disgrace; to label with negative terms or reputation
The convict appeared STOLID and unaffected by the judge's harsh sentence.
The SUBLIME music transformed the ordinary surroundings into a special place.
Related words
SUBLIMATE: to elevate or convert into something of higher worth
SUBLIMINAL: existing outside conscious awareness
The group made an TACIT agreement about which course of action to take.
Related Words
TACITURN: silent, not talkative
John's father was so TACITURN that he rarely spoke to his own children.
Related words
TACIT: done without using words
Diane was shocked at the man's TIRADE over such a minor mistake.
After surgery, the patient experienced TORPOR until the anesthesia wore off.
Related words
TORPID: sluggish, lacking movement
170) TRANSITORY: temporary, lasting a brief time
Related words
TRANSIT: to pass through; to change or make a transition
TRANSIENT: passing quickly in and out of existence; one who stays a short time
The customer VACILlATED between ordering chocolate chip or rocky road ice cream.
In China, the young VENERATE their elders, deferring to their wisdom and experience.
Related words
VENERABLE: old, worthy of respect
The doctor's reputation for VERACITY made everyone trusted her description of events.
Related words
VERITY: truth
VERACIOUS: truthful, accurate
The witness's answer was so VERBOSE that the attorney forgot his original question.
Related words
VERBALIZE: to put into words
VERBATIM: to quote using the exact words, word for word
VERBIAGE: lots of words that are usually superfluous
The quiet old man was VEXED by his neighbor's loud music.
Related words
VEXATION: a feeling of irritation
176) VOLATILE: easily aroused or changeable; lively or explosive
Related words
WHIM: a fancy or sudden notion
Cathy brought ZEAL to the project, sparking enthusiasm in the other team members.
Related Words
ZEALOT: a fanatic
The coolness of the room was enhanced by the ZEPHYR coming through the window.