Word Definition

Abate amount
Abstract actual reality
Abysmal adj. extremely bad
Accordingly adv. in accordance with
Acquisition n. the act of gaining a skill or possession of something
Adapt setting, or situation
Adept area)
Adequate task or purpose
Advent n. the arrival or creation of something (usu. historic)
Adversarial adj. relating to hostile opposition
Advocate theory, opinion, etc.)
Aesthetic adj. relating to beauty or refined taste
Afford v. to be able to spare
Agitate v. to promote something (usu. a cause)
Allow v. to permit or consent to
Allude v. to make a secretive mention of something
Altercation n. a noisy argument or confrontation
Ambiguous adj. unclear or vague in meaning
Ambitious achievement
Ambivalence or more options
Analogous adj. similar but not identical
Annihilate v. to destroy or cause devastating destruction
Anomaly n. something different from the norm
Anticipate v. assume to be likely to happen
Antipathy n. a strong feeling of dislike
Apex n. the highest point of something
Apprehension n. fearful expectation of something
Articulate v. to clearly express in words
Artificial adj. something made; not occurring naturally
Assertion n. a strong declaration
Austere adj. relating to self-denial
Authenticity and contrived
Avenue n. an intangible path or approach to something
Avid something
Basic adj. relating to the foundation or basis of something
Bear v. to put up with
Benevolent adj. kind, generous
Bias n. a preconception that prevents objectivity
Bittersweet adj. tinged with a feeling of sadness
Bolster v. to support, strengthen, or fortify
 Boost v. to increase or make grow
Brawl v. to fight loudly and disruptively
Brevity n. the quality of being brief or terse
Candid adj. direct, blunt
Candor n. the trait of being honest and frank
Capitalize v. to use to your advantage
Capture v. to catch or seize
Civic adj. relating to the city or citizens
Clinical scientific setting)
Clout n. special advantage or power
Coarse adj. lacking refinement or sophistication
Coincide v. to happen at the same time
Commission service or product)
Comparable adj. able to be compared
Competent adj. sufficiently qualified
Complacent adj. satisfied, with no desire to change or improve
Complement v. to make perfect or complete
Concede v. to admit to a transgression
Conceive v. to imagine or come up with
Condone v. to overlook, approve, or allow
Conducive adj. able to bring about or be suitable for
Conduct v. to behave a certain way
Confide v. to share something secretive with someone
Confine v. to put limits on; to restrict
Consensus n. overall agreement
Constitute v. to form or compose (part of) something
Contemplate v. to think deeply about
Contend v. to maintain or assert (an opinion)
Contradict v. to be in contrast with
Controversial adj. highly debatable and causing contention
Conventional adj. abiding by accepted standards
Convey v. to pass on or transfer (information)
Conviction n. a firm belief in something
Corroborate v. to provide evidence for; to back up (a claim)
Counteract v. to work in opposition to
Counterargument argument
e adj. hindering the achievement of a goal
Culmination n. the final act or climax
Cultivate v. to foster the growth of
Decree v. to declare formally and with authority
Deference n. respect; regard
 Deficient adj. not enough in degree or amount
Demonstrate v. gives evidence for
Demur v. to object to
Deplete v. to (over)use over time (usu. resources)
Desolate adj. bare, barren, empty
Devise v. to come up with (a plan)
Dilemma options
Diligence to a task
Diminish v. to become smaller in scope or degree
Dire adj. hopeless and dangerous or fearful
Discord n. disagreement
Disdain something or someone)
Dismay v. to fill with woe or apprehension
Disparage v. to belittle or speak down to
Dispatch v. to send off a message or messenger
Diversification n. the act of becoming diverse
Doctrine religion or gov’t
Dominion n. a legal territory
Dreary adj. sad, gloomy, dull
Dubious adj. doubtful, questionable
Eccentric adj. peculiar or odd; deviating from the norm
Egregious adj. extremely bad
Eloquent skills (in speaking or writing)
Eminent status
Emit v. to discharge, give forth, or release
Emphatic adj. very expressive; using emphasis
Empirical experiment
Endow v. to equip or bestow (usu. a quality or ability)
Endure v. to withstand, sustain, or hold out against
Entail v. to involve or include
Entrenched adj. firmly established
Enumerate v. to specify or count
Envy v. to admire and be jealous of
Erratic adj. having no fixed course; deviating from the norm
Establish v. to found (a business, group, school, etc.)
Evoke v. to draw forth or call up
Exacerbate v. to make worse or increase the severity of
Excel v. to do something extremely well or to be superior in
Exert v. to put into use (usu. as effort)
Exhilarating adj. invigorating, stimulating, or exciting
Expend v. to use up (as in energy or money)
 Exploit v. to use selfishly or for profit
Facilitate v. to aid the progress of
Feasibility n. the practicality or possibility of something
Ferocity n. viciousness, violence
Fiscal adj. related to (government) money
Flourish v. to prosper, grow, or make fast progress
Fluctuate v. to be unstable; to rise and fall
Foment v. to stir up
Foreseeable adj. capable of being predicted or anticipated
Frankly adv. directly, clearly
Freewheeling adj. carefree
Fundamental adj. the most essential or most basic part
Galvanizing adj. thrilling, exciting, stimulating
Geriatric adj. relating to old age
Hostile adj. harmful, dangerous
Hypothetical adj. supposed; related to a hypothesis
Ignominious adj. publicly shameful or humiliating
Impart v. to transmit, bestow, or disclose
Impartiality views
Imposing adj. impressive (esp. in size or appearance)
Imposition n. an unnecessary burden
Imprudent adj. not cautious or prudent; rash
Incite v. to encourage or stir up
Indifference n. apathy, emotional detachment
Indiscriminately adv. randomly; with little or no distinction
Indulge v. to give into; to satisfy or gratify
Infer v. to guess, conclude, or derive by reasoning
Innovative adj. novel or new (esp. as an idea or invention)
Insatiable adj. can’t be satisfied
Inversion n. a reversal
Invoke v. to call on; to appeal to (e.g., a higher power)
Irreconcilable adj. incapable of being in harmony or agreed upon
Lament v. to feel sorrow for; to mourn
Locomotion n. movement
Lucrative adj. capable of making a lot of money; profitable
Malicious adj. harmful, spiteful
Malleable adj. capable of being molded or changed
Materialistic adj. superficial; focus on material possessions
Melodramatic adj. extravagant or exaggerated (as of a melodrama)
Modest adj. small in size or amount
Modify v. to change, alter, or tweak
 Momentous adj. historically significant
Novel adj. new, innovative
Nuance n. a subtle difference in meaning
Null adj. legally void and ineffective
Objectivity emotions or opinions
Obsolete adj. no longer used; rare or uncommon
Omnipotent adj. almighty and all powerful
Onset n. the beginning or early stages
Opine v. to openly express an opinion
Ornate adj. highly detailed and decorated
Oust v. to remove or force out of (usu. a position or office)
Paramount adj. predominant, superior, most important
Peculiar adj. strange, bizarre
Perish v. to die; to pass away
Persecute v. to cause suffering to
Petulant adj. cranky, pouty, irritable
Pinnacle n. highest level or degree
Pitiable adj. deserving pity
Plausible adj. reasonable and possibly true
Postulate v. to assert
Potent adj. having a strong, chemical effect
Pragmatic adj. practical, useful
Precedent n. an example or subject from earlier in time
Predecessor or office)
Prescribe v. to issue authorization for medications
Principle n. basic truth, assumption, or rule
Prohibit v. to command against, to outlaw
Prompt v. to incite, propel, or cause to act
Promulgate v. to put into law or formally declare
Prosecute v. to bring criminal action against someone (in a trial)
Provocative adj. intending to provoke, inspire, or arouse
Qualitative content)
Quantitative adj. involving quantities (numbers and amounts)
Quirk n. a strange habit
Ramify v. to split into two or more branches
Rash adj. without attention to danger or risk
Raw adj. not processed; uncooked (as in food)
Readily adv. right away and without difficulty
Reconsideration n. thinking again about a previously made choice
Reform v. to improve via change
Refute v. to prove to be untrue, unfounded, or incorrect
 Reinforce v. to strengthen or add support to
Reluctantly adv. somewhat unwillingly
Renounce v. to cast off
Reproach v. to criticize
Repudiate v. to cast off
Retention n. the act of keeping something
Satiated adj. satisfied (usu. in hunger)
Savvy adj. having practical intelligence or knowledge
Scandalous reputation
Scorn v. to look down on with disdain
Scrupulous adj. paying great attention to detail
Scrutinize v. to examine carefully and critically
Secrete v. to produce or release (a substance)
Sentiment n. a tender or moving gesture
Sheer adj. so thin that light can shine through
Simple adj. undecorated
Sinister adj. ominous, evil
Solidarity among a group
Sparingly adv. insufficiently, meagerly, or in a restricted manner
Spawn v. to call forth or generate
Spur v. to stimulate or incite
Squalid adj. run-down, sordid, or sleazy
Stark adj. very plain; devoid of any details or features
Static adj. changeless
Subordinate v. to make dependent on or put at a lower rank
Subsequently adv. happening later or after something
Substantial adj. very large in amount or degree
Substantiate v. to strengthen with new evidence or facts
Subtle adj. hard to detect or analyze
Sufficient adj. enough; just meeting a requirement
Surly adj. unfriendly; inclined to anger
Surmount v. to get on top of or overcome
Susceptible adj. to be vulnerable (to something)
Tactful adj. skilled at dealing with people
Taut adj. pulled tight
Teeming adj. abundantly filled (usu. with living organisms)
Temperament n. usual mood or feelings
Tentative adj. not yet finalized
Transparent adj. truthful or easy to perceive
Treacherous adj. dangerous and unstable
Tremendous adj. very large, good, or bad in degree or size
 Ubiquitous adj. being everywhere at once
Unadorned adj. undecorated, plain
Undermine v. to weaken or subvert (usu. gradually or secretly)
Underscore v. to emphasize or give additional weight to
Undulate v. to move as ripples or in a wavy pattern
Unilateral adj. one-sided
Unjust adj. unfair; not justified
Unmitigated adj. downright, utter, total
Unprecedented before; historic
Unveil v. to make visible; to reveal
Urge v. to encourage or persuade
Validate v. to prove or declare valid
Viability n. ability to be done in a practical or useful way
Vital adj. urgently necessary
Vow v. to promise
Warrant v. to prove to be reasonable
Yield v. to produce or supply
 Example Sentence
As I began my speech, my feelings of nervousness quickly abated.
Julie had trouble understanding the appeal of the abstract painting.
I got an abysmal grade on my research paper!
All students must behave accordingly.
Language acquisition is easier for kids than it is for adults.
Dogs are known for their ability to quickly adapt to their environments.
Beth loves playing the piano, but she’s especially adept at the violin.
Though his resume was adequate, the company doubted whether he’d be a good fit.
The world has never been the same since the advent of the light bulb.
An adversarial attitude will make you many enemies in life.
Environmental protesters often advocate for cleaner energy practices.
The aesthetic decorations at the wedding reception made you feel as if you were a character in a fair
I can’t afford to lose any more pencils!
They’re agitating for better health care.
US law allows citizens to speak freely.
She alluded to the problem at hand but didn’t say anything more about it.
Greg got into an altercation with a stranger at the bar.
Her ambiguous statement made me question whether she could be trusted.
Penny is so ambitious, she wants to be president someday.
His ambivalence prevented him from immediately signing the contract.
Green onions are considered analogous to spring onions.
The dictator sent orders to annihilate the group of rebels.
This result is an anomaly and very rarely happens.
The party was just as fun as I had anticipated it would be.
Her antipathy toward the professor was obvious: she rolled her eyes whenever he entered the classr
The spring play was the apex of our school year.
Her apprehension to leave her house resulted in her missing the train.
She articulated her opinion on the price of the house.
Many candies use artificial flavors to make them taste fruity.
His assertion that sharks are mammals made everyone laugh.
An austere lifestyle, like that of monks, isn’t for everybody.
The police officer doubted the authenticity of the suspect’s story.
The company has decided to pursue other avenues.
Gerald is an avid soccer fan.
You have to start with basic Russian before you can move on to the advanced level.
I can’t bear her complaining any longer!
Many cultures believe in benevolent spirits.
It’s important to avoid bias when investigating a crime.
The ending of the romance movie was bittersweet.
If we work together, we should be able to lift and then bolster the couch.
In order to boost profits, you need to cater to your customers.
The two students brawled for an hour.
The brevity of their time together made it all the more romantic.
Josh is candid about his desire to become an actor.
I admire her candor, especially when nobody else bothers to speak up.
I’d like to capitalize on your math skills by having your work the cash register.
The cops captured the criminal three days after the incident.
Voting is a civic duty.
Her clinical approach to situations allows her to handle them more effectively.
Children of rich and famous people often believe they have a lot of clout.
The queen’s coarse way of speaking surprised the other members of royalty.
It wasn’t until after I booked my ticket that I realized the concert coincided with my finals.
This painting was commissioned by a rich merchant in 1589.
This novel is comparable to Huckleberry Finn.
We need to hire a competent web developer to create a good website for our company.
Though he had never won any awards or even been published, he was complacent with his life as a p
This wine perfectly complements this platter of gourmet cheese.
Dan conceded to pranking his sister.
The plan to build the city was originally conceived in the early 1900s.
She couldn't condone her daughter's rebellious behavior.
The noisy students hardly made the campus library conducive to studying.
Be sure to conduct yourself accordingly.
She confided all of her biggest secrets in her best friend.
We are going to confine the use of this drinking fountain.
After weeks of debating, the panel finally came to a consensus.
The desire for equality constituted the civil rights movement.
She contemplated telling her teacher about the cheating student.
The president contends that the US government will not negotiate with terrorists.
The camera footage contradicts his alibi.
Millions of viewers watched the controversial debate take place.
She lives a conventional life in the suburbs.
I have trouble conveying my thoughts in French.
Her religious convictions prevent her from eating meat.
The note signed by her father corroborates her claim that she was absent from class that day.
This ingredient seems to counteract the other ones.
from all perspectives.
station.
The culmination of the performance was unforgettable.
Teachers don’t just pass on new information to students—they cultivate their academic potential.
The president decreed that Halloween would henceforth be a national holiday.
Her deference to the elderly makes her the perfect candidate for an internship at the retirement cen
I feel as though the sources for my paper are deficient.
This book’s use of words such as “grim” and “bleak” demonstrates the author’s mournful tone.
She demurred at my request to transfer to a different department.
The lost campers quickly depleted their supply of food.
The moon is one giant, desolate landscape.
Lana devised a plan to make herself famous.
The main dilemma is whether to pay for a commercial or not.
Diligence and confidence will get you far in life.
The itchiness of mosquito bites usually starts to diminish after a few days.
When the police didn’t explain what was happening right away, Jane knew that the situation must be
Disputes over money caused intense discord in the family.
He looked at me with such disdain that I immediately knew the job wouldn’t work out.
Many were dismayed by the town’s implementation of metered parking.
A good boss is stern but never disparages his or her employees.
The mother dispatched her daughter to their neighbor’s house.
Lately, there’s been noticeable diversification of students at higher institutions.
Devoutly religious people often live their lives according to their doctrines.
Puerto Rico is a dominion of the US.
The gray clouds in the sky made the day feel dreary.
The man’s claims to the throne were dubious since nobody knew where he’d come from.
She’s a little eccentric but still fun to be around.
After cheating on the exam, Emily began to feel as though she’d made an egregious mistake.
His speech was not only eloquent but also extremely compelling.
Our town made news when the eminent magician came to perform at our local theater.
Plants consume carbon dioxide and emit oxygen.
Her emphatic smile told me she was excited to ride the roller coaster.
You need empirical evidence to support your claim.
According to the myth, the gods endowed him with the gift of healing.
I can’t endure this wait any longer. Will Stanford accept or reject me?
A doctoral program entails long nights and a heavy workload.
Her face will forever be entrenched in my memory.
I can’t enumerate how many times I’ve had to remind my students when their papers are due.
She envies her coworker's social skills.
The car became erratic after slipping on ice.
Our group established a new branch in Chicago.
Horror movies are great at evoking fear.
The doctor told me not to run as it can exacerbate my knee injury.
She was a well-rounded student but excelled especially in science.
Don’t exert all of your energy at once.
The music playing at the club was catchy and exhilarating.
Be careful not to expend all your energy in the first half of a marathon.
The shoddy company exploited its workers by paying them extremely low wages.
In grad school, advisors facilitate students’ research and offer constructive criticism.
school year ended.
The lion is just one wild animal known for its ferocity.
Fiscal policy is how the government uses money to influence the economy.
After one year, the tiny plants had flourished into a breathtaking garden.
Stocks can fluctuate on a daily basis, making it difficult to determine when to buy or sell one.
The civilians accused their leader of fomenting political unrest.
I can't imagine aliens visiting us in the foreseeable future.
I frankly don’t see the point in learning to drive.
His freewheeling attitude often got him in trouble at work.
A thesis is arguably the most fundamental part of an essay.
The galvanizing performance left everyone spellbound.
I became interested in geriatric medicine shortly after my grandfather passed away from cancer.
The voices around the corner sounded angry, hostile even.
For my physics homework, I must come up with a hypothetical situation.
The politician's expensive campaign ultimately ended in ignominious defeat.
Parents must impart common sense to their children.
To ensure impartiality, we require everyone to follow these general guidelines.
The old mansion was imposing in its huge size and gothic architecture.
If it’s not too much of an imposition, could you proofread my paper?
Backpacking abroad can be fun, but don’t be imprudent about money.
Her hateful words incited anger in the crowd.
The girl’s indifference toward her brother upset their parents.
Lottery winners are chosen indiscriminately.
My friend loves to indulge in cheesy romance movies.
You can infer from this quotation that the writer didn’t care for “pretty” language.
Her invention was incredibly innovative and won her multiple awards.
A vampire’s thirst for blood is said to be insatiable.
The culture’s norms were an inversion of our own.
The shaman attempted to invoke a demon.
The couple’s differences were ultimately irreconcilable, giving them no choice but to break up.
Susan lamented her missed chance at going to Europe with her high school class.
Physics involves the study of locomotion.
Writing books isn’t a particularly lucrative career, unless you’re J.K. Rowling.
The malicious spirit drove out the inhabitants from their home.
Children’s minds are malleable but only for so long.
Many people accuse Americans of being materialistic.
The melodramatic play was well liked by the audience.
I received a modest sum of money for my help at the company event.
Dr. Nguyen modified the gene so that it wouldn’t carry the disease.
Her win in the election was momentous.
We are looking for novel ways to approach the project.
Body-language experts even understand the nuances of facial expressions.
The government declared their marriage null.
In scientific research, objectivity is of utmost importance.
Historians assumed record players would be obsolete by now, but in fact they’re making a huge com
Gods are omnipotent beings who can control human destiny.
At the onset of her career as a lawyer, things were looking up.
The new employee opined at the company meeting.
That ornate silverware must be worth thousands of dollars!
Sick and tired of putting up with his bad moods, the pirates ousted their captain.
Our paramount concern is the safety of our employees.
Upon entering the abandoned house, Kate experienced a peculiar feeling, as if someone was watchin
According to the news, nobody perished in the fire.
They will persecute anyone who doesn’t agree with their views of the world.
Petulant children are especially difficult to care for.
Many believe that composers such as Beethoven and Mozart represent the pinnacle of classical mus
The frail-looking dog was pitiable, so I gave it some food and took it inside to care for it.
Her story is plausible, but that doesn’t mean she’s telling the truth.
The literary critic postulates that romanticism and naturalism are actually interconnected.
The potion was definitely potent—it healed my wounds immediately!
It’s not necessarily more pragmatic to study engineering than it is to study philosophy.
This change in law is without historical precedent.
My predecessor gave me many tips for running the office.
A doctor must prescribe you this medication before you can begin taking it.
Remember the universal principle: treat others as you want them to treat you.
Alcohol was prohibited in the US in the 1920s.
The possibility of a scholarship prompted him to apply to Harvard.
The ruler will at last promulgate an amnesty with the neighboring countries.
The suspect was prosecuted yesterday.
Her nude paintings are considered quite provocative.
I noticed a qualitative change in her paintings.
We must conduct a quantitative analysis.
His biggest quirk is his love of old marbles.
Cars ramified throughout the world in the twentieth century.
Her rash decision to pass the car nearly resulted in a crash.
In some countries, such as Japan, it is normal to eat raw fish.
Water was readily available at different points in the race.
The judges’ reconsideration of her performance resulted in her victory.
The government reformed its vague policies on marijuana use.
The student refuted the professor’s claim in class.
We can use these pipes to reinforce the structure.
Max reluctantly agreed to see the horror movie with his friends.
He renounced his friend after he caught her stealing money from him.
The mother reproached her daughter’s school for making students come in during a blizzard.
She repudiated her son once she found out he’d married someone without telling her.
Water retention can make you weigh more on certain days.
I felt satiated after eating a snack.
My brother is not very savvy when it comes to using public transportation.
The scandalous politician decided it was best to resign from office.
It’s difficult for me not to scorn those who use improper grammar.
I am a scrupulous proofreader and never miss an error.
The teacher scrutinized her students’ essays.
Trees secrete a sticky substance called sap.
Even though I’m not a big fan of porcelain dolls, I appreciated the sentiment.
The curtains on the window were so sheer you could clearly see inside the house.
The simple beauty of the ocean is what makes it memorable.
Medieval peasants believed sinister demons could harm humans.
I stood in solidarity with other female students by refusing to wear the school’s sexist uniform.
Due to my condition, I must eat salt sparingly.
The topic spawned an ongoing debate among his family members.
Her bravery spurred others to act.
The squalid cabin needed a new roof and an exterminator.
Looking out at the stark landscape, I felt a keen sense of isolation.
Her life has been static for the past three years.
You aren’t my boss—you can’t subordinate me to the role of receptionist!
I subsequently went home.
I was shocked to find a substantial amount of money beneath the park bench.
It is important for scientists to substantiate their theories whenever possible.
I detected in her expression a subtle hint of irritation.
These boxes should be sufficient for our move.
The bartender was a surly fellow who wasn’t afraid to start a fight.
They managed to surmount the language barrier by using a translation app.
Children are more susceptible to certain illnesses than adults are.
Her tactful attitude toward our class made her one of my favorite teachers.
The rubberband was taut and ready to be fired.
Doorknobs are not as clean as they look and are often teeming with germs.
She had a hostile temperament, making her intimidating to most people.
We haven’t made any official arrangements yet, but the tentative location for our wedding is Hawaii.
She was transparent about her plans to end her marriage.
The journey was becoming treacherous, but they continued on regardless.
Tremendous news! You don’t have to repay your loans!
Cell phones are ubiquitous these days.
Though the dress was cheap and unadorned, it was by far her favorite one on the rack.
Parents should take care not to constantly undermine their children.
This sentence seems to underscore the overall meaning of the passage.
Belly dancers are known for their ability to skillfully undulate their stomachs.
The unilateral decision was deemed unfair by the other party involved.
The court’s decision is unjust—he should not go free.
My speech was an unmitigated disaster!
The number of protestors was unprecedented.
We plan to unveil our plans for the new company project on Sunday.
She urged her sister to apply to Stanford.
Your selfish actions do not validate your feelings for me.
The viability of the solution is questionable.
It is vital that you respond by the deadline.
My brother quickly broke his vow to never eat chocolate again.
Wanting to look cool in front of your friends doesn’t warrant breaking the law.
Our experiment yielded many unique-looking vegetables.