short vocab list

8/8/2019 Short Vocab List

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GlossaryABHOR to hateABSTINENCE deliberate self-restraint

ABSTRUSE difficult to understandACCLAIM to praiseACCORD agreementACERBIC bitter ACRIMONY hostilityACUITY sharp perception or visionADEPT very skilledADMONISH to gently criticize or warnADORN to decorateADROIT very skilledADULATION excessive flatteryADVERSITY great hardshipADVOCATE to speak in favor of, promoteAESTHETIC concerning beautyAFFABLE friendlyAFFLUENT wealthyALACRITY eagerness, enthusiasmALIENATE to make unfriendly or hostileALLEVIATE to make more bearableALTRUISTIC unselfishly concerned for the welfare of othersAMALGAM a combination of diverse elementsAMBIGUOUS unclear AMBIVALENT having opposing feelings; uncertainAMELIORATE to improveAMENABLE open to advice or suggestionAMIABLE friendlyAMICABLE friendlyAMORPHOUS lacking definite formANACHRONISTIC in the wrong time periodANECDOTE a short account of an interesting or humorous

incidentANIMOSITY bitter hostilityANTAGONISTIC hostile

APATHETIC lacking interest, concern, or emotionAPPEASE to bring peace, quiet, or calm to; to relieveAPPREHENSIVE fearfulARBITRARY determined by impulse or chance, without

reasonARCHAIC outdated; really oldARDOR energy, intensity, enthusiasmARID dryARTICULATE characterized by clear and expressive

languageASCERTAIN to discover ASPIRE to have a great ambitionASSESS to make a judgment aboutASSIDUOUS hard workingASTUTE having sharp judgmentATROPHY to waste awayAUDACITY disrespectful boldnessAUGMENT to make greater in size or quantityAUSPICIOUS favorable; successfulAUSTERE strict or severe in disciplineAUTONOMY independenceAVARICE greedAVERSE reluctantAWE a mixed emotion of respect, wonder, and

dreadBANAL ordinary and commonplaceBANE a cause of death or ruinBELIE to represent falselyBELITTLE to speak of in an insulting way

BELLIGERENT eager to fightBEMUSE to confuse, stun, or stump

BENEVOLENT inclined to perform kind actsBENIGN kind; beneficialBERATE to criticize severely or angrilyBOISTEROUS noisy; disorderlyBOLSTER to support; to reinforceBOMBASTIC using arrogant or pretentious speechBRAZEN rudely boldBRUSQUE rudely brief BUOYANT cheerfulBURGEON to growBUTTRESS to support or strengthenCACOPHONY jarring, disagreeable soundCAJOLE to persuade by flatteryCALLOUS emotionally hardened or unfeelingCAMARADERIE goodwill among friendsCANDID honest and straightforwardCANTANKEROUS ill-temperedCAPRICIOUS impulsive, unpredictableCARNIVOROUS meat-eatingCATHARTIC emotionally cleansing or relievingCAUSTIC harsh, stinging; sarcasticCENSURE to criticize severelyCEREBRAL intellectualCHRONIC continuing or lingeringCIRCUITOUS being or taking a roundabout courseCIRCUMSPECT cautious and wiseCIRCUMVENT to avoid or get aroundCLAIRVOYANCE the power to see things that cannot be

perceived by the sensesCLANDESTINE kept or done in secretCOGENT forcefully convincingCOGNIZANT awareCOHERENT logically connected; making sense

COHESIVE sticking or holding together COLLABORATE to work together COMMEND to praiseCOMPEL to exert a strong, irresistible force onCOMPETENT having adequate abilityCOMPLACENT self-satisfied to the point of inactivity;

unconcernedCOMPLICITY participation in a bad act or a crimeCOMPOSED calmCOMPROMISE to expose to danger or suspicionCONCEDE to acknowledge, often reluctantly, as being

trueCONCILIATE to bring peace, quiet, or calm to; to relieveCONCISE expressing much in few wordsCONCORD agreementCONCUR to agreeCONDESCEND to deal with people in a superior manner CONDONE to excuse or overlook CONFORM to be similar; to adaptCONFOUND to confuseCONJECTURE guesswork CONSCIENTIOUS thorough and carefulCONSENSUS general agreementCONSOLIDATE to combineCONSTITUENT a componentCONSTRAIN to hold back; to restrictCONSTRUE to interpretCONTEMPT a lack of respect and intense dislikeCONTEND to compete; to argue




CONTRITE feeling or expressing remorseCONTRIVED obviously planned or made upCONVIVIAL sociableCONVOLUTED complicatedCOPIOUS plentiful, abundant

CORDIAL friendly, warm, politeCORROBORATE to strengthen or support with evidenceCREDIBLE believableCUNNING clever, sneakyCURSORY performed with haste and little attention to

detailCURTAIL to cut shortCYNICAL believing that people are motivated by

selfishness; pessimisticDAUNT to intimidate or lessen one's courageDEARTH a scarce supplyDEBILITATE to weakenDEBUNK to disprove or expose the falseness of DECORUM correct or appropriate behavior DECRY to condemn openlyDEFER to submit or yield to another’s wish or opinionDELETERIOUS harmful

DELINEATE to depict or describeDEMEAN to lower in status or worthDENIGRATE to attack the reputation of DENOUNCE to condemn openlyDEPRECATE to mildly insult or belittleDERIDE to speak of or treat with crueltyDESPAIR a complete loss of hopeDESPONDENT depressed, having no hopeDETER to prevent or discourage from actingDIFFIDENCE a lack of self-confidence, shynessDIGRESS to stray from the main subjectDILATORY tending to delay; late or slowDILIGENT hard workingDIMINUTIVE tinyDISCERN to detect or perceiveDISCORD lack of agreement, quarrelingDISCREDIT to bring shame or dishonor onDISCREET careful in one's conduct or speechDISCREPANCY an unexpected differenceDISCRETE separate; distinctDISDAIN intense dislikeDISGRUNTLED unhappyDISMISS to rejectDISPARAGE to speak of in an insulting wayDISPARITY the state of being differentDISPASSIONATE not influenced by emotion or biasDISPEL to rid of DISPOSITION one’s usual moodDISSEMBLE to conceal behind a false appearanceDISSEMINATE to spread outDISSENT disagreementDISSIPATE to disappear DIVERGENT drawing apart from a common point; differing

from another DIVISIVE creating disagreement or dissentDIVULGE to make known, revealDOCILE easily managed or taughtDOGGED stubbornly perseveringDOGMATIC stubbornly and arrogantly opinionatedDOUR gloomyDUBIOUS doubtful, questionableDUPLICITY deception, deceitEARNEST showing deep sincerity or seriousnessEBULLIENT enthusiastic, livelyECCENTRIC strange; unconventional

ECLECTIC having elements from a variety of sourcesECSTASY intense joy or delightEFFACE to eraseEFFICACIOUS effectiveEFFUSIVE overflowing (usually referring to emotions)

ELATED filled with delightELITE superior in statusELOQUENT well spokenELUCIDATE to make clear ELUSIVE tending to escapeEMBELLISH to add fictitious details toEMINENT outstanding; distinguishedEMPIRICAL based on observation or experimentEMULATE to equal through imitationENCOMPASS to enclose; to includeENCROACH to advance beyond limitsENERVATE to weaken or drain of energyENHANCE to make greater or better ENIGMATIC puzzlingENMITY hatredENTHRALL to hold spellbound, captivateENTICE to lure

ENTRENCH to fix firmly or securelyENUMERATE to specify individually; to countENUNCIATE to pronounce with clarityEPHEMERAL lasting for a brief timeEQUANIMITY calmnessEQUIVOCAL uncertain, vague, misleadingERADICATE to eliminateERRATIC irregular ERUDITE scholarly, well educatedESOTERIC understood by only a fewESPOUSE to give one’s support toESTEEM to value highly, to respectESTRANGE to cause to become unfriendly or hostileEULOGY a written or spoken tribute (usually for

someone who has died)EUPHEMISM the substitution of inoffensive term for one

considered offensiveEUPHORIA a feeling of great happinessEVANESCENT fading awayEVASIVE tending to escapeEVOKE to summon or call forthEXACERBATE to make more severeEXACTING requiring great care or effortEXALT to elevate, glorify, or praiseEXASPERATE to anger or irritateEXEMPLARY worthy of imitationEXONERATE to free from blame or responsibilityEXORBITANT excessiveEXPEDITE to speed the progress of EXPLOIT to utilize fully or advantageously (often

selfishly or unethically)EXTOL to praiseEXTRAVAGANT excessive

EXUBERANT livelyFACILE simple; easyFACILITATE to make easier FATUOUS foolish, ridiculously stupidFEASIBLE possible, workable, practicalFELICITY great happinessFERVENT greatly emotional or enthusiasticFLAGRANT obviously bad or offensiveFLAMBOYANT highly elaborate; showyFLORID elaborately or excessively ornamented;

floweryFLOURISH to grow well




FORTHRIGHT honest, direct, straightforwardFOSTER to promote the development of FRENETIC wildly excited; frenzied; franticFRIVOLOUS unworthy of serious attentionFRUGAL careful with money, stingy

FUTILE having no useful resultGALVANIZE to stimulateGARISH flashy, tastelessly loud and brightly coloredGARRULOUS talkativeGENIAL friendly, cheerfulGRANDIOSE falsely exaggerating one's worthGRATE to irritateGRATUITOUS unnecessaryGREGARIOUS sociableGUILE skillful deceitHACKNEYED overusedHAIL to salute or greetHAMPER to prevent the movement or action of HARANGUE a long, angry speechHAUGHTY snobbish; overly proudHEED to pay close attention toHERETICAL characterized by departure from accepted

beliefs or standardsHINDER to be or get in the way of HOMOGENEOUS all of the same or similar kindIDIOSYNCRATIC peculiar to an individualILLICIT not permitted by custom or lawILLUSORY based on or producing illusion; deceptiveIMPARTIAL not biasedIMPASSIONED filled with passionIMPASSIVE having or showing little emotionIMPECCABLE perfectIMPEDE to be or get in the way of IMPERIOUS arrogantly authoritative or overbearingIMPETUOUS impulsive, unthinkingIMPUGN to attack as false or wrong, to challenge or

questionINACCESSIBLE not easily approached, entered, or obtainedINCISIVE penetrating, clear and sharpINCONGRUOUS inappropriate; inconsistentINCONSEQUENTIAL lacking importanceINCONTROVERTIBLE impossible to disputeINCORRIGIBLE incapable of being corrected or reformedINCREDULOUS disbelievingINDICT to accuse of wrongdoingINDIFFERENT having no preferenceINDIGENOUS nativeINDIGNATION anger (over something unjust)INDUCE to bring about the occurrence of;INDULGE to please or satisfyINFLAMMATORY arousing strong emotion, esp. anger INGENUOUS innocent; honest and straightforwardINHERENT naturally occurring; essentialINHIBIT to hold back; to restrainINNATE inborn

INNOCUOUS harmlessINNOVATIVE new and creativeINQUISITIVE showing curiosityINSINUATE to suggest subtly; to hintINSIPID lacking flavor or zest; dullINSOLENT disrespectfully arrogantINSTIGATE to stir upINSULAR isolated; narrow-mindedINTELLIGIBLE capable of being understoodINTRANSIGENT uncompromisingINUNDATE to overwhelm with, to floodINVIGORATE to give life or energy to

INVOKE to enforce or put into operationIRATE enragedJADED weary, worn outJUDICIOUS having good judgment, prudentJUXTAPOSE to place side by side

KEEN sharp, perceptiveLACONIC using few words (often rudely or mysteriously)

LAMENT to regret; to show grief for LANGUID lacking energy or spiritLATENT existing in hidden or dormant formLAUD to praiseLAVISH excessive; plentifulLUCID clear LUXURIOUS rich and superior in qualityMAGNANIMOUS noble and generous in spiritMANDATE an authoritative commandMANIFEST to make evident or certain by displaying or

demonstratingMEAGER small, inadequate, or insufficientMEDIOCRE ordinary; so-soMELANCHOLY sad; gloomy

MERCENARY motivated solely by a desire for monetary or material gain

MERCURIAL changeable, erraticMETICULOUS extremely carefulMIRTH gladness, amusement, laughter MITIGATE to lessen in force or intensityMOLLIFY to soften, to ease the anger of MOROSE gloomyMUNDANE ordinary, commonplaceMUTABLE subject to change

NEBULOUS hazy, vague, or confused; lacking definedform

NEGLIGENT guilty of neglect NEGLIGIBLE insignificant; really small NONCHALANT casually unconcerned (sometimes falsely) NOSTALGIA a bittersweet longing for the past NOTORIOUS known widely and unfavorably; famous for

something bad NOVEL strikingly new or different NURTURE to help develop, to nourishOBDURATE stubbornly persistent in wrongdoingOBLIVIOUS forgetful; unawareOBSOLETE no longer in use or currentOBSTINATE stubbornOBSTREPEROUS noisily and stubbornly defiantOBTRUSIVE sticking out, noticeable; brash, meddlingOBTUSE lacking intellectOFFICIOUS overly eager in offering unwanted helpOMINOUS menacing; threateningOPAQUE not clearly understood, denseOPPORTUNE suitable, occurring at an appropriate timeOPULENT rich or superior in qualityORNATE excessively decorated

ORTHODOX commonly accepted; traditionalPARADOX a seemingly contradictory statement thatmay nonetheless be true

PARTISAN devoted to or biased in support of a groupPATRONIZE to treat condescendinglyPENITENT feeling or expressing remorsePERNICIOUS deadly or destructivePERPETUAL continuing forever or indefinitelyPERSEVERE to be persistent, refuse to stopPERSPICACITY a high level of perception or understandingPERTINENT exactly relevantPERVASIVE spread throughout




PLACID calm, quietPLAUSIBLE believablePLIABLE easily bent or shapedPOIGNANT touchingPOLARIZE to set at opposite ends or extremes

POMPOUS exaggeratedly self-importantPRAGMATIC practicalPRECARIOUS dangerously unstable or insecurePRECIPITOUS extremely steepPREDILECTION a preference; a tendency toward favoringPRETENTIOUS claiming unjust standingPREVALENT widely occurringPRISTINE unspoiled, completely purePRODIGIOUS enormous; extraordinaryPROFOUND deep; far-reachingPROLIFERATE to increase or spread at a rapid ratePROLIFIC producing abundant works or resultsPROPAGATE to transmit or cause to broaden or spreadPROPENSITY tendencyPROPRIETY the quality of being proper PROSAIC lacking in imagination; dullPROSPERITY success; being well-off

PROVINCIAL narrow-mindedPROVOCATIVE tending to stir to anger or actionPRUDENT wise; carefulPUGNACIOUS eager to fightQUELL to put down forciblyRANCOR hostilityRAVENOUS violently hungry or greedyREBUKE to criticize or find fault withRECIPROCATE to show or give in returnRECLUSIVE seeking or preferring isolationRECONCILE to reestablish a close relationship betweenREFUGE protection or shelter REFUTE to prove to be falseREITERATE to repeatRELINQUISH to give up; to releaseREMINISCE to recollect and tell of the pastRENOUNCE to reject, disown, or formally give upREPREHENSIBLE deserving of criticism or disapprovalREPROACH to criticize or express disappointmentREPUDIATE to reject the validity of RESENT to feel angry and bitter aboutRESIGNATION acceptance of something as inescapable;

submissionRESILIENT able to recover promptlyRESOLUTE firm or determinedRESOLVE to make a firm decision aboutRETICENT restrained or reservedREVERE to respect, honor or admireREVOKE to void by recalling, reversing, or withdrawingRUDIMENTARY being or involving basic facts or principlesSAGACIOUS insightful and wiseSANCTION to give official authorization or approval toSANGUINE cheerful

SCATHING harshly criticalSCOFF to express or treat with disrespectful disregardSCORN intense hatred or disrespectSCRUPULOUS thorough and carefulSCRUTINIZE to examine carefullySERENE calmSHREWD smart in a sneaky or tricky manner SKEPTICAL doubting, questioning, not believingSMUG self-satisfied (especially in a mocking way)SOLEMN serious and sober SOLICITOUS anxious or concerned

SOMBER gloomySPECIOUS seemingly true but actually logically falseSPORADIC occurring at irregular intervalsSPURIOUS not genuine; falseSPURN to reject with disrespect

SQUANDER to wasteSTAGNANT not moving, flowing, or developingSTEADFAST firm and dependableSTOIC seemingly unaffected by pleasure or painSUBDUE to bring under controlSUBSTANTIATE to support with proof SUBVERT to ruin; to overthrowSUCCINCT precise expression using few wordsSUPERFLUOUS extra, unnecessarySUPPLANT to take the place of SUPPRESS to put down; to hold back SURREPTITIOUS done or made by secret or stealthy meansTACT sensitivity in dealing with othersTEDIOUS tiresomely long or boringTEMPER to soften or moderateTENACITY persistence, determinationTERSE expressing much in few words

THERAPEUTIC having healing powersTHWART to stop or preventTORPOR inactivityTRACTABLE easily managed, led, or taughtTRANQUIL calmTRANSIENT existing only brieflyTRANSITORY existing only brieflyTREACHERY deliberate betrayal of trustTRITE uninteresting because of overuseTRIVIAL insignificant, unimportantTUMULTUOUS disorderly or noisyUNASSUMING not showy or arrogant; modest; plainUNDERMINE to weakenUNDERSCORE to emphasizeUNIFORM always the sameURBANE polite, suave, and cultivated in manner USURP to seize and take control without authority

and possibly with forceUTILITARIAN having only a useful function; practicalVACILLATE to be undecided, to hesitateVAPID lacking liveliness or interest; dullVEILED concealed or disguisedVENERATE to respectVERBOSE using more words than necessaryVERSATILE capable of doing many things competentlyVICARIOUS felt or undergone as if one were taking part

in the experience or feelings of another VIGILANT alert; watchfulVILIFY to say bad things about, to make into a

villainVINDICATE to clear of blame or suspicionVINDICTIVE seeking revengeVIVACIOUS lively

VOLATILE explosive, tending to changeVOLUBLE characterized by ready and rapid speechVOLUMINOUS big; having large volumeVULNERABLE not protected against harm; easily injuredWARRANT to justifyWARY on guard, cautious, watchfulWAVER to be unsure or weak WHIMSICAL impulsive, fancifulZEALOUS filled with or motivated by enthusiastic

devotion

short vocab list

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