Section 1
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Date created
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Cards (350)
Section 1
(50 cards)
tome
a book, usually a large and academic one Synonyms: codex; volume
wizened
shriveled; withered; wrinkled Synonyms: atrophied; desiccated; gnarled; wasted
belfry
a bell tower; the room in which a bell is hung Synonyms: spire; steeple
leery
suspicious Synonyms: distrustful; guarded; wary
florid
excessively decorated or embellished Synonyms: baroque; elaborate; flamboyant; ornate; ostentatious; rococo
dissemble
to present a false appearance; to disguise one's real intentions or character Synonyms: act; affect; assume; camouflage; cloak; counterfeit; cover up; disguise; dis simulate; fake; feign; mask; masquerade; pose; pretend; put on; sham
vicissitude
a change or variation Synonyms: inconstancy; mutability
pithy
profound or substantial yet concise, succinct, and to the point Synonyms: brief; compact; laconic; terse
variegated
varied; marked with different colors Synonym: diversified
vim
vitality and energy Synonyms: force power
blithe
joyful, cheerful, or without appropriate thought Synonyms: carefree; lighthearted; merry
zephyr
a gentle breeze; something airy or unsubstantial Synonyms: breath; draft
bevy
a group Synonyms: band; bunch; gang; pack; troop
vacillate
to physically sway; to be indecisive Synonyms: dither; falter; fluctuate; oscillate; waver
banal
predictable; clichéd; boring Synonyms: bland; bromidic; clichéd; commonplace; fatuous; hackneyed; innocuous; insipid; jejune; musty; platitudinous; prosaic; quotidian; shopworn; stale; stereotypic; threadbare; timeworn; tired; trite; vapid; worn-out
anachronism
something out of place in time Synonyms: archaism; incongruity
unconscionable
unscrupulous; shockingly unfair or unjust Synonyms: dishonorable; indefensible
viscous
thick and adhesive, like a slow-flowing liquid Synonyms: gelatinous; glutinous; thick
mannered
artificial or stilted in character Synonyms: affected; unnatural
wan
sickly pale Synonyms: ashen; sickly
veracity
filled with truth and accuracy Synonyms: candor; exactitude; fidelity; probity
lugubrious
sorrowful; mournful; dismal Synonyms: funereal; gloomy; melancholy; somber; woeful
effrontery
impudent boldness; audacity Synonyms: brashness; gall; nerve; presumption; temerity
vestige
a trace; a remnant Synonyms: relic; remains; sign
tyro
beginner; novice Synonyms: apprentice; fledgling; greenhorn; neophyte; tenderfoot
upbraid
to scold sharply Synonyms: berate; chide; rebuke; reproach; tax
torpor
extreme mental and physical sluggishness Synonyms: apathy; languor
diffident
lacking self-confidence Synonyms: backward; bashful; coy; demure; modest; retiring; self-effacing; shy; timid
zenith
the point or culmination; peak
trenchant
acute, sharp, or incisive; forceful; effective Synonyms: biting; caustic; cutting; keen
officious
too helpful; meddlesome Synonyms: eager; intrusive; unwanted
ephemeral
Synonyms: evanescent; fleeting; momentary; transient
usury
the practice of lending money at exorbitant rates Synonym: loan-sharking
toady
one who flatters in the hope of gaining favors Synonyms: parasite; sycophant
garrulous
tending to talk a lot Synonyms: effusive; loquacious
unequivocal
absolute; certain Synonyms: categorical; clear; explicit; express; unambiguous
calumny
a false and malicious accusation; misrepresentation Synonyms: defamation; libel; slander
yoke
to join together Synonyms: bind; harness; pair
audacious
fearless and daring Synonyms: adventuresome; aggressive; assertive; bold; brave; courageous; daring; dauntless; doughty; fearless; gallant; game; heroic; intrepid; mettlesome; plucky; stout; stouthearted; up afraid; undaunted; valiant; valorous; venturesome; venturous
glib
fluent in an insincere manner; offhand; casual Synonyms: easy; superficial
affected
phony; artificial Synonyms: insincere; pretentious, put-on
opprobrium
public disgrace Synonyms: discredit; disgrace; dishonor; disrepute; ignominy; infamy; obloquy; shame
malinger
To evade responsibility by pretending to be ill Synonyms: shirk; slack
foment
to arouse or incite Synonyms: agitate; impassion; inflame; instigate; kindle
ameliorate
to make better; to improve Synonyms: amend; better; improve; pacify; upgrade
voluble
talkative; speaking easily; glib Synonyms: loquacious; verbose
expurgate
to censor Synonyms: bowdlerize; cut; sanitize
adulterate
to make impure Synonyms: debase; doctor; load
desultory
jumping from one thing to another; disconnected Synonyms: aimless; disconnected; erratic; haphazard; indiscriminate; object less; purposeless; random; stray; unconsidered; unplanned
contumacious
rebellious Synonyms: factious; insubordinate; insurgent; mutinous; rebellious; seditious
Section 2
(50 cards)
spartan
highly self-disciplined; frugal; austere Synonyms: restrained; simple
opine
TO EXPRESS AND OPINION At the "Let's Chat Talk Show," the audience member opined that the guest was in the wrong. Synonyms: point out; voice
talon
claw of an animal, especially a bird of prey Synonyms: claw; nail
surfeit
excessive amount Synonyms: glut; plethora; repletion; superfluity; surplus
obviate
TO PREVENT; TO MAKE UNNECESSARY The river was shallow enough to wade across at many points, which obviates the need for a bridge. Synonyms: forestall; preclude; prohibit
umbrage
offense; resentment . Synonyms: asperity; dudgeon; ire; pique; rancor
flag
TO DECLINE IN VIGOR, STRENGTH, OR INTEREST Synonyms: dwindle; ebb; slacken; subside; wane
stratagem
trick designed to deceive an enemy
ribald
humorous in a vulgar way The court jester's ribald brand of humor delighted the rather uncouth king. Synonyms: coarse; gross; indelicate; lewd; obscene
sacrosanct
extremely sacred; beyond criticism Many people considered Mother Teresa to be sacrosanct and would not tolerate any criticism of her. Synonyms: holy; inviolable; off-limits
sanguine
ruddy; cheerfully optimistic A sanguine person thinks the glass is half full, whereas a depressed person thinks it's half empty. Synonyms: confident; hopeful; positive; rosy; rubicund
vernal
related to spring; fresh Synonyms: springlike; youthful
turgid
swollen as from a fluid; bloated Synonym: distended
solecism
grammatical mistake Synonyms: blooper; faux pas; vulgarism
peccadillo
A MINOR SIN OR OFFENSE Synonyms: failing; fault; lapse; misstep
symbiosis
cooperation; mutual helpfulness Synonyms: association; interdependence
sycophant
a self-serving flatterer; a yes-man Synonyms: boot licked; fawner; lickspittle; toady
rococo
very highly ornamented; relating to an 18th century artistic style of elaborate ornamentation The ornate furniture in the house reminded Tatiana of the rococo style. Synonyms: intricate; ornate
stentorian
extremely loud Synonyms: clamorous; noisy
pejorative
HAVING BAD CONNOTATIONS; DISPARAGING Synonyms: belittling; dismissive; insulting
verbose
wordy Synonyms: long-winded; loquacious; prolix; superfluous
oblique
INDIRECT OR EVASIVE; MISLEADING OR DEVIOUS Usually open and friendly, Reynaldo has been behaving Ina curiously oblique manner lately. Synonyms: glancing; slanted; tangential
satiate
to satisfy fully or overindulge Synonyms: cloy; glut; gorge; surfeit
sublime
lofty or grand Synonyms: august; exalted; glorious; grand; magnificent; majestic; noble; resplendent; superb
penury
AN OPPRESSIVE LACK OF RESOURCES (AS MONEY); SEVERE POVERTY Synonyms: destitution; impoverishment
sully
to tarnish; to taint Synonym: besmirch; defile
sportive
frolicsome; playful Synonyms: frisky; merry
tacit
done without using words Synonyms: implicit; implied; undeclared; unsaid; unuttered
scintilla
trace amount Synonyms: atom; iota; mote; spark; speck
stigma
a mark of shame or discredit Synonyms: blemish; blot; opprobrium; stain; taint
soporific
causing sleep or lethargy Synonyms: hypnotic; narcotic; slumberous; somnolent
onerous
TROUBLESOME AND OPPRESSIVE; BURDENSOME The assignment was so extensive and difficult to manage that it proved onerous to the team in charge of it. Synonyms: arduous; backbreaking; burdensome; cumbersome; difficult; exacting; formidable; hard; laborious; oppressive; rigorous; taxing; trying
pedant
SOMEONE WHO SHOWS OFF LEARNING Synonyms: doctrinaire; nit-picker; pedagogue; scholar; schoolmaster; sophist
rustic
rural The rustic cabin was an ideal setting for a vacation in the country. Synonyms: bucolic; pastoral
taciturn
silent; not talkative Synonyms: laconic; reticent
sinecure
The corrupt mayor made sure to set up all his relatives in sinecures within the administration.
sobriquet
nickname Synonyms: alias; pseudonym
stolid
unemotional; lacking sensitivity Synonyms: apathetic; impassive; indifferent; phlegmatic; stoic; unconcerned
slake
to calm down or moderate Synonyms: moderate; quench; satisfy
specious
deceptively attractive; seemingly plausible but fallacious Synonyms: illusory; ostensible; plausible; sophistic; spurious
fetid
FOUL-SMELLING; PUTRID Synonyms: funky; malodorous; noisome; rank; stinky
seraphic
angelic; sweet . Synonyms: cherubic; heavenly
numismatics
COIN COLLECTING Tom's passion for numismatics has resulted in an impressive collection of coins from all over the world.
syncopation
temporary irregularity in musical rhythm
sybarite
a person devoted to pleasure and luxury Synonyms: hedonist; sensualist
supplant
to replace (another) by force; to take the place of Synonyms: displace; supersede
stasis
a state of static balance or equilibrium Synonyms: inertia; standstill
tangential
digressing; diverting Synonyms: digression; extraneous; inconsequential; irrelevant; peripheral
fervid
INTENSELY EMOTIONAL; FEVERISH Synonyms: burning; impassioned; passionate; vehement; zealous
surly
rude and bad-tempered Synonyms: gruff; grumpy; testy
Section 3
(50 cards)
multifarious
DIVERSE Ken opened the hotel room window, letting in the multifarious noises of the great city. Synonyms: assorted; heterogenous; indiscriminate; legion; motley; multi fold; multiform; multiplex; populous; varied
restive
impatient; uneasy, or restless The passengers became restive after ha in yo wait in line for hours and began to shout complaints at the airline staff. Synonyms: agitated; anxious; fretful
dilettante
SOMEONE WITH AN AMATEURISH AND SUPERFICIAL INTEREST IN A TOPIC Synonyms: amateur; dabbler; superficial; tyro
missive
A WRITTEN NOTE OR LETTER Priscilla spent hours composing a romantic missive for Elvis. Synonym: message
sentient
aware; conscious; able to perceive Synonyms: feeling; intelligent; thinking
salient
prominent; of notable significance His most salient characteristic is his tendency to dominate every conversation. Synonyms: marked; noticeable; outstanding
neophyte
NOVICE; BEGINNER A relative neophyte at bowling, Rodolfo rolled all of his balls into the gutter. Synonyms: apprentice; greenhorn; tyro
metaphor
FIGURE OF SPEECH COMPARING TWO DIFFERENT THINGS The metaphor "a sea of troubles" suggests a lot of troubles by comparing their number to the vastness of the sea. Synonyms: allegory; analogy; simile; symbol
myopic
LACKING FORESIGHT; HAVING A NARROW VIEW OR SHORT-RANGE PERCEPTION Not wanting to spend a lot of money up front, the myopic business owner would likely suffer the cinsequences later. Synonyms: short-sighted; unthinking
disparate
FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT; ENTIRELY UNLIKE Synonyms: different; dissimilar; divergent; diverse; variant; various
neologism
NEW WORD OR EXPRESSION Aunt Mabel simply does not understand today's youth; she is perplexed by their clothing, music, and neologisms. Synonyms: slang; coinage
distaff
THE FEMALE BRANCH OF A FAMILY Synonyms: maternal
enervate
TO REDUCE IN STRENGTH Synonyms: debilitate; enfeebled; sap; weaken
mirth
FRIVOLITY; GAIETY; LAUGHTER Vera's hilarious jokes contributed to the general mirth at the dinner party. Synonyms: glee; hilarity; jollity; merriment
sagacious
shrewd; wise Owls have a reputation for being sagacious, perhaps because of their big eyes, which resemble glasses. Synonyms: astute; judicious; perspicacious; sage; wise
nadir
LOWEST POINT As Joey waited in line to audition for the diaper commercial, he realized he had reached the nadir of his acting career. Synonyms: bottom; depth; pit
salubrious
healthful Run-down and sickly, Gertrude hoped that the fresh mountain air would have a salubrious effect on her health. Synonyms: bracing; curative; medicinal; therapeutic; tonic
meretricious
GAUDY; FALSELY ATTRACTIVE The casino's meretricious decor horrified the cultivated interior designer. Synonyms: flashy; insincere; loud; specious; tawdry
quixotic
OVERLY IDEALISTIC; IMPRACTICAL The practical Danuta was skeptical of her roommate's quixotic plans to build a roller coaster in their yard. Synonyms: capricious; impulsive; romantic; unrealistic
cloying
SICKLY SWEET; EXCESSIVE When Enid and Jay first started dating, their cloying affection toward one another often made their friends ill. Synonyms: excessive; fulsome
repudiate
TO REJECT THE VALIDITY OF The old woman's claim that she was Russian royalty was repudiated by other known relatives. Synonyms: deny; disavow; disclaim; disown; renounce
sardonic
cynical; scornfully mocking Isabella was offended by the sardonic way in which her date made fun of her ideas and opinions. Synonyms: acerbic; caustic; sarcastic; satirical; snide
fawn
TO GROVEL Synonyms: bootlick; grovel; pander; toady
pathogenic
CAUSING DISEASE Synonyms: infecting; noxious
redress
RELIEF FROM WRONG OR INJURY Seeking redress for the injuries she had received in the accident, Doreen sued the driver of the truck that had hit her. Synonyms: amends; indemnity; quittance; reparation; restitution
fatuous
STUPID; FOOLISHLY SELF-SATISFIED Synonyms: absurd; ludicrous; preposterous; ridiculous; silly
requite
to return or repay Thanks for offering to lend me $1,000, but I know I'll never be able to requite your generosity. Synonyms: compensate; reciprocate
dither
TO ACT CONFUSEDLY OR WITHOUT CLEAR PURPOSE Synonyms: falter; hesitate; vacillate; waffle; waver
quotidian
OCCURRING DAILY; COMMONPLACE The sight of people singing on the street is so quotidian in New York that passersby rarely react to it. Synonyms: everyday; normal; usual
nominal
EXISTING IN NAME ONLY; NEGLIGIBLE A nominal but far from devoted member is the high school yearbook committee, she rarely attends meetings. Synonyms: minimal; titular
mitigate
TO SOFTEN; TO LESSEN A judge may mitigate a sentence if she decides that a person committed a crime out of need. Synonyms: allay; alleviate; assuage; ease; lighten; moderate; mollify; palliate; temper
obsequious
OVERLY SUBMISSIVE AND EAGER TO PLEASE The obsequious new associate made sure to compliment her supervisor's tie and agree with him on every issue. Synonyms: compliant; deferential; servile; subservient
militate
TO OPERATE AGAINST; WORK AGAINST Lenin militated against the tsar for years before he overthrew him and established the Soviet Union. Synonyms: affect; change; influence
raconteur
A WITTY, SKILLFUL STORYTELLER The raconteur kept all the passengers entertained with his stories during the six-hour flight. Synonyms: anecdotalist; monologist
exponent
ONE WHO CHAMPIONS OR ADVOCATES Synonyms: representative; supporter
nascent
STARTING TO DEVELOP; COMING INTO EXISTENCE The advertising campaign was still in a nascent stage, and nothing had been finalized yet. Synonyms: embryonic; emerging; inchoate; incipient
mollify
TO CALM OR MAKE LESS SEVERE Their argument was so intense that it was difficult to believe any compromise would mollify them. Synonyms: appease; assuage; conciliate; pacify
reticent
silent; reserved Physically small and verbally reticent, Joan Didion often went unnoticed by those she was reporting upon. Synonyms: cool; introverted; laconic; standoffish; taciturn; undemonstrative
craven
LACKING COURAGE Synonyms: faint hearted; spineless; timid
sedition
behavior that promotes rebellion or civil disorder against the state
rarefy
TO BECOME THINNER OR SPARSER Since the atmosphere rarefied as altitudes increase, the air at the top of very tall mountains is too thin to breathe. Synonyms: attenuate; thin
replete
ABUNDANTLY SUPPLIED; COMPLETE The gigantic supermarket was replete with consumer products of every kind. Synonyms: abounding; full
quiescent
MOTIONLESS Many animals are quiescent over the winter months, minimizing activity in order to conserve energy. Synonyms: dormant; latent
orotund
POMPOUS Roberto soon grew tired of his date's orotund babble about her new job, and decided that their first date would probably be their last. Synonyms: aureate; bombastic; declamatory; euphuistic; flowery; grandiloquent; magniloquent; oratorical; overblown; sonorous
mores
FIXED CUSTOMS OR MANNERS; MORAL ATTITUDES In keeping with the mores of ancient Roman society, Nero held a celebration every weekend. Synonyms: conventions; practices
rhetoric
effective writing or speaking Lincoln's talent for rhetoric was evident in his beautifully expressed Gettysburg Address. Synonyms: eloquence; oratory
rejoinder
RESPONSE Patrick tried desperately to think of a clever rejoinder to Marianna's joke, but he couldn't. Synonyms: retort; ripost
repast
MEAL OR MEALTIME Ravi prepared a delicious repast of chicken tikka and naan. Synonyms: banquet; feast
inculcate
TO TEACH; TO IMPRESS IN THE MIND Synonyms: implant; indoctrinate; instill; preach
demagogue
A LEADER OR RABBLE-ROUSER, USUALLY ONE APPEALING TO EMOTION OR PREJUDICE Synonyms: agitator; inciter; instigator
Section 4
(50 cards)
limpid
CLEAR; TRANSPARENT Fernando could see all the way to the bottom through the pond's limpid water. Synonyms: lucid; pellucid; serene
largess
GENEROUS GIVING (AS OF MONEY) TO OTHERE WHO MAY SEEM INFERIOR She'd always relied on her parents' largess, but after graduation she had to get a job. Synonyms: benevolence; boon; compliment; favor; present
prescient
HAVING FORESIGHT Jonah's decision to sell the apartment seemed to be a prescient one, as its value soon dropped by half. Synonyms: augural; divinatory; mantic; oracular; premonitory
malediction
A CURSE; A WISH OF EVIL UPON ANOTHER The frog prince looked for a princess to kiss him and put an end to the witch's malediction. Synonyms: anathema; imprecation
proclivity
A NATURAL INCLINATION OR PREDISPOSITION Her childhood love of acting, singing, and adoration indicated a proclivity for the theater later in life. Synonyms: bias; leaning; partiality; penchant; predilection; predisposition; prejudice; propensity
dogmatic
DICTATORIAL IN ONE'S OPINIONS Synonyms: authoritarian; bossy; dictatorial; doctrinaire; domineering; imperious; magisterial; masterful; overbearing; peremptory
pariah
AN OUTCAST Once he betrayed those in his community, he was banished and lived the life of a pariah. Synonyms: castaway; derelict; leper; offscouring; untouchable
eschew
TO SHUN; TO AVOID (AS SOMETHING WRONG OR DISTASTEFUL) Synonyms: avoid; elude; escape; evade; shun; shy
licentious
IMMORAL; UNRESTRAINED BY SOCIETY Religious citizens were outraged by the licentious exploits of the free-spirited artists living in town. Synonyms: lewd; wanton
lissome
EASILY FLEXED; LIMBER; AGILE The lissome yoga instructor twisted herself into shapes that her students could only dream of. Synonyms: graceful; lithe; supple
querulous
INCLINED TO COMPLAIN; IRRITABLE Curtis's complaint letter received prompt attention after the company labeled him a querulous potential troublemaker. Synonyms: peevish; puling; sniveling; whiny
proliferate
TO INCREASE IN NUMBER QUICKLY Although he only kept two guinea pigs initially, they proliferated to such an extent that he soon had dozens. Synonyms: breed; multiply; procreate; reproduce; spawn
précis
SHORT SUMMARY OF FACTS Farah wrote a précis of her thesis on the epic poem to share with the class. Synonym: summary
eloquent
PERSUASIVE AND MOVING, ESPECIALLY IN SPEECH . Synonyms: articulate; expressive; fluent; meaningful; significant; smooth-spoken
discern
TO PERCEIVE OR RECOGNIZE Synonyms: catch; descry; detect; differentiate; discriminate; distinguish; espy; glimpse; know; separate; spot; spy; tell
collusion
A COLLABORATION; COMPLICITY; CONSPIRACY Synonyms: connivance; intrigue; machination
libertine
A FREE THINKER (USUALLY USED DISPARAGINGLY); ONE WITHOUT MORAL RESTRAINT The libertine took pleasure in gambling away his family's money. Synonym: hedonist
prattle
MEANINGLESS; FOOLISH TALK Her husband's mindless prattle drove Heidi insane; sometimes she wished he would just shut up. Synonyms: babble; blather; chatter; drivel; gibberish
panoply
IMPRESSIVE ARRAY Her résumé indicates a panoply of skills and accomplishments. Synonyms: array; display; fanfare; parade; pomp; shine; show
mercurial
QUICK, SHREWD, AND UNPREDICTABLE Her mercurial personality made it difficult to guess how she would react to the bad news. Synonyms: clever; crafty; volatile; whimsical
invidious
ENVIOUS; OBNOXIOUS, OR OFFENSIVE; LIKELY TO PROMOTE ILL-WILL Synonyms: discriminatory; insulting; jaundiced; resentful
coterie
AN INTIMATE GROUP OF PERSONS WITH A SIMILAR PURPOSE Synonyms: clique; set
pugilism
BOXING Pugilism has been defended as a positive outlet for aggressive impulses. Synonyms: fighting; sparring
languid
LACKING ENERGY; INDIFFERENT; SLOW The languid cat cleaned its fur, ignoring the vicious, snarling dog chained a few feet away from it. Synonyms: lackadaisical; listless; sluggish; weak
prevaricate
TO LIE OR DEVIATE FROM THE TRUTH Rather than admit that he had overslept again, the employee prevaricated and claimed that heavy traffic had prevented him from arriving at work on time. Synonyms: equivocate; lie; perjure
impugn
TO CALL INTO QUESTION; TO ATTACK VERBALLY Synonyms: challenge; dispute
cosset
TO PAMPER; TO TREAT WITH GREAT CARE Synonyms: cater to; cuddle; dandle; fondle; love; pamper; pet; spoil
pastiche
A PIECE OF LITERATURE OR MUSIC IMITATING OTHER WORKS The playwright's clever pastiche of the well-known children's story had the audience rolling in the aisles. Synonyms: medley; spoof
ebullient
EXHILARATED; FULL OF ENTHUSIASM AND HIGH SPIRITS Synonyms: ardent; avid; bubbly; zestful
profligate
CORRUPT; DEGENERATE Some historians claim that it was the Romans' decadent, profligate behavior that led to the decline of the Roman Empire. Synonyms: dissolute; extravagant; improvident; prodigal; wasteful
prodigal
LAVISH; WASTEFUL The prodigal son quickly wasted all of his inheritance on a lavish lifestyle devoted to pleasure. Synonyms: extravagant; lavish; profligate; spendthrift; wasteful
lassitude
A STATE OF DIMINISHED ENERGY The lack of energy that characterizes patients with anemia makes lassitude one of the primary symptoms of the disease. Synonyms: debilitation; enervation; fatigue; languor; listlessness; tiredness; weariness
ingenuous
SHOWING INNOCENCE OR CHILDLIKE SIMPLICITY Synonyms: artless; guileless; innocent; naïve; simple; unaffected
probity
COMPLETE HONESTY AND INTEGRITY George Washington's reputation for probity is illustrated in the legend about his inability to lie after he chopped down the cherry tree. Synonyms: integrity; morality; rectitude; uprightness; virtue
propriety
THE QUALITY OF BEHAVING IN A PROPER MANNER; OBEYING RULES AND CUSTOMS The aristocracy maintained a high level of propriety, adhering to even the most minor social rules. Synonyms: appropriateness; decency; decorum; modesty
ersatz
FAKE Synonyms: artificial; dummy; false; imitation; mock; sham; simulated; spurious; substitute
inure
TO HARDEN; ACCUSTOM Synonyms: condition; familiarize; habituate
intransigent
UNCOMPROMISING; REFUSING TO BE RECONCILED Synonyms: implacable; inexorable; irreconcilable; obdurate; obstinate; remorseless; rigid; unbending; unrelenting; unyielding
pungent
SHARP AND IRRITATING TO THE SENSES The smoke from the burning tires was extremely pungent. Synonyms: acrid; caustic; piquant; poignant; stinging
pusillanimous
COWARDLY; WITHOUT COURAGE The pusillanimous man would not enter the yard where the miniature poodle was barking. Synonyms: cowardly; timid
panegyric
ELABORATE PRAISE; FORMAL HYMN OF PRAISE The director's panegyric for the donor who kept his charity going was heart warming. Synonyms: compliment; homage
propitiate
TO CONCILIATE; TO APPEASE Because their gods were angry and vengeful, the Vikings propitiate do them with many sacrifices. Synonyms: appease; conciliate; mollify; pacify; placate
legerdemain
TRICKERY The little boy thought his legerdemain was working on his mother but she in fact knew about every hidden toy and stolen cookie. Synonyms: chicanery; conjuring
lumber
TO MOVE SLOWLY AND AWKWARDLY The bear lumbered toward the garbage, drooling at the prospect of the leftovers he smelled. Synonyms: galumph; hulk; lurch; stumble
incarnadine
BLOOD-RED IN COLOR Synonyms: reddened; ruby; ruddy
lapidary
RELATING TO PRECIOUS STONES OR THE ART OF CUTTING THEM Most lapidary work today is done with the use of motorized equipment.
martinet
STRICT DISCIPLINARIAN; ONE WHO RIGIDLY FOLLOWS RULES A compete martinet, the official insisted that Pete fill out all the forms again even though he was already familiar with his case. Synonyms: dictator; stickler; tyrant
prudence
WISDOM; CAUTION OR RESTRAINT The college student exhibited prudence by obtaining practical experience along with her studies, which greatly strengthened her résumé. Synonyms: astuteness; circumspection; discretion; frugality; judiciousness; providence; thrift
deleterious
SUBTLY OR UNEXPECTEDLY HARMFUL Synonyms: adverse; hurtful; inimical; injurious
precipitate
THROWN VIOLENTLY OR BROUGHT ABOUT ABRUPTLY; LACKING DELIBERATION Theirs was a precipitate marriage - they had only known each other for two weeks before they wed. Synonyms: abrupt; hasty; headlong; hurried; ill-considered; impetuous; impulsive; prompt; rash; reckless; sudden
Section 5
(50 cards)
doctrinaire
RIGIDLY DEVOTED TO THEORIES WITHOUT REGARD FOR PRACTICALITY; DOGMATIC Synonyms: dictatorial; inflexible
impetuous
QUICK TO ACT WITHOUT THINKING Synonyms: impulsive; precipitate; rash; reckless; spontaneous
dogma
A FIRMLY HELD OPINION, ESPECIALLY A RELIGIOUS BELIEF Synonyms: creed; doctrine; teaching; tenet
laconic
USING A FEW WORDS He was a classic laconic native of Maine; he talked as if he were being charged for each word. Synonyms: concise; curt; pithy; taciturn; terse
inexorable
INFLEXIBLE; UNYIELDING Synonyms: adamant; obdurate; relentless
ostentation
EXCESSIVE SHOWINESS The ostentation of the Sun King's court is evident in the lavish decoration and luxuriousness of his palace at Versailles. Synonyms: conspicuousness; flashiness; pretentiousness; showiness
panache
FLAMBOYANCE OR DASH IN STYLE AND ACTION; VERVE Leah has such panache when planning parties, even when they're last-minute affairs. Synonym: flair
estimable
ADMIRABLE Synonyms: admirable; commendable; creditable; honorable; laudable; meritorious; praiseworthy; respectable; venerable; worthy
insurrection
REBELLION Synonyms: mutiny; revolt; revolution; uprising
epicure
A PERSON WITH REFINED TASTE IN FOOD AND WINE Synonyms: bon vivant; connoisseur; gastronome; gastronomical; gourmand; gourmet
droll
AMUSING IN A WRY, SUBTLE WAY Synonyms: comic; entertaining; funny; risible; witty
declivity
A DOWNWARD SLOPE Synonyms: decline; descent; grade; slant; tilt
insipid
LACKING INTEREST OR FLAVOR Synonyms: banal; bland; dull; stale; vapid
pare
TO TRIM OFF EXCESS; TO REDUCE The cook's hands were sore after she pared hundreds of potatoes for the banquet. Synonyms: clip; peel
euphemism
USE OF AN INOFFENSIVE WORD OR PHRASE IN PLACE OF A MORE DISTASTEFUL ONE Synonym: circumlocution; delicacy
iniquity
A SIN; AN EVIL ACT Synonyms: enormity; immorality; injustice; vice; wickedness
palliate
TO MAKE LESS SERIOUS; TO EASE The alleged crime was so vicious that the defense lawyer could not palliate it for the jury. Synonyms: alleviate; assuage; extenuate; mitigate
dyspeptic
SUFFERING FROM INDIGESTION; GLOOMY AND IRRITABLE Synonyms: acerbic; melancholy; morose; solemn; sour
judicious
SENSIBLE; SHOWING GOOD JUDGMENT The wise distinguished judge was well known for having a judicious temperament. Synonyms: circumspect; prudent; sagacious; sapient
exonerate
TO CLEAR OF BLAME Synonyms: absolve; acquit; clear; exculpatory; vindicate
pallid
LACKING COLOR OR LIVELINESS The old drugstore's pallid window could not compete with the new megastore's extravagant display next door. Synonyms: ashen; blanched; ghostly; pale; wan
embellish
TO ADD ORNAMENTAL OR FICTITIOUS DETAILS Synonyms: adorn; bedeck; elaborate; embroider; enhance; exaggerate
ostensible
APPARENT The ostensible reason for his visit was to borrow a book, but he secretly wanted to chat with the lovely Wanda. Synonyms: represented; supposed; surface
edify
TO INSTRUCT MORALLY AND SPIRITUALLY Synonyms: educate; enlighten; guide; teach
esoteric
KNOWN OR UNDERSTOOD ONLY BE A FEW Synonyms: abstruse; arcane; obscure
distend
TO SWELL, INFLATE, OR BLOAT
indolent
HABITUALLY LAZY OR IDLE Synonyms: fainéant; languid; lethargic; slothful; sluggish
dirge
A FUNERAL HYMN OR MOURNFUL SPEECH Synonyms: elegy; lament
parry
TO WARD OFF OR DEFLECT, ESPECIALLY BY A QUICK-WITTED ANSWER Kari parried every question the army officers fired at her, much to their frustration. Synonyms: avoid; evade; repel
diatribe
AN ABUSIVE, CONDEMNATORY SPEECH Synonyms: fulmination; harangue; invective; jeremiad; malediction; obloquy; tirade
paragon
MODEL OF EXCELLENCE OR PERFECTION He is the paragon of what a judge should be: honest, intelligent, hardworking, and just. Synonyms: apotheosis; ideal; quintessence; standard
crescendo
STEADY INCREASE IN VOLUME OR FORCE Synonyms: acme; capstone; climax; crest; culmination; meridian; peak
intrepid
FEARLESS; RESOLUTELY COURAGEOUS Synonym: brave
interregnum
A PERIOD BETWEEN REIGNS Synonyms: interval
nettle
TO IRRITATE I don't particularly like having blue hair - I just do it to nettle my parents. Synonyms: annoy; vex
overwrought
AGITATED; OVERDONE The lawyer's overwrought voice on the phone made her clients worry about the outcome of their case. Synonyms: elaborate; excited; nervous; ornate
parley
DISCUSSION; USUALLY BETWEEN ENEMIES The parley between the rival cheerleading teams resulted in neither side admitting that they copied the other's dance moves. Synonyms: debate; dialogue; negotiations; talks
equivocate
TO USE EXPRESSIONS OF DOUBLE MEANING IN ORDER TO MISLEAD Synonyms: ambiguous; evasive; waffling
ingratiate
TO GAIN FAVOR WITH ANOTHER BY DELIBERATE EFFORT; TO SEEK TO PLEASE SOMEBODY SO AS TO GAIN AN ADVANTAGE Synonyms: curry favor; flatter
lachrymose
TEARFUL Marcella always became lachrymose when it was time to bid her daughter good-bye. Synonyms: teary; weeping
ossify
TO CHANGE INTO BONE; TO BECOME HARDENED OR SET IN A RIGIDLY CONVENTIONAL PATTERN The forensics expert ascertained the body's age based on the degree to which the facial structure had ossified.
obdurate
HARDENED IN FEELING; RESISTANT TO PERSUASION The president was completely obdurate on the issue, and no amount of persuasion would change his mind. Synonyms: inflexible; intransigent; recalcitrant; tenacious; unyielding
pragmatic
PRACTICAL, AS OPPOSED TO IDEALISTIC Synonyms: rational; realistic
nuance
A SUBTLE EXPRESSION OF MEANING OR QUALITY The scholars argued for hours over tiny nuances in the interpretation of the last line of the poem. Synonyms: gradation; subtlety; tone
jingoism
BELLIGERENT SUPPORT OF ONE'S COUNTRY Synonyms: chauvinism; nationalism
noisome
STINKING; PUTRID A dead mouse trapped in your walls produces a noisome odor. Synonyms: disgusting; foul; malodorous
dilatory
INTENDED TO DELAY Synonyms: dragging; flagging; laggard; lagging; slow; slow-footed; slow-going; slow-paced; tardy
fallow
DORMANT; UNUSED Synonyms: idle; inactive; unseeded
occlude
TO STOP UP; TO PREVENT THE PASSAGE OF A shadow is thrown across the Earth's surface during a solar eclipse, when the light from the sun is occluded by the moon. Synonyms: barricade; block; close; obstruct
euphony
PLEASANT, HARMONIOUS SOUND Synonyms: harmony; melody; music; sweetness
Section 6
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encomium
WARM PRAISE Synonyms: citation; eulogy; panegyric; salutation; tribute
ignoble
HAVING LOW MORAL STANDARDS; NOT NOBLE IN CHARACTER; MEAN Synonyms: lowly; vulgar
posit
TO ASSUME AS REAL OR CONCEDED; TO PROPOSE AS AN EXPLANATION Synonym: suggest
exigent
URGENT; REQUIRING IMMEDIATE ATTENTION Synonyms: critical; imperative; needed; urgent
efficacy
EFFECTIVENESS Synonyms: dynamism; effectiveness; efficiency; force; power; productiveness; proficiency; strength; vigor
intractable
NOT EASILY MANAGED OR MANIPULATED Synonyms: stubborn; unruly
endemic
BELONGING TO A PARTICULAR AREA; INHERENT Synonyms: indigenous; local; native
imperturbable
NOT CAPABLE OF BEING DISTURBED Synonyms: composed; dispassionate; impassive; serene; stoic
demur
TO EXPRESS DOUBTS OR OBJECTIONS Synonyms: dissent; expostulate; protest; remonstrate
invective
ABUSIVE LANGUAGE Synonyms: denunciation; revilement; vituperation
ethos
THE BELIEFS OR CHARACTER OF A GROUP Synonyms: culture; ethic; philosophy
plethora
EXCESS Synonyms; glut; overabundance; superfluity; surfeit
dictum
AN AUTHORITATIVE STATEMENT Synonyms: adage; aphorism; apothegm; decree; edict
maelstrom
WHIRLPOOL; TURMOIL; AGITATED STATE OF MIND The transportation system of the city had collapsed in the maelstrom of war. Synonyms: eddy; turbulence
polemic
CONTROVERSY; ARGUMENT; VERBAL ATTACK Synonyms: denunciation; refutation
eulogy
A SPEECH IN PRAISE OF SOMEONE Synonyms: commend; extol; laud
diurnal
ACTIVE OR OCCURRING DURING THE DAY Synonyms: daylight; daytime
dissonance
A HARSH AND DISAGREEABLE COMBINATION, ESPECIALLY OF SOUNDS Synonyms: clash; contention; discord; dissension; dissent; dissidence; friction; strife; variance
convoluted
INTRICATE AND COMPLICATED Synonyms: Byzantine; complex; elaborate; intricate; knotty; labyrinthine; perplexing; tangled
maudlin
OVERLY SENTIMENTAL The movies treatment of the mothers death was so maudlin that instead of making the audience cry, it made them cringe. Synonyms: bathetic; mawkish; saccharine; weepy
lionize
TO TREAT AS A CELEBRITY After the success of his novel, the author was lionized by the press. Synonyms: feast; honor; regale
credulous
TOO TRUSTING; GULLIBLE Synonyms: naïve; susceptible; trusting
magnate
POWERFUL OR INFLUENTIAL PERSON The entertainment magnate bought two cable TV stations to add to his collection of magazines and publishing houses. Synonyms: dignitary; luminary; nabob; potentate; tycoon
liberal
TOLERANT OR BROAD-MINDED; GENEROUS OR LAVISH Cali's liberal parents trusted her and allowed her to manage her own affairs to a large extent. Synonyms: bounteous; latitudinarian; munificent; permissive; progrssive
divine
TO FORETELL OR KNOW BY INSPIRATION Synonyms: auger; foresee; intuit; predict; presage
impecunious
POOR; HAVING NO MONEY Synonyms: destitute; impoverished; indigent; needy; penniless
misanthrope
A PERSON WHO DISLIKES OTHERS The Grinch was such a misanthrope that even the sight of children singing made him angry. Synonym: curmudgeon
engender
TO PRODUCE, CAUSE, OR BRING ABOUT Synonyms: beget; generate; spawn
idiosyncrasy
PECULIARITY OF TEMPERAMENT; ECCENTRICITY Synonyms: humor; oddity; quirk
implacable
UNABLE TO BE CALMED DOWN OR MADE PEACEFUL Synonyms: inexorable; intransigent; irreconcilable; relentless; remorseless; unforgiving; unrelenting
disabuse
TO SET RIGHT; TO FREE FROM ERROR Synonyms: correct; undeceive
imprecation
A CURSE. Synonym: damnation
inquest
AN INVESTIGATION; AN INQUIRY uest; research
cupidity
GREED; STRONG DESIRE Synonyms: avarice; covetousness; rapacity
jettison
TO DISCARD; TO GET RID OF AS UNNECESSARY OR ENCUMBERING . Synonyms: dump; eject
inchoate
NOT FULLY FORMED; DISORGANIZED Synonyms: amorphous; incoherent; incomplete; unorganized
desiccate
TO DRY OUT THOROUGHLY Synonyms: dehydrate; dry; parch
plebeian
CRUDE OR COARSE; CHARACTERISTIC OF COMMONERS Synonyms: conventional; unrefined
coalesce
TO GROW TOGETHER TO FORM A SINGLE WHOLE Synonyms: amalgamate; blend; condense; consolidate; fuse; unite
mar
TO DAMAGE OR DEFACE; TO SPOIL Telephone poles mar the natural beauty of the countryside. Synonyms: blemish; disfigure; impair; injure; scar
decorum
APPROPRIATENESS OF BEHAVIOR OR CONDUCT; PROPRIETY Synonyms: correctness; decency; etiquette; manners; mores; propriety; seemliness
exculpate
TO CLEAR FROM BLAME; TO PROVE INNOCENT Synonyms: absolve; acquit; clear; exonerate; vindicate
lucid
CLEAR AND EASILY UNDERSTOOD The explanations were written in a simple and lucid manner so that the students were immediately able to apply what they learned. Synonyms: clear; coherent; explicit; intelligible; limpid
inimical
HOSTILE; UNFRIENDLY Synonyms: adverse; antagonistic; dissident; recalcitrant
impasse
A BLOCKED PATH; A DILEMMA WITH NO SOLUTION Synonyms: cul-de-sac; deadlock; stalemate
effigies
A STUFFED DOLL; A LIKENESS OF A PERSON Synonyms: dummy; figure; image
diaphanous
ALLOWING LIGHT TO SHOW THROUGH; DELICATE Synonyms: gauzy; sheer; tenuous; translucent; transparent
innocuous
HARMLESS Synonyms: benign; harmless; inoffensive; insipid
plastic
ABLE TO BE MOLDED, ALTERED, OR BENT Synonyms: adaptable; ductile; malleable; pliant
imbue
TO INFUSE, DYE, WET OR MOISTEN Synonyms: charge; freight; impregnate; permeate; pervade
Section 7
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